Houdek receives SQF certification.

Symrise partners with Sunner.

Pet food experts address pet owner perceptions and other industry insights during May 1-3 conference. 

With pet product sales last year of more than CHF18 billion (US$19.2 billion) and profitability over 20%, Purina PetCare was Nestle’s second largest category. 

Is your dog a picky eater? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Although picky eating in dogs isn’t very common, it can still be a frustrating – and worrisome – experience for any pet owner.

If you’re wondering why your fur-end is being so fussy with their food, there are a few things to consider, but remaining patient is key. And, with a little creativity, you can help your picky-eating pup get the nutrition they need and deserve!

Why is My Dog a Picky Eater?

Picky eaters in dogs are not very common, but when a pup presents with picky eating habits, there are a few things we need to consider:

1. Have they always been a picky eater or is this a new behaviour?
2. Are there certain foods that they consistently do not like and foods that they do like?
3. Have they had negative experiences with foods ie. diarrhea, bloating, upset stomach?

These can help determine whether your pup is a picky eater, or whether they have an underlying health condition. Health conditions that can cause picky eating behaviours can include:

• Food intolerances or allergies can cause pain or discomfort for your pup resulting in food aversion behaviour. Check out our blog on Understanding Allergies in Dogs and How to Help for more information on allergies.

                                                                               Photo by Andrew Pons

• Anxiety or stress in dogs can cause your pup to eat less or avoid eating altogether. This is because stress can reduce production of hunger hormones that would usually give your dog their dog the cue to eat. Changes in their environment, new family members and pets, guarding behaviours from others in the household, and too much time alone may result in stress or anxiety. 

• Poor dental hygiene may cause pain when eating. Regular dental checks can help prevent and catch dental health issues. You can read more on dental health in our Tips for Keeping Your Pup’s Teeth Healthy article.

• Gastrointestinal diseases such as IBD, colitis, and gastritis can cause discomfort during and after eating, resulting in a refusal to eat or picky eating behaviours. Your veterinarian will be able to help diagnose and treat these issues. 

If your pup has a complete loss of appetite, this could be concern for more serious conditions such as kidney or liver diseases, various cancers, or infections such as parvovirus or distemper. A loss of appetite in conjunction with other symptoms (ie. lethargy, heavy or shallow breathing, dehydration, etc) requires veterinary attention.

If a medical condition has been ruled out, and your pup genuinely is a picky eater, we have some tips and tricks to help encourage your pup to eat.

Tips & Tricks for Picky Dogs

Stick to a schedule!

It’s easy to want to leave food out for your pup all day, but it’s good to stick to mealtimes so that your dog gets used to a routine and knows that there is a set time where food is provided. For example, if you feed your pup at 8:00 AM, take the food away after 30 minutes and don’t feed again until the next meal time. 

Provide a safe space for their meals 

A quiet and clean space for your pup’s meals is ideal, especially if there are other pets in the household. Having this regular space can help maintain routine and reduce stress or anxiety. A space that has limited distractions can also help encourage your pet to focus on their meal. Try walking away after placing their food down for them to remove yourself as a potential distraction as well!

Limit Treats

Treats can feel like a great way to add calories to your pets daily intake, and is especially enticing when they aren’t eating their regular meals. But filling up on tasty treats can actually exacerbate the problem! Treats are also not complete and balanced, and so they should never account for more than 10% of their total daily calories. 

Avoid Table Scraps

Similar to treats, table scraps can fill your dog up before they even get to their meal. In addition, they can increase the risk of a reaction or gastrointestinal issue. This can also result in nutritional imbalances long-term. 

Instead of treats and table scraps, enhance your pup’s meal

You can use complete and balanced toppers to add excitement to your pet’s current meal. Tom&Sawyer gently cooked meals make an excellent kibble topper for pups. Read more here on why Gently Cooked Food is the Paw-fect Choice for meal toppers.

When feeding Tom&Sawyer, you can warm up their food (~10 seconds in the microwave, or on low-heat via stove top). Warming up the food can release the delicious smells of our food, enticing your pup to eat without having to add anything to the meal!

Alternatively, consider a bone broth, liver dust, or high water containing veggies to further enhance your pets complete and balanced meal without compromising on the nutrition! 

Make mealtimes fun

For some pups, a slow feeder may be beneficial, like this slow feeder bowl from Outward Hound or the Pet Zone slow feeder mat – both work great with our gently-cooked meals. Food toys and puzzles can also make mealtimes more enticing for pups. For some dogs, rotational feeding may also be an option! To learn more read our Rotational Feeding For Your Pet blog. 

Choose a high-quality, highly palatable food

A high-quality food for dogs can sometimes make all the difference for picky eaters! Our meals use fresh ingredients that your pups love with our protein source as the first ingredient to improve palatability! For those particularly picky eaters try our fan-favourite Italian Beef Pasta! 

The key thing is to be patient. Don’t worry too much if your pup doesn’t eat at every meal, in fact it can be completely normal as they are descendants of opportunistic eaters! The main focus should be on their energy levels and weight to ensure that they are not lethargic and not losing weight. 

While we do our best to estimate how much food your pup needs, every dog is different and ensuring weight maintenance at an ideal weight is the best indicator of optimal nutrition and calorie intake. You can read more about How Much to Feed Your Pet here.

The bottom line is that picky eating can be tricky to manage. Ensuring that there are no underlying health conditions is the first step when picky eating behaviours present themselves.

Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com

You may have heard people talk about their dog’s nose as an indicator of their overall health. Well this can actually be true! Changes in your pup’s nose can be indicative of changes in their health. 

These changes can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, bacterial infections, thyroid or hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disease, or even cancer. 

Here we provide some insight on what your dog’s nose might be telling you.

A Healthy Dog’s Nose

Should your dog’s nose be wet? A moist nose is usually an indicator of a healthy pup. When the nose is moist, it indicates adequate hydration. We also want to see air flow in and out of both nostrils. 

A healthy nose has sufficient blood flow. Some mucus is normal, and is actually a sign that the nose is doing its job of keeping the air clean as it enters the lungs. 

                                                                                     Photo by Evi Kalemi 

Dry Nose in Dogs

If your dog’s nose is dry, it is usually a good indication that your dog is dehydrated. Fresh, clean water should always be available for your pup. Dehydration can occur via reduced water intake, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased urine output. 

These symptoms can be caused by a variety of issues. The first is limited access or no access to clean water, or competition for resources such as water by other household pets. 

Causes of diarrhea can include dietary changes, consuming spoiled food, bacterial or parasitic infections, and many more. You can read more about causes and treatment for diarrhea in our Guide to Diarrhea in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. 

Kidney and liver diseases can also affect hydration and urine output. If you notice that your dog is dehydrated, then this would signal a check-in with your veterinarian. 

Hypothyroidism, or issues surrounding the thyroid, is another potential cause of a dry nose in dogs. Hypothyroidism occurs when the activity of the thyroid is reduced and therefore is unable to produce thyroid hormones. 

                                                                                     Photo by JC Gellidon

Common symptoms include weight gain, lethargy, dry skin, hair loss, and a dry nose. Hypothyroidism can be caused by an immune-mediated disease known as lymphocytic thyroiditis, thyroid gland atrophy, or an iodine deficiency. 

You can read more about Thyroid Issues in Dogs and the Role of Iodine here. 

Cracked Nose 

If your dog’s nose is dry and cracked, this can be a sign that they have been dehydrated over a long period of time, or it can be due to hyperkeratosis. 

Hyperkeratosis is a common condition seen in senior dogs. This condition occurs when dogs produce too much keratin. In addition to cracking of the nose, paw pads may also be cracked. 

Topical creams can be used to alleviate symptoms of hyperkeratosis. Signs of discharge or swelling could indicate an infection and your veterinarian should be consulted for additional treatment options. 

Runny Nose

A moist nose is a sign of good health, however, there can be too much of a good thing! One of the most common causes for excessive mucus production is allergies. Environmental or dietary allergies can both cause an increase in mucus production. Additional symptoms of allergies may include wheezing, runny eyes or discharge, itching, dry skin, dermatitis, upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea.

Exposure to perfumes, dust, human dander, pollen, etc can all cause allergic reactions including a runny nose. Dietary allergies or food intolerances can also trigger the immune response resulting in a runny nose. Check out our blog on Understanding Allergies in Dogs and How to Help for more information on allergies.

If your dog experiences environmental allergies, our Classic Pork Stew, Coconut Chicken, or Fisherman’s Best Friend may be soothing options to help alleviate inflammatory responses to allergies. 

For food allergies, our Kangaroo or Rosemary Venison meals use novel proteins, are grain and gluten-free, and are limited ingredient diets that may offer your pup an allergy-friendly option.

Other causes for a runny nose or excess mucus production can include; nasal polyps, an infection (bacterial, parasites, or viral), cleft palates, nostril blockages, or a nasal fistula. 

Nasal polyps often require surgery for removal whereas infections will be resolved with medications (ie. antibiotics). Blockages of the nostrils may require veterinarian assistance to remove as the nasal cavity can be fragile, and minor tears can cause significant nosebleeds. After removal, antibiotics may also be necessary to prevent infection.

A cleft palate or oral-nasal fistula are corrected with surgery. 

Sores or Lesions On or Around Nose

Signs of sores or lesions around the nose can be an indication that your pup needs a veterinary check. 

Autoimmune diseases are a potential cause of sores or lesions around the nose. Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disease that presents with lesions and sores around the nose and eyes, and is usually concurrent with hairloss. 

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is another autoimmune disease that can cause sores around the nose. Lesions may be seen around the nose and paw pads, and may extend up the muzzle. German shepherds, huskies, and collies are more prone to cutaneous lupus erythematosus. 

                                                                                Photo by Megan Byers 

Treatments for autoimmune diseases often involve steroids (ie. glucocorticoids) and immunosuppressive drugs. Lesions and sores also open up the possibility of infection and antibiotics may be needed. Topical steroid treatments may be offered as well. 

Other potential causes for sores or lesions on your pup’s nose could be due to skin infections, mites, ringworm, severe allergic reactions, or injury. 

Bloody Nose

Nosebleeds can be a common symptom for a variety of issues. A common cause for nosebleeds is minor trauma to the nose (ie. tears on the inside of the nostril). 

Other potential causes for nosebleeds in dogs can include:

• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Tick-borne diseases (ie. ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted-fever)
• Liver diseases or failure
• Fungal infections
• Bone marrow disease
• Hemophilia
• Negative reactions to drugs or medications
• Cancer (ie. hemangiosarcoma, nasal adenocarcinoma)

If your dog’s nose starts to bleed, don’t panic. The first step is to keep your pup calm – excitement can cause an increase in blood pressure leading to more blood. 

Place an ice pack on the top of your dog’s muzzle (or the bridge of their nose) without restricting air flow. This will help to slow the bleeding. If your pup is having issues with breathing or the nosebleed does not slow or stop, take your dog to their veterinarian. Do not provide medications without veterinary advice. 

Fluctuating Temperatures

Another symptom to address is an overly hot or overly cold nose. A healthy dog should have a moderately cold to a room temperature nose. 

                                                                           Photo by Patrick Hendry 

If the nose is hot to touch, this can be a sign of hyperthermia or overheating. Too cold is a sign of hypothermia. 

Hyperthermia and hypothermia can be as simple as temperature regulation, for example, if your pup has just gone for a big run at the dog park, their nose might be warm until their body naturally cools down. 

However, when there aren’t simple explanations for increases or decreases in body temperature, it could be a sign of other underlying conditions. High body temperatures could be indicative of a fever or infection and may need to be checked by a veterinarian. 

A Dog’s Nose Knows

Your dog’s nose is more than just a cute button to boop. It can actually be a helpful health indicator if you know what signs to look for. 

A healthy nose should be moist and have adequate air flow. A dry nose can indicate dehydration, thyroid issues, or hyperkeratosis. A runny nose can be caused by allergies, infections, or nasal polyps, among other things. 

Sores or lesions on or around the nose can be caused by autoimmune diseases, skin infections, or allergies. A bloody nose can be a sign of more serious health issues, such as cancer. 

It’s important to pay attention to changes in your dog’s nose and ask your vet if you see anything unusual as these changes can be indicators of underlying health issues.

Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com

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Your pup is just as much of a family member to you as anyone else, so it’s only natural that you’d want to celebrate their birthday. Your furry friend can look forward to fun new toys, outdoor adventures, and of course, plenty of delicious treats! But where can you find these treats? It’s hard to find high-quality, dog-friendly birthday cupcakes at most stores, but don’t worry, you still have plenty of options!

Of course, there’s always the option of making your own unique dog cupcakes, but if you do some looking you can find some great vendors as well. On that note, let’s take a look at some of the best birthday cupcakes for dogs, two homemade and two premade!

Dog Cupcakes With Frosting

Source: RecipeTinEats

First up, take a look at these delicious peanut butter and banana pupcakes with mashed potato “frosting,” courtesy of RecipeTinEats! The author originally made these pupcakes for their own dog’s birthday, but loved the result so much that they had to share, and we can see why. They’re soft, they’re fluffy, they’re perfectly moist, and they’re guaranteed to be an instant favorite with any pup!

The problem with most human cupcakes is that they’re absolutely packed with sugar and unhealthy carbs, with a huge amount of fat from the icing to boot. While they’re a delicious treat for us humans, they’re way too much for even a large dog, so this recipe uses much simpler milder ingredients. Needless to say, there’s no plain white sugar here! Any sweetness comes from the peanut butter, the honey, or the bananas, but the results are every bit as appealing as their human-friendly counterparts. Give them a shot if you want to make your pup’s birthday a great one!

Ingredients

Source: RecipeTinEats

Pupcakes

• 2 ripe bananas
• ½ cup peanut butter (not sweetened with xylitol)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups flour of your choice
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup oil of your choice
• ¾ cup water

Frosting

• 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup low-fat unsweetened yogurt or sour cream
• 2-4 tablespoons water
• 12 small dog biscuits (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-muffin muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Place the bananas in a bowl and mash until smooth.
3. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and eggs, and whisk until smooth.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, and water, and whisk until smooth.
5. Evenly fill the holes in the muffin tin with the pupcake batter. Each hole should be about ¾ full. Bake the pupcakes for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before frosting.
7. While you’re waiting for the pupcakes to cool, start on the frosting by boiling the cubed potatoes until soft and crumbly.
8. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the yogurt/sour cream, honey, and water, then mix with an electric beater until smooth. If needed, add water until a frosting-like consistency is achieved.
9. Put the frosting in a piping bag, pipe it in a spiral over the pupcakes, add a dog bone biscuit as a garnish, and serve!

Dog Cupcakes

Source: A Saucy Kitchen

These delicious pupcakes from A Saucy Kitchen are the perfect solution if you’re looking for a delicious birthday cupcake for your dog in a smaller recipe size. The original author recommends serving them as two regular-sized pupcakes or one giant treat if you’re looking for a larger birthday treat to split between your pups. Whatever you decide to do, though, these pupcakes are one of our favorite recipes, and we think they’ll be your favorite, too.

Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly simple and easy to make, requiring only four ingredients that you probably already have lying around the house. It gets plenty of that classic birthday treat sweetness from apples and peanut butter and is also completely wheat-free for those with dogs who are allergic to wheat or gluten. If you’re looking for an easy way to make the perfect birthday treat for your pup, this is the recipe for you! (And hey, we won’t judge you if you want to try one out for yourself!)

Ingredients

• ½ apple, diced
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter, plus a bit extra for the frosting (Xylitol free!)
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon baking powder (optional)
• Bacon bits (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until fully combined.
3. Line two holes in a cupcake pan or two ramekins, and spoon in the pupcake batter.
4. Bake the pupcakes for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and allow to cool completely.
5. If desired, spread the extra peanut butter and crumble the bacon bits over the tops of the pupcakes and serve!

Source: A Saucy Kitchen

Premade Cupcakes for Dogs Near Me

Of course, not everyone has the time to make treats for their furry friends at home. However, you may still want to give your pup some special treats to enjoy. If that’s the case, we at The Dog Bakery have just what you need! We’ve made it our mission to create the best dog cupcakes for dogs that money can buy by using natural, dog-friendly ingredients, no cheap fillers, and handmade care. If you’re interested, feel free to take a look at two of our favorites!

Wheat-Free Confetti Paw Cakes

Source: The Dog Bakery

First up, there’s our delicious wheat-free Confetti Paw Cakes! They’re perfectly sized for even small dogs to enjoy, but they’re packed with enough flavor to satisfy the pickiest pups. We’re committed to ensuring your pup’s health and your peace of mind, so we’ve only used ingredients that you can see and pronounce, with none of the cheap fillers or artificial preservatives that other brands have. 

With natural and flavorful ingredients like honey, applesauce, and yogurt, these pupcakes pack a delicious punch that your pups won’t be able to get enough of. They’re a wholesome and tasty treat that’ll make a memorable birthday experience for any pup!

Grain-Free Pupcakes

Source: The Dog Bakery

A Dog Bakery classic, these grain-free Pupcakes are a favorite among humans and pups alike. Instead of being made with chocolate, we decided to go with carob, a popular chocolate substitute that’s perfectly safe (and every bit as delicious!) for your furry friends to enjoy! On the outside, there’s a rich, indulgent layer of carob frosting and a tasty yogurt drizzle. On the inside, there’s a deliciously decadent carob snack cake that dogs just can’t resist!

As you’d expect, we’ve put the same level of care, quality, and attention to detail that we at The Dog Bakery are known for. Like always, we’ve used only the highest-quality natural ingredients and sweeteners like honey and carob. 

Best of all, these pupcakes are completely safe for dogs that are allergic to gluten and grain! Instead of using standard all-purpose flour, we opted for flour made from buckwheat, which is gluten-free and perfectly safe for your allergy-prone pups. High-quality, delicious, and allergy-friendly, these pupcakes are one of the best birthday cupcakes for your furry friend!

Beach Point Capital Management’s Tactical Fund has acquired a controlling stake in Wet Noses, a manufacturer of human-grade, natural and organic pet food and treats, following its minority investment in the company in December 2019.

Pet food has become General Mills’ fastest-growing segment globally, since General Mills acquired Blue Buffalo for approximately US$8 billion in March 2018.