Our 18 Best Lick Mat Treat Fillers
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Lick mats are an effective tool to help pets that struggle with anxiety. At NorthPoint, we’re frequently asked about lick mat fillers. Here are our top suggestions for lick mat fillers!
Frequently Asked Questions About CBD for Pets
Pet owners have been turning to CBD to promote calm and relaxation in the presence of chronic pain, anxiety, and inflammation. We are frequently asked about CBD, so we wanted to create this quick primer to answer some of your most pressing questions.
Dealing with “Frito Feet” and Yeast Overgrowth in Dogs
Have you ever cuddled up next to your dog and noticed a distinct smell coming from their feet? It’s not uncommon to notice a distinct odor, often referred to as “Frito feet,” emanating from their paws or ears. This smell is typically associated with yeast overgrowth, a common issue in dogs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of yeast overgrowth, its connection to diet, and effective remedies to alleviate discomfort. By prioritizing a healthy diet and making informed choices, we can promote our dogs’ well-being from the inside out. Let’s dive in!
Introducing fresh, whole foods to their diet can promote a healthy gut and aid the immune system in resolving yeast issues.
Understanding Yeast Overgrowth and its Odorous Effects
Yeast, a naturally occurring fungus in dogs and humans, can become problematic when it proliferates excessively. It thrives in warm, moist environments, commonly leading to the noticeable smell in our dogs’ feet and ears. Therefore, addressing yeast overgrowth involves understanding the factors contributing to its occurrence.
Causes of Yeast Overgrowth in Dogs: Environmental and Dietary Factors
Yeast overgrowth can be triggered by various environmental and dietary factors. Moisture, warmth, and certain ingredients in dog food can create an ideal breeding ground for yeast. For example, dry kibble foods contain a significant amount of starchy carbohydrates that feed bad bacteria. It’s essential to identify these factors to effectively manage and prevent further issues.
Importance of a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy dog. By prioritizing high-quality ingredients and avoiding ultra-processed foods, we can support our dog’s overall well-being. A nutritious diet strengthens the immune system and helps combat yeast overgrowth. Minimally processed foods and those lower in starchy carbohydrates can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria, boosting your dog’s immune system for long-term health.
Incorporating Fresh Foods and Supplements to Combat Yeast Overgrowth
If you suspect your dog has yeast overgrowth, dietary adjustments may be necessary. Introducing fresh, whole foods to their diet can promote a healthy gut and aid the immune system in resolving yeast issues. Supplements such as probiotics and digestive enzymes can be beneficial in restoring and maintaining optimal gut health. These supplements support a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria, aiding in the elimination of yeast overgrowth. Consult with our knowledgeable staff to find the right options for your dog.
Five Reasons Your Dog Stinks
Unpleasant odors emanating from our canine companions can be a cause of concern for dog owners. While a certain degree of odor is natural, persistent and pungent smells may indicate underlying issues that need attention. In this article, we will delve into the top five reasons behind unpleasant dog odors and provide practical remedies to address them. Let’s explore these reasons and discover effective solutions to tackle them head-on.
Reason 1: A Yeast Infection
Yeast overgrowth is a common cause of unpleasant odors in dogs. The musty, pungent scent associated with yeast is often likened to moldy bread or cheese popcorn. Yeast infections typically affect the ear canals or paws of dogs, with the latter sometimes referred to as “Frito feet” due to the similarity to corn
chips. Common signs of yeast overgrowth include smelly paws, a musty odor, excessive scratching, itchy paws, and butt scooting.
To address a yeast infection in your dog, it’s crucial to assess their diet. Ultra-processed, starch-heavy foods like dry kibble can encourage the growth of bad bacteria, allowing yeast to thrive in your pet’s body. While topical remedies such as medicated shampoos and sprays can provide temporary relief, a lasting solution requires a dietary change to prevent the recurrence of yeast overgrowth.
Reason 2: Gas Attacks
While it’s natural for dogs to pass gas, excessive or foul-smelling gas may indicate an underlying issue. Simply keeping your dog away from the trash might not be enough to control their gas. An unhealthy diet can be a significant contributor to your dog’s stinky gas. We can assist you in finding the best diet tailored to your dog’s health needs, helping alleviate the problem.
Reason 3: Bad Breath
Puppy breath can be endearing, but when bad breath sets in, it can be quite overpowering. Typically, bad breath in dogs is the result of bacterial buildup in
Poor dental health, tartar accumulation, infections, or periodontal disease can contribute to foul-smelling breath.
their mouths. Additionally, poor dental health, tartar accumulation, infections, or periodontal disease can contribute to foul-smelling breath.
Dog owners often find it challenging to maintain their dog’s dental health, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. Check out our blog post on various methods to keep your dog’s dental hygiene in check, ensuring fresh breath and overall oral health. Check out our blog post on different ways to keep your dog’s dental hygiene in check.
Reason 4: Anal Glands
Dealing with malodorous anal glands can be unpleasant. These glands are located on the sides of a dog’s rectum. Normally, healthy anal glands should not emit any odor. However, if you detect a fishy smell, it could indicate a problem with your dog’s anal glands. Symptoms such as leaking, a pungent odor, butt scooting, or signs of pain may indicate the need for expressing the anal glands, which requires a visit to your vet.
Reason 5: Lack of Grooming
Regular brushing of your dog between baths is vital for removing dirt, dead skin, and other debris trapped in their coat, effectively reducing unpleasant smells. Thorough brushing goes a long way in keeping your dog stink-free.
Grooming wipes and deodorizing sprays can also help your pet to smell fresh in between baths. Another simple trick to keeping your dog clean is to keep their bedding and toys clean. It keeps both your dog and house smelling fresh.
The Good, Better, and Best Dental Care for Your Pet
Your pet’s dental health is an important piece of their overall health and wellness. Oral disease can be caused by diet, genetics, or poor oral care. Poor dental health can lead to other ailments, which is why pet owners should learn how to care for their pet’s teeth early. As with most ailments, prevention of oral disease is key. Taking preventative steps saves you the time, stress, and money it takes to treat oral disease down the road.
Good preventative care should:
Without routine dental care at home, veterinary dental cleanings may be necessary.
- Remove tartar and plaque
- Prevent tooth decay and gum disease
- Kill harmful bacteria
- Help prevent plaque
- Freshen breath
Good: Food and Water Additives
Teef! Supplement
What it is: A very fine, tasteless, and odorless prebiotic-based powder you add to your dog’s water.
How it works: Teef! promotes healthy teeth, gums, and fresh breath by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria in the mouth.
How to use: Add Teef! powder into your pet’s water bowl.
DentaTreat Supplement
What it is: A powdered cheese enzymatic meal topper for cats and dogs.
How it works: The first four ingredients are actually dried cheeses, which aside from being super tasty, makes your pet salivate. The saliva activates the enzymes that help to break down some of the sugary starches left in your pet’s mouth after eating and helps flush out some of the bad bacteria.
How to use: Sprinkle it over your pet’s meal or spread across your pet’s teeth and gums with your finger.
*Pro Tip: Picky eaters (and kitties) LOVE the smell and taste of DentaTreat. After all, who doesn’t love cheese!?
Canine Dental Wipes
What they are: Small round medicated wipes formulated to clean your dog’s teeth and gums.
How they work: Dental wipes remove and prevent dangerous plaque, tartar, and bacteria for optimal oral health and hygiene.
How to use: Working from back to front, wipe medicated pad on the inner and outer teeth and gums. For best results, use twice daily after each meal.
NPP Pick: Nootie dental wipes
Better: Chew, Chew, Chew!
Natural or Synthetic (Dog) Chews (Nylabone, Benebone, Antlers)
What they are: Natural and/or synthetic chews designed to scrape plaque off your dog’s teeth and massage the gums. Synthetic chews (Nylabone and Benebone) have unique shapes and textures infused with flavors.
How they Work: These physically scrape off plaque and tartar and massage the gums while your dog chews on them. They will naturally wear down gradually as your dog chews.
Digestible Canine Dental Chews
What it is: A digestible chew that targets plaque and freshens breath.
How it works: Dental chews are soft enough to bend but tough enough to pull plaque and tartar as your dog chews on them. They typically contain non-toxic oils (such as rosemary, peppermint, or lemongrass) to freshen breath.
How to use: Give these to your dog once daily. They will be chewed and digested in one sitting.
NPP Pick: Merrick Fresh Kisses
Best: Diet and Routine Dental Care
Raw bones (recreational and meaty bones)
What they are: Meaty bones (such as chicken, duck, or turkey necks) are mostly meat and cartilage and will be consumed entirely. Recreational bones (beef marrow bones) have small amounts of meat/cartilage attached and will be chewed but not consumed entirely.
How they work: These physically scrape off plaque and tartar and massage the gums while your pet chews on them.
How to use them: Introduce raw bones into your pet’s diet slowly. Start with short chewing sessions that are 5-10 minutes in duration and gradually increase chewing time. Learn more about how to safely feed raw bones here.
Minimally Processed Fresh Food Diet:
What it is: A fresh food diet rich in minimally processed protein and fat from animal sources, with little to no starchy carbohydrates.
How it works: While diet will not necessarily clean your pet’s teeth, the minimal carbohydrate percentage in a raw food diet means less bacteria that cause oral disease – which is the best step you can take to prevent the growth of plaque and tartar. Raw food diets also contain natural dietary enzymes that protect the teeth and gums. Lastly, these diets do not contain harmful aflatoxins and skip the chemical compounds that put stress on your pet’s immune system.
How to use: We recommend using commercially prepared raw food items as a compliment to your pet’s diet or as a complete meal.
Regular Teeth Brushing:
This is the gold standard in preventative oral care for your pet. Leftover food particles stuck between teeth and gums are swept away with brushing motion. For maximum benefits, brush your pet’s teeth daily after meals.
How to do it: It’s best to introduce teeth brushing as a regular occurrence for your pet, so it becomes part of your daily routine. Start by using your finger to massage the teeth and gums. Once they have adjusted to your finger in their mouth, you can start using a finger brush, and then graduate to using a pet toothbrush.
Pets are unique and there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to dental hygiene. Take time to find what your pet likes and what works best for your pet’s dietary needs, genetics, and lifestyle.
An Exclusive Look At Nicci’s Research On Raw Food Safety
What’s Nicci up to these days? Nicci was recently featured in a Facebook live with Drs Nick Thompson, Brendan Clarke, and Conor Brady discussing her research on the safety of raw feeding, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and grain-free food.
Learn Why Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Are Beneficial For Pets
We know fruits and vegetables are essential for our diets, but they are also beneficial for our pets. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense, and the benefits your pets obtain from the fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and vitamins can do wonders for their health.
3 Quick Ways to Improve Dry Kibble
We all want the best for our pets, and one crucial aspect of their well-being is a nutritious diet. While dry kibble forms the foundation of many pets’ meals, there are simple yet effective ways to enhance its nutritional value. In this blog, we’ll explore three easy ways to improve a bowl of dry kibble. These enhancements not only enhance the taste but also provide numerous health benefits for your beloved companion.
Simple Additions for Any Meal
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Goat milk is another fantastic way to add hydration.
Add a Splash of Water: Dry kibble can be dehydrating for our pets, making it essential to increase their moisture intake. By adding a splash of water to your pet’s food, you’re not only improving its palatability but also aiding digestion and promoting hydration. Adequate hydration supports optimal organ function, aids in nutrient absorption, and helps maintain healthy skin and coat. Goat milk and bone broth are also fantastic ways to boost hydration. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure your cat or dog stays well-hydrated throughout the day.
- Add Fresh Food: Incorporating fresh food into your dog’s kibble provides a wealth of nutritional benefits. Vegetables like green beans, broccoli, grated carrots, leafy greens, and fruits such as blueberries and watermelon are excellent choices. These additions offer essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health, boost the immune system, and contribute to healthy aging. Fresh foods also provide natural dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting a healthy weight management for your dog.
- Add Quality Canned or Freeze-Dried Food: Supplementing dry kibble with high-quality canned or freeze-dried food offers a variety of benefits. These options often contain a higher moisture content, providing additional hydration for your pet. Moreover, they tend to have a richer flavor, enticing even the pickiest eaters. Canned or freeze-dried foods are typically made with quality ingredients, offering a balanced blend of proteins, healthy fats, and beneficial nutrients. They can enhance the taste, texture, and overall nutritional profile of your dog’s meal.
A Simple Way to Promote Overall Health
By incorporating these simple improvements, you can transform your pet’s dry kibble into a more enticing and nutritious meal. Remember, consult with your veterinarian to ensure any dietary changes align with your pet’s specific needs and health conditions. With these easy enhancements, you’re taking proactive steps towards providing your pet with a well-rounded and satisfying diet that promotes their health, happiness, and longevity.
The Tough Questions We Ask Prospective Brands
Recently a pet food company reached out to us in an attempt to earn a spot on our shelves. In response, Nicci asked a series of questions regarding the quality and safety surrounding the food. The following is a dialogue between her and a Prospective Pet Food Company. (Please note that additional information is provided for context.)
Our Team Answers Your Top 3 Questions About Pet Nutrition
At NPP, we’re passionate about the health and wellness of all your pets. Just for fun, we sat down with each team member individually and asked the same 3 questions, without sharing their answers with the rest of the team. Here are their answers!
If you could give ONE piece of advice to someone feeding kibble, what would it be?
Jenna: Add some fresh food to the bowl.
Beth: Hydrate it.
Savannah: At least hydrate it, always. Kibble is so dehydrating.
Tina: Add SOMETHING fresh.
Nikki: Feed the BEST you can afford, and always add moisture with fresh fruits and veggies.
Nicci: Add SOME fresh food to the bowl.
Caitlyn: Kibble should always be hydrated.
Adriana: Always hydrate your kibble even if it’s just something as simple as water.
Morgan: Hydrate it.
Mercedes: Hydrate it.
What ONE piece of information do you find yourself repeating most often to pet owners?
Jenna: A little bit of fresh food in the bowl goes a long way!
Beth: You’re overfeeding.
Savannah: At least consider the benefits of a raw diet.
Tina: You’re feeding too much.
Nikki: You’re feeding too much.
Nicci: Your dog isn’t allergic to chicken.
Cailtyn: Rotation of flavors/proteins is highly recommended.
Adriana: You’re overfeeding.
Morgan: You’re overfeeding.
Mercedes: Wash your food and water bowls!
What’s the #1 reason you would recommend a fresh food diet to pet owners?
Jenna: Your pet’s health will improve ten-fold by replacing any processed kibble with fresh food.
Beth: It’s the cleanest way to feed your pet.
Savannah: Because it’s so much better for them – it improves EVERYTHING for your pet.
Tina: For the same reason WE need fresh food in our diet.
Nikki: It’s healthier, for a fuller enriched life.
Nicci: Decreased inflammation.
Caitlyn: A fresh/raw diet is more biologically appropriate for dogs and cats.
Adriana: For their pet’s overall wellbeing and to tackle common health conditions.
Morgan: Fresh food benefits your pet’s whole body – starting with their organs.
Mercedes: It’s super low in carbohydrates.
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