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!

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20 people foods you can share with your dog

Despite the fact that we are often told "don't give people food to your dog," there are actually quite a few people foods that are just fine–even beneficial–to our canine companions. Including these foods as supplements or treats can add variety to your dog's diet as well as provide a boost to his health. Though some foods can be toxic, or at the very least, unhealthy for your pooch (I wouldn't recommend polishing off an entire bag of potato chips together), you can rest assured that the foods listed here are healthy for dogs unless yours has an allergy or special sensitivity. These twenty foods are not meant to replace a regular canine diet. It is always safest to introduce new foods one-at-a-time and in small quantities.

20 people foods you can share with your dog

1. Apples     Apples are a great source of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They help clean teeth and freshen breath. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core, as they can be choking hazards, and seeds, in large quantity, can be toxic. 

2. Blueberries     Blueberries are as good for our dogs as they are for us. They are an antioxidant and a great source of fiber. They can be frozen as a crunchy treat.

3. Brewer's Yeast     Brewer's yeast is an excellent source of vitamin B, which is good for your pooch's skin and coat. Dogs love the taste, so sprinkle it on your dog's food to help with picky eating or appetite issues. Please don't confuse brewer's yeast for baking yeast, which will make your dog very sick. Do NOT give baking yeast to your dog.

4. Carrots     Carrots are a great snack or treat for dogs. Baby carrots are convenient and well-liked by most canines. They are especially good for pets on a weight loss program, because they are low in calories and high in fiber. Carrots are high in beta-carotene/vitaminA and are excellent for dental health.

5. Chicken     Cooked chicken is often a staple of feeding your dog a homemade diet and can also be used as a treat or added to regular food for picky eaters or for added protein. 

6. Cottage Cheese     If your dog digests dairy well (proceed with caution...not all dogs do), cottage cheese can be a good source of calcium. It is easy to add to your dog's food, and most dogs love it. Other types of cheese can also be given sparingly, as they are high in fat. 

7. Eggs     Cooked eggs can be added to your dog's food or given as a snack. It is a great way to give your pooch a protein boost, and eggs also soothe upset tummies. Eggs are a good source of riboflavin and selenium.

8. Green Beans     Green beans are a healthy, low-calorie treat for your dog. They are a source of fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C. They can be given raw or cooked, but it's best to avoid the canned variety, as canned green beans often contain added salt. Frozen green beans make an excellent treat, and since green beans are filling, they can be used to replace some of your pet's food for weight management. 

9. Oatmeal     Oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber. It can help if your pooch has irregular bowel issues, especially if she is getting on in years. Always use plain cooked oatmeal, never oatmeal with added sugars or flavors.

10. Parsley     A bit of chopped parsley over your dog's food or baked into homemade treats is great for your pooch's breath and is a good source of calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene.

11. Peanut Butter     Peanut butter is a great source of protein and good, heart-healthy fats. It also contains vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Raw, unsalted, natural peanut butter is the way to go. Your dog can lick it off a spoon, you can bake it into treats, or it can be frozen into an ice cube tray or a Kong.

12. Peas     Peas can be added to your dog's food or given as a treat. They are great frozen or fresh. Peas are an excellent source of vitamin B, thiamin, phosphorous, and potassium.

13. Peppermint     Peppermint is strong, so it's best used sparingly as an ingredient in homemade dog treats to help with upset tummies or bad breath.

14. Popcorn     Popcorn is a fun treat you and your dog can enjoy together. For your pooch, it must be air-popped and free of butter, oil, and salt (it's probably best for you that way, too). Popcorn is low in calories and contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium.

15. Pumpkin     Pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber, so it can help tremendously with digestive issues, keeping things moving through the GI tract at the right pace. It is also an excellent source of beta-carotene/vitamin A. Always use plain, cooked pumpkin (the canned variety works just fine). It can be given alone or mixed into your dog's food, and most dogs love it.

16. Rice     Rice is great for an upset tummy. You can serve either brown rice or white rice. Brown rice is higher in protein and lower in fat. White rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate, which is a great source of energy.

17. Salmon     Cooked salmon and salmon skin is a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids. It keeps your dog's coat healthy and shiny and provides immune system support. Salmon oil can be added to your pet's food as a supplement for the same effect.

18. Squash     Like pumpkin, any kind of squash can be used to bulk up your dog's stool. It is a good source of beta-carotene/vitamin A. Cooked squash can be added to your pet's food, or it can be sliced and frozen for a crunchy treat.

19. Sweet Potato     Sweet potatoes are another great source of fiber. They contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta-carotene/vitamin A, and manganese. Add a scoop of cooked sweet potato to your dog's food or slice and dehydrate for a chewy treat.

20. Yogurt     Plain yogurts with active bacteria can be used as a probiotic, which is excellent for your dog's digestive system, especially if he has a sensitive tummy. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It can be used as a treat, frozen in a Kong, or mixed with your dog's food. Be sure to steer clear of yogurt with artificial sweeteners or added sugars, and if your dog is overweight, choose a low fat variety.

Whenever introducing a new food into your pet's diet, be sure to take things slow by introducing it in small quantities. Though these foods are very healthy for most canines, some dogs may have sensitivities, so always use caution. Once you know your pet is good to go, you can slowly increase the amount you offer. It is also important to only introduce one new food at a time so that if there is a sensitivity or reaction, you'll be sure to know which new food is causing it. Introducing the new foods one-at-a-time will also ensure your pet's system isn't shocked.

It's important to know that some foods that are healthy for us are toxic to dogs, so be sure to do your research before supplementing with something new. A list of foods that have proven toxic to dogs and should not be given in any quantity are: alcohol, avocado, chocolate, coffee, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, raisins, and yeast dough.

What people foods do you give your dog?

This article, written by me, originally appeared as a contributor article on Hybrid Rasta Mama. It appears here, with minor changes, with permission.

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.