Dog Food Blog and Resources

As we have previously written about here at BestCompany, switching your dog to a new food can be a messy prospect. So, when you need to travel with your fur baby, what should you do to make sure that your dog and his tummy have a smooth ride? "Preparation is key to successfully traveling with your dog," advises Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, an advisory board member at Pet Life Today. "Travel is stressful, and stress can lead to poor appetite and gastrointestinal upset. The last thing you want to do under these circumstances is to add a diet change into the mix." We asked pet experts for advice on how to plan ahead for feeding your dog while traveling away from home. Here’s what they said: 1. Know the travel regulations "According to TSA, dry or ‘moist’ pet food is allowed in both your carry-on and checked baggage," says Samantha Schwab, Resident Pet Expert at Chewy. "Less than 3.4oz/100 ml of wet pet food is allowed in your carry-on." She adds this crucial advice for travelers: "No matter how you decide to get your pet’s food, it is always recommended you pack dog food in your carry-on when you travel in case your flight is delayed." 2. Bring a few days’ supply Dr. Coates advises pet owners to "Always carry enough dog food with you until you are sure you will reach a point where you can purchase more of the same product." Katie Warner, owner and founder of Lucid Routes Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Collective, explains, "I always recommend to plan in advance and bring at least a few days, if not more, of food to buy you time to find a store that either sells the dog food you use or something similar you can ease your dog into to prevent tummy issues." 3. Contact local pet stores When it comes to planning, Candy Pilar Godoy, pet travel writer at Boogie the Pug is a believer. She says, "Definitely prepare in advance! You don't want your dog to go hungry. Contact local pet stores in your destination or ask the brand for retailers. You need to plan in advance, especially if your dog has dietary restrictions or health issues." 4. Ship dog food ahead Becky Beach, pet traveling expert and lifestyle blogger at MomBeach.com shares a story about a recent trip: "Last month, I took my Pomeranian, Jivaeri, on vacation with my family to West Union, Iowa to visit my in-laws. I used American Airlines to fly and supplied them with a bag of her dog food. I also shipped a bag of her food ahead to my in-laws house several weeks prior. I knew the food would not be available there because it is a very small town. I've taken her by plane about nine times in the past, so I am an experienced pet traveler." "Preparing in advance is always smart," she continues. "I ship the food ahead to the hotel or residence where I am going to be staying. I've never had any problems doing this. I worry that if I change my dog's food, then she will have tummy issues. This has happened in the past, so I use a sensitive formula of vet-approved dog food not available in all stores." "Having your pet’s food shipped to your destination is arguably the easiest, most seamless option," says Schwab. "You don’t have to tote the extra weight in your luggage, and you can be confident that your pet’s food will be available. This option is especially useful for pets who are on a prescription diet and need to eat a specific food. However, you should never feed your pet a new food while traveling, prescription or not, in case your pet reacts negatively to the food." Shipping ahead, adds Warner, "saves you the headache of bringing it on the plane or having to search for a store as soon as you get there." 5. Transition dog food prior to your trip "You shouldn’t assume that your destination will have your dog’s food," advises Jenny Smith, a frequent traveler and founder of the travel blog MoveToNewZealand.net. She adds, "For those who are traveling within the United States, they can bring their dog’s food in their checked luggage. However, if you are going to a different country, you may have to leave your dog’s food at home because of import regulations. If you can’t find your dog’s food near your destination, you may need to switch it temporarily. Don’t wait until you get there to do so. Make the switch at home. Allow your pooch a few weeks to adjust to his new food. This will help you determine whether or not he can tolerate it. Your dog will be going through a lot of changes when he is traveling. Now is not the time to just up and switch his food." For more about TSA regulations regarding bringing dog food, check out TSA.gov: Pet Food (Wet), Pet Food (Solid)

If you are new to traveling with your doggo or apprehensive about an upcoming trip, you should know two things: You're not alone, and we're here to help. Once you finish this article, you will know what to research, how to prepare your dog's food, how and when to feed and water before going to the airport, how to plan potty breaks, and what your first stop should be once you reach your destination. Step 1: Preparing for the upcoming trip Preparing for an upcoming trip with your pet can go a long way to ensuring the trip is fun for everyone. In the preparation stage, there are several things to think about: Visit the vet — "It is always wise to visit your vet before your trip to ensure your pup is healthy enough to travel." — Ben Team, SeniorContent Editor, K9 of Mine Plan for food — "When traveling to a new city with your pet, you have a few options: you can pack your dog's food, go to the pet store when you arrive, or have it shipped to your destination via an online pet retailer." — Samantha Schwab, Resident Pet Expert at Chewy Prepare documents — "Identification! Proper ID is ultra important when traveling." — Dana Humphrey, AKA "The Pet Lady" "Make sure you have a health certificate and microchip. A health certificate is needed for your pet to fly. It is always best to have your pet microchipped; this may be the only way you get them back home if they do get lost in their new city." — Sara Ochoa, DVM, consultant for doglab.com. Think about breed — "It's also worth considering that some breeds are better suited for traveling than others. So, if you have a breed that isn't likely to take the trip in stride, you'll want to do everything you can to help ensure he feels safe, secure, and comfortable during the journey." — Team Check with the airline — "Always check with your airline before going to the airport with your pet to ensure you are following their guidelines." — Schwab Pet travel carriers and kennels From there, the next biggest hurdle in your prep process is getting an appropriate carrying case for your dog. "When purchasing carriers," says Schwab, "look for those that are designed to meet airline requirements. The Overland Weekender Pet Travel Bag is approved for most airlines and has special compartments for food, water, and poop bags. It is recommended you put your pet in a hard kennel if they are traveling in cargo in case an accident occurs." However, she adds, "If your dog will travel in the cabin with you, we recommend soft carriers; they're flexible and can easily be fit under the seat in front of you." Expert advice about pet crate training: "If you will be traveling by plane or going a long-distance, prepare your dog ahead of time. Get him used to his crate. Give him plenty of opportunities to sit it in at home. Also, pack him a comfort toy. By having something familiar nearby, it will make traveling a little less stressful for him." — Jenny Smith, a frequent traveler and founder of the travel blog MoveToNewZealand.net. "[I]f your dog is going to be traveling in a crate or carry-on pet bag, make sure it's one they are comfortable with because then it will be a source of comfort for them and not another unfamiliar environment they are stuck in. If you know you have a trip or move coming up and your dog doesn't already have a crate or pet carrier they are comfy with, get it early on, and start introducing them to it, so it is a familiar safe place for them on the day of travel." — Katie Warner, Owner and Founder of Lucid Routes Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Collective. "You need to plan ahead and prepare your pets for the move. Dogs and cats that need to travel in crates should be trained to go into the crate on their own. Use plenty of treats to help your pet form a positive association with being in the crate. You can take your pets on brief car rides, crated or uncrated depending on your mode of transport, to help them acclimate to being in a crate in a moving vehicle. You need to start with short trips paired with tons of tasty treats and stop before your pet becomes stressed. Sometimes the use of natural supplements that can decrease anxiety is helpful or have a discussion with your veterinarian if a prescription medication is necessary to help your pet remain calm before, during, and after the moving process." — Chewy Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Wailani Sung Step 2: Packing for a trip with Fido When it comes to packing for a trip with your pup, what should you take into account about what goes in a carry-on and what goes in a checked bag? Should you portion out meals for the remainder of the trip? First, some TSA basics: "TSA allows you to pack both wet and dry dog food in your luggage and carry-on: wet pet food is allowed in checked baggage and less than 3.4oz/100 ml is allowed in carry-on," explains Candy Pilar Godoy, pet travel writer at boogiethepug.com. She adds, "There is no medical exemption for prescription pet food, even for service animals. Solid pet food, described as dry or "moist" pet food, is allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage. These are rules for the TSA, an agency in the United States. If you're traveling internationally, check with your destination country." Beyond that, here is some more expert advice about packing for your upcoming trip: Pack light-weight treats — "I pack my dogs freeze-dried dog treats in my carry-on since its super light weight." — Godoy Pack pre-portioned meals — "I put the food she needs for each meal in baggies and give them to the airport staff in a big bag. They like having rationed food so they don't have to worry about measuring it out themselves." — Becky Beach, Pet Traveling Expert and Lifestyle Blogger, MomBeach.com Make a contingency plan — "Always pack some food in your carry on, in case your bag is lost, you have a long layover, or the local pet shop is closed when you arrive at your destination. You'll need some backup food before you get your hands on more." — Godoy Step 3: Before the airport "On your actual travel day, limit how much he eats and drinks," suggests Smith. "Take him for a long walk before you head to the airport. He can do his business, and he will have the opportunity to get out some of his energy." "Dogs who are flying should not eat immediately prior to or during the flight," advises Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pet Life Today. "This limits the chances of vomiting as well as the need to defecate, which will make the trip more pleasant." So, how should you prep your dog on the day of travel, and when should you feed, water, walk, and relieve your dog on the day of travel? Here's what our experts said: Before you leave — "I feed my dog before coming to the airport as a rule of thumb… Feed your animal before leaving the home and walk them before going into the airport to avoid accidents." — Beach Six hours before flight — "It's a good idea to feed him about six hours before your flight." — Smith Water is important — "You should give him sips of water to keep dehydration at bay, but don't overdo it. Many dog owners freeze a plastic water bottle, and put aluminum foil around it. They will then puncture the cap to make a small hole, and use a zip-tie to attach it, upside-down, to their dog's crate. This will allow their dog to be able to drink a small amount of cool water when they are thirsty." — SmithPlan potty breaks — "I always make sure to know ahead of time which terminals have pet relief areas if we are going to have a long layover. I don't do doggie diapers because my dog hates them, but I have pet parent friends who swear by them, so I think it just depends on the dog. I do, however, put a potty pad in her crate in the event she does have an accident." — Warner Doggie diapers — "You can put your dog in a diaper to help prevent accidents at the airport, but it'd be wiser to simply ensure your dog is as "empty" as possible before checking in. Also, while full-coverage doggie diapers will work for your dog's number-two needs, they don't work fantastically in this regard, and you'll be left dealing with a poopy diaper. — Team Step 4: During flights and layovers "Dogs should have the opportunity to drink, urinate, and defecate immediately before and after flying," says Dr. Coates. Additionally, she says, "Water should be available during long flights." So, while stuck in airport limbo, how exactly should you take care of your dog's needs? Here is some expert advice: Bring food and water — "I will usually bring treats and food on the plane with me. I will also ask for a glass of water filled 1/2 way up with no ice when they come around with the drink cart. I will allow my dog to drink a little bit of water and have a few bites of food on board the plane. A hungry and thirsty dog usually will not rest on the plane." — Ochoa "If you will be at the airport for more than six hours and there is a place for your dog to relieve himself, then it's okay to bring his food and feed him." — Smith Take care of potty needs — “If your airport doesn't have a puppy relief station, what's next? I will use doggie pee pads. I take my dog into the family bathroom at the airport. This is the one usually located between the men and the women's bathrooms. It is used for women to take small children or a baby with a stroller. These have locks on them. I will put down the pee pad and let my dog run around and use the bathroom. Then I will pick up the pee pad and throw it away in a small trash bag I bring then throw that bag into the trash. This allows my dog time to pee and play between quick connecting flights." — Ochoa Step 5: Arrival at your destination Traveling isn't the easiest for humans, but how about dogs? We asked experts what the ideal first stop would be, once they reach their destination, with Fido in tow. Here are their tips: Take a walk — "Take a walk around the vacation location where your pet might explore to make sure there is nothing they could get into, eat, or hurt themselves within the vicinity. There may even be snakes or other varmints that could harm your pet. Better safe than sorry!" — Sadie Cornelius, Canine Journal "Anytime we stop, we take the dog for a walk to stretch her legs and do her business. I carry water and a collapsible water bowl so she can have water anytime she needs it. I carry her food in the front seat in zip lock bags that are split up for each meal time. I always carry extra because you never know what can happen. We got stuck on a California highway during one travel trip and it ended up taking us an extra four hours to get to our destination. I also bring treats to give her if it's an extra long day, this way she knows we love her." — Grainne Foley, travel blogger at The Roving Foleys "I just walk my dog around the hotel or home we will be staying at if getting an AirBnB. Always walk your dog every time you stop to avoid accidents and unhappy furbabies." — Beach "As soon as we arrive at the campground and set up, we take her for a nice long walk so she is ready for bed after her hard day." — Foley Explore your new surroundings — "I look up ahead of time pet-friendly areas, including parks or areas of the hotel, or nearby wherever I am staying. The concierge also many times will have some great recommendations if it's a pet-friendly hotel or if the staff are pet owners themselves,. It's always great to reach out to them before you head that way, so you have a few options for good and not so great weather." — Warner "Once you reach your destination, give your dog a chance to safely investigate his new surroundings and settle in. Then, he'll probably want to take a long nap before embarking on any new adventures." — Coates "Once I arrive at my destination, I'll usually take my dog for a walk around the area to get to know our surroundings and stretch our legs. I'll also make sure my dog gets plenty of rest post-travel to decompress. For my first meal, I'll look for local dog-friendly restaurants so my dog can come along." — Schwab Let your dog take the lead — "When you get to your destination, take your dog's lead. He may want to go for a walk, or he may be tuckered out from all of the traveling. You should find a place for him to relieve himself. If he still has a lot of energy, take him for a walk in a park or around your hotel. If he seems tired, let him take a nap. There will be plenty of time for him to explore when he is well-rested." — Smith "Once you arrive at your destination, you should try to take your dog outside as soon as possible. Not only will this allow him to relieve himself, it'll give him a chance to stretch his legs. It'll likely also help him de-stress from all of the excitement he's experienced over the last several hours." — Team

"Moisture plays a vital role in your dog's health," says Krystn Janisse, from Homes Alive Pets. "In the wild, dogs would get most of their moisture from their diet. If you are feeding a dry kibble or dehydrated food, then you should consider finding other ways to encourage more water consumption." In general, dogs need 1 oz of water for every pound of body weight, but this will also depend on several other factors like their overall health, activity level, type of food they eat, and the external temp. In hot weather, dogs need 3–6 times more water. "Staying hydrated throughout the year is not only important for yourself, it’s important for your pets as well," says Latasha Ball from Pets Global, Inc. "Sometimes it can be difficult to get your dogs to drink water or make drinking water just as much fun as they have with eating food." Here are eight suggestions to help keep your pet hydrated. 1. Keep water bowls clean "It is best to clean out their water bowls daily and fill it back up with fresh, clean water," says Sara Ochoa, DVM, Veterinary Consultant for doglab.com. "Water bowls can easily gather bacteria over time from their backwash," says Ball, "so it’s important to keep their bowls cleaned regularly and change out their water on a daily basis to make sure it’s fresh and clean. After all, if we wouldn’t drink murky water, why would your dog want to?" 2. Try a pet fountain "Some doggies really enjoy drinking water from a stream (like the hose or sink) so getting an automatic water bowl fountain can make drinking water much more enticing for them." suggests Karissa Whitman, Prior ER/ICU Veterinary Technician and current owner/blogger of FitMommyStrong. Ball agrees: "This is by far the best investment I made for my dogs. I have noticed my dogs drink a lot more water with a pet fountain. Why? Just the activity of them drinking from the water spouting up from the bowl is very fun for them. Pet fountains like the Drinkwell 2 Gallon Pet Fountain also hold a lot more water than your average water bowl." 3. Try different water temperatures "Dogs, like humans, are individuals and have preferences," advises Russel Hartstein, CEO of Los Angeles dog training company Fun Paw Care. "Some dogs like room temperature water more than cold water and vice-versa." You can help keep your pup’s water cold with ice cubes, suggests Ochoa. Don’t forget "many dogs love ice cubes! Especially during the summer. And snow during the winter, says Hartstein. This is an easy way to add water while treating your pet with something you already have around the house or outside, in the case of snow. 4. Make some pupsicles "Make puppy popsicles for your pet," suggests Ben Team, Senior Content Editor of K9 of Mine. This is a great way to treat your dog, while helping him to stay hydrated. There are many variations of frozen treats that you can try: Fruit — "You can freeze a little fruit juice and give it to your dog as a treat to help keep him hydrated. Just be sure to avoid fruits that aren’t safe for dogs (especially grapes), and be prepared for your pup to make a bit of a mess." — Team Broth — "One of our favorite things to do is to take our nutrient-dense Bone Broth and pour it into ice trays. Once it freezes, they can enjoy frozen bone broth cubes alone or in water for a fun, functional treat." — Leasa Moltke, Pet Nutrition Expert, Solid Gold Pet Treats — Freeze dog treats inside of ice cubes."This will create a game that will encourage your dog to melt the ice faster so they can get to the treats." — Lucy Harris, HelloBabyBump 5. Have multiple water bowls "To make drinking water more accessible for your dogs," says Ball, "it’s best to have more than one water bowl in your house. It’s best practice to keep a water bowl in each area that your dog spends the most time such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen and maybe one in the hallway if they spend the most time there." Make water easily accessible, all throughout the day. Whitman suggests that pet owners "Have multiple water bowls available around the house and outside (if pet has access to being outdoors)." She says, "I typically put out three large bowls of water for my two large breed dogs!" "Make sure that your dog has more than one water bowl, says Ochoa. "If they spend time outside, keep them a water bowl outside to drink in as well as on the inside." When you are placing a water bowl outside, remember that where you put it matters. "Always have water available in the shade," says Harris. She puts it this way: "You don't like drinking warm or hot water, so why would your pet? Keeping their water available for them throughout the day in a shaded area will allow them to be able to continuously drink without dealing with warm/hot water." 6. Bring water when you leave the house Debi McKee from Rescue Dogs 101 advises that you "keep fresh water available all day and always take water with you when traveling." You might want to invest in a collapsible bow, says Ball. "If your dog is riding with you in your car, it’s great to keep a collapsible bowl in your car to utilize in case your dog gets thirsty while you’re out traveling. They’re affordable and very convenient." 7. Add water to their dog food and vice versa Lauren Burke from Early Alert Canines explains an issue all-too-familiar for dog parents: "My service dog (trained by the org I now work for) often refuses to drink water." What’s her solution? "She's very food motivated," says Burke, "so often I will 'float' her food — meaning put about a cup of water into her cup of food." "Let’s face it," says Team, "Water isn’t exactly delicious — it’s just wet. So, if you’re trying to get your four-footer to drink more water, consider adding something tasty to his dish." Here are a few different ways that you can add some more moisture to your dog’s diet: "You can try giving them some wet food instead of or in addition to their dry extruded ‘kibble.’ This wet food is simply their dry food with water added." — Hartstein "Have them drink their food. Dry kibble is packed full of protein and holistic ingredients for your pup to be at their best, but adding some wet food or bone broth to their favorite dry food can take hydration to the next level." — Moltke "A small piece or two of a dog-safe fruit (like watermelon or a couple of squished blueberries) may work for some pups, while others may find a small splash of chicken stock makes their water more appealing." — Team 8. Try an elevated feeder "[I]f you have a larger dog that doesn’t want to drink from a bowl on the floor, it could simply be that it’s uncomfortable," says Whitman. "Try using an elevated dog feeder so they aren’t having to reach their head down too far just to lap up some water." We hope these suggestions will be useful and help keep your dog healthy and safe. "If you suspect your dog is seriously dehydrated, contact your vet immediately," advises Team. "It is usually pretty easy to rehydrate a dog who is only slightly dehydrated, but seriously dehydrated dogs may require intravenous fluids, and their electrolytes may become unbalanced and require attention too."

"Most dogs are used to eating a singular diet for a very long time, if not their entire life," says Krystn Janisse from Homes Alive Pets. "This means that switching foods can upset their delicate digestive balance if not done correctly." Shifting your fur baby to a new diet can be tricky. Jake Thomas from Golden Hearts, a golden retriever blog, shares an example of what can happen, no matter how good your intentions are: “When my dog was a puppy, we tried to switch him from one type of food to a more ‘high-quality’ food. We slowly switched him and everything was fine, until about two or three weeks in. He slowly stopped getting excited about food, and then stopped eating, and we had to coax him into eating (putting treats in the bowl, feeding him out of a kong cone, etc.). We called the vet and he did all sorts of tests but everything was fine. Finally, he asked if we had switched food recently and we told him we had. He recommended we switch back to his old food and we did, and everything went back to normal! We're not sure whether he had an allergy or what, but that ‘high-quality’ food didn't agree with him.” This isn’t even the worst-case scenario. Many dogs often have tummy issues and are prone to diarrhea when their food is changed. It can be hard to watch your best friend go through this distress, let alone the distress that it can be to clean up behind him. To help ease the transition for pet owners and dogs alike, we asked experts for the best way to go about it. Here’s what they said. Transition dog food slowly First, whether you are transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food, to a meal that better suits your dog’s nutritional requirements, or just trying to avoid food allergies, a cold-turkey switch is not recommended. “Take it slowly if you do have to switch your dog’s food,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pup Life Today. She advocates, “Gradually mix in increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old until your dog is eating only the new food in a week or two.” This extended transition period is key, whether your pet is used to wet food or dry food. Sara Ochoa, DVM, small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas and a veterinary consultant for doglab.com has a suggested method: Start off with 3/4th old dog food and 1/4th new food for a few days Then 1/2 and 1/2 Then 3/4 and 1/4th Then the whole new food Throughout the period, watch your dog’s health and behavior. Bukovza warns, “Watch for signs of lethargy or illness after switching foods. If your dog vomits every time he eats the new food, talk to your vet about trying a different type.” Warning signs from your dog’s body “New ingredients can change how their body breaks down the nutrients,” explains Janisse. “They can also affect pH levels in their intestines and can even trigger a response from the immune system if foods are poorly digested.” Li-ran Bukovza, the founder of Puppy Tip explains, “If you change your dog’s diet too fast, it may upset his stomach and cause him to vomit, have diarrhea, or constipation. He may also refuse to eat an entire bowl of new food, which is why you must gradually introduce it to him.” “This is why many owners are nervous about switching food,” says Janisse. Transitions take time Most of the time that we are switching pet food brands or formulas, it is for a good reason, whether that is influenced by health issues or something else. “You should give the new diet at least a month before giving up,” advises Ochoa. “Some dogs are very picky and a small change in their food they will not eat it. Give it time, and they will adjust to their new foods.” Don’t give up, and ask for help If at first you don’t succeed, do you give up? No. Switching dog food might just be a learning process. Coates says, “If at any point, your dog’s appetite decreases or they develop gastrointestinal upset, go back to the old food and try again more slowly once everything has returned to normal. Talk to your veterinarian If your dog doesn’t acclimate to a new food after a few tries.” TL;DR At some point in a dog’s life, pet parents may have to face the decision to change what they are feeding their dog. While some dogs are prone to digestive issues, others have it easier. Dogs that are used to rotational feeding or frequent diet changes will show little to no symptoms of gastrointestinal distress while switching dog food, says Janisse, “A gradual transition should still be done to prevent discomfort further.” In any case, the key to transitioning your pup to a new meal is baby steps. “Gradually transitioning their food over a week or more by slowly adding the new food to the old food, will reduce digestion problems, and help their body adapt to the new diet easier,” says Janisse. Making it a slow transition is best for all involved — the pooper, and the scooper.

Russell Hartstein, a certified dog behavior consultant and certified professional dog trainer with FunPawCare, tells BestCompany that meeting your dog’s needs is a multifaceted concern. Dogs need socialization, play, water, food, shelter, love, emotional support, training, behavior, grooming, medical health, and exercise. In this article, we have a few suggestions from industry experts to help your dog exercise, while giving opportunities to play, bond, and get some of those emotional needs met. 1. Go exploring Erin Clifford, Chicago-based Holistic Wellness Coach, and Rockstar Doggy Momma"Expand upon your walking environment. It is great for dogs to experience new sites and smells. For instance, if you live near a forest preserve or state park, go hiking together. If you live in the city, go explore it. You can take your dog to different dog-friendly public parks or use stairs or hills to enhance your dog’s workouts. Hint: this is also great exercise for the doggy momma or daddy!" 2. Practice Yoga   Li-ran Bukovza, founder of Puppy Tip"Practicing yoga with your dog not only helps with bonding and relaxation, but it also has some wonderful mental and physical benefits. There are many places offering Doga classes or you can simply learn some techniques and do it from the comfort of your own home. Doga helps with relieving anxiety and promotes an overall sense of well-being, along with helping to stretch muscles, ease pain, and improve overall flexibility." 3. Take a hike Bukovza“Hiking is also a wonderful way to spend time with your dog: it allows for plenty of exercise, fresh air, and sensory stimulation. However, keep in mind this may not be the best choice for older dogs since it can put a lot of strain on their joints and paws. Always be sure to hike on trails that are dog-friendly and remember to keep your dog on a leash. Also, check with your veterinarian as to whether or not your dog is in good enough shape for these cardio activities.” 4. Have fun in the water Clifford“Swimming is great exercise for a pup of any age. Young pups love to swim, and it is great for a senior dog who is not as mobile or has orthopedic concerns. Many cities have local dog beaches and lakes. Plus, many year-round indoor facilities are popping up all over the country.” Rob Jackson, president and CEO, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance“Get wet! Try swimming, paddleboarding or surfing. Living in warmer weather? Most dogs are natural swimmers but some are not; luckily, lots of canine fitness centers are popping up and will teach your dog how to swim. What if you want to swim together? You might want to hit a dog-friendly beach and tackle the waves, and don’t forget to bring the paddle board—another great workout for both you and your pup." BONUS TIP: Enjoy your ready-made running buddy You thought you were only getting 4 suggestions. Check out this bonus suggestion: Jackson"Go for a run with your dog! Recent studies show that exercising with a partner increases motivation and makes you more likely to stick with it. Why not make your pup your exercise partner? Here are four reasons why you should: Dogs don’t complain. It’s healthy. For both of you. Share a sweat session and a bond. Tucker your pup out!" Stay tuned for more ways that pet parents can keep boosting their puppers’ wellness throughout more of the areas that Harstein outlined. For more on Hartstein, check out dog training in LA at funpawcare.com.

Many dog food companies proudly state that their high-quality food contains no harmful "fillers." What exactly does this word mean? Is it really as sinister as they make it sound? The subject is disputed by the dog food community. The Association of American Feed Control Officials, which establishes the recommended nutrient profiles for dog food, doesn’t define what fillers are. We asked experts for help decoding this industry jargon. Here’s what they said: What are dog food fillers? Jonathan Rose, Managing Director at Aurora Pets explains, “Fillers have always been and will probably always be a part of commercial dog foods as they are inexpensive and make a cost-effective production, increase shelf life, and keep the cost of the food down.” “Generally, a filler is an ingredient that provides little to no nutritional value,” says Krystn Janisse from Homes Alive Pets. “These are typically carbohydrates and can reduce the cost of the components of the food and bulk up some of the guaranteed analysis stats to meet AAFCO regulations.” What ingredients are commonly considered to be fillers? Commonly reported as fillers are ingredients like grains, rice, and legumes. Are filler ingredients good or bad for dogs? “In smaller quantities,” explains Janisse, “these ingredients often provide nutrients and fiber, but when heavily added, they mostly just take up space and provide texture for dry foods.” The American Animal Hospital Association publishes a 2017 article “Myth Busters: Corn Edition” about the roles of grains, including corn, in pet food. Here are some key takeaways: Corn is a grain. When a dog’s diet has lots of grains, protein digestibility is decreased. However, when cooked, corn’s cellulose layers are easy to digest. How ingredients, including grains, work together to create a nutritional profile is what is important Animals need energy. They get it from protein, carbs, and fats. They all work together to create an efficient energy mix. A diet of just one is inefficient. In the article, Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD, DACVN says, “Grains, and any other single category or individual ingredients, are neither good nor bad.” Let’s take corn for example. “Fillers are an ingredient added to dog foods that provide no nutritional benefit, but many ingredients that are sometimes called fillers, like corn, actually can provide nutrients to dogs when used appropriately,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pup Life Today. Corn provides an essential fatty acid that dogs need and nutrients that are good for dogs, in a balanced diet. What about food allergies? In the pet food industry, grains are often put forward as a common allergy, and therefore bad for your pup. To that point, in the AAHA report, clinical veterinary nutritionist Martha G. Cline from Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Fall, N.J., says, “At this time, there is no evidence to support that animals on grain-free diets have less incidence of food allergies than animals on conventional diets. Food allergies, in general, are uncommon.” Are fillers good or bad for Fido? As long as dog food is tested to meet the AAFCO’s nutrient profiles for your dog’s developmental stage, then it is safe and healthy to feed to Fido. While looking at pet food labeling can be helpful, it is important to look at nutrients over ingredients, says Ann Wortinger, a veteran veterinary nutritionist. She suggests that pet parents “Look at nutrients, not marketing.” This data is often easiest to glean when looking at the data from feeding trials, which more transparent food companies make public.

Pet owners are always trying to do the best for their fur babies. When it comes to meal time, some wonder whether feeding Fido the same kibble everyday is helping or harming him. To understand the complexities of this question, we reached out to industry experts, asking for advice. Here is what they said. Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, serves on the advisory board for Pup Life Today. She advises that “As long as your dog eats a nutritionally complete and balanced diet and is doing well on it, there is no need to switch between different foods.” Sara Ochoa, DVM is a veterinary consultant for doglab.com. She agrees: “If your dog is doing good on one type of food they never have to switch from that food. The saying ‘If it ain't broke, don’t fix it,’ applies here. If they are doing great on a type of food, do not change.” What about nutritional needs? “It isn’t harmful to feed your dog the same food every day as long as it meets all of his nutritional needs,” says Li-ran Bukovza, founder of Puppy Tip. He adds, “That said, it's always a good idea to check with your vet or a pet nutritionist that the food you give your dog is complete and balanced.” So, what is the deal with all of the different dog food choices? “Just like in the wild,” explains Krystn Janisse from Homes Alive Pets, “animals are designed to eat a variety of foods to get all of their essential nutrients. While dog food is "formulated to be complete and balanced," this doesn't mean that every diet is right for every dog.” To switch or not to switch? Dr. Amanda Nascimento, DVM, MVSc., PhD. explains, "If it is a balanced diet, you can feed your pet with the same diet every day. However, they will enjoy it much more if they have a variety of different ingredients in their diet." “Dogs do fine eating the same thing every day, but some do enjoy a change in food so even having a mixture of two different types of food will help change up their diets just a little bit,” says Ochoa. “[S]witching up foods just for the sake of variety can be hard on your dog’s digestive system,” Bukovza warns. “However, if your dog isn't sensitive to diet changes, rotating dog food every few months can have great benefits and may even help with picky eating habits.” How does rotational feeding work? “For rotational feeding purposes, switch your dog's diet at least 2–3 times per year,” suggests Janisse. “More experienced rotational feeders switch much more frequently, sometimes every week or even daily if their pet has adapted to the transitions well.” When should you definitely switch Fido’s food? “While you don't have to switch up your dog's food regularly, there are times in a dog’s life when it’s appropriate to change his diet,” says Bukovza. “For example, puppies need more calories than adult dogs since they're still growing and senior canines often require other types of nutrients to keep their joints and brains healthy.” Nascimento adds, “It is recommended to change the diet, if your pet has health issues, such as allergies, diabetes, heart problems, and etc. Or if the diet is not adequate for their nutritional needs." “Sometimes a food switch can be prompted by changes in the dog's appearance, digestion, activity or health,” says Janisse. She adds, “Allergies are a very common reason for switching foods, but not always the most effective. Many ‘food allergies’ are related to poor digestion, so removing ingredients from their diet is like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. The results are temporary, and the underlying problem is still going to rear its ugly head. Finding food that better supports digestion, using digestive supplements like probiotics, and talking to your vet about potential health concerns are much more likely to resolve the problem.” If you do notice any changes in your dog’s appetite, appearance, or health, always contact a specialist to see if a change in food could improve your dog’s health, digestion, and happiness.