Here’s a guest blog from Angela Coulombe, whose wonderful photos you have seen here, on halopets.com, and in our email newsletter.

By Angela Coulombe

When Halo Purely for Pets, a company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres, contacted me to work with them again see Angela Coulombe Photography Blog, I was over the moon. Halo’s mission, to provide people and their pets with honest information and wholesome products to better the lives of animals and the people who love them along with their three guiding principles: balance, nature and love, make this one company who’s principles are in line with mine and products I enjoy photographing.

I was focusing on two products: Adult Dog Formula Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Recipe and Adult Dog Formula Spot’s Stew Wild Salmon Recipe. My brief was to show the natural, healthy and wholesome ingredients that go into each product. And here is what I LOVE about the products the most: the ingredients!!!! Just reading the packaging, you realize these are home-style recipes with easy to recognize and understand ingredients. Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Recipe contains, for example, Chicken, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Pearled Barley, Whole Peas, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa just for starters (even I know what all these ingredients are). Spot’s Stew Wild Salmon Recipe contains Salmon, Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Vegetable Broth, Pearled Barley, Whole Peas, Chicken, Flax Seed, Salmon Oil, Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini, Alfalfa amongst other nutritious ingredients. Perhaps most importantly, though, Halo NEVER uses chicken meal or other rendered products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Real meat, poultry or fish are the #1 ingredients in these foods.

Below is a small selection of images that illustrate the wholesome, fresh ingredients that go into making Halo Purely for Pets products. Feeding your pet Halo is like giving them a table-ready, wholesome, fresh meal.

For more information about Halo, Purely for Pets, check out their site, follow them on twitter and read about Halo Purely for Pets news via their blog.

Q: Is Halo Puppy food ok for large breed dogs? I was told to get puppy food catered for large breeds and to try to stick to a fish diet for the coat.

A: Halo puppy food is perfect for large breed dogs. Work with your veterinarian to determine the amount of calories your dog should eat each day to avoid excessive growth spurts–which can be detrimental to bone development in very large breed dogs. It is not necessary to stick to just a fish-based diet for the health of your dogs coat. A high quality natural diet that contains no artificial colors, preservatives or additives and includes beneficial additives such as omega fatty acids will keep your pets coat healthy for years! You should also include an essential fatty acid supplement (like Halo, Dream Coat) to achieve optimal coat and skin health.

Hope that helps.
Dr. Donna Spector

Q: My dog is obsessed with sniffing other dogs. Its become such a problem that we have a hard time taking him to the dog park or beaches, which he loves. How can I break him of this behavior? Thanks!

A: Often what starts as friendly sniffing can turn obsessive when a dog owner has a strong negative reaction. Many dogs start this behavior as an “attention-getter”. Although the attention they get from their owner is negative, it is attention none the less. As hard as it is, the best tool here is to ignore the behavior and the dog often starts performing the behavior less frequently as it is not getting the desired affect from you. Tough it out…if you get angry with him and reprimand him…the vicious cycle will start all over again. Also take a large assortment of play items with you to the parks and beaches–distract his attention from other dogs if the behavior starts up.

Good luck.
Dr. Donna Spector

Short-dated products are on the Halo web site at half price. Of course, these usually sell out extremely quickly, so grab what you can use. Currently available: Liv-a-Littles protein treats, grooming and supplements items, and even some cans of Halo Spot’s Stew. Take a look, and check back often!

Please remember, while these products are wonderful, they are not the same as what you can buy at the store. You’ll find earlier formulas, old labels, or short-dating. Short-dating means that the product will reach its “Best if Used By” date within 1-2 months of purchase.

Blogger Kim Gentry took the time to investigate what’s unhealthy about many ingredients in commercial pet foods, and what’s right about Halo’s approach to nutrition.

Click here to read the blog.

Halo began in 1986 by giving away wholesome, holistic pet food recipes to animal lovers desperate to help their four-legged family members. It’s part of our mission to make that information available, and we’ll never stop. So if you haven’t seen our recipes, be sure to visit our web site for free holistic pet food recipes!

You’ll even find the recipe for our flagship product, Halo Spot’s Stew, so you can make it at home.

We believe that ideally, pets should eat healthy, homemade foods every day. But if the thought of cooking them a huge meal seems like a chore . . . just open a can of Spot’s Stew! Let our gourmet chefs prepare the healthiest food in the world for your dog or cat. We won’t mind if you take the credit!