Cat and dog brands triumphed at last night’s Product of the Year awards ceremony hosted by comedian Patrick Kielty at the Sheraton, Park Lane, London.

Mars Petcare was awarded for its Whiskas Pure Delight cat product range and Harringtons, who believe in ‘Natural for All’, also picked up an award for their innovative Just 6 dog food.

Both products are made without artificial additives, a trend echoed across many of the winners in this year’s award. Petcare is no exception. Research conducted by Product of the Year in November last year revealed more than one-third of UK consumers (35%) are more likely to choose products that have a positive impact on health and well-being.

The products were among the year’s most innovative products with the winners chosen by more than 10,000 consumers, Product of the Year is the UK’s biggest survey of product innovation and widely recognised as one of the industry’s most influential awards.

Conducted in association with Kantar, the world’s leading research group, the winners represent key consumer wants and changing habits – a unique barometer of consumer behaviour and current trends.

“Just 6 is a premium tier of the Harringtons brand and delivers on our market research that pet owners felt a limited ingredient diet would give them the necessary product confidence and transparency.  Just 6 is all about limited, natural, recognisable ingredients," said Dan Reeves, Harringtons, Marketing Manager.

“The distinctive black packaging is also another first for the brand and raises its status to a more premium position as well as attracting the shopper as they make their way down the pet food aisle. We’re delighted this new range has received such a powerful consumer endorsement and been voted a winner in the 2020 Product of the Year Awards.”

As well as taking home the much-coveted Product of the Year trophy, the winners also have the right to display the iconic red logo which is responsible for an increase in sales from between 10 and 15%.

“Innovation is often about those smart, small incremental improvements that have a disproportionately big impact on our lives,” said Mike Nolan, CEO, Product of the Year.

“All of the 2020 Product of the Year winners are boldly treading new ground, pushing the edges to help shape a future that is healthier, more responsible and just that little bit easier - innovations that are a direct response to the needs of today’s consumer. Congratulations to all the winners

Full list of 2020 Product of the Year winners across 44 categories:

• Bladder Weakness, Always Discreet Liners to Go, Procter & Gamble
• Baby & Toddler Meals, Cow & Gate First Spoons Carrot, Danone Specialised Nutrition
• Baby Cereal, Cow & Gate Banana Wholegrain Porridge with Buckwheat, Danone Specialised Nutrition
• Cakes & Biscuits, Cadbury Dairy Milk Slices, Premier Foods
• Cat Food, Whiskas Pure Delight, Mars Petcare Ltd
• Cereal, W.K.Kellogg Plant Protein, Kellogg’s
• Coffee, NESCAFÉ Azera Coffee Bags, Nestlé UK
• Coffee pods, Costa Coffee Signature Blend Lungo Nespresso® Pod, All About Food Ltd
• Convenience Food, Heinz Creationz, Kraft Heinz
• Dairy, Lurpak Butterbox, Arla Foods
• Dairy Alternatives, NESCAFÉ Gold Dairy Alternative Lattes, Nestlé UK
• Dog Food, Harringtons Just 6, Inspired Pet Nutrition
• E-Cigarette, Vype ePod, British American Tobacco
• Feminine Care, Always Ultra InstantDry, Procter & Gamble
• Flavouring & Seasoning, Paxo Bake in a Tray Stuffing, Premier Foods
• Food Kit, Sharwood's Katsu Curry Wrap Kits, Premier Foods
• Formula Powder, Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk Powder, Danone Specialised Nutrition
• Formula RTD, Aptamil Follow-On Milk Advanced Liquid with Pronutra, Danone Specialised Nutrition
• General Cleaning, Cif ecorefill range, Unilever
• General Household, Astonish Oven & Grill Cleaner & Sponge, Astonish
• Health & Beauty, Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel, Omega Pharma
• Health Nutrition, Optimum Rocky Road Protein Bar, Glanbia Performance Nutrition
• Healthy Drinks, Honest Classic & Pink Lemonade, Coca-Cola
• Household Paper, Plenty Hand Towels, Essity Hygiene Products UK Ltd
• Hybrid Mattress, Simba Hybrid® Mattress, Simba Sleep
• Indulgent Treat, M&M's Bars, Mars Wrigley
• Kids Food, White Choc Coco Pops, Kellogg's
• Laundry Additives, Vanish Gold Stain Oxi Action Removal Gel, Reckitt Benckiser
• Laundry Detergent, Surf Coconut Bliss Liquid Detergent, Unilever
• Mattress, Casper Essential Mattress, Casper
• Meat Free, Richmond Meat-Free Sausages, Kerry Foods
• Men's Razor, Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor, Procter & Gamble
• Sauce, Loyd Grossman No Added Sugar Bolognese, Premier Foods
• Snack Pot, Loyd Grossman Pasta Italia Pots Range, Premier Foods
• Snacks, Mr Kipling Reduced Sugar Slices, Premier Foods
• Sparkling Wine, O'jos Spritz, Concha y Toro
• Teeth Whitening Kits & Strips, Wisdom Intense White Teeth Whitening Strips, Wisdom Toothbrush Ltd
• Toilet Tissue, Cushelle Ultra Quilted, Essity Hygiene Products UK Ltd
• Toothpaste, Oral-B Gumline Purify Toothpaste, Procter & Gamble
• Water, Aquarius Lemon & Aquarius Lime, Coca-Cola
• Whitening Toothpaste, Oral-B 3D White Luxe Blast Toothpaste, Procter & Gamble
• Wipes, Cheeky Panda Wipes, The Cheeky Panda
• Women's Razor, Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive, Procter & Gamble
• Zero - No Sugar Drink, Diet Coke Twisted Strawberry and Exotic Mango, Coca-Cola.

Pets at Home has reported a ‘record-breaking’ performance over Christmas, helped by strong demand for its dog grooming service.

In a trading update for 12 weeks to January 2, the Cheshire-headquartered retailer reported the group’s revenue had grown 7.9% to £255.9m.

Its retail revenue rose 7% while its vet group revenue was up 14.4% and omnichannel revenue was up 23.4%.

The period saw the number of dogs groomed in a single day hit 6,023 and included its biggest online and offline trading days.

Chief executive Peter Pritchard said: “Our sales performance in the quarter proves once again that by offering convenient and affordable pet care to customers, we can further strengthen our market leading position.

“Against a backdrop of unprecedented consumer volatility, our continued momentum leaves us very much on track with our plans for the year.”

The retailer said it was “on track” with its plans for the 2020 financial year, and financial guidance is unchanged.

Pets at Home said the UK pet care market remains resilient and is attracting and retaining pet lovers with its VIP membership.

The group has more than 5.3m VIP members and has more than 850,000 subscription customers across the group.

The number of VIPs who purchased products and services has grown 24% year-on-year.

'The Scruffs 12 Days of Christmas campaign', which ran from Saturday 30^th November to Wednesday 11^th December 2019, has been reported as one of the most successful campaigns to date.

Scruffs had also partnered with Manchester Dogs Home for this year's event, along with leading pet food manufacturers Arden Grange and Lintbells, to offer hamper prizes on two of the promotional days.

Scruffs has confirmed a 50% increase in site traffic, and a 30% rise in engagement compared with the stats from the same period in 2018.

The Scruffs Christmas promotion has become an annual tradition since debut in 2014. In this time, Scruffs has given away over £5,000 worth of pet beds and accessories to owners around the globe.

In 2015, Scruffs notably donated a Grizzly Bear Bed (RRP: £199.99) to Border Collie Rescue UK as part of their Christmas event. In 2017, the company ran a 10-day giveaway event which generated over £1,000 worth of prizes during the period.

A spokesperson said: "We’re thrilled to report a successful Christmas competition, one which surpassed our expectations. We were able to give away a range of dog beds and accessories to our loyal fans, amassing to over £1,200 at RRP. We’d like to thank our followers for taking part, and to both our retail and charity partners for their additional support and involvement.”

For more information, please contact the Scruffs marketing department on pr@petslovescruffs.com.

A pet food business has transformed its brand in time for the new decade, as it sets out to revolutionise the pet food industry.

The team from Yorkshire based Pure Pet Food has introduced a new personalisation-based model in a bid to make better pet health and nutrition accessible to all dog owners.

By tailoring their grain-free human-grade dog food to each individual customer, owners can now feed their pets minimally processed, healthy meals with ease and convenience.

The company was set up in 2012 by childhood friends Mathew Cockroft and Daniel Valdur Eha, and started life as a small online store.

Now, visitors to the site will be asked to enter their pet’s details – including name, age, weight and any health conditions or dietary requirements – and the information will be used to recommend the perfect recipe best suited to their needs, removing all the guesswork and saving time.

The business has also introduced brand new fully recyclable and eco-friendly packaging, which again is personalised to each customer.

The Pure team have made these changes in response to alarming research suggesting that pet obesity is at an all-time high, with vets and nurses estimating that almost half of the dogs they see are overweight or obese.

In dogs, obesity is associated with osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, kidney disease, cancer and more, and a poor diet is a major contributing factor.

With more and more families opting to feed their pets cheap and highly processed dry biscuits which are supposed to provide a ‘complete’ meal but contain poor quality ingredients, pets’ waistlines are paying the price, as well as their overall health.

So, the Pure team developed healthy, human-grade recipes that allow dogs to thrive.

Pure’s recipes are made with fresh ingredients that are gently preserved by removing the moisture, leaving the meals around four times as dense in nutrients, vitamins and minerals as you’d find in fresh food.

After switching their dogs to Pure, existing customers reported improvements to symptoms including bad breath, itchy skin, stomach issues, and weight issues, and in some cases symptoms and ailments have disappeared altogether.

Pure Pet Food co-founder Mat said: “The beginning of the new decade marks a really exciting time for us at Pure Pet Food.

“We’ve been in the business for nearly eight years now, and in that time, owners have become more aware of the benefits of feeding a low processed diet – yet there’s still an alarming number of families that just have no idea what they’re putting into their pets’ food bowls each day.

“In the last decade, the general public has become even more knowledgeable about human health, nutrition and wellness in general, and although this is slowly translating to our pets’ health, there is still a way to go.

“As a result, pet obesity is at an all-time high, and an alarming number of illnesses and diseases are being linked to a lifetime of eating poor quality, low cost, brown biscuits – which is essentially the equivalent to us eating highly processed ready meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

“To help owners easily transition we’ve updated our whole customer experience, personalising our recipes to each individual pet’s needs.

“Customers no longer have to spend time browsing our products and guessing which recipe would suit their dog best, as our recommendation algorithm does this for them.

“Our products are now delivered in new packaging, which will be personalised with your pets’ names and 100% recyclable, as we believe it’s important to be good to our pets and the planet.

“The dehydration process we use gives Pure food a long shelf life, meaning owners aren’t contributing to fresh food wastage and all they have to do is add water to the recipes!

“It’s also worth noting that fresh food contains 75% moisture, so the food industry essentially ships tons of water across the UK each year. When we all have water on tap at home, why create more carbon emissions shipping water? Our process extracts the moisture from our fresh human-grade ingredients, instead leaving customers to re-hydrate the food at home, meaning we use 75% less packaging and generate 75% less emissions – win, win!

“We’re also moving into a new 14,000 sq ft facility in Yorkshire very soon, which will give us the much-needed space to keep up with the demand.”

Pure’s unique dehydration combines the convenience of kibble with the nutritional benefits of fresh food - preventing bloating and reducing the risk of dehydration, whilst being super easy to store.

As well as complete recipes, customers can also purchase a range of treats and toppings, which are all created using human-grade, natural ingredients.

Mat added: “We see our pets as members of the family, so it’s about time we started feeding them like they were.

“And that’s where Pure Pet Food comes in. We represent the future of pet food and we’re helping to reduce the worrying statistics that are linked to a poor diet, ensuring dogs are living their healthiest lives, for as long as possible.”

Norwood Aquarium Ltd takes pride in being the UK’s longest established aquatic wholesaler (55 years) and believes that its outstanding customer service will help the business to thrive in the future.

Gone are the days when Norwood Aquarium only supplied the Home Counties, with the company expanding nationally over the past few years, covering England, Wales and Scotland with its own vehicles. It has also been recently been appointed as a national distributor for JBL as well as Askoll.

Sales manager Sam Street took time out of his busy schedule to explain a bit more about the company’s success.

Who started the business? 

The business was founded by Tony and Mary Street in the 1960s as a small retailer in Norwood, South London.

Has it stayed in the same family since the start? 

Yes, it is now in its 3rd generation. Currently at the helm are brothers Rob (General Manager) and myself (Sales Manager).

Do you supply retailers throughout the UK? 

We certainly do, we run a fleet of our own vehicles delivering from Truro to Inverness! Bricks and mortar retailers are our core customer base but we also supply a variety of other entities such as colleges, universities and public aquariums.

How has the industry changed over the past few years? 

The internet has had a big impact on retail shops. It’s very difficult for them to compete with online prices these days. We know from our experience running an aquatic store can be expensive stuff. However, it is essential these stores are there to offer the livestock and advice that is needed, especially for the newcomers to the hobby. It is for that reason we will not supply online-only retailers.

Is it getting tougher?

Legislation changes do occasionally affect us but again I’d say they hit the retailers harder. Particularly with new restrictions on fish, plants and corals importing as well as the tougher pet shop licence criteria for example. I think the uncertainty of Brexit has affected everyone – people seem to more cautious with their spending right now. We don’t envisage much disruption to supply when Brexit does happen, but just in case, we are working closely with our European manufacturers to ensure its kept to a minimum. 

What's the secret of the company's success? 

It’s got to be our service. We are renowned throughout the industry for looking after our customers, having the most knowledgeable staff and doing what we say. Couple that with an ever-expanding range of core and exclusive brands, we believe we have a winning formula.

How many people are employed by the business?

25

For more information visit www.norwood-aquarium.co.uk

Pictured from left to right: Spencer Smith (Representative), Sam Street (Sales Manager), Rob Street (General Manager) and Keith Street (Director).

CASCO Pet has been given a fantastic opportunity to work on a UK project contributing to Wolverhampton’s community.

HugglePets in the community is a Community Interest Company (CIC) who approached CASCO Pet with a request for designing and installing an aquarium room with 100 tanks, and naturally, CASCO Pet said yes.

The project goal is to use animal therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing among children and adults in the community. CASCO Pet and HugglePets shared values in animal welfare make this project particularly special.

Fish tanks are interactive and immersive environments, and therefore are often used for therapy rooms. Colourful fish and realistic background graphics create a space that is as close to nature as possible and equally, creates an enjoyable experience.

The dark units and contrasting dim blue lighting create a tranquil atmosphere that is perfect for people suffering with autism and anxiety. The aquarium space will also be noise free, creating an all-round calming ambience.

In order to make this a space that is suitable for all the community, it was important for CASCO Pet to design a room that is easy to navigate as well as being easy to access. Everyone should be able to enjoy this room, which is why it is designed with a clear route to walk around the edge of the room. This is designed with wheelchair access in mind and really does cater to everyone.

The combined work of HugglePets, CASCO Pet and the sponsorships means children and adults with autism, Alzheimers, anxiety, depression, loneliness and sensory disabilities can enjoy a therapy space that is just for them.

www.cascopet.com

Pet stores and garden centres are being urged to register now for free entry to PATS Sandown, the UK’s Spring pet industry exhibition, where the leading brands will be showcasing their new products and services under one roof.

With so many exciting plans for 2020, PATS Sandown is shaping up to be another memorable event in February.

More than 150 companies and brands have booked their stand space, so retailers and buyers can be certain the exhibition halls at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Surrey will be packed with hundreds of new products.

As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place on Sunday, February 9, and Monday, February 10, 2020.

So why should retailers register now for free entry to the two-day exhibition? Here’s just a quick summary of popular visitor attractions:

• The biggest and best showcase of new pet products
• Unrivalled show offers and competitions
• Top groomers giving insightful demonstrations, workshops and talks
• Leading pet industry figures delivering informative seminars

Tina Quest, Senior Buyer of Redpaw Pet Supplies in Plymouth, Devon,

revealed why PATS exhibitions play a crucial role in helping retailers choose the right pet products for their stores.

“This show has everything – a great selection of exciting new products and a wide variety of exhibitors. As retailers we are spoiled for choice,” said Tina. “We always seem to spend far too much money on new stock for our shop but the investment is well worthwhile. It’s a brilliant show.”

Parking is free at the Sandown park exhibition Centre, and everyone will receive a free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.

Exhibitors are well advanced in their preparations for PATS Sandown and are getting excited about showcasing their new products at the show.

Tyler Daly, of Paleo Ridge Raw, said: “This is one of the best events we’ve found to connect with existing stockists while also getting the opportunity to discover and connect with potential new customers. PATS Sandown is great for showcasing new products and seeing what exciting innovations are coming out of the pet sector. It’s a very important date in our calendar.”

And Grantley Rogers, of 3P Enterprise, added: “PATS provides us with an opportunity to meet our customers and listen to their needs. It also offers a great platform for us to launch new products and improve awareness of our brand within the trade.”

You can register on line at www.patshow.co.uk where you’ll also find a full list of exhibitors and information on how to reach the venue.

Leading German brand Josera has expanded its premium cat food range introducing more grain-free recipes and adding two new formulations – Naturelle and Daily Cat.

Josera, which also offers premium Dog and Horse food, will be showing the expanded cat food range at this year’s PATS Sandown.

Josera Cat Food now includes a total of four grain-free choices, including two completely new recipes. 

Naturelle formulated with lentil and trout for indoor and neutered cats and Daily Cat – a recipe for more active indoor and outdoor cats formulated with 82% poultry and sweet potato along with herbs, selected fruits and dietary fibre for anti-fur ball qualities.

Produced in Germany in its carbon neutral factory, Josera’s Cat food is manufactured with the highest quality standards while being ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable. With all ingredients earning Germany’s prestigious DLG product certification and with feedback from some of the fussiest felines, consumers are assured of quality and sustainability. A recyclable packaging makeover includes new sizes and a zip lock feature too.

Josera's new grain-free Naturelle is made with poultry, sweet potato, lentil and trout with a moderate fat content which makes it ideal for cats prone to weight gain after sterilisation, indoor dwellers and those with restricted access to exercise.  L-carnitine supports the metabolism of fat and Naturelle also reduces the build-up of tartar on teeth and to avoid the build-up of urinary tract stones; the recipe enables a pH value between 6.0 and 6.5.

Josera’s new grain-free recipe Daily Cat is ideal for cats that are sensitive to grain and is the perfect, nutritional feed for active cats. With lots of poultry, Josera has added sweet potato to create the perfect balanced recipe with the addition of herbs and healthy fruits acting as the finishing touch. Its nutrient levels and high dietary fibre helps prevent hairballs, meaning optimal digestive comfort for cats.

New 4.25 kg and 15 kg bags will be exclusively available to bricks and mortar retailers (selected products) and will keep fresh with Josera's zip locks.

Josera Cat Food is available to buy from Pet Footprint:  https://petfootprint.co.uk/

Dog-loving celebrities joined ethical dog food brand, Barking Heads, for a sleep out in London to help raise awareness and understanding about the hardships faced by the many homeless men and women sleeping rough with their dogs...

TOWIE star, Pete Wicks, supported by fellow Dogs On The Street ambassador actor Peter Egan, braved temperatures of minus one  to ‘sleep out’ on the streets of central London on Friday 17^th January, in an event organised by dog charity, DOTS in collaboration with natural dog food brand, Barking Heads.

Barking Heads is a leading UK ethical dog food brand run by a team of passionate dog lovers who produce quality food packed with natural, healthy ingredients.

DOTS is a volunteer run, not-for-profit charity dedicated to the welfare of dogs belonging to the UK’s homeless community. Founded by Michelle Clarke in 2017, it offers 24/7 support for dogs and their homeless owners, with weekly street ‘stations, which provide food and veterinary services as well as vital accessories like coats, bedding, collars and leads. DOTS also help rough sleepers to find permanent accommodation – a challenge as many refuse housing when offered, simply because it is not dog-friendly.

 “A lot of people can end up staying on the streets because of their love for their dogs,” says DOTS founder, Michelle Clark. “Temporary accommodation doesn’t always accept animals, and what dog lover could willingly give up their pet? Most of the people we meet can’t even contemplate giving up the only thing that has never let them down.”

“I can’t thank everyone involved in our sleep out enough: Pete, Peter, the team from Barking Heads - they have provided such wonderful support.”

The Sleep The Streets event included a combined group from DOTS and its charity partner, Barking Heads.  On one of the coldest nights of the year, the committed crew swapped winter home comforts for a night sleeping rough in London, to help raise money and better awareness and understanding about the hardships faced by the many homeless men and women and their dogs.

Pete Wicks says: “My two dogs are my world. They bring such positivity into my life. But for people who are homeless, their dogs mean even more. The dogs provide companionship and love in a world where they are often invisible. That’s why the work DOTS does to support these dogs and owners is so important - it keeps these partnerships together.”

Checking in at the event also was Wayne Evans and his dog, Tyson. Once a rough sleeper himself, Wayne was supported by DOTS and now helps to highlight the life-changing work they do.

Barking Heads Marketing Director, Julia Anderton says: “I’m not sure any of us were truly prepared for our night on the street, yet sleeping rough is something 320,000 people in the UK face every day*. As a group of genuine dog lovers, we jumped at the chance to get involved and help Michelle raise awareness. For many men and women living on the streets, their dog isn’t just a pet, it’s their lifeline.”

*Source: Shelter

Help DOTS make a difference: https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/sleep-out-2020

Vet charity PDSA has warned drivers to check under their car and bonnet before switching engines on this winter after vets had to amputate a cat’s leg when it got trapped in a fan belt.

Using up one of her nine lives, Saffy the cat, from Bradford, hid under a neighbour’s car bonnet. Not realising she was there, he switched the engine on and her leg caught in the fan belt, completely severing her thigh bone.

Poor Saffy was rushed to Bradford PDSA Pet Hospital in desperate pain. Sadly, her leg was beyond repair and the vet team had no choice but to amputate. Saffy is thankfully now recovering at home after a very lucky escape.

Her relieved owner, Shameena Baker explained what happened: “Our neighbour heard Saffy scream when he turned the engine on. He turned it off straight away and opened the bonnet to find her tangled up and in anguish. Another passing neighbour recognised Saffy immediately and came to get me, it was awful to see her and I didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t free her she was so badly trapped, so we called a mechanic.”

Thankfully the mechanic was able to free poor Saffy. Shameena took her straight to PDSA where she was immediately admitted for life-saving treatment.

PDSA vet Rachel Bishop said: “Saffy is very lucky to be alive and, thankfully, we now expect her to make a good recovery. Sadly, it’s not unusual for us to hear about this type of accident happening over the colder months – cats often seek out warm places and a recently driven car engine can seem like a safe, cosy place for a snooze.

“We’d advise drivers to check under their cars and wheel arches before switching engines on, particularly if the car has been used within the last few hours and the engine might still be warm.”

Former stray Saffy has been with her family for four years, they rehomed her when she was around one year old. The incident occurred in early November 2019, and thanks to PDSA’s help she was able to enjoy Christmas at home with her family. Saffy has now made a full recovery and is managing great on three legs. However, the incident has left its mark on her – she is now scared of cars and mostly stays indoors.

PDSA’s dedicated vet teams save thousands of sick and injured pets every month. The charity receives no government funding, relying entirely on generous public support to help save pets like Saffy.

Alexandra Thurstan, co-founder of leading Shropshire-based frozen fresh food pet manufacturing company Different Dog recently appeared on the BBC Worldwide News programme The Inside Track.

Alexandra explained how she and her husband Charlie came to set up the company. "Different Dog was borne out of the concern that dogs eating a processed diet weren't as healthy as they should be.

"Back in 2015 Charlie worked in the dog food industry. He got to know manufacturers, visit factories and understand how dog food is made. The more we learned, the more concerned we became.

“We all know that you are what you eat, yet we continue to feed our dogs the same food day in, day out. Often the shelf life is measured in years, and the food doesn’t even need to go in the fridge. What’s more, it doesn’t seem to have changed in years.

“When we got our new puppy, Crumble, it didn't feel right to give her processed food. So we started making food for her ourselves, as we do for our children. She loved it and thrived on it. We started making it for her friends as well, and they all loved it too. People told us their dogs had shinier coats, better digestion and more bounce. So we decided to help as many dogs as we could by setting up Different Dog” explains Alexandra.

Different Dog has certainly come a long way in 2 years with a dedicated commercial kitchen in Shrewsbury where the hand-made, freshly cooked recipes are prepared.

“We use the same fresh ingredients and methods you would at home to cook your family meals. Look for the name on the label of every dish to see which chef prepared your dog's food.

“Once defrosted, our food requires refrigeration and will only last for 5 days, much the same as if you had made a casserole yourself. We are regularly taking our food to the lab for testing, and we use the results to improve the nutritional value of our food. We make over a hundred recipes a year and we learn from them all. No one else is doing this.

“We are the first to provide a truly varied diet, by cooking new recipes throughout the year. This enables us to use seasonal ingredients and strengthens your dog's internal micro biome, an important factor in overall health” explains Alexandra.

Each Different Dog customer has a tailored-made food plan for their dog and personal access to support from a trained nutritionist and vet. Different Dog recipes can also be bought from a number of retailers, mainly independents across the UK from Aberdeen in Scotland to Teignmouth in Devon in the South West.

The team at Different Dog are as passionate about the environment as they are about dogs which is why looking after the planet is part of every decision they make from their eco-friendly compostable pots, to sourcing fruit & veg which isn’t pretty enough to go on supermarket shelves yet perfectly good to eat.

All Different Dog recipes are cooked by hand using high quality fresh ingredients. They adhere to the FEDIAF nutritional guidelines for optimum nutrition for dogs and the company bases their food standards on the Safer Food Better Business guidelines, which are restaurant standard. They also have one of the highest ratings on All About Dog Food and their Trustpilot reviews are phenomenal (see https://www.trustpilot.com/review/differentdog.com?languages=en&stars=5)

For further information on Different Dog visit: www.differentdog.com

Link to the BBC Inside Track interview https://www.facebook.com/differentdog/videos/576805582871354/

Mikki has launched the 2-In-1 Whistle Clicker. Cleverly combining the functions of two of its most popular training aids the new lightweight Clicker offers a high pitch whistle for recall and command, and a large button clicker to reinforce positive training behaviour. 

Available in a choice of red with black or black with red colourways it features a neck lanyard that ensures it is easy to wear and hold.  

It can also be easily stored for hands free training via its belt hook. 

The 2-In-1 Whistle Clicker is available to order now via Interpet’s new trade website here https://trade.interpet.co.uk/

Arden Grange, the independent manufacturer of hypoallergenic, super premium pet food, will again be an official sponsor at Crufts, which is being held at the NEC in Birmingham from March 5-8.

During the four-day event, there will be special show offers available on Arden Grange’s range of canine and feline food and treats to breeders and members of the public. This includes their popular grain-free Sensitive range of products, which have been highly praised for helping dogs with digestive and skin sensitivities.

In addition to these exclusive offerings, there will also be a brand new ‘spin the wheel’ feature which will allow visitors the chance to win some exciting prizes on the stand!

Drawing the crowds each year, Gill Raddings and her team of highly skilled Stunt Dogs will also be performing on the Arden Grange stand, three times daily. Previous Stunt Dog performances have included canine faces from TV series’ Poldark, Doc Martin and Midsomer Murders, and films Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Beauty and the Beast - just to name a few! Come along to stand 76 hall 3a to see the demonstrations throughout the day.   

Arden Grange’s award-winning range features diets suitable for all breeds and life stages, each recipe providing optimum nutrition. The most common dietary allergens are excluded, making Arden Grange products a popular choice among owners of pets with sensitivities.

For more information on Arden Grange products visit www.ardengrange.com or contact enquiries@ardengrange.com.

Multi-award winning  pet supplement and pet food company Broadreach Nature + which is based in Croydon, is backing a campaign to get people out walking their dogs in the winter months.

They have teamed up with leading Yorkshire-based pet accessory company, Collared Creatures who manufacture top of the range Harris Tweed dog collars and leads, dog beds and dog drying coats and Aqueos based in Wiltshire who produce a range of antibacterial dog shampoos, sanitising and grooming products.

Walk Your Dog Month is an international initiative designed to dust off those January blues and get people out and about, to meet other dog walkers and improve their own and their dogs’ well being. It is an ideal opportunity to lose a few pounds that have been put on during the festive season and also to help avoid pet obesity making sure that dogs are receiving active exercise and proper nutrition during the winter months.

The third Monday is January is officially known as Blue Monday and is based on a formula which calculates the weather conditions, the level of debt, the time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s Resolutions and low motivational levels.

To combat the January blues many people believe that this is a good time to start exercising, take up an activity you have wanted to do for ages and enjoy time with friends and family.

Tiffani Cappello CHt, RTT, CLC a qualified Rapid Transformation Therapy   hypnotherapist (a technique pioneered by Marisa Peers voted the UK’s leading therapist) and mindset coach says: “The simple act of taking your dog for a walk every day is beneficial not only for your health and well-being but the love and connection that this daily routine also provides helps to nurture you emotionally and spiritually as well.”

Anne Wood, Founder of Broadreach Nature+ who have a developed a range of veterinary strength nutritional supplements and specialist diets for cats and dogs, believes that it is vitally important to exercise your dog in the winter months and to feed a good diet to improve your dog’s immune system and to protect the joints, coat and skin.

“During the winter months your dog’s immune system may be lowered, so keep an eye on his general health. If he is older or arthritic, he may find this time of year quite challenging, so if any doubt, speak to your vet. There are also great ranges of natural supplements on the market that cater specifically for skin and joint health and at Broadreach Nature + we have developed a range that can deal with every condition from improving the digestion, immune system,  skin, coat and joint care.

“Some dogs tend to be less active in winter, so take care not to overfeed. If they spend most to their time in your warm house they won’t need the extra calories to keep warm. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight and adjust its feed accordingly. If you dog is active and spending the winter months outdoors, then feed them a little extra as they will need more energy in the colder weather.”

Broadreach Nature + offers a range of tasty recipes that are grain free and their Daily Digestion life stage food contains Trout and Salmon which is packed full of omega oils which are perfect for protecting the skin, coat and joints in the cold weather.

A full list of hints and tips for caring for your dog in the winter months is available on the Broadreach Nature + website at: https://broadreachnature.com/advice/caring-for-your-dog-in-winter/

Broadreach Nature + are also running a joint Facebook competition throughout January to win a range of pet accessories from Collared Creatures, grooming and sanitising products from Aqueos and dog food and natural supplements from Broadreach Nature +. Visit @broadreachnatureplus.co.uk to enter.

For further information on Broadreach Nature + visit: www.broadreachnature.com

For further information on Collared Creatures visit. www.collaredcreatures.com

For further information on Aqueos visit: www.aqueos.co.uk

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Ruffwear is celebrating the launch of its new Front Range Collection by giving away the trip of a lifetime.

One lucky customer will win a trip for two to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the inspiration behind the name of Ruffwear’s best-selling harness.

The Front Range is the original all-day adventure harness, selling over a million units to date. It is set to relaunch on January 31^st with updated materials and colours including a Sumac Red option, responding to overwhelming customer demand for a red Front Range Harness.

The Collection is completed by a co-ordinating Front Range Leash and, new for 2020, the Front Range Collar.

Customers can enter the competition at ruffwearcompetition.com when they buy any item from the new Front Range Collection at selected Ruffwear retailers across Europe.

Retailers include Dogs4Friends, Hundeshop, Wilderhund and Woofshack in Germany, Mountain Dog, K9 Active, Orvis and The Epicentre in the UK, and Animatopia and DSA 13 in France.

To join the selected retail partners contact Accapi Group on +44(0)1207 291 247 or email info@accapigroup.com.

BETA International is set for pastures new, with a bold and exciting move to NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, allowing the UK’s leading trade show for equestrian, pet, country and giftware a chance to grow and develop.

The new venue will become home to BETA International from 2021, when the show takes over the entire Stoneleigh Park site, making full use of its three large halls and 250 acres of parkland only a short distance from Coventry and conveniently located in the centre of the country, with Birmingham International Airport and road and rail networks close by.

This well-known venue offers three large halls and a unique combination of indoor and outdoor areas, offering a huge amount of potential for exhibitors, including the hire of private rooms for retailer training. Exhibiting at BETA International will remain affordable and accessible, with a fantastic range of cost-effective and money-saving stand packages available at Stoneleigh. Quality stands providing value for money and return on investment is key.

“Times are changing and our industry continues to evolve, and it is essential that we do the same,” said BETA International organiser Claire Thomas. “Stoneleigh Park has an immensely rich equestrian heritage and is linked to some of the UK’s top equestrian events, so the move is an incredibly positive one and we are in great hands with the NAEC team.

“Switching from the NEC, Birmingham, where we have been for the past 26 years, will allow us to realise our vision for the show, with a powerful new programme tailored to the needs of today’s modern business and retail world, and the finest facilities.”

The 2021 trade show will feature a large party on Sunday evening. Past and prospective exhibitors will be invited to see the new venue and hear more about plans for the show and the benefits it offers at a special open day at the NAEC Stoneleigh on 3 March 2020.

BETA International will take place at NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 24 to 26 January 2021.

For information about exhibiting at the show, contact sales manager Darren Mottershead, email darrenm@beta-int.com or telephone +44 (0)1937 582111.

Companies and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the equestrian industry were celebrated at the 2020 BETA Business Awards. Winners of these prestigious accolades were announced during the British Equestrian Trade Association's annual Gala Dinner, at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on Monday.

Guests at this high point in the equestrian industry calendar arrived for a champagne reception, followed by a three-course dinner, before dancing the night away with a disco provided by Keratex Hoofcare. The BETA raffle – always a great fundraiser for Riding for the Disabled Association – collected £1,125 for the charity.

“This year saw another set of deserving winners in the Business Awards,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “The bar is always set extremely high and those who received a trophy represented the very best in the industry. We send our congratulations to them all and our thanks to the companies who sponsored the awards.”

The winners of the 2020 BETA Business Awards are... 

WEATHERBEETA GROUP RETAIL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Winner: Chantelle Snowling, Tower Farm Saddlers, Rugby

This award recognises employees showing excellent customer service, great product knowledge and a passion for professional retailing. The winner receives a cash prize in addition to the award and their employer is given BETA training vouchers.

The judges said: “Chantelle is a very deserving winner of this award, having proved herself to be a dedicated, focused and ambitious employee. She has a charming manner and friendly approach that is supported by a sound knowledge of the trade.”

EQUINE CAREERS SALES REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR

Winner: Karen Beaumont, Allen & Page, Thetford, Norfolk

Runner-up: Hayley Weatherstone, Finest Brands International, Leeds

This award, open to both employed and self-employed sales representatives and agents, goes to the individual judged outstanding in his or her approach to customer service.

The judges said of Karen: “With her cheery disposition and horse welfare as high on her agenda as her sales, she is to be congratulated for her commitment, drive and passion.”

TSM MARKETING EFFECTIVENESS AWARD

Winner: Westgate Labs, Morpeth, Northumberland

This new award celebrates effective communications and the increased value a company’s marketing campaign has brought to its brands. Aspects such as store and show-circuit promotions, mass media advertising, sponsored riders and social media are assessed to see how powerful a role they play in solving business problems and generating revenue.

Westgate Laboratories was praised for having clear objectives, effectively rolling out a desirable subscription model across different mediums and keeping print and digital advertising, direct emails, website graphics and social media all within budget. The judges added: “They were able to highlight the campaign’s success in terms of generated interest and financially.”

EQUESTRIAN EVENT OF THE YEAR SUPPORTED BY HENSON FRANKLYN

Winner: Your Horse Live, NAEC, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

This accolade, which is nominated by consumers and tradestand holders that have exhibited at various events, acknowledges the indoor or outdoor consumer show that works best to take the trade’s needs and requirements – and visitor experience – into consideration. Judges praised Your Horse Live for its move to a three-day event and trying to “accommodate exhibitors’ requests, and taking time to walk round other shows and listen to ideas, and change the show for the better.”

SEIB RETAILER OF THE YEAR

This award for tack shops and feed merchants – whether or not they are BETA members – relies on customer nominations. It is divided into two categories: Equestrian Retail Store and Online/Mail Order Retailer.

Equestrian Retail Store

Joint winners: Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, Hampshire

Tower Farm Saddlers, Rugby, Warwickshire    

Runner-up: Manor Equestrian, Newthorpe, Nottinghamshire

One judge said of the joint winners: “The stores were well laid out, with well-lit displays. I was greeted on arrival by friendly staff who made me feel like a valued customer. They offered great advice, with sound knowledge.”

Online/Mail Order Retailer

Winner: Supplement Solutions, Great Eccleston, Lancashire (pictured above)

Runner-up: Urban Horse, Alston, Cumbria

Judges were impressed with the company’s easy-to-navigate website, knowledgeable staff and wealth of information available, and felt that this was a retailer that excelled in both the service offered and the range of products available.

STUBBS ENGLAND NUTRITIONAL HELPLINE OF THE YEAR

Winner: TopSpec Equine Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Runner-up: Dengie Horse Feeds Maldon, Essex

This accolade goes to the company that offers excellence in nutritional advice and service to customers – consumer, trade and retail.

Judges praised TopSpec for the “clear, precise information given, with details about local suppliers to follow up with after the call”.

CERIS BURNS EQUESTRIAN EXPORT AWARD

Winner: Bedmax Shavings, Belford, Northumberland

This award is presented to the company that has shown substantial and sustained increases in export activity over a three-year period.

A judge praised Bedmax’s commitment to ensuring that its export sales manager has face-to-face meetings with clients at least twice a year, adding: “I am impressed by their foreign-language brochures, international advertising programmes and the Chinese- and Arabic-language sections on their website, which show a real commitment to international markets.”

LORINERY RETAIL DISPLAY COMPETITION SUPPORTED BY THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF LORINERS

Winner: Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, Hampshire

This award is designed to encourage high standards of in-store displays and the provision of information and educational material for the consumer.

Judges said that the winner’s lorinery display featured a wide range of bits and was well-lit and arranged into logical categories. “Aivly is to be congratulated on leading the field with its comprehensive and impressive arrangements of horse bits, and the information provided that helps to clarify the details of bit function and selection,” they added.

BETA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner: Richard Cleeve

This year’s BETA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Richard Cleeve, founder of leading equine supplement company NAF, was honoured for the passion he has consistently shown for animal welfare and his belief in the environment and all things natural.

He was praised for his modesty and practice of always investing funds back into the business and the industry, notably NAF’s research and development in new products and further innovating existing ones.

Richard spent his early working life on cattle stations in Australia before returning to Britain and running the family dairy farm in Monmouthshire. He married Fiona and had two daughters who took up riding, just as he had done since childhood. On seeing environmental stresses causing their horses to cough, he pioneered the manufacture of dust-free hay.

With Dr Nicholas Larkins, a vet, he then developed the use of natural products known as nutraceuticals. This became a core value when, in 1989, Richard founded NAF, which became an official supplier to British equestrian teams 18 years later. He has also been instrumental in raising nutritional awareness among performance athletes. 

He retired as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent in 2017, at the compulsory retirement age of 75.

Aivly Country Store, of Ringwood, Hampshire, was crowned winner of the BETA Lorinery Retail Display Competition for the second time at the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Business Awards.

The award, which is supported by the Worshipful Company of Loriners, is designed to encourage high standards of in-store bit and bitting displays, with the provision of information and educational material for consumers.

Judges praised the store for its well-lit and extensively stocked displays. “Everything was arranged with care and in logical categories,” they said. “We thought the lorinery bitting information points, which helped to clarify the details of bit function and selection, were very helpful and Aivly is to be congratulated on leading the field with its comprehensive arrangements.”

Shop manager Matthew Chard was presented with the trophy and a £250 lorinery shopping voucher. BETA executive director Claire Williams added: “Aivly really ticked all the boxes to create bitting displays that were not only eye-catching and attractive, but also really helped to bust some of the myths and misunderstanding that surrounds this sector.”

Amazon.co.uk has added a range of grain-free pet food suitable for dogs and cats to its Lifelong brand of pet supplies. 

Amazon says: "Developed by pet nutritionists and checked by vets, Lifelong’s Grainfree premium recipes are made with fresh lamb, salmon or chicken and no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives to ensure 100% complete and balanced nutrition for your pets.

"All are made with high quality ingredients and care, helping your pets be at their very best."

The new products are:

• Lifelong Grainfree Dry Dog Food with Fresh Lamb, currently priced at £19.99
• Lifelong Grainfree Dry Dog Food with Fresh Salmon, currently priced at £28.99
• Lifelong Grainfree Recipe Dry Cat Food with Fresh Chicken (Light), currently priced at £20.99
• Lifelong Grainfree Recipe Dry Cat Food with Salmon, currently priced at £19.99

Visit www.amazon.co.uk/lifelong to find out more

Independent retailers might not be benefiting fully from lifestage products for small pets, according to Supreme Petfoods and the category showed a slight decline in 2019 as a result.

The company has highlighted that starting small pets on a petfood brand that is not in grocery and providing for their needs throughout life, will help ensure that pet owners remain long-term, loyal customers, rather than allowing those valuable sales to drift to other channels.

While Supreme has out-performed the category, overall in the independent channel, the small animal category for 2019 is down by 2.6%.

Supreme Marketing Manager, Claire Hamblion, says: "There's no room for complacency here. Retailers should consider developing a clear recommendation strategy that allows them to keep the customers they have worked to acquire, throughout the pet's life. That initial customer acquisition is often the most difficult and expensive aspect of the marketing process - if retailers can keep them over a lifetime, that's when they become profitable."

One of the reasons for the category decline may be indicated in the results of a recent telephone survey of 395 independent pet stores across the UK, willing to stock a small pet lifestage range. The survey carried out by Supreme Petfoods, found that 74% stock a ‘junior' small pet product, whereas only 45% stock a ‘mature' offering. Both junior and mature represent transition points and therefore a chance for owners to switch brands or indeed the outlets where they buy their products.

Junior products, such as Science Selective Junior Rabbit, are fed for a very short time in a rabbit's life - generally only until 20 weeks of age when most breeds will have attained maturity - but it remains a highly important point of market entry. By recommending a food formulated for growth retailers underline their own expert credentials. The next transition is to adult, so recommending a brand that shoppers have to return to the store to buy is in the retailer's best interest. It's not enough just to provide feeding for those first few months and risk losing sales thereafter and it is especially important to look at the lifetime value of rabbits to the outlet as a whole.

Mature rabbit foods are fed from four years of age for the remainder of the pet's life. As the lifespan of a rabbit is 8-12 years, mature foods may be fed for longer than any other lifestage category. It is therefore surprising that less than half of the retailers contacted considered this to be an attractive option to stock.

Claire Hamblion notes that there are big opportunities here, that many retailers are not fully benefiting from. "The switch to mature rabbit provides an opening to start some very interesting conversations about senior care. Remember that by this time, these are very experienced owners and often highly bonded to their pet, so likely to be receptive to what you have to say. We also believe that as a result of better education and veterinary care, more rabbits are living into old age than ever before - so this is a big segment that is largely under serviced.

"Talking about the needs of senior rabbits, she continued, "Senior rabbit foods have to be highly palatable, as these pets often become more picky eaters as time goes on. Higher levels of antioxidants help deal with cell damage associated with aging. And of course, higher levels of fibre are vitally important to support dental and digestive health. Science Selective Rabbit Mature 4 years+ meets those needs. As well as adjusted diets, mature rabbits can also benefit from soft bedding and adjusted housing to help manage mobility problems and toys and enrichments that rely less on active play. Those are additional incremental sales, as well as making a positive contribution to animal welfare."

To find out more, contact Supreme on 01473 823296 or visit www.supremepetfoods.com to see the Selective lifestage range.

The Armitage Good Boy Advent Calendar once again proved to be a bestseller this Christmas, according to a nationwide survey.

Weekly analysis of EPOS data from garden centres by our sister publication Garden Trade News has shown that the Armitage Good Boy Dog Advent Calendar has been the bestselling Advent calendar in garden centres throughout the festive period

It appeared as high as No 36 in the overall GTN Bestsellers Top 100 Christmas Products Chart for 2019.

More information about Garden Centre Bestsellers can be found in the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter at: www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Interpet Limited, the market leader in innovative aquatic and pet accessories, has launched a new ‘trade only’ website  https://trade.interpet.co.uk/. 

Designed and created specifically for trade customers, the site features the company’s leading brands including Interpet Aquatics, Blagdon Pond, Mikki Pet, and Nylabone alongside several others. 

The fully integrated website allows customers to create an account where they can keep up to date with the latest products, innovations and promotions. With instant access to over one thousand products, ordering is quick and simple, with an online payment facility (World Pay) also available. Other features include the option to save favourite products for easy re-ordering and the ability to upload orders using Fastlines.  

The site is open to both existing and new retail customers. 

Speaking about the new website Commercial Manager Jason Booker said: “In a growing industry where our retail customers are under pressure to offer quality products at a competitive price, we are delighted to be able to offer this new facility that will not only keep them up to date with the latest developments, but also speed up the ordering process."

Welsh-based Happy Hounds is recalling certain types of frozen raw dog food because salmonella has been found in the products, says the Food Standard Agency.

The products are: 

• Frozen Chicken & Beef Sleeve Dog Food: pack size 1kg; Batch code 1205; Best before 3 September 2020
• Frozen Chicken Mince Sleeve Dog Food: pack size 1kg; Batch code 1205; Best before 3 September 2020
• Frozen Chicken Mince Dog Food: pack size 2.5kg (bag of 4); Batch code 1205; Best before 3 September 2020

The Food Standards Agency said: “The presence of salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk because of the presence of salmonella, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals.

“In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.

“Happy Hounds is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.”

The FSA alert can be read in full here https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-01-2020

Supermarket shelves have been left empty of cat litter following a major supplier falling into administration, according to The Grocer.

Bob Martin, which accounted for a large proportion of the UK cat litter market, appointed administrators in November and parts of the business were sold to Pets Choice.

But complications in transferring supermarket listings from Bob Martin to Pets Choice have led to a widespread cat litter shortage across a number of supermarkets, according to The Grocer report.

Pets Choice said the transfer of supermarket listings from Bob Martin had resulted in delays but normal supply should be available shortly.

The Grocer report can be read in full here