Superfoods aren’t just for people! Your dog or cat could benefit from the key nutrients in ZIWI’s Z-BOOST Superfood blend! Kale, blueberries, green tea—you know the common superfoods that are healthy additions to your diet. But did you know some superfoods are great for dogs and cats as well? Our companion animals have unique dietary requirements, but some foods are so packed with micronutrients, macronutrients, and other good things that every dog and cat could benefit from them. Let’s look at the three unique superfoods found in ZIWI’s Z-BOOST Superfood blend you might want to add to your fu ..read more

Becoming a new dog parent, whether to a puppy or an adult dog, is an exciting feat; it can also be a tad scary if you are a first-time dog parent. What can they eat or not eat? How do I potty train? How do I keep them out of dangerous items? These are all questions you may be asking yourself. Here are some tips to help you get started. 1. Stock Up on Supplies Before picking up your new dog, we suggest having all needed supplies on hand at home to prevent needing to run to the store or being left empty-handed in case of an emergency. Leash, poop bags, collar and/or harness with ID tag Food and ..read more

If you’ve visited the supplement aisle of your local health food store recently, chances are you’ve come across ashwagandha. And now this ancient herb, revered by Ayurvedic doctors in India for more than 4000 years, is increasingly being harnessed by the companion animal health community to benefit our furry favorites! Vets and natural healers alike know that ashwagandha has the power to heal and help animals as much as their humans. But there’s a twist to this tale: not all parts of this remarkable plant are created equal. KSM-66 Ashwagandha pure root extract should be your go-to natural heal ..read more

Amy Augustine is a lifelong animal lover and dog parent. Like many others, she was troubled by the low quality of commercial dog treats. Inspired by an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to create healthy dog treats with high quality ingredients, Amy set to work making her first recipe back in 2001. It was a simple peanut butter cookie homemade with natural ingredients, and she gave away the first batch as Christmas treats. The cookies were such a hit that Amy decided to go a step further. She started selling them at markets, festivals, fairs, and some local shops. The overwhelming response a ..read more

While acute inflammation is beneficial for healing, chronic inflammation leads to a state of constant “dis-ease” within your dog or cat’s body. Find out how chronic inflammation affects your four-legged friend, and how you can treat or prevent it. Inflammation is a natural bodily process. It is intricate and complicated, yet in the right circumstances can be gentle enough to heal. As with most natural processes in the body, however, balance must be maintained to allow for optimal wellness, and inflammation is no different. It can be a necessary part of the healing process, but if left unchecke ..read more

If your dog suffers from anxiety, you’re not alone. A recent Finnish study revealed that more than 72% of dogs had at least one anxiety-related behavior.* According to the study, which involved almost 14,000 dogs, everything from noise sensitivity and other dogs to strangers and new situations had the capacity to put dogs into fight or flight mode. If any of this sounds familiar, you have no doubt witnessed the havoc canine anxiety can wreak on your household (new furniture, anyone?). But even that pales in comparison to the pain and suffering it unleashes on your poor pooch. Your best friend ..read more

No pet parent wants to think about their fur baby getting hurt, but it’s still important to be prepared and know what to do in an emergency. Here are some pro tips from a veterinarian to help you deal with minor medical emergencies at home. Pet parents should prepare for minor medical emergencies that may arise with their furry companions. While some situations require immediate veterinary attention, there are several steps you can take at home to address minor issues and provide comfort to both you and your companion animal before seeking professional help. Here are some valuable tips from a ..read more

Lure-reward training is by far the quickest and easiest technique for teaching dogs the meaning of our verbal instructions and for regularly testing comprehension as proof of training. Dog training is almost entirely about communication, specifically teaching dogs our language, that is, ESL*…. Initially, food lures are used to teach the meaning of handsignals, and then food lures are phased out and handsignals are used to teach the meaning of verbal instructions. Dogs learn handsignals quickly because they are a language dogs understand — body language. Once dogs understand what we say, dog tr ..read more

Getting to the bottom of food allergies in your dog requires a comprehensive plan for change that includes an elimination diet made from novel protein and carbohydrate sources. Some things never change. When it comes to food allergies in dogs, “no corn, no soy, no wheat, no yeast” (the first food mantra I learned) still comes to mind as people contact me about their dogs’ allergies. They’re still considered among the top food allergens in dogs — but many other foods can now be added to the list. For example, a lamb and rice combination was once considered the so-called hypoallergenic diet, but ..read more

Cancer is one of the most common and dreaded diseases affecting dogs and cats. Discover five ways to help lower your own companion’s cancer risk by addressing his nutrition, weight, toxin exposure, and more. Cancer is increasingly common in our dogs and cats. For some people, the fear of a cancer diagnosis in their beloved companions can be crippling, even if their dogs and cats are currently healthy. While some cancers may not be preventable, there are many steps you can take to improve your animal’s overall health and quality of life, while potentially decreasing their risk of cancer — from ..read more