Christmas Leftovers

If you have heaps of leftovers after Christmas dinner, and you're quite sure that none of them fall into the three groups that we spoke about a few days ago, then why not put them together in a delicious combination and give your dog and cat some tasty treats? You need to be careful about what you put into their food bowls, but here are some good ideas:
- Lamb, beef, gammon, chicken and turkey meat are all delicious treats for your pet. Make sure that you trim the meat of excess fat and gristle, and that you remove all bones. Give this meat in small amounts because you do not want to spoil your dog, only treat them.
- If you have a big leg bone from lamb, for example, then your large dog might enjoy chewing on it because it will probably be extra tasty!
- Avoid giving your pet any 'stuffing' – this usually contains nuts and will be very dangerous.
- Vegetables like carrots, peas and green beans are fine for dogs, and can be added to pellets in small quantities for a bit of a treat.
If you are unsure as to what you can and cannot feed your dog, then why not send us an email and we'll get back to you with the answer? You can also contact your local vet.

Getting ready for Christmas with your pet

Christmas is here and the geese are getting fat! Hooray, it's finally that time of year that means Good Food and Great Friends! Don't forget about your furry friend this holiday season though, your pet might need a little bit of attention as things start to heat up around the home.

Your dog or cat might start to feel a bit unsure about everything if mom and dad are suddenly home all day and they don't want to play all the time – preparing for a big family function is no easy task, but your pets don't understand that there is a big dinner coming soon! Make sure that you reassure your pets with love and attention, and perhaps even a treat or two for good behaviour!

Although it might be tempting to give your dog or cat some of the leftovers from your delicious festive dinners, be sure to think carefully about this first: turkey bones can be quite small and can choke your pet, if not removed correctly first. There are also three food types that are considered to be big NO-Nos for your dog that you need to be careful to avoid:
1. Chocolate
2. Grapes (and derivatives like currents and raisins)
3. Nuts
These food types act as a poison to dogs, and although they all might be quite delicious, they're to be avoided at all costs.

Hot summer days and your dog

Well summer is finally here and you know what that means! A lot of lazing around for you and your dog when you have any spare time! Dogs have got fur coats and that means that they're going to be getting really warm this summer time with all of that extra winter wear. Here are a few tips that you can use to help cool your pooch down when it gets really warm outside!
- Always make sure that there is plenty of clean, fresh water available for drinking. Remember, the water will evaporate quickly in this warm summer weather, so put down an extra bowl when you go to work or out for the day.
- Put a sprinkler down on the lawn when you go and play outside. Your dog will soon realise that this fun water feature is not only entertaining, but also a good way to cool down.
- Not all dogs like to swim, but why not take some time out before you go swimming to show your pup that standing on the step of a pool is safe and secure, and that it is nice and cool too? Don’t force your dog; slowly coax them nearer until they are confident that it is okay to be that close to water. Don't rush this integration process because your dog can get frightened very easily. Some owners like to put their dogs on the shallowest step in a swimming pool and then use a handful of cold water to cool off warm tummies!
- Finally, don't forget to take extra water (and a bowl!) with you when you go out to walk your dogs. They will really appreciate the extra cool reward when they're out having a good time.