Featured

How to get your picky eater dog to eat without extra work

If you are reading this post you want to know how to get your picky eater dog (or cat) to eat without extra work for you.  You may have a dog or cat that is a picky eater or you know someone that does.  It is fairly common and as pet owners we may not know where to turn.  Your concerns may be that you have a thousand things going through your head as to why your pet is not eating or you are unsure what to do.  Some people may have said to you “if they are hungry, they will eat” but you are more concerned about your pet’s health and nutrition needs.  Read on there is hope.

Potential Causes:

Causes may range from A – Z or be as simple as your pet is tired of eating the same thing everyday.  I would be too.

Health – make sure your pet does not have any medical issues that may be the cause of them not eating.  If your pet is experiencing any medical issues, a vet visit is necessary.

  • Dental – your pup may be unable to eat due to a tooth issue, gum problem, or mouth sore.  Check to make sure this is not the case.
  • Eye problems.  Yes, due to the placement of the eye, the jawbone will cause pressure on the eye area.  This may make eating painful.   My dog Coco, who is a Labrador mix, in the 10 years we had her, never refused to eat until one day.  Long story short she had a tumor in her eye that caused the eye pressure to rise so it was painful for her to chew.
  • Age – perhaps your senior is losing their sense of smell or taste as they age.
  • Recent illness or medications.

Food:

  • Food quality.  Low or poor quality food is a very common reason dogs will refuse to eat.  Many low quality foods have fillers and insufficient meat products to make it appealing to the dog.
  • Spoiled Food.  Did you know that dog or cat food can spoil quickly because the the method of storage?  I would by the large bag of food, bring it home and dump it in a large plastic container. The container had a rubber seal, so I thought the food was protected.  But, little did I know that the food degrades each time the container is opened and can easily spoil.  I didn’t know that until I was researching, and yes I made this mistake too.  Below is a picture of the best method to store your pet food.  Keep the food in the bag with a clip or a resealable bag, place food bags into your plastic container.Picky eater dog food storage
  • Overweight.  In a 2017 study by Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of cats and 54% of dogs are overweight.  Being overweight will have a detrimental effect on your pet’s overall health.
  • Bad habits – like too many treats or snacking from the table.

Other:

  • New environment or routine.  Has anything changed with your household?  Did you recently move into another house (congratulations), or did you move your pet’s items to a different area?  Has something changed with their routine?  Perhaps a new addition to the household or your schedule has changed.  Any of these can affect your pet and their appetite.
  • Behavioral – pets are smart and will quickly pick up on begging for treats or your food.
  • Multi-pet household – food aggression or fear to eat the food.  Take note of any behavior in this area so that you can address the problem and make your pet feel safe so they are comfortable to eat.

Common Suggestions:

Below are some common suggestions you may find on the internet or hear from others.

  • Change food or flavor
  • Switch to wet or vice versa
  • Add other food items to their bowl
  • Schedule (eat the same time/place everyday)
  • No table scraps
  • Offer for 30 minutes and remove

Options:

  • Change your pet’s food, flavor or moving to wet/dry.  The recommended method to change food is to transition for 5-7 days.  In pet food transition, you would gradually introduce your pet to the new food to help prevent rejection and tummy issues.

Transition method (based on 1 cup feeding, simply adjust for your pet’s feeding amount):

💚 Day 1 – 2
⭐ ¾ cup current food
⭐ ¼ cup new food

💚 Day 3 – 4
⭐ ½ cup current food
⭐ ½ cup new food

💚 Day 5 – 7
⭐ ¼ cup current food
⭐ ¾ cup new food

💚 Day 8
⭐ 1 cup new food

This may not be an option if your pet has a food allergy or is currently on a prescription diet.  Your pet may not like the new food, then you are out the time for transition and the money you spent on new food, but still stuck with the problem of your picky eater dog (or cat).

  • Adding other food.

You decide to try adding other food and it works, but how healthy is it, really.  In reviewing the list below note that the calories and sodium are in addition to the amounts your pet receives in their food and treats.

ProTip:  If your pet has a medical condition you should speak with your vet before adding too much sodium or calories.

  • Canned tuna (in water) offers a serving size of 2 oz, with 50 calories per serving, and has 180 mg of sodium.
  • String cheese, 1 sick has 80 calories (50 from fat), and 200 mg of sodium.
  • Chicken hot dog, 1 frank has 120 calories (70 from fat), and a whopping 620 mg of sodium.
  • Canned dog food with a serving size of .32 oz has 93.5 calories, salt (mg not stated on can), and carrageenan. First ingredient is water.
  • Popular brand topping with a serving size of 3 oz has 78 calories per pouch, and contains salt, beef flavor, and chicken broth.
  • Grain free chicken topper, with a serving size of 2 tbsp (per 20 lbs) with 45.8 calories per tbsp.
  • Table scraps may begin a cycle of poor eating habits and entices begging.  Both are difficult habits to break.  Many people foods are not appropriate for pets, so it is always best to avoid giving table scraps.
  • The worst suggestion I have seen is from an actual pet nutrition company.  Their theory is that dogs are looking for extra treats.  Their stated method is: to set the food out and if uneaten in 30 minutes to remove the food.  Do this for a day or 2 so the dog may learn to not check for extra treats.  WHAT!?  That is horrible idea.  Most vets will recommend if your pet has not eaten in 24 hours to make an appointment with them for an evaluation.

There is hope for your picky eater dog (or cat)

Would you be interested, if I told you there is a better solution for your picky eater dog (or cat) to all of the above options?

Are you ready to provide your pet with a healthy solution that is low calorie and can boost the immune system?  A solution that is also easy to use – just sprinkle on their food, can be used for both cats and dogs, with 10 different varieties, is economical, has the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) quality seal, and is delivered to your door.  Does this sound too good to be true?  Hear from a vet.

Let’s make mealtime fun for your pet, no more picky eater for you so you can relax, and no extra work.  To order your picky eater dog or cat pawPairing Superfood Seasoning now – click here.  

If you are still undecided, get a sample (one per household) to try.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

#1 Click here to enter your info and a sample will be on it’s way to your pet

#2  Try the sample with your picky eater dog (or cat)

#3  Provide me your feedback on the results of the sample.

Do You Have a Heart for Pets?

Take a Quick Look

People that are interested in pursuing pawTree as an independent consultant typically have the following basic questions:

Does it work?

  • pawTree was founded in 2014 by Roger Morgan.
  • pawTree is continuing to grow.  The pet industry is a $99B (yes, that's billion) industry.
  • Roger's commitment to uncompromising quality so pets can thrive is key.
  • The potential for growth is immense.

Can I do it?

  • YES, you can.  We have a simple 3 step process that works well.
    1. Create success through authentic conversations with pet parents to uncover any issues their pets may be facing.
    2. Share the benefits of our high quality products, developed by veterinarians and Ph.Ds in animal science and pet nutrition, that provide solutions based on their pet’s unique needs.
    3. Magnify your impact and income by empowering others to build a business doing the same.
  • Set your own hours - part time or full time.
  • Customers order online and their products are shipped directly to them.
  • No experience is needed.  Everything you need to know is in the online pawTree University.

Who will help me?

  • I will be with you to help you set goals and a vision of where you want to take your business.
  • We have an amazing team of people that are ready and willing to help.
  • Customer Service is the BEST I've seen.
  • Just remember... while you are in business for yourself, you are NOT in business by yourself.

Ready to join the pawTree Family?

Click Here

Need more information?  Let's chat.

Phone:  843-630-1124 (voice or text)

Email:  petpawlove@gmail.com

Dogs and Cats LOVE Variety

Dogs and Cats LOVE Variety

Have you ever noticed that they get bored quickly with toys.  Bring a new toy into the house and they will play with it for hours, but after a few days they don’t have much interest in the newest toy.

Did you know that the same is true with their food?  Your pets CRAVE variety in their diets just like they do with toys.  You don’t like to eat the same thing everyday and neither do they.

Maybe you’ve tried changing their food only for them to have tummy issues or refuse to eat it.  Not to mention transitioning food will take 5-7 days.  You love your pet and want to give them a change, but don’t want them throwing up, having diarrhea, bad gas, or not eating at all, so you stick with the same food.

TaDa – pawTree to the rescue

WHAT, you haven’t heard of pawTree?  pawTree is a new online pet nutrition company that offers a full line of natural and holistic pet goodies.

AND, pawTree has the ONE and ONLY sprinkle on pet food seasoning called pawTree Superfood Seasoning.  It is a delicious freeze-dried RAW protein (either meat, poultry, or fish – real food) with a concentrated source of 8 different superfoods (pumpkin, sweet potatoes, kale, tomatoes, carrots, cranberries, pomegranate, and blueberries), and a special blend of vitamins.  It is delicious and nutritious for both dog or cat.

pawTree Superfood Seasoning can be used with any pet food wet or dry and even with a prescription food.  I hear all too often a pet is put on a prescription diet and the pet won’t eat it.  This is a perfect for those pets too.

The seasoning comes in 12, YES 12, varieties to give your pet flavorful variety without tummy upset.  Get more than one bottle so you can change the flavor each day.

Still not sure – if I send you a sample, would you give me feedback on your pet’s reaction to the seasoning?

Help for Dog with Allergies

Dog with Allergies?

Do you suspect (or already know) your dog has allergies? Is your dog’s scratching, licking, chewing, or rubbing driving you (and him/her) crazy? Are you asking “What can I give my dog for allergies?”, “How can I help my dog with allergies?” or “What natural remedies are there for dog allergies?”

I was in the same place, asking the same questions because I too have a dog with allergies. While Patches is not allergy free, his maintenance plan brings him significant relief and he is now happy and healthy. What works for one dog may not work for another which is why each dog needs their own customized maintenance plan. Even if you know exactly what your dog is allergic to, take a minute to look at the information below and see if there is something you haven’t tried.

Before I share with you what I discovered researching solutions for my own dog with allergies, let me ask you: What happens if you keep doing what you are doing now for your pet?  The same thing, right?

Allergies

Common Symptoms

The Vet vs The Internet

What You Can Do

dog with allergies

Allergies  what they are and types:

An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction to a food, inhalant or contact to a particular substance, causing itchy/red skin, panting, restlessness, and skin that may be hot to the touch.

Environmental Allergies  the list is long, but here are a few:

  • Fleas, mites, animal dander, and feathers. Flea allergies can occur even when flea and tick prevention are used. Most flea and tick products do not deter the flea from biting, but kill it after it has bitten the animal. It is the flea saliva that causes an allergic reaction, much like when a mosquito bites us.
  • Fabrics, plastic, cleaning products. Many cleaning products have perfume and dyes that may cause a problem for your dog.
  • Pollen from grass, weeds, and trees. Pollen can also cause runny eyes and nose. In addition to other respiratory issues like sneezing and coughing. You may notice that your dog has allergy symptoms during certain seasons. Check the pollen count in your area, this may help uncover your dog’s allergen.

Food Allergies

Both environmental and food allergies can cause the typical allergic reaction such as scratching, licking, and chewing. Food allergies can also cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea and your dog will normally experience them year round. With the lengthy list of ingredients in dog food and treats, it is difficult to determine a food or additive allergy.  Also to note, just because a dog food or treat is labeled Salmon or Beef, that does not mean that it is poultry free.

Animal proteins (the most common are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. Most dogs are usually allergic to more than one thing.

Common Symptoms of Allergies

Identify the common symptoms of pet allergies. Food and environmental allergies tend to have the same symptoms so it can be difficult uncovering the allergen.

  • Ears may appear waxy, have discharge, redness or odor.
  • Face, muzzle, chin, and areas around the eyes are red/deep pink with hair loss.
  • Skin/Coat may appear reddened, crusts/scales, odor with secondary infections. Coat may have bald spots or brown discoloration where licking has occurred.
  • Paws may appear inflamed, red, or have brown discoloration where licking has occurred.

With the areas above your pet may scratch, lick, or rub areas with paws or against furniture or carpet.

The Vet vs The Internet

ALWAYS work with your veterinarian. Your vet has the knowledge and resources to diagnose the problem your dog is experiencing. If it is truly an allergy or a different issue. Your veterinarian can perform tests to determine environmental allergies. Unfortunately, there is no test for food allergies. An elimination diet is still the recommended approach.

The internet is good, but it is not always accurate. Just take a look at all the home remedies I tried from the internet and not one worked: apple cider vinegar rinses, oatmeal shampoos, conditioners for his super dry skin,  chamomile tea applied on his hot spots, coconut oil internal and external. Precious time and money invested and unfortunately wasted.

What You Can Do

These allergies aren’t going to magically go away, so let’s get your dog relief.

  • Wipe down your dog to get pollen off his coat. This is important as your pet will carry the pollen to other areas of the house and his bedding. Potentially inhaling, ingesting or pushing the pollen into the coat closer to the skin during grooming. A damp paper towel works well.
  • Baths – Give your dog a bath routinely. The frequency will depend on your specific dog and symptoms. This may mean daily, once or more a week, or even once monthly. Your vet (not the receptionist or vet tech – don’t get me wrong these people are very important and helpful, but I have found my vet recommends baths more frequently to control allergies). I use and recommend a medicated shampoo from your vet.
  • Clean ears – Clean your dog’s ears often. The frequency of ear cleaning will depend on your dog’s symptoms. There are natural cleaners that are gentle enough to use every day. Use one that does not contain alcohol as that may sting irritated ears. I recommend and use pawTree’s Ear Wash & Dry. It contains a soothing mix of chamomile, yucca, clove oil and calendula to both control odor and itching and soothe raw, red and greasy ears naturally.
  • Wash or wipe paws to remove grass, mud or other debris. This is also a small but important step as paws are the most common spot dogs chew. In addition, irritants and allergens under the nails can create secondary infections when your pet scratches other itchy areas.
  • Use a natural topical spray on the skin. At the first sign of irritation use a topical spray to calm the skin and get healing started. I use and highly recommend pawTree’s Skin Support Spray. It has a soothing natural ingredients so it provides immediate relief for itchy or irritated skin. It is so gentle it can be used up to 4 times a day. *Seriously, if you do nothing else in this article, use the Skin Support Spray.  Click here to see the results with Patches.
  • Wash your hands to remove potential triggers like food, oils, lotions, makeup, etc. I know, so simple, right? But, you might notice the areas that you stroke your dog are the same areas that are irritated.
  • Give Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio of 10:1. Did you know that most dog’s diet has a ratio of only 1:40 Omega-3 to Omega-6 (one Omega-3 fatty acid to 40 Omega-6 fatty acids). Omega-3 fatty acids are in either fresh wild caught fish or in different types of seaweeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. Omega-6 fatty acids are in vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil – oils that are common in most dog food diets. Omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. Salmon oil is extremely important to the overall condition of your dog’s immune system and their skin. But, not all salmon oil is the same and “wild caught” Alaskan Salmon Oil is the best quality for your dog. Why should it be “wild caught”? Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon has been feeding naturally, does not contain PCBs, is stress free, and from Alaska – a state with highly sustainable fishery practices and an environmentally clean waters. Whereas farm-raised salmon is fed fish meal, may be fed antibiotics, and are kept in fisheries that stresses the fish producing a low quality oil. I recommend and use Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil from pawTree.
  • Use separate grooming tools for your allergy dog. I know this sounds simple and easy, but here again in multiple dog households it is easy to grab another dog’s brush using it on your allergy dog (ok, yes I admit it – I have) transferring pollen, bacteria, and who knows what else to the allergy dog.
  • Vitamins and Supplements. Your dog’s immune system may be compromised from allergies, therefore, additional vitamins will be needed. Also add in natural supplements that contain herbs to help cool and calm the skin. I use and highly recommend pawTree’s Superfood Seasoning for the extra vitamins and minerals; and pawTree’s Allergy Support Plus supplements to help the body’s normal ability to combat skin-related issues associated with food and seasonal allergies.
  • Wash dog blankets, bedding, and fabric toys. Yes, you do but with what type of detergent and conditioner? Is it natural? I use and recommend Shaklee’s Fresh Laundry detergent. It is hypoallergenic, contains no phosphates or nitrates, no dyes and is fragrance free.
  • Boredom and Stress. Yes, I know, easier said than done. However, notice your dog’s behavior. Are they bored or stressed. Either way, find time to play some inside games, nosework, or walking. These help with both mental and physical exercise. You may also want to try pawTree’s Chillax to help calm your pet.  These may also help divert attention from the allergy issue for both of you.

I hope you found value in this article, if so please leave a comment.

If you would like a free customized pet nutrition plan and samples of the pawPairing Superfood Seasoning, please click the links.

The pawTree Promise and Guarantee:

Our products work, and we stand behind them. We are committed to sharing only the highest-quality food, treats and supplements that make a transformative difference in the lives of our pets … nothing less.

So, if for any reason, you are not satisfied, contact us and we promise to make it right. That’s our promise and your guarantee.

You have nothing to lose and your pets have everything to gain.

15 Healthy Pet Treats They Will Love

Are you looking for healthy pet treats?  But are disappointed that most popular pet treats are very unhealthy.  Just look at the ingredients in this popular dog treat shown below.  Meat meal, wheat flour, soy flour, corn flour, sugar, BHA (carcinogen), added color and dyes (those are for our eyes, not your dog) – yuck.

What is a pet owner to do?  You don’t want to feed your precious furbaby treats with unhealthy ingredients that could cause them to become overweight or have health problems in the future.

So you look high and low for healthy pet treats.  If you find and buy them in a local store, all excited to give them something healthy, only to have them turn up their nose at them.  Wouldn’t you be happy to see them actually enjoy a healthy treat?

Let me introduce you to healthy treats that your pet will love.  I am so happy to tell you that the variety is also the ingredients.  Healthy treats with no preservatives, no fillers, no coloring, and grain free.   Real meat as the first ingredient with complementary fruits and vegetables.

Look at the variety of choices you have:
  1.  Freeze-Dried Medallions for Dogs & Cats in the following varieties:
    • Beef, Sweet Potatoes, Peas & Carrots
    • Turkey, Apples & Cinnamon
    • Duck & Mango
    • Chicken, Mango & Kale
    • Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans & Cranberries
    • Chicken Liver & Ginger
    • Beef Liver & Kale
    • Chicken, Apples & Kale
  2. Freeze-Dried Liver for Dogs & Cats:
    • Chicken Liver
    • Beef Liver
  3. Dry-Roasted Strips for Dogs & Cats in the following varieties:
    • Chicken, Pumpkin & Cinnamon
    • Duck & Orange
    • Turkey & Papaya
  4. Freeze-Dried Pufferz for Cats in the following varieties:
    • Salmon & Cranberries
    • Whitefish, Cranberries & Kale

Are you surprised with the large variety and the healthy ingredients?

As an added bonus, if you have a pet with allergies, now you have a large selection of healthy treats that may fit into your pet’s nutrition plan.

To check out these yummy treats:  click here.

If you have any questions, please send me an email.

Coconut Oil for Your Dog’s Skin

Coconut Oil for Your Dog’s Skin.

Are you looking for relief from your dog’s itchy skin or hot spots and wonder if coconut oil for your dog’s skin is the solution?  Coconut oil is good for many things, but what about your dog’s skin?  I use coconut oil for my dogs.  I put a tablespoon in their food occasionally.  As with any oil you add to your pet’s food, you will need to start gradually as too much can cause tummy issues.

Meet Patches, my allergy dog.  The picture below is now that we have found a maintenance program that works well for him.  He had no energy, was too thin, and miserable from his allergies.

Patches

While I was searching for natural remedies for Patches and his red, itchy skin, I found numerous recommendations on the use of coconut oil.  Both internal and external use.  And, yes, I tried them because I was desperate to find this pooch relief for his allergies.

Is there scientific proof on coconut oil use for your dog?

Below is an article extract on coconut oil from the AKC Website.
  • According to Dr. Kathy Boehme at the Drake Center for Veterinary Care in California, while coconut oil has beneficial topical uses, it’s not the cure-all some believe it is. Before you make the decision to use it for whatever ails your dog, talk to your vet and take into account that there have been no credible studies proving that coconut oil aids in thyroid dysfunction, weight loss, gum and teeth diseases, or cancer prevention.
  • Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t provide the daily fat requirements your dog needs. The acids in MCTs don’t have enough omega-6 and omega-3 acids, and what it does contain isn’t processed very efficiently. As for claims that MCTs protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while the lauric acid in MCTs does kill germs in lab tests, there is no clear evidence that it can be used in great enough quantities to offer dogs much protection.

Maybe you have already tried the coconut oil with no relief and experienced the same problems above.   Maybe you have already tried other home remedies again with no relief and more wasted time and money.  So what to do?

Here is why I do not use coconut oil externally:

  • I don’t know about your dogs, but all of mine LOVE the taste of coconut oil. Patches would lick it off.  Wow, that’s not much help if a dog is continuing to lick and removing what was supposed to help his skin.  Then I was worried about additional licking that would not normally occur.
  • Attracts insects – oh no.  Yes, pesky little buggy boos.  An allergy pup does not need more bugs after them.
  • Coconut oil makes a greasy coat and anything else your pup touches.  Keeping an allergy pup clean is time-consuming.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t need more baths for him and trying to run around the house cleaning coconut oil off where he may have touched or laid.
  • Hard to wash off – yuck!
  • Dust, pollen, and dirt stick to the oil.  With an allergy pup, you sure don’t need things they may be allergic to sticking to their fur for them to inhale or ingest.

A natural, easy to use solution:

I found an all natural product to help Patches with his hot, red, itchy skin.  Look at these before and after pictures:

no coconut oil

After years of searching for something to heal and soothe his skin – there it was.  Seriously look at these pictures again.  An easy to use spray that smells great and works so quickly.  I have to be honest with you – it would have worked sooner, if I had applied the spray more than once a day.  Yes, it is so natural that you can use is up to 4 times a day.  What if I told you the product only cost $19.99? Imagine a product that cost so little and can give immediate relief and begin healing.

What happens if you keep doing what you are doing now for your pet?  The same thing, right?

If you are like me, I was miserable and so was my pup.

Are you tired of your dog scratching and licking, or you trying other remedies that don’t work.  How much money have use spent?  There are many testimonies about the pawTree Skin Support Spray.  Click here to read them.   There is a 90 day, money back guarantee so you can relax.

If you would like more information about this product, a free pet profile, or how to get free shipping please click here.

Or if you are ready to order, click here and search for Skin Support.