The number of UK pet owners buying presents for their pets has almost tripled in the past 12 months, and Christmas jumpers, pyjamas and festive treats, such as Pawsecco, are top of the Christmas list this year, with sales up year-on-year.

Pets at Home says it has sold over 10% more Christmas dog toys, 20% more Christmas cat toys and 5% more advent calendars compared to last year. Over 90,000 advent calendars for dogs have been sold this festive season.

Novelty outfits have exceeded Pets at Home’s sales expectations, such as the Christmas Turkey Dog Hat (sales 47% higher than expected), Snowman Dog Jumper (sales 20% higher than expected) and Christmas Hoodie (sales 30% higher than expected.

Pawsecco has emerged as a top trend in 2017, seeing exponential growth as humans enjoy a tipple whilst their pet enjoys a drop of this herbal tonic with their Christmas dinner.

And pets don’t need to miss out on festive treats, with 17,000 mince pie dog treats sold this Christmas.

Five times more more customers have been searching for dog onesies on the Pets at Home website and pet pyjamas have also been flying off the shelves, with the retailer selling 4,000 sets - 14% more than expected.

Lisa Miao, Commercial Director at Pets at Home, said: “We’ve seen a massive uplift in pet Christmas jumpers sold over the past few years, and the humanisation trend continues to grow as owners seek to treat their beloved pets to other festive family favourites such as Christmas pyjamas, mince pies and even Pawsecco.

"It looks like pets across the UK will be having a fantastic Christmas this year!”

IAMS has launched a Pet Pledge initiative encouraging owners to give their pets a happy and healthy lifestyle.

The company says with a shocking 49% of dogs and 44% of cats in the UK now considered overweight or obese by vets, it’s time for pet lovers to take action with the IAMS Pet Pledge.

Whether it’s a promise to improve their nutrition, more weekend walkies or those purrfect snuggles, IAMS is encouraging owners to make a pledge this new year for happier and healthier family pets all over the country.

The IAMS Pet Pledge launches as new research reveals that despite that fact that almost three quarters (72%) of us understand the negative health impacts of sharing our meals, most owners (70%) will still ‘treat’ their pet with human food. And almost a quarter (24%) of pet lovers are guilty of giving their pet daily human titbits as they believe that they enjoy the taste, despite what impact it may have on their health.

With one in ten (11%) believing that their pets prefer human treats, and a further 15% giving into their furry friend’s yearning look, it poses the question – do we believe the way to our pets’ hearts is through sharing our food?

Over half of those surveyed claimed the perfect feeding routine is two healthy and balanced meals but with treats in between. And the typical UK dog or cat will enjoy breakfast at 7.43am with dinner being served 10 hours and 45 minutes later, at precisely 6.28pm. Plenty of time in-between meals for those unnecessary treats.

Cat lovers are more concerned about how their feline friend feels about the dish they are serving, expressing concerns about liking the taste, seeking variety and even believing that our food is better for them. Whereas, those with pet pooches literally serve up a dog’s dinner, with a whopping 44% admiting they feed the family dog leftovers!

Other ‘treats’ given to pets include naan bread, muffins and cereal. Rather shockingly, 14% of pet owners will share foods they know could upset their pet’s health, with one in five admitting their cat or dog has suffered from vomitting or diarrhoea as a direct result of eating human food that they have given them. 

It’s not just diet that needs a new year overhaul for our pets, many are lacking in regular, quality exercise with 30% exercising their dog for less than 30 minutes each day. For those who do walk their dogs daily, the average dog walk for most medium sized breeds takes just over one hour (one hour and four minutes to be exact).

When it comes to cats, they enjoy 34 minutes of play each day, often playing on their own and chasing things such as string or toys. Perhaps this could be a reason why only one in ten (10%) cat owners believe exercise is a key factor in maintaining overall health (vs. 41% of dog owners).

The research also asked pet owners when their pet was at their happiest, and for dogs it was when going for a walk and for cats it was sleeping in the same bed as their owners – proving that human interaction is more important to our pet’s happiness than human food!

According to IAMS Nutrition Expert and Veterinary Training Manager, Kellie Ceccarelli, the secret to your pet’s wellness is all about understanding what your pet needs to be happy and healthy:

“As a pet parent myself, I completely understand how hard it is to say no when faced with puppy-dog eyes, or a little meow begging for a taste of something you are eating. Although some human foods are not harmful, such as boneless chicken or white boneless fish, some human foods can be dangerous. Feeding titbits often leads to obesity, which in turn increases the risk of heart problems, diabetes and joint issues.

As the survey shows, we feed our pets treats because  we believe they enjoy the taste and it makes them happy. To ensure your pet is truly happy, we have to make sure they’re healthy. That’s why we’re launching the IAMS Pet Pledge; asking people to make a promise to their pet that we hope will become a lifelong commitment to their health through nutrition, activity,play and of course, plenty of cuddle time.”

More details http://www.iams.co.uk/iams-pet-pledge which will be live on January 2.

A dog owner has issued a warning after her puppy nearly died from eating a box of liqueur chocolates from under the Christmas tree.

Suzanna Dixon was Christmas shopping when her inquisitive young pooch, Narla, who was just nine months old at the time, tore open a gift wrapped box of chocolates that had been left under the tree.

Mother-of-four, Suzanna (32), returned to her home in South Shore, Blackpool, to find a scene of carnage.

She said: “When I walked through the door my first thought was ‘we’ve been burgled!’ as there was torn up wrapping paper everywhere, but then I saw Narla with the nearly empty box of chocolates.

“I know human chocolates can be poisonous to dogs so I rang PDSA and they told me to bring her straight down.”

Vets at Blackpool PDSA Pet Hospital rushed Narla in immediately, and gave her drugs to induce vomiting in a bid to flush her system of the chocolate. She’s also one of thousands of lucky pets to benefit from PDSA’s A&E service which receives funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

PDSA vet, Terry Ogdin, said: “We estimated that Narla had eaten around 200g of chocolate, which is an extremely dangerous amount for a dog of her size.

“Thankfully she was brought in very quickly and we were able to treat her before the chocolate had a chance to digest.

“She was well enough to go home the same day with medications to help absorb any remaining chocolate, and went on to make a full recovery.”

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Signs your pet may have eaten chocolate can include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, a tender tummy and restlessness. These can then progress to tremors, an abnormal heart rhythm, raised body temperature and rapid breathing. In flat-faced breeds like Narla, which often struggle with breathing issues, these symptoms can be exacerbated.

In severe cases, chocolate poisoning in dogs can cause fits and even death. The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, so dark chocolate poses the biggest risk to pets.

Suzanna wants to warn other pet owners about the dangers of chocolate to pets.

She said: “Not only did Narla eat a huge amount of chocolate, but they were also liqueur ones so the alcohol made it even worse.

“There won’t be any chocolates under the Christmas tree this year and I’d urge others to ensure they don’t leave any chocolate within easy reach.”

If owners suspect their dog has ingested chocolate, they should call their local vet immediately and let them know the type of chocolate, the quantity and likely time of ingestion.

PDSA is also warning pet owners about other festive foods that can be toxic to pets, including alcohol, grapes, sultanas, onions and garlic.

Vets advise owners to store chocolates and other poisonous foods in the same way as medicines when they have pets in their household – safely and securely. And for those who can’t resist giving their four-legged friends a little Christmas treat, a new toy or a nice long walk is a better alternative than treats.

Pet product manufacturer and pharmaceutical company Beaphar has been celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Across the globe team members have been marking the historic occasion with different events, all culminating in a 75th anniversary party held at Head Office in Raalte, Holland.

Employees from every Beaphar office around the globe gathered to together to celebrate the achievements of the company as a whole, and the contribution, expertise and skills that each individual brings to the business.

A huge marquee in the Beaphar grounds was the venue for this prestigious event, which included sumptuous food and an eclectic mix of music from throughout the world. Father and son, Henk Aa (Beaphar CEO) and Daan Aa (Beaphar Director) were at the forefront of the celebrations, welcoming each member of the Beaphar family as they arrived. They then began the proceedings with a short speech celebrating Beaphar’s past and giving the crowd, consisting of over 500 employees, a sneak peek at what the future holds.

They also revealed Beaphar’s anniversary video, which charted the progress and success of the company from 1942 to the present day, and included Beaphar employees emphasising the four pillars of the company; quality, expertise, service and trust.

After thanking the team, it was the Beaphar employees’ turn to thank Henk and Daan. To commemorate reaching such a huge milestone, artist Henk Slomp was commissioned to create a unique sculpture. It consisted of three modern, cordon steel pillars, representing company founder Bernard Aa, Henk and Daan, holding a transparent, blue glass heart in the centre to symbolise that the sky is the limit, and the unlimited possibilities of Beaphar and all its employees.

After the formalities, it was time for the fun to begin. Working in offices with smaller teams it is easy to forget how large the Beaphar family is. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies with colleagues from around the globe.

While Beaphar has been looking back, both over its history and the events of the past year, it also continues to look forward. As a celebration and a thank you, each Beaphar employee was given a commemorative book, charting the company’s journey from its humble beginnings as a small business with just 15 employees to global company with over 500.

Within it the mission statement is clear; to continue working in partnership with our customers to deliver products of the highest quality, to employ skilled and passionate people who are experts in their fields, to provide the best customer service, and above all, be a company that pet-owners, retailers and wholesalers alike know that they can trust.

A young beagle and his owner, who were subjected to a terrifying attack in a Birmingham park, were given an early Christmas present after premium pet food company, Fish4Dogs, heard about their ordeal.

Two thugs attempted to steal one-year-old Chester from his owner, Adam Colvin, while they were walking in Sutton Park. Mr Colvin was pushed to the ground by the attackers as they tried to snatch the dog but he managed to fight them off and run to safety with Chester in his arms.

When Fish4Dogs learned of the incident and Mr Colvin’s efforts to alert other dog owners by contacting the police and local newspapers, the company decided to send him box of goodies as a show of support.

Said Fish4Dogs Marketing Jo Little: “We were truly shocked when we heard about this. I am originally from Streetly and would use the park on my way to school and to walk my dogs. It is very scary that something like this should happen in broad daylight and at a weekend when so many people were around.  

“It must have been extremely traumatic and we applaud Adam’s courage in rescuing Chester and helping raise attention to what happened, so that other dog owners can be extra vigilant.”

Jo arranged to meet Mr Colvin at his home, in Erdington, to present him with a box of food and treats for Chester.

Said Mr Colvin: “We are really touched that Fish4Dogs would make so much effort to do something so nice for us. I have always loved Beagles so worked and saved to buy one, so I wasn’t going to let Chester go easily. It was only afterwards that the shock set in. My fiancé and 13-year-old daughter were very upset when they found out what had happened.

“However, we can look forward to a family Christmas together. Chester is delighted with his goody box. He got very excited as soon as he sniffed out the contents and couldn’t wait to try them out.”

Fish4Dogs is an innovative, specialist supplier of premium fish-based pet food, established in 2004 and based in Rushock, Worcestershire.

Pictured (from left to right): Adam Colvin, Chester and Jo Little unwrap an early Christmas present.

PFMA’s visit to Brussels earlier this month proved to be well-timed with Theresa May also flying in to agree phase one of the UK’s preliminary Brexit deal. Moreover, SKY News requested an interview with Chief Executive, Michael Bellingham, as a representative voice of UK industry on Brexit.

The interview, which lasted over three minutes, gave Michael an opportunity to highlight again that the 60m pets in the UK did not vote for Brexit.

Michael confirmed that pets – and the industry - in the UK want:

• To retain high welfare standards
• To continue to have access to the products they have now

Nicole Paley, Communications Manager at PFMA, confirmed: “We had been extremely concerned by the lack of progress in negotiations and Michael was delighted to be able to represent the Pet Industry on this historic day in Brussels. He is hopeful that this deal will give PFMA members some relief and a transitional period to put the necessary actions into place.”

During the interview, Michael also highlighted that manufacturers either side of the Irish border would be relieved to hear that there would be no hard border, which would have been hugely problematic. 

He also celebrated that rights of EU citizens’ in the UK appeared to have been secured, especially because of serious concerns over the status of the 90% of abattoir vets, and 30% of all vets, who come from the EU.

PFMA had pre-arranged meetings that day with the European Commission and the Irish and British permanent delegations where we discussed trade in agriculture in more detail. These meetings were even more timely given the breakthrough in negotiations.

PFMA’s Brexit Priorities are available at: https://www.pfma.org.uk/brexit-pfma

Over 100 cases of HiLife pet food have been donated to the Trussell Trust Leicester South foodbank at The Kings Centre, Wigston to give owners a helping hand this Christmas.

The pet food, donated by Melton Mowbray based family-run business, Town and Country Petfoods which owns the HiLife brand, is to benefit cat and dog owners that will have to use foodbanks this winter.

Marketing director, Peter Parkinson, from Town and Country Petfoods, said:

“With the use of foodbanks on the rise, more and more people are finding themselves having to rely on the donations and kindness of others. As Christmas approaches, money becomes even tighter for those already cash strapped, as they strive to provide Christmas for their families and much-loved pets.”

Recent statistics from Nationwide Home Insurance, found that in the first year of owning a cat, the average owner spends £2,455, while dog owners spend almost double, at £4,791.

Explaining the aim of the donation, Peter said:

“People assume that those struggling with their finances probably don’t have a pet due to the cost, but pets are a part of the family, just like anyone else. The benefits of owning a pet on our mental and physical health are well documented.

“This donation was aimed at keeping pets and owners together through tough times. Donations like this one help to prevent animals from being forced into shelters through lack of food and finances.”

The Trussell Trust partners with local communities in the UK to prevent hunger for those struggling to afford groceries. Its 400-strong network of foodbanks provides a minimum of three days’ emergency food and support to people experiencing a crisis.

For more information, or to donate to the Trussell Trust, visit www.trusselltrust.org.

To keep updated with Town and Country Petfoods, visit www.hilifepet.co.uk.

Pero (Foods) Ltd have been crowned Business of the Year 2017 (up to 50 employees) at the Daily Post Business Awards in association with Bangor University & the Welsh Government.

The annual event hosted at Bangor University saw several successful Welsh Businesses nominated for a plethora of illustrious awards, highlighting the amazing growth and development of new and long-established businesses within Wales.        

Pero was nominated for awards in two separate categories, winning Business of the Year (up to 50 employees) sponsored by the Development Bank of Wales, and finalist of the Welsh Exporter of the Year award.

Pero's Director Jonathan Rees said: "I'm extremely proud of what we have achieved this year, Pero has gone from strength to strength and this award is testament to the hard work all the team at Pero put in, day-in day-out. I am excited to see what 2018 has in store for us."

This recent triumph adds to the glittering year the Snowdonia based all natural dog foods firm has had, as they previously picked up the Brand of the Year Award for the best UK dry dog food for 2017-18, as well as the Dogs Digest #1 Best UK dry dog food brand.

Pictured (from left to right): Jonathan Rees, Pero's Director ; Dafydd Roberts, Manager at Pero ; Gareth Roberts, Marketing Manager at Pero ; Representative from the Development Bank of Wales .   

Weather patterns have a marked influence on the amount of walkies a dog gets, according to pet technology company Pitpatpet Ltd, makers of the UK’s number one dog activity monitor ‘PitPat’.

Pitpatpet has released findings from their growing number of dog-owning app users that show on average (per day) their dogs exercise 30 seconds less for every 1mm of rainfall and on really inclement days, 20mm of rain resulted in 10mins less exercise.

Data collected throughout the year also showed a notable reduction in dog activity levels during hot weather, seeing a particularly large dip in activity on June 21st – during the longest continuous hot spell since 1976! The company’s ‘tech hounds’ also noted a spike in activity levels on the 19th July - a day which saw a large number of thunderstorms take place across the lower half of the UK.

Pitpatpet Ltd CEO Andrew Nowell says “It’s fascinating to see how the weather changes our Pack’s activity levels.

The day of the thunderstorms was particularly interesting as it suggests that many dogs were up and about (potentially feeling anxious) during the storms. Based on these findings we hope that by using PitPat, owners can gain a better understanding of their dog’s behaviour, help reduce anxiety and help strengthen their bond” says Nowell.

Owners may also have seen an uncharacteristic spike in their dog’s activity in the hours leading up to the storms. Many theories suggest that dogs are capable of sensing a barometric pressure drop and even smell the ionisation in the air which they learn to associate with approaching storms.

The PitPat app and device helps owners care for their dogs by giving them a greater understanding of their pooch’s exercise needs. The app gives the owner a tailored exercise guideline for their dog and a daily break down of their activity in minutes and calories burnt.

The findings come as PitPat partners with the UK’s largest animal welfare charity the RSPCA, who hope to use the data to get a better understanding of the behaviour and activity trends of the UK’s dogs and their owners.

Lisa Hens, RSPCA dog welfare expert, said: "It's interesting to see how the changing seasons and unpredictable weather can have an impact on the amount of time dog owners spend outside walking their pets.

 "But it's important to remember that dogs need regular exercise - come rain, shine, or snow! However, if your dog is more of a fair weather walker and doesn’t like the rain or cold, then avoid forcing them to go out. Exercise is more than just going for a walk so allow them to go to the toilet, sniff, explore and play games.

 "If the weather is so bad that your dog is reluctant to go out then spend time interacting with them in a different way by playing games indoors while still making sure they have regular opportunities to go to the toilet.

 "PitPat is a great way of helping make sure that you're making time each day to exercise and play with your four-legged friend whether it’s a beautiful, spring day or a cold, wintry one!"

 The insights provided by PitPat are not only beneficial to individual owners and animal welfare organisations - they could also provide valuable data to the pet industry to help tailor their products and services more closely to the needs of our nation’s pooches.

A survey has revealed that nearly two thirds of men and women across the nation have confessed to sharing their beds with a pet or animal.

The poll, commissioned by Sussex Beds, got under the sheets of 1,000 British adults to expose how many people are snuggling down with their furry friends.

The survey results show:

• Sixty three percent of respondents admitted to sharing their beds with a pet or animal
• Londoners were most likely to allow their pooch in, with nearly seven out of ten saying they had.  This was closely followed by Wales and the West Midlands who sat joint second at 67 percent.  If you’re looking for a partner who won’t invite their pampered pet into bed, head for East Midlands where only 57 percent owned up. 

The full order of the regions were as follows:

1) London – 68%

2) Wales – 67%

2) West Midlands – 67%

3) Yorkshire and the Humber – 66%

4) North West - 63%

4) Scotland – 63%

5) South East – 61%

5) North East – 61%

5) Northern Ireland – 61%

6) South West – 59%

7) East Anglia – 58%

8) East Midlands 57%

• The split between men and women who confessed was quite equal with 64 percent of men, and 62 percent of women responding ‘yes’

• Those who earnt less than £10,000, or more than £40,000 per annum, were less likely to share their duvet than the middle bracket

• Surprisingly, those over 55 years old were least likely to have snuggled down with their pet with only 57% of 55-64 year olds and 47% of those aged 65 and over

The survey follows on from the revelations that Sussex Beds recently uncovered that Britain’s pets are scuppering sex, as one in 12 adults in the UK confessed to taking their pets to bed to avoid intimacy with their partners, and six out of ten people stating that they won’t have sex with a partner if pets’ prying eyes were in the room - with women (66%) being more self-conscious than men (56%). 

Steve Pickering, MD of Sussex Beds said: “Our poll was intended as a light-hearted look into the bedtime habits of people across the UK. We were amazed to discover that pets are positioned so highly in the family that people are willing to share their bed space.

“For anyone with respiratory conditions like asthma we wouldn’t even recommend letting a pet in a bedroom.  But for those who do invite animals into bed, we would highly recommend a good quality mattress protector to prevent the growth of bacteria and offer a dust mite barrier and allergy protection.”

For more information on Sussex Beds visit www.sussexbedcentre.co.uk or call 01424 212177.

Cheshire's 'I Want Plants' might be renowned for creating showstopping horticultural displays from its amazing collection of plants, but the independent plant design and display specialist has been using its stock for an all-together different purpose...to help animals at a local zoo.

I Want Plants donated a van-load of live plants from office displays around Manchester to Chester Zoo, the country’s most-visited wildlife attraction, where they will be used in the zoo’s tropical houses.

Among the plants donated include Kentia Palms, Dracaenas, Ficus, Palms, Aglaonemas, Guzmania and Anthuriums.

I Want Plants’ Sales Manager, Jessica Rowlands, said: “Part of our business is ensuring our clients have the most stunning, up-to-date horticultural displays, which means we are constantly renewing designs and replacing plants.

“We can’t use the plants again, but we were keen to find a second use for them so they don’t go to waste.

 “Chester Zoo is a fantastic zoo, and they are passionate about protecting the wildlife in the UK and are real pioneers in conservation.

“They rely on donations to help with their work, so we thought we would see if they could make use of all our old stock. And the rest is history.”

Chester Zoo’s Gardens Team Manager, Christopher Ryan, added: “The plants donated by I Want Plants are used in the interior displays of the tropical realm, which house our free flight birds.

“The type of plant donated provide the same tropical feel we are trying to maintain in our habitats – to make them as similar as possible to these birds’ natural environments.”

Pictured (from left to right): I Want Plants' Managing Director Richard Rowlands, Steve McCusker from Chester Zoo and I Want Plants' Sales Manager Jessica Rowlands.

The best news service every week.

Subscribe for free by clicking here

Points make prizes with Fish4Dog’s Pet Points plan which rewards customer loyalty on a point per pound basis.

The scheme has three steps and there’s no need to register- all online customers qualify as soon as they place an order.

Earning Pet Points is easy:

Shop – buy products on via Fish4Dogs.com and for each £1 spent, 1 Pet Point will be added to the account. There’s also opportunities to earn double or triple on special promotions throughout the year.

Share – a customer can refer a friend by using the specially-generated code within their account, paste it into emails, Facebook or Twitter posts and get four Pet Points for each pound spent in during their friend’s first two transactions.

Spend - each 500 Pet Points collected is rewarded with a £5 voucher which can be to put towards the next purchase. The voucher automatically appears in the online shopping basket and can be redeemed at the checkout.

Said Fish4Dogs Marketing Manager, Jo Little: “Pet Points is a no fuss loyalty scheme which reinforces our relationship with our customers. We strongly believe in the quality and effectiveness of our products and know that once tried, our customers will come back for more, so that their dogs can continue to enjoy the difference that feeding fish can bring.

“In addition, we also offer 10 per cent and 15 per cent discounts on bulk purchases of more than £100 or £200 so our customers can get immediate benefits from their online purchases.”

For more information visit: www.fish4dogs.com/extrabenefits/Pet-Points.aspx

One vets practice has collected almost £1,000 worth of money and food to help the residents of Munlochy Animal Aid's Black Isle shelter have a Happy Christmas.

Crown Vets' Sarah Baddon RVN, and Jo Campbell, Head Receptionist, visited Munlochy Animal Aid's shelter on Friday 15th December to present the charity with a cheque for £700 and several hundred kilograms of food.

This generous donation was made possible thanks to an amazing effort from the team and clients at Crown Vets' two Inverness practices, on Argyle Street and Canalside.

Sarah and Jo organised a series of events throughout December, including a bake sale, Facebook campaign and collection boxes in both practices where clients could donate much-needed money or food for the shelter.

Sandra Campbell, Practice Manager is thrilled to be able to help this wonderful local animal welfare charity.

"Here at Crown Vets we promote responsible pet ownership throughout the year, and always recommend that anyone considering a new pet re-homes an animal from a rescue centre such as Munlochy Animal Aid. Sadly in 2016 there was a 54% increase in the number of dogs being abandoned over the festive period - rehoming centres need our help more than ever.

"Crown Vets' clients have been so supportive, donating a huge amount of food, toys and treats to our appeal. Fund-raising activity organised by the Crown Vets team has also brought in £700, and so we were delighted that Sarah and Jo were able to visit the shelter and hand over the food and a big cheque to the team of hard-working volunteers, just in time for Christmas."

For more information on Crown Vets in Inverness contact Sandra Campbell: sandra.campbell@crownvets.co.uk, 01463 237000. www.crownvets.co.uk

For more information on Munlochy Animal Aid visit www.facebook.com/MunlochyAnimalAid

IAMS will return to Crufts in March as the official sponsor of Flyball.

Since making its Crufts debut in 1990, the Flyball competition has soared in popularity and is now one of the most highly anticipated events on the agenda.

Throughout the show, the ‘grand prix’ of Flyball will see sixteen teams of dogs and their handlers compete to win the coveted title of Crufts Flyball Champion, with the final taking place on Sunday 11^th March in the Best in Show arena.

IAMS Veterinary Training Manager, Kellie Ceccarelli comments: “Having announced Four Paws Flyers as the Flyball champion at Crufts earlier this year I’m very excited that IAMS will be sponsoring the ever-popular competition in 2018.

"It’s a fantastic event, which not only celebrates vital skills, such as the speed and agility of the participating dogs, but it’s also great fun.

"The competition provides a great opportunity for dog enthusiasts and handlers to interact with their beloved companion, while providing them with the exercise they need to enjoy a healthy, happy and active life.”

In addition to sponsoring the Flyball, IAMS will be on hand to help dog owners learn more about the best ways to take care of their pets through a 100% complete and balanced diet. As well as offering nutritional support, IAMS will be carrying out sampling activities on stand, highlighting the IAMS Proactive Health range, which offers cats 47%¹ more animal proteins and dogs 24%² more protein than the top two leading brands³ to maintain muscle mass and support a strong immune system and shiny coat.

To learn more about the importance of providing dogs with a high-quality diet, visitors can head over to Hall 3A Stand 66, where IAMS will be present.

Crufts takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from the 8^th to 11^th March 2018. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.crufts.org.uk.

Squire’s Garden Centres recently held a special “Santa Paws” event for dogs to meet Santa and have their photo taken with him.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes came along, and were very happy to ‘paws’ for a photo with Santa while the ‘puparazzi’ (or owners) snapped away! Santa rewarded all good dogs with some tasty treats.

It was free for dogs to meet Santa but many people kindly donated money to support Squire’s local charities. Over £500 was raised for the Guide Dog Association, Princess Alice Hospice, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, the Alzheimer’s Society and Riding for the Disabled.

Children can meet Santa in his magical grotto every day from now until Christmas Eve at Squire’s in Crawley, Milford, Twickenham and West Horsley, and this weekend at Squire’s in Cobham, Hersham, Long Ditton, Reigate and Windsor - and it’s all to raise money for local charities. !

Santa will also be making an appearance at Squire’s Christmas Circus in Badshot Lea, Stanmore, Shepperton and Washington.

For details see www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk.

Photizo Light Therapy is co-sponsor at the 35^th Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally, January 27-28 2018.

The race is now the largest event of its kind in the UK, with over 1,000 sled dogs and 250 mushers. Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, the race is run on forest trails around the beautiful Loch Morlich, in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains.

Photizo’s Vetcare is no stranger to the ‘sled dog’ community, which began in 2013 when Kaz and Pete Jones from the multi-award winning ‘Team Coldfeet’ met Ruth Milner, MD of Danetre Health, the UK distributor of Photizo Vetcare.

Intrigued by the potential of modern Phototherapy offered by the non invasive and portable Photizo device, Kaz and Pete immediately decided their Husky team would benefit from regular ‘light therapy’.

Kaz Jones explains: “Using Photizo as part of our healthcare routine to keep Team Coldfeet in pole position couldn’t be simpler. We’ve so impressed by its effects to re-oxidise the key muscle groups prior to and after a race. We use also use Photizo as a preventative tool, and to heal minor injuries that just happen to Huskies, even if they’re out playing in the garden! What’s great is its portability and that there’s no need to wear laser goggles because it is LED light.”

Kaz and Pete Jones of Team Coldfeet are Brand Ambassadors of Photizo and have helped spread the word amongst the Siberian Husky sled dog circuit.

Steve Rooke, Co-Founder of British Siberian Husky Racing Association, commented: “We originally bought a Photizo to help with a very active 7 year old girl who developed arthritis in her pasterns but still loved running. This was on the advice of both our doggie chiropractor and another musher who uses Photizo and had seen good results using it. 

"Our girlie took to the treatments immediately, they're non-invasive, possibly a little soothing and it also became a bit of 'one-on-one' time with me after running!

"Naturally we started using it on the other ‘Sibes’ in our kennel after heavy or fast training runs when we could see they were a little stiff and even started using it on scratches, nicks and wounds. Would I want to be without it? Absolutely not!’

For more information see: https://www.danetrehealthproducts.com

A pet shop owner in Didcot, Oxfordshire, is closing his store after more than 40 years of trading.

Vic Thomas has run the Angel Aquarium and Pet Centre with wife Cindy in Brasenose Road for the past 44 years, but will close the shop in the New Year so he can finally retire.

The 75-year-old, who lives in the town, started the business in 1973, moving into an industry he had always been interested in after previously owning a health spa.

Vic told the Oxford Mail: "There's some sadness to give it all up, it's been my life for so long.

"We started it ourselves from just a shell and built it up into what is a business that prides itself on good service.

"It feels like the right time to step away from it now.

"But I will always stay interested in people's pets and the industry."

Another major change over the past four decades has been the rise in competition from online retailers and big supermarkets, which Mr Thomas says has 'made it a lot harder' to run a small business.

He tried to sell the store on as a pet shop but nobody was willing to buy it, and it has instead taken on by a printing company.

A closing down sale is taking place in the run up to Christmas and Mr Thomas said the shelves have almost been emptied of items, including fish tanks, ponds supplies and kennels.

You can read the full story on the Oxford Mail website by clicking here

The Dogs Trust is urging the British public to remember its iconic slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas' after a year of bizarre reasons offered by people giving up their dog.

To bring the message home the charity has created “Why I left you,” a video with a twist which highlights the carefree attitude which people sadly display towards dog ownership.

Following Christmas last year, Dogs Trust received a call every five minutes (3,596 calls) from people looking to give up their dogs.

Here are just some of the reasons:

1. I won a free holiday and I couldn’t take my dogs with me
2. I’m a vegetarian but he always wanted to eat meat
3. I got him as a secret Santa present
4. She was too friendly and wanted to greet every dog and human we met on a walk
5. He was panting too much
6. He didn’t like it when we played dress up
7. She sleeps in her own bed all night – I thought she would want to sleep in my bed

The iconic slogan has proved just as meaningful today as it was when first coined nearly 40 years ago as a new survey reveals 20% of dog owners spend less than two weeks researching before buying a dog and 1 in 5 people confessed to buying a dog simply because it was a cute accessory.

The survey also revealed that one in ten people admit to buying or receiving a dog as a Christmas gift. The dog owning public also significantly underestimated the financial cost of dog ownership with 70% believing their dog will cost them less than the actual cost of £10,000 during its lifetime.

Following a staggering 1,000 calls during Christmas week last year from people unable to care for their dogs (200 of these specifically about puppies) Dogs Trust's network of 20 Rehoming Centres in the UK are bracing themselves as they expect to take in thousands of dogs in the weeks following the festive period.

Adrian Burder, Chief Executive for Dogs Trust, who rehomed abandoned Christmas pup Skipper in 2014, explains:

“Dogs Trust take in thousands of much loved dogs from heartbroken owners who sadly find themselves unable to continue to care for their dogs due to unavoidable changes in their circumstances so it’s particularly hard for staff when they see the other end of the spectrum; dogs handed in simply because their owner’s bought them on a whim and consider them little more than toys to be discarded when the novelty wears off.

“We really hope this Christmas is the year our nation of animal lovers finally takes heed of our slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ and we don’t see dogs discarded because their owners have not considered the lifetime commitment of dog ownership.”

Dogs Trust urges anyone considering getting a dog to ensure they do their research to find a dog compatible with their lifestyle, so they are fully aware of the realities of caring for a dog for the duration of its lifetime.

The 'Why I left you' can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zllj5Rb_a0A

Rising crime is prompting wealthy individuals globally, including ex-Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell, to invest £40,000 in personal protection dogs trained exclusively by UK specialist company A1K9.

The man behind A1K9 is experienced dog trainer Charles Wall, who has seen a dramatic increase in demand for his animals, which are trained for twice as long as any police dog.

His dogs, which can cost as much as £40,000, have gained such a reputation they are now a global commodity. He is currently arranging overseas handovers to the daughter of the ruler of Dubai and the former prime minister of Jordan.

Nigel Mansell has just taken delivery of his second dog from A1K9 at his home on Jersey. His first, Geisha, was with him for almost 10 years before she died. He originally contacted A1K9 after being assaulted outside his own home.

Other A1K9 clients include politicians, Premier League footballers and rock stars.

The dogs are trained to respond to a number of situations, including the use of firearms, and to respond to their owners’ instructions even in the most heated situations.

The dogs are supplied to families and individuals who, for a variety of reasons, wish to improve the personal security of themselves and their families. The dogs then fulfil a dual role in that family – one of trusted family pet and reliable and highly trained personal protection dog should the home or family become threatened.

Charles (above) has many years of experience training dogs of all types and is a member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers, an accredited trainer and examiner with the National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users and a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers.

He personally oversees the training regime of every dog at A1K9 and takes great care to ensure customers choose a dog that suits their personality and lifestyle. Prior to them being handed over to their new owners, all dogs are assessed by Charles personally.

Because personal protection dogs are very much in demand Charles has seen more ‘opportunist’ companies spring up, and is worried about the quality of some of these firms and the training they provide. He warns potential clients to be on their guard against ‘bogus’ suppliers.

More information about A1K9 can be found on the company’s website www.a1k9.co.uk

To tie in with the release of the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi, Pooch & Mutt has launched a tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign featuring cute dogs dressed up as some of the best-known Star Wars characters to promote Pooch & Mutt's Junk-Free dog chews.

The 'Star Paws' campaign includes a doggy-Darth Vader promoting duck chews with the slogan "Welcome to the duck side" and wise words from a yappy-Yoda; "May the pork be with chew".

Pooch & Mutt founder, Guy Blaskey says: "There are a small bunch of rebels fighting against a dominating and controlling 'empire'.

"The rebels have little to work with in comparison to the opponents that they are fighting against, but they have the knowledge that they are doing the right thing and that they are working to provide happier and better lives for others.... but enough about the what's going on in the pet industry. This campaign is about Star Wars."

To see more of the campaign imagery follow Pooch & Mutt on instagram.com/poochandmutt or facebook.com/poochandmutt