Whether you work from home or are currently transitioning to a home-based work environment due to the current pandemic, there is a lot to consider when it comes to our pets. It may seem silly but interacting with our pets should be on the list of items to consider when creating a home office because spending more time at home can warrant behavior changes and disruption at mealtime for our furry friends.

If you aren’t home all day, you’re probably unaware of what your pet’s routine is like (unless you spy on them with a pet cam). Because you aren’t there, they have to fend for themselves. This is why behavior disruption can take place when you spend more time with your pets. If you start to work from home, your pet will look to you for attention, affection and food. And the more you’re around, the more they will seek to gain. These behaviors may seem harmless at first, but it’s important to ensure you react to them appropriately by keeping their health and wellness a top priority.

Avoiding Overfeeding at Mealtime

When humans are home more, a common issue tends to be overfeeding. Overfeeding can occur in two ways: mealtime and treats. When it comes to mealtime, you want to stick to a routine that works for everyone involved. If you don’t have a set work schedule at home, create one. The more routine you can create, the less likely your pet will be to beg for food or treats. Try to feed your pet at the same time every morning and night to show them there is a proper time to eat. This will help cut down on begging and other negative behaviors.

Avoid Overfeeding Treats

While you may have mealtimes set in stone, another way our pets trick us into getting more is through treats. Just like scheduling mealtime, set up a treat schedule with your pet. If you normally offer treats after you walk your dog or to your cat after playtime, stay consistent, but if those behaviors happen more frequently, be aware of the extra treats that are being served.

If you don’t have a treat schedule, consider creating one. You may not realize how many treats you are offering. Keeping a tally directly on the treat bag is a great way to track and monitor your pet’s intake.

If you are often home and like to offer your pet treats, look for some low calorie options especially if they are unable to receive excessive time to exercise. All Wellness treats are made with healthy, natural ingredients, so you know your pet is getting some nutrition while enjoying a delicious snack.

For our feline friends, check out Kittles. These grain-free treats offer a variety of irresistible flavors and are only 2 calories per treat. With all-natural ingredients and teeth cleaning goodness, these treats will keep everyone happy.

The Nutritional Cost

We may love our fur babies, but if we don’t monitor and control what they are eating and how much, we can set them up for future health complications. Overfeeding can cause overweight animals that are more prone to arthritis, heart and kidney disease, cancer, and more. Love your pet with kisses, hugs, and your time, not with food.

Alternative Options

Just like us humans, when pets are bored, they get hungry. If you have more time at home, spend some of it with your furry friend. Take your pup out for a walk, drag a feather toy and play with your cat and if you’re working from home, schedule in some time to ensure your pet feels loved and cared for. This is especially necessary if they are not used to having you home. Create boundaries when it comes time to work but use your breaks to show them you care. If you take the time to show them attention before you start your day, they will give you the peace and quiet you need to complete your tasks.

The bottom line here: don’t give in. They will whine and beg, but you have to stay strong if you want to break the behavior. Remember, your pets are fine all day at home without you. Don’t let them make you think otherwise. Create a schedule and stick to it. This is the best way to love your pet.

Hot weather brings days of swimming, sunbathing, picnics, playing outdoors, grilling and just enjoying many sunny days. For cats, however, especially ones who have access to the outdoors, hot weather can also mean discomfort and potential danger. Even indoor cats can suffer during hot weather months

Here are some tips to help you keep your cat cool and comfortable when temperatures soar.

1. Water

Make sure your cat always has access to cool, fresh water. For indoor cats, place several bowls around the house to encourage more drinking and to make it convenient for less mobile cats to easily get to a water bowl. If your cat goes outdoors, place bowls in several shady locations and replace the water several times a day to keep it fresh. 

2. Shade

For outdoor cats, make sure there are shady locations available. If you have an outdoor enclosure or “catio”, there should be shade available as well as the ability for the cat to easily return back into the house should they get too hot. Even indoor cats need shade. If your cat loves their cat tree or window perch and it sits in a sunny window, close the curtains or provide an alternate elevated location in a spot that doesn’t have sun streaming in. 

3. Temperature Control

If you keep your cat indoors you are more easily able to control temperature in the environment. If you don’t have A/C , run the ceiling fans or place several standing/box fans around that are safely away from the cat. Just having air circulation can make a difference in temperature and in the comfort of the interior. 

4. Avoid Sunburn

You may not realize this but cats can easily get sunburned, especially on their ear tips. On very sunny days, the best way to avoid sunburn is to keep your cat indoors.

5. Grooming

Daily grooming is a good way to help keep your cat cool. Matted fur doesn’t allow for air to circulate to the skin. Brush your cat to remove loose hair to allow for the cat’s body to more efficiently cool.

6. Access to Cool Resting Spots

For an indoor cat, that may mean being able to move to a cool tile floor. If you close off certain rooms, make sure your cat has access to other rooms with cool floor surfaces in case her normal napping areas become too warm. Another thing to consider is to use a self-cooling pad. These pads get cool as the pet sits on them. Important note though: any time you use a pad for either coolness or heat, the cat must be mobile enough to be able to leave if the temperature becomes uncomfortable. 

7. Schedule Your Play Sessions

Playtime is important in a cat’s life but you don’t want to get your cat overheated during hot days. Time your playtime sessions for early in the morning or in the evenings when the temperatures are lower. 

8. Window Safety

If you don’t have A/C and will be leaving windows open, keep in mind that screens aren’t sturdy and a cat could easily push through one, especially if she spots something interesting outside such as a bird or an unfamiliar cat in the yard. Open windows only far enough for air circulation but not enough that a cat could slide underneath and push through the screen. 

9. Keep Food Safe

In warmer temperatures, food can spoil more quickly. If you leave food bowls outdoors, keep in mind that they will soon become popular with ants and other hungry insects. 

10. Paw Pad Safety

Outdoor cats are at risk of having paw pads get burned from exposure to hot sidewalks, driveways and asphalt. Cats walking on grass are also at risk of getting stung or bitten by insects. Check your cat’s paws regularly. If you treat your lawn with pesticides or fertilizer, that will also be a hazard as the cat walks on the grass. Keep your cat indoors on days your lawn is being treated. 

11. Car Safety

If you will be traveling with your cat during the warm weather, keep in mind how quickly the temperature in the interior of the car can rise. Do not leave your cat (or any pet) in the car no matter how quick you think you be. 

12. Watch for Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke can happen quickly and the result could be life threatening.

Signs of heatstroke include:
•    Panting or rapid breathing
•    Dark, red rums
•    High body temperature
•    Wobbly gait
•    Vomiting
•    Drooling
•    Glazed look in the eyes
•    Lethargy
•    Collapse

If you suspect heatstroke, wipe your cat down with a cool, damp towel or place a cool compress on their neck and contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.

For cats that normally stay indoors the Summer offers them a chance to explore! While making sure they stay cool, also remember that nutrition is key to fueling your kitty’s adventure! Check out Wellness Pet Food for a variety of cat recipes. 

 

Pets are like people — we say and hear this all of the time, but do we really believe it? If you don’t believe that pets are truly like people, then now is the time to start. Not only do pets need good nutrition and fitness like human friends, but they also need good mental and emotional healthcare, too.There are three types of anxiety pets typically experience: general fear, separation anxiety, and anxiety due to aging and health concerns. By understanding that pet stress and anxiety is real and where it comes from, you help your pet feel safe and calm!

1) Recognize the Symptoms of Pet Stress & Anxiety 

It’s impossible to control pet stress and anxiety if you don’t recognize the symptoms of when your pet is stressed or anxious. Common signs a pet is suffering from stress or anxiety include:

• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Repetitive behavior
• Pacing
• Atypical destructive behavior
• Panting and / or drooling
• Regressive bathroom habits 

While many of these symptoms may be linked to other health problems, they are also indicative of stress and anxiety and should be discussed with a veterinarian.

2) Identify the Source of the Stressor 

When you do notice signs of stress and anxiety in your dog or cat, consult your veterinarian. Then, figure out the source of the stress. Is there a new person at home? New work hours? New job? New pet? Whatever the issue, figure out what is new and when the issues started, so you can address them.

3) Address the Issue

In some instances, it’s possible to address stress triggers. Typically, these are scenarios your pet will encounter throughout their life such as encountering other animals, being around people, enduring a thunderstorm, etc. Behavioral therapy can help counter-condition your pet’s response in these situations. It takes time, but with time, patience and consistency, your pet will eventually reverse their anxious response to the negative stimuli and will better be able to cope in previously stressful situations.

4) Avoid Triggers

On the reverse of that, there are some triggers that should be avoided if possible. These triggers include things that your pet should not have to learn to cope with…such as hearing fireworks explosions. Likewise, if your pet does not enjoy riding in the car, then do not take them around town with you if the only time they ever really need to ride in the car is to visit the vet once or twice a year. Importantly, not all stress triggers can be avoided, nor can all pets be conditioned to tolerate them. Use your judgement and your pet’s response to determine which course of action is best for you and your pet.

5) Talk to the Vet

While medications aren’t the right solution for all forms of anxiety and stress, there are many medications available that can help you calm a stressed or anxious pet. Talk to your veterinarian about pet medications that are safe and how they can help your pet.

6) Natural Regimens

Many homeopathic and natural regiments that pet owners claim are useful in helping their pets are the same ones that people use such as valerian root, chamomile, etc., have been shown to be useful in relieving pet stress and anxiety. However, it is important to note that these methods are often unregulated, and you should always consult your veterinarian prior to self-administering any kind of new therapy and read about risks and side effects.

7) Experiment with Pheromone Therapy 

Given their extraordinary sense of smell, it makes sense that pheromone therapy could be effective in helping dogs and cats manage stress. Originally created to help with pet aggression and negative behaviors, researchers later observed that pheromones helped animals relax in all kinds of stressful situations—moving to a new home, visiting the vet, coping with a thunderstorm, dealing with fireworks, etc.

8) Use the Healing Power of Touch 

Physical touch can be incredibly soothing for a distressed pet. Just by softly stroking your pet’s fur and speaking softly and calmly, you can help with stress and anxiety in situations where your pet might be afraid or confused.

9) Play Gentle Music 

Classical music as well as music specifically created for pets (there is one series called “Through a Dog’s Ear”) played before or during an event that triggers stress and anxiety in your pet can help to make the experience more bearable for them.

10) Exercise and Eat Well 

Fitness and overall health and wellness are incredibly beneficial for improving an animal’s stress response. Animals that are stimulated through exercise are better able to focus and to manage their response in stressful situations. What’s more, they sleep more solidly. Meanwhile, a healthy diet gives your pet the energy and the stamina for regular fitness as well as to cope with situations and triggers that induce stress and anxiety.

Pet stress and anxiety are real, but there are many ways to help control it. At Wellness Pet Food, we try to do our part not only by educating pet owners but also by creating a broad selection of natural dog and cat foods that help your pet achieve overall wellness physically, mentally and emotionally. 
 

Pets unfortunately can’t live alongside us forever, and although this is something we acknowledge when opening our hearts to our furry friends, losing a beloved pet can bring ultimate heartbreak and real grief. Friends and family often offer support because they too have once lost a pet, but it isn’t always easy to know what to feel or how to heal. 

But here’s what we do know: everyone is going to handle losing their pet differently so here are some things you can do to begin your grieving process and honor the memory of your pet.

1. Cry

It seems so simple, but just letting yourself feel the hurt and loss with a good cry can be the first step in acknowledging the loss of your companion and starting to deal with the pain. People that aren’t pet owners might not understand it, but for those of us who truly love our dogs and cats, losing a pet can be the same as losing a treasured friend, and a member of the family. Allow yourself to break down, and also let yourself be comforted by those who love you and know how much your pet meant to you.

2. Write an Open Letter to Your Pet

Sometimes when we lose someone we love, we find ourselves faced with the words that went unsaid, and we wish that we could just have a few moments to tell our lost companion how much he or she truly meant. The same can be said for our pets. If you write a letter to your pet, tell them how much they truly meant to you and your family, how lucky you were to have them for the time that you did, how much they taught you, and what a good boy or girl they truly were. 
If you want, post your letter to your pet on your social media pages. You might be surprised how the kind words and shared memories from others can raise your spirits. Others have experienced what you have, and many may have also been lucky enough to know your pet as well. Let them offer comfort and share their favorite stories of your pet.

3. Don’t Rush to Move On

Rushing out to get a new dog or cat might not give you the time you need to completely heal. Take some time to remember your pet before trying to replace them. When the right pet comes along for you, even years down the road, you’ll know just as you knew with your first that it’s the right time. It’s often said that rescue pets seem to find us when we aren’t looking for them.

4. Honor Their Memory in a Special Way

Knowing that you can honor your pet’s memory in a meaningful and lasting way is one of the strongest steps you can take in grieving and recovering from the loss of your pet. Choose a way to honor them with a special ceremony or service, such as a scattering of ashes on his favorite beach, or a gathering of friends to toast his memory at his favorite park. Let friends share their stories, or just tell a few of your own that are sure to bring a smile to the face of all who loved them.

You can also choose a more lasting way to honor your pet’s memory, such as sponsoring and dedicating a park bench at their favorite dog park or a donation at a shelter and rescue, have their paw print turned into a unique piece of artwork or tattoo, or have their ashes interred into a tree bulb for planting at their favorite outdoor spot.  Pet ashes can even be made into beautiful art or custom jewelry. 

Regardless of how recent your loss may be, at Wellness Pet Food we understand that losing a pet can be one of the most difficult moments in your life. Pets are family and losing them is hard. Allow yourself the time you truly need to grieve the loss of your beloved companion. 

June 9th is World Pet Memorial Day, read here for more ways to honor a lost pet today and everyday.

A common concern among many cat owners is how to help their cats manage anxiety. For some cats, it takes something big to create anxiety and for others, even the smallest changes in daily life can cause upheaval and uncertainty. Some cat owners will investigate behavioral therapy and others will talk to their veterinarians about incorporating medication. Then there are the owners who simply don’t know what to do. Whether it’s an ongoing generalized anxiety or situational anxiety, cat owners want their cats healthy and happy.

The soaring popularity of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has resulted in more people turning to CBD for their pets to help not only with physical pain but also with behavior issues. The CBD (cannabidiol) market, though certainly causing quite a buzz, is not yet fully backed by science and the claims companies make often lack scientific substantiation. Despite that, cat owners are encouraged by anecdotal evidence and are buying CBD products. Is CBD oil  for cats a miracle remedy for anxiety? Is it safe and effective? Based on all the anecdotal success stories you would certainly think so but it’s not that simple. 

What is CBD Oil?

CBD is a compound derived from hemp. To be considered CBD, the oil must contain less than 0.3 percent of tetrahydrocannabidol (THC). Therefore, CBD, does not cause any psychoactive reaction. The fact that CBD can have beneficial effects without these psychoactive side-effects makes it appealing to cat owners when it comes to administering to their pets.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?

The problem is that the CBD market is still relatively new and not yet well-regulated or third-party/government tested for safety. It may be difficult for consumers to be sure of what they’re buying.  How do consumers know the product is correctly labeled? With regulated veterinary medications, veterinarians have accurate information regarding proper dosages, potential side effects, contraindications, toxicity levels and length of treatment. With CBD, there’s inconsistent information as well as whether the CBD oil in the product is even of good quality. Depending on where it’s purchased, there is the risk that there’s no CBD oil contained in the product at all. Depending on the manufacturing facility, a consumer can’t be certain the CBD oil is free of contaminants. Improperly formulated CBD oil that contains higher amounts of THC can be very toxic to pets.

Other Risks of CBD Oil in Cats

In addition, there’s another major concern. Some cat owners may be doing their own diagnosis on a cat and bypassing the veterinarian visit altogether. Skipping the veterinary exam and not getting an accurate diagnosis can be harmful to the cat or even life-threatening. Anxiety and stress may be due to an underlying medical problem. Although the cat may show improvements on CBD, it doesn’t other reasons for the anxiety such as intercat relationship issues, changes in the home environment and other potential stressors. Suppressing a behavior problem is not the same as identifying, understanding and resolving it.

12 Safe and Effective Ways to Help Treat Anxiety in Cats

If your cat seems anxious or stressed, your first step is to have the cat examined by the veterinarian. Don’t assume a problem is strictly behavioral before ruling out potential underlying medical causes.
Some ways to help ease your cat’s anxiety include:

1. Hiding places:

Photo via @lilfranklestein_3

Hiding is a valuable coping mechanism for cats. Give your cat several hiding options in the home. Examples include: A-frame beds, boxes on their sides, paper bags without handles, cubbies, or cat tunnels. These provide easy ways for a cat to feel “invisible” and calm down. 

2. Interactive Playtime:

Play is more than just exercise and fun. Playtime is a valuable therapy and helps release beneficial neurotransmitters. Engage your cat in at least two interactive play sessions a day. Use a fishing pole-type toy and move it so it imitates prey, allowing your cat to stalk, pounce and capture. 

3. Food Puzzles:

Puzzle feeders are another wonderful way to exercise a cat’s natural hunting instinct. Puzzle feeders should be challenging but not frustrating in order to maintain the fun factor. Stuff a puzzle feeder with low-calorie, tasty treats like Wellness Kittles to keep your cat engaged with the activity. As with interactive playtime, food puzzles also help release beneficial neurotransmitters into the system. 

4. Desensitization:

Train your cat to become comfortable with activities such as being in a carrier, car travel, unfamiliar people and handling. Gradual, positive and gentle training will help your cat become more at ease with each baby step. 

5. Pheromone Therapy May Help:

There are artificial feline facial pheromone products available that may help cats associate objects and locations with comfort and familiarity. These products come in spray form and diffusers.

6. Provide Choice:

Don’t underestimate the importance of choice. Cats should have the choice of whether to engage or retreat. Forced interaction, holding or petting can create anxiety. Pay attention to a cat’s body language to see whether you are being invited closer or to keep your distance.

7. Play Music:

Classical and soft music may help calm your cat. There are even some cat-specific music CDs and downloads to play to help ease stress and anxiety. Many shelters use music to help with stress reduction.

8. Reduce Intercat Aggression:

Photo via Raul Varzar

Reduce anxiety and tension between cats by creating an environment where they don’t have to compete for resources. Some examples that help include increased number and locations of litter boxes, separate feeding stations, provide more bed locations, include elevated perches and provide enough scratching posts.

9. Perches and Cat Trees:

Your cat needs elevated perches and places to climb. It will help him get away from any chaos happening on ground level. Increased vertical territory can also help ease tension in multicat environments. Many cats feel more secure when they’re up high.

10. Quality Time Together:

Photo via Jesse Borovnica

You may be the most effective anxiety-reducer for your cat. Spend quality time together with your cat in ways he enjoys. Some cats love having close contact with their human family members and others may prefer being nearby while you read or watch TV. Cats left alone too much can become anxious.

11. Let the Sun Shine in:

Photo via Max Kukurudziak

Open curtains and let the sun in so your cat can enjoy the warmth and relaxation of sunbathing. Some cats also enjoy watching the view out the windows. 

12. Call in a Professional:

If you aren’t able to alleviate the anxiety and feel you need more help, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or a certified cat behavior consultant. A behavior professional may be able to help uncover the anxiety triggers and develop a treatment plan customized for your specific cat. 

Conclusion

CBD may ultimately be very promising but as of yet, there haven’t been enough studies and science behind it. We look forward, with interest, in seeing more research on effectiveness and safety.

Hairballs aren’t welcome in any home – or in your cat’s stomach.

It can be a common occurrence or a special occasion, but as parents to our beloved kitties we all freeze in terror when hearing the approach of an impending hairball attack.

This unmistakable “hack” roughly translates to: “Warning! Be prepared for a wet, hairy mess that will land in your general vicinity or that of a recently cleaned carpet!”

via GIPHY

Tips to Keep Hairballs Under Control

Digestive Health Concerns

Hairballs can be a result of your cat’s regular grooming routine, but they can cause problems with her digestive health.

Typically, the hair your cat swallows forms into what we call a hairball and is eventually vomited up. But, on top of the grossness that hairballs come standard with, your cat may not be able to get rid of it through the usual methods of expulsion. If the hairball gets too large, it can cause problems within the digestive tract, resulting in bowel obstructions or constipation. In severe cases, surgery in order to have a hairball obstruction removed.

Read more on PetGuide.com. Click the link here.

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is only recognized one day a year in August, but routine wellness visits and checkups with your veterinarian are imperative for detecting disease early and ensuring your cat is healthy.

Unfortunately, cat parents do not bring in their pets for veterinarian checkups nearly as often as dog parents do for a variety of reasons, including stress on the cat, the independent personality of cats and the assumption that they are healthy. Cats rarely show obvious signs of sickness, making detecting illness in cats extremely challenging. Often times, people do not realize their beloved cat is sick or something is wrong until they are at the end stage of a disease and treatment options are limited. 
 
So, today I would like to discuss why pet parents are reluctant to bring their cat to the vet, helpful tips for bringing your cat to the vet and most importantly, why routine wellness visits and checkups are so important.

Why is it so important to have your cat evaluated routinely for wellness visits with your veterinarian? 

Pets cannot always show us when they are not feeling well, especially if they are feeling mild ailments. In addition, cats hide sickness and pain as a survival tactic, as they do not want to show signs of weakness. Far too often, cat owners will bring their cat into the veterinarian hospital for an evaluation when they are noticing that something is “off” or their cat is not acting like themselves. Many times, when a cat is acting “sick”, they are at the end stages of a disease and there are not many treatment options available. This reason more than any is why it is imperative to have your cat evaluated yearly with your veterinarian, and have full bloodwork performed.

Veterinarians and veterinarian technicians are trained to detect abnormalities on physical examination that pet owners may not see.In addition, bloodwork allows us to detect disease early (well before your cat may be showing signs of sickness) and is crucial in treating and maintaining a long life for your cat.

Photo via @le_chat_nikita

Why do pet parents not bring their cats into the veterinary hospital for routine checkups?

More than half the domesticated cats in our country have not been evaluated in the past year by a veterinarian. 

This statistic is startling and needs to be addressed. The most common reason why pet parents are not bringing their cats into the veterinarian is stress. Trips to the vet bring on stress for the cat, and stress for the parents in trying to catch and place their cat in a carrier, and transport them safely to the animal hospital. Cats do not like change, and can become very upset when forced to leave their home.
In addition to the high stress nature of cats, their independent nature tends to keep pet parents away from the vet hospital. Unlike dogs, cats do not demand the attention or require as much work. They can come across to us as not needing attention or care. Do not let this personality trait fool you. Independence should not equate to less attention or lack of wellness visits.  

My top tips on making your trip to the veterinarian less stressful for your cat:

• At home visits: Some vet hospitals will offer mobile services and come to your home to evaluate your cat. Inquire with your veterinarian. Removing the stress of transport can significantly improve your cats state of being for veterinary visits.
• Keep the carrier away: Cats are very smart and know when the carrier comes out, they are leaving their home. They will find a great hiding spot and stay there all day to avoid the carrier. I always recommend keeping the carrier away until you are ready to go to the veterinary hospital.
• Mild sedatives: Inquire with your veterinarian whether your cat is a candidate for a sedative. Many times, these medications may take the edge off and relieve some stress.
• Enclosed carrier: Never assume your cat will do better without being in a carrier. When cats get scared, from a barking dog, or a new place, they tend to run away to hide. Often times the choice of a hiding spot is outside in a parking lot. Always bring your cat to the veterinary hospital in an enclosed carrier for their safety and yours.
• Immediate examination room: Inquire with your veterinarian whether they can bring your cat into an exam room when you arrive at the animal hospital. A loud waiting room can cause undue stress and anxiety for your cat.

I hope this article inspires you to have your cat evaluated by your veterinarian. These cute little adorable guys rely on us to provide them with the best and most healthy lives they can have. The long-term health benefits for your cat far outweigh a day of stress and anxiety. As I always tell my pet parents, they may not think you are helping them, but you are providing them the best and longest lives you can. A moment of stress is worth a long life of health and wellness. As always, your pet’s health and wellness are my top priorities!

While most parents are fairly keen for their human children to leap back into the school year, pets are far less eager to see their two-legged buddies board the school bus and disappear for the better part of the day. For pets, back-to-school signifies a dramatic change in their daily routine, their activity level, and the amount of attention they get. Such a dramatic change can lead to anxiety and other unwelcome behaviors. 

Learn to recognize signs your pet is struggling with the back-to-school transition and take steps to help.

Signs of Separation Anxiety and Depression in Dogs 

When dogs experience anxiety, they typically exhibit negative behaviors that you might feel compelled to punish; however, punishing bad behavior that is the is caused by separation anxiety will exacerbate the situation leading to more fearful, erratic, or aggressive behaviors.

Common signs of separation anxiety include:

• Indoor bathroom accidents
• Chewing furniture, shoes, etc.
• Tearing up pillows
• Shredding paper
• Extensive barking and whining
• Other mood changes 

In cases involving depression, dogs may act as such:

• Hide
• Act lethargic or unenergetic
• Refuse to play
• Show a loss of appetite 

Importantly, a dog experiencing these symptoms may only show one or two signs, so it’s important for pet parents to watch for new or different behaviors.

Signs of Separation Anxiety in Cats 

Meanwhile, cats are less likely to experience trauma due to children returning to school; however, cats with backgrounds involving unreliable owners or multiple owners or abandonment could experience anxiety as a result of the dramatic change. Signs a cat is experiencing separation anxiety include:

• Trembling
• Social withdrawal
• Hiding / escaping
• Lack of interest in food
• Signs of upset stomach in litter box
• Mood swings 

How to Help Pets Struggling with Back-to-School Anxiety 

As previously noted, the worst way to manage back to school behaviors is to react with anger or aggression. Instead be calm. Use your own calm manner to signal to pets that everything is okay.

It can also help to get your pet a new toy to help them channel their energy in the interim before children return home from school.

An additional strategy for managing dogs with anxiety could be to implement crate training. This is effective if disruptive bathroom habits are problematic.

Exercise is another way to help your pet feel busy and to burn off energy previously burned off by interaction with children. Supplement those frequent play periods with extra walks until you can resume a normal schedule.

Lastly, give children time in the afternoons after school to play with pets. The bond between children and pets should still be encouraged and given time to develop. A new status quo for the children and your pet(s) during the new school year will need to be developed. This will help your cat or dog tremendously as it will help to assuage feelings of abandonment that may have transpired when your children returned to school.

That said, anxiety and depression are real in cats and dogs when it comes to their younger owners returning to school. The best ways to battle these issues are to notice when they arise and to compensate with love, compassion extra exercise time, and the establishment of a new status quo that involves pet children bonding with human children.

Pet wellness is about more than great food—it’s about mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Wellness Pet Food believes in comprehensive pet health, which is why we do our best to create natural, healthy pet foods and snacks that keep your pet healthy and satisfied.  

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month. There are many foods, chemicals, and other materials around your house that are safe for you but not for your pets. Print this one-page at-a-glance guide and hang it on your fridge for a year-round reminder of the foods and substances to keep away from your pets.

Foods & Beverages

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Coffee / Caffeine
• Citrus leaves, peel, seeds, and stems
• Coconut and coconut oil
• Grapes and raisins
• Avocados
• Macadamia nuts
• Milk and dairy
• Nuts
• Onions, garlic, and chives
• Undercooked or raw meat
• Raw eggs
• Bones from meat
• Snack foods
• The sweetener Xylitol found in candy, gum, baked goods and tooth paste
• Yeast dough 

Common Plants

• Aloe Vera
• Baby’s Breath
• Ivy
• Hostas
• Sago Palm
• Tomato plants
• Poinsettia
• Lilies
• Gladiolas
• Carnations
• Begonias
• Tulips
• Daffodils 
• Mums
• Ivy
• Wisteria
• Lantana
• Yew
• Azaleas
• Hydrangeas
• Boxwoods
• Elephant ears
• Angel trumpets
• Castor bean 

There are over 1,000 plants poisonous to pets. These are some of the most common. A best practice is to assume all plants are poisonous and to research the effects on pets before putting them indoors or growing them outdoors.

Other Indoor & Outdoor Poisons 

• Human medications
• Overdose of pet medications
• Insecticides 
• Rodenticides
• Fertilizers
• Weed killers
• Cocoa mulch
• Compost piles
• Antifreeze 
• Pool cleaning chemicals such as chlorine
• Self-cleaning oven odors
• Lead paint chips
• Linoleum
• Indoors cleaning chemicals
• Bleach
• Detergent 

What to Do if Your Pet is Poisoned

If your pet is poisoned, you need to be able to tell the emergency specialist what your pet ate, when (i.e., how long ago), and how much of the substance your pet ate. Do not wait until your pet starts to exhibit signs of poisoning before you call for help. 

Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, bloody stools, lethargy, poor appetite, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, or inability to use the restroom. Exhibition of these signs could indicate your pet has ingested poison without your knowing.

Emergency Numbers:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline: 888-426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: 800-213-6680 or 855-764-7661 (You will be asked to pay a consultation fee)

Do not ever attempt to self-treat your pet without talking to a poison control specialist first. Specifically, do not try to feet your pet milk, food, salt, oil or other home remedies, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Do not attempt to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide, milk of magnesia, or some other method without consulting a poison control specialist or your veterinarian first. Any effort made without the oversight of a professional could make matters worse.

After consulting with a professional, if an examination following a poisoning incident is needed, take the package or some of the poisonous substance with you to the veterinarian’s office if possible.
 
In addition to keeping dangerous substances out of reach, feed your pet well. If your pet is full and content as a result of a fulfilling, all-natural diet, like the ones supported by Wellness Pet Foods, then they might be less likely to sample poisonous foods, plants, and other chemicals when they encounter them.

Stress. We hear that word often as it relates to humans but it can be a big problem for cats as well. While stress can’t be totally avoided in life and a certain amount is necessary to help us all survive (Acute stress triggers fight or flight response), we can limit how much cats endure.

Types of Stress in Cats

Acute stress:

This is something cat parents more easily recognize in cats. Just picture your cat on the veterinarian’s exam table or remember the day you brought home a second pet or moved to a new house.

Chronic stress:

This can easily be overlooked. This is the day-to-day stress that a cat may experience from any number of causes. Behavior may change so gradually that cat parents miss things such as change in activity level, appetite, grooming habits or litter box usage. Short-term stress is something the body is equipped to handle but long-term, chronic stress can play a major role in the onset of behavior problems and even disease.

A Veterinary Check-up Comes First

Granted, a trip to the veterinarian is often stressful in itself, but if you notice a change in behavior, weight, appearance, litter box habits, appetite, or water consumption, have your cat checked out. Don’t skip this all-important first step.

Reducing Your Cat’s Stress

Here’s a list of 10 tips to guide you on ways to reduce some common stress triggers. 

1. Maintain Your Cat’s Health

Don’t skip annual veterinary wellness visits. Catching a potential medical problem in the early stages increases the odds of successful treatment and maintenance. Also, keep up at-home health routines such as good nutrition, parasite control, dental care, grooming and nail care.

2. Less-Stressful Veterinary Visits

Stress is one of the most common reasons cats don’t see the veterinarian as often as dogs do. You can reduce that stress in a few easy ways. First, get your cat comfortable with the carrier. Leave the carrier out and periodically toss treats near it. This helps take the fear out of the carrier’s presence. When going to the veterinary clinic, bring an extra towel which can be used to cover the carrier opening to give kitty more privacy. When sitting in the waiting room, hold the carrier on your lap or on the seat next to you. Avoid placing the carrier on the floor since that can be more stressful. If you have a carrier where the top can be detached from the bottom, during the exam you can let your cat remain in the bottom part.

3. Consistent Cat Training

Reduce stress by making sure everyone in the family is on the same page with training. For example, if kitty isn’t allowed on the table by one family member but is permitted by another, it sends a confusing and stressful mixed message. Train with kindness and consistency.

4. Create a Peaceful Mealtime

It starts with feeding a high quality food that’s appropriate for your cat’s age and health. Next, create a peaceful mealtime setting by keeping the feeding station clean and inviting. Use a food bowl that’s a comfortable size and shape and doesn’t cause your cat’s whiskers to get squished. Locate the feeding area in a quiet place that’s free from sudden noises. Place food and water a little distance apart as many cats don’t like water right next to food. In a multicat household, give each cat an individual food bowl because cats aren’t social eaters. You can discourage one cat from nosing another cat out of the bowl if they each have their own separate dishes. If necessary, feed cats in separate rooms to reduce stress.

To encourage successful mealtimes, add a grain-free topper like CORE Simply Shreds to your cat’s meal.

5. Your Cat’s Social Interaction

Never force your cat to interact. Let kitty set the pace of how much he wants to engage. Don’t insist on holding or petting your cat if he doesn’t want it. If he doesn’t mind being held, always put him down before he starts to struggle. Keep the experience positive. You can give him incentives to be more sociable, such as offering a treat or playtime, but always let it be his choice of whether to accept or decline.

6. Happy Litter Box Set-up

Make sure the litter box is the right size and type for your cat. It should be 1 ½ times the length of your cat from tip of nose to base of tail. As for litter, most prefer soft, sandy, scoopable litter. Texture is important to cats. Scoop the litter box at least twice a day to ensure there’s always enough clean area for elimination. Locate the box in a quiet spot that’s convenient and comfortable to access. In a multicat home, provide numerous litter boxes scattered throughout the house so one cat doesn’t have to cross another cat’s area. The general rule is to have one more box than number of cats.

7. Environment and Resources

Cats live in a vertical world. Provide cat trees, perches or other elevated locations to create security and comfort. Cats also like to alternate between being hidden and being visible. Offer hiding places for those times when kitty wants to watch the household goings-on as an undetected spectator. Indoor cats have to share overlapping territories so reduce stress by making sure each cat has comfortable places for napping, hiding and resource availability within their preferred area. This can go a long way in increasing multi-cat harmony.

8. Cat Communication

Cats are masters of communication and just their body language alone can tell you so much about what’s going on inside their heads. Observe your cat’s body language and become educated about whether he’s saying I’d rather not be disturbed now or please play with me. 

9. Stress-Reducing Playtime

Playtime is more than just fun and exercise. Playtime releases good brain chemicals and helps a cat develop positive associations with their environment and people around them. Playtime is beneficial to reducing stress on an everyday basis as well as when you’re dealing with a particularly stressful event. Engage in interactive playtime daily and also create fun activities for your cat for when you aren’t home. This can involve puzzle feeders, tunnels and other activities to keep your cat stimulated.

10. Less-Stressful Life Transitions

Cats are creatures of habit but unfortunately, life is full of changes. Some changes are unavoidably sudden but if there’s an upcoming anticipated change, ease your cat through it gradually. Whether it’s the addition of a new baby, new cat or any other disruption in his normal routine. Go at a slow pace and let him take small steps through the adjustment. Your cat will appreciate the extra effort made to help him through life’s surprises.