Month: January 2018

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Puppy care tips for new owners

Puppy care

Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time in any home. Caring for your puppy comes with the responsibility to ensure your puppy has the best start in their new environment.

Puppy care is an important aspect of getting a new pet. Although they can be excitable and full on additions to your home, training your new puppy requires full commitment that can take time, but it is also very rewarding.

There are many things to consider when you bring your new puppy home. To help make the process stress free, here are some puppy care tips for new owners:

Work with your vet

Be sure to register your new puppy with a vet to ensure it receives the best care during their early stages. Working in partnership with your vet is also important, as they are able to cast their expert eye over your new pet during regular check-ups. Regular check-ups help with the rest of your puppy’s development, making sure they receive the essential vaccinations. Be sure to get your puppy micro-chipped at the earliest opportunity. This is now mandatory and could be essential if your puppy ever escapes or runs off when out on a walk.

Puppy interaction

If you have a medium or large breed puppy, it’s important during the development stage (when bones are developing and articular cartilage surfaces are fragile), that all members of the family are aware not to over exercise your new puppy or play too boisterously with them. It’s also best to avoid encouraging your puppy to jump up at you on his/her hind legs as this can put uneven stress on both hind and front legs at a young age.

In the home

To help your puppy become used to their new home, create designated eating and sleeping areas for them. Choose an appropriate sleeping area, which is safe and has suitable bedding and still in view of the family, so that they feel safe. Always make sure that your puppy has a fresh supply of water. Stair gates can be a great addition to prevent your puppy from climbing the stairs and injuring themselves, as well as keeping them away from ‘out of bounds’ areas around the home.

Diet

Your new puppy will probably eat three to four times a day, but you could reduce this to two to fit with your daily routine. If unsure, you should consult your vet to find out what is best for your particular breed of dog. Puppy food is higher in protein and enriched with vitamins, minerals and fats, which are essential for the growth of your new puppy. You can usually switch to adult food at around six months, but your vet will be able to advise on this as certain breeds mature quicker than others.

Training

It’s important to start your puppy training as soon as you bring your new pet home, whether it’s toilet or behavioural training. Building up a routine with your puppy will help them to get used to associating the garden with going to the toilet. Be sure to take your puppy outside frequently during the day, as soon as they wake-up and after meals. Always go outside with your puppy and don’t leave them on their own in the garden in case they escape or eat something that might make them ill.

Socialising can be an important part of puppy training. This can include, introducing your new puppy to other people, as well as other dogs. Taking your new dog to puppy classes can help get them used to other dogs to reduce unruly behaviour whilst out walking.

Leaving your puppy alone

Although it’s not advised to leave dogs alone for more than 4 hours, sometimes this cannot be helped. If you have to leave your puppy on their own for a few hours a day, it is important to get them used to this as soon as possible. Start with short periods of time and work up to longer spells. Be sure to leave them with toys to distract them whilst you are gone.

Exercise

It is recommended that you wait one to two weeks before starting to walk your puppy. This ensures that they have had their last vaccination booster. In the early stages, long walks or runs should be avoided. Mild exercise routines together with a balanced healthy diet are part of a sensible and responsible way to care for your dog as they begin their lives with you.

These are all areas that can be discussed with your vet as they are best placed to understand particular needs of your pet. Ask your vet for more information on additional puppy care tips and how Nutraquin can help with your puppy’s joint development. Find out how Nutramind can also help to support cognitive function for training and learning.

 

 

 

 

 

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Top tips for caring for older pets

Caring for older pets

Caring for older pets is crucial to help to help maintain their health and mobility, like their owners, with age they can develop and endure health issues.

As an owner you are best placed when caring for older pets are you will notice a change in your pet or if they are not feeling themselves. Keeping an eye out for behavioural changes or any change to their normal routine can help to maintain their healthy life.

To help care for your senior cat or dog, here are some top tips to support their health as they age:

Regular vet check ups

Regular visits to your vet is important for older pets. They will be able to offer advice and keep an eye out for any new health issues that might arise. This will also help to keep up-to-date with annual vaccinations, which are still important in older pets.

Keep them moving

Although they might not be as fast or walk as far as younger pets, it’s still vital to make sure they exercise. Walking your senior dog will help to prevent weight gain and aid their cognitive function by keeping their mind active. Walks should be shorter but are integral to prevent weight gain, which could lead to stiff joints.

Nutrition

It’s important when caring for older pets to ensure that they are getting the essential nutrients as they age. Obesity is more common in older pets as they have a tendency to move less. Pet food that is produced specifically for senior pets has fewer calories, reduced fat and more fibre.

Keep up with grooming

Regular grooming is important for your senior pet to help keep their skin and coat in good condition. As your pet ages joint stiffness may prevent them from being able to groom themselves.

Senility

Like us, as pet’s age they can lose cognitive function. If your pet starts having accidents around the house or getting disorientated, it could be a sign that they have cognitive dysfunction. Keeping an eye on your pet’s behaviour is integral to spotting these signs early.

Joint care

As your pet’s age, you may notice a reduction in mobility. Simple tasks such as going up the stairs or getting into the car might be a struggle. To help keep your pet mobile, you could use a ramp to help get them into the car and prevent pets from jumping up. Move your cat’s food bowl to floor level rather than feeding them on high surfaces so that they don’t have to jump up to get it. Further support, such as a natural product like Nutraquin+ could help aid and soothe stiff joints.

Stress reduction

Older pets might not be able to handle stressful situations. Reducing stress in their home environment or outside will help to prevent unruly behavior. Ensure they have a den or a safe spot that they can go to and feel comfortable in during stressful situations.

Bedding

Make sure your pet has comfy warm bedding away from any drafts. They should have close access to the garden as your older pet’s toilet habits may change with age and they might have to go more often. For smaller dogs make sure they have extra bedding during winter months to keep them warm and extra bedding can be used as padding for their joints.

Maintain good oral health

Regardless of age, it’s important to keep up with brushing your pet’s teeth to remove any plaque or bacteria build up. As your dog or cat ages, their routine and diet may change so it’s key to keep this particular routine up.

Clip your pet’s nails

As your elderly pet can become less active, their nails can get long and could cause ingrowing nails. If you don’t feel confident trimming your dog or cat’s nails, consult your vet for help and advice. Be careful not to trim too far, as you could cut part of the nail that contains sensitive blood vessels and nerves.

Litter trays for your cat

As your senior cat is more likely to have accidents and need the toilet more, make sure there is a sufficient amount of litter trays around the house for them to use. Keep an eye on their toilet habits in case they appear to have trouble with urinary output. This could be a sign that they may need support with their urinary tract health.

If you think that your older pet my need support, it’s best to consult your vet, who will be able to advise the best solution for your dog or cat’s health needs. Nutravet has a number of supplements for older dogs and cats, such as Nutracalm, Nutramind, and Nutraquin+ can help maintain the health of your pet.

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Top tips for managing healthy skin and coat in pets

managing healthy skin and coat in pets

Managing healthy skin and coat in pets is one of the most common reasons a pet owner will take their dog or cat to visit the vet.

In dogs, it is particularly common for Terriers, Setters, Retrievers, Spaniels and Dalmatians to visit the vet with a need to support for managing healthy skin and coat in pets.

As a pet owner you will want to help to calm your pet’s sensitive, dry flaky skin and look for a product that will soothe and reduce the itching to help make your pet more comfortable. The causes and irritation fall into several categories and to complicate matters, you dog or cat could be affected by more than one cause. These can include fleas, food allergies and an acute fatty acid imbalance.

Common signs that your pet may need support for their skin and coat could include:
•    Your pet may be moulting more than usual.
•    You might notice that they have thin or balding patches.
•    They could develop dry or flaky skin.
•    Their coat may appear dull or greasy.

Your pet may have all year round symptoms, which could mean that they are allergic to something in your home, however there are allergic reactions that are seasonal. Outdoor seasonal allergens can include, ragweed, grasses and pollens.

A healthy coat should be shiny but not greasy and will be soft and quite smooth. An unhealthy coat on a dog will be dry and brittle and could also be greasy with a dusty appearance. There could also be a few bald spots and an unpleasant smell.

Persistent itching is not only stressful for your pet, but can also cause distress to you as their owner. To help here are our top tips for managing healthy skin and coat in pets:

Regular grooming

This will help to remove loose hairs, keep your pet’s coat free from dirt and distribute natural skin oils, which help to make their coat shiny. Try not to groom them more than once a week, as this could lead to irritation on the skin.

Don’t over bathe your pet

This can lead to a dog with dry skin. Be sure to only use animal specific shampoos, as human shampoo could irritate your pet’s sensitive skin.

Protect your pet from the sun

Like humans, overexposure to the sun is bad for your pet’s skin. Pets with light skin and short or thin hair, such as white cats are more susceptible to sensitive skin caused from the sun. Try to limit the amount of time your pet spends in the sun and watch for signs of burning. If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors, there are sunscreens available for pets.

Food

Be sure to feed your pet a good quality diet. Foods rich in fatty acids, oils and vitamins can support healthy skin.

Parasite control

One of the most common causes of skin complaints is parasites and fleas. Prevention is always the best treatment for flea control. Be sure to treat all pets, indoor and outdoor, as outdoor pets can carry fleas to indoor pets. Consult your vet for the best product to treat your pet.

Fluids

A constant supply of water is important to keep your pet cool and hydrated, like us, your cat or dog requires water to maintain healthy skin.

Reduce stress

Stress can lead to over grooming. Understand what is causing your pet to become stressed and try to reduce this, if possible. If your pet is anxious, ask your vet about Nutracalm.

Keep your home and their bed clean

Regularly clean, provide fresh bedding and reduce dust in your home. Hoovering on a regular basis, at least twice a week, will help to get rid of any excess dust. This will include rugs, curtains and any other material that gathers dust.

Consider using natural supplements

Nutramega contains high quality Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, which naturally calm sensitive skin, soothe dry, flaky skin and reduce itching and scratching.

 

Speak to your vet about managing healthy skin and coat in pets and ask them for more information on additional ways to maintain the health of your pet. Ask your vet about how Nutramega can help to maintain a healthy coat and skin for your pet.

 

 

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Top tips for pet owners at Christmas

top tips for pet owners at Christmas

Many pet owners like to include their pets in the festivities, so we share some top tips for pet owners at Christmas to reduce any challenges.

Our top tips for pet owners at Christmas ensure everyone can enjoy the excitement of the season without any stress. Being wary of the danger of Christmas decorations and stress that many visitors could cause your pet are key to a successful family Christmas.

As a pet owner you are best placed to spot any changes in your pet’s behaviour or health during this time. To make sure Christmas goes without a hitch, here are some top tips for pet owners at Christmas:

Pet Safety

Keep wires from the Christmas tree lights and any festive decorations away from your pet to prevent them from being chewed. Make sure all decorations, including ones on the tree are well out of reach from your pet.

Pine needles

Vacuum regularly to reduce the risk of your pet swallowing any pine needles from the Christmas tree and prevent them from getting stuck in your dog or cat’s paws.

Chocolate

Although it may be tempting to treat them, don’t give your dog chocolate as it contains theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. If you have sweet treats like chocolate decorations hanging on the tree, be sure to keep them out of reach of your dog, as they will be able to sniff them out.

Rich food

Don’t feed your pet rich turkey dinners like we enjoy over Christmas. High fat, festive foods could irritate your pet’s digestive system and can make your pet poorly. Certain foods that are used at this time of year are poisonous to dogs, such as raisins, used for making Christmas cake. Keep these out of reach from your dog to prevent a festive trip to the vets.

Turkey bones

Don’t feed your pet turkey or chicken bones, even though it might be tempting as a treat. They can splinter and get stuck in their throat and cause injury.

Plants

Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs and cats. Try to limit the amount of these around the house at Christmas.

Tinsel

This can be dangerous to your pet if swallowed. Keep it out of reach on the tree or around your home. If swallowed it can wrap around the base of their tongue or cause choking, vomiting and intestinal obstruction.

Wrapping paper

Be sure to clear away any left over wrapping paper, ribbon and bows that can easily be chewed or swallowed by your pet.

DecorationsTop tips for pet owners at Christmas

Consider using non-toxic and unbreakable decorations incase your pet does manage to get their hands on them. If broken, they could get stuck in their paws, or even be swallowed.

Toys

Don’t leave any small children’s toys lying around. If swallowed by your pet it could cause serious injury.

Routine

Keep your pet’s usual routine to prevent any stress during this busy period. Make sure they are fed and walked at the same times. Disturbed routines can cause anxiety in pets.

Reduce stress

If you have guests visiting over Christmas, reduce stress for your pet by creating a safe zone for them to retreat to. Make sure they have a comfy bed with plenty of fresh water and toys to keep them occupied. Ask your vet about Nutracalm, which can naturally calm dogs & cats fast without any sedative effect.

Keep doors closed

Make sure visitors are aware of your pets and don’t leave doors or windows open to prevent your pet escaping. In case they do escape, make sure your pet is microchipped or has clear identification on their collar.

Visiting family

If you are visiting relatives over Christmas and have to leave your pet home alone, be sure to leave them with enough toys to keep them occupied, warm comfy bedding and fresh water. Take them for a walk before you leave to ensure they have had plenty of exercise, as well as making sure they have had a toilet break. If they get anxious on their own, leave the TV or radio on to drown out external noise.

Travelling

If you are travelling with your pet over Christmas, on holiday or to a relatives be sure to plan in advance to reduce any stress for your pet. Get them used to the car beforehand to prevent any anxiety whilst travelling. To help the journey go smoothly, follow our top tips for travelling with your pet.

Holidays

If you are going on holiday over Christmas, don’t leave your pet home alone. Make sure you have a friend to look after them or they are booked into a kennel or cattery.

Fireworks

These are a common occurrence during New Year. These can cause stress in pets, so prepare in advance if you know your cat or dog gets anxious with loud noises. Find more tips to calm pets during fireworks here.

New pets at Christmas

Although it’s tempting to buy a new pet for Christmas, you have to be aware of the commitment and hard work that comes with a new puppy or kitten. It’s important to remember that pet’s are not just for Christmas. If you do get a new pet, check out our top tips for looking after a new puppy and kitten.

Cold weather

During the Christmas period, the weather can be colder so make sure your pet keeps warm. Use warm bedding in the house and coats for dogs can also be used during walks. Be sure to keep up exercise routines with your dog, although the weather might not be as nice and cold, it’s still important to ensure your dog gets some exercise – even if it’s a shorter walk.

 

If you are concerned about your pet’s health consult your vet who will be able to advise on the best solution for their health needs. Nutravet has a number of products which could help over the Christmas period, including Nutracalm, Nutrabio and Nutraquin+.

 

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Common signs of a dog with stiff joints

dog with stiff joints

A dog with stiff joints may need extra support to help manage their overall health and wellbeing.

As a pet owner you recognise your pet’s normal behaviour and notice if they are not their usual self. Maintaining optimum joint health is important for your pet’s quality of life. All pets can develop stiff joints, but it is more common in older dogs and cats. This can be more common in winter months, as cold weather can aggravate joints.

Maintaining the health of a dog with stiff joints can make everyday tasks such as going on walks or having a comfy nights sleep easier to perform.

There are some common signs of a dog with stiff joints, which could include:

•    Reluctant to jump up and down from surfaces or furniture
•    Slow going up or down stairs and getting in and out of the car
•    Stiffness when getting up in the morning or after sleeping
•    They may lick or bite at their joints
•    They may need their food or water bowl raising off the ground
•    They may lag behind on walks
•    Your dog may no longer run to greet you
•    Your pet may seem quieter than usual
•    They might interact less with the family
•    Your dog may act defensively, get irritable or growl if touched
•    Have difficulty getting through the dog/cat flap
•    Sleeping or resting in easier to reach places
•    Your cat may spend less time hunting or will go outdoors less frequently
•    Your cat’s fur may become matted in hard to reach areas
•    They may become more irritable when stroked or handled

If you think your pet may need support for their joints or your are just generally concerned about your pet’s joints, contact your vet who is best placed to monitor your pet’s health needs. They can give you the best possible advice specific to your pet’s age and health needs.

Nutraquin+ has a unique formula specifically developed to aid and soothe stiff joints in dogs and cats, as well as promoting mobility and flexibility. Ask you vet for more information on ways to help your dog or cat and how Nutraquin+ can help.

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Common signs your pet needs bladder support

pet needs bladder support

Poor urinary tract health is a familiar reason for pet owners to visit the vets with their cat, especially if your pet needs bladder support.

Cats in particular are more likely to experience reduced urinary tract function. Stress is a key reason your pet needs bladder support. There are many reasons why your cat could be stressed, which include: changes to their indoor environment, territorial problems, unfamiliar noises or cattery visits. These are just some of the reasons why your cat will need support maintaining a healthy bladder.

Commons signs that might mean your pet needs bladder support include:

Frequent urination

Your cat might make frequent attempts to urinate and only be able to produce a small amount or urine each time.

Pain/difficulty

It could be painful for your cat when they try to urinate. Some cats will also repeatedly lick the area as a way to self-soothe.

Blood in urine

Cats with poor urinary tract health could have blood-tinged or discoloured urine. It is more common for females to show this sign rather than male cats.

Urinating outside litter box

This might not always be a cause for concern, however if paired with any of the above symptoms, it might be a sign that your cat may need support.

Irritability

Some cats may seem more irritable if they are in pain or uncomfortable.

 

If your think your pet needs bladder support, it is important to consult your vet, who is best placed to monitor  and understand your cats health needs. This is especially important for senior cats that are more likely to need support.

Nutracys+ has a unique formula specifically developed to help support and maintain a healthy urinary tract function for your cat or dog. Ask your vet for more information on ways to help your cat and how Nutracys+ can help to naturally maintain a healthy bladder.

 

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Common signs your pet needs cognitive support

Your pet needs cognitive support

Maintaining healthy brain function in your pet is vital to help support memory and learning abilities. Looking for common signs your pet needs cognitive support can help maintain their overall health.

Like humans, as they age dogs and cats may experience ‘senior moments’. We don’t like to think of our pets getting older, but like us, it could be that your pet needs cognitive support. Some pet owners put this down to old age rather than realising that there may be something they can do about it.

If you are worried about your cat or dog, we share some common signs your pet needs cognitive support:

Disorientation

Your pet can display confused behaviour in the house and wander around aimlessly. They may get lost on walks or perhaps go to the wrong side when opening doors. Your pet may also lose the ability to recognise people they are frequently in contact with, or other pets.

Decreased social interaction

You may find your pet will hide away, especially if there are new people in the house. There may not greet you, which is often perceived as tiredness or being less interested or excited. There may also be increased vocalisation, or rarely being vocal at all, as well as becoming aggressive in particular situations.

Loss of prior house training

This is one of the most noticeable signs for pet owners and can be distressing for all involved. Toilet training is a key learned behaviour and can be one of the first that is lost with cognitive dysfunction.

Disturbance in sleep pattern

This is a key feature of cognitive dysfunction. Increased sleep is common, but this can often be broken in shorter periods and pets can be awake at night, when previously they were not. Again, this can be distressing for the owner, especially coupled with vocalisation and toileting in the house.

Decreased activity

Dogs and cats can be less enthusiastic to exercise and less excited by toys and other previously rewarding events.

A natural product such as Nutramind could be considered to help your pet if the above is evident. Nutramind has a unique formula specifically developed to maintain optimum brain function. Ask your vet for more information on additional ways to help your pet and how Nutramind can help naturally maintain brain function..

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Common signs of sensitive digestion in pets

sensitive digestion in pets

Sensitive digestion in pets is a common reason for pet owners visiting the vets.

When your pet has sensitive digestion, bad bacteria can flourish and multiply extremely quickly. There are a number of reasons for sensitive digestion in pets, which could include: their diet, viruses, bacteria, allergic reactions and parasites. If your pet is on medication, this could also cause your pet to experience sensitive digestion.

Dogs especially can experience a sensitive tummy after scavenging during walks and eating food they shouldn’t. This is more common during summer months, when they are outdoors more.

Maintaining healthy digestive function helps your pet to live a healthy and happy life. Common signs that your pet may need support for sensitive digestion include:sensitive digestion in pets

  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in stool quantity and quality
  • Regurgitation or vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Sensitive to touch tummy
  • Lack of energy
  • Fever

If you’re worried about sensitive digestion in pets, you should consult your vet who will be able to advise the best course of action for your dog’s specific health needs.

Nutrabio has a unique formula specifically developed for dogs and cats with sensitive digestion Ask your vet for more information on additional ways to help your pet and how Nutrabio can help to naturally restore normal digestive function.

Nutraflora is also recommended by vets for long-term digestive health. Nutraflora is a veterinary strength probiotic capsule that contains scientifically proven natural ingredients delivering friendly bacteria, which survives the passage through the stomach and rapidly multiplies in the small intestine.

 

 

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Common signs of stress in dogs and cats

stress in dogs and cats

Stress in dogs and cats is very common and there are many reasons why your pet may need support for anxiety. Dog anxiety not only impacts your pet’s health, but it can also impact on the owner.

During certain times of the year, stress in dogs and cats is more prevalent due to evens such as fireworks season, pets may become anxious with the loud noises. However stress in pets is not limited to fireworks season. Your dog and cat can become stressed due to a number of situations, which include: vet visits, kennel and cattery visits, unfamiliar environments, loud noises, travelling and separation anxiety in dogs.

To help to understand and reduce your pet’s stress, there are common signs to look out for.

Common signs of stress in dogs and cats

Increased vocalisation

When anxious your dog might bark constantly and cats may become more vocal. This is more evident during periods such as fireworks season, or New Year where sudden loud noises are more common.

Isolation

Most pets like to be with their owners 24/7, so if your dog or cat is isolating themselves from you or other pets, it might be a sign that they are not happy. They could hide somewhere, such as under the bed.

Increased sleeping

If your dog is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign that they are not themselves.  If you notice a change in your pet’s sleeping pattern, it might be best to consult with your vet.

Decrease in appetite

Most pets would eat more than they should if they could, so if your pet suddenly seem uninterested in food, or doesn’t eat at all, they may be feeling anxious.

Aggression

If your pet is unusually aggressive towards family members or other pets this could be a sign of stress. Aggressive signs could be accompanied by a fearful body posture and facial expression.

Digestion

Your pet might experience a sensitive tummy if they are feeling stressed.

Other common signs of dog anxiety include:

  • Panting (in dogs)
  • Nose/lip licking
  • Yawning
  • Tail lowered or tucked
  • Ears pulled or pinned back
  • Scratching and chewing on furniture

If you’re worried about changes in your pet’s behaviour, you should consult your vet, who is best placed to monitor your pet’s health and advise the best solution for your pet’s health needs.

Ask your vet about Nutracalm, which has a unique formula specifically developed to naturally help to reduce stress and anxiety for dogs and cats. Your vet may be able to offer additional ways to help your pet alongside Nutracalm.