Friday 28 November 2008
Santa's little yelper - a guide to Christmas gifts for your dog
It seems that some people would give the world to their pets if they could. Like the dog loving surgeon who is spending £250,000 to turn part of her £1.4m home in Gloucestershire into a luxury den for her two Great Danes. Complete with sheepskin-lined beds and a retina-scanning dog flap.
If you don’t quite fancy the idea of sacrificing the spare room to turn it into a play pad for your mutt mates this festive season then you could just treat your family friend to a well deserved gift.
Dogs can sense that something special is going on when you all gather around the Christmas tree and they like to join in on the fun just like we do. With under a month left until the big day we have come up with some truly inspiring gift ideas to make sure you don’t make a paw impression on your prized pooch. So, if squeaky toys don’t quite seem to do the trick any longer take a good look at our doggy gift wish list - there is sure to be something to get that tail wagging underneath the Christmas tree.
Under £5 - Theorganicpet.co.uk has created some lip licking organic cinnamon and honey biscuits shaped as Christmas trees and stockings to keep your dog busy whilst you tuck into Christmas dinner.
£5 - £15 - Because he’s worth it! now you can give your dog a Lushpuppi home spa with this selection of organic shampoos and spritzes (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Petroleum free) which will leave your mucky pup sleek and salon fresh.
£15 - £30 – Give your pooch the gift of health with a Pooch & Mutt Supplement. Mobile Bones joint supplement will help stiffer dogs get through the colder months, when all of our joints start to creak that little bit more. The Bionic Biotic probiotic supplement will not only help boost your dog’s immunity, which is important at this time of year, but will also keep him/her in tip top condition and help with the digestion of all those extra titbits they get over the festive season.
£30-100 - Holly & Lil have a great range of stylish collars, leads and accessories. For the bravehearts amongst you you can get them in your traditional family tartan and for the more traditional you can have them in your regiment or schools colours.
Around £100 -You may only get the best from SNIFtag if you live in the US, but it may be coming over here soon. SNIFtag is a new take on social networking. Your dog wears one on his trips to the park and when you get home it connects to the internet so you can check out what pooch pals your dog has made and chat with their owners.
Significantly over £100 - If you want to go for the ultimate Christmas gift for your precious pooch this Christmas then you could splash out on an extra mortgage (or two) and buy the world’s most expensive dog collar for $1.8millon.
In the meantime here’s something to get you all in the spirit of Christmas direct from santa’s grotto! Christmas Doggy Jingle
To be in with the chance of getting a Click here to give our prize draw a go this month
Friday 21 November 2008
Dog depression – help your dog beat the winter blues
As winter descends rapidly upon us it becomes evident that with the change in seasons comes Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a dilemma which can affect our four pawed friends as well as us.
According to a study by the veterinary charity PDSA, one in every three dog and cat owners notices a dip in their pets' moods during the colder and darker months of the year. Pets also echo humans in turning to comfort food to combat symptoms of fatigue and depression.
So as we retire to our winter wardrobes to try and combat those chilly daily walking sessions with our furry friends here are some tit bits to help you fight the winter blues indoors and outdoors.
Practice party tricks - if the weather outside is particularly lousy why not give your pooch a good workout inside. Throw a toy up and down the stairs or challenge him/her to learn some new party dog tricks which you can show off to your family and friends after Christmas dinner.
Change the chow - Offering a variety of pet food and will help keep your pet healthy and interested in eating. You might want to consider reducing the amount of food you are feeding your dog since they are often less active during the winter months. If your dog has gone off his food or is showing signs of depression, digestive problems or a sensitive stomach try adding a natural dog supplement such as Bionic Biotic for your dog’s health and vitality and to protect against illness.
Winter pet accessories – If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, you may want to consider purchasing a nice winter jacket to help keep him warm and dry on walks or a heated pet bed or dog igloo for bedtime. If you don’t fancy splashing out on too much then you can opt for a warm pet blanket.
Play hide and seek – This is always a very engaging activity for your pooch. Try hiding a favourite toy or some healthy treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out. This will not only stimulate him but it will put an end to those boring evenings indoors for both of you. If it’s snowing outside why not hide a few treats in the snow and let your dog dig for them.
Get active and warm up – We can’t avoid taking our dogs on walks this winter so when we are faced with those really cold days keep warm by running with your dog instead of walking. That way you get to keep warm and your dog gets rid of all that pent up energy which can build up when you stay indoors. Still cold? then keep your hands warm with a pair of clickable heated pads. Or keep them in your pockets with a wrist walker.
If your dog suffers from joint stiffness and its harder for him to move and exercise during the colder months add a spoonful of Mobile Bones with glucosamine for dogs to his/her regular food to promote looser joints and healthier bones.
Glowing for walks – As the days get shorter and it gets darker earlier outside invest in a flashing collar and lead set. This will not only keep you both safe from any traffic or cyclists you encounter on your walks but will allow you to spot your dog up to a mile away in large fields or shrubs in case he/she wonders a step too far.
Don’t forget that just spending time with your dog can be the cure for those depressing nights in. A simple stroke or walk with your dog is proven to have therapeutic effects on humans.
Let us know your own tips for keeping your dog happy and active during the winter months.
Enter our monthly prize draw to win a bag of Bionic Biotic.
Saturday 15 November 2008
All the president’s pooches
Believe it or not it seems there are more important things on Mr Obama’s agenda other than being elected US President and it comes in the form of a cold wet nose. Yes that’s right, the President is searching high and low for the perfect pet mutt to join the family. This is not a choice that should be taken lightly, for many reasons including the fact that the presidential pooch is now very much in the limelight. George W Bush’s Scottish terrier Barney even has his own page on the white house website with video links and photos.
Barack has already stated that he would like a hypoallergenic dog owing to his daughter’s allergy and his own asthma. The Peruvian Dog Association has already offered him a hairless dog. However it seems that Mr Obama prefers a shelter dog and has still to make a decision.
That’s no surprise to us, searching for the right dog is far from a joke, in fact it’s a serious, life changing decision, which many people still get wrong. This year alone Dogs Trust re-homed 8,459 dogs in the UK.
Whether or not this blog ever reaches Mr Obama here are some tips for him, for you or for anyone you know looking to find the right four-legged companion.
The right breeds for your needs - get to know your breeds. Just because a dog is small it doesn’t mean that he/she is less active. Many miniature and toy breeds as well as terriers require a lot of exercise. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, if are looking for a dog that requires minimal exercise forget about looking for a small dog like a Jack Russell and consider a rescue lurcher or greyhound who may need a good sprint in the park, but can be happy on just 20 minutes exercise a day. The greyhound has a history in the White House, with one called Grim being owned by the 6th US president, Rutherford Hayes.
Pooch pennies & pounds – Introducing any pet into your life costs money. There’s food, vet bills, insurance and of course all those toys and treats you won’t be able to resist. If you travel often whether it’s for business or pleasure you may need to pay a regular dog walker or pet sitter too and it all adds up in the end. Also it’s worth bearing in mind that larger dogs generally have a shorter life span, and cost more to feed, insure and medically treat than smaller ones. However you can make money from your dog. See our blog ‘how your dog can supplement your income’ for tips and take note that the book written on the life of George Bush SNR’s springer spaniel, Millie, sold more copies than the autobiography of George Bush himself.
Dog Health – make sure that the breeder you are talking to is accredited by the Kennel Club and that you are able to find out if there has been any history of health problems in your dog’s family tree. For example, if you choose a Labrador like Bill Clinton you may be more prone to experiencing joint problems such as hip dysplasia. You can help problems like these by introducing a natural dog supplement like Mobile Bones into the dog’s daily diet. However you should try to avoid these problems, one way is checking the hip scores of your puppy’s parents.
Hypoallergenic dogs - If like Barack Obama you suffer from asthma or other allergies there are many breeds which are hypoallergenic like yorkies, bichon frises, cairn terriers, westies, poodles and poodle mixes, like the popular Labradoodle. Don’t let an allergy stop you from getting a dog. The last poodle in residence in the white house was Vicky, belonging to President Richard Nixon.
Preloved pooches - If you can invest the time and extra energy into adopting a dog check out Dogsblog.com or the RSPCA both excellent portals to find dogs that are looking for a new home. Be prepared to give a rescue dog a lot of extra love and attention because they may have an unstable past. If you do take on a rescue dog that’s a little worse for wear you can feed him/her a natural dog supplement like Bionic Biotic which will help restore skin, coat, weight and overall condition. Rescue dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and don’t be afraid to pick up a mongrel you will be in good company including Lyndon B Johnson (Yuki), Harry S Truman (Feller) and Jimmy Carter (Grits).
Doggy talk – nowadays you have no excuse to selecting the wrong dog. We live in an age where information is virtually at out fingertips. Join a few online forums like petstreet.co.uk or Dogs Monthly and existing meet up groups around the UK. This will give you the chance to talk to other dog owners who can pass on useful advice. Don’t forget about big dog events like Crufts which are also a great way to come face to face with your desired breed.
In the hope that the president elect has found this blog we would like to leave him with a bit of advice from Harry S Truman, US president 1945-1953, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog”.
If you want to win a bag of Pooch & Mutt’s supplements click here.
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Monday 3 November 2008
Remember remember… your mutt hates the 5 November!
Are you are planning to go out and enjoy some fireworks on 5 November?
Remember, there is nothing worse for a dog than the symphony of fires, banging, bright lights and the general commotion of Guy Fawkes Night. Some dogs can be more sensitive to noise than others but most will get upset by fireworks.
In fact according to Dog Trust 80% of dogs are frightened by fireworks and 45% of owners say their dogs need sedation to calm their nerves. So it’s important to remember that all that excitement can really stress your dog out and even have longer traumatic affects on him/her.
To make sure that you take all the right measures to help you and your dog enjoy a safe evening we have put together some sound advice which should turn out any worries during Bonfire Night.
Do
1) Walk your dog before it gets dark – make sure your dog is well exercised and has relieved himself before the fireworks begin.
2) Distract - try distracting your dog from the loud noises and bright flashes by playing with a favourite toy or doing some reward based activity. Interacting with your dog during this stressful time will help keep his/her mind off what's going on outside. Turn up the TV or play some music to drown out the loud noises outside.
3) Treat - Try to give your dog a long-lasting treat so that they will spend a good part of the evening chewing and won’t have time to think about the commotion outside.
4) Dog Supplements - If your dog suffers from diarrhea when scared you should try Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic. There are also specific supplements to help your dog with firework fear, such as skullcap & valerian available from Dorwest or you can try a DAP pheromone diffuser.
5) Sanctuary - Provide a sanctuary for your dog - your dog will naturally seek a hiding place so make sure you provide him with a warm blanket in his favourite spot to hide under or a doggy sleeping bag to borrow and snuggle into.
Don’t
1) Try and reassure your dog for being scared – giving your dog any sort of verbal or tactile attention will only encourage fearful behaviour at the wrong time. It is much better to ignore fireworks as they happen.
2) Let your dog outside alone or off the lead – even if your dog doesn’t mind fireworks it’s very dangerous to allow him to roam freely in your garden or in the park.
3) Leave your dog in the house unsupervised or in a strange place. The best place for your dog is in a cosy and familiar environment - home!
If you have a horse you should try Blue Chip Karma to keep them calm during the fireworks season.
Try our prize draw this month to win a bag of Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic!
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