how to transition your dog to a new food with #PinnacleHealthyPets #sponsored

While some dogs have stomachs of steel, some don't. It can quickly become apparent when we've transitioned our dogs to a new food too quickly. While they pay in discomfort, we pay in messy clean-up duties. And nobody wants that. The two most important things to focus on when transitioning your pooch to a new food are QUANTITY (how quickly you transition) and QUALITY (how healthy the food is). When you transition your dog gradually to a food that has limited, quality ingredients, you set him up for success.

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Food. wellmindedpets.com

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Food. wellmindedpets.com

This post is sponsored by Pinnacle® and the Blogpaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Pinnacle's reformulated Grain Free Dog food, but Well Minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pinnacle is not responsible for the content of this article.

quantity: how to make the transition

Any time you switch your dog's food, it's important to make the transition slowly for two reasons.

1. Your dog will likely be more accepting of the new food.

2. Your dog's digestive system will have time to ease into the new situation, which is especially important for dogs with sensitive tummies.

I suggest a 1/4 over 4 days formula, which will gradually transition your pet over the course of 12 days. You'll switch 1/4 of your dog's food to the new food for four days, then increase the amount of new food by 1/4 every four days. It looks like this:

How to Transition Your Pet to a New Food Chart. wellmindedpets.com

How to Transition Your Pet to a New Food Chart. wellmindedpets.com

quality: what you transition to matters

I am a firm believer that the quality of food you feed your dog affects their overall health. A poor quality diet (I'm not naming names) means your dog won't shine–literally. If you notice the dull coat and lack of energy on the outside, what do you think is going on on the inside? 

Instead, do your research and read the ingredient list. Make sure the food your select for your dog is of the highest quality. What's not in the food is as important as what is in the food. Pinnacle® Pet Food is a great example of a high quality food that will provide your dog with the energy and nutrients he needs to be active and healthy. We've recently transitioned N.A.S.H.A. to Pinnacle's duck and sweet potato formula. 

We believe in canine rotational feeding, which means N.A.S.H.A. is fed a few different high-quality foods, and we transition her frequently. We feel that this keeps her interested in eating and since each food has something a bit different to offer, we feel that it keeps her healthier. We have a few favorites that we come back to, and grain-free Pinnacle is now in our lineup.

Pinnacle is offered in several different recipes.

Pinnacle is offered in several different recipes.

what's great about pinnacle

Pinnacle is all about holistic pet nutrition, an approach that focuses on the overall health of the pet. They say:

Natural foods, carefully chosen and meticulously cooked, are the basis of the Pinnacle concept. Our precise preparation and packaging of high quality natural sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats makes sure the full value of our fine ingredients remains intact for your pet's benefit. The vitamins, minerals, and probiotics found in Pinnacle foods are in to provide a balanced diet for complete nutrition. We've also taken great care to make sure that Pinnacle is made with limited ingredients, so even pets with sensitive systems may enjoy the fine flavors and health benefits of Pinnacle's superior ingredients...Our goal is to provide you with a clear choice of optimum nutrition so that your dog and cat will benefit from good health.

In order to have a healthier, more active, and happier dog, food choice is key. We tried Pinnacle's duck and sweet potato recipe, which has healthy ingredients focused on nutritional balance. And since the food is made in their California plant, they have complete control over production.

what's inside pinnacle's duck and sweet potato recipe?

• duck–provides an excellent source of protein that your pet needs to be active

• sweet potato–antioxidant-rich to support a healthy immune system

• quinoa seed–contains amino acids to support muscle development, essential for keeping active

• peas, canola oil, flax seed, and kelp meal–antioxidant-rich ingredients to support your dog's immune system and overall health

• fiber–essential for healthy digestion

N.A.S.H.A., eager to give Pinnacle a try.

N.A.S.H.A., eager to give Pinnacle a try.

the results of N.A.S.H.A.'s transition

First and foremost, N.A.S.H.A. loved the duck and sweet potato formula. We transitioned her gradually according to my formula, and, as we always do, we mixed in turmeric and apple cider vinegar. She took right to it and seemed very excited about the new culinary adventure. Most of the food she eats has either chicken, beef, or salmon as the meat-sourced protein, so duck is a fairly unique variety for her. 

N.A.S.H.A. loves to go on family hikes.

N.A.S.H.A. loves to go on family hikes.

N.A.S.H.A. is a ten-year-old mixed terrier. Though she's getting on in years, her little legs keep up with our active family. And thank goodness it's fall so we can be more active outdoors. Those of us from Phoenix go into an indoor hibernation-like state during the sweltering summers, so fall is our time to shine. Whether she joins us for a family hike, splashes around in the pool, or plays catch (yes, she throws back, so it's more than fetch), she keeps busy and has a healthy, active lifestyle. We want to keep it that way, so we do a lot of research on the food we feed her. Her diet has to sustain her activity level and support her health as she's approaching her senior-ish (shhhhhh) years. Pinnacle is great for all life stages and definitely fits in with our standards for superior holistic pet nutrition, so we're happy to add it to our rotation. 

Connect with Pinnacle on Twitter and Facebook.

Do you have an active dog who depends on great nutrition? What qualities do you look for when choosing a healthy pet food?

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

7 things to think about when hiking with your dog

N.A.S.H.A. tries Only Natural Pet's® NEW Canine PowerStew™ #PawNatural #sponsored

As a professional pet sitter, I see all kinds of canine diets. I've fed raw, I've fed kibble, I've fed kibble with some chicken or other delight mixed in, and I've fed canned. I have to be honest. I've always been a bit of a snob when it comes to pet food. I believe in preventative health, and I think one of the–if not the–most important part of health is our diet, whether we are human or canine. I try not to judge what people feed their pets, but, secretly in my head, I do. Another confession: I've always looked down on canned dog food. 

This post is sponsored by Only Natural Pet® and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the NEW Canine PowerStew™, but Well Minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Only Natural Pet is not responsible for the content of this article.

N.A.S.H.A. tries Only Natural Pet's® NEW Canine PowerStew™

N.A.S.H.A. tries Only Natural Pet's® NEW Canine PowerStew™

my impressions of canned dog food

I have never fed N.A.S.H.A. (or any other dog who has owned me) canned dog food. Ever. 

Why?

My impression was that canned dog food is always of poor quality and less-than-stellar ingredients. I thought that a canine diet including large quantities of canned food is unhealthy for a dog's dental health since he should have something crunchy to help exercise and clean his teeth. I assumed there are always lots of artificial everything and not a lot of natural anything in canned food. A la canned green beans vs. fresh. Big diff.

enter Only Natural Pet™ Canine Powerstew™

When Only Natural Pet™ sent us their brand new Canine PowerStew™ to try, I was a bit nervous. I felt like the first time I gave my human kid something with sugar in it. I made sure to read the label before I fed it to N.A.S.H.A. "Only Natural Pet" sounds all well and good, but, then again, so does "Beneful," and we all know where that stands. The ingredient list doesn't lie. 

Only Natural Pet Canine PowerStew comes in three varieties: Chicken & Liver Feast, Turkey & Duck Feast, and Beef & Lamb Feast, which we tried, initially. After reading the label, my whole impression of canned food changed. What did I see?

• high-quality, protein-rich meat as the first ingredient

• grain-free

• carrageenan-free

• healthy, real veggies for bioavailable, wholesome nutrition

• holistically-formulated, biologically-appropriate diet

• made in the USA from premium ingredients for a complete and balanced meal

• highly palatable ingredients, chunky stew style, and hydrating broth for optimal balance of health and flavor

• allergy-friendly

• it can be mixed in to your dog's regular diet or fed as a stand-alone meal

Only Natural Pet. The road to my heart is paved with paw prints, naturally.

Only Natural Pet. The road to my heart is paved with paw prints, naturally.

I love learning about a new natural pet food from a company that has a holistic approach to pet health, so after setting aside my judgement and bias in favor of the facts, I decided to give it a go. I would not recommend a food if I hadn't first tried it on my own guinea pig...er...dog. We frequently rotate N.A.S.H.A.'s food, so I wasn't too concerned about upsetting her tummy by trying something new.

trying Only Natural Pet PowerStew

When I opened the can, I saw chunks of real beef, green beans, and carrots. It looked so good! It didn't give off a nasty odor, as I expected (another one of my biases comes out of the woodwork), so I stuck my nose right in there and gave it a good whiff. It smelled like something I would like to eat, myself! 

This stuff actually looks and smells pretty darn good!

This stuff actually looks and smells pretty darn good!

I decided to mix the food into N.A.S.H.A.'s usual dinner, which consists of whatever dry dog food is on rotation, apple cider vinegar, and turmeric. As I prepared her meal, she sat by eagerly. I guess she thought it smelled pretty good, too! I let her take a whiff out of the can as I did, and she looked up at me and wagged her tail. I was sort-of surprised that she didn't take a sample out of the can, but then I realized that she's never seen a can before and probably didn't know what to make of it. 

N.A.S.H.A. gives it a sniff, but isn't sure about the can.

N.A.S.H.A. gives it a sniff, but isn't sure about the can.

The PowerStew blended in nicely with N.A.S.H.A.'s food. I love how you can see the herbs in the food...the real deal.

The PowerStew blended in nicely with N.A.S.H.A.'s food. I love how you can see the herbs in the food...the real deal.

I set down her dish, and her odd-little "I like it" feeding ritual began. She does this with her food every night no matter what, but it intensifies if it's something new that she likes. If she doesn't like it, she'll immediately turn up her nose and leave it. If it's a favorable review, she'll take out a few bits of food, place some on the floor, and place some on her "kitchen throne," a pillow she likes to lay on under our kitchen table. Boy, when you try to explain this to people, it really sounds crazy (both me and the dog). In any case, she's "hiding" it in plain site, doing her little courting dance. Oh...never mind the explanation...just see for yourself (and please excuse my daughter's interruptions)...

Healthy and she likes it. And it's in a can? Who knew? I'm impressed. And what's more exciting? This is a BRAND NEW quality food that will be available for you to order mid-July, so you won't have to wait long. It is the latest addition to Only Natural Pet's line of over 200 natural and holistic pet foods, supplements, and products.

I love mixing things up for N.A.S.H.A., because who wants to eat the same thing every single day? I think PowerStew is an excellent way for us to introduce a healthy new food into her diet. I hate to admit it, but I'm a changed pet parent. I now know that healthy canned dog food exists, and I would encourage other pooch parents to give it a shot.

Only Natural Pet products are not sold in stores. Please check them out online to order. The PowerStew varieties are on sale as they are released to the public, so be sure to order soon to take advantage. They offer a special trial package and 15% off your first order. They offer other discounts, as well, and convenient discounted auto-delivery. Sweet. 

Connect with Only Natural Pet on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube

Do you think your pooch would like PowerStew?

The PowerStew Blurry Waggy Happy Tail. It's official.

The PowerStew Blurry Waggy Happy Tail. It's official.

gluten-free: it's gone to the dogs

Have you gone gluten-free? These days, it seems like nearly everyone has, and I'm still not entirely sure why. Gluten seems to be the new devil, and people are eliminating it from their diets regardless of whether they are intolerant. This trend is now trickling down to our dogs, so I thought we'd take a closer look at whether or not going gluten-free is a good thing for our pups.

First of all, do we know what gluten is? The Jimmy Kimmel Show (bomb!) hit the streets and asked health enthusiasts about it in his "pedestrian question" segment. 

If asked this question, would you have been able to answer correctly?

I would have flubbed it. Though I know the definition, I feel like it's sort-of morphed into this diet-craze thing that has become ultra confusing. While gluten can be a real problem for people with celiac disease, we're only just now learning about "gluten intolerance," something I would guess would be more of a "processed food issue," but perhaps it's simpler to peg it on gluten. 

So what is gluten? You still don't know? Me either. I'm confused. 

Let's clarify.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and some grains, including barley and rye. It provides elasticity to dough, giving it a chewy texture. 

Bam. 

And then I did some research.

is gluten all that bad for us or for our dogs?

Unless one has a sensitivity to gluten, it is neither particularly good (except for the fact that it is a source of protein) or bad for you. In humans, gluten sensitivity manifests in the digestive tract, causing stomach upset or bowel irregularity. The same holds true for dogs, but the most common and outward sign in the canine variety is poor skin condition. If your dog has itchy, dry skin, or maybe even a few bald spots, it could be due to a number of things, but gluten may be the culprit.

That being said, have you considered your climate or checked for fleas? Poor food quality (whether or not the food includes gluten) is the most common reason for these issues. 

how common is canine gluten sensitivity?

True gluten intolerance is actually pretty rare in both humans and dogs. PetMD states that "in a study of 278 cases of food allergy in dogs where the problem ingredient was clearly identified, beef, dairy, chicken, egg, lamb, soy, pork, and fish (none of which contain gluten) were responsible for 231 combined cases. Wheat, which contains a lot of gluten, was only involved in 42 cases."

Hmmmm.

The scoop on gluten-free dog food. 

As people become more interested in a gluten-free diet, the trend has trickled down to our dogs. Gluten is commonly in dog food as a binding agent. If your dog is experiencing tummy trouble or poor skin quality, it certainly doesn't hurt to try a gluten-free dog food and see if symptoms improve. If they do–great! Gluten-free dog food is readily available and becoming even more-so, so it's fairly easy to give it a try. 

Gluten-free dog food is often a higher-quality food with meat being the only source of protein. For this reason, gluten-free dog food is usually more expensive. Very inexpensive, poor-quality dog foods will typically contain a lot of grain as a filler since grain is much less expensive than meat. As with the foods we feed our human family members, it's important to read the ingredient list on your dog's food. If your dog is truly gluten-intolerant, you'll probably be saving money on veterinary bills by putting him on a gluten-free food, but, if not, you may be spending extra unnecessarily. 

is "grain-free" and "gluten-free" the same thing? 

Grain-free dog foods are just that–free of any grain. Gluten-free dog food may or may not contain grain. Since gluten is only present in some grains (the most common being wheat, barley, and rye), a gluten-free dog food will be free of those grains, but may contain other grains that do not contain gluten. In summary, a gluten-free dog food might be grain free, while a grain-free dog food will definitely be gluten-free.

Is your head spinning? Mine, too. Just remember:

GRAIN-FREE = GLUTEN-FREE

GLUTEN-FREE may or may not = GRAIN FREE

how to make the transition.

Any time you switch your dog's food, it's important to make the transition slowly for two reasons.

1. Your dog will likely be more accepting of the new food.

2. Your dog's digestive system will have time to ease into the new situation, which is especially important for dogs with sensitive tummies.

I suggest a 1/4 over 4 days formula, which will gradually transition your pet over the course of 12 days. You'll switch 1/4 of your dog's food to the new food for four days, then increase the amount of new food by 1/4 every four days. It looks like this: 

the bottom line.

If your dog experiences tummy upset or suffers from poor skin quality, it certainly can't hurt to try a gluten-free dog food. Regardless of whether your dog is gluten-free or not, it is important to research the ingredients in your pet's food and choose a high-quality option. 

Is your dog gluten-free? Please share your story!

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

how turmeric can benefit your pooch

can coconut oil benefit my pet?

can dogs be vegan?

artificial food dyes and pet food

let's get specific about pet health nutrition with #RoyalCanin #ad @RoyalCanin @PetSmart @WellMinded

This post is sponsored by PetSmart and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Royal Canin Pet Health Nutrition, but Well Minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

Gone are the days when pet parents thoughtlessly toss a bag of generic puppy grub or kitty chow into their grocery carts with the milk and the pot roast. Pet parents like us demand more out of our pet food. We read labels. We research what should be in our pet's food and what shouldn't. We want to know that there is solid scientific research behind what's in the bag, and we want to feed the very best to our fur babies. The majority of us seek out specialty stores that carry the best brands and educate us on pet nutrition. We're learning that our pets have individual needs. Wouldn't it be great if we could walk up to a bag of dog or cat food and see our pet's name written all over it? Something custom-made to meet the needs of a particular pet?

We can! (Okay, it might not have your pet's actual name on the bag, but it may as well.) We can now go our local PetSmart® and browse the Royal Canin® lineup for a food that meets our pets' specific needs. 

Royal Canin Gets Specific

Royal Canin has developed a line of pet food for both the canine and feline variety that is breed-specific, size-specific, and condition-specific. You can find a pet food for your Bulldog or Persian Cat, and it actually says "Bulldog" and "Persian" on the bag. They also offer food for unique circumstances such as kittens who have been spayed or neutered or dogs with sensitive tummies. Royal Canin offers age-specific and size-specific formulas, as well. And all of this is offered conveniently on the shelves of PetSmart. You don't even need a prescription from your veterinarian. 

It's as easy as popping into your local store.

Royal Canin has a specific diet for so many breeds and needs, and PetSmart has organized them on the shelves so it's easy to browse the selection and figure out the best food for your pet. 

Royal Canine Food for Felines

Poor Daisy was having some serious trouble with hairballs, but Royal Canin was able to help. Check out her story:

Finding the specific Royal Canin formula you need is easy at PetSmart.

Finding the specific Royal Canin formula you need is easy at PetSmart.

I easily found the hairball formula at my local PetSmart, along with several other formulas for specific breeds and situations such as "Kitten Spayed/Neutered," "Special," for adult cats with sensitive tummies, and breed-specific formulas for Persians, Siamese, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons. Along with meeting the dietary needs of each type of animal, the shape of the food is also taken into consideration. So the Persian food, for example, is shaped to be easily picked up by cats with flat faces. Unless you're a Persian cat (or Royal Canin), you probably never even thought that picking up food might be a challenge. 

Royal Canin Food for Canines

Royal Canin offers just as much–if not more–variety for canines. Check out how Urinary SO Moderate Calorie has helped Scout and her family manage her diabetes and urinary health: 

These are just some of the breed-specific and age-specific formulas Royal Canin has to offer (puppy food on top shelf, adult food on bottom shelf).

These are just some of the breed-specific and age-specific formulas Royal Canin has to offer (puppy food on top shelf, adult food on bottom shelf).

I love hearing stories like Scout's. To be able to rebound from such health issues based on a simple diet change is remarkable. It goes to show how important diet is to overall health. Royal Canin has several breed-specific formulas, including food for Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, and Chihuahuas, some of which even have one diet for the puppy stage of a specific breed and another for the adult stage. Incredible! If your pooch is a crazy mixed-up mutt like my N.A.S.H.A., there are also diets for different sized dogs. Because a Chihuahua and a Great Dane have very different needs, wouldn't you say?

Trusting Royal Canin

All of this sounds great, but how do we know we can feel confident that Royal Canin is producing a quality food?

Royal Canin has been around for over 40 years. Their food is based on scientific research and progress, and all of the food they produce comes from plants located in the U.S. and Canada. They say:

At Royal Canin, we live by the conviction that pets are not people; they are unique animals with unique nutritional needs that are distinctly different from our own. Through extensive research, we have identified these needs and created a complete line of premium Health Nutrition specifically formulated for cats and dogs–large or small, young or old, purebred or mixed breed. Because we know that only by feeding the best quality nutrition can we truly help pets stay as healthy and beautiful as possible.

So many of our pets' health issues can be improved or solved through diet. Since Royal Canin's nutritional solutions are created to target the specific needs and challenges of a particular type of pet, we can be sure we are getting the very best in pet health nutrition. And aside from all that, it just amazes me to be able to walk down the aisle at PetSmart and see "Chihuahua" or "Persian" on a bag of food. Pet food has come such a long way.

What breed of dog or cat is part of your family? Which of the Royal Canin foods would be best for your fur baby?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Connect with PetSmart:

Connect with Royal Canin: 

Videos courtesy of Royal Canin.

Royal Canin Mini Mature +8 image courtesy of PetSmart.

life stages dogs and cats #infographic and pet parenting info. from petbrosia

We love Petbrosia pet food because of the high-quality, nutritious, natural ingredients that are free from artificial preservatives and synthetic dyes and flavors. We also love the fact that the food is customized to the needs of our pets. Petbrosia asks about your pet's age, weight, breed, and lifestyle in order to taylor the food to your pet's nutritional needs for optimum health. And your custom food is delivered right to your door!

Check out how Petbrosia stacks up:

Petbrosia is all about customizing the food to meet the needs of the individual animal at various life stages. They have created an infographic that clearly illustrates the importance of tailoring your pet's diet to these life stages:

Petbrosia keeps improving–I love that! They have recently developed and now offer a grain-free salmon recipe. They also recently began offering high-quality treats that fit with their mission to bring only healthy products to consumers, so their little family operation is becoming more of a one-stop shop. 

In keeping with their caring spirit, Petbrosia is also becoming a fantastic resource for pet parents. Check out these recent articles:

If you haven't tried Petbrosia, yet, I encourage you to give it a shot to see what your pet thinks. N.A.S.H.A. loves it. She even gets excited when that box arrives. My little humans even groan a little, saying "Oh, man! Why is it always something for N.A.S.H.A.?" Sorry, kids, the magic toy fairy didn't make a special-for-no-reason delivery today. 

Has your pet tried Petbrosia? We'd love to hear what you think. If not, Well Minded readers can save 25% off their first box!

Connect with Petbrosia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.

Well Minded is an affiliate of Petbrosia, which means that each time you use our coupon code, Petbrosia compensates us for referring you. All proceeds go to bringing you free content on this blog, and we appreciate our reader support. Well Minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Petbrosia images courtesy of Petbrosia.