2019 Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL

If you’re a dog lover like us, it probably comes as no surprise that the pet industry is big business. All around the world, people love pampering their pups and treating them like members of the family. According to the APPA, the pet industry in the U.S. is expected to bring in over $75 billion in 2019 - up from $72 billion in 2018. The highest percentage of that income is expected to go toward food.

As with any other industry, the pet industry is rapidly changing, thanks in part to technology as well as to more ethical food production practices. Here are a few of the “next big things” when it comes to pet care:

• Home delivery service for dog food. Over the last few years or so, home meal delivery kits from companies like Blue Apron and Plated have enabled people to cook wholesome meals at home without drudging through the grocery store. Similar services are becoming available for dogs, especially when it comes to natural, human grade dog food and kits. As a friendly reminder, Pawsitively Pure offers free home delivery for pet owners within 50 miles of Orlando!

• CBD supplements for dogs. You’ve probably seen CBD treats popping up at your local pet supply store. According to the AKC, CBD has been noted to treat inflammation in dogs, as well as to help stimulate appetite and reduce anxiety. A word of caution, however: there has been no formal study on the effects of CBD on dogs, so administer supplements sparingly and under supervision if you decide to do so.

• Palliative care and end of life services. More people are paying attention to the needs of senior dogs as they approach the ends of their lives to help them live out their remaining days comfortably. There has also been an increase in cremation and burial services available. Companies like Gentle Goodbyes in Groveland offer aquamation for a water-based cremation service as a more gentle, eco-friendly alternative to cremation.

While the “next big thing” can often be too trendy to last long, one trend that will stay is the movement toward natural, human-grade dog food over kibble. Dogs on a natural diet show higher energy levels and healthier skin and coat than their dry-food counterparts. Shop for your dog food today, or contact us for more information!

Picture this: Your best friend has been on the latest fad diet for a few months now, and it’s really showing some great results for them. Eager to see the same for yourself, you ask them for all their tips and steps to succeed on the same diet. You follow everything to the letter and...nothing happens. It’s frustrating, but every body is built differently and reacts differently to a variety of nutrients, ingredients, and eating practices. In much the same way, every dog will react differently to different types of food.

Your veterinarian is the best first point of contact when it comes to developing a diet for your dog. If you’ve taken their recommendations into consideration, here are a few of our tips for finding the perfect food for your pup:

1. Consider any food allergies your dog might have. The telltale signs of food allergies include excessive paw licking, itchy skin, and red, smelly ears, among others. To diagnose your dog’s food allergies, most vets recommend starting with an elimination diet, which involves feeding them a very simple diet and slowly reintroducing other proteins and components to find out which items they can tolerate. The diet you build for your dog will need to eliminate any ingredients that irritate them.

2. Check the wording on the food packaging. Believe it or not, the wording on your dog’s food packaging can tell you a lot about the amount of protein they’re getting. A bag that says “chicken for dogs” means that the protein comprises 95% of the product, not including water content. “Chicken dinner,” on the other hand, usually means that the protein only comprises about 25% of the product. Finally, “chicken flavor” means the product includes a minimal amount of the protein - just enough for taste.

3. Do your research on your chosen brands. If everything looks ok on the ingredients label, do your due diligence and research your chosen dog food brands to make sure they use sustainable production practices and source their proteins ethically. This is the information that’s not required to be on the label, so a few hours of research is a good idea for you and your pup!

You want to make sure your dog is on a diet that keeps them happy and energized. If your dog is picky about their food, we offer delicious, sustainably sourced bone broth to make any meal a little more appetizing. Click here to get some for your pup, or browse through our store for more treats and foods!

Sleep is a surprisingly difficult thing to master for many people - and dogs, too. Sometimes, you may find that your dog is restless when they should be laying down for bedtime. This insomnia can manifest itself with other destructive behaviors, like chewing on forbidden items, random barking, digging, and so on. Instead of becoming frustrated with your dog over this destruction, it’s best to attack the issue at the source.

Lack of sleep can be an issue for dogs of all ages. Here are a few tips that might help your dog - and you - grab a couple extra z’s:

• Try crate training. How is it that the smallest of dogs seem to take up the largest amount of space in a bed? You might want to let your dog share your bed with you, but if you have a varying sleep schedule or toss and turn a lot, that might be one of the things keeping your dog awake at night. Crate training is one of the best ways to help your dog set a schedule, give them a safe, happy space of their own, and reinforce boundaries. When your dog has adapted to their schedule, then you can try bringing them to your bed again.

• Make sure their other activities are on a schedule. Dogs respond well to routines! There’s a good chance your dog might not be able to sleep if the rest of their daily schedule is off kilter. Do your best to set their feeding, walking, and bathroom time on a schedule, and do the same with their sleep. Once they adjust, they’ll be ready for sleep time when it comes.

• Give them plenty of exercise time during the day. There’s no better sleep than a sleep after a long, exhausting day - and the same goes for your dog. Your dog needs plenty of quality exercise during the day, whether that comes from playing fetch, going on walks, swimming, or some other activity. Going without this exercise can leave them frustrated and hyperactive at night.

Providing your dog with a quality diet is another way to make sure they’re sleeping well and staying happy. A diet rich in proteins and vital nutrients helps ensure their digestive system is working the way it needs to be while supporting all their other internal systems. To learn more or to get your dog started on a quality human-grade diet, browse through our website today.

We’re guessing that Florida’s mild winter didn’t deter you from going outside entirely during the winter season, but still, there’s something magical and inviting about the way the sun shines when springtime rolls around. The birds are singing, the squirrels are chasing each other in the trees, and the days are getting longer and warmer. So how are you and your dog going to celebrate the season?

Just like you, your dog needs exercise to maintain a healthy weight and enjoy an active lifestyle. However, not everyone wants to go jogging with their pups - and not every pup wants to go jogging, either! Here are a few creative ways to get some exercise in for you and your dog as spring transforms into summer:

1. Try an agility class. Agility classes aren’t just for puppies! If your dog has a lot of energy to burn, try taking them to an agility course. A number of dog parks around the Orlando have agility and climbing equipment, but if you want your dog to get the most out of their playtime, there are plenty of places that offer classes and training. Take a look at Dog-On-It Agility Club of Central Florida, who take on any dog who wants to boost speed and have fun.

2. Play fetch. One of the best things about playing fetch with your dog is that you can do it just about anywhere! Most dogs love the opportunity to catch a frisbee, a ball, or their favorite toy. Just make sure the location you choose is dog-friendly and they aren’t in any risk of running into traffic or going somewhere dangerous. Try the park, the beach, or even just your backyard.

3. Let them spend some time with friends. Most animal behaviorists will tell you that the best exercise an animal can get is exercise that mimics what they would do in the wild. For dogs, this means running, playing, and wrestling with others in their pack! Social time is a great way for your dog to expend some energy while getting in some healthy socialization.

Be creative with how you schedule your exercise time with your dogs! If your dog is older or has bone or joint issues, something more gentle like hydrotherapy is a great choice. Still not sure what kind of exercise is best for your furry friend? Have a conversation with your veterinarian to see if they recommend any locations around Orlando. Get your dog started on a human-grade diet. Browse through the Pawsitively Pure shop here.

As the weather continues to warm up, pet parents everywhere are overjoyed at the chance to bring their furbabies outside more often for fun and exercise, but they’re also gearing up for flea season. Fleas tend to thrive in warmer weather, which makes them a problem almost year-round here in Florida. But did you know that your dog’s first defense against fleas can start with their diet?

Preventing flea infestations is not only important for your dog’s comfort, but it can also help protect your dog from infections and diseases carried by the parasites, as well as keeping you and your family safe from flea bites and allergic reactions. Here are a few things to know about how your dog’s diet affects their susceptibility to fleas:

• Fleas are more likely to latch on to dogs with nutritionally deficient diets. A healthy, balanced diet includes a variety of important vitamins and nutrients that keep your dog’s immune system strong. These nutrients help keep your dog’s skin healthy and supple, protecting them from the elements and parasites like fleas. Without a healthy diet, your dog’s first line of defense is easily broken, making them a choice target for hungry fleas.

• A natural diet offers more of the nutrients that help keep skin healthy. Natural, unprocessed meats like chicken are full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are just some of the nutrients your dog needs for healthy skin. In fact, dogs need much more fat in their diets than humans do, which is why a real-food diet can be so beneficial to their health.

• You can add supplements to your dog’s food to help keep them safe from fleas. Here at Pawsitively Pure, we really love Mercola supplements to give our dogs the best nutrition they can possibly get. Try adding an immune booster to their daily meals to help them stay guarded against fleas and other pests. Supplements that add Omega-3s, as well as seaweed and kelp supplements, are great for healthy skin.

Want to learn more about supplements you can add to your dog’s diet? Here’s a list of some of our favorite Mercola products. Before you change your dog’s diet or add any supplements to their meals, we recommend you have a conversation with your veterinarian. To learn more or to order natural food and treats your dog will love, browse through our website!