I joined Martha Stewart with her newly adopted cat and with some cat breeds that make great pets. I explain which cat breed may be right for you and the differences between purebred cats.

Although I was happy to discuss purebred cats with Martha Stewart, who had just gotten a Persian cat herself, being on her show was important to me so that everyone would know that kitty came from a rescue and was not purchased.

HALO is terrific in their support of shelters and rescues across the country and they share my plea to everyone to always try to adopt, no matter what breed of cat (or dog) you want. Over 30% of the animals in shelters are purebred, so with a little detective work and patience, you can find the pet of your dreams by adopting, not buying.

HALO shows their support of shelters and the animals in them by donating thousands of meals to those pets through Freekibble.com (which I play every day and am learning lots of fun facts at the same time!).

Watch this video clip:

Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible, guest blogs here every Thursday on healthy, natural choices for pets.

I am the official spokesperson for PETCO, and have established myself as a foremost pet wellness advocate in the United States. My encyclopedic books The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible cover everything from medical issues to training, nutrition and problem solving. I also have a “mini-empire” of weekly live radio programs.

Summer traveling with your pets can be overwhelming, but I have some great ideas that will make it as smooth as possible- and introduces you to a 4-legged friend looking for a new home!

Whenever I travel around the country, people want to know what I feed my own dogs. I feel wonderful telling them that of all the kibble out there, I have chosen HALO. If they are interested in why, I tell them because of the integrity of the company – both in the ingredients they choose to put into their foods, but also in their dedication to the less-fortunate dogs and cats and all the wonderful work they do supporting local and national rescues and shelters.

Plus, there’s that marvelous Ellen DeGeneres who owns part of the company and is so darned adorable and funny when she goes on QVC with Halo that it just makes me want to buy more!

Watch this video clip from CBS KOIN:

Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible, guest blogs here every Thursday on healthy, natural choices for pets.

Choosing a puppy for your family might seem impossible when you’re mobbed by precious pooches who all want you to take them home. I had the tough job of surrounding myself with adorable doggies as I demonstrate choosing a puppy that is the right dog for you.

The second most important thing you need to do after choosing your puppy is choosing a great food for him. You want a dog food made from fine ingredients that will help him grow big (but not too big!) strong and happy.

You also want a food made by a company dedicated to the wellness of all dogs, even those who aren’t lucky and windup in shelters instead of being chosen and cherished. The reason I recommend Halo Spot’s Stew kibble for Puppies is because it is made from truly good ingredients and the company gives back to pets in shelters without devoted pet parents to make the best nutrition decisions for them.

Watch this video clip:

Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible, guest blogs here every Thursday on healthy, natural choices for pets.

I got this letter recently from a pet sitter who works for Lydia Best in Leesburg Virginia and attended the seminar on pet nutrition that I gave last year…

HALO is completely different from other commercial dry foods. The biggest difference is the fact that it is made with only real chicken, real beef, real salmon, or real lamb. They don’t use any rendered products like chicken meal (which is unfit for human consumption) to achieve their protein content.

… I hope you’ll also take to heart the fundamentals of my “nutrition seminar,” which is that an all-kibble diet is not balanced or healthy because even the finest kibble (which I believe HALO to be, based on the source of their ingredients) is still highly processed carbohydrates and Holly needs quality protein and fresh vegetables and even some fruits. So if you can balance out her kibble with an equal amount of protein from your own table like meat, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese and of course fish (which has to be easy when you’re sailing!) you’ll be giving her the optimal diet.

Click over to my original blog on “Halo Is Way Different Than Other Kibble! (Update)” for the whole story!

Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible, guest blogs here every Thursday on healthy, natural choices for pets.

Did you catch the news splash about Uncle ChiChi, a rescue poodle from New York City appeared on Good Morning America this week because he may be the world’s oldest dog? His age is somewhat vague because he was adopted from a shelter around 2 years old, but deaf and blind as he is, the old guy is still going strong. When asked what the ancient but perky dog ate, the owner said, “He eats Spot’s Stew, made by a company called Halo and it’s really healthy stuff.”

Click over to my original blog on “Worlds Oldest Dog Eats Halo! Same Good Stuff Mine Do” for the whole story!

Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible, guest blogs here every Thursday on healthy, natural choices for pets.