NutriSource Blogs

Kittens love to pounce, chase and bite. These actions appear to originate from their predatory instincts. But these behaviors are important to kitten development, and they help with coordination, bite inhibition as well as social skills.

In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect during their growth and development, followed by a troubleshooting guide to some of the most problematic kitten behaviors, like biting, clawing, and peeing outside the litter box.

Do you have a shadow that follows you everywhere, one with four legs, a furry face, and a wagging tail? Dogs are famous for following their humans from room to room. They’ll even take the trouble to relocate their napping spot. So why do dogs follow us everywhere? Here are a couple of possible reasons:
In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect during their growth and development, followed by a troubleshooting guide to some of the most problematic kitten behaviors, like biting, clawing, and peeing outside the litter box.

Dogs live their lives low to the ground, and that means their faces are close to everything: grass, backyard creatures, furniture, their human’s legs and feet, the robo-vac. The whiskers that poke out from the dog’s muzzle, the sides of the face, and above the eyes do a lot to help your dog get around their world.

Whiskers are connected to highly sensitive nerve endings, guiding their movements, keeping them from getting bumped or poked, and helping them process their surroundings.

Is kitty craving what you’re having? Before you share, make sure it’s safe. Keep this list handy and be aware of processed foods that have toxic ingredients so you know what’s safe for kitty to snack on.

Anal glands — not a topic you were expecting to research when your dog joined your family, right? But these little oval-shaped sacs on either side of your dog’s anus can become impacted or even infected, causing pain and discomfort, while making your furry friend smell awful as if they were rolling in rotten fish.

When your dog’s breath is strong enough to melt paint, dental issues — including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections — can be a root cause. Because dental issues are prevalent in dogs — some 80% of dogs age 3 and older develop a periodontal disorder — being proactive in the matters of tooth and gum health is a smart thing for pet parents to do.

When we decide to welcome a cat into our homes, we’re hoping for a great relationship. What we want is to give our feline friends the best life possible. Naturally, you wonder: Do felines bond with their humans? If so, how can you tell that it’s happened? While every cat has a different personality — some are aloof while others are purring snuggle bugs — understanding the nature of feline love can help you decode your cat’s heart.

Learn how to teach a dog to roll over with this step-by-step guide from NutriSource Pet Foods.

A professional trainer explains how to potty train a puppy

As you practice rotational feeding, you’re probably focused on making sure your dog is getting a full slate of animal proteins. You might serve a chicken recipe one day (or week, depending on how many bags of food you like to rotate at a time), and a salmon recipe the next. But if your dog is feeling hot or chilly, you can also use the theories of food energetics as a guide to see if that provides some relief.

Your trusty bag of kibble has a lot of good stuff to help your dog build a healthy body (especially if you’re sticking to a high-quality brand). But if you’re looking to round out your dog’s diet, incorporating wet entrees into the rotation is good for dogs. Carton (Tetra Pak) and canned dinners offer a hearty, savory, aroma-rich meal for your pet that makes dinnertime more enjoyable.

Death. Toxic waste. Rotten meat. Whatever colorful adjectives you use to describe your dog’s nasty-smelling breath, you know this: It’s no laughing matter. Rank, fishy dog breath cuts through the air and into your quality time together.

As a pet parent, you want to do everything possible to provide your dog with the healthy lifestyle they deserve. You buy high-quality food for overall health and wellness. You lookout for great new enrichment activities for mental stimulation. You may even have a doggy playdate lined up to keep their social skills sharp.

Why do dogs lick people? They lick because they love. Licking is normal dog behavior, and dogs do it to express their joy in seeing you walk in the door, to offer comfort when they think you’re sad, and to show their love and devotion. As long as you’re aware of germ theory, dog kisses are harmless and not a sign of anything amiss with your pet.

When your dog is having issues, like runny stools, picky eating, or itchy skin, it’s time for a gut check. Because did you know that 70% of your pet’s immune system cells reside in their gut? When you’re creating a healthy lifestyle for your furry friends, building and maintaining gut health is a natural place to start. Gut health makes a big difference in your pet’s ability to fight off infections and viruses. And it also affects how they look and smell.

Feeding guides for canines are built on one premise: Once you find a food that seems to agree with your pet, keep serving it. But that approach leaves out the benefits from rotational feeding.

What makes your dog tick? And how do you know if a dog has the potential to be a good fit with your family? A great place to start is thinking about the job the dog was bred to do. Based on the physical and personality traits of the 195 breeds recognized by the AKC, most fall under one of the seven major dog groups. These seven major dog groups are working, herding, hound, sporting, non-sporting, terrier, and toy.

Wondering which human holiday foods are safe for dogs? Keeping an eye on portion sizes, along with knowing which ingredients are safe for dogs, is how you can do it safely — and avoid a mess in the house or the yard later. Stay away from high fat foods that can irritate your dog’s gut and result in unwanted messes in the house and yard. Also, be aware of foods that are toxic and even poisonous to dogs.