November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month

There’s nothing more heartwarming than watching a senior dog live out his golden years in peace and contentment. By the time your dog is considered a senior, he’s done miles worth of zoomies around the yard; he’s tried a vast array of toys and treats and has definitely picked a favorite; he’s made a few friends and established a routine with them. In their senior years, dogs are usually a little more gentle and reserved than they were in puppyhood, but they still start every day ready to shower you with unconditional love. 

While it’s an incredible journey to watch dogs grow and change from their juvenile years all the way through elder adulthood, there’s still so much to gain by inviting an already-senior dog into your home. Unfortunately, senior dogs are often overlooked at shelters. According to the ASPCA, senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate compared to the 60% adoption rate of younger dogs and puppies. Many adopters are afraid to open their hearts to an animal that may not stay around as long. Others also may be concerned about the additional care they need to give their senior dogs. 

The truth is, though, that senior dogs fill every day with love and kindness so you can make the most of your time together, and additional care considerations usually don’t add much more to your daily routine. Besides, we’d do anything for the dogs we love without batting an eye! If you’re preparing to welcome a senior dog to your home, read on for our tips to keep them happy and comfortable.

Senior Dog Care Tips

Just like humans may need to do things a little differently as they age, your dog may need some minor changes to their routine to help keep them safe, comfortable, and happy. Here are some easy tips to try for your senior dog: 

Make food easier to reach

Carefully consider your dog’s mobility when you establish their eating station. Many senior dog owners use raised food and water bowls for their dogs so that they don’t have to bend or strain to reach it. Your dog may also be a messier eater as they age, so be sure to set out a few extra mats to catch any crumbs or dribbles. 

Help them get from place to place

Stairs can be difficult to conquer for dogs with sore joints and arthritis. Plenty of pet supply companies offer ramps to help your dog reach elevated places -- beds, couches, cars, and beyond -- without issue. Make sure you choose a non-slip ramp to give them extra grip, especially if you’re using the ramp outside in rainy or snowy weather. It’s also a great idea to use a few non-slip ramps in tiled areas of your home to help prevent slip and fall accidents. 

Use a mobility-assisting harness

Did you know that there are special harnesses to aid your senior dog’s mobility? Specialized harnesses for seniors usually have straps or handles so you can help your dog get up and stand if they usually struggle. They can even be custom made to assist the front or hind legs separately, so you can properly address your dog’s unique mobility needs. Even if your dog only occasionally needs assistance, harnesses like these can take all the stress and struggle out of the situation. 

Relocate their headquarters

Speaking of mobility assistance, going up and down stairs on a daily basis may no longer be reasonable for your aging dog. Relocate your dog’s “headquarters,” a.k.a. their sleeping and eating space, to the ground floor of your home so they don’t have to struggle to get to their home base. If your dog is used to sleeping in your upstairs room, it may be an adjustment for both of you to sleep apart, so take time acclimating them to their new surroundings. 

Keep them clean and dry

Incontinence can become an issue for senior dogs. If your dog is left unclean after they have an accident, they become susceptible to a number of infections that can seriously impact their overall health. Use diapers for senior dogs if regular incontinence is an issue; they help wick away moisture and keep them dry and comfortable. You can also set up a spot for potty pads if they occasionally have issues getting outside on time. 

The Love of a Senior Dog is Priceless

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, we can’t stress enough how much our senior dogs have improved our lives. When you adopt a senior dog, you’re opening yourself to gentle companionship and unwavering love; you’ll have a friend who will make a lifelong impact on you. Give a senior dog a chance!

Our dog food and bone broth is perfect for senior dogs and has nutrients that benefit their muscles, joints, skin and coat, and more. Order Pawsitively Pure Dog Food today!

Kibble Just Can’t Compete

We know you’ve heard of kibble, and you’ve probably heard of the raw feeding diet by now -- but have you ever heard of gently cooked dog food? Human-grade gently cooked meals, like the ones we prepare with love at Pawsitively Pure, offer a whole host of health benefits you just can’t get from feeding mass-produced kibble. Ready to learn more? Follow along with our infographic and we’ll break it down for you!

Infographic describing the benefits of gently cooked human-grade dog food

Fewer Carbs Helps Weight Management

One of the most notable benefits of switching to a gently cooked diet is fewer carbs and fillers. Our wholesome, tasty food is formulated with whole proteins and vegetables -- no unnecessary fillers in here! According to Whole Dog Journal, dogs don’t need large amounts of carbohydrates in their diets to lead healthy lives; in fact, the fewer carbs, the better! And yet, many commercial kibble brands are formulated with 30 to 70% carbohydrates. 

While carbs do grant lots of energy, an abundance of carbohydrates and sugars can lead to weight gain, especially in dogs with reduced energy and activity levels. Healthy, protein-forward meals can make it easier to maintain healthy weight and is more appropriate for the average dog’s activity levels!

Healthier Teeth and Gums

Speaking of carbs and sugars, too much sugar does a number on your dog’s teeth and gums. Obviously, you know it does the same for humans, too! Especially if you’re not regularly brushing your dog’s teeth, carb-loaded kibble can speed up your dog’s tooth decay and cause overall health issues in the future. Skip the carbs and reveal your dog’s beautiful pearly whites (and don’t forget to brush their teeth, while you’re at it!)

Healthy Skin and Shiny Coat

Feeding a human-grade diet offers healthy benefits for so many more of your dog’s systems, too! One thing most pet parents notice after switching to a gently cooked diet is healthier skin and a shinier coat. Natural proteins are the building blocks of healthy skin! Why is this important? Healthy skin is your dog’s first defense against parasites that carry disease and infection, like fleas and ticks. When your dog has healthy skin, they’ll be comfortable and more protected overall. 

Easier Digestion

What’s more, dogs have sensitive digestive systems. Healthy proteins are easy for your dogs to digest and extract nutrition from! Many commercially produced dog foods include meat byproducts that take a lot more to digest rather than wholesome muscle proteins. We use whole proteins, like chicken, turkey, and beef, to create our human-grade foods. 

Feed Them Like Family!

All dogs deserve the best of the best, because they truly make our lives better! Our goal is to provide your dogs with gently cooked, nutritious meals that will improve their quality of life and allow them to spend plenty of happy days with you. We hope you’ll try a gently cooked diet for your dogs and discover the difference for yourself! Take a look at our blog on transitioning your dog from kibble to a natural diet. You can find Pawsitively Pure’s food, treats, and bone broth at our online shop!

Welcoming any dog into your home is a fun and exciting experience for everyone involved. Getting to know your dog’s personality, their likes and dislikes, and watching them learn and play by your side is incredibly rewarding. For many families, the idea of picking out the perfect puppy and watching it grow up alongside their children sounds like a dream come true. And while we agree that puppies are nothing short of wonderful, we’re here to tell you that old dogs are pretty amazing, too!

Senior dogs are often overlooked at animal shelters. According to the ASPCA, senior dogs have an adoption rate of 25% compared to the 60% adoption rate of younger dogs and puppies. But the love and warmth a senior dog can bring to your home is second to none! Here are just a few of the perks of rescuing a senior dog from your local shelter. 

Acclimation is Easier

For the most part, senior dogs at the animal shelter have already experienced life with a family, so they have a general idea of how to behave indoors. You’ll probably also find that your senior dog has received some basic training, so you should be able to skip the potty training process and other puppy skills that take lots of time and effort to learn. In general, a senior dog will come with some life experience, so you can spend more time getting to know them and having fun. 

What You See is What You Get

Puppies are like children. They develop their personality traits and quirks over time, with some influence coming from the people around them. With senior dogs, you’ll know their personalities right off the bat, so you don’t have to prepare for any surprises down the road. Of course, your selected dog may display some nervous behavior while you’re interacting with them at the shelter, but shelter staff should be able to tell you all they’ve learned about your dog’s personality during their time together. 

This is not to say that old dogs can’t learn new tricks -- training new skills is a great activity for dogs at any age! But knowing your dogs’ personalities from your first meeting can help you make the right decisions regarding their care and enrichment. 

Enjoy Lots of Relaxation

Even with the most meticulous dog-proofing, puppies seem to manage to get into everything. Their incessant energy and mischievous nature while learning what’s good and what’s bad can be a lot to manage. You can expect to form your schedule around your new puppy’s needs, and you may even find yourself waking up in the middle of the night thanks to your newly developed sixth sense that tells you when puppy is getting into trouble. 

Senior dogs, however, take a more relaxed approach to life. Of course, every dog benefits from regular exercise and physical activity, and there’s a good chance you’ll find your senior dog is still spry when he gets situated in your home. But you’ll find your senior dog loves to relax, too! When you bring a senior dog home, you’re gaining a new snuggle buddy who is happy just to curl up on a blanket and watch Netflix with you. 

All Dogs Deserve Loving Homes

At every age, dogs bring light and joy into our lives. From those learning moments with puppies to the quiet times snuggling up with senior dogs, we love every moment we get to share with our dogs. If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, keep an open mind and consider bringing a senior dog into your home. 

Every dog deserves a wholesome diet that supports them at every stage of their life. Choose the perfect Pawsitively Pure dog food and treats for your pup on our website.

Before you met your first dog, you probably had some preconceived notions about what life with dogs must look like. You may have imagined long walks, lots of kisses, and playing fetch in the park. But for some dogs, whether you throw a ball, a rope, or a frisbee, playing fetch just doesn’t seem to hold their interest. 

First of all, this is totally fine! Just like humans, every dog has a unique personality. Some dogs are active and easy to entertain with some physical activity, while others find more enjoyment from laying in a sunbeam or snoozing on the couch. 

If you have your heart set on getting your dog to play a game of fetch with you, it’s definitely possible to train your dog to enjoy the game. Here are a few reasons why your dog might not instinctively play fetch and how to overcome them: 

Your dog picks up the toy, but doesn’t bring it back

According to the AKC, one of the most common issues dog owners encounter in the quest for fetch is that your dog will chase after the toy but doesn’t bring it back. This can be frustrating for pet parents who wind up spending more time at the park collecting their dogs’ toys than actually playing with them.

Luckily, this is a fairly easy issue to overcome. Your dog already knows how to track the item they’re fetching -- they just need some extra encouragement to return it home. If this is happening for you, keep a second toy or a few treats on hand. Your dog will have an incentive to bring their toy back to where it came from. 

Your dog doesn’t like the toy you’re throwing

Think about your dog’s everyday playtime. We’re sure you’ve identified their favorite kinds of toys and objects to play with. Some dogs prefer durable rope toys that are fun to tug, while others like soft stuffed animals to play with. 

There’s a chance your dog just doesn’t like the kind of toy you chose to play fetch with. Some dogs are just picky like that! Before you give up on playing fetch, try out a variety of different toys and objects to see if one sparks their interest more than others.

Your dog doesn’t know how the game is played

Some dog breeds, like Retrievers and German Shepherds, instinctively play fetch. That’s because they’ve been bred to do so! Over generations, they have been taught to pick up items and return them to their owners -- that’s why Retrievers are called Retrievers. 

Just like with other tricks, you can teach your dog to play fetch with you! Start by encouraging your dog to pick up their favorite toy. Then, move on to teaching your dog to “drop it,” or give the item back to you. Over time, you can show your dog how to retrieve items from longer distances; before you know it, they’ll be a fetch champion. 

April is Active Dog Month, and playing fetch is a wonderful way to include cardiovascular activity in your dog’s daily routine. Exercise -- including mental exercise -- is so important for your dog’s overall health, wellness, and longevity. To help your dog maintain the energy levels they need to play, switch them to an all natural food that supports gut health and weight management. Shop Pawsitively Pure’s line of human grade dog food and treats here. 

Picture this: You open your pantry to figure out what to make for dinner. To your dismay, your pantry is stocked with a lifetime supply of a “nutrient cereal” that doesn’t taste great and doesn’t make you feel very good, either. But day after day, meal after meal, you pour yourself bowls of this cereal, because it’s all you have.

Sounds pretty dismal, right? 

It turns out that your dogs might find it dismal, too. 

The Raw Feeding Revolution

In 2015, 37% of pet owners noted interest in raw or human-grade diets for their dogs, according to PetFoodIndustry.com. An additional 13% were already providing their dogs with raw diets. Those percentages have only continued to grow. Many pet parents begin their journey to human-grade feeding after they realize the risks associated with feeding mass-produced foods. 

We created Pawsitively Pure dog food for that very reason: After a major pet food recall in 2007, we knew we needed to take our dogs’ dietary health more seriously. We consulted with veterinarians to learn about nutritional balance and used that knowledge to develop our own dog food. Since we started feeding our dogs lightly-cooked, human-grade food, we’ve noticed significant improvements in their energy levels, coat condition, and weight management.

Don’t just take it from us, though. Here are a few reasons why you should ditch the kibble ASAP.

How do you know what’s in your kibble?

Sure, the front label of your store-bought kibble says that it’s “Beef and Vegetables Flavor,” but that doesn’t mean there’s much beef or many vegetables to be found. Many major pet food manufacturers use clever verbiage like “dinner,” “flavor,” and “entree” to make you think it’s packed with good stuff, but usually, kibble contains a lot of filler.

Often, the meat used for kibble is deemed unfit for human consumption. Manufacturers select low-quality ingredients to help save on costs. Many times, your dog is also eating bones, feathers, and other byproducts in their kibble. Not only is this gross, it doesn’t give your dog any positive nutritional value.

Can your dog digest kibble properly?

Animals digest significantly more protein from raw and lightly cooked diets than they do from kibble, according to a recent study. As a result, kibble-fed dogs often have to poop more than their raw-fed counterparts to get rid of all that excess waste. 

In the same way that processed foods are less nutritious for humans than whole, unprocessed foods, processed kibble offers little real nutritional value to your dog. Often, kibble is packed with carbohydrates, and unless your dog is particularly active, an abundance of carbohydrates can lead to obesity. 

Have you ever noticed that kibble never goes bad?

If you leave a bag of kibble open to the air, it won’t go bad the way real food does. Of course, you’ll probably attract some ants and roaches, but that’s a different story. Commercially produced kibble doesn’t have an expiration date because it’s packed with preservatives. According to Cali Raw on Medium.com, many of these preservatives can be toxic when consumed in large amounts. 

We understand that it may be more convenient to be able to buy one large bag of food and not worrying about it going bad before it runs out; however, we believe that a dog’s nutrition should take precedence over convenience! Besides, with next-day doorstep delivery in Florida from Pawsitively Pure, you’ll never have to worry about running out of food when you need it.

Visitors, we would love to hear from you. If you haven’t started feeding a human-grade diet, what’s holding you back? If you have, how has it changed your dogs’ lives? Join us on Facebook to let us know.