As you probably know by now, your dog’s diet has a lot to do with their activity levels and overall well being. Food is your dog’s first source of energy and nutrition. It’s also their first source of irritants and pollutants. Often, your dog will let you know that they’ve eaten something they don’t like by vomiting or displaying other gastrointestinal distress. Sometimes, however, symptoms may show up differently than you’d expect.

Beef, dairy, and wheat are among the three most common food allergies dogs experience. Here’s how you can tell your dog’s system doesn’t agree with some of the ingredients in their food:

• Constantly itchy skin. Itchiness is one of the most commonly cited symptoms of food allergies, usually accompanied by pink skin underneath. If your pup seems to itch without relief or is losing patches of hair due to too much scratching, there’s a good chance the cause is a food allergy - especially if over-the-counter shampoos and solutions don’t seem to work.

• Reddish-brown stains around the mouth and paws. Generally, these red patches can be attributed to yeast colonies, which are better able to grow at infection sites. These patches are often itchy and you may notice your dog licking its paws more than usual.

• Frequent ear infections. While dogs that are frequent swimmers are prone to swimmer’s ear, food allergens can also cause recurring infections in your furry friends. Check the ears for dark brown or black, stinky buildup. This, too, is usually caused by a yeast infection triggered by the appearance of an allergy.

What’s the next step if you think your dog has a food allergy? The most reliable test is through an elimination diet, which can take about 4-6 months to complete. In a program like this, you’ll take your dog’s diet back down to the very basics and slowly reintroduce each ingredient to determine how it affects their overall wellness. As always, consult your veterinarian before going on a program such as this.

Human-Grade Dog Food for Healthy Coat

Many pet parents find that their fur babies have healthier skin and coat after switching to a human-grade diet. Keeping your dogs on a simple, natural diet makes it easy to tell what ingredients work in harmony with their systems. Get human-grade dog food delivered to your door from Pawsitively Pure. Click here to browse our products.

There’s nothing better than a big bowl of fresh, sweet berries to enjoy as a summertime snack! For years, blueberries have been touted as a superfood and enjoyed for their juicy sweetness and their health benefits. But did you know that blueberries pack a lot of awesome nutritional benefits for your dog, too?

Here at Pawsitively Pure, blueberries are among our favorite treats for our boys. Stick them in the freezer for a cool, crunchy snack on a hot afternoon, or try them in our Blueberry and Oats natural dog treats! Blueberries are a wonderful addition to any dog’s diet as a treat because:

• They help protect eyes. Older dogs in particular are susceptible to cataracts, especially if they’ve spent most of their time having fun in the sun. Studies have shown that blueberries help improve dogs’ nighttime vision as well as restoration of their visual acuity after exposure to glare. Keep your furry friend in good visual health for longer.

• They’re anti-carcinogenic. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs. Blueberries are full of a number of different compounds that help to prevent a variety of types of cancer, including colon cancer. Studies have even shown that the phenolic compounds in blueberries can cause cell death in cancerous cells.

• They’re great for the brain. Blueberries also contain a number of compounds that help support the brain’s function, especially later in life. They’re also great for puppies in that they provide nutrients shown to support spatial learning and memory, like Anthocyanin. Your old dog really can learn new tricks with the support of this tasty snack!

We love blueberries as a tasty and healthy addition to your dog’s diet. When you choose human-grade food for your dogs, you want to be sure you’re getting the freshest natural ingredients. Pawsitively Pure Dog Food features all natural, organic products, good enough for you AND your dog to eat (but please leave the snacking to the pups!). To view our available products, click here.

So you’ve read the blogs, you’ve seen the results, and you’re ready to get your own dogs started with natural, human-grade dog food. Congratulations! You’re on the way to a long life with a happy, energetic pup. Pet owners around the world have been turning toward whole foods as the best way to keep their furry friends satiated and healthy, in much the same way as they’ve been rethinking their own diets.

Dogs take a little longer to transition to a new diet than we do, however, so it’s important that you take the proper steps to transition to your human-grade foods. Here’s a quick and easy guide to get your dog started on their new diet:

• Don’t get rid of the kibble just yet! The best way to start the transition to new food is by blending small portions of the new food into your pup’s usual bowl of food. At first, you’ll add just a handful; as time goes on, you’ll decrease the amount of your dog’s kibble and increase the human-grade food until you have a bowl full of nothing but Pawsitively Pure food!

• Don’t add additional new ingredients, if you can avoid it. Your dog’s stomach is very sensitive, so it’s best to take this transition one step at a time. If you introduce too much human-grade food too quickly, you might find your dog experiencing digestive issues or needing to go to the bathroom more often. Once your dog is fully transitioned, then you can try different recipes or new treats!

• Is your dog being a picky eater? Commercial kibble is often coated with animal fat, making it more appetizing and even addictive to dogs. Human-grade dog food strips away all the unnecessary additives, but it may take a little while for your dog to warm up to the idea. If you find your pup is being picky about the natural food, try adding a little bit of bone broth or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for an extra tasty incentive.

The time it takes to transition your dog to human-grade dog food is worth all the enjoyment they’ll get out of life! We love hearing stories about how your dog is thriving on natural dog food. To find the right food for your pup, click here, or browse our Facebook page for more information!