J-B Pet Supplies Blog Posts

  Hydrolyzed Protein for Dogs: What Is It & When Can It Help? If your dog struggles with itchy skin, recurring ear problems or a sensitive stomach, you've probably spent some time looking at the ingredient panel on their food. Chicken? Beef? Lamb? Grain-free? Limited ingredient? But there's another option you may have heard about: hydrolyzed protein . Hydrolyzed-protein diets have traditionally been associated with veterinary prescription foods, but hydrolyzed proteins are now available in some non-prescription formulas as well. So, what exactly is a hydrolyzed protein, and why might you consider one for your dog? Let's break it down. What Is Hydrolyzed Protein? Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids. During a process called hydrolysis , those protein chains are broken into much smaller pieces called peptides. Think of a whole protein as a long strand of beads. Hydrolysis essentially cuts that long strand into much smaller sections. Why does that matter? A d...

  Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath? Causes & What You Can Do We love our dogs—but sometimes their breath can make those up-close kisses a little less enjoyable! Occasional "doggy breath" isn't unusual. But persistent, unusually strong or foul-smelling breath shouldn't simply be accepted as a normal part of having a dog. Bad breath, medically known as halitosis , can sometimes be an early warning sign that something else is going on. Dental disease is one of the most common causes, but tooth decay, something your dog has eaten and certain medical conditions can also affect the way your dog's breath smells. And then there's puppy breath. That's a different story! Let's look at what may be causing your dog's bad breath, what you can do at home and when it's time to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Why Does My Dog's Breath Smell? Bad breath itself isn't a disease. It's a symptom. To understand how to improve it, you first...

  Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Common Causes & How to Help A little scratching is perfectly normal for dogs. But when your dog seems to be scratching constantly, licking their paws, chewing at their skin or developing red and irritated areas, something else may be going on. Itchy skin—often called pruritus —is one of the most common reasons dogs visit the veterinarian. The challenge is that itching isn't a disease itself. It's a symptom , and there are many possible causes. Fleas and other parasites, environmental allergies, food sensitivities, bacterial or yeast infections and other skin conditions can all make a dog uncomfortable. Nutrition can also play an important role in maintaining healthy skin and coat. Let's look at some of the most common reasons dogs itch—and what you can do to help. First: How Much Scratching Is Too Much? Every dog scratches occasionally. It's time to pay closer attention when scratching or licking becomes frequent or seems difficult for your...

  Dog & Cat Vaccinations: What New Jersey Pet Owners Should Know Vaccinations are an important part of preventive healthcare for dogs and cats. They help protect pets from infectious diseases that can cause serious illness, long-term health problems and, in some cases, death. But pet vaccination isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all program. Some vaccines are considered core vaccines because they are recommended for nearly every pet. Others may be recommended based on your pet's age, lifestyle, travel habits and exposure to other animals. Where you live matters, too. Here in New Jersey, diseases carried by ticks and wildlife can influence the vaccines your veterinarian recommends. Understanding what the different vaccines do—and why your veterinarian recommends them—can help you make informed decisions about your pet's preventive care. How Do Vaccines Work? Vaccines introduce the immune system to a harmless form, component or genetic representation of a disease-causing...

  Raw Pet Food 101: What It Is, Why Pet Parents Choose It & Separating Fact from Fiction Interest in raw pet food has grown tremendously in recent years. More pet parents are taking a closer look at what goes into their dog or cat’s bowl and looking for foods made with recognizable, minimally processed ingredients. For many of those pet parents, frozen raw food has become an appealing way to feed. But raw feeding also comes with plenty of questions. Is it nutritionally complete? Is raw meat safe? What about bacteria? Is it difficult to feed? And is raw food really as risky as you may have heard? Let’s take a closer look at what frozen raw pet food actually is, why so many pet parents choose it, and some of the facts behind the most common concerns about feeding raw. What Is Frozen Raw Pet Food? Frozen raw pet food is exactly what the name suggests: food made primarily from uncooked animal ingredients that is kept frozen rather than being cooked at high temperatures. Depending o...