Scotland-based Avondale Pet Foods has recalled its Just Natural Chicken & Trip raw dog food because it has been found to contain salmonella. The product had been sold in Scotland and England.

No other Avondale Pet Foods Ltd products are known to be affected.

Point-of-sale notices have been displayed in all retail stores selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

In the customer notice, the pet food company said: “We apologise unreservedly for any undue concern this may have caused.

We have formally updated the affected stockists and anyone with any unused packs of this product batch number please return them to the place of purchase where possible for a full refund.

“If anyone has any questions please either contact your stockist or contact us, we have set up an email address specifically for this product_recall@just-natural.co.uk or alternatively call 07967 491384.”

The Food Standards Agency issued details of the Product Recall Information Notice on its website to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with the pet food.

The FSA stated:  “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.”

Full details of the Product Recall can be found on the FSA website at https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-71-2018

Pets at Home is ramping up recruitment for its training academy in 2019.

Recruitment agency Encore Personnel, which has an onsite team hiring and supporting agency workers at the pet retailer, revealed it will enhance the training programme further by training up to 10 new recruits each month.

The Academy, which has been up and running for four months, prepares those who have had years of difficulty finding a job by equipping them with the skills to perform well in interviews and the necessary training to work for potential experience at Pets at Home.

The full story can be viewed on the Recruiter website by clicking here

Research from True Instinct, the raw and natural pet food expert, reveals that 10 million* dog and cat owners are not aware of what’s in their pet’s food. Despite this, a quarter are pledging to make a healthy New Year’s resolution for their four-legged friend.

The poll of UK dog and cat owners** reveals that the nation’s knowledge of pet food ingredients is extremely low, with over 62% (equating to 10 million out of 17 million total dog and cat owners in the UK) admitting to not knowing what they’re really feeding their pet. More than half say they aren’t aware that mainstream dry pet foods contain sugar, meat derivatives, processed ingredients and artificial additives. Less than 15% of those surveyed are aware that shocking ingredients such as bone ash, feathers and synthetics can be found in some of these foods.

The knowledge gap continues with around a third of pet owners not realising dogs can’t eat foods such as chocolate or onions which are both toxic. Conversely, owners aren’t aware of the many ingredients that can improve pet health either; 14% say dogs can’t eat butternut squash, which is a nutritious vegetable, and 20% say blueberries are a no-go but are actually full of antioxidants. Both are found in natural and raw pet foods such as True Instinct, due to the countless health benefits they provide.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Whilst only 40% of UK dog and cat owners are making a healthy New Year’s resolution for themselves in 2019, a quarter are putting their pets first and have pledged that they’ll make one for their four-legged friend – ensuring they kick start the year to get their pet healthier and happier.

This could be down to the fact that over a third say their dog or cat suffers from a health issue such as bad breath, diabetes or a skin condition, and 10% are overweight. Such conditions can be alleviated simply by switching to a more natural, healthy diet.

Whilst knowledge of ingredients is low, the research does show that 26% of pet parents say that when selecting their pet food brand their dog or cat must visibly enjoy it, and a quarter state it must make a difference to their health and wellbeing.

Top 10 list of New Year’s resolutions for our pets this January:

1. Go for more walks (45%)
2. Cut down on unhealthy treats (40%)
3. Give them a better, more natural diet (31%)
4. Spend more time with them (30%)
5. Brush their teeth more often (29%)
6. Pay more attention to their training/behaviour (25%)
7. Take them for regular health checks (21%)
8. Stop bad habits e.g. sleeping on the bed, eating from the table (19%)
9. Give them more regular baths (18%)
10. Ensure they socialise with other dogs/cats (16%)

Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager for True Instinct comments: “January is often a time where our thoughts turn to getting healthier, be it taking part in ‘Dry January’ or just generally being more conscious about what we eat – and this shouldn’t be any different for our pets. Whilst there is clearly a gap in knowledge of what’s really in certain pet foods, we understand that pet owners are often time-poor and often prioritise convenience. 

“However, it’s promising to see from the research that pet parents want to make a positive change – and it doesn’t have to be difficult either.

“Pets could take part in their very own ‘Dry January’ – but one where they enjoy a balanced nutritious diet in the form of a more natural, healthy dry food such as True Instinct. Our Raw Boost product includes no nasties and all the ingredients they need to thrive, whilst still in a convenient format.”

For more information or to place an order, visit www.trueinstinct.co.uk or call 0800 0183770.

*Calculated using PFMA data on current dog and cat population 2018 – 17 million

**Survey by OnePoll on 17^th December 2018 of 2,000 UK dog and cat owners

Ceva Animal Health has launched humorous new TV advertisements and partnered with the popular ‘Walking the Dog’ podcast series to raise awareness of its leading pet behaviour products Adaptil and Feliway.

In a new direction for the brands, the humorous new advertisements feature behavioural issue scenarios being acted out by humans instead of pets. These include separation anxiety and fear of loud noises and the vacuum cleaner in dogs and scratching furniture, urine spraying and hiding away due to household visitors in cats.

Running over the festive period, while more people are at home watching TV, the advertisements will air until 20^th January 2019, giving Adaptil and Feliway a strong start to the year.  Both advertisements are 30 seconds long and they will reach 15 million people.  They will air on all Channel 4 and Channel 4 partner channels, including Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4, Drama, Good Food, Really, W and Home.  

To view the Adaptil advertisement go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgDkBTjxQDU and to watch the Feliway advertisement visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzTf5S5god4

In a new initiative for Ceva, Adaptil will partner with The Times to support its ‘Walking the Dog’ podcast series hosted by Emily Dean.  Emily is a keen Adaptil fan as she uses it on her Shitzu Raymond to help him cope with life’s challenges. 

During the podcasts she goes on walks with top celebrities and their dogs where they talk about a range of topics including canine centric conversations which will appeal to anybody interested in dogs.  Stars who feature on the podcasts include The Supervet, Jimmy Carr and Rob Bryden. 

An Adaptil advertisement with a voiceover from Emily herself will air before the podcasts begin, in the middle and at the end and it will feature on both the back catalogue of podcasts and new episodes.

To listen to the podcasts go to https://www.adaptil.com/uk/Blog/Walking-The-Dog-with-Emily-Dean-from-The-Times-and-ADAPTIL-Partner-up

“Our new TV advertising campaigns and podcast partnership will boost awareness of both Adaptil and Feliway throughout the festive period and into January, when changes to routine, visitors in the household and loud noises from Christmas crackers and fireworks can challenge even the most laid-back pet,” comments Abigail King, behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health.

For further information on Adaptil or Feliway visit www.adaptil.com or  www.feliway.com.

Denzel, the chocolate cocker spaniel and face of healthy snack company Denzel’s, took to the streets of London before Christmas. Along with his faithful elves Santa Denzel treated 500 sausage dogs in Hyde Park who were dressed to the nines in their finest festive get-ups.

The day gained a lot of media attention due to the sheer amount of dachshunds in Christmas jumpers.

To spread the Christmas cheer in Hyde Park dachshunds could choose from their three flavours:

High Protein Dog Chews – Packed full of healthy protein, your dog will love the perfect balance of real chicken, spinach and chickpeas.

Superfood Dog Chews – Find vitamins and minerals in abundance with the delicious blend of salmon, fresh banana, berries and apple.

Nut Butter Dog Chews – A combination of tasty peanuts, cashews and coconut oil give the right mix of healthy fats and fibre.

You can also check out Denzel’s online: www.denzels.co.uk

Suffolk based manufacturer Skinner’s Pet Foods supported rescue centres throughout the UK with over £10,000 of dog food this Christmas.

Skinner’s drew out a handful of rescue centres at random to donate a pallet of Field & Trial Turkey & Rice, in order to make the mission of giving as many dogs a Christmas dinner as possible come true!

The rescue centres included, Caring 4 Canines in Haughley (pictured above) which houses 101 dogs, Whitehall Dog Kennels (Wakefield), Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue (Dumfries), Babington Rescue (Nottingham), Forest Dog Rescue (Kidderminster), Teckels Animal Sanctuaries (Gloucester) and Meadow Green (Norwich).

Sarah Fortey, Assistant Manager of Teckels Animal Sanctuaries, said: “We always prefer to give our rescue animals a good balanced diet whilst in our care, and it's great that we have a good supply of Field & Trial Turkey & Rice to use for the year ahead. We thank Skinner’s for their support and generous donation."

Skinner’s Pet Foods Sales & Marketing Director, William Delamore, said: “Christmas is a special time to many people, and this should be no different for dogs in rescue centres. We wanted to help make a difference for these dogs by providing them with a Turkey & Rice dinner from our very own Field & Trial range.

“We realise that it’s not just Christmas when rescue centres need donations of food, so that is why, from January 2019, we are giving our customers the chance to vote on our Facebook page monthly for a charity they would like us to donate to.”

Each pallet donated by Skinner’s would retail in excess of £1,500 making the total donated this Christmas over £10,000 and feeding almost 300 dogs.

Skinner’s Field & Trial range is currently stocked in over 2,000 independent pet stores, country stores and most online retailers.

Stockists can be found at www.skinners.co.uk

• More than half (55%) of UK adults will make New Year’s resolutions
• 35%⁽¹⁾ of pet owners will make a New Year’s resolution for their pets
• Healthy habits top the list for both humans and their pets

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, pets and their human counterparts have the same goals for the New Year. Health-related commitments top the list for both UK adults and their four-legged companions in 2019, according to new research from Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance. 

A third of pet owners (35%) say their pet will have a New Year’s resolution in 2019, while over half (55%) of UK adults will also have at least one.

Dog and cat owners and those planning to buy these pets are even more likely to have a New Year’s resolution. For example, almost two thirds of dog owners (64%) have made a New Year’s resolution, 9% more than the national average ⁽¹⁾.  

According to dog and cat owners, the most popular resolutions  for pets are to do more exercise (14%), followed by eating more healthily (11%) and losing weight (10%)⁽¹⁾. 

The most common New Year’s resolutions for pets and UK adults⁽¹⁾

Worryingly, the research also showed that a fifth (20%) of dog and cat owners say they either could not identify if their pet had become overweight or were uncertain about it. However once they establish their pet is overweight, owners are most likely to put them on a diet or feed them less (65%), take them for more walks (42%) or give them specialist pet food (38%)⁽¹⁾. 

Karen Hogg, head of Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance, said: “It’s great to see that many pet owners are responsible when it comes to the health of their dogs and cats. The New Year is a good time not only for people to hit the reset button on their own health, but also to ensure a good quality of life for their four-legged friends. 

“Being aware of the healthy weight range for a cat or dog, monitoring their own pet and adjusting their diets accordingly can help owners protect their pets from developing health complications such as diabetes. Pet owners should also ensure they have suitable Pet Insurance in case of accidents or health conditions that are not pre-existing.”

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance is currently offering 12 months for 9⁽²⁾, available to new Pet Insurance customers who buy online. New customers with a Nectar card can receive up to a 12.5% discount⁽³⁾ as well as double Nectar points on Sainsbury’s shopping and fuel.⁽⁴⁾

Five tips for keeping your pet healthy:

1. Nutritional diet:  While you may be tempted to indulge your pet with leftovers from the festive season, remember if it’s not good for you, then it’s not good for your furry friend either. Some foods that are suitable for humans could also potentially be poisonous to cats and dogs. In general, make sure you familiarise yourself with your pet’s dietary requirements and portion sizes, as this may differ depending on the breed and their age.
2. Get into a routine: Try to schedule activities for the same time each day, such as meal times, or taking your dog for a walk, or playtime with your cat. This will help establish good habits. 
3. Social exercise isn’t just for humans:  Regular exercise is important to keep your pet healthy. If you have a dog, why not join a dog walking group – that way both you and your pet will have friends to socialise with, and you will forget you’re doing exercise at all! If you have a cat, make sure you schedule time to play with them to get them moving, or set some fun challenges for them around the house, such as a treasure hunt for their favourite treats.
4. Check in on vaccinations: The New Year is a good time to get your house in order, and that includes checking if your pet is due for any vaccinations. You can keep ailments at bay by having your pet regularly checked out.
5. Emotional intelligence: Your pet can’t tell you if they feel unwell, so make sure you look out for any warning signs, such as aggression, loss of appetite, restlessness or anything else that is out of character.

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance lets customers build a policy to suit their pet's needs. There are three policy levels to choose from as well as additional cover options available.

For further information people can call 0330 100 7925 or go online at www.sainsburysbank.co.uk

Dr Vince MacNally, a veterinary surgeon in Southport with over 30 years’ experience, has made available a unique range of clinically proven, natural supplements and Pet Remedies, which over the last 25 years, have transformed the lives of countless dogs and cats.

Vince the Vet  Superfood Supplements supply concentrated bursts of nutrients to important parts of the body, to support specific areas of health, including digestion, energy and vitality, immunity and joint mobility. Added to a dog or cat’s diet each day, significant health benefits are typically seen in a matter of weeks. The supplements are made using only the finest natural, raw ingredients and contain no fillers or chemical additives of any kind. A little therefore, goes a long way, which makes them affordable as well as highly effective at enriching any diet, and supplying many of the nutrients necessary for optimum health.

Vince the Vet Pet Remedies are clinically proven blends of plant and mineral extracts which support the body’s natural adaptive and recuperative powers. Available in 50ml dropper bottles, there are formulations to naturally relieve fears and anxieties, and reduce the stress of thunder, fireworks, travel, vet visits and other challenging events. There are also remedies to support the normal, healthy functioning of key organs in the body, such as the joints, heart, liver, kidneys and bowels. There are those which can be used throughout the year to maintain healthy, hygienic bowels and cleanse the organs of detoxification, while others such as Recuperation and Skin Irritation are useful to have to hand, to aid a return to full health following recovery from an injury or illness.

Vince explains the inspiration behind his brand and products:

“Yushi, a West Highland White Terrier who’s owners had been told to have put to sleep because of chronic, incurable skin disease, and Tina a Miniature Wire-Haired Dachshund with a serious nasal fungal infection, who was also facing euthanasia, were the inspiration behind Vince the Vet.

"The story of their remarkable turnarounds and restoration to full health began several years before, in the mid nineteen nineties, when despite having a thriving veterinary practice successfully treating thousands of pets each year, I felt increasingly frustrated by the number of dogs and cats we were seeing, who needed constant medication with antibiotics, steroids and other drugs, to keep their conditions under control.

"A chance encounter with a doctor at a Veterinary Congress, brought back memories from my time as an orthopaedic surgeon, along with the sense of awe always felt seeing broken bones magically knit together again to form functional limbs and joints. What if the same, extraordinary ability of the body to self-heal could be mobilised and supported in pets with persistent health problems to reduce the need for drugs? This thought sparked the study of many of the world’s oldest systems of healthcare, including holistic nutrition, herbal medicine, Ayurveda and homeopathy, in the UK, USA, Thailand, India and China.

"It became clear from this research, that particular plants and minerals had the ability to deliver concentrated bursts of potent, health-supporting nutrients to the parts of the body where they were most needed. And, that this in turn could profoundly aid self-repair and deliver other significant health benefits. As high as hopes were however, initial results were disappointing - largely because reliable information on their use in animals was scarce, or non-existent.

"Undeterred however and spurred on by a belief that Nature could provide answers, a course was set to create blends of natural ingredients that would be effective at transforming quality of life, in the majority of dog and cats receiving them.

As a clinician, the changes seen following any kind of treatment are what matters most, and so clinical feedback was paramount in shaping the development of the supplements and remedies created, until building on success after success, they yielded consistently, positive results.

"In the decades that followed, the supplements and remedies were constantly refined and improved even further, resulting in Yusji and Tina – the inspiration behind Vince the Vet – being joined by countless other pets.

"And now, having achieved what we set out to do all those years ago – which was to maximise the body’s ability to self-repair and maintain optimum health, using clinically proven natural products that worked, Vince the Vet was launched, to make them as widely available as possible, to pet carers everywhere.”

Vince has many years experience as a clinician. Having qualified as a vet from Liverpool University in 1983, he went on to work for the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in Manchester for 3 years (1983 – 1986) where he developed a specialised interest in orthopaedic surgery.

In November 1986 he set up his own practice in Stockport. Over the next 14 years this became a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence offering the highest standards of veterinary medicine and care. Vince went on to study complementary therapies and in 1998 obtained the VetMFHom qualification after studying with the HPTG (Homeopathic Physicians Teaching Group) in Oxford for 3 years.

After selling his veterinary practice and then a holistic centre for pets and people in Hampshire, Vince focused on bringing this unique range of clinically proven, holistic supplements and remedies to market, while at the same time continuing to treat pets throughout the UK with severe and chronic diseases. Vince the Vet has also developed a range of single protein raw dehydrated treats and raw food to also support health. Worm Count and Lungworm Kits to screen for parasitic worms have recently been introduced to make diagnostic tests more accessible and affordable to pet owners, who want to proactively manage and monitor their dogs and cats health.

Vince the Vet has ambitious plans for the future. Dr Vince elaborates:“It is our goal to become the market leader in Veterinary Holistic Pet Care and the first choice for dog and cat owners and professional pet carers everywhere. We offer the ONLY fully integrated range of clinically proven, natural supplements and Pet Remedies produced and supplied by an expert holistic vet in the UK, with 30+ years clinical expertise and access for customers to holistic veterinary advice.  At the heart of Vince the Vet is the ever-present desire to help pets live the healthiest and happiest lives possible, given their own unique individual make-up and circumstances.

Our ethos is to provide professional veterinary quality, holistic pet products which have proven themselves capable of transforming dogs and cats lives, time and time again – as the numerous testimonials on our website demonstrate.

We aim to supply as many retailers  and  healthcare professionals throughout the UK and Europe as possible with our products, whether they be pet shops and stores, health food outlets, online businesses or pet care professionals such as veterinary surgeons, massage therapists, osteopaths and hydrotherapists.”

To find out more about Vince the Vet visit www.vincethevet.co.uk

Pet Remedy has announced the launch of a de-stress and calming kit aimed at owners of new pets to help them settle into their new home.

Pet Remedy works with over 180 animal rescue organisations, helping to tackle the stress that can result from pets being abandoned, rescued and ultimately re-homed.

The unique and patented blend of Valerian absolute oil with Vetiver, Basil & Clary Sage essential oils will help all mammals, birds and reptiles, so is also ideal for bonding a new arrival with existing pets in the home.

Martyn Barklett-Judge, Managing Director of Pet Remedy, explained: “Rescue organisations have been using Pet Remedy in-house and recommending our products for a number of years. So, developing a New Home Kit for them to sell to new owners when they most need it is a natural progression for us.”

The RRP for the New Home Kit is £25 with a trade price of £12.50.

Pet Remedy is dedicated to supporting the work of rescue organisations and offers generous discounts as well as free products to registered charities when they buy Pet Remedy products.

Specially designed point of sale material is provided to help promote Pet Remedy to new pet owners.

Pet Remedy Sales Director, Rob Tyler, told us: “We have received an overwhelming response from highly respected rescue organistions all around the UK. This led us to create a product and support package aimed specifically at the ‘New Home’ market.”

Rescued pets have often been through difficult experiences prior to being re-homed. Thanks to increased awareness and education by pet professionals; owners now realise that behavior issues are most often stress related. By tackling the stress they are able to work positively to modify unwanted behavior and settle the pet into a new home and routine.

Pet Remedy will be exhibiting at PATS Sandown10^th – 11^th February 2019 on Stand K5

Pet Remedy products are widely available through all major pet retailers, vets, and other pet professionals. Full details can be found in the company’s recently published brand book.

Link to Pet Remedy Brand Book

Vitalin will be showcasing its new luxury dog range, including the Tetra Pak packaged Pâté range, at next month's PATS Sandown, which takes place on February 10-11.

Tetra Pak has many benefits to the customer as well as the planet – it is eco-friendly, convenient, easily resealable, safe to use and keeps products fresh for longer by preventing external sources of contamination like oxygen and UV light. This all helps to protect the 80% Chicken and 85% tuna that Vitalin uses in its Pâté range, which have been gently steam-cooked to create meals of the highest quality.

David Tinker, National Sales Manager at Vitalin, said: “We’ve made the decision to use Tetra Pak with our Pâté range as part of our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact, and align ourselves with the growing consumer demand for manufacturers to become more sustainable.”

Exclusive deal for visitors:

Visitors to the Vitalin stand at the PATS Sandown show will receive an exclusive 15% off on all products.

As well as the super premium dog, cat and ferret food, you can also choose from a new range of luxury dog food products, including:

• Adult Fresh Meat with 60% British chicken
• 85% Fresh Chicken Pâté and 80% Fresh Tuna Pâté
• Luxury Dog Treats with 60% fresh British duck

Keep up to date with all Vitalin products on their website at www.vitalinpetfood.co.uk

It’s the last chance to nominate individuals or teams for the prestigious Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2019, which celebrate the achievements of welfare heroes from the farming, veterinary and charity industries.

The awards, which are now in their seventh consecutive year, are held to celebrate outstanding vets, vet nurses, farmers, animal welfare professionals and animal welfare teams which have gone above and beyond to enhance the health and welfare of animals.  

The winners and runners up will be honoured at a glittering ceremony taking place on the eve of BSAVA Congress on 3rd April 2019.

The popular television presenter, Matt Baker, host of The One Show and Countryfile, will be hosting the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards for the second consecutive year alongside esteemed head judge, the retired veterinary surgeon, Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award.

The award categories include:

• Chris Laurence Vet of the Year – sponsored by Vet Record
• Vet Nurse of the Year – sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance
• Charity Team of the Year – sponsored by PDSA
• Charitable Contribution of the Year – sponsored by Blue Cross
• International Cat Care Welfare of the Year – sponsored by International Cat Care
• Farmer of the Year – sponsored by R.A.B.I.
• Farm Educator of the Year – sponsored by NADIS
• Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare – sponsored by Your Dog and Your Cat magazines

The nomination process is easy, simply visit www.cevawelfareawards.com to nominate a welfare hero. They can come from all walks of life and will be assessed on the evidence provided in the original nomination. Entries must be in by Friday 25 January 2019.

Pet Trade Xtra was read by 19,159 unique readers in 2018.  They read just under 400,000 pages at an average of 32,680 pages viewed per month. The total openings over the year were 211,928, an average of 4,155 per issue.

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The Lickimat from Sharples Pet won a New Product Award at PATS Telford in September, and already it has had a big impact in pet stores.

Lickimat Boredom Busters are designed to enhance a pet’s environment as well as benefiting its health. 

Lickimats are designed as tasty boredom busters for a cat or dog. By spreading a pet's favourite soft treat over the surface, an owner can create a tasty fun game with them having to seek out every morsel with their tongue.

Owners can freeze treats in the summer for a refreshing, longer lasting entertainment. They also work well as a slow feeder for cats.

Here are some of the benefits of the Lickimat:

• Repetitive licking is soothing for your pet, releasing calming the hormone cortisol into the body
• Medical free way to promote calm behaviour in your pet while home alone or during stressful times, like storms or fireworks, also great for calming pets before a procedure/treatment at the vets or groomers
• No over feeding because Lickimat makes a small tasty treat last longer
• Licking enhances the sense of taste, allowing pet to enjoy just a small amount of food
• Helps promote fresh breath by scraping off bacteria and undigested food particles from the tongue
• Stimulates saliva production and helps clean tongue, teeth and gums
• Saliva production can aid digestion as it contains enzymes like Amylase

For fun pet interaction three designs are available.

• Lickimat Buddy, (the most popular design), with its cross maze design, is perfect for trapping chunky treats like mushy meat or fish. 
• Lickimat Soother, with its raised bumpy design, is perfect for runny treats like yoghurt or gravy
• Lickimat Playdate, with its square pocket design, is perfect for trapping chunky treats like mushy meat or fish.

The New Product Award judges commented: “We liked the versatility of this product, and the fact there wasn’t any unnecessary packaging.”

Devonian dog-lovers Forthglade  launched a delicious natural gourmet Christmas recipe for dogs, made with Turkey & Goose.

The complete natural wet meal is packed with 75% meat and teamed with pumpkin and cranberries. 

Gently steamed to retain the natural goodness of the ingredients, the meal includes a selection of herbs - chamomile, parsley, rosemary and nettle. The grain-free recipe is designed to be gentle on the most sensitive of tummies, which is sure to get a paw of approval from four-legged friends. Forthglade’s Turkey & Goose gourmet meal is suitable for dogs aged 1+ years and available in convenient 395g trays, RRP £1.99.

Forthglade’s popular Turkey Christmas Dinner for Dogs won a New Product award at PATS Telford.

Chunks of succulent turkey paired with sweet parsnips and vitamin-rich cranberries. Hypo-allergenic and grain-free the complete wet meal is again ideal for sensitive tummies. The meal will also provide omega-3, minerals, linseed oil, seaweed, prebiotics, chamomile, parsley, rosemary and nettle, plus glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy joints. Available in 395g trays, RRP £1.35 and suitable for dogs aged 1+ years.

Santa Paws Lollipops from new company Four Legged Fancies proved to be another winner with the judges of the New Product Awards at PATS Telford, winning the Dog Treat category...

This product stands out because it will make a perfect gift.

The New Product Award judges loved the fact that these treats are hand-made and will also make a good counter display.

"We are a dog bakery just south of Bath and we specialise in natural, hand made, wheat free treats for dogs," said managing director Victoria Rough (pictured).

"Our products are very unique in that we take the time to make them into all sorts of different shapes such as Chicken Labradors, Lamb terriers and Beefy bones to name a few.

"Our treats are a high end brand with a rustic feel and are truly unique in the dog bakery world."

HOWND took a bold step into the dog treats market in 2018 with a first range of 100% natural vegetarian Hemp Wellness Treats - and within a few weeks had won gold at the PetQuip Awards.

Following on from the runaway success of its Hemp by HOWND Skin, Nose and Paw and Playful Pup Balms launched to much acclaim, which also won a coveted PetQuip Gold, HOWND was once again at the forefront of developing innovative products for the pet care market.

Entering the dog treat market with its range of five vegetarian Hemp wellness dog treats was an obvious next step for the multi award-winning duo.

HOWND created Hemp Wellness Treats to complement its ethical range of pet care products. The team spent two years researching, rigorously testing the recipes, and refining the products. They worked with a leading pet nutritionist to create the range which is hypoallergenic, gluten and grain free. Made from 100% natural ingredients, packed with organic hemp and vegetarian human-grade cheese, Hemp Wellness Treats are also rich in Omegas 3,6 & 9 and fibre.

Made in the UK from ethically sourced local ingredients, these premium snacks taste great and come in five different flavours; tackling common conditions, such as smelly breath (Yup You Stink!), itchy skin (Got an Itch?), calming anxiety (Keep Calm), healthy bone development (Playful Pup), and stiff joints associated with ageing (Golden Oldies).

All of HOWND's products are natural, cruelty-free and 100% and HOWND is endorsed by the Nature Watch Foundation. HOWND has the coveted Ethical Accreditation from the Ethical Company Organisation, with all products bearing the Cruelty Free International ‘Leaping Bunny' logo - only one of a handful of pet product manufacturers worldwide to receive this accreditation.

Available in five different flavours, packed with 100% natural goodness and with five different health benefits, Hemp Wellness Treats are mini-cookie shaped treats, designed as a complementary dog food to enhance the wellbeing of dogs of all ages.

www.dogslovehownd.com

The owner of a 20-month-old cockapoo has been left “distraught” after part of his dog’s tongue was cut off by a Pets at Home groomer, reports the Peterborough Telegraph.

According to the newspaper Mike Corry took his pet Marley to the store in the Bretton Centre for a routine grooming appointment. But when he went to pick up the dog he was told the animal’s tongue had been “nicked” while the groomer cut the fur around his face.

Mr Corey took Marley to a local veterinary practice and was told the tongue may need to be stitched or rounded off.

“We’re devastated and distraught. It’s a bad curved cut which is quite severe,” Mr Corry told the Peterborough Telegraph.

A spokesman for Pets at Home said: “We are very sorry for the upset and concern caused by this unfortunate accident and hope that Marley is on the mend soon.

“Marley was seen by our in-house vet when the accident occurred who had no concerns about the small cut on Marley’s tongue and did not feel that any further action was required.

Read the whole Peterborough Telegraph story by clicking here

It has been an amazing and eventful year for the UK pet industry with lots of companies making headline news (good and bad) as well as scores of exciting and innovative new products being launched. In this, the 50th and final Pet Trade Xtra bulletin of the year, what better way to look back on 2018 than through the Top 50 best-read stories?

Mutt & Co Pet Boutique (pictured above) in Hartlepool, Teesside, has only been open for just over a year and progress has been so dramatic that the store has been crowned UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the PetQuip Awards. It was the 4th most read story of the year.

To read any of the Top 50 stories just click on the link below and you'll be taken to the specific article.

1    IKEA recalls pet water dispenser after dog deaths - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 27 2018

2    Pet firm refutes claims it puts money before ethicsí - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 7 2018

3    B&M removes pet treat from shelves after dog death - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 10 2018

4    Revealed: Secrets of UK's Pet Retailer of the Year - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 39 2018

5    Raw dog food brand appears on Dragons' Den and accepts £60k investment offer - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 5 2018

6    Purina hits back at claims discrediting leading brand - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 8 2018

7    Pets at Home to close all seven of its Barkers high street stores - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 3 2018

8    TV soap star backs raw feeding initiative - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 29 2018

9    Mars Petcare expands vet side of its business - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 23 2018

10    Nutriment knock at number 10 - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 34 2018

11    Be prepared for the party season, says Pet Remedy - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 32 2018

12    Could this award-winning product take the market by storm? - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 38 2018

13    PATS Telford presents the ultimate grooming programme - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 16 2018

14    Innovative pet products wanted for new TV series - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 41 2018

15    Falling profits and closure threats – has the Pets at Home bubble burst? - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 47 2018

16   Centre of excellence opened for reptile welfare - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 29 2018

17    New pet store concept from Kennelgate  - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 31 2018

18    Canine kit exchange to aid animal charities - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 20 2018

19    Pet retail group Jollyes sold to private equity firm - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 21 2018

20    Big changes at Vital but it's business as usual - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 44 2018

21    Private equity firm sells off remaining stake in Pets at Home - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 4 2018

22    US pet food brand launches three new products in UK - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 9 2018

23    PetQuip Award winners revealed at glitzy event - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 37 2018

24    New-look Just for Pets unveiled at Coventry store - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 22 2018

25    Sainsbury's extends pet range with new food launch - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 3 2018

26    Pet industry counts cost as country store chain goes into administration - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 11 2018

27    Aldi launches cut-price pet range in stores today - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 8 2018

28    Pet product inventor enters this weekend's Dragons' Den - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 35 2018

29    Dog dies after eating treat bought from pet shop - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 42 2018

30    Dragons' Den firm takes pet food market by storm - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 15 2018

31    Firm calls for end to 'hypocrisy' in pet food market - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 35 2018

32    Amazon launches Wag, its own line of pet products - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 18 2018

33    Pets at Home pull out of another new store, the second time within a month - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 22 2018

34    Claims that poop bags were biodegradable ruled misleading - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 34 2018

35    Pets at Home faces £2million bill over store closures - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 4 2018

36    LeisureGrow acquires business interests of Petface out of administration - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 24 2018

37    From vet nurse to pet retailer...meet the driving force behind an exciting new business venture - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 14 2018

38    Pet food firm vows to eradicate smells from factory - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 9 2018

39    PATS Sandown 2018 New Product Awards revealed - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 12 2018

40    Pet food firms hit back at raw food claims - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 4 2018

41    Billy + Margot acquires premium UK pet food business Benyfit Natural - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 43 2018

42    Pet firm's food initiative to help endangered hedgehog - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 17 2018

43    Pet rabbit obesity is a problem and needs to be addressed - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 26 2018

44    Pet food business sets out ambitious plans for future - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 43 2018

45    Pets at Home ditches plan to open new shop in Skegness despite recruiting and training staff - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 19 2018

46    Pets at Home withdraws dog treats from shelves - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 32 2018

47    Change at the top for Pets at Home - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 40 2018

48    Dog toy gets set to become a Christmas bestseller - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 46 2018

49    Cheap cat food is no better than feeding it a McDonald's - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 30 2018

50    Pet retailer bucks online shopping trend - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 4 2018

The Real Petfood Company – which is based at Kinmel Park in Bodelwyddan – has appointed Ceri Twist as Technical Services Manager.  She joins from Arla Foods where she was for seven years, latterly as Site Grader & Stock Controller.  In her new role she will play a key role in general product innovation including developing more export products and increasing the range of wet dog food.

At Arla Foods her responsibilities included daily analysis of production records to assess the length of storage for different cheese products, the development of a new product benchmarking system and improving the integration of the site into the local community.

The firm has also appointed Ross Dilworth – previously a production worker at the business – as an electrical & software engineering apprentice.  He joins the maintenance team and after four years will be a fully qualified, multi-skilled engineer.  In addition, the business is actively looking for a second apprentice and has enlisted further education colleges Coleg Menai and Coleg Cambria to help with recruitment.

Chris Akroyd, the firm’s engineering manager said: “Our in-house maintenance team has now grown to the size that we can offer apprentices a comprehensive and valuable training programme.  It is well-known that qualified engineers in the manufacturing sector are in short supply and, once qualified they can look forward to excellent career opportunities and a salary package of some £40,000pa.”

The number of employees at the Real Petfood Company has more than doubled from 30 to 65 since the firm moved to its current site some two years ago.  The business makes premium quality pet food for brands such as Wagg and Harringtons as well as a wide range of own label products for major retailers.

HOWND will be launching starter packs of its award-winning range of 100% natural Hemp Wellness Treats in the New Year.  When ordering a case of 10 units per variety (total x 50 units) customers will receive a free branded counter display unit. 

The free functional CDUs are decorated with eye-catching visuals and branded in HOWND’s distinctive colours. The displays can hold twenty units of HOWND’s premium range of vegetarian hemp-based treats.

The starter packs will be available to order from Pedigree Wholesale and directly from HOWND from mid-January. Trade price £132.50 plus VAT. RRP per unit £4.50.

HOWND created Hemp Wellness Treats to complement its ethical range of pet care products.  Made in the UK from ethically sourced local ingredients, these premium snacks come in five different flavours; tackling common conditions, such as smelly breath (Yup You Stink!), itchy skin (Got an Itch?), calming anxiety (Keep Calm), healthy bone development (Playful Pup), and stiff joints associated with ageing (Golden Oldies).

All of HOWND’s pet care products are natural, cruelty-free and 100% and HOWND is endorsed by the Nature Watch Foundation. HOWND has the coveted Ethical Accreditation from the Ethical Company Organisation, with all products in the pet care range bearing the Cruelty Free International ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo – only one of a handful of pet product manufacturers worldwide to receive this accreditation.

www.dogslovehownd.com