As you probably know, our boy Jackson is a senior dog; he just turned 12 this June! We have loved watching him learn and grow at every stage of his life. From the early teething and training phase, he has grown into the sweet, playful, gentle dog we love. Of course, we have had to adjust how we care for him as he ages. Just as it goes with humans, life offers a different set of challenges for senior dogs than it does for puppies and adolescent dogs.

Currently, the U.S. has more senior dogs than ever thanks to veterinary medicine advances. According to AKC.tv, there are over 40 million senior dogs in the United States--senior being defined as over 7 years of age. While some dog species reach their senior stages at different ages, 7 years is generally the time when we start to see the signs of aging in our dogs.

What Are the Signs of Aging in Dogs?

Some signs of aging in dogs are visible on their bodies; others are perceptible through altered behaviors. One of the most common signs your dog is getting older is that they start to move more slowly. Not only do dogs experience joint issues, they also tend to start losing muscle mass as they age. Other common signs of aging include tooth decay and loss, weakened vision, and diminished appetite or digestive problems.

How Should Senior Dog Owners Adjust Care?

At the top of the care list for senior dogs is more frequent visits to the vet. Dr. Ahn of AKC recommends making veterinary appointments for your senior dogs at least twice a year--more frequently if they have specific care needs. Your veterinarian will be able to monitor your dog for common issues and give you a plan to optimize their health and keep them happy for years to come. 

Secondly, senior dog parents should adjust their dogs’ diets. You may have noticed that most kibble brands have both “puppy” and “senior” varieties with different nutrients for appropriate organ support. We’ve had Jackson on our human-grade Pawsitively Pure dog food since before he reached his senior years, and we’d recommend it for any senior dogs. Feeding a raw diet allows your dog to get nutrition from whole foods without any filler, and gives you more opportunity to mix in the appropriate supplements. 

You should also adjust your dogs’ exercise schedule and patterns. Exercise is just as important for senior dogs, but sometimes it may be hard to get physical activity in when your dog experiences sore joints and muscles. Aquatherapy is a great alternative to running and other high-impact activities. Our friends at Dip’n Dogs Water Therapy help acclimate your dog with the water and guide them through exercises to help keep them strong and comfortable.

Dogs Are Delightful at Any Age

Adjusting your care regimen to suit your senior dog’s needs isn’t a hassle when your dog is part of the family! Many people shy away from adopting senior dogs due to increased care and attention needs, but senior dogs are often mellow and full of love to give, and they deserve love to the end of their days. If you have a senior dog, share their pictures and stories with us on Facebook; find us here! 

Truly a Human’s Best Friend

I’ll never forget the day we brought Jackson home for the first time. He was just a soft, sweet, curious puppy, with a lifetime of exploration and play ahead of him. We took him on his first walk, watched him gobble up his first treats, and guided him through new tricks and tasks. There’s no doubt that he (and his brother who came later) has improved our lives immensely. Dogs light up our lives every day!

We’re not the only ones who feel this way about our dogs! In fact, studies have shown that dogs have significant positive effects on their humans’ mental and physical health. Here are just a few of the ways dogs improve our lives: 

They’re great companions.

Whether your dog is your little shadow or they prefer to be a little more independent, dogs provide us with companionship unlike any other. Humans are social creatures, and current social distancing and self-quarantine regulations are keeping many of us separated from our friends and family. Dogs have been a saving grace for many who find themselves isolated from their neighbors at this time. Even in normal situations, dogs are our best friends! Who else is ready to play or go for a walk or cuddle on the couch at a moment’s notice?

They help reduce our stress levels.

Studies from Purdue University and the University of Pennsylvania have shown that people who own dogs have significantly reduced stress levels compared to those who don’t. In fact, these studies showed that dog owners often had reduced blood pressure, more regular breathing, and a reduction in body tension--in short, dog owners showed less of the negative health conditions brought about by excess stress. Don’t forget that playing with your dog can also help increase your serotonin and dopamine levels. Pure happiness!

They encourage you to exercise regularly.

Dogs are active creatures! The distant descendants of wolves, running, playing, and tracking are in their nature. They need physical stimulation to keep their mental and physical health intact. Many of your dog’s activities also include physical exercise for you, too! There are so many fun activities to try with your dog in the summer months. Try going for a long hike on a trail, or bring them with you for a dip in the pool. Even a game of frisbee in the backyard is a great way for both of you to get some fresh air and exercise.

Dog parents know that daily life is significantly improved when you have a dog by your side. Dogs are incredibly intuitive; they know how to cheer us up when we’re down, and they’re eager to celebrate our happy days with us. Has your dog improved your life? Tell us your story on Facebook. To give your dog the wholesome, human-grade nutrition they need to keep them going, visit the Pawsitively Pure Dog Food shop here. 

“Eat your veggies” is a commonly uttered phrase at the dinner table, but is it one you should be uttering to your dog? As you know, our Beef & Vegetables, Chicken & Vegetables, and Turkey & Vegetables dog foods wouldn’t be the same without the vegetables. We use cooked carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes in each of our wholesome and delicious dog food flavors. Today, we want to focus on carrots.

You and I know carrots as tasty orange root vegetables that are delicious and slightly sweet when raw or cooked. If your dog has a hankering for carrots too, there’s good news! Carrots safe for our furry friends and even offer a number of nutritional benefits, including: 

• Plenty of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is the nutrient in carrots that helps maintain our vision, and it offers the same benefits to dogs! Furthermore, vitamin A is essential for your dog’s skin, coat, muscles, and nerves, according to the National Animal Supplement Council. If your dog has a vitamin A deficiency, they note, they may become night blind, and/or have deteriorating quality of skin and coat. 

• Lots of potassium. Potassium is essential for maintaining a lot of your dog’s organ functions, including the heart, the kidneys, and the muscles. A dog lacking potassium in its diet may experience stomach issues, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, and general weakness and lack of energy.

• Nutritional fiber. Fiber isn’t the most exciting nutrient to talk about, but we all know how important it is. Fiber helps keep your dog’s digestive system working smoothly, helping to prevent constipation and diarrhea. Keeping our dogs safe and comfortable is our top priority. Including fiber with an ingredient like carrots is a much healthier option than the “cellulose” you may see in commercial dog foods. Often, this ingredient is made from shredded paper. 

We include responsibly-sourced carrots in our human-grade dog food as a great source of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber for your dog. We want you and your dog to live long, healthy lives together. For more healthy tips for you and your dog, be sure to follow us on Instagram. Shop for dog food, treats, and bone broth!

The last few months have been unprecedented, to say the least. Everyone’s top priority is health and safety as we attempt to navigate the world in the midst of a pandemic. In response, Florida government officials introduced a stay-at-home order and many businesses closed temporarily. Pet food stores were listed as essential by Governor DeSantis, but still, many people preferred to stay in the safety of their homes to isolate themselves from potential infection.

During this chaotic time, Pawsitively Pure has remained dedicated to providing good nutrition for dogs all around the country. We continue to offer free doorstep delivery to dog moms and dads in Florida so that you can give your dogs the best of the best while still maintaining your health and safety.

Online shopping has been a great tool for people who wish to keep their distance for health reasons. Carole at Pawsitively Pure has her online shelves fully stocked and ready to send food, treats, and bone broth to happy, healthy dogs when they need them. We also participate in the weekly Orlando Makers Online market, where wonderful vendors from around Orlando offer their wares in a safe setting. 

We can’t wait until our favorite farmers’ markets and events can reopen safely for everyone, but until then, we want you to stay safe and healthy! Take your dog for lots of walks and enjoy some sunshine together in the back yard. When you need food, treats, or bone broth for your dogs, click here to visit Pawsitively Pure Dog Food’s online shop.

Once again, we’re starting to feel the heat of a true Florida Summer! If you’re anything like us, you’ve been spending a lot of time over the last few months taking your dog on long hikes and trail walks to pass the time in quarantine. Walking is wonderful physical and mental exercise for both you and your dog. Now that the temperatures are rising, however, you’ll need to take extra care to keep your dog’s paws safe and comfortable during your journeys.

Unfortunately, some pet owners may be oblivious to the fact that summertime walking surfaces can get too hot for your dog’s comfort. Luckily for them, we have this handy list of tips to protect those precious paws: 

• Do the 10-second check. As a rule of thumb, if the sidewalk or pavement is too hot for you to keep your hand on it for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. Often, we don’t recognize how hot the sidewalk is on a summer day since our feet are protected by shoes. When you get down to your dog’s height, you can get a better gauge on how comfortable and safe the surface is.

• Avoid asphalt, tarmac, and similar surfaces at all costs. If you think the sidewalk is hot, there’s a very good chance that the road is scorching! Dark surfaces absorb much more heat than light surfaces, so during the summer, tarmac and asphalt are no-gos. Letting your dog walk on surfaces that are too hot can cause blisters and sores that make it uncomfortable to walk and even dangerous for your dog’s health.

• Try to find wooded or shaded areas during the hottest months. Going off road is always helpful, and you’ll probably have a lot of fun discovering a new trail. Dirt paths will be softer to the touch than concrete surfaces. Just keep an eye out for biting insects and sharp hitchhikers that may get lodged in your dog’s paws.

• Protect their paw pads with soothing paw balm. Many dog parents use our paw balm for wintertime use, but it’s just as handy in the summer. After your walk, you can smooth some paw balm on their paw pads and between the toes to moisturize, soothe, and protect. Our dogs love getting paw balm after their baths. It’s packed with organic ingredients that help to kill harmful bacteria and keep paws soft!

We love spending time with our dogs, and we’re sure you do too! If you’re spending lots of extra time with your dog, be sure to keep their paw pads safe and comfortable so that you can continue to go on adventures all summer long. To learn more about our organic paw balm for dogs and other great pet products, browse our website.