Pet Health & Wellness

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PET HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Spring Canadian Pet Expo Canada’s largest family pet event April 15th to 17th, 2022 canadianpetexpo.ca

Q&A WITH STEVE-O:

Pet Adoption, Animal Love, and Tips for Pet Parents

PHOTO CREDIT: JON PREMOSCH

Mediaplanet chatted with entertainer and TV personality Steve-O, who’s a longtime animal rights activist and vegan, about his adopted pup Wendy, his love for animals, and his advice for fellow pet owners.

From street dog to co-star, Wendy is your forever friend. Can you describe the journey of meeting her?

I found Wendy in the streets of Peru, and one of the first things I saw her do was eat poop out of a dirty diaper. I’m pretty sure that would be a major turn-off for most people, but it didn’t bother me a bit! Wendy ended up following me everywhere I went, and we developed a bond quickly. It took me very little time to know that I was going to figure out how to bring her home with me, and she’s gone just about everywhere with me ever since.

What was your experience like bringing home an adopted dog?

Not all dogs are going to feel safe and comfortable in a new home, especially if they’ve been abused. Fortunately for me, Wendy immediately got along with all of our other animals, and felt perfectly safe and comfortable from the start.

How has Wendy impacted your life and your love for animals?

I don’t know that Wendy has changed the way I feel about

animals overall, but I think it’s safe to say that I love her more than any creature that has ever lived. And that’s not hyperbole — I really do love her so much that it feels as though my heart is outside of my body.

What are your favourite activities to do with Wendy?

I love it the most when Wendy plays with other dogs. Pretty much every time I see her do that, I record a video of it and send it to my fiancée, Lux, because she loves it as much as I do.

Do you have any advice to share with pet owners looking to enhance the health and wellness of their pets?

Of course it’s important to let your pets know that they’re loved and cared for, but I think the advice most pet owners would benefit from is to avoid over-feeding them. It’s easy to think that giving your pet treats is the best way to show them love, but you can do real harm by over-feeding them.

Check out steveo.com/wendy to learn more about Steve and Wendy’s story.

Working Like a Dog — The Famous and Philanthropic Life of Doug the Pug For internet sensation Doug the Pug, spreading joy is part of his DNA. Learn about his efforts to better the lives of children battling lifethreatening illnesses through the Doug the Pug Foundation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUG THE PUG TEAM

With your busy schedule as an internet sensation, what helps you stay active?

I like to go on two short walks a day! My pet friends come over and we play, and a big way I stay active is chasing my cat siblings away from my meals.

Visit dougthepug foundation.org to learn more about Doug the Pug and the Foundation.

Tell us about the Doug the Pug Foundation and what prompted you to start this mission.

Doug the Pug Foundation helps children battling cancer and other

life-threatening illnesses. We raise money for these children and their families and are also beginning initiatives to raise money for therapy dog expenses. When I started visiting children’s hospitals to spread joy, I quickly realized that with my platform, I could do a lot to bring even more smiles to these sweet kids.

Do you have any tips and tricks for pet owners looking to support their furry friends’ health and well-being?

Our diet is super, super important! Always get the highest quality food if you can. Activity and daily walks, not to mention sunshine and laying on the earth, are also amazing.

The most important thing is getting and giving a lot of love because happiness makes my tail wag.

Strategic Account Manager: Sierra Nardella Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF NUTRIENCE

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Nut r ience SubZ ero combine s protein-rich kibble and freeze-dried NUTRIBOOST to deliver the nutritional benefits of a raw diet in a convenient and easy-to-use recipe.

Our formulations are prepared with fresh, never-frozen Canadian sources of meat, poultry, Pacific wild-caught fish, and real freeze-dried protein.

Nutrience Infusion is a simple recipe of fresh Canadian protein and healthy grains, infused with freeze-dried chicken liver for a superior flavour your pet will crave.

Are You Sure Your Pet Is Eating a Healthy, Nutritious Diet?

Grain Free is made from multiple sources of meat combined with healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and botanicals. Grains are replaced with lentils and sweet potatoes — ideal for pets with food sensitivities.

Feeding your pet a nutritious diet with ingredients sourced from world-class Canadian growers will keep them in optimal health. at the core of Nutrience’s philosophy for over 30 years and continues to drive its innovation.

We proudly make our foods right here in Canada and source directly from Canadian farmers, ranchers, and fishers to offer Canadian pets high-quality foods that nourish a healthy lifestyle.

Formulations are available with or without grains for all breeds, life stages, and nutritional needs.

Made with pride in Canada Nutrience took its name from the words “science” and “nutrient,” the latter coming from the Latin word “nutriens,” meaning to nourish or feed. Proper nourishment has been

CARE features specialized formulations to address the specific health needs of dogs and cats. It’s made with clinically-proven ingredients and without corn, wheat, or soy.

Over a quarter-century ago, Nutrience developed an uncomplicated pet food using simple, wholesome ingredients. Not much has changed since.

Good-quality ingredients and value remain at the heart of the line.

Raw-inspired and showcasing our country’s fresh, high-quality ingredients, we air dry these foods at low temperatures to preserve all the nutrients and flavours that our ingredients have to offer. Each bag contains 92 percent fresh meat, fish, and organs.

Whether used as a training treat or served as a topper or complete meal, it's the perfect addition to any diet.

Visit nutrience.com to discover Nutrience’s range of high-quality pet food formulas.

This article was sponsored by Nutrience.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATIT

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ogs and cats don’t choose their owners. They don’t care about the house we live in, our age, or our social status. They're just happy with the luck of the draw and they’re the only creatures on earth who love us more than they love themselves.

The unconditional love of our pets was the only inspiration we needed to create a food that returns that love — a food as pure and natural as the country it comes from.

5 Important Reasons Why Your Cat Needs a Catit Fountain Having your cat drink plenty of water is an absolute must, and here’s a clever way to ensure they do.

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rinking water regularly is important for your cat’s health as it helps prevent urinary tract diseases, which are common health issues for cats. Luckily, drinking fountains can encourage your cat to consume more water.

Here are five reasons why your cat needs a drinking fountain:

1

Most cats don’t drink enough water on their own Many cats don’t have the instinct to drink much because in the wild, they get most of the moisture they need from consuming prey. Indoor cats can’t hunt birds or rodents and are often on a dry food diet.

This means they need to consume water regularly to avoid dehydration.

2

Water is vital for your cat’s health Staying hydrated is key to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases.

When cats don’t drink enough water, the minerals in their urine start to crystallize and form stones, which can severely endanger your feline’s health. The filters inside Catit drinking fountains remove excess calcium and magnesium from the water before it can be consumed by your cat, helping to prevent bladder and kidney problems even further.

3

Cats have trouble seeing the water level in a bowl

Most cat owners use stainless steel drinking bowls for their cats, but have you ever noticed how hard it is to spot the water level inside? Even though cats have great eyesight, they possess an even keener sense of hearing. This means that the sound of running water draws your curious cat’s attention. This is one of the reasons why Catit drinking fountains offer multiple water flow settings. Even the pickiest cats love them!

4

Cats love running water In nature, standing water is a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that could make a cat violently ill. Running water, on the other hand, is much safer, which is why many domestic cats still prefer drinking from water streams. In addition to attracting your cat with running water, all Catit drinking fountains feature a filter that removes odours, impurities, calcium, and magnesium.

The Catit PIXI Smart Fountain even houses a UVC sterilizer that kills up to 99.7 percent of bacteria and viruses.

Your cat’s drinking water has never been this fresh!

5

Cats don’t like their whiskers to be touched A cat’s whiskers are incredibly sensitive and provide your feline with information about the space around them. Some cats suffer from whisker stress, which means they hate it when their whiskers touch a surface — like the sides of a water bowl — for no good reason.

Thanks to the clever design of Catit drinking fountains, your cat’s whiskers remain untouched for a comfortable, stress-free drinking experience.

Visit catit.ca to learn more and get your kitty a Catit drinking fountain.

This article was sponsored by Catit.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF GREY WOLF ANIMAL HEALTH

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If Your Pet Has Behavioural Issues, You're Not Alone — and There's Help Stress and anxiety are incredibly common in pets, and they can lead to “bad” behaviour — but the solutions are within easy reach.

Tania Amardeil

W Dr. Colleen Wilson Animal Behaviour Specialist & Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

hat causes fear and anxiety in companion animals?

Some com mon a nswers mig ht pop to mind: fireworks and thunderstorms, separation anxiety, travelling, boarding and kennelling, holidays and parties, and vet visits and grooming.

But fear and anxiety are everyday occurrences for many cats and dogs — not just special occasions. Daily stressors that pet owners may think their fur babies have habituated to — but which may actually still be causing untold amounts of stress — include t he do or b el l r i n ging, mail getting dropped through t he m a i l slot , and loud noises like car horns or alarms.

When pets are stressed, it might seem like they're “misbehav ing.”

W h a t ’s a p e t parent to do?

Understanding the problem

and aggressive displays, and with cats they might show growling, hissing, and even urinating in the home,” says Dr. Colleen Wilson, Animal Behaviour Specialist and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. “But it’s important to note that these aren't ‘bad’ behaviours — just dog behaviours and cat behaviours.”

The underlying emotions behind many of these behaviours are fear, anxiety, and sometimes pure panic, Dr. Wilson explains. “Plus, people often miss the more subtle signs of anxiety — like dogs turning t heir head away, blinking, and licking their lips, or cats that hide, don’t want to interact, or seem stiff,” she adds.

Common behavioural problems in dogs often look like growling, biting, and aggressive displays, and with cats they might show growling, hissing, and even urinating in the home.

Recent studies have found that 95 percent of cats and 85 percent of dogs have behavioural problems, and in some cases the pandemic has made things worse thanks to the extended isolation and lack of pet socialization.

Addressing pets’ fear, anxiety, and stress is doable — but it starts with thoroughly understanding the issue and knowing the signs to watch for, including the not-so-obvious ones.

“Common behavioural problems in dogs often look like growling, biting,

Catching the early signs

When pet parents miss the early, subtle signs of f e a r, a n x i e t y, and stress, minor behavioural issues can escalate — and that can be disastrous. “Behaviour compla ints are the number one reason that people relinquish their animals, whether they give the pet away, euthanize, or send the pet to a shelter,” says Dr. Wilson.

Being aware of what to watch for is essential, although often the signs are quite in-your-face. Tara Kasik noticed that her rescue dog Chiquito wasn’t himself after a period of extended stress. “We were living in Peru and when COVID hit, it got really rough there, with a lack of safety, food, and water,” she says. “We got extracted by the Canadian Embassy. My little guy went through weeks of pure torture.

When we got back home, I noticed a huge change in his behaviour. He was barking at everything, being standoffish, and his separation anxiety was through the roof.”

An all-natural, fast-acting solution Chiquito wasn’t acting like himself, and Tara was desperate for a solution.

Fortunately, she soon found one — an all-natural behaviour supplement, VetriScience® Composure™ Pro, from Grey Wolf Animal Health, a Canadian specialty animal health company.

Composure™ Pro features a powerful blend of active ingredients that work synergistically to provide cognitive and brain function support that can help promote calm behaviour. It is clinically shown to work within 30 minutes and be effective for up to four hours.

“I’ve received very positive results using Composure™ Pro,” says Dr. Wilson. “I feel at ease using it because Grey Wolf maintains high quality-control standards. The product is the only product in Canada to have Colostrum Calming Complex®, Suntheanine® L-Theanine, L-tryptophan, and thiamine (vitamin B1) together in one dose.”

Dr. Wilson explains that these ingredients hit different parts of the brain to help reduce anxiety quickly and effectively. “Composure™ Pro helps reduce worry and anxiety naturally and very safely,” she says.

Happier and calmer pets “We tried Composure™ Pro and it worked wonders,” says Tara. “Chiquito is way cuddlier now and seems like a much happier dog. Now when he sees another dog on our walks, he’s happy and excited. He’s more relaxed and less on edge. And he enjoys the taste, which is great.”

Dr. Wilson notes that addressing pet stress should begin with teaching the pet what you want them to know, using current positive-based training methods, and ensuring that there are no underlying medical conditions present, and that nutraceuticals like Composure™ Pro can also be an essential part of the solution.

If your pet is experiencing behaviour concerns, ask your vet about Composure™ Pro and learn more at my.greywolf ah.com/ composure-pro.

This article was sponsored by Grey Wolf Animal Health.

Raw, Natural Foods Are the Key to Optimal Health for Your Dog or Cat A raw food diet could transform your pet’s health, but it’s important to opt for a nutritionally-sound, balanced option.

M

Tania Amardeil

This article was sponsored by Big Country Raw.

The transformational power of raw For Geraldine Brouwer, co-owner of the raw pet food manufacturer and supplier Big Country Raw, the idea of a raw food diet initially came from a fellow pet owner’s recommendation. The Brouwers wanted to breed Bernese Mountain Dogs, but their own Bernese puppy was having allergies and other health issues. “Once we started feeding her a raw diet, her health just transformed,” says Brouwer.

She and her husband Rob began breeding dogs and offering to make nutritious raw food for the growing pup-

pies as they headed off to their new homes.

Taking pet nutrition seriously Demand for the Brouwers’ homemade pet food grew, and in 2012 they officially set up shop with the launch of Big Country Raw and a commitment to produce high-quality, affordable, and safe raw pet food.

All Big Country Raw recipes are formulated by the company’s in-house agronomist and nutritionist, and include balanced ratios of all macro and micronutrients as well as amino and fatty acids. The proudly Canadian company also sources all of its ingredients, and makes everything in its own facility.

Benefits of a raw food diet include reduced ear infections, shiny coats, stronger immune systems, reduced doggie breath, more energy, and smaller poops. The recipes are crafted with great care and come in eco-friendly, recyclable paperboard packaging. After all, your furry friend deserves the best.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BIGBARTOK

Visit bigcountryraw.ca to learn more about making the switch to a raw food diet for your pet.

any modern pet parents consider our dogs and cats to be bona fide members of our families, and go to considerable lengths to ensure their health and well-being. Even if you’re not investing in doggy daycare, kitty spas, or a pet psychologist (yes, it’s a thing), you likely strive to give your pet the best. But have you considered their diet?

One area that’s gaining traction among health-conscious pet owners is raw pet food.

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National Pet Food Bank Program Fills the Bellies of Pets in Need Companion animals are often amongst the hardest hit during tough financial times — with owners unable to provide basic needs.

Newly funded pet food assistance programs are here to help.

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umane Canada® recently launched its National Pet Food Bank Program in response to the growing need to support those who are struggling to feed their pets because of financial hardship. “My dog is my child, and I would feel devastated if I couldn’t even provide the basics like shelter and food,” says Kathatina, a concerned pet guardian. Sadly, this is a reality that an increasing number of Canadians are facing today.

To address the issue, Humane Canada started by convening a National Taskforce to develop a framework and strategy, and in 2021, in partnership with donors and funders like PetSmart Charities®, over $80,000 was granted to existing pet food assistance programs across the country. This funding will ensure thousands of companion animals can now stay with their families instead of being surrendered to shelters, or worse, abandoned to an unknown fate.

Historically, pet food banking in Canada has been inconsistently offered by some human food banks, animal welfare groups, and shelters.

Moving forward, Humane Canada plans to provide a sustainable national model with an exciting plan to increase the resources available to help people feed their animals and reduce the burden on shelters that frequently see surrender rates increase when financial times are tough.

“Nothing is harder than the desperation and sadness of someone forced to give up a pet, when they simply have no financial means to care for them” says Tara Hellewell, Director of National

Engagement at Humane Canada and former Executive Director at Central Alberta Humane Society. “Shelters do their best to support pet owners but it’s really challenging. That’s why a national framework with effective tools to support new and existing pet food banks, is so important. No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pet.”

The program has already seen tremendous success in year one with examples of growing partnerships and accessibility to pet food assistance. In Ontario, Lincoln County Humane Society was able to double their grant when Mars, maker of PEDIGREE®, Royal Canin®, and NUTRO™, graciously turned a $3,500 purchase of two skids of food into a much larger 14 skids of food contribution.

“Pets are part of our families and bring so much to our lives — this has never been more evident than throughout this ongoing pandemic,” says Suzanna Dalrymple, General Manager at Mars Pet Nutrition Canada. “That’s why we’re so pleased to support Lincoln County Humane Society (LCHS) and help those pet parents in need with access to food.”

LCHS has blown past their original goal to provide food to 120 families across Niagara, Ont., and can now help so many more families thanks to this program and partner assistance.

With continued financial support from donors and PetSmart Charities®, the National Pet Food Bank Program is the first of its kind in Canada and includes plans for tools like an interactive national pet food bank map which aims to connect groups and

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUIGI RECINE

Humane Canada

No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pet.

Learn more at humane canada.ca/ national-petfood-bank about how you can help Humane Canada® to keep families and pets together during financial hardship.

This article was sponsored by Humane Canada.

networks across the country to reduce barriers to pet food accessibility in rural, Indigenous, and other communities with little to no access to pet food assistance programs.

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