This post was sponsored by Side By Side as part of a Two-Post Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
There’s almost nothing I enjoy more than making a meal, or dessert for someone else or to bring to a get together. Developing recipes and playing around with healthy ingredients truly makes me tick and when the end result is something that can bring joy to someone else’s day, that is truly the best part of my day.
Although a small task compared to making an entire recipe, I feel a similar sense of joy and satisfaction when I’m preparing Pumpkin’s Side by Side meal. I simply take the recommend Genial Freeze Dried variety out of the package and rehydrate it with a ½ of warm water and mix it with a fork until it’s smooth. Believe it or not is smells similar to pot roast with oven roasted veggies, which in my opinion, smells way better than typical dog food. Right now since Pumpkin is still very small we split one patty into three for his breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The pure joy that it written all over his face the moment he knows I’m preparing Side by Side is perhaps the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen! Pumpkin’s entire body shakes along with his oversized tail as he squeals with excitement when I put his bowl down. As you may have seen from my videos, the bowl often ends up way off of his mat as he noses into it to get every last bite! That was simply not the case with his old puppy food.
Now my boyfriend and I often joke that we wish we got as excited about anything as Pumpkin gets about eating. As a dietitian, I do get that excited about some foods, especially those that I know are nourishing my body and helping me to feel great. I can visibly see that the fresh, all-natural proteins like chicken, duck, beef, rabbit, and fish along with the vibrant greens, and other veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes found in Side by Side food are nourishing Pumpkin from the inside out. It’s prepared in small batches with no additives, no toxins, and no carcinogens. Something I feel is just as important for the canine population as it is for the human population.
Pumpkin’s puppy coat is as shiny as ever (some of his fur is starting to turn a darker shade of orange!), and his breath truly does not stink. He loves to cuddle, so I would know! From a human perspective I know how important it is for a baby to receive proper nourishment in the early stages of life, and I trust that the nutrients from the real food packed into the Genial Freeze Dried variety is building the foundation for Pumpkin to have a healthy and happy long life!
Marney Prince, the founder of Side by Side, was incredibly knowledgeable on the topic of puppy nutrition and certain breed differences that are especially important to pay attention to in cavalier king charles spaniels. Our assessment and her food recommendations have been a great fit for Pumpkin. He’s becoming a social and active puppy who goes from an energy level of zero to one hundred in a matter of minutes, which has been so fun for us to watch as he gets bigger.
Another aspect of the food that is worth mentioning is how it affects his bathroom schedule. Yes, I said it…poop talk! Since we got Pumpkin in March (which may as well be considered the middle of winter in Chicago) it was really hard to get him used to going outside. Pair that with living on the 15th floor of an apartment building and puppy pads were a necessity. The good thing is that Pumpkin is nearly perfect when it comes to using the pads, and I know what to expect after a meal to make sure I’m nearby to clean it up. Oh the joys of having a new puppy!
Side by Side also has integrated product offerings including food diets, treats, supplements, toppers and soon to be released broths. Pumpkin is all about the freeze dried chicken hearts!
If you’re wondering how better nutrition could have a positive impact on your dog’s daily life and their overall health, I encourage you to book an assessment with Marney and learn more about what Side by Side can do for them. You can receive 25% off your first order and 15% the subscription service with code: PUMPKIN
Also be sure to check out my first post about my experiences with feeding Pumpkin Side by Side and check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information.
XOXO
MAGGIE
