Top 3 Dog Products That I Swear By
The top three dog-products that I swear by might surprise you.
If you are new here, then allow me to introduce you to Cody, our fur baby.
He’s a shih tzu maltese mix and going strong at the ripe age of 17 years old. (scroll for more photos!)
Unofficially, he always wins employee of the year as he is the best customer service manager our estate sales have ever known.
But officially, he also loves his mid-morning naps and absolutely cannot be bothered during the hours of 9am and 1pm.
If you’ve been here awhile, then you’ve likely seen Cody in past blog posts, on Instagram, or even gave him some scratches at a local estate sale.
As he began to age, we started to think about his quality of life with a focus on keeping him healthy and happy.
My Top 3 Products
V-Dog Dog Food & Dog Treats
Raymond and I made the switch to plant-based living several years ago and we considered introducing it to Cody as well. We started out making his dog food but realized he wasn’t getting the nutrients he needed.
We researched the (highly unregulated) dog food industry and was horrified at some of the things we learned. All that chicken, or salmon, that looked healthy on the bags were anything but that when it came to processing kibble.
Another question we pondered, “are dogs truly carnivores?” If in the wild, then yes of course. But considering their evolution to house dog, the science didn’t stand up to the notion that dogs needed to eat meat. Protein, yes, but not necessarily meat.
Enter plant-based dog food.
Our brand of choice is V-Dog.
We buy Cody the kind kibble mini-bites. We also buy him the breath bones and the wiggle biscuits. Cody has been eating V-Dog exclusively for over a year; we have noticed a massive difference in his coat, his energy, and his joints. Bye bye inflammation!
Another great brand is Wild Earth.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional .. what??
This is not yeast like you might be thinking. It is a non-active powder with a cheesy like flavor. It is popular in plant-based eating but also great for dogs!
We add a dash atop his dog food to supplement vitamin B-12 for Cody.
We will buy a shaker of it from Harris Teeter or buy in bulk from our local food market. Here is the exact product on Amazon at a slightly cheaper price.
When buying in bulk, I store it in a large glass mason jar.
Here are two other articles on the subject:
Why We Love Nooch for Dogs by Because, Animals
Nutritional Yeast for Dogs: Benefits & Uses by Great Pet Care
Coconut Water
Coconut water is like red bull for dogs! If you have a sluggish pup or one that is dehydrated then add coconut water to their food. Watch their mood and energy change instantly!
We can always tell when Cody is “on his coconut water”; he will be barking and trotting around the house looking for something to play with.
…..at….17!
Buy the small cartons and make sure you drink them within 24 hours. Once opened, they can lose their taste and electrolytes quickly.
Here are two options however we mostly buy ours from Lidl. Always buy organic!
My #1 Tip For Health
Keep it moving
While we allow Cody his nap time, we also strive to get him moving on the daily. Whether it is a walk around the neighborhood or just a ride in the car to keep him awake and alert.
Movement + engaging his senses work wonders to fight off the old man.
Tell me about your fur babies! How many do you have? How old? Any secret tips and tricks up your sleeve?
Share below in the comments!
These are products I LOVE. Some of these products are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I get a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. Thank you for your support!