With grain, or without grain? For pet owners around the world, that is the question when it comes to choosing the right diet for their pups. Many owners are concerned that commercial dog food brands use wheat and corn byproducts as a filler, giving their dogs less nutrients per tasty bite of food. However, grains are an important part of a balanced diet for every dog, as they provide critical vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Here at Pawsitively Pure, we like to find the right ingredients for every dog’s diet. One of our treat flavors, blueberry and oats, prominently features oats in the recipe. Here are a few reasons why oats are a healthy grain to include in your dog’s diet:

• Proteins are higher in proteins and fats than other types of grains. Proteins and fats are extremely important to your dog’s diet. They’re what help give your dog its energy levels, a shiny coat, healthy skin, and more. Adding in a grain that gives your dog an extra boost of those healthy fats to keep them happy!

• If your dog does have a gluten sensitivity, oats are a good alternative grain to add to their diet. Oats still pack the punch of fiber your dog needs to keep their gut healthy. Currently, oats do not undergo any genetic modification or engineering. Furthermore, oats that haven’t been processed with grains like wheat, barley, and rye, are completely gluten free.

• Oats are packed with vitamins and minerals. Take a look at the health benefits of oats and you’ll see a long list of important vitamins and minerals, like zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin B, and vitamin E. The best way to get your nutrition - or for your dog to get their nutrition - is to get it through whole foods rather than supplements.

Any dog will benefit from a diet that’s high in protein and lower in carbohydrates, so we don’t recommend that you make up large portions of your dog’s diet with oats. However, in moderation, oats can be a healthy snack or a great addition to daily meals. Try our blueberry and oat dog treats and we know your pup will love them! To learn more, send us a message or browse through our products.

We hope you and your dogs have been enjoying a fun and exciting summer! Everyone loves the spring and summer months as they give us a little extra time to get outdoors and have some fun in the sun. Even if you and your furry friends don’t get the opportunity to take a little vacation, there are plenty of dog-friendly locations around Central Florida for you and your pups to play and explore. Orlando Weekly compiled this great list, if you need a few ideas! 

As you enjoy the summer months, there are a few safety precautions you should keep in mind so you and your dogs can have the best time possible. Here are a handful of suggestions to help you have safe fun in the sun: 

• Take care not to let your dog walk on hot sidewalks or asphalt. Since you’re almost always wearing shoes outside, you probably don’t realize just how hot the pavement can get. Studies show that when the outside temperature hits 86 or 87 degrees, asphalt can clock in at over 130 degrees - and here in Central Florida, we’re regularly seeing temperatures above 90 degrees. Surfaces that hot can easily burn your dog’s feet, causing pain and blistering or worse. As a rule of thumb, if the pavement is too hot for you to leave your hand there for five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

• Be sure to help your dog stay hydrated, and get familiar with the signs of overheating. Dog’s can’t sweat like we can - they pant and drink water to help regulate their body temperature. When your dog is playing with its friends, it may not be getting the hydration it needs to stay happy. Try to encourage your dog to drink a little bit of water at frequent intervals, rather than a lot all at once. If you notice that your dog has wobbly legs, is drooling a lot, or is vomiting, they may be suffering from overheating and need to see a vet right away. For more information on keeping your dog hydrated, check out our blog here.

• Your dogs need sunscreen, too! Dogs with shorter hair and lighter colored coats are especially susceptible to sunburn and associated skin cancers that come with it. Make sure you at least apply sunscreen to the areas of your dog where skin is exposed, like nose and bellies. Your vet should be able to recommend a dog-friendly sunscreen formula for your pup. 

Having fun in the sun is quite possible with the right precautions! For more great pet health and safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

July! One of the hottest months of the summer. We know it and love it as the month when we spend extra time splashing in the pool, fire up the grill, and head to the beach. It’s also one of the months when we celebrate a holiday with fireworks. Many pet parents have noticed that fireworks seem to start launching earlier and earlier in the season, and as such, they’ve had to calm down their nervous pets for longer. 

For the month of July, we want to focus on the importance of microchipping your pets. Here are 3 reasons why microchipping is not only a good idea - it’s a necessity: 

1. It could be a lifesaver in times of distress - like during fireworks season. Loud bangs, like thunder and fireworks, are enough to truly frighten a dog. Sometimes, in times of panic, your dog’s first reaction is to bolt, and if they run from your home while they’re not wearing a collar or ID, no one will know who they belong to. Microchips are a built-in identification that will be with your dog at all times and could save their life.

2. It’s as easy to get as a vaccination. Microchips aren’t as scary as they sound! They are administered to your dog the same way shots are, and don’t require a serious procedure. Often, animal shelters will microchip their animals before they go home with a new family, but it’s always a good idea to check with your vet to make sure your dog is properly identified.

3. It’s more effective than a collar and tag. Collars and tags are the traditional method of displaying your dog’s identification. But sometimes, especially with older collars or harnesses, they can be torn off or removed. Your dog’s microchip will be with them forever, and as long as you keep your account current, the vet can find your info to contact you if your dog gets out.

Microchipping is a quick and easy way to make sure your dog stays safe and happy, even in troubling events. This July, the month of fireworks, consider microchipping your dog if you haven’t already. We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!

Our chocolate lab, Jackson, just turned 11 this month, officially making him a senior dog. While he stays healthy with his natural food diet and bone broth, we’ve seen that he’s getting a few more aches and pains that he didn’t have when he was a young pup. Of course, everyone experiences new ailments as they age - even humans. But some age-related issues may be more difficult to detect in senior dogs.

Mercola recently published an article titled, “Age-related issues your dog may be hiding” on their Dog Health blog. What may be surprising to you is that many dogs tend to try and remain stoic as they experience some symptoms, making illnesses more difficult for you to detect. This is an instinctive action, as displaying signs of weakness or illness in the wild makes them vulnerable to predators. Even though your dog has been part of your family for years, some old instincts stay around forever.

According to Mercola, the most common age-related health issues you should look for in your dog include joint pain and arthritis, oral health issues, urinary issues, and eye health issues. Again, it can be hard to tell when your dog has an illness as he may be hiding it, but keep an eye on his regular daily behaviors and monitor if anything has changed.

To read the full article, click the link above. To stock up on bone broth to keep your senior dog healthy, browse through our website.

Pawsitively Pure Dog Food is excited to announce that we are a participating pet business with the Mennello Museum in Winter Park!

The Mennello Museum now offers pet memberships for your furry or feathered friends so you can bring them to enjoy the sculpture garden and receive special discounts at participating businesses.

With the Mennello Museum pet membership, your pup will receive an official pet membership ID, a 10% discount at participating pet businesses (like us!), admission to special pet events, and a featured picture on the Mennello website!

The Mennello Museum hosts a number of amazing pet-centric events, like their Yappy Hour, Howl o’ Woof, and Brunch with Your Pup.

To get your membership discount code, visit the Mennello Museum website. Not a member yet? Sign up today by filling out the brochure here!