I frequently write about how much we love the outdoors here. I think fresh air and exercise are very important to everyone’s health – humans and pet alike. We spend as much time outside as we can, even if it’s just hanging out in our own yard or walking around our neighborhood which is surrounded by woods. All that ties in with our eating habits as well. The words holistic, natural, and wholesome mean a lot to me. I am always open to the dogs’ trying new foods as long as they are made from quality ingredients, and these days we choose grain free foods as well. Luke had some digestive issues when he was younger, and he either outgrew them or they got better because we switched to grain free. Either way, we’re sticking with what works.
We have two senior girls in our household, and even though they both suffer from arthritis, I still try to keep them active. We like to go on the occasional adventure but I have to choose what we do carefully so they don’t overdo it, just as I choose the foods they eat carefully as well, to provide maximum nutritional benefits.
Last weekend, I thought it would be fun to take them on an easy hike I’ve been wanting to do again. My sister joined us and Luke stayed home with Dad. I wanted the two older girls to be able to go at an easier pace for them without their younger brother along (plus I was concerned about off leash dogs on this hike, and I was right to be…one leash reactive dog on a hike is enough to deal with).
This hike is relatively flat, about 2-3 miles long (we went 2.4), and has a brook alongside for cooling off. We were still having hot weather at that point, and even though we got out a bit earlier, it warmed up quickly. Silly me thinking the girls needed an easy hike. Well, they should have, but they certainly didn’t take it easy! These two take their hikes seriously, and there’s not much stopping to enjoy the scenery allowed! Their arthritis does not slow them down much, and I’m happy to report they fared pretty well after this hike, even though there was some scrambling in and out of the brook. They were just a bit stiff that night, but both fine the next day.
Since they refuse to slow down, it’s even more important to keep them on a healthy diet that benefits their joints and muscle tone. That’s why we’re looking forward to getting the chance to try Pinnacle® Holistic Pet Food. Pinnacle’s foods meet all of the criteria I’m looking for. Not only do those words “holistic” and “natural” apply, but it is grain free, has limited ingredients, and is made right at their California plant.
Pinnacle originally launched their company in 1998 as a breakthrough brand in holistic dog food 
(they do make cat food as well). They’ve always included healthy ingredients like quinoa, pumpkin, kelp, flax seed, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and cottage cheese, but in May of this year they took all their recipes to grain free to benefit pets’ digestion.
Along with those ingredients they use high quality proteins such as trout, duck, salmon, and turkey. Antioxidants, probiotics, fiber, and vitamins and minerals all combine to support a healthy immune system, good digestion and that important joint health and muscle tone our active crew needs.
Watch for our review post which will be coming, or if you don’t want to wait to give this food a try, they have a handy store locator on their website, and you can also find it online. You can also follow Pinnacle via Twitter and Facebook.
Looks like a great hike!
What great places for a hike!
Can we come hiking too? What fun!
Looks like it was a fabulous hike!
Are there any one-story homes for sale in your neighborhood? I wish we had places close by where we could go for a hike! But not until the gnats and mosquitoes go into hibernation for the winter. Glad the senior girls enjoyed their hike without morning-after side effects!!
We were lucky it wasn’t buggy at all out there! The mosquitoes have been bad at other times lately too.
Funny you should mention a one-story home, we’re actually looking for one ourselves! 🙂 They seem to be harder to come by then multi-story houses but we have found a couple!
We feed raw, BUT one never knows when one might need a good quality kibble. Since your criteria and mine run a fairly closely, I’m going to put this food on my radar and wait for your review.
Thanks for sharing this Jan.
So glad to hear neither doggie was too sore or limping after the walk, Jan-wanted to ask you, but decided to wait to see the post! They seemed a little gimpy afterwards, but that must have been done pretty soon-such a nice walk/hike we did, enjoyed it greatly!!
So glad you enjoyed it too, Lynn! We have a dog walking challenge coming up so I might have to check your availability for that!
This sounds like good food. We’ll be interested in your review…and we may need to check out their cat food.
Yay for the seniors! Shiner surprises me quite a bit too. When we go to the lake, she just wants to run and play all day! She’s very tired when we get home, and just a little sore but I am too lol. We also can’t wait to try this food. 🙂
Yes, I think I was more tired after our hike that day than the girls were! LOL
We are happy with our current food and are thinking of rotating in another brand right now. This does sound good.
We are hoping for cooler weather so we can go on adventures with the boys. It is so hot and humid that we hang around the neighborhood and take short walks. I love that bridge!
That day was warmer than I would have liked for hiking, but the weather has cooled off since then. I hope to get out more now that the nice weather might be here to stay.
We love taking the huskies hiking!
Pinnacle sounds great! I have been doing tons of research on this food since tweeting about them, and I am in love 🙂
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I’m glad to hear that you like what you’ve found out about Pinnacle too, Jenna. I can see us making the switch to it, if the dogs approve.
Oh I would like to hike with you, that’s an interesting place :o) and it looks as if that food is actually made just for you ;o)
What a beautiful hike great pictures