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Helping Pets in Need Become a #WellnessPet

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Does your pet food company give back? Wellness Pet Food helps to provide pets in need with healthy food.This post is sponsored by Wellness and the BlogPawsTM Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share the availability of Wellness Products at PetSmart, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Wellness nor PetSmart is responsible for the content of this article.

Helping Pets in Need Become a #WellnessPet

Animal rescue is extremely tough.

Not only do you have to sacrifice your time, open your heart to possible pain, and alter your life, but you have to find ways to provide for the rescues you take in. While Great Pyrenees eat less than most anticipate, they are still giant dogs who require hefty food bills. Many people in rescue, myself included, don’t always have a large enough budget to feed all of the dogs they take in.

If rescue volunteers can’t afford to feed the dogs, they turn down foster opportunities. The dog they could have fostered, given the appropriate resources, remains in the shelter and often at risk for euthanasia.

WellPet Foundation

Thankfully, amazing resources, such as the WellPet Foundation, are able to assist in feeding dogs in need to keep them out of shelters.

At WellPet, we are committed to giving back to the world we share with our pets. Through the WellPet Foundation, we support organizations and activities that promote the power of natural nutrition and the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles.

This past November, catastrophic flooding forced many people from Louisiana to leave their homes. Unfortunately, the severity of the situation caused many pets to be left behind and in need of food and proper care. One shelter, The Companion Alliance of Baton Rouge, took in 650 animals before and after the flooding. Now, that’s a hefty food bill.

Does your pet food company give back? Wellness Pet Food helps to provide pets in need with healthy food.

As shelter volunteers work tirelessly to reunite pets with their owners, they don’t need the added burden of ensuring the animals are fed a healthy diet. The WellPet Foundation stepped in a donated nearly 50,000 pounds of food and treats to The Companion Alliance of Baton Rouge and other shelters nearby.

A Personal Experience

I had the chance to personally experience the generosity of the WellPet Foundation. The Great Pyrenees Rescue, Montana took in a Great Pyrenees/Akbash puppy who was found in the woods. The puppy was tiny, weak, and clearly malnourished. One amazing volunteer took the puppy, Rooby, into her home.

Does your pet food company give back? Wellness Pet Food helps to provide pets in need with healthy food.

I reached out to Wellness® to see if they would be willing to help take care of the puppy by providing food for her. Without hesitation, I received a “yes” and was passing along mailing information. Little Miss Rooby was thrilled with her Wellness food and the donation relieved some pressure from her foster mom. P.S. Rooby is currently looking for her forever home!

Unfortunately, too many pet food companies are only “in it for the money” and fail to keep our pets’ best interests in mind. I can honestly say that I have never felt that way about Wellness. I’ve been lucky to meet several people on the Wellness team, and their love of pets is clearly evident.

We have been fans of Wellness products since the fluffies were babies, but my fondness for the company has continued to grow as I’ve learned more about their mission and company personality. One of the best things about Wellness Pet Food is that they have a formula for every dog. The fluffies like to rotate between Wellness® CORE®, Wellness© Complete Health™, and Wellness® TruFood®. There are enough formulas and flavors to keep them interested!

If you haven’t checked out all that Wellness has to offer, you can do that here. Or you can simply swing by your local PetSmart to pick up a bag! Trust me, your fluffy with thank you.

Prefer to shop from home? Visit PetSmart® online to check out the extensive Wellness lineup in order to pick the right food for your dog.

 You can also follow Wellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

What’s your dog’s favorite Wellness product?

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Does your pet food company give back? Wellness Pet Food helps to provide pets in need with healthy food.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness. The opinions and text are all mine.

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.This post is sponsored by Wellness and the BlogPawsTM Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share the availability of Wellness Products at PetSmart, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Wellness nor PetSmart is responsible for the content of this article.

What Does it Take to be a #WellnessPet?

Earlier this year, we were beyond thrilled to share with you that one of our favorite lines of dog food, Wellness® Complete Health™, had gone grain-free. Mauja and Atka hadn’t eaten the original Complete Health line in quite awhile due to being on an entirely grain-free diet, so we loved the opportunity to incorporate an old favorite back into their rotation diet.

It’s no secret that we are huge fans of the Wellness products. Aside from the Complete Health Grain-Free line, we’ve also talked a lot about Wellness TruFood and the benefits of a baked food for your dog.

Today, we’re going to round out our Wellness line-up by talking about Wellness® CORE®! While Wellness CORE and Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free are two of our all-time favorites, you’re certain to see the 5 Signs of Wellness after switching your dog to any of the Wellness products.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free or Wellness CORE?

5 Signs of Wellness

Skin & Coat Health

By including essential vitamins and minerals as well as quality Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, your dog’s skin and coat will be exceptionally snugglable.

Energy

High-quality proteins, grain-free sources of carbohydrates, and healthy fats provide your dog with the energy necessary to engage in his favorite activities – whether that’s a sprightly game of fetch or a long nap on the couch.

Digestive Health

Healthy sources of fiber, chicory root extra, and probiotics are the perfect combination to support a healthy digestive system.

Eyes, Teeth, and Gums

Appropriate levels of Vitamin A are incorporated into Wellness products to support healthy eyes and calcium and phosphorus support healthy, strong teeth and gums.

Immunity

Fruits and vegetables full of antioxidants as well as nutritional supplements, such a Vitamin E, help to support a healthy immune system.

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free and Wellness CORE are available at PetSmart

Fluffy Wellness

How do I know when the fluffies are displaying the 5 Signs of Wellness? Easy.

  • Their fur is pyrfectly snuggable.
  • Their eyes speak to my soul.
  • Their smiles sparkle.
  • Their coats glisten.
  • They bounce when I say, “walk”.
  • They leap into the car with glee.
  • They make me feel like the most amazing person in the world <3

Wellness CORE

Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.Wellness CORE was the first food Mauja and Atka had when they transitioned from puppy food to an adult recipe. It has been a favorite for several reasons:

  • Wellness CORE is a grain-free, protein-rich formula
  • No corn, wheat, animal by-products, or anything artificial
  • It’s available in several flavors: Original, Ocean, Wild Game, Small Breed, Large Breed, Puppy, and Reduced Fat
  • There’s more than just dry food. Your dog can try Air-Dried Formulas, Wet Formulas, and several types of treats.

Which Wellness food do you think your dog would like best?

Want more from Wellness and PetSmart? Follow Wellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and follow PetSmart on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Is your dog a #WellnessPet? Here's how I tell if my Great Pyrenees are showing the 5 Signs of Wellness.

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness. The opinions and text are all mine.

Keeping Cool While Staying Grain-Free #GrainFreeForMe

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Great Pyrenees | It's Dog or Nothing #grainfreeforme

Summer is here and it is HOT. While it hasn’t been overly warm here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s still warm enough to make the fluffies uncomfortable. This summer, they seem to have two favorites for keeping cool: splashing in their pool and enjoying a frozen treat.

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Baby Pool for Dogs

I absolutely love getting the baby pool out for Mauja and Atka. Atka hops in the pool as soon as I turn on the hose and waits for the water to fill around him. Mauja prefers to wait until the pool is full before she hops in to cool off.

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While Atka will lay down in the pool, Mauja prefers to just splash around (or use it as a massive water bowl). However, they both love to dig in the water. If your dog is fond of water, does he dig in the pool, too? I’m always thankful we have a plastic pool that they can’t tear easily with their nails!

Check out Atka’s digging action!

Wellness Grain-Free Frozen Treats

Fillable treat toys are a great way to keep your dog busy, but freezing them makes them last so much longer. Recently, they have been enjoying their treat toys stuffed with Wellness CORE wet food or Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free dry food and some sodium-free chicken broth, wet food, or a little cottage cheese.

Since Mauja and Atka’s tummies can be pretty sensitive, I prefer to fill their treat toys with foods they’re already used to. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure they are eating in the warm summer months. It’s not uncommon for pyrs to lose weight in the summer due to an unwillingness to eat. While I haven’t checked Atka’s weight, Mauja is down about 10 pounds which is consistent with previous years. As fall comes around, she’ll regain the lost weight. Offering frozen food encourages them to eat ensuring they receive the nutrients their bodies need.

Great Pyrenees | It's Dog or Nothing #grainfreeforme
Waiting… patiently?

Preparing your dog’s frozen treat toy with wet food couldn’t be easier. Simply grab your toy, stuff, and freeze! I like to shove some treats at the end for them to work toward – it’s like a prize at the bottom of the box.

Our second method of using dry food and broth can be a bit trickier, but it’s still a simple process. The biggest struggle is making sure the broth doesn’t leak out of the bottom of the toy until it freezes. I’ve found a treat that fits perfectly into the opening in Mauja and Atka’s treat toys which keeps at least 95% of the broth in. If you use this method, just be sure to remove the treat at the end before giving the toy to your dog to prevent it from suctioning to your dog’s tongue (always use treat toys with at least two openings).

Great Pyrenees | It's Dog or Nothing #grainfreeforme

The combination of a baby pool and frozen treats does an excellent job at keeping the fluffies cool. I’m waiting for the day that Atka takes his treat into the pool with him 😉

Thanks again to our awesome sponsor, Wellness Pet Food, for supporting our phenomenal trip to #BlogPaws!

How do you keep your dog cool in the summer?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BlogPaws Pet Influencer Network. The opinions and text are all mine.

I Have Celiac, but That’s Not Why I Feed Grain-Free #GrainFreeForMe

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An interesting encounter really made me think about how I feed my dogs. Here's why I feed my Great Pyrenees grain-free dog food #GrainFreeForMe

I Have Celiac, but That’s Not Why I Feed Grain-Free

I have Celiac disease. If you’re not familiar with Celiac, I’m certain you’re familiar with the gluten-free trend. For people with Celiac disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), a gluten-free lifestyle isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.

Recently, I was out with Atka browsing the pet food aisle. I’m not sure why (maybe I’m a tad weird), but I enjoy looking at all of the available commercial foods, studying the ingredients, and then pulling out my phone to continue the research. Plus, it gives me ample time to work on down-stays with Atka.

This post is sponsored by Wellness® Natural Pet Food and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share Wellness Grain Free options, but we  only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Wellness is not responsible for the content of this article.

An interesting encounter really made me think about how I feed my dogs. Here's why I feed my Great Pyrenees grain-free dog food #GrainFreeForMe

While I was looking through some of the Wellness® products, I ran into an individual I work with. We are not close, but there have been enough events that I’ve declined so she knows I’m gluten-free. She looked at me, looked at my cart, looked back at me, and said, “You’ve got to be kidding me. You even force your DOG to eat gluten-free?!”

I didn’t know what to say. Yes, Mauja and Atka consume a grain-free diet of commercial pet food and homemade food. While they have not always been on a grain-free diet, their switch happened before my diagnosis, when they reached adulthood.

Unfortunately, when this individual commented about my feeding practices, I was so caught off-guard that I didn’t know how to answer. Now that I’ve composed myself, here are my top 3 reasons for feeding my Great Pyrenees Wellness Complete Health™ grain-free food.

  1. Grain-free food provides more of a nutritional punch. Rather than being full of empty calories and nutrients, they get “more of the good stuff”, such as chickpeas, flaxseed, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, apples, and blueberries. In Wellness dog food, this includes natural ingredients with high-quality protein for full energy, prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy digestion, and vitamins A & E to support healthy immune system.
  2. Grain-free food can help alleviate allergies. Great Pyrenees are prone to both food and environmental allergies, so I wanted to be cognizant of that fact when determining their diet. Grains are a popular allergen trigger for this breed.
  3. Grain-free diets can help prevent ear infections, stomach upset, and other gastrointestinal issues. If Mauja and Atka are comfortable and happy, I’m happy too.
  4. A bonus, yet selfish, reason. Feeding grain-free food helps keep me healthy! I can get very sick from simply breathing in the air particles of their food or scratching my face while feeding them. The fluffies do not accept a sick mom who skips walks 😉

Atka’s Wellness Complete Health Update

Atka has been on Wellness Complete Health for just over a month now. We are using Wellness as his food base to ensure he is getting all of his essential vitamins and minerals, but then add a topper of homemade food. The Complete Health line offers everything he needs, but I always like to add a little something extra 😉

As completely shocked as I am to say this, Atka’s itching has disappeared in the last month. We did have Atka on a completely homemade diet and did not see any improvement, so we were getting quite frustrated. I tried a lot of experimenting, but I couldn’t seem to alleviate the itching.

An interesting encounter really made me think about how I feed my dogs. Here's why I feed my Great Pyrenees grain-free dog food #GrainFreeForMe

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know why the itching has ceased since the switch, but I’m not going to question it! Atka loves the food, he’s not itching, and I know he’s getting great nutrition – I’m a happy pyr mom <3

Interested in trying Wellness food for your dog? Click here for your $3 off coupon and shop PetSmart online!

[Psst – are you following Wellness on social media? Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+]

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An interesting encounter really made me think about how I feed my dogs. Here's why I feed my Great Pyrenees grain-free dog food #GrainFreeForMe

Does your pet eat grain-free recipes? Post a pic of you & your pet using #GrainFreeForMe!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness® Natural Pet Food. The opinions and text are all mine.

Power Your Pyrenees with Complete Health #GrainFreeForMe

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Does your dog show the 5 signs of wellness? Read why we're loving Wellness Complete Health to keep our Great Pyrenees happy and healthy!

Power Your Pyrenees with Complete Health

It’s no secret that we love Wellness Pet Food. The fluffies have tried so many of their products over the years. They’ve had (and loved) several flavors from the TruFood and Core lines – both grain-free options. However, there was one line they haven’t had in quite some time – the Wellness® Complete Health™ line.

This post is sponsored by Wellness Natural Pet Food and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share the reinvented Complete Health Line and other Wellness Products, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Wellness Natural Pet Food is not responsible for the content of this article.

As puppies, Mauja and Atka were both on the Large Breed Puppy Complete Health formula. This is not a grain-free diet, but since grain-free diets are generally not recommended for giant breed puppies, this was perfect. The fluffies loved and thrived on this food.

However, as they got older I wanted to switch them to a grain-free diet. Even though we loved the Complete Health line, there weren’t any grain-free options for us. That’s when we switched to Wellness Core and eventually tried TruFood.

Recently, something I never thought would happen finally did – Wellness Complete Health finally went grain-free! Obviously, we just had to try it.

Does your dog show the 5 signs of wellness? Read why we're loving Wellness Complete Health to keep our Great Pyrenees happy and healthy!

Mauja and Atka really like fish-flavored foods, so we decided to go with the Complete Health Whitefish and Menhaden Fish Meal Recipe. This recipe features a balanced blend of proteins, grain-free carbohydrates, and select fats to help your furry one thrive. In fact, Wellness guarantees the 5 Signs of Wellness.

  • Skin & Coat Health – By including healthy levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids from quality sources such as salmon and flaxseed, your dog’s coat will be 100% snuggable. Omega-3s and Omega-6s are also essential for healthy, flake-free skin.
  • Digestive Health – Upset tummies are no fun – for you or your dog! Wellness Complete Health provides probiotics, prebiotics, chicory root extract, and fiber to improve digestion and keep tummies happy.
  • Eyes, Teeth, & Gums – Excessive tearing and inflammation are sure to cause discomfort and leave you with one unhappy puppy. High-quality food such as Complete Health, will prevent excessive tearing and keep your dog’s teeth and gums inflammation free.
  • Energy – We all love being active with our pets, but we have to ensure they are getting the quality nutrition required to optimize their energy levels. By providing a balanced blend of high-quality protein, grain-free carbohydrates, and select fats, you’ll both be ready for your favorite activities.
  • Immunity – We all know that a strong immune system is important for optimal health. Wellness Complete Health recipes are fortified with zinc, selenium, and vitamin E to maintain optimum health and resist disease.

As I was preparing for this post, I wanted to get some pictures of Mauja and Atka enjoying their food. I filled the bowl to the brim to make it easier to get a good picture and let them do their part as taste-testers.

Does your dog show the 5 signs of wellness? Read why we're loving Wellness Complete Health to keep our Great Pyrenees happy and healthy!
Notice the slobber around the bowl? 😉

It was actually pretty adorable – they both took turns grabbing a bite from the bowl. Mauja would step up, grab a bite, take a step back to chew, and then Atka would go through the same process. They continued to do this over and over (why am I never filming when I should be?!) until the bowl was completely empty.

Little piglets.

They then had the nerve to look at me like, “Okay, mom. Are you going to refill this thing or what?”

I think it’s safe to say that Wellness Complete Health will be added to their rotation diet!

P.S. You can follow Wellness Pet Food on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Does your dog show the 5 Signs of Wellness? Swing by your local PetSmart (or easily shop online) so your dog can try the new grain-free line of Wellness Complete Health!

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Does your dog show the 5 signs of wellness? Read why we're loving Wellness Complete Health to keep our Great Pyrenees happy and healthy!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness. The opinions and text are all mine.

Give Me That Treat – Buddy Biscuits

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We’re always on the lookout for new treats. I make my own treats for the pups, but sometimes I like the convenience of prepackaged treats. I was looking for a new grain-free treat and came across Buddy Biscuits. I was particularly drawn to their “soft & chewy” treats. For those of you who aren’t familiar with pyrs, they are independent and don’t enjoy doing commands. [Read more…] about Give Me That Treat – Buddy Biscuits