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Top 10 Ways to Treat Your Cat

Posted on January 16, 2019December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

If you’re a cat owner, then you know that cats are generally beguiling, low-maintenance, inquisitive pets. They don’t ask for much, even on a day designated for kitty Q&A (January 22 is National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day). But if you’re like us, you’ll take any holiday dedicated to kitties as an opportunity to spoil them rotten. Here are our top ten ways to do just that:

1. Get a Really Nice Scratching Post

cat scratching post
Cats love to groom their nails even if their only predator is the vacuum cleaner. This is why cats like to claw and pick at things like your couch, your leather loafers, your carpet, etc. Answer their question of, “What can I scratch without making you scream” by treating them to a deluxe scratching post.

2. Help Your Cat Stay Groomed

Cats love to preen and clean, but they aren’t as fond of hacking up hairballs. Help your cat out by brushing her on a regular basis. The extra attention and bonding time you two will have is just an added bonus.

3. Treat Your Cat with Treats

Cats enjoy treats just as much as the next pet, so treat your cat by getting them a new treat that’s not only healthy but also delicious and low in calories.

4. Give Your Cat New Toys

Generally-speaking, cat toys aren’t very costly, and cats love playing with them. Toys are physically and mentally stimulating, so playing with them keeps your cat young, sharp and healthy.

5. Refresh Your Cat’s Water Dish

Water is essential for your cat’s health and happiness. Because cats are curious and playful, you can make your cat’s time spent at the water cooler entertaining by upgrading their water dish to a fountain that bubbles and flows. There are many options available at various price points.

6. Upgrade Your Cat’s Throne (Litter Box)

A splurge that might benefit you as well, pick up a self-cleaning litter box and your cat will never have to suffer the indignity of a dirty litter box again.

7. Spend Some Extra Time Cuddling Together

person snuggling with cat
For most cats, there’s no time like lap time, so plan to spend a little extra time sitting and relaxing. Plan to sit down and finally read that book you’ve been wanting to start or use your cuddle time for an extra brushing session.

8. Plant a Patch of Cat Grass

If you’ve ever seen your cat try to nibble the leaves of your favorite fichus or the blooms of fresh-cut flowers, it’s because they’ve got a natural instinct to nosh on grass. Grass fibers help them with digestion among other things. Cat grass is actually easy to grow indoors and outdoors and is a definite treat for kitties (it’s also a treat for your indoor house plants, many of which are toxic to pets).

9. Treat Your Cat to Catnip

Different from cat grass, catnip is an herb from the mint family that has a stimulating effect on cat behavior. A little catnip can help make your cat’s playtime extra fun; however, do be careful when it comes to catnip as not all cats will enjoy the effect.

10. Get Your Cat a New Bed

cat in cat house
Your cat probably spends more of his hours each day sleeping than awake, so a new bed is a perfect treat. Depending on your cat’s personality you can get something ultra-plush or with lots of coverage, so you cat feels like he’s sleeping in his own private cave…a real treat for any kitty.

While an extra hug and a scratch behind the ears is a treat for most cats, there are plenty of extra-special ways to treat your cat every day. One way is by making sure you feed your cat an natural cat food, one designed to support lifelong physical, mental and emotional feline health.

Complete List of 2019 Pet Holidays

Posted on January 11, 2019December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Every month of 2019 is full of exciting pet holidays for cats and dogs. With this list, you can guarantee that you don’t miss celebrating a single one.

Pet Holidays for January 2019

Walk Your Pet Month
National Train Your Dog Month
Unchain a Dog Month
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cat’s Day
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
January 29: Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary

Pet Holidays for February 2019

Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Spay / Neuter Awareness Month (AKA Beat the Heat Month)
Pet Dental Health Month
February 3–9: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
February 11–12: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
February 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: National Walk Your Dog Day
February 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 24–March 2: National Justice for Animals Week
February 26: Spay Day USA / World Spay Day

Pet Holidays for March 2019

Poison Prevention Awareness Month
March 3: It Pets Had Thumbs Day
March 3–10: Professional Pet Sitters Week
March 13: K-9 Veteran’s Day
March 17–23: National Poison Prevention Week
March 23: National Puppy Day; Cuddly Kitten Day
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day

Pet Holidays for April 2019

Heartworm Awareness Month
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
April 1–7: International Pooper Scooper Week
April 1–7: National Raw Feeding Week
April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
April 7–13: National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week
April 7–13: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
April 11: National Pet Day
April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
April 14–20: National Pet ID Week
April 14–20: Human Violence Awareness Week
April 18: Pet Owners Independence Day
April 21: Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 25: International Guide Dog Day
April 26: National Kids and Pets Day
April 26: Hairball Awareness Day
April 27: World Veterinary Day
April 28: National Pet Parents Day
April 30: National Tabby Day
April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
April 30: National Therapy Animal Day

Pet Holidays for May 2019

Chip Your Pet Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Pet Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
Lyme Disease Prevention Month
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
May 3: National Specially-abled Pets Day
May 5–11: National Pet Week
May 5–11: Be Kind to Animals Week
May 5: Mayday for Mutts
May 6–11: Puppy Mill Action Week
May 11: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 30: International Hug Your Cat Day

Pet Holidays for June 2019

Adopt a Cat Month (AH) / Adopt a Shelter Cat Month (ASPCA)
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchipping Month
June 2–8: Pet Appreciation Day
June 4: Hug Your Cat day
June 8: National Best Friends Day
June 9: World Pet Memorial Day
June 16–22: Take Your Pet to Work Week®
June 17: Take Your Cat to Work Day™
June 19: National Garfield the Cat Day
June 21: Take Your Dog to Work Day®
June 21: Dog Party Day
June 24: Cat World Domination Day

Pet Holidays for July 2019

Dog House Repair Month
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
July 1: ID Your Pet Day
July 5: Pet Remembrance Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 21: National Craft Your Local Shelters Day
July 21: No Pet Store Puppies Day
July 31: National Mutt Day

Pet Holidays for August 2019

National Immunization Awareness Month
August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 4–10: International Assistance Dog Week
August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
August 8: International Cat Day
August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
August 15: National Check the Chip Day
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 17: International Homeless Animals Day
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August 26: National Dog Day
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
August 30: National Holistic Pet Day

Pet Holidays for September 2019

Happy Healthy Cat Month
Guide / Service Dogs Month
National Pet Insurance Month
Animal Pain Awareness Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
September 8: National Pet Memorial Day
September 8: National Hug Your Hound Day
September 16–22: Adopt a Less-Adoptable Week
September 21: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
September 21: Responsible Dog Ownership Day
September 22–28: National Dog Week
September 22–28: Deaf Pet Awareness Week
September 23: Dogs in Politics Day
September 28: World Rabies Day
September 28: World’s Largest Pet Walk

Pet Holidays for October 2019

National Animal Safety and Protection Month
Adopt a Dog Month (AH) / Adopt a Shelter Dog Month (ASPCA)
National Pet Wellness Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
October 1: National Fire Pup Day
October 1: National Black Dog Day
October 1–6: National Walk Your Dog Week
October 4: World Animal Day
October 4: World Pets Day
October 7–13: Animal Welfare Week
October 9: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
October 14–20: Veterinary Technician Week
October 16: National Feral Cat Day
October 26: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
October 27: National Black Cat Day (UK)
October 29: National Cat Day

Pet Holidays for November 2019

Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Senior Pet Month
Pet Diabetes Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month (AVMA)
November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
November 3–9: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 17: National Black Cat Day (US)

Pet Holidays for December 2019

National Cat Lovers’ Month
December 2: National Mutt Day
December 15: National Cat Herder’s Day

At Wellness Pet Food, we celebrate pets every day by making a wide variety of all-natural cat and dog foods, snacks, treats, and toppers. Celebrate your pet by making their complete health inside and out your priority.

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

Posted on January 11, 2019December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

January is not only National Train Your Dog Month, it’s National Walk Your Dog Month, and we’re celebrating by sharing tips on how you can train your dog to walk on a leash. While trained dogs make walking on a leash look like a breeze, the reality is that walking an untrained dog on a leash can be a major challenge. These training tips will help you teach your dog to walk on a leash, and give you the confidence to stick with this healthy habit throughout the year.

Introduce the Leash to the Dog

Regardless of your dog’s age or previous leash exposure, all dogs can be taught to walk on a leash. Start simple. Start by exposing your dog to the leash. It’s recommended to let your dog wear her collar or harness with the leash around the house for brief periods of time to get her used to the sensation.
You can give treats during this time, so that wearing the harness and leash has positive associations.

Teach Your Dog Cues to Follow

One of the biggest struggles dog owners have is their dog pulling the leash or not following. While the dog is wearing the leash, practice getting him to come to you. Do this using cues. Cues should be audible sounds (like a click or a word) that you consistently use to indicate a behavior. When your dog obeys the cue, reward him with a treat. Eventually, he will come to understand what the cue means and will perform the command without requiring a reward.
Chances are, your dog will need to practice learning and following the cue to come to you repeatedly. You might need to rehearse this over the course of several days for brief periods of time each day before your dog obeys you completely and without treats.

Practice Walking Outside (with Treats)

When you take your dog outside, he might not respond as well to cues because of the additional stimuli. That is okay. Practice walking in an open space where there are few distractions.

Put your dog on the leash and start to walk.
Use verbal cues to guide your dog. If your dog doesn’t obey or acts excitedly, stop walking.
Wait for your dog to come back to you and start again. When he walks where you’d like him to, reward his efforts with a treat. Ideally, the verbal cues you used to coach your dog will be effective in getting him to walk without pulling, lunging, or chasing something in the environment.

Note that if you don’t have a backyard or space to practice walking in that is (relatively) stimulation-free, you can practice walking your dog inside your home. As with learning cues, it is best to start with short walks to help your dog get used to walking the way you want him to walk on a leash.
As you extend the longevity of your walks, you can reduce the number of treats you give your dog for walking correctly until you are walking or jogging with your dog exactly the way you want with no treats. Keep in mind it is okay if your dog lunges or does things he shouldn’t do at firstall dogs can be trained, it just takes time, but what better time to train your dog to walk on a leash than during National Train Your Dog Month and National Walk Your Dog Month?

Training dogs can sometimes be a challenge, but taking your time, using cues, and using treats makes it doable. Even though treats are rewards, they should still be all-natural and complaint with your dog’s diet. Wellness Pet Food makes a variety of dog treats and snacks that are healthy and delicious and are perfect for training your dog.

10 Tips for Spending More Time with Your Pets in 2019

Posted on January 8, 2019January 15, 2021 by Above1 Support

As you make your list of resolutions for 2019, add “spend more time with your dog” to the list because it’s not only a resolution that will be fun to keep, but it will most certainly guarantee you AND your pet are living your best life in 2019. Not sure how to spend more time with your pet? Let us count the ways…

1. Take Your Pet to Work with You

Photo via Zogics

While this might not be doable for everyone, find out what your company’s policy on bringing pets to work is. If there doesn’t seem to be a problem, bring your pet to work from time-to-time if your pet has the temperament for such. Your pet will enjoy the bonus pats and belly rubs from co-workers while you’ll have the benefit of added time together. Never mind that animals in the workplace help to lower stress.

2. Make Your 2019 Fitness Plan Pet-Friendly

yoga with dog
Whether it’s doing outdoor yoga, jogging or something else, come up with a new fitness regimen that allows you to spend more time with your pet.

3. Run Errands Together

While not all stores are pet-friendly, when you do go somewhere that is pet-friendly, bring your pet along. For example, taking your cat with you on a Saturday coffee run through the drive-through not only allows you to bond with your cat, but it also helps your cat acclimate to riding in the car which will come in handy when you have to take them to the vet.

4. Take More Selfies Together

dog selfie
Get on your pet’s level and take more photos together. This is a great way to capture the memory of a fun day of play or exercise, too.

5. Plan a Pet-Friendly Vacation

Photo via Leio Mclaren for Unsplash

If bringing your pet doesn’t always factor into your vacation plans, try making that change in 2019. Look for pet-friendly hotels or B&Bs as well as destinations where your pet is welcome to join you for most of your fun.

6. Spend Time in the Kitchen Together

Cat in the kitchen
Most pets are naturally curious about what goes on in the kitchen anyway, so give them a treat or a snack while you make meals. Just being in the same space can be special.

7. Read More, Cuddle More

dog snuggling

Reading more ends up on most people’s New Year’s resolutions list, but it’s often neglected. By making cuddle time with your pet part of your reading regimen, you’re more likely to keep both resolutions.

8. Commit to Pet-Friendly Community Activities

Save the dates for local pet-friendly events in your area (like Barktober Fest) and plan to attend with your pet this year.

9. Schedule a DIY Spa Day at Least Once a Month

yorkshire terrier
Plan a day for you and your pet to primp and groom. For your pet, this means take the time to give them a good bath. Trim their nails. Clean their teeth. Brush their fur and get knots out. You can take this time to examine your pet, making sure there are no changes like lumps and bumps that you should get checked out.

10. Practice New Tricks Together

Training and learning new tricks take time and commitment, so resolve to dedicate just 10 minutes a day to teaching your pet a new skill. After working on it for a while, your pet will have learned something new, and you both will have spent more time together. It’s a win-win.

Your pet’s health and wellbeing is not only about a healthy diet of natural foods such as those made by Wellness Pet Food, it’s also about you and your pet spending social time together exercising, playing and relaxing. Commit to making 2019 a year where you spend more time with your pet, and you’ll both enjoy a happier and healthier 2019.

10 Things All Cat Lovers Can Relate To

Posted on December 7, 2018December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

If you’ve lived with cats long enough, you can probably relate to all 10 of these things. There are many more things cat lovers have in common as well, so feel free to add to the list. If you’re new to the world of cats, this list will give you a view into the future you’ll be sharing with us.

1. We No Longer See the Cat Hair on our Clothes

cat in closet
Yes, in the beginning we were concerned with making sure to remove all traces of white fur from our black clothing, but at some point, we started wearing that cat hair with pride. Finding a few cat hairs on our sleeves while we’re at work have now become a sweet reminder of the beloved cat waiting at home for us.

2. The Sound of a Puking Cat is the Best Alarm

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the wee hours of the morning or how exhausted we are, we can bolt out of bed in seconds to locate the cat about to puke. In some cases, it may be the only exercise we get for the day but we’re very good at it!

3. We Know our Cat’s Sweet Spot

cat snuggling with person
Not all cats enjoy being petted but we know if and when our cats like it. There’s usually one spot that, when petted, brings on purrs of joy and total relaxation. We know where it is and even though our cats may enjoy being petted by other people, we know we do it the best.

4. We Recognize Cat Kisses

cat blinking
People who aren’t familiar with cats may think a cat kiss is an actual kiss but we know better, don’t we? We know cat kisses are subtle and easy to miss. Cats can kiss by giving a slow blink with their eyes. As cat lovers, we know the difference between a normal eye blink and the slow cat kiss blink. The cat kiss lets us know kitty is comfortable and relaxed. It’s an affectionate gesture that can be given across a room. Most of us have probably returned a cat kiss with a slow blink as well.

5. We’ve all Stepped on Wet Squishies in the Dark with Bare Feet

Hairballs. We try our best to keep our cats groomed and control the number of hairballs but at some point, we’ve all gotten up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip or to get a drink of water and stepped on that recently deposited soggy hairball.

6. We Know Cats Will Love the Box More Than The Gift That Came in it

cat in box
Whether it’s an expensive bed, or any other cat-related gift, as seasoned cat lovers, we know never to throw out the box because that’s what kitty knows is the real prize.

7. We Learned to not Leave Objects Near the End of the Table

Cat Glass GIF from Cat GIFs

Whether it’s a cell phone, half-filled glass of water, pen, set of keys or even a piece of paper, chances are it will become the target of a cat’s obsession with seeing it hit the floor. Knocking things off the table is a favorite cat hobby and it probably only took having to repair one cracked cell phone cover or clean up some spilled orange juice off the new carpet for us to get smarter about where we leave our things.

8. When There’s a Cat on our Lap We Can Stay in One Position for Hours

cat on person's lap
It doesn’t matter if we’re late for something or how uncomfortable we may be, when kitty curls up and falls asleep on our lap we become a permanent piece of furniture.

9. We Have More Than One Nickname for our Cats

Oh yes, our cats have official names but we rarely use them. We have a long list of special names for our cats that may or may not make sense to others but they make perfect sense to us. The names may be a reflection of a cat’s look, behavior, or simply an expression of our love, but there’s always more than one name and we remember every single one.

10. Cats Have to Inspect and Approve of Every New Object Brought into the House

cat with head in mug
Whether it’s the new chair you just had delivered or a guest’s jacket tossed over the arm of a sofa, our cats must inspect every inch of it, sniff it, sit on it and make the decision if it’s acceptable in their territory.

The above list is just a small sample of what we share as cat lovers. Of course, the most important thing we share is the absolute love we have for these beautiful and intelligent furry members of our family.

Share this post with any fellow cat lovers you know, and share your ideas about other things that could be added to the list, including @wellnesspetfood!

The Pet Lover’s Guide to Giving Back

Posted on December 5, 2018December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

The best gifts are the ones that are shared. This holiday season, one of the ways to share the many gifts you’ve been given is by sharing with animals in need. There are several ways to do this from making donations to shelters, to participating in giving campaigns, to volunteering in your community. Here we outline ways to find opportunities for giving back on a national and a local scale.

How to Make a Shelter Donation

Animal shelters benefit from monetary donations as well as donations for resources. Most shelters have opportunities on their website for donations. For example, the International Animal Rescue, which works exclusively on donations, has a space on their website where donors can contribute monetarily. Most communities have a branch of the Animal Rescue Foundation in addition to local, smaller missions. Search your community to find an organization you believe in and find out how you can help.

If you prefer to donate other resources, these can also be found listed on an organization’s website. The Animal Humane Society, a national organization, has an Amazon wish list with items ranging from pet food to beds to bleach and paper towels.

All shelters need resources like these. Before you donate, call to see what the shelter needs the most. Such items include but are not limited to:

Pet food
Pet beds
Food and water dishes
Towels and blankets
Pet soap
Hand soap
Bleach
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Office paper and other supplies
Storage boxes

When you call, the organization can also tell you when and where to make the donation. Such donations make a big difference for all of the animals who spend their holidays in shelters. giving back

How to Participate in a Giving Campaign

Giving campaigns are events that you organize or participate in where several people contribute and all donations go toward a selected cause. For example, the ASPCA suggests a sweet swap. They have easy-to-follow directions on their website for how you can get a group together to set up a fundraising page, set an event date, invite people to get involved, set donation prices for the sweets made and then donate the fund raised after the event to the cause. You can even set up donations to be given and received electronically.

How to Volunteer in Your Community

person walking dog

Lastly, you can volunteer your time to help pets. Contact organizations in your area to see what services they are looking for. Some such opportunities include:

Animal grooming
Dog-walking / exercise
Assisting with adoptions
Cleaning cages
Administrative / clerical work

If you have any special skills, you can also volunteer those. Just tell whoever is in charge of volunteers what you do and let them determine if you can help. Such skills include:

Writing skills
Social media marketing and publicity skills
Legal or financial expertise
Graphic design skills
Photography skills

positive quote coffee cup

Needless to say, any time and effort that you volunteer makes an important difference in the care, health and well-being of displaced animals. By showing those animals love with donations of money, resources or your time and skills, you give love and compassion, which lifts the spirits of those animals in need. Best of all, it is a gift you can give year-round.

This holiday season, consider making a long-term commitment to making a difference in the lives of animals in need. As you can see, there are several ways to make an impact not just during the holidays but year-round. We at Wellness Pet Food are committed to improving the quality of life for all pets not only by making all-natural pet food products but also by being involved in causes that ensure the wellbeing of pets in need. You can learn more about our mission to support pets in need via the WellPet Foundation.

How to Photograph the Perfect Holiday Card with Your Pet

Posted on December 5, 2018December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Great pet photos that are the stuff of frame-worthy holiday cards sometimes just happen by happy accident, but more often than not, they are carefully planned and executed. By following these careful steps, you, too, can take the puuurfect holiday card photo of or with your pet.

Find a Location that Makes Your Pet Happy

Photo via Wellness fan, Donna S.

Any time you photograph your pet, you should be in an area where your pet is happy and familiar. If you are somewhere strange, your pet might be too curious or agitated to sit still.

Other tips for the perfect holiday card location are:

Find a location that captures the holiday spirit. A snowy park or field or on your couch atop a festive red blanket will do the trick.
If your setting doesn’t set the scene for a holiday card, use one or two (like a giant candy cane, a Santa hat, or a gift wrapped in subdued paper). Keep props to a minimum, though.
Pick a setting that doesn’t compete with the focus. Look for a setting that doesn’t have a lot of textures or action, so when you snap your photo, your pet is the primary focus.
Make sure your setting is well-lit. Natural light is a best-kept secret for beautiful holiday card pet photos.

Photo via Wellness fan, Jess K.

Turn Off Your Camera Flash

On the topic of lighting, turn the flash on your camera or phone off. Flashes not only create odd shadows, but they can also startle your pet.
Instead, plan your photo session for the early morning or late afternoon–specifically, just after dawn or right before dusk. The soft, glowing natural light illuminates your subject without casting harsh shadows.

Get on Your Pet’s Level

Photo via Wellness fan, H. Dolan

If the picture is a solo photo of your pet, kneel, sit, or lay down on the floor to get an eye-level photo. The best pet holiday cards are intimate because they allow the audience to connect with the subject, not look down at him or her.

Keep Distractions to a Minimum

Getting your pet’s attention for holiday photos can sometimes be a challenge. Feel free to use a toy to get your pet to look at the camera, but do not have too many toys or distractions at hand because too much stimulation will divide your pet’s attention.

Photo via Wellness fan, CMR H.

Avoid Using Your Zoom

Most people use their smart phones to take incredible holiday pet photos, which is fine, but the more you zoom in, the lower the quality of the photo becomes. Instead, get close to your subject.
If that is not an option because you are trying to get an action shot, take the best photo you can where you are standing, then zoom, crop, and edit after the fact.

Have a Plan Before You Start

Before you and your pet get out into the field (whether “the field” is a literal field or just in front of your fireplace), have a plan for the photo you want. Picture the lighting, the positioning, and the props how you want the image to look, beforehand. (Look at Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration.) While you should be open to making changes (your pet might want to sit up instead of lay down, for example), a plan enables you to get in and get out before your pet gets bored with the project. (After all, your pet doesn’t have all day.)
Speaking of a plan, if you hire someone to take the photo of you and your pet or of your pet for your holiday card, be specific about what you want. In particular if you hire someone, have a few ideas in mind.

Most Importantly, Have Fun With It!

As most of us know, pets can be unpredictable. No one said photographing them would be easy! So go ahead and have fun with it! Who knows, the bloopers may end up being your favorite shot!

Summary

To conclude, you can get the best holiday card by:

Finding a great location where your pet is comfortable
Keeping props and distractions to a minimum
Using natural lighting
Getting on your pet’s level
Avoiding using your zoom to frame the shot (use an editing program instead)
Having a plan for the picture before you start
Have fun with it!

Once you get the perfect holiday pet card, you’ll want to share it with those you love. Make sure to share it with us, too by tagging us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, and include @wellnesspetfood for a chance to be featured!

The “purrrfect” holiday card is a perfect way to let your pet’s love shine through to others and to spread holiday cheer. At Wellness Pet Food, we let our love for pets shine by creating natural pet food, snack, and treat recipes that pets adore.

Taking Care of a Senior Pet

Posted on November 16, 2018December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

When people think of “seniors’, they think of slowing down and of twilight years, which is why many are surprised to learn that pets are considered seniors starting at age seven; however, pets that age still have lots of life, love, and energy to share with you, and by living every day well with your senior pet, you can help ensure their years with you are long, happy healthy ones.

senior pet chart

Make Time for Play Time

Playing is a great way to keep senior pet’s cognitively sharp. Pets learn and exercise their mental muscles during play. While senior pets may not seem as quick to dive into play as they did when they were kittens or puppies, they still enjoy playing with you. Look for toys that will stimulate their minds and interests without exhausting them physically.

Make Time for Fitness

Exercise for pets is just as important as it is for humans. Ideally, you and your pet will have a well-established fitness regimen by the time they reach their senior years, but if you don’t, that is okay. Make it a point to engage in some kind of exercise at least once per day with your pet. It can be a walk, a jog, or a few laps up and down the stairs. This keeps your pet’s muscles, bones, and joints healthy while also helping your pet maintain a safe weight.

Senior Pet 2

Make Time to Eat Well

Good nutrition will also help your senior pet maintain a healthy weight. Not only that, but eating a clean, natural diet comprised of proteins and essential nutrients will help you pet stay will from the inside out. Organs and systems are healthier when senior pets eat special, all-natural diets formulated for their age and any other underlying health issues. Pets that eat well have more energy. Their skin, coat, and hair is also healthier, so take the time to look for a healthy pet food that suits your senior pet’s needs.

Make Time for Grooming

Well-groomed pets are happier and healthier; however, as animals age, their natural ability to groom themselves diminishes. None the less, pets still enjoy being clean just as much as they did in their youth. Senior pets need help with groomingthat is, cleaning their eyes, ears, teeth, gums, nails, fur, etc., on a regular basis.

Make Time to Visit the Vet

A critical part of lifelong wellness is staying on top of well-vet visits. When pets get into their senior years is usually when vets can spot potential future health issues. When vets are able to spot problems before they start, they can usually take preventative action, which helps keep your pet healthier longer.

Senior Pet 5

November is ASPCA’s Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Live every day well with your senior pet by being active together and by eating well together. Wellness Pet Food wants you and your senior pet to have long years of quality time to enjoy, which is why all of our pet foods are all-natural and specially formulated for your cat or dog’s age and other health needs .

5 Easy Upcycling Projects for Pet Parents

Posted on November 12, 2018December 16, 2020 by Above1 Support

TerraCycle® is an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. Wellness Natural Pet Food is the first U.S.-based pet food brand to make its packaging nationally recyclable through a partnership with TerraCycle. So far, the partnership has resulted in over 100,000 pet food bags diverted from landfills.

Getting crafty with empty Wellness pet food packaging and common items found around the house takes a nod from our past to support the environment and reduce waste.

1. Tennis Ball & T-shirt Toss Toy

Materials:

old t-shirts
tennis ball

Tools:

scissors

Instructions:

Cut t-shirt into 2 thick strips (use two t-shirts if needed).
Put in “X” formation.
Place tennis ball in the middle.
Fold t-shirt strips around tennis ball.
Tie with thin piece of t-shirt.
Take the tails and cut into strips – still attached to the top of the t-shirt.
Braid strips.
Knot ends or secure with t-shirt tie.
Toss and play with pup.

2. Pet Treat Holder

Materials:

Wellness Pet Food Bag
ruler
washable marker
one (1) Velcro® tab

Tools:

scissors
tape

Instructions:

Start with a clean, empty dog food bag. Cut a square that is 7 ½ inches on each side. Centered inside the square, draw a smaller square that is three inches on each side. This smaller square will be 2 ¼ inches from all edges.
On the top edge of the smaller square, draw a semicircle that hits the top of the large square and starts and ends at opposite corners of the small square. Repeat for the other 3 sides. Cut around these lines.
Pro tip: To give your treat pouch dimension, make an extra ¼ inch fold at the base of each semicircle.
Along the lines of the small square, fold all 4 semicircles towards the center. Your piece should fold up to the size of the small square. Tape the bottom flap and two side flaps in place.
Attach one side of the self-adhesive Velcro® fastener on the inside of the top flap. Then, fold down the flap so the other side of the self-adhesive Velcro® fastener attaches to the outside of the bottom flap. Let the Velcro® fastener stick where it naturally landed after you folded the top flap down.
Fill your new treat pouch with your favorite treats for your pet.

3. Wellness Dog Cape

What You’ll Need

Wellness Pet Food bag
clear packing tape
flat elastic (¼ inch wide)

Tools:

ruler
scissors
pen

Instructions:

Start with a clean pet food bag, and cut the edges off.
Use your ruler to draw a trapezoid that is 6 inches wide at the bottom, 4 inches wide at the top, and 7 ½ inches tall.
Fold over the narrow end, about ¾ inch.
Use a length of tape to keep the fold closed.
Cut a 17 ½ inch strip of elastic.
Loop it through the fold on the cape.
Tie and adjust accordingly so it fits your pet.

Design Tip: Cut the bottom in a funky pattern. Try a zig-zag or wavy shape!

4. Toilet Paper Roll Cat Toy

What You’ll Need

an empty cardboard toilet paper roll
Wellness Kittles (optional, but highly recommended)

Tools:

ruler
scissors
pen

Instructions:

Mark 4 finger-width (about ¼ inch) marks on the side of the cardboard roll.
Use the scissors to cut each ring.
Insert the first ring into the second ring, then continue with the third and fourth, until you’ve formed a ball.
Fill the toy with some delicious Wellness Kittles and your cat will spend some fun time trying to get to them!

5. Collapsible Pet Water Bowl

Materials:

Wellness Pet Food Bag
four (4) Velcro® tabs
clear tape

Tools:

ruler
pen or marker
scissor

Instructions:

Start with a clean pet food bag.
Flatten out the package and measure the width.
Measure and mark lines on both ends to make the length of the wrapper the same size as the width. A 10-inch square or smaller will probably work best.
Cut along your marked lines.
Mark a border 2 inches from the edge along each side of the square.
Fold and crease firmly along this line. Unfold and flatten it.
Fold up two sides at one corner of the square. Make a diagonal crease from the corner to the folded border creating an upright triangle. Repeat this for all corners, then unfold them.
Take the Velcro® tabs, unfasten them, and stick each one on either side of the corner of the square, one per triangle. Make sure that they will line up when fastened.
Fold up the bowl at the corners and press the hook and loop fasteners together. You are ready to dish up your pet’s favorite snack in your new bowl.

Have you tried any of these DIY projects? We want to see your results! On Instagram, tag @wellnesspetfood and #WellnessTerraCycleDIY for a chance to be featured on our social communities or website!

Thanksgiving Safety from A Dog’s Perspective

Posted on November 9, 2018December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

November is a time for giving thanks. As a dog, I’ve got lots to be thankful for. I’m thankful you come home every day. It’s my favorite time of day. I literally jump for joy when I see your shoes come through the door. I’m thankful for our cuddle time, the treats, the naps, the great food you feed me. Speaking of food, something smells delicious. To the kitchen!

Pets in the Kitchen

What have you done to the kitchen? There’re cans and wrappers everywhere. The trash can is so full, the lid won’t close. Every burner on the oven is crackling with fire. It all smells so good; I don’t know what to lick first.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Oh, hi, Mom. You’re standing in front of me. And now we’re going to my food dish. You assure me that what you’re about to feed me will taste much better than what you’re cooking. You say a well-fed dog on Thanksgiving is one who is less likely to beg for table scraps. As I eat, you take out the trash and tidy the counters. You explain that dogs like to get into the trash when it smells so tasty. You read my mind.

Photo via @jabba.da.pup

Pets with Crowds

I’m taking a nap when that bell starts ringing. “Don’t worry mom, I’ll protect you,” I shout charging to the door. You ask me to stop barking and open the door. You seem happy to see these people. Okay, I’ll let them live for now.
The bell keeps ringing. How many people do you know? And how many little people are coming? Is that another dog? I’m not happy. You can tell because I’m not acting like myself, so you take me to your bedroom for a while to calm down. Sometimes too much stimulation can be stressful for pets. I’m thankful you know me so well.

Pets at the Dinner Table

When it’s quiet, I come back out. Everyone is still here, but there at the table. I sit by your chair. Eh-hem. You give me a small plate of boneless, well-cooked turkey and a couple of bites of sweet potato. My compliments to the chef. Anything else from the table you tell me isn’t any good for me.

Traveling with Pets

People are still eating, and I hear you talk about the other dog. Pets that travel shouldn’t be left alone in the car for any period of time. I noticed the other dog came in on a leash, so she wouldn’t run away. Her dad also sets up her own food and water dish next to mine. I gnaw a bone and think this through. How long is she staying?

When Thanksgiving Winds Down

Everyone seems to be getting tired. A few people leave. You keep me near you when the door opens and closes, so I don’t run out. You say that even though I’m microchipped, it’s best if I don’t get lost at all. After all, if I run away, how else are we going to take a nap on the couch together? I like the sound of that. We cuddle up, and I feel warm and happy, thankful you know how to take care of me.

Thanksgiving is a happy time of year full of good times and reminiscences on reasons for giving thanks. Your pets are as thankful for you as you are for them. Show them how grateful you are by keeping them safe, well-fed with their favorite pet food, and comfortable during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

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Date:

09/11/2018