New health monitor set to take pet industry by storm
An innovative new UK product, which has been launched on the global crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, is set to take the pet market by storm next year. Felcana is a vet-designed health monitor for dogs and cats and is said to detect early warning signs of disease and illness...
An innovative new UK product, which has been launched on the global crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, is set to take the pet market by storm next year.
Felcana is a vet-designed health monitor for dogs and cats and is said to detect early warning signs of disease and illness.
More than just an activity tracker, Felcana can detect changes in eating and drinking levels, highlight indicators of a pet’s wellbeing, such as increased anxiety levels, as well as detect key symptoms of disease.
Felcana reassures owners that their pet is fit, healthy and happy, and empowers vets to make more accurate and earlier diagnoses.
Felcana has three core components:- Helix, a smart device that attaches to any cat or dog’s collar
- Micro-location Beacons detect where your pet is and where it has been
- Home Hub is Helix’s charging station, range extender, and your pet’s data nest
Dr James Andrews, vet and inventor of Felcana: “As vets we can struggle to get the low down from our canine and feline friends. Even the most devoted owner can’t answer every single question we might have. Felcana sheds light on clinical blind spots, providing hard data for vets and peace of mind for owners. We don’t have to ask how much water a dog is drinking, we know. It means quicker, more certain treatment.”
Felcana tracks a dog or cat’s activity, habits and behaviour constantly. This information is accessed in the free Felcana app, giving owners real-time visibility. Not only can owners find out what their pet has been up to while they were apart, they can see how active they’ve been, how much they ate and drank, where they spent their day, as well as receive alerts indicating unusual behaviour or signs of illness. Owners are better informed and vets can make earlier and more accurate diagnoses, accelerating treatment.
The ecosystem functions in the following way:
Helix
The Helix smart collar device continuously monitors pet behaviour and activity, and connects with the Felcana Home Hub and Beacons. The easily removable device is robust and rechargeable – simply unclip it from the collar and charge on the Hub. Helix is kitted out with practical features too, including the Flashback Light, a remotely activated light with settings including the Invisible Leash.
Micro-Location Beacons
Owners place Felcana Beacons in any location they want, such as a pet’s feeding bowls, cat flaps, and pet beds. These discrete devices, collect more data on behavioural habits, such as eating and drinking consumption, and feed it back to Helix.
Home Hub
The Home Hub enables Felcana’s components to work within a range up to 1200m, meaning your pet is always connected, even in the largest of homes. The Hub is also designed to perfectly nest the Helix device when charging.
App
Helix, the Beacons and the Home Hub are controlled through the free Felcana app. Here, owners can keep track of all their pet’s data, and access health insights. These health insights are computed using intelligent machine learning and cloud computing to track, analyse and predict trends in a pet’s behaviour, and when these trends change. Felcana not only understands key signs of illness in every pet, it also picks up on a pet’s individuality and tailors insights to that pet’s unique habits and personality.
More information can be found at www.felcana.com
People can pledge support and be one of the first to receive Felcana for a fantastic price of £59, which is 54% off retail price. Click here to find out how
 |
|
|
|
|
WildWash, which recently featured on Anne Robinson’s TV show 'Britain’s Secrets', has now been approached by Hollywood film makers to be featured in a 2017 production called ShowDogs.
Jane Cooper, of parent company Pet Revolution, said: "It has been a great month for our brand WildWash. First, we were featured on Anne Robinson’s show Britain’s Secrets in the gorgeous boutique and grooming salon of VIP pets in Hitchin, Herts, where they showed how they look after the animals in their care.
"VIP is a WildWash stockist and they recommend WildWash for every groom. They introduced the WildWash Paw Balm with its natural healing ingredients of Kanuka, Almond Oil and Frankincense and showed how the dogs are pampered and groomed."
The TV clip can be viewed by visiting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07zfn5t/britains-secrets-with-anne-robinson-2-pet-secrets
"Then we were approached by the makers of a new Hollywood film called ShowDogs which will be released in 2017," added Jane.
"The film sounds absolutely fantastic. It is a huge compliment for our products to be included in such a major production and we hope all the pooches enjoy using them on set and in the film."
|
|
Lily’s Kitchen is expanding its range of complementary treats for dogs with the launch of three new additions to the Truly Naturals range.
The three new additions will sit alongside Lily’s Kitchen’s already launched Little Liver Rewards making a great range of four natural products:
Mini Venison Sausages 60g, £4.49
Following great feedback from Christmas 2015, our venison sausages are back by popular demand! Top cuts of British, grass fed venison are expertly blended with sweet potato and apple cider vinegar, blackberry and thyme then naturally air dried to perfection to lock in their nutrients. Each string of sausages is made to a moreish, nutritious recipe and are a great training treat for a focussed hound. With the benefit of resealable packaging to help them stay as fresh as possible.
Crispy Pork Bites 22g, £2.99
Crunchy mouthfuls of meatiness that taste utterly irresistible and are packed with protein. Our Crispy Pork Bites are made using the best pork rind and are cooked by hand until puffed to perfection. Deliciously light, crisp and totally moreish, these tasty treats are sure to be a hit.
Crunchy Tripe Sticks 80g, £4.99
These generously sized and satisfyingly smelly pieces of naturally air dried, pure beef tripe are completely irresistible to dogs and wonderfully high in protein. The wrinkles and texture of tripe are perfect for helping teeth stay in tip top condition and makes for a real boredom buster – perfect for keeping pooches entertained. With the benefit of resealable packaging to help them stay as fresh as possible.
Little Liver Rewards 40g, £3.99
These tasty training treats are made with fresh liver from British oxen and naturally air dried for maximum nutrition. A nutrient-rich source of vitamin A and iron, they’re as healthy as they are delicious. And because they’re nice and soft they can be torn to just the right size for any pup, making a great beefy treat for a focussed hound at training time. With the benefit of resealable packaging to help them stay as fresh as possible.
Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen, says: “Good ingredients speak for themselves and provenance and sustainability are fast becoming top factors in purchase decisions across pet food, as they should be.
"With more and more dog owners scrutinizing both the food and treats they give to their dogs, Truly Naturals is a ‘truly’ exciting range for us.
"The team have worked hard for an extremely long time to develop treats of the highest quality, which are completely free of artificial flavourings and colourings or nasty additives.
"These all natural treats can help stop dogs becoming over excited and offers functional benefits such as dental hygiene, boredom busting and they are perfect for training too. We are thrilled to finally have these to feed to our beloved four legged friends.”
Launched in time for Christmas, Truly Naturals is a great incremental sales opportunity, at a time where pet parents are actively looking for extra special treats to give their dog.
All Truly Naturals come in eye-catching display boxes that are “counter ready”, making them a great way to drive impulse sales at the till point. Not only this, with clear identification of the occasion to use the treat for; Tasty Treat, Training Treat, Boredom Buster, pet owners are sure to want to try the whole Truly Naturals range.
Truly Naturals are available from www.lilyskitchen.co.uk as well as from more than 700 independent pet shops.
|
|
Recruitment specialist Lynda Ward has issued a warning to pet companies that they face missing out on employing the best sales people unless they offer more attractive salary packages.
Lynda, owner of Pet Trade Solutions, says the salary expectations of potential employees are often ‘worlds apart’ than those of employers in the pet industry.
She attributes the discrepancy between what employers wish to pay and what prospective employees are already earning to the fact that other industries often pay low basic salaries (£22k to £25k) plus large commissions or bonuses, while the pet industry pays higher basic salaries with more modest bonus or commissions.
Lynda says: “Many of the younger companies in the pet trade have been founded by people who come from those industries paying small basic salaries, so they naturally assume similar scales. They are initially surprised to find that the current norm that a Territory Manager will already be earning is on average a basic of £32k to £40k, depending on experience (plus bonus/commission and car or car allowance).
“It can be an unwelcome realisation that they need to raise the bar on salary budget in order to find someone with the contacts, skills and experience to meet their needs, and they then need to make the choice of doing so or:- taking on and training someone from outside the industry (which takes more of their time and effort, plus time for the newcomer to build customer rapport)
- hoping we know of someone exceptionally unhappy in their current role (whilst that can be the case, people will not or cannot drop salary to such a great extent)
- hoping we have someone experienced who is, or is about to be made, redundant (again this can be the case but again those people usually either cannot or will not reduce their earnings so dramatically – and the risk is that if they did they would possibly continue to seek a role with a higher salary in the long term).”
She adds: “There is a lack of well-connected pet industry sales professionals in certain locations at present, so expect salaries to become even more competitive in the near future, as companies battle to get the best candidates.”
Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com
|
|
PetSafe launches new drinking fountain
The latest addition to the popular Drinkwell Pet Fountain range from PetSafe has been unveiled and is set to prove popular with consumers seeking the latest solution for pets who aren’t taking in enough water...
The latest addition to the popular Drinkwell Pet Fountain range from PetSafe has been unveiled and is set to prove popular with consumers seeking the latest solution for pets who aren’t taking in enough water.
Dogs and cats require 70ml of water per kg of body weight every day – the equivalent of more than a 2-litre carton of milk every day for an average large adult dog.
The new Drinkwell Sedona Pet Fountain is designed to encourage pets to drink more by providing a continuous circulation of fresh, filtered water.
Holding up to 3 litres of water, more than the daily requirement for a large adult dog, it typically only needs to be filled up once a day, and boasts special features including carbon and foam filters to remove any bad tastes or odours as well as capturing hair and debris.
With a submersible pump, the running water is whisper-quiet, making it perfect for cats and dogs who are apprehensive about approaching noisy products. It also has a large drinking area for pets with large or flat faces, plus the central ceramic tower and impact resistant plastic bowl which minimise spills and splashes.
Angela Critchley, International Marketing Director for PetSafe, said: “We’ve been testing the Drinkwell Sedona Pet Fountain for the past couple of months at shows and events and it’s proved a huge hit.
"Our entire Drinkwell range is very popular and as the next evolution of our fountain technology this is an exciting launch for us. It’s one of the quietest fountains we’ve ever created and is designed in such a way that pets of all shapes and sizes will be able to use it easily and comfortably.”
The Drinkwell Sedona Pet Fountain is suitable for cats and dogs of all sizes and is available to order now through the PetSafe sales team. For more information visit www.petsafe.net/UK.
|
|
Natures Menu becomes official sponsor of Crufts
Natures Menu will become the first raw pet food brand to become an official sponsor of Crufts. The Norfolk-based company has committed to a long term agreement with the Kennel Club and will have a prominent new stand location in Hall 3 from 2017 onwards...
 Natures Menu will become the first raw pet food brand to become an official sponsor of Crufts.
Having had huge success as an exhibitor at the world’s largest dog show over the past two years, Natures Menu has committed to a long term agreement with the Kennel Club and will have a prominent new stand location in Hall 3 from 2017 onwards.
The Norfolk-based raw dog and cat food manufacturer have an ambitious three- year sales and marketing strategy that is firmly centered on product development and driving consumer awareness.
Marketing Manager Emily Cannon said: “Crufts is the ultimate event for engaging with consumers and it felt like the right time for Natures Menu to showcase our brand alongside market leaders in dry and wet food categories. It’s a big investment but one which we are anticipating big things from, and extremely excited about."
2017 will also see the opening of Natures Menu new £10m manufacturing premises, where investment in cutting edge freeze drying technology will see the business develop new offerings, as well as having the capacity to produce and deliver higher volumes of its in-demand complete and balanced raw meals for dogs and cats.
For more information contact trade@naturesmenu.co.uk, call 0800 0183770 or visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk.
Pictured: The Natures Menu team at Crufts.
|
|
FELIWAY and ADAPTIL ads to hit TV screens at Christmas
Ceva Animal Health is launching a new national TV advertising campaign over the festive period to highlight the benefits of its leading veterinary behaviour products, ADAPTIL and FELIWAY amongst dog and cat owners...
Ceva Animal Health is launching a new national TV advertising campaign over the festive period to highlight the benefits of its leading veterinary behaviour products, ADAPTIL and FELIWAY amongst dog and cat owners.
The 30-second advertisements will raise awareness of the benefits of ADAPTIL and FELIWAY over Christmas and New Year when pets are often stressed due to the festivitie – these can consist of strangers in the house, loud noises such as Christmas crackers or simply pets being left ‘home alone’ for longer periods than normal.
The campaign will interchange between ADAPTIL and FELIWAY and will feature Meg and her dog, Dude, and Clare and her rescue cat, Mewsli.
The advertisements will show the remarkable changes in the pets’ behaviour which sees them become content and happy.
Aimed at ABC1 women, the advertisements will run from Christmas Day until January 3 during family films and prime-time on Channel 4.
For further information on ADAPTIL or FELIWAY visit www.feliway.co.uk or www.adaptil.co.uk.
|
|
Pets at Home has been boosted in its half-year performance by fee income from its joint venture vet practices and other services.
Total revenue in the six months to October 13 grew 9% to £441.3 from £404.5m while pre tax profits grew 3.9% to £47m from £45.2m.
Turnover from its services was the most impressive, up 47.6%, bringing in £61.9m compared with £41.9m on the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the company opened eight new superstores, 17 vet practices and 18 grooming salons in the period. Nearly half of all superstores now have both a vet practice and grooming salon.
The company also reported seamless shopping omnichannel investment delivering results with order volumes and basket spend increasing.
Group chief executive Ian Kellett said: “We have again demonstrated strong performance in services, with 47.6% revenue growth.
“We have also seen robust trading in merchandise where health & hygiene sales returned to a more normalised level after a poor season last year.
“We are pleased that our investment in seamless shopping is delivering results with increased volumes, basket spend and the launch of our first subscription service.
“In a more difficult trading environment, we continue to build Pets at Home for the future and are confident in the long term outlook for our unique offer in the resilient pet market, in particular, the developing potential of our services business as we see it mature and grow."
The listed company has also announced that non-executive director Brian Carroll will resign from the board on December 2. Carroll has been a director of Pets at Home since 2011.
|
|
New pet store opens in Milton Keynes
Pets Corner has opened a new store in Milton Keynes creating four new jobs. The 2,000 square foot store, which is located in Oakgrove Village, opened its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday (November 19) and will share the premises with a veterinary practice, which is scheduled to open early next year...
Pets Corner has opened a new store in Milton Keynes creating four new jobs. The 2,000 square foot store, which is located in Oakgrove Village, opened its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday (November 19) and will share the premises with a veterinary practice, which is scheduled to open early next year.
The store stocks an extensive range of naturally sourced, quality items for a variety of furry, feathered and scaly companions including a small home farming range. Free parking is available, as well as a free health club providing nutritional advice and weigh ins for pets.
Milton Keynes is the 155th store to be opened by Pets Corner – now the second largest pet retailer in the country.
Pets Corner is renowned for its proactive approach to animal welfare and pet nutrition as well as its industry leading classroom based staff training programme. The company was recently honoured with Highly Commended for its customer focus at the prestigious National Business Awards.
Amongst one of the services the store will offer its customers is the company’s innovative Puppy Hour sessions. Every Saturday morning between 9.30am and 10.30am puppy owners will be able to benefit from the opportunity to socialise their pooches and enjoy discounts and free doggy treats.
Scott Sherriff, Regional Manager at Pets Corner, said: “We are delighted to be bringing our animal expertise to Milton Keynes. Everyone at Pets Corner is incredibly passionate about animals and we are committed to delivering the highest quality of service and care to all our customers and their pets.
“The whole team has been classroom trained in giving advice that will help make pets’ lives as safe and happy as possible. We are looking forward to meeting our Milton Keynes customers and helping them with all their pet related requirements.”
|
|
Dog scoops national slimming prize after 39% weight loss
A formerly morbidly-obese dog – who used to feast on Sunday roasts and couldn’t jump on the sofa he was so heavy – has become the biggest ever loser in a national pet slimming competition after shedding an incredible 39% of his bodyweight in just six months...
A formerly morbidly-obese dog – who used to feast on Sunday roasts and couldn’t jump on the sofa he was so heavy – has become the biggest ever loser in a national pet slimming competition after shedding an incredible 39% of his bodyweight in just six months.
Oscar, the now-sprightly Spaniel, from Wolverhampton, was nearly double his ideal weight but has undergone an incredible transformation, shedding 1st 5lb (8.35kg). He beat off competition from six other pet super slimmers to be crowned PDSA Pet Fit Club Champ 2016.
His fitness regime included hydrotherapy sessions, long walks and a clampdown on fatty treats. His delighted owner says he is now a completely different dog, almost unrecognisable and much happier.
Each year vet charity, PDSA, which runs the UK’s most successful pet slimming competition, helps Britain’s fattest pets embark on a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, specially tailored and overseen by the charity’s vets and vet nurses. Pet Fit Club, now in its 11th year, helps get them back into shape and creates awareness of the serious issue of pet obesity, which afflicts millions of household pets.
Overall, this year’s seven Pet Fit Club finalists, which include a Labrador, Chihuahua, Bullmastiff, two cats and a rabbit, have lost a total of 4st 12lb (31kg).
Oscar’s story
Oscar once tipped the scales at a colossal 3st 6Ib (21.6kg), making him 80% over his ideal weight (1st 13lb/12kg). He was facing serious health problems and a shortened life span. But he wowed PDSA judges with his 1st 5lb (8.35kg) weight loss. He is now a much healthier 2st 1lb (13.25kg) and has been crowned the UK-wide winner.
Ten-year-old Oscar provides vital companionship for his owner June Lawrence (78). After her husband died last year she admits she has spoilt him.
June treated him to Sunday dinners and leftovers from her plate. Lack of exercise compounded the problem until he became so unfit that just walking in the garden left him breathless.
June’s daughter, Karen Allen (56), said: “Before Pet Fit Club, Oscar didn’t get much exercise. My mother is disabled so struggled to walk him. As he piled on the pounds he wanted to exercise even less and it became a vicious cycle. He couldn’t even jump on the sofa he was that big.
“He is a completely different dog now – like a puppy again. People simply don’t recognise him because he’s changed so much, in looks and personality. We now walk for miles and he runs around the house with his toys, nudging you until you play fetch with him.
“We started taking him to hydrotherapy at the beginning of the competition to help increase his exercise. At the first session he could barely do 15 seconds in the water without stopping for a break. Over the weeks we’ve seen him improve and now he cannot wait to get in the pool when we arrive. He can swim around ten minutes at a time and loves being in the water.
“Taking part in Pet Fit Club is the best thing we could have done for him. We can see now how unhealthy and unhappy he was. Hopefully we’ll have many more years with him and have PDSA to thank for all their help.”
Oscar’s weight-loss has been supervised by PDSA vet nurse, Kay Brough, from Wolverhampton PDSA Pet Hospital. She said: “Oscar has done amazingly well on Pet Fit Club. His family have been very dedicated and worked extremely hard to help change his lifestyle for the better. He has virtually halved in size; his whole personality has changed. They’re all now seeing the rewards for their hard work.”
PDSA Vet Rebecca Ashman, who helped to judge the competition, added: “Oscar’s transformation during Pet Fit Club is truly incredible. His success is testament to the hard work and dedication of his owners and the PDSA vet team. He is living proof that it’s never too late to make positive changes to improve our pet’s health and wellbeing. Oscar and his fellow Pet Fit Club slimmers will enjoy a better quality of life thanks to their weight loss.
“Owners who are concerned about their pet’s weight should speak to their vet as soon as possible so they can start making the necessary changes to make their four-legged friends happier and healthier.”
PDSA Pet Fit Club slimmer results:
Other pet slimmers joining Oscar’s record-breaking weight loss are Tyty the Chihuahua from Glasgow and Kaspa the Labrador from Cardiff. Both lost an amazing 29% of their bodyweight and have been awarded joint second place.
- Mikey, from London, was named ‘top cat’ after losing 17% of his bodyweight.
- Blackpool bunny, Pebbles, is also jumping for joy after losing 11% of his body weight.
Find out how all of this year’s pet slimmers got on and register your interest for next year’s competition at www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub, and follow the conversation on social media with #PetFitClub.
More information about pet obesity and how to assess your pet’s body shape is also available at www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub.
Oscar’s owners have won a pet-friendly holiday courtesy of Cottages.com. Both Oscar and Mikey have won a year’s free pet food supply of Dechra Specific.
|
|
|
|
|
direct to your e-mail inbox...
The best news service every week.
Subscribe for free by clicking here
Pooch & Mutt wins a place in packaging history
Taschen, the world-famous art book publisher, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Pentawards with their seminal guide to packaging design ‘The Package Design Book’. Pooch & Mutt now star in this special limited edition publication...
Taschen, the world-famous art book publisher, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Pentawards with their seminal guide to packaging design ‘The Package Design Book’. Pooch & Mutt now star in this special limited edition publication.
Packaging from around the world was judged by an international jury of 12 highly reputed designers and packaging design Directors from major companies.
The jury selected designs based on the creative quality and the marketing relevance of the works presented.
Pooch & Mutt’s founder, Guy Blaskey designed the company’s submission. They were the only finalist in any of the award categories whose design was not created by a leading specialist packaging design agency. ‘The Package Design Book’ brings together the very best in contemporary packaging design from around the world.
Guy Blaskey commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to be included in such a seminal publication where Pooch & Mutt has been recognised as a global leader in packaging design.
"We care a great deal about producing great design at Pooch & Mutt, though we place an even higher value on the product inside the packaging.
"This desire to help dog’s lead healthier and happier lives through producing quality products is what has really driven Pooch & Mutt’s tremendous growth over the last few years.”
|
|
 
Truline by Pero has been recognised as the best UK dry dog food brand for 2016 by Dog Digest.
Truline is the ultra premium high meat and grain free dog food, developed by the UK’s leading pet nutritionists and freshly produced in the UK.
"Our recipes are simple, fresh and above all highly nutritious," said Gareth Roberts. "We believe in utilising high levels of regional meats and vegetables whilst, avoiding the use of cereals and ingredients commonly associated with digestive problems."Key product features include: - 75% Meat & Animal Ingredients.
- 25% Fruit & Vegetables.
- Locally supplied ingredients wherever possible. • Suitable for all lifestages and breeds.
- Packed with nutrient rich ‘super foods’.
- Available in Meat & Fish as well as Fish varieties (12kg & 2kg).
To fin out more about Truline visit www.pero.trade
|
|
Pet shop wins local business award
Family-run Waggles Pet Emporium in Bromley beat off opposition from four other companies to win Independent Retailer of the Year at Bromley Business Awards.
Family-run Waggles Pet Emporium in Bromley beat off opposition from four other companies to win Independent Retailer of the Year at Bromley Business Awards.
“We were jumping for joy when we received this award," said Graeme Lawrence of Waggles Pet Emporium. "It is not only recognition for us as a business, but also for the team who work in our shops and are the face of our business.“Our mantra ‘Serving Pets and their People’ is a core of our customer service philosophy. We offer an unbiased opinion, providing an extensive range of products, as well as a loyalty programme rewarding our customers for shopping local.”
After starting life in 2001 offering home delivery and selling pet food and accessories at Bromley Charter Market, Waggles Pet Emorium has grown to two permanent retail outlets.
|
|
Natures Menu has launched a new course for retailers wanting to further their knowledge and understanding of raw feeding.
Designed to provide in-depth information about nutrition and raw pet food production, the Raw Expert course aims to enable raw stockists to become expert specialists in raw pet foods.
Created by the Natures Menu Veterinary Division, the course compiles of four modules covering the following:- Principles of Nutrition
- Food production and legislation
- Natures Menu product range
- Nutrition and health
Becoming a certified Raw Expert will give stockists of Natures Menu raw pet foods a professional understanding of raw feeding, the information to provide in-depth advice, and confidence to answer a wider variety of customer queries on raw feeding and Natures Menu range of foods.
Natures Menu has also released its new brochure Real Food is Raw, a highly informative guide to raw feeding and Natures Menu’s full range of products. This can be ordered directly as a point of sale item by contacting trade@naturesmenu.co.uk.
The Raw Expert course is available to all customers with a Natures Menu trade account and ready for you to take online now by logging in to your account at www.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade-landing.
|
|
Animal nutritionists and health experts are urging pet owners to forgo the impulse to feed life threatening human festive fayre to their dogs and cats this Christmas.
Amongst the foodie felons that could lethally harm our canine and cat counterparts are nuts, avocados, corn syrup, crisps and raisins.
Will Bisset, who is a pet food researcher and expert nutritionist at Pets Corner, said: “Whilst it might be tempting to feed pets with human treats, many of them contain poisonous and life threatening chemicals that can either seriously harm or kill animals.
“For example, onion in any form, particularly the powder that is commonly found in most savoury foods including crisps, pizza and many sauces, contains disulphides and thiosulphates that are extremely poisonous to dogs, and even more so for cats, causing anaemia and damaging red blood cells.
"Likewise, toxins found in grapes and raisins, as well as chocolate, can also cause severe damage to a pet’s health."
Will continued: “Artificial sugar substitutes, such as Xylitol, can be really harmful to pets, and corn syrup should be avoided at all costs.”
Earlier in the year, the pet retailer warned customers of the common misconception that lettuce and carrots – both of which can result in serious side effects - are safe for rabbits to consume.
Lucy Ross, Head of Training at Pets Corner, said: “The bulk of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of hay with 10 per cent of what they eat comprising vegetables such as curly kale, courgette, cabbage or cauliflower leaves.
“The good news is there is one festive favourite rabbits can enjoy safely and that’s Brussels sprouts.”
Whilst nuts are a traditional human treat at Christmas, many of them including almonds, walnuts, hickory nuts, macadamias, pecans and pistachios are toxic to cats and dogs and can cause intestinal obstructions. And even though apple flesh is a perfectly safe ingredient often included in many holistic dog foods, the seeds themselves contain a natural chemical that releases cyanide when digested by animals and are potentially lethal.
Will added: “Although there are many human foods that are safe to feed, it’s always better to provide a high quality food for pets that provides them with all the nutritional qualities and quantities they need.
“Pet owners should be wary of feeding human foods in any form to their animals, even if traditionally they believe it is safe to do so, as the results could be potentially devastating.”
|
|
Pets at Home increases size of its fleet of vehicles
Pets at Home has taken delivery of another six double deck curtainsiders from Broadheath-based Cartwright. This latest order is virtually a repeat of the six curtainsiders the company commissioned last year.
Pets at Home has taken delivery of another six double deck curtainsiders from Broadheath-based Cartwright.
This latest order is virtually a repeat of the six curtainsiders the company commissioned last year.
One new feature of these trailers is the decision by the retailer to have buckleless curtains, an air operated tension system with no buckles on the outside enabling the driver to secure the curtains more quickly and efficiently.
These latest curtainsiders will be in Pets at Home livery which has been upgraded to match the new uniform design in store.
The new trailers will carry a mix of the company’s extensive product range from manufacturers to the company’s distribution centres in Northampton and Stoke as well as to the company’s network of over 400 retail outlets throughout the UK.
Currently the Pets at Home fleet consists of 65 Double Deck trailers, predominantly Cartwright, as well as eight single deck trailers.
Campbell Baxter, fleet and compliance manager for Pets at Home commented: “We have been delighted by the excellent quality of the product and indeed service from Cartwright, with whom we have a close relationship and who have been a long term supplier to Pets at Home.
“It is our company policy to have our drivers’ views on trailer specification and this is important when we choose our final requirements as they get something they are prepared to work with.
“We are an expanding company and it is vital that we have the right trailer product and specification to meet our needs.”
|
|
Harrogate-based Pets Perfect has taken on the UK distribution of the Maelson range of pet products.
German company Maelson specializes in functional and stylish premium accessories for dogs and cats. Each item is uniquely and thoughtfully designed and made using high quality materials and innovative features.
The range aims to provide smart dog and cat solutions, to make both living at home and travelling with pet companions a little easier and more fun.
Pets Perfect say they are looking for stockists for the Maelson range of pet products. Interested retailers should email enquiries@maelson.com
PetWeighter secures order from 14th century hotel
The revolutionary new dog bowl, PetWeighter, has secured its most historic ‘home’ to date, having been adopted by 14th century luxury hotel and restaurant, Langley Castle, in Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland...
The revolutionary new dog bowl, PetWeighter, has secured its most historic ‘home’ to date, having been adopted by 14th century luxury hotel and restaurant, Langley Castle, in Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland.
Langley Castle, which dates from 1350, has become the discerning dog’s favourite watering hole after the four-star hotel decided to take its dog-friendly policy up a tier, by ensuring that its canine guests have constant access to water.
By buying in bowls fit for a king, the castle has heeded PetWeighter’s H2Ovember message and fully appreciated the need for dogs to stay well hydrated all year round and not just in the hot summer months.
PetWeighter, with its two-part design that encompasses a detachable bowl on top of a base that can be filled with water, sand or a combination of both, cannot be nudged by the dog, which means spillages do not occur. Similarly, it cannot be kicked over by human guests!
Its elevation is also kinder on an older dog’s joints, by not requiring dogs to stoop. This affords the extra touches Langley Castle likes to offer to all of its guests, human or canine.
The first dog to try out the bowl was Daisy the Whippet, who was suitably impressed by the new drinking and eating facility and adopted a regal air whilst enjoying her refreshment.
Also giving the bowl the thumbs up as an asset for sojourning canine guests, is TTouch Instructor, behavioural counsellor, author and animal shelter consultant, Sarah Fisher of Tilley Farm.
Sarah says: “I love the idea of PetWeighter, particularly for people that travel and may not have much space to transport a stand. Many fearful dogs are worried about lowering the head to drink from a bowl and easy access to water is so important when dogs are in a novel environment.”
With PetWeighter on tap, dog-friendly Langley Castle is looking forward to welcoming more pooches on its £10 per night doggy accommodation deal. Whilst dogs cannot lounge on the sumptuous four-poster beds in the castle’s Feature and Deluxe rooms, they can still enjoy the luxury of the Castle View rooms and be treated to a soft bed and food and water, not to mention 12 glorious acres of grounds to explore and the delights of Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Forest on the doorstep.
More details of Langley Castle and its dog policy can be found at www.langleycastle.com, while PetWeighter can be stocked by calling Igloo Pets on 02392 474676, filling in an enquiry form at www.petweighter.com or emailing info@petweighter.com
|
|
A Sheffield woman has been fined £630 for failing to get her pet microchipped.
Sarah Hewitt, aged 38, of Winn Grove, Winn Gardens, was served with a legal notice by Sheffield Council ordering her to get her dog microchipped when it was discovered that the procedure had not been carried out.
She was advised of a free microchipping service the council was offering, but on a follow-up visit by the council's dog control officer, the dog was found to still not be chipped.
Sheffield Council said further visits were made to encourage Ms Hewitt to microchip her dog, but she failed to agree.
At Sheffield Magistrates' Court she was fined £220 and ordered to pay court costs of £381.78 as well as a surcharge of £30 - making a total of £631.78.
Councillor Bryan Lodge, Sheffield Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We are pleased with this result. “Microchipped dogs are much more likely to be returned to their owners if they go missing. While dogs still have to wear a collar and tag, these can fall off or become illegible, whereas microchips are a far more reliable means of identification.
“It is a pity that this dog owner chose not to microchip her pet, despite the efforts of our staff, and has instead had to pay the price in court.”
|
|
|
|
