October is National Pet Wellness Month, which is a nationwide educational campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Focusing on weight management, balanced diet, dental care, and the special needs for senior pets, the program’s initiative hopes to educate the owners of approximate 50 percent of the US pet populations on the preventative measures for battling obesity, diabetes, arthritis and thyroid disease. Through preventative care, as well as weight control, pets can be on the fast track to ultimate health and fitness in no time.
Photo by Fotolia.
Weight Management
Dogs on the Move!
Dogs need a lot of rest, but just like humans, they also need stimulation and daily exercise. Commit to daily walks and games of fetch or tug-of-war- using durable toys like goDog® toys with Chew Guard Technology™ from Quaker Pet Group. With the soft plush, you can play fetch indoors or outdoors, so weather is never a factor.
Slow Feeding to Prevent Painful Bloat
Dogs of all sizes and breeds can put themselves at high risk for bloat, the second highest canine health risk, which can cause a great deal of stomach distress and even death. Loving Pets’ Gobble Stopper™ from is a simple, convenient and highly effective solution to help prevent canine bloat by slowing your pet’s eating by as much as 500 percent. Easy to insert inside any bowl, the suctioned bone shaped insert is removed easily by owners via the easy-lift tab, but impossible for your dog. A cinch to clean, Gobble Stopper is dishwasher safe and made from BPA-free plastic.
Balanced Diet
Nutritious Eating
In addition to committing to a more active lifestyle with your pet, a healthy diet is also of utmost importance. It is not just limiting the quantity of your pet’s food that is helpful, but choosing a food that it rich in nutrients and quality ingredients.
Help make good choices for your pet and promote health from the inside out with American- made and -sourced Evanger’s Pet Foods, for dogs and cats. With premium pure game meats like lean Buffalo and their best-selling Hunk of Beef, they also offer new Premium Dinners that feature Spinach and Kale.
Healthful Treats
By choosing wholesome treats for your pet, such as new PUFFSTERS™ Air-Puffed Snacks or BARKSTERS™, you are rewarding your pet with low-fat, low-calorie treats with premium ingredients—never any additives or artificial ingredients. Loving Pets offers an interactive TreatFinder™ where pet owners can easily enter in criteria, allergies, preferences, etc and be matched to the perfect treat for their beloved pets.
Dental Care
Dr. Andy Roark DVM MS is passionate about helping educate pet owners on simple, yet important ways they can stay ahead of oral/dental challenges and keep their pet’s heart healthy!
Canine dental health is a hot topic, not just because of the importance of good oral hygiene, but also because (just like humans) canine tartar control is directly tied to heart health! Regular and preventative dental care, at home, can also save pet owners hundreds of dollars in veterinary expenses because once a problem arises, it can be very costly.
The dental tartar you see slowly building up on your pet’s teeth is about 80 percent bacteria. It damages the gums, the bone beneath and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. This bacteria can get into the blood stream and infect vital organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys. And there’s no question that advanced dental disease hurts; it makes pets feel sick.
Daily brushing is the best deterrent. Every pet’s mouth is different, so the amount of dental maintenance needed to make sure your pet stays healthy varies among individuals and also among breeds.
Feeding a high-quality food, staying away from offering your dog table scraps, and using treats and chews that are specifically formulated to keep teeth healthy are all easy ways to support your pet’s dental health. Your vet can even recommend a diet designed for dental health.
WHIMZEES™, all-natural, vet-recommended dog chews, help to fight dangerous plaque and tartar. Available in a variety of fun shaped characters such as Alligators, Hedgehogs, Stix and Toothbrushes, WHIMZEES™ are highly digestible vegetarian treats. These all-natural dog chews not only support dental health, but the unique shape ensures proper blood flow through the gums. WHIMZEES™ have no artificial ingredients, colors, flavors, preservatives, or meat products. They’re GMO- and gluten-free, as well as high in fiber and low in calories.
Senior Pets
In 2015, more than half of all the pets in the United States will be considered senior. Veterinarians recommend that senior pets receive special attention and care to maintain optimum health and maximum vitality. In addition to weight management and providing your pet with an ultra soft and easily digestible food made of the finest organic ingredients, such as Evanger’s Senior & Weight Management Cat & Dog Food, other issues can sneak up on aging pets.
As cats and dogs age, even going potty can become more of a challenge. Achey joints and arthritis can make bathroom routines, such as stairs and inclement weather, almost impossible. Puppy Go Potty from Healthy Pet is an original indoor elimination solution that was created to ensure happiness and comfort at home to aging pups. Puppy Go Potty is made of 100 percent natural fibers, absorbs 4 times its weight in liquid, effectively controls odor, and is scented with a natural pheromone attractant.
Aging kitties can also get finicky around potty time, a new product from Healthy Pet, ökocat Soft Step, is an all-natural, 99 percent dust-free litter. Made of extra lightweight, fine wood granules that are softer on paws than other materials, which can be an issue for the discerning cat. ökocat™ Soft Step™ is a high performance clumping litter, ideal for cats of all ages, and a great choice for those concerned about transitioning to a natural litter; ökocat feels close to traditional clay litter, but without the scents, chemicals and dust of clays.
This blog is intended for informational purposes only. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.
