To say that lots of aspects of our lives have changed during quarantine would be the biggest understatement of 2020. For months, school students learned at home instead of going to their campuses, and many workers transitioned to working from home, as well. Of course, our dogs appreciate all of the extra time and attention we can spend on them while we’re cooped up at home, but you may have noticed that this extra attention has developed into a problem: separation anxiety.

What is separation anxiety? It’s your pet’s feelings of distress when his or her owner isn’t home, according to the New York Times. If you’ve ever returned home to a torn-up couch cushion or noticed that your dog excessively “marks his territory” when you’re not around, you’re probably seeing the signs of separation anxiety firsthand. But one of the reasons why it’s so hard to correct is because these behaviors occur when you’re not around. 

Here are a few things to try to help your dog regain confidence when you head back to work or school:

Give your dog puzzle toys and “active” toys

Toys that give your dog a challenge, like Kong toys, help keep your dog occupied in a positive pursuit while you’re away. As you may have heard in your last training session, dogs are at their best behavior when they have a “job” to carry out. So if your dog’s job is to free the tasty treats from their Kong toy, they’ll be less likely to chew on other things in the house. 

Take brief breaks outside by yourself

Your dog is probably excited about all the extra walks you’ve been taking together, but now they expect to go on a walk every time you leave. Allow them to get used to being by themselves in small increments by taking 15-minute breaks outside while they stay in the house. This helps your dogs understand that you’re not leaving forever when you walk away. Gradually increase the length of time you spend outside the house until you know they’ll be comfortable with a full work day alone.

Fill your dog’s space with soothing items, and try calming aids

Changes in routine can be stressful for everyone--animals and humans alike! Calming aids like pheromone sprays and chewables can help your dog relax instead of giving into their anxieties. Additionally, leave a few well-worn articles of your clothing in their sleeping and napping spaces so they’ll be soothed by your scent all day.

Quarantine has been hard on everyone, including our dogs! They deserve a treat. Browse our shop to order delicious, wholesome, gluten-free treats in a handful of craveable flavors. Give us a call to learn more!

We love having a multi-generational dog family! Our oldest boy, Jackson, is 12; our weimeraner, Finley, is in his adolescent phase, and our youngest Miles, is still just a puppy. As you probably know by now, we adjust each of our dogs’ meals with supplements that address their unique needs. For each of our boys, we use a blend of our favorite Mercola supplements to keep them active and healthy. One supplement we use for all of our boys is fish oil.

You may even take fish oil for yourself! Commonly found in both liquid and capsule form, fish oil is a supplement that provides a whole host of health benefits for those who consume it. For dogs, fish oil provides support for the heart, skin and coat, joints, and immune systems. 

Why is Fish Oil So Great?

Fish oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are “good” polyunsaturated fats that support both the body and the brain. Dogs and humans alike can’t produce omega-3 fatty acids on their own, which is why taking a supplement is critical for their overall health and wellness. Fish oil can be used as a temporary booster or as part of a comprehensive health and wellness plan for your dog. As with any new supplements or diets, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before you start giving your dog fish oil.

How Does Fish Oil Benefit My Dog?

As we mentioned above, fish oil offers a plethora of nutritional benefits to dogs and humans alike. Often, if a supplement promises to help too many different systems at once, the professionals dismiss it as snake oil, but the benefits of fish oil are easy to see once they’ve been added to your dog’s diet. 

Fish oil is one supplement that can benefit a dog from puppyhood all the way through its senior years. For puppies, this supplement helps direct proper development of the brain and eyes. It helps your dog maintain cognitive function throughout adulthood. For seniors, it has been shown to help combat canine arthritis and chronic kidney disease. At every age, it also helps improve the appearance and quality of their skin and coat and wards away flakes and itchiness.

What Should I Look For in Fish Oil for My Dog?

According to the AKC, fish oil is commonly available in 3 varieties: natural triglyceride oil, ethyl ester oil, and synthetic triglyceride oil. Each variety comes with its own benefits and setbacks that affect ease of absorption and bioavailability of nutrients. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend the right type of supplement for your dog based on their lifestyle, size, age, and breed. 

For dogs who refuse to take supplements, our bone broth is a miracle worker. Simply mix in the proper supplements with your dog’s food and pour a little bone broth over the top. Our dogs love it and eat all their supplements without batting an eyelash! If you give fish oil to your dog, leave us a message on our Facebook page!

Did you know that the first ever pet insurance policy in the U.S. was issued to TV’s Lassie in 1982? It’s hard to believe that pet insurance has been around for so long, but we’ve definitely been hearing more about it in recent years. Vet visits can be expensive, but they’re a critical part of your dog’s overall health and wellness. Pet insurance helps offset those costs, but still, some pet parents hesitate to get it. Is it a good idea? Is it a necessity? How do I know I’m getting the right plan for my money?

Why Pet Insurance is a Good Idea

We have pet insurance for our dog, Jackson, and we highly recommend it for senior dogs. As you may have read in our previous blog, senior dogs should be going to the doctor more often than their adolescent and adult counterparts. Pet insurance not only helps offset your regular visit costs, it also provides special coverage for unexpected illnesses and injuries. 

Unlike human insurance policies, pet insurance gives you a wider selection of veterinarians in your treatment area. It means that you’re able to find the best care and treatment for your dog without being so limited by family finances. Of course, securing pet insurance when your dog is younger or when you first adopt him or her helps you get the best policies. Still, your dog is family and you always want the best for them.

What to Look For in a Pet Insurance Policy

Now that you know you need one, what should you be looking for when you choose an insurance policy? Money.com recently listed their top 10 best pet health insurance companies, and we’ve gained a lot of insight from their article.

Does the policy have a deductible?

Much like human insurance policies, pet policies are often made with a deductible that you need to reach before they start covering your expenses. Some plans allow you to set your own deductibles. Others, like Embrace, base your deductible on how often you need medical services; every year you don’t file a claim, embrace reduces your deductible by $50. Keep an eye out for policies that have per-incident deductibles. 

Is there a waiting period for reimbursement?

The time you have to wait before you’re reimbursed for your vet expenses varies from company to company. According to Money.com, a majority of companies require a wait of at least 2 weeks before they reimburse you for what you spent to treat an illness. The speed with which you’re reimbursed often depends on the nature of your visits. Payment for injuries and accidents often happens more quickly than payment for chronic illnesses.

What treatments and procedures are covered by my policy?

Again, similarly to human insurance policies, every dog insurance policy covers different things. Your standard insurance policy will cover visits for injury and illness, with options to add on coverage for preventive care, dental care, and so on. Keep in mind that pet insurance policies most often do not cover preexisting illnesses, so any visits to treat conditions your dog had before you enrolled them in health insurance will not be covered.

Your Veterinarian Can Help

Your vet should be able to point you in the direction of the best insurance option for your dogs. Pet insurance companies require a full checkup for your dog before they can be enrolled, so if you haven’t already selected a veterinarian, now is a great time to do so. We’d love to hear more about your experiences with dog health insurance. Send us a message on Facebook at Pawsitively Pure Dog Food, or fill out the contact form on our website.

As you probably know, our boy Jackson is a senior dog; he just turned 12 this June! We have loved watching him learn and grow at every stage of his life. From the early teething and training phase, he has grown into the sweet, playful, gentle dog we love. Of course, we have had to adjust how we care for him as he ages. Just as it goes with humans, life offers a different set of challenges for senior dogs than it does for puppies and adolescent dogs.

Currently, the U.S. has more senior dogs than ever thanks to veterinary medicine advances. According to AKC.tv, there are over 40 million senior dogs in the United States--senior being defined as over 7 years of age. While some dog species reach their senior stages at different ages, 7 years is generally the time when we start to see the signs of aging in our dogs.

What Are the Signs of Aging in Dogs?

Some signs of aging in dogs are visible on their bodies; others are perceptible through altered behaviors. One of the most common signs your dog is getting older is that they start to move more slowly. Not only do dogs experience joint issues, they also tend to start losing muscle mass as they age. Other common signs of aging include tooth decay and loss, weakened vision, and diminished appetite or digestive problems.

How Should Senior Dog Owners Adjust Care?

At the top of the care list for senior dogs is more frequent visits to the vet. Dr. Ahn of AKC recommends making veterinary appointments for your senior dogs at least twice a year--more frequently if they have specific care needs. Your veterinarian will be able to monitor your dog for common issues and give you a plan to optimize their health and keep them happy for years to come. 

Secondly, senior dog parents should adjust their dogs’ diets. You may have noticed that most kibble brands have both “puppy” and “senior” varieties with different nutrients for appropriate organ support. We’ve had Jackson on our human-grade Pawsitively Pure dog food since before he reached his senior years, and we’d recommend it for any senior dogs. Feeding a raw diet allows your dog to get nutrition from whole foods without any filler, and gives you more opportunity to mix in the appropriate supplements. 

You should also adjust your dogs’ exercise schedule and patterns. Exercise is just as important for senior dogs, but sometimes it may be hard to get physical activity in when your dog experiences sore joints and muscles. Aquatherapy is a great alternative to running and other high-impact activities. Our friends at Dip’n Dogs Water Therapy help acclimate your dog with the water and guide them through exercises to help keep them strong and comfortable.

Dogs Are Delightful at Any Age

Adjusting your care regimen to suit your senior dog’s needs isn’t a hassle when your dog is part of the family! Many people shy away from adopting senior dogs due to increased care and attention needs, but senior dogs are often mellow and full of love to give, and they deserve love to the end of their days. If you have a senior dog, share their pictures and stories with us on Facebook; find us here! 

Truly a Human’s Best Friend

I’ll never forget the day we brought Jackson home for the first time. He was just a soft, sweet, curious puppy, with a lifetime of exploration and play ahead of him. We took him on his first walk, watched him gobble up his first treats, and guided him through new tricks and tasks. There’s no doubt that he (and his brother who came later) has improved our lives immensely. Dogs light up our lives every day!

We’re not the only ones who feel this way about our dogs! In fact, studies have shown that dogs have significant positive effects on their humans’ mental and physical health. Here are just a few of the ways dogs improve our lives: 

They’re great companions.

Whether your dog is your little shadow or they prefer to be a little more independent, dogs provide us with companionship unlike any other. Humans are social creatures, and current social distancing and self-quarantine regulations are keeping many of us separated from our friends and family. Dogs have been a saving grace for many who find themselves isolated from their neighbors at this time. Even in normal situations, dogs are our best friends! Who else is ready to play or go for a walk or cuddle on the couch at a moment’s notice?

They help reduce our stress levels.

Studies from Purdue University and the University of Pennsylvania have shown that people who own dogs have significantly reduced stress levels compared to those who don’t. In fact, these studies showed that dog owners often had reduced blood pressure, more regular breathing, and a reduction in body tension--in short, dog owners showed less of the negative health conditions brought about by excess stress. Don’t forget that playing with your dog can also help increase your serotonin and dopamine levels. Pure happiness!

They encourage you to exercise regularly.

Dogs are active creatures! The distant descendants of wolves, running, playing, and tracking are in their nature. They need physical stimulation to keep their mental and physical health intact. Many of your dog’s activities also include physical exercise for you, too! There are so many fun activities to try with your dog in the summer months. Try going for a long hike on a trail, or bring them with you for a dip in the pool. Even a game of frisbee in the backyard is a great way for both of you to get some fresh air and exercise.

Dog parents know that daily life is significantly improved when you have a dog by your side. Dogs are incredibly intuitive; they know how to cheer us up when we’re down, and they’re eager to celebrate our happy days with us. Has your dog improved your life? Tell us your story on Facebook. To give your dog the wholesome, human-grade nutrition they need to keep them going, visit the Pawsitively Pure Dog Food shop here.