It’s already getting pretty hot outside! We love the summer months here in Florida as they give us lots of opportunities to take our dogs to the park or the beach for an afternoon of fun. But when you’re outside for a long time, you probably notice that you’re sweating a lot and need plenty of water to maintain your fluid levels. Even though your dog doesn’t sweat, he or she needs just as much water as you to stay hydrated and happy!

Dehydration in dogs can cause some serious health issues, including lethargy and shock. It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re playing fetch in the hot sun, but make sure you include plenty of water breaks during play time. Here are some tips to help you keep your dog hydrated this summer:

• Keep a clean water bowl on hand at all times. Cleaning your dog’s bowl daily is a necessity, especially during the summer when they’ll be drinking a lot. Sometimes, when bacteria and other buildup remains in the water bowl, your dog won’t want to drink from it. We like to clean our dogs’ water bowls every morning when we give them fresh water. You can also keep collapsible travel bowls on hand for park and beach visits.

• Don’t let your dog drink too much water too quickly. Gulping down a lot of water may seem like the right solution to dehydration, but doing so can cause stomach upset and cause your dog to vomit. Vomiting and other stomach upsets can leave your dog even more dehydrated than they were to begin with. It’s best to offer small amounts of water at regular intervals to keep their fluids up.

• Especially if you’re not home during the day, provide your dog with a bowl that he can’t knock over and is suitable for his face shape. Tall bowls are great for dogs with long ears, like basset hounds, to help prevent ear infections. However, a bowl that’s too tall for a small dog can leave them unable to drink all the way to the bottom. Make sure your active dog has a bowl with a weighted bottom so it can stand up to any roughhousing and play time.

When you give your dog outside time this summer, never leave him or her chained or tied up to a tree or post. Their ties can get wrapped around the post and prevent them from being able to reach their water sources. Always make sure you supervise play time and intersperse rest and water intervals to keep them safe and healthy. To learn more, send us an email today!

According to the Mosby Foundation, only one of every 10 dogs born will find a forever home. What’s more, there’s a 94% chance that a dog that enters a shelter won’t leave that shelter. Around the world and here at home, there are so many dogs that need our help. But it’s not feasible to open our doors to every homeless dog in need we find. How can we help?

Orlando is home to a number of great organizations, like the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, that work to provide compassionate, knowledgeable services for pets and help pets in need get adopted. If you’re not in the market to adopt a pet, that doesn’t mean you can’t help! Here are some of the best ways to help furry friends that need it most in your area:

• Volunteer. Many organizations around Central Florida and elsewhere rely heavily on the help of volunteers. Typical volunteer duties may include exercising and walking dogs, enrichment programs, cleaning kennels, and so on. The Pet Alliance also has available opportunities to volunteer in administrative capacities if that’s more your speed. Either way, you’ll be helping a great organization continue to do the work it needs to do.

• Donate. If you can’t donate your time via a volunteer opportunity, you can donate your money to help a shelter or organization get the supplies it needs. Most organizations have wish lists of things like blankets, food, and toys that they need to keep their animals happy and healthy. You can always organize a fundraiser - people are usually willing to donate to help animals in need!

• Educate. Social media is an extremely helpful tool for animal shelters like the Pet Alliance. By sharing posts of adoptable animals or upcoming events, you’re helping spread the word to more people than you may realize! Any time you get the chance, educate your friends and your community about how they can help, and always try to lead by example when it comes to how you treat your animals.

There are so many dogs in Orlando that need your help. Donating your time and money is a great way to help, and it’ll help you know that you’ve done something good for your community. Browse through our shop or send us an email for more information.

Beyond basic potty training, socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do for them as a puppy. Proper socialization will give your dog opportunities to play with other dogs, to be calm and cool around new people, and to adapt to new environments without stress or upset. But there’s more to socializing than simply introducing your dog to a situation and letting them do their thing.

Socializing an older dog is more difficult than socializing a puppy, so we recommend you take care of socialization earlier on in your pet’s life. However, sometimes in the case of rescues or extenuating circumstances, you’re unable to take care of these tasks in puppyhood. In any case, making sure your dog is socialized will help reduce fear and aggression, eliminate excitability, and make playtime, walks, and new circumstances more pleasant for both you and your dog. Here are some tips on socializing your dog the right way:

• Make sure you include lots of things your dog loves, like treats and toys. Socializing is stressful by nature - you’re exposing your dog to common stressors so they can get over them easily! Any time you go out for a socializing mission, bring plenty of your dog’s favorite treats and toys to reward them for positive behavior. Any time they get off track, readjust their behavior and reward them when they respond in the intended way.

• Don’t be afraid to use a muzzle. Cesar Chavez, who you may know as The Dog Whisperer, has recommended using a muzzle while socializing for the benefit of humans as well as dogs. Your dog can pick up on your emotions and the emotions of humans around him, so by putting other humans at ease, you’re making the environment less stressful.

• Don’t jump into any situation too quickly. We don’t recommend going into the dog park right off the bat. Instead, take your dog past the dog park a few times, letting them absorb the sights, sounds, and smells. Stay at a distance, working your way up to letting your dog sniff other dogs at the gates. If your dog reacts negatively, regain that distance and work your way back up. Socializing takes time.

As we mentioned before, try your hardest to take care of socialization tasks while your dog is a puppy instead of leaving him stressed out into adulthood. Be patient with your dog and let him feel what he’s feeling. He will set the schedule based on his comfort levels. Want to get your dog the tastiest treats for your socializing trips? Browse through our store today!

If your dog is anything like our dogs, they go nuts when you pull out a jar of peanut butter. Dogs everywhere love a mouthful of the sweet, salty treat, giving us plenty of entertainment as they attempt to get every last morsel off the roofs of their mouths. However, peanut butter has been a somewhat controversial treat for dogs lately, with many decrying its unhealthiness for pets. Is peanut butter a good treat for your dog?

The short answer: yes, with some stipulations. We love peanut butter as a fun snack for our pups, and it’s a key ingredient in our peanut butter pumpkin dog treats! It’s an “interactive” treat, especially if you stuff a Kong toy with a little PB and some crunchy nuggets. It’s also a great way to get your dogs to take their pills. Here are the things you need to look out for when using peanut butter as a treat:

• Peanut butter brands labeled “all natural” might not be the best choice for your pup. Often, all-natural or sugar-free peanut butter contains xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s unsafe for dogs. Real sugar is best when feeding your pup. Better still, places like Whole Foods allow you to grind your own peanut butter from fresh peanuts with no additives! We use only fresh, natural peanut butter for our dog treats - no xylitol.

• Feed it to your dogs sparingly, just like you would with any other treat! Peanut butter has plenty of protein and good fats, but too much of it can lead to obesity and pancreatitis. Give peanut butter to your dog in moderation - as an ingredient in a biscuit, or just a fingerful large enough to tuck your dog’s pills in.

• Make sure your dog doesn’t have food allergies. Dogs don’t get peanut allergies the way humans do, but there’s always the chance that a foreign ingredient will cause some tummy upset. If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, almond and cashew butters are good alternatives that are just as safe for your dogs. If you choose these alternatives, be sure you read the ingredient list to check what sweeteners they use.

At Pawsitively Pure Dog Food, we’re dedicated to using the highest-quality, ethically sourced ingredients for all of our dog treats and foods. We want your dogs to live their healthiest lives ever! We offer free doorstep delivery to pet parents in the Orlando area. Browse through our shop today and get your dog started on a healthy diet.

2019 Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL

If you’re a dog lover like us, it probably comes as no surprise that the pet industry is big business. All around the world, people love pampering their pups and treating them like members of the family. According to the APPA, the pet industry in the U.S. is expected to bring in over $75 billion in 2019 - up from $72 billion in 2018. The highest percentage of that income is expected to go toward food.

As with any other industry, the pet industry is rapidly changing, thanks in part to technology as well as to more ethical food production practices. Here are a few of the “next big things” when it comes to pet care:

• Home delivery service for dog food. Over the last few years or so, home meal delivery kits from companies like Blue Apron and Plated have enabled people to cook wholesome meals at home without drudging through the grocery store. Similar services are becoming available for dogs, especially when it comes to natural, human grade dog food and kits. As a friendly reminder, Pawsitively Pure offers free home delivery for pet owners within 50 miles of Orlando!

• CBD supplements for dogs. You’ve probably seen CBD treats popping up at your local pet supply store. According to the AKC, CBD has been noted to treat inflammation in dogs, as well as to help stimulate appetite and reduce anxiety. A word of caution, however: there has been no formal study on the effects of CBD on dogs, so administer supplements sparingly and under supervision if you decide to do so.

• Palliative care and end of life services. More people are paying attention to the needs of senior dogs as they approach the ends of their lives to help them live out their remaining days comfortably. There has also been an increase in cremation and burial services available. Companies like Gentle Goodbyes in Groveland offer aquamation for a water-based cremation service as a more gentle, eco-friendly alternative to cremation.

While the “next big thing” can often be too trendy to last long, one trend that will stay is the movement toward natural, human-grade dog food over kibble. Dogs on a natural diet show higher energy levels and healthier skin and coat than their dry-food counterparts. Shop for your dog food today, or contact us for more information!