Every January, humans set goals for a healthy, positive start to the new year. But what about our furry companions? From oral hygiene to natural raw pet food, pet experts and fur-baby lovers in the Darwin’s Natural Pet Products family weigh in with their own New Year’s resolutions to keep your dog or cat bright-eyed and bushy-tailed all year long.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191231005204/en/
Darwin’s customer Sallyann says her dog Riley’s resolution is to eat fewer socks and more healthy, raw food— not just in the new year, but all year long. (Photo: Business Wire)
“We often make wellness-focused resolutions for ourselves, and it’s important to do the same for our pets. Taking time to make small changes to our furry friends’ health habits can lead to big improvements later,” said Gary Tashjian, founder of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. “Anything from modifying diet to participating in a new activity can really make a positive difference in the life of your pet. And isn’t making our pets happy exactly what all pet owners strive for?”
Dr. Kat Miller, an animal behavioralist and director of anti-cruelty behavior research for the ASPCA, pet owners need to tailor their pets’ exercise to their breeds and ages; for example, a puppy will likely have much more energy compared to an adult dog. Moving and staying active is important for health, no matter how many legs one has.
use your intuition when feeding your pet. A pet’s activity levels, age and metabolism can all affect how much food they should be getting, according to Jeanne Romano, a menu consultant at Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. Not measuring food can lead to over- or under-feeding, which can cause easily avoidable health problems in the future such as arthritis, obesity, and certain types of liver failure in cats, according to PetMD. Pets will have more spring in their step when they get the proper amount of food for their age and breed.
including balanced fats brings an abundance of health benefits to both cats and dogs.
The addition of balanced fats from lean chicken and turkey in raw pet food helps to ensure pets receive the most nutrients possible, which builds a strong foundation of good health through an increased production of healthy cell membranes. Put simply, establishing good nutrition in pets helps them stay healthy as they age.
pet expert John Woods.
vital importance of a healthy gut to maintaining pets’ strong physical and mental health. More than 100 trillion microbes – or bacteria – live in a dog’s gut. The vast majority are benign, many are helpful and some are essential for wellness. “By feeding a variety of dietary fiber from vegetables, you feed the vast array of microbes…and preliminary studies suggest that different species of microbes thrive on chicken than on beef. Yet another reason to rotate proteins in your dog’s diet,” Brown said.
American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have a form of oral disease by age three. In addition to brushing your pet’s teeth, owners can give their furry friends a chew treat, such as raw bones and duck necks. These types of treats are both durable and easily digestible, all while improving your pets’ oral health.
Darwin’s customer Patricia says her dog plans on following this resolution, with a twist. Her pup plans on: “More playing in the rain, less mud in my mouth.” A clean – and yes, hopefully mud-free – mouth will help ensure a healthy start to your pet’s year and beyond.
“As we venture into a new decade, this is a prime opportunity to make sure your pet is ready and healthy for any adventure,” says Tashjian. “Just like humans, picking one realistic resolution and incorporating it into your pet’s routine can gradually lead up to larger ones that improve their overall health and wellness.”
www.darwinspet.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191231005204/en/
annie@firmani.com