Food & Nutrition

Excess weight is one of the most common health issues facing dogs worldwide. Industry data indicates that nearly 60% of pets are overweight or obese, which can lead to serious complications, including shortening a dog’s lifespan and reducing the quality of his day-to-day life.

As pet parents, we want to keep our dogs, cats, and other pets healthy, happy, and with us for a long time. While they can face a broad array of potential health issues, one of the most common and most damaging health challenges pets face also happens to be one of the most treatable: obesity.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but whether you have a toy breed like a Miniature Pinscher or a giant Irish Wolfhound, all dogs can live longer and enjoy a better quality of life if they maintain a healthy weight. While being overweight or obese is a far more common issue among dogs today, underweight dogs face the risk of serious health problems too.

A daily routine helps to give your dog a baseline for what to expect in her daily life, as well as to establish you in her eyes as her fair and gentle pack leader. Over time, following a consistent daily routine allows your dog to trust you and respect you.

Oil supplements can be an effective part of an overall dietary plan for humans, but what about dogs? Are the health benefits similar, and are they safe for canine consumption? Before adding any supplements to your dog’s routine, talk to your veterinarian.

Why are some dogs so weird about their food? More often than not, the answer lies in a behavior called resource guarding.

It may be tempting to call the vet the second your pooch refuses dinner, but it’s perfectly natural and ordinary for some dogs to skip a meal or two on occasion. She may have simply filled up on too many treats that day, or she might be feeling a bit bored with her kibble.

Dietary changes of any type can cause temporary digestive distress to your dog, even when you’re switching to a healthier option. The good news is that with an appropriate transition and some patience, your dog will be over the hump in no time.

Every dog has different nutritional needs, and senior dogs are no exception. Once your beloved pup reaches his golden years, it can be even tougher to understand his shifting dietary requirements. This can often leave pet parents with a lot of questions: Is "senior dog food" necessary?

When it comes right down to it, it isn't the act of giving treats that encourages us to do it, but the reactions from our pets that make it all worthwhile. In 2008, veterinary nutritionists in both the United States and Australia discovered via survey that 41% of dogs & 21% of cats received treats daily.