Pet Nutrition | Holistic Select

Archive for the ‘Pet Nutrition’ Category

Holistic Select® Natural Pet Food Launches Online Health Tool

05.02.2011 | 09:13 am

Interactive Quiz Helps People Rate Pets’ Health and Offers Expert Advice

Holistic Select® pet food recently launched the Holistic Select Health Scale (www.petwiseparent.com/healthscale), a tool designed to help pet parents evaluate and improve the holistic health of their cats and dogs. The new tool focuses on five main areas of holistic health: nutrition, education, socialization, physical health and environment. Participants rank their pets on a scale of one to five based on the accuracy of a set of statements pertaining to each area. The fun and interactive online tool is a great way for pet parents to discover how they’re doing with respect to their pet’s whole-body health and gain valuable insight with our experts’ tips for improvement or just as a refresher. And, for a limited time only, each pet parent that completes the Holistic Select Health Scale will receive an exclusive savings offer for Holistic Select pet food.

Holistic Select enlisted a panel of experts to develop the health scale and provide tips and guidance, including:

Nutrition: Dr. Al Townshend, staff veterinarian for Holistic Select, graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. He then honed his skills in two large metropolitan small animal practices, before establishing the Eastern Shore Animal Hospital in his hometown of Chestertown, MD. He is a contributing author of Canine Sports Medicine.

Education and Training: Dr. Jake Tedaldi is the founder and primary veterinarian at Vetcall, providing mobile veterinary services throughout the greater Boston, MA area. He is a regular contributor to the Kiss 108 “Matty in the Morning” radio show, has been a featured expert on “The Pet Hour” on Sirius XM Radio and is a weekly contributor to NECN’s morning show.

Socialization: Lisa Hartman is author of Dial A Dynamite Dog: The Ultimate Field Guide to Training Your Pet. She is a recognized pet expert and dog trainer in Long Island, NY as well as South Florida. Ms. Hartman believes in a “whole dog” approach to pet ownership: dog friendly training and socialization; exercise and environmental enrichment; proper nutrition and healthcare; and, of course, plenty of love.

Physical health: Dr. Shawn Messonnier created the Acupuncture and Holistic Animal Health Care Center, in Plano, TX, which offers both conventional and alternative therapies for dogs and cats. He reaches over half a million pet owners each month as the holistic columnist for several publications, including Dog Fancy, Animal Wellness, Whole Living, and Dog World magazines. Currently Dr. Messonnier hosts his own award-winning radio show, “Dr. Shawn-The Natural Vet”, for Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius/XM.

Environment: Elena Gretch is the founder and CEO of It’s a Dog’s Life NY (itsadogslifeny.com), a dog walking and grooming service. She is certified by the Certification Counsel of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), a Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business.

“At Holistic Select, we believe proper nutrition is just the start to giving your pet a happy, healthy life,” said Emily Saunderson, Brand Manager, Holistic Select. “The health scale and experts’ tips are great resources to help guide those who are looking to pursue a more holistic approach to their pets’ well-being.”

To take the Holistic Select Health Scale quiz and receive exclusive savings^*, visit www.petwiseparent.com/healthscale.

^*while supplies last, offer valid only in the US

About Holistic Select® – Pet Food for the Pet-Wise Parent.^TM

Holistic Select, a proud member of the WellPet family of brands, is the line of pet food and snacks for the pet-wise parent. Holistic Select is built on a foundation of premium proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and is filled with a unique set of Select Actives® known as “Nature’s Power Ingredients.” This complementary blend of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients provides superior nutritional benefits and enhances the whole body health of pets. Holistic Select food and snacks have no added artificial colors, flavors or synthetic preservatives. Visit: http://www.holisticselect.com to learn more. Find Holistic Select on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/holisticselectpetfood and Twitter at http://twitter.com/holisticselect.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition

NEW! Holistic Select® Health Scale

04.22.2011 | 11:32 am

Discover our new informative tool for pet parents.

We recently launched this exciting and informative new tool to help pet parents like you gauge the holistic health of your pet. We know that nutrition is one important aspect of whole-body health for your pet and this interactive online quiz serves as a comprehensive tool for you to examine all aspects of your pet’s holistic health. The Holistic Select® Health Scale focuses on five main areas of holistic health: nutrition, education, socialization, physical health and environment. A set of statements pertaining to each area is presented and you are asked to rank your pet on a scale of one to five based on the accuracy of the statements. At the end of the quiz, you are presented with your overall score as well as access to tips from our experts in each of the five areas. And, for a limited time only, each pet parent that completes the Holistic Select Health Scale will receive an EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS OFFER* for Holistic Select pet food!

To help develop the quiz, as well as provide helpful tips for pet parents, we enlisted the following panel of experts: Dr. Al Townshend, staff veterinarian for Holistic Select; Elena Gretch, dog trainer; Dr. Jake Tedaldi, veterinarian and author; Lisa Hartman, pet expert and dog trainer; Dr. Shawn Messonnier, veterinarian, holistic columnist and radio show host.

To take the Holistic Select Health Scale quiz, visit www.petwiseparent.com/healthscale.

*To ensure receipt of our savings offer, please disable any pop-up blockers before beginning the quiz.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition

Nourishing Your New Puppy

04.22.2011 | 11:28 am

Give your puppy the nutrition he needs to succeed.

Spring is a popular time of year when people welcome new puppies into their home. Whether this is your first puppy or you are an experienced pet parent, obtaining a new puppy is a significant undertaking that necessitates considerable effort on your part to assure that your new puppy grows and develops optimally in body, mind and spirit.

In essence, puppies have the same needs as our children do in order to grow and develop into healthy, happy adults. That’s why Holistic Select^® never thinks of people with pets in their lives as “owners.” In every sense, you are a parent to your dog or cat, providing all the things necessary to nourish their body, mind and spirit.

We believe that pet-wise parenting begins with the right nutrition.

Every pet should have a natural healthy diet comprised of quality ingredients such as proteins from quality meat meals, grains, fats and carbohydrates. A puppy’s balanced diet must contain optimum levels of vitamins and minerals for the puppy to grow and develop properly. Not just adequate, but optimum natural and holistic nutrition that addresses the specific needs of the puppy is essential.

In addition to a basic diet, Holistic Select Puppy Recipes add functional food ingredients that provide added benefits. For example, all three of our Puppy Recipes – Nourish Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal; Small & Mini Breed Nourish Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal and Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb Meal & Oatmeal – contain guaranteed levels of DHA (an essential Omega 3 fatty acid) to support your puppy’s brain development.

Becoming a parent of a small & mini or large & giant breed? There are specific nutritional considerations for large and small breed puppies to aid in proper development.

Small & Mini Breeds

Many of the smaller breeds of dogs are very active, energetic pups that require lots more calories per pound than the giant breed puppies. They also require adequate levels of fiber to help regulate absorption of glucose (sugars) from the digestive tract.

The smaller breed puppies are known to be more vulnerable to a condition known as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Proper levels of fiber in the diet ensure a slow and steady absorption of glucose rather than all at once. The risk may increase if a puppy does not eat frequently during the day.

A smaller kibble size makes it easier for the puppy to eat and encourages easy ingestion of adequate amounts of food with less effort.

However, large or small, proper brain development is essential for all puppies, so adequate amounts of the essential Omega 3 fatty acid Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are needed in the diet. These levels are guaranteed in the Small & Mini Breed Nourish Puppy Health Recipe.

Large & Giant Breeds

Pet parents of large and giant breed puppies must always keep in mind that some of these breeds have a potential growth of 100 times their birth weight. For this reason, their rate of growth must be carefully controlled.

If they grow too rapidly, large and giant breed puppies are prone to developmental bone issues. For the first 10-12 months of life, these special puppies need to be fed a diet that allows for growth but also maintains a slightly lean body condition. This ensures that the developing bones are not forced to carry excess weight, which can cause stress and possibly lead to painful developmental problems.

Optimum levels and proper ratios of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are also essential to proper development.

Nutrition for these breeds should also contain essential nutrients for proper brain development. It is imperative that large and giant breed puppies receive the proper training necessary for you to maintain control of the very strong adult dog. Without optimum brain development the task of training a larger dog becomes much more difficult. Adequate levels of DHA, an essential Omega 3 fatty acid, have been shown to enhance brain development and assure optimum potential for training. DHA levels are guaranteed in Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Recipe.

Tags: Pet Nutrition

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR DOGS

03.30.2011 | 02:37 pm

Excersie is essential to help maintain a healthy weight for your dog

Exercise is essential to help maintain a healthy weight for your dog

It’s a fact of life that our dogs and cats age much faster than we do – which is why, as pet-wise parents, we are committed to giving our pets the healthiest, happiest and longest life possible. Because even subtle changes in behavior or appearance may signal the beginning of a decline in health, it’s imperative to be attuned to your pet’s health, happiness and well-being on a daily basis.

Many veterinarians today believe that obesity is the greatest health issue facing our canine companions. Like humans, obesity increases the risk of arthritis, heart and respiratory disease, diabetes, liver issues, hip and joint problems and other ailments that affect the quality and length of their lives. If you are a pet parent committed to providing your canine a long, happy and healthy life, the one most significant thing you can do to achieve that goal is to provide the exercise and nutrition that maintains an ideal body condition.

Your veterinarian can advise you more accurately as to the body conditioning score of your pet, but generally, if you can feel the ribs by lightly running your hand down the side of the chest with just slight pressure, you pet is fine. If you can’t feel the ribs, there is likely a weight problem.

The sooner you address the problem the less likely the pet will develop some of the issues mentioned earlier. So how do we get the weight off and maintain that slightly lean body condition? Here are a few steps to help.

1. Just like humans, regular exercise and proper nutrition are the key. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous, just regular and moderate. Walks to smell the roses, chasing the ball, swimming are all ideal regular exercise that also increases the bond between the pet and pet parent as does any activity shared and enjoyed together.

2. Making sure that you feed a diet appropriate for your pet and providing only enough to maintain an ideal body condition is perfect for a pet that is already at that ideal weight.

3. For the pet that is already overweight or even obese the challenge is a bit more difficult. Holistic Select has recently introduced a new Holistic Select Weight Management with Chicken Meal and Peas recipe to help pet parents achieve and maintain the proper weight and body condition of their pet.

This new and innovative chicken meal and pea recipe provides a complete and balanced diet with ideal, highly digestible protein, 30% less fat than our Radiant Adult Health recipes as well as our unique “Nature’s Select Actives” that encourage a more natural and holistic life style.

with chicken meal and pea fiber for optimal benefits for a weight challenged or less active dog

With Chicken Meal and Peas for optimal for weight challenged or less active dogs

Our unique Select Actives® include:

Glucosamine for joint health as many overweight pets already suffer from joint discomfort.

Pre- and Probiotics

Phytonutrient Power Pack that naturally provides the benefits of the natural antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables

Omega Health^® System which provides the essential Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids in guaranteed amounts and optimum ratios to enhance the immune system and enhance the skin and hair coat.

SQM Mineral System which provides highly bio-available vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy system.

In addition, Holistic Select Weight Management Recipe includes added nutrients that specifically help the pet parent reduce weight and maintain an ideal body condition.

Peas are a gluten free, highly digestible carbohydrate source with a low glycemic index.

Pea Fiber is an ideal insoluble fiber source that helps to curb appetite by making the dog feel full longer.

L-Carnitine is added and known to encourage fat metabolism and therefore help to maintain a lean body mass.

As with all of the Holistic Select recipes, a meat meal is the first ingredient, the diets are naturally preserved and there is no wheat, corn or soy in the recipe.

Holistic Select Weight Management is an ideal diet for the dedicated pet parent to consider in order to achieve and maintain an ideal body condition and encourage that long, happy and healthy life we all want for our trusted canine companions that bring so much joy to our lives every day.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet, Weight Management

Ask the Vet – April Edition

03.30.2011 | 10:24 am

This month, Dr. Al answers your questions about weight management and keeping a healthy skin and coat.

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

Q: My dog needs to lose weight. Can you suggest a daily regimen to help him get on track to a healthier weight?

There is no mystery concerning weight loss and maintaining a slightly lean body condition. That said, we all may know how to do it but doing it is another matter. We have to commit ourselves to doing the very best for our pets in order to give them the best chance for a long, happy and healthy life.

A: Regular exercise and an appropriate diet for the specific needs and the particular life stage your pet is in. Exercise should be on a regular basis and not stress the dog beyond it’s ability. Walking, chasing a ball, swimming and many other activities that you can share with your pet will encourage weight loss and at the same time, strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Generally speaking, you should be feeding less than you are now in order to lose weight. Keep in mind that we never feed amounts needed to satisfy the dog’s appetite as they will surely over-eat. Start with the feeding guide on the bag, understanding that it is merely a guide and not exact for every pet. Breed, sex, activity level, age time of the year and many other criteria make it impossible to develop a guide that works for all pets.

Weigh the dog regularly and if you need to lower the amount of food in order to get into a weight loss program you must reduce the amount of calories until your pet is slowly loosing weight. There are diets that help you achieve weight loss. Diets that satisfy the dog’s appetite while helping you to limit calories. Holistic Select^® Weight Management Recipe is such a diet. It has all of the high quality nutrition and Select Actives™ you have come to expect in the Holistic Select recipes and, at the same time, is designed to encourage weight loss. This special recipe has 30% less fat than our Chicken Meal and Rice Recipe and contains contains pea fiber to help your pet feel full longer.

Q: My long haired Dachshund has very dry hair. What may be done to bring back the sheen?

A: Feeding a diet designed with all of the essential fats necessary for a healthy skin and hair coat is the first step in a lustrous hair coat. There are certain conditions that may be affecting the diet’s ability to produce that healthy skin and hair coat.

- The humidity is generally lower in the winter and tends to encourage dryer skin and hair.
- End of summer when nature tells the body it’s time to prepare for winter and shedding as well as some scaling of the skin can occur.
- Unexpected stress such as an illness of injury can draw nutrition from the body.

In those cases and others, try a food with such as Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Recipe. This recipe, like all Holistic Select dry recipes contains our special Omega Health® Fatty Acid Blend to aid in a healthy glossy coat. As a mixer you may want to add Holistic Select Tuna, Salmon & Shrimp Canned Recipe. This delicious canned recipe contains Flaxseed for additional Omega 3 fatty acids. If you choose to supplement this diet temporarily with additional essential fats, Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are found in many supplements in pet stores and veterinary hospitals. Check with your veterinarian so that he might help you decide on the best supplement for your pet. Keep in mind that any change to the skin and hair coat is slow and can take as long as several months before you begin to see a difference.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

December Ask the Vet

11.09.2010 | 03:29 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers your questions about an English Bulldog’s eye problems and feeding wet food on a daily basis.

Q: We have an English bulldog and he is in good shape. However, his eyes are always seeping and red. We are constantly cleaning his face because of it. Is there anything to help with this? We are currently feeding him Holistic Select Duck Meal recipe. This seems to help with the hot spots he gets.

A: English Bulldogs, like many of the “flat nose breeds” can have a problem with excess tearing of the eyes. Diet rarely plays a role in causing the problem. On an English Bulldog, the nasal folds can be so large that the hair on them actually touch the eye and irritate it causing an increased in tearing. In addition, the eye lids may have problems that encourage excess tearing. Once the tearing starts it can stain the hair and be an ideal location for infection to start. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the cause of the problem.

Q: I have 2 small dogs (a Maltipoo and a terrier mix) both under 20 pounds. I have heard that I should not feed them wet food everyday, but I feed them 1/2 can of wet food and I leave the dry out for them to eat on throughout the day and I also give them some snacks throughout the day. Is this okay? Should I change my feeding schedule at all?

A: There is no problem feeding any dog a combination of canned and dry food as you have described. I would be careful to only feed enough each day to maintain a slightly lean body condition (that goes for small dogs and larger dogs as well).

Canned foods are nutritious and a great complement to dry diets. They can add variety to the diet and encourage proper nutrition in dogs that are picky eaters or having trouble maintaining adequate weight. They do contain significant calories and that should be considered when making up the daily diet.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

November Ask the Vet

10.18.2010 | 02:36 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers your questions about portion control and feeding the correct amount for your pet’s specific needs.

Q: I have a pair of two year old Greyhounds. Their weight is between 55 and 60 lbs. I feed them 1 1/2 cups of Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food morning and evening, which is a little more than you recommend. In addition to their Holistic Select dry food, they get several treats during the day, and yet they are still starving! When I let them outside I have to watch them closely so that they don’t consume their stools. They do scavenge around the yard eating sticks, acorns and droppings from the trees. What should I do?

A: In my experience, the behavior you have described is typical of a rescued greyhound. Much has developed as a result of boredom and periods of very little stimulation. Exercise is essential for these dogs. They need regular activities that stimulate their interest, both in the home and outside.

With regard to feeding, never feed to satisfy appetite, rather always feed just enough to maintain a slightly lean body mass. The Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon dry dog food is a relatively low calorie recipe (354 kcals./cup). I would suggest trying the Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Recipe dry dog food as it contains more calories (almost 400 kcals./cup)and uses three different animal protein sources which is an excellent source of calories for a dog such as a Greyhound.

Remember to transition slowly to any new diet over a week’s time.

Q: My Westie puppy is approx 6.5 lbs. I have been feeding her 1 cup of Holistic Select Nourish Puppy Health Recipe Dry Dog Food each day (1/2 morning, 1/2 evening) lately I have been adding 1/4 cup midday but she still seems ravenous at times and goes crazy while I’m getting her food ready and gobbles it up so fast. Should I feed her more? Add more feedings?

A: Feeding three times a day would seem appropriate for a young growing Westie. Always feed to maintain a lean body mass and allow for growth; never feed just to satisfy the pup’s appetite.

I would consider a Westie to be a small breed and think that the Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Nourish Puppy Health Recipe dry dog food may better suite your pup’s nutritional needs. It does have approximately 40 more calories per cup than the food you are currently feeding. If you need to feed more in order to maintain an ideal body mass and allow for growth, you can feed more than the feeding guide recommends.

Feeding guides are just that, a guide. It would be impossible to make a chart that would satisfy the needs of all small puppies. Like humans, they tend to all require a slightly different amount of the appropriate food. The guide is just a starting point. Many need less and some will need more.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

October Ask the Vet

09.24.2010 | 01:36 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers your questions about adding fiber to a dog’s diet and switching to a lower protein diet for a senior cat.

Q: I have a 5 year old active Rat Terrier that weighs 10 pounds who sometimes has problems with his anal gland. It has been recommended that I increase her fiber intake (to help firm up her stools). Which food would you recommend for my dog?

A: Chronic loose stools can alter the anal gland’s normal secretions and make it more difficult for the glands to empty naturally, resulting in what is known as impaction. As the glands fill up, they can cause discomfort, scooting and increased licking in the area. Working closely with your veterinarian to relieve the buildup of secretions and make sure there is no infection or other complication is essential.

In many cases, re-occurring impaction does respond to increased fiber content in the diet. Holistic Select® Weight Management Recipe Dry Dog Food contains increased fiber and may help the problem.

If you decide to try the Weight Management recipe, remember to transition to the new diet slowly, over a 5-7 day period in order to allow the body to easily adjust to the change.

Q: Recently at a check-up, and our vet suggested we switch our 15 year old cat over to a low-protein diet. Does Holistic Select carry a low-protein product for cats? What do you recommend?

A: There has long been a controversy over protein levels for healthy older cats. Many vets agree that as cats get older, their digestive tract becomes less efficient at digesting nutrients which is an important consideration. In addition, one of the most common conditions that ultimately takes our beloved pets is renal (kidney) failure. Protein can play a significant role in the progression of kidney disease.

It is essential that you work closely with your veterinarian to determine the over-all health of your older cat, especially, the health of the kidneys.

As long as the kidneys are functioning normally, it is essential to provide adequate protein in order to maintain sufficient lean body mass, protein synthesis and immune function. Reducing the level of protein in a healthy cat’s diet may not be the best. However, if the kidney function tests and urinalysis indicate that the kidneys are not functioning adequately reducing the protein may be appropriate. Again, working closely with your veterinarian is essential.

Just as important as the amount of protein, is the quality of the protein. It must be easily digestible by the older animal. All of the Holistic Select Feline Recipes contain highly digestible protein sources.

Adequate water consumption must also be maintained in order for proper kidney function to occur and that is critical in older cats.

Feeding canned foods, or a combination of canned and dry foods, can provide additional moisture as well as quality protein levels for the older cat.

Both the adult feline Holistic Select Recipe Dry Cat Foods and the Canned Feline Diets are ideal for a healthy senior cat.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

Sept Ask the Vet

08.17.2010 | 01:59 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers your questions about when to switch a kitten to adult food and rotating favors of canned cat food.

Q: I have a five month old kitten who has been exclusively on Holistic Select kitten dry food since we got him. When should we switch him to adult food?

A: It is generally recommended that you feed a diet designed for growth until the majority of growth has occurred. Most agree that one year of age is a appropriate time to switch to an adult diet. However, a convenient benefit of the Holistic Select® Radiant Adult & Kitten Health Chicken Meal Recipe that you have been feeding to your kitten is that it is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements for all life-stages, so you need not make a switch when your kitten becomes an adult cat.

I would also suggest that you consider adding a canned recipe to your feeding regimen, such as Holistic Select® Chicken & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food. The most common medical problems requiring pet parents take their cats to the veterinarian are urinary issues. Water consumption is essential to helping prevent the issues. An exclusive dry diet can significantly reduce the total daily water intake and encourage urinary issues. Adding, or feeding exclusively canned cat food will increase water consumption considerably and help prevent the most common urinary issues for cats.

Q: Must cats always eat the same canned food or is it okay to occasionally rotate the flavor given? If alternating, how do you transition wet food, or can you just switch over to a new one with no transition as long as you keep the dry food the same?

A: Many pet parents rotate the flavors of canned food and their cats love the variety. In my experience, if you rotate canned the flavors within the same brand, the risk of problems is minimal.

Keep in mind that there are cats that have food allergies and/or intolerances. They are not common, but they do occur. That would not be a problem with rotating recipes, but rather a particular sensitivity your cat has with one or more ingredients in a diet. If you find your cat does well on fish based diets, you could try rotating between Holistic Select® Ocean Fish & Tuna Recipe and Holistic Select® Salmon & Shrimp Recipe to keep protein sources similar in your cats diet while maintaining enough variety for her to enjoy.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

August Ask the Vet

07.12.2010 | 03:27 pm

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr Al answers questions about skin problems for a Bichon Shitzu and food recommendations for an 8 year old Chihuahua.

Q: My 4 year old Bichon Shitzu, occasionally gets small hard bumps that eventually dry up, and I try to pick them off. My pet food store told me, Bichons are known to get ’skin allergies’ from certain dog foods. Which ‘type’ of dry food, should I feed him?

A: My guess is that this is not a food allergy. You have described it as an occasional situation and as long as the dog is eating the same food the problem would exist. In addition, food allergies usually cause increased itching and scratching especially at the feet, which you did not describe.

Those little black spots could be coming from the sebaceous glands down the back. At times they can produce excess secretions that dry up on the back. I would speak to your veterinarian about a specific shampoo that helps to reduce the secretions and keep the skin clean. As far as a diet goes, I would consider a recipe designed for small breeds such as the Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Radiant Adult Health Recipe dog food.

Q: I have a chihuahua-beagle mix that is 7 and will be 8 years old soon, is that age considered a senior? What would be best to feed him?

A: Although smaller dogs are known to live longer than the larger canine breeds, that does not necessarily mean that their senior years come significantly later. While 7-8 years of age may be considered senior for a Great Dane, 10 years as a reasonable age to begin considering your Chihuahua a senior.

Of course, a lot depends on the individual pet. If your dog is beginning to slow down, gain weight, or have any symptoms of arthritis, heart disease or kidney problems, you could certainly consider it a senior and treat appropriately, including feeding Holistic Select Vitalize Senior Health Recipe Dry Dog Food. At 7-8 years of age, annual visits to your veterinarian become more important as early detection of any of these problems mentioned is essential in resolving or slowing the process in order to maintain a healthy, high quality long life for your dog.

If weight is not a problem and there are no symptoms of other problems, Holistic Select Small & Mini Breed Radiant Adult Health Recipe dog food is designed specifically for smaller breeds and contains ideal nutrients as well as additional supplement such as probiotics ( to aid in digestion and enhance the immune system), Glucosamine Hydrochloride (for joint health) and Omega fats (Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair coat, heart health and immune support).

1. My 4 year old Bichon Shitzu, occasionally gets small, hard bumps, that eventually dry up, and I try to pick them off. Pet Store told me, Bichons are known to get ’skin allergies’ from certain Dog Foods. Which ‘type’ of Dry Food, should I feed him?

My guess is that this is not a food allergy. You have described it as an occasional situation and as long as the dog is eating the same food the problem would exist. In addition, food allergies usually cause increased itching and scratching especially at the feet, which you did not describe.

As far a diet goes, I would consider a recipe designed for small breeds such as the Wellness Small Breed Adult recipe.

2. I have a chihuahua-beagle mix that is 7 and will be 8 years old soon, is that age considered a senior? What would be best to feed him?

Smaller dogs are known to live longer than the larger canine breeds, That does not necessarily mean that their senior years come significantly later. While 7-8 years of age may be considered a senior for a Great Dane, I would suspect that most would consider maybe 10 year as a reasonable age to begin considering your Chihuahua a senior.

A lot depends on the individual pet. If the dog is beginning to slow down, maybe gain weight, or have any symptoms of arthritis, heart disease or kidney problems, you could certainly consider it to be a senior and treat appropriately.

At 7-8 years of age, annual visits to your veterinarian become more important as early detection of the problems mentioned above is essential in resolving or slowing the process in order to maintain a healthy, high quality long life.

If weight is not a problem and there are no symptoms of other problems, Wellness Small Breed Adult recipe is designed specifically for smaller breeds and contains ideal nutrients as well as additional supplement such as probiotics ( to aid in digestion and enhance the immune system), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (for joint health) and Omega fats (Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and hair coat, heart health and immune support).

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet