Pet Gazette October 2011 by Designed by Arthouse Publishing

PET GAZETTE OCTOBER 2011

www.petgazette.biz

ISSN 2046-7303

A breed apart Caring for the pedigree cat

A weighty issue Dealing with pet obesity AN EVENT WITH ‘CERTIFIED PEDIGREE’, THE LONDON VET SHOW IS BACK ON 24 AND 25 NOVEMBER

A boost to the system

Setting the standard

An essential part of pet care, vaccinations protect against potentially life-threatening diseases

How the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is raising levels of professionalism

This month

Editor’s letter

October 2011 Contents Roundup

Three minute interview

The secret of our success

The latest news from the industry Emma Hollings, sales manager, Hollings Ltd David Brock, director of Natural Instinct, explains how he has gone from developing a range of dog food at his kitchen sink to establishing a thriving business recently nominated in two categories of the Pet Industry Awards

Taking stock

Walkies in a winter wonderland

Winter bird care

Better for bunnies, better for business

A breed apart

Fat cats

The event with certified pedigree

Focus on… London Vet Show products

A boost to the system

A weighty issue

A festive feast

The latest products for the pet trade With the onset of cold, dark days Sarah Jacotine looks at how pet owners can protect their dogs from the harsh winter weather

Sam Marriage from Cranswick Pet Products shows how retailers can capitalise on the rising interest in feeding wild birds over the winter months Claire Hamblion discovers that rabbit welfare and rising profits go hand-in-hand, with retailers able to educate their customers on the care of the third most popular pet in the UK From toys for the Tonkinese and brushes and combs for the Persian, to foods designed to maintain the Siamese’s svelte figure, the pedigree cat presents plenty of sales opportunities Greater vigilance is needed to stop obesity in cats and David Chamberlain explains how customers can fine-tune their felines’ feeding plans Back at the Grand Hall in Olympia this November, the London Vet Show combines clinical and commercial insights and promises a packed programme of events for 2011 Jon Chapple looks at what’s on offer at Britain’s premier trade event for veterinary healthcare professionals Registered veterinary nurse Claire King looks at the regular vaccinations required by cats, dogs and rabbits to guard against disease

With increasing numbers of pets now classed as obese, Naomi Chatterley looks at how retailers can educate their customers about this growing problem Christmas is time for treats and over-indulgence, but as Michael Bellingham of the PFMA cautions it is also when pet owners have to pay special attention to the foods they give their pets

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Setting the standard

Feeding frenzy

New appointments

Events

Voice on the highstreet

Claire Millington explains how the bar is being raised in the veterinary profession through the Practice Standards Scheme With the vast array of fish feeding products on the market, Tim Hayes offers retailers advice on choosing the right foods for the right breeds Pastures new for professionals in the pet trade Upcoming shows, forums and meetings in the world of pets Nicola Gill of Gills & Gecko’s, St Austell, Cornwall

ccording to a new report, the outlook is bleak for many retailers in the country with one in seven shops standing empty over the past year. The study by the Local Data Company reviews the shop vacancy figures of over 1,000 retail centres. While the report showed the rise in vacancy rates had stopped since 2007, an ever widening gap is developing between shops in the north and south of the country. The top 10 worst performing centres were in the West Midlands and the North with towns such as Runcorn, Bootle and Corby all seeing poor vacancy rates. The reason for the decline is attributed to factors such as the current trend in online sales, supermarket expansion and the rise of discount stores, charity shops and pawn shops. Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, says that retailers have to try and find new ways to get people on to the streets. She adds: “Many of the high streets and town centres are in a critical, but stable condition. Their recovery is not just going to happen, but will need nursing.” You can read more about the findings of the report on page 5. On a more positive note, a new BBC series will be taking a look at family-run businesses and how they are coping in the current climate. The aim is to offer sound expert advice and a fresh pair of eyes, and the show will be presented by Alex Polizzi. As the granddaughter of Lord Forte, she has grown up in one of Britain’s most famous family firms and is passionate about keeping family businesses alive. The independent TV company commissioned to make the series – Twofour Broadcast – says, “She will draw on her experience and offer advice to businesses wanting to secure their future.” Anyone interested in taking part should contact Briony Jones on 01752 727 400 or email briony.jones@twofour.co.uk

Sam Guiry sam@petgazette.biz

Roundup

PET GAZETTE Established 2008

Managing Editor

Louise Hoffman louise@petgazette.biz Editor

Sam Guiry sam@petgazette.biz Editorial Assistant

Jon Chapple jon@petgazette.biz Production Assistant

Lewis Bowes copy@petgazette.biz Group Advertisement Manager

Kelly Smith kelly@petgazette.biz Advertisement Manager

Julie-Ann Kwok julie@petgazette.biz Accounts

Maureen Scrivener accounts@petgazette.biz Customer Services

01206 767 797 customers@mulberrypublications.co.uk Contributing writers

Michael Bellingham, David Chamberlain, Naomi Chatterley, Claire Hamblion, Tim Hayes, Sarah Jacotine, Claire King, Sam Marriage, Claire Millington Design

Arthouse Publishing Solutions Ltd 01394 410 490 contact@arthousepublishing.co.uk

ISSN 2046-7303 Pet Gazette is published monthly by:

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North-south divide for UK’s shops Shop vacancy rates may have stabilised this year, but 2011 has so far seen the gap between the best- and worst-performing towns widen further and over 14 per cent of shops in Great Britain still standing empty. That’s the message from the Local Data Company, whose latest shop vacancy report – entitled The Good, The Bad and The (Very) Ugly – showed that although the three-fold increase in overall vacancy rates since 2007 has finally halted, in some centres – notably those in the north of England and Midlands – one in three shops stands vacant. In the other centres – mostly south of the Watford Gap – vacancies are at pre-recession levels. The study also provides increasing evidence that retailer pain is not spread evenly between the high street and suburban shopping centres, with results from several large, retail-owning property companies showing that their revenues have been surviving any tenant difficulties with ease. “Solid rental growth, footfall and occupancy levels demonstrate that prime properties are taking market share away from other locations,” it continues. “This report shows how fragile the British High Street is in parts of the country,” commented Local Data Company director Matthew Hopkinson. “The stark reality is that Great Britain has too many shops in the wrong locations and of the wrong size. The diversity of shop vacancy rates is clear evidence that a local approach is required that ties in with consumer needs and the realities of modern retailing. The market still has significant corrections ahead and the impact of these will vary significantly according to location.” For more information, please visit www.localdatacompany.com

Purple poppy for the animal victims of human conflicts As this year’s Remembrance Sunday approaches, Animal Aid is distributing tens of thousands of its increasingly popular purple poppy. Introduced six years ago, the poppy is specially produced to mark the terrible suffering animals endure as a consequence of human conflict. Animal Aid head of campaigns, Kate Fowler says: “For years we have commemorated the human victims of war and overlooked the impact that worldwide conflicts have had on animals. Now, it’s time to redress the balance. By wearing a purple poppy – alongside the traditional red one – we will finally be acknowledging that millions of animals have been drafted into conflicts not of their making and have lost their lives as a result. Remembering them is the least we can do.’ For more information on the purple poppies and the charity go to www.animalaid.org.uk

MP lends her support to the New Era export campaign A South-Yorkshire-based fish food specialist has received a visit from its local MP after requesting her support for efforts to simplify export health certification. The Rt Hon. Caroline Flint, MP for Don Valley, and Thorne councillor Eddie Dobbs spent two hours at New Era’s recently-expanded facilities to learn more about the “stumbling blocks” the company encountered when selling its products abroad. Flint has now arranged a meeting between senior officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and New Era to discuss how to make export certification more straightforward. “There are a number of inconsistencies and anomalies in export health documentation that often impede our ability to sell to certain countries,” explained New Era’s managing director Peter Kersh, “so a political influence can help to level the playing field. I am confident that [Flint’s] support will prove invaluable to us and many other similar exporting companies.”

Roundup

Aquatics trade is ready for show Following its successful debut last year, the doors will open on the second AQUA trade show on 5 October for a two-day showcase for the water gardening, aquatics and reptile sectors. For 2011, the event has grown in stature, with a lengthening of opening times – until 5pm on the second day – and an eight per cent increase in exhibitors, of which over 20 are new to the show. First-time exhibitors to the Telford International Centre this year include the Anglo Aquarium Plant Co, Mars Fishcare, Neptune’s Acrylic Tank Manufacturers, Pet Mate, BCUK Aquatics, SKS Wholesale and, from Germany, JBL. David Pool, chairman of AQUA 2011’s organising committee, explained: “Based on the feedback from AQUA 2010 we have made improvements to the show and the evening party, with particular attention paid to highlighting new products and providing thought-provoking and relevant seminars.” For more information, contact Annie Dyke on 01892 862 848.

Inaugural Festival of Grooming hailed “a success” The first ever Festival of Grooming – held on 16 and 17 July and organised by Groomers and the English Groomers Group – has been hailed a success by the organisers, with a capacity audience of 250 groomers in attendance and many more unable to buy tickets to the sell-out event. The festival, held at the Belfry hotel in the West Midlands, saw grooming greats Colin Taylor and Bill Browne-Cole inspire delegates with hands-on grooming demonstrations; Sharon Pine-Haynes, Louisa Tandy and Chrissie Warwick encouraging “creative thinking” with ‘show coats and top knots’ and ‘creative grooming’ workshops; a tongue-in-cheek fashion parade that showcased Jim Jump’s latest workwear collection; and an evening raffle, gala dinner and dance. Attendees were also treated to a weekend of discussions and demonstrations by principal speaker and master stylist Melissa Verplank.

Three minute interview

Emma Hollings, sales manager, Hollings Ltd Describe yourself in three words. Fun, hard-working and ambitious.

What is your earliest memory? Being told off by my mum for being mean to my brother.

When you were at school, what did you want to be and why? An air hostess – I thought it would be glamorous and exciting.

What was the first music album you bought? One Christmas I bought Mel & Kim’s Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. I have no idea what age I was – very young!

If you could have dinner with one person, who would you choose and why? Peter Jones from Dragons’ Den. I think he’s interesting and successful and would be good company.

What is the best advice you have been given? Never believe everything you hear.

RSPCA plans to launch branded pet food and gifts To boost funds and attract a whole new generation of supporters, the RSPCA plans to launch its own branded products. In a bid to forge links with commercial organisations and expand its licensing division, the animal welfare charity is hoping to launch its own branded pet food and range of gifts. It has already produced a range of soft toys in conjunction with Aurora World aimed at young children. The RSPCA will also invest more money in marketing and will work towards developing a consistent brand identity. The charity has already embarked on a revamp of its 230 stores across the country and this latest development clearly marks a step towards becoming a more consumer-focused enterprise. Cathy added: “We did some strategy planning to look at what we were doing, what was missing from our offering and what we could do. Retail and trading was previously a support arm for the charity but now it’s time to exploit the opportunities that are there.”

What is your next goal in life? To grow and expand the Hollings brand and business.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? Australia, I think. I have never been, but my brother raced there and reported how great it was.

What is your favourite quote or saying? “Everything happens for a reason.”

What is the most important thing that your job has taught you? Life is not easy – you have just got to get on with things.

Roundup

and briefly Slump in sales as autumn arrives Retail sales volumes in August fell at the fastest pace for over a year, amid claims by retailers that the general business situation is the worst it has been since February 2009, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) latest Distributive Trades Survey. Judith McKenna, CEO of Asda and chair of the CBI Distributive Trades Panel, said: “As expected, August was a tough month on the high street. Sales volumes fell at a pace not seen in over a year, as consumers have continued to see their real incomes squeezed by a combination of inflation and weak wage growth.

ALF to distribute Hobby Bedforshire-based aquatic wholesaler ALF Ltd has announced that it has obtained sole distribution rights for the Hobby and Duplabrands in the UK. A statement from ALF said the company is “very pleased to be the UK’s exclusive agent for these high quality products.”

Plan to simplify apprenticeships The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed a package of measures announced last month by Skills Minister John Henry Hayes FRSA that seek to simplify the apprenticeship process and make it easier for retailers to offer opportunities to young people. Stephen Robertson, the BRC’s director-general, commented: “The current apprenticeship system is too difficult to navigate and a major administrative burden. Simplifying the system should make the process easier for businesses and ensure more apprenticeship opportunities are created. The priority now must be to put these plans into action swiftly.”

Brits bequeath £26 billion to pets British pet owners will this year bequeath a staggering £26 billion to their pets, with many doing so without telling their families or friends, according to new findings from MORE TH>N Pet Insurance. Over a third will leave over £10,000 in their wills, while a further 37 per cent admitted they intend to leave more to an animal companion than to a close relative or family friend.

An open letter to the Government,Welsh Assembly and puppy farmers Dear Sirs, In celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act, we have more dog problems now than ever before. As a professional in animal behaviour, the irony is ther efore not lost on me when – in just one week – the First Minister of Wales announced new legislation to “ensure that irresponsible breeding in puppy farms is brought to an end” and Carmarthenshire County Cou ncil heard a retrospective planning application for a 196-dog breeding unit. In my mind – and in the minds of most of the general public – the factory farming of a companion anim al is in itself immoral, breaks welfare regulations and has been campaigned against for 20 years. Yet numbers continue to grow beca use people still buy farmed anim als; mostly in ignorance, but often deli berately. To buy a farmed animal that shar es an intimate relationship with us – living in our homes and slee ping in our children’s beds – is dangerous as well as cruel. Is it any wonder that, because dog bree ding is so badly-done, we still have case s of children and adults killed and injured by dogs? Vets visit most of these puppy-farm ing premises before licenses are issued, so a professional surely shou ld not approve of this practice – yet they do. There is no requirement for any kind of behaviour assessm ent or visit to puppy farms, and yet we have the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, which clearly outlines the five basic welfare needs for an anim al – somewhere suitable to live; a prop er diet, including fresh water; the ability to express normal behaviou r for any need; to be housed with , or apart from, other animals; and prot ection from and treatment of illne ss and injury.There is absolutely no way that these five basic criteria are satisfied in puppy farms. The licensing and dog breeding regu lations in this country are a disgrace, and unless there is an independent means of drawing this together, we will continue to see more deaths and injuries as the result of poor breeding and ownership. The disparate versions of checking , recording and awarding licences allow this trade to continue. I challenge the puppy farmers to prove they are meeting welfare and licensing regulations. I propose to do this by offering to visit – accompanied by a vet – to assess behavioural needs. I also challeng e the British Government and Welsh Asse mbly to set up an independent body to implement a similar behavioural assessment for all breeding prem ises. It will be interesting to see who resp onds to my challenge! Debbie Connolly Animal behaviourist, SafePets UK

A new venture

The secret of our A success

After just two years of trading, Natural Instinct has grown into a thriving business and company director David Brock explains the secret of his success

fter just two years in business, Natural Instinct finds itself in the enviable position of being in the finals of the Pet Industry Awards 2011. Not only has the company been voted Favourite Pet Care Specialist by the public, it has also been nominated in the Pet Specialist category. Company director David Brock says: “After only two years of trading, I think this is fantastic and illustrates our commitment to not only providing the best we can for our animals but also ensuring we have the best customer service we can offer.” This level of commitment was evident at the very outset of the company’s founding, as David explains: “Natural Instinct was born as a result of the repeated health problems of our Welsh terrier, Maggie. She suffered constantly with scratching, hot spots, chewing her paws and severe ear infections.” At the age of two she was also bloated, her coat had turned grey and she had no quality of life. After thousands of pounds worth of vet’s bills and countless steroids and antibiotics, David decided to take matters into his own hands and began looking into the benefits of raw feeding. At that time, he was working as a lawyer in the city while his business partner Michael – a Grand Master Chef – ran a number of restaurants. David’s redundancy in 2009 prompted him to look into developing a new product for the pet food market. He says: “After our initial research and attending dog shows around the UK, we found there was a great deal of interest in raw feeding but most found it too inconvenient, time-consuming or pricey.” David had already switched his own dog onto a raw food diet and seen the results first hand. He adds: “We were able to take her off the medication, she lost the excess weight and I truly believe we saved her life.” Using their experience in the catering sector, Michael and David began developing the Natural Instinct brand with the aim of improving the health of all dogs. Turning to the principles of the Bone and Raw Food (or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) Diet, they used human-grade meats, Scottish salmon oil and kelp to create the range of products. As David explains, “our meat is probably fresher than you’d buy in the supermarket as it is ground and frozen within the day.” The company is also proud of its ethical credentials, refusing to use battery chickens or intensively-farmed animals, and the open-door policy lets interested customers see exactly how the food is made. The original Natural Instinct products such as chicken and lamb, free range turkey, beef tripe and working dogs beef are now sold alongside a range of treats and foods designed for the puppy, adult and senior dog. As David adds, “we offer a wide range of different flavours, as can be seen on our website, and have now launched a complete food for cats. We are hoping to offer a number of different flavoured cat foods in the not too distant future, as well as expanding our present range of natural treats.” The company has also outgrown its original premises and has moved into an 8,000 square foot factory in Camberley. As for the future, David thinks that the interest in raw foods will continue. He says: “People are becoming more savvy about what they put in their mouths and this is now filtering down to their pets.” The goal now is to focus more on the wholesale market, as David explains: “Our aim by the end of this year is to double our present stockists, so that people who don’t have sufficient freezer space to place an internet order can just drop by their local pet store to buy their pet’s dinner.” This may seem an ambitious plan, but then this is a company that literally started at the kitchen sink in David’s home, grew nearly 900 per cent in the last year alone, and may yet go on to be named both the pet sector’s and public’s favourite pet care specialist.

Taking stock

Friendly ReadiGrass Natural, nutritious and excellent value for money, Friendly ReadiGrass “keeps pets and their owners coming back for more.” Made from 100 per cent British grass, Friendly ReadiGrass retains the vibrant colour, fragrant aroma and high nutritional value of fresh grass, giving the perfect alternative to conventional hay and helping to reduce overgrown teeth and eliminate wastage. With the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio to aid normal skeletal development, Friendly ReadiGrass is the healthy, tasty option for a range of small animals. Information: 01302 700 220 or www.friendshipestates.co.uk

Eco Care Products www.ecocareproducts.co.uk is a new website selling a new retail brand of cat litter. Eco Care Cat Litter is manufactured sustainably from renewable wheat straw resources, is highly-absorbent and controls odours without the need for strong scents or harsh chemicals. Each individual pellet will swell when in contact with liquid and bind with the pellet next to it, creating an easy-toremove clump. The company says that Eco Care Cat Litter will not powder; it is compostable, biodegradable and completely safe. Follow Eco Care Products on Facebook, or on Twitter @ EcoCareProducts. Eco Care Cat Litter is available online and from Natural Litter Products. Information: 01298 873 153, info@naturallitterproducts.co.uk or www.ecocareproducts.co.uk

Barking Heads Pet Food UK has launched two brand new Barking Heads recipes that are especially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large-breed dogs and puppies – the aptly-named Big Foot and Little Big Foot. Big Foot adult large-breed complete dog food comes in lamb and chicken recipes, while Little Big Foot – formulated to support the rapid growth of large breed puppies in their first year – combines salmon and chicken for main meat protein sources to aid gentle digestion and controlled growth, with added ‘joint care+’ for healthy joint care and DHA. For more information, please contact Paul Hunter or Dave O’Regan.

ARTPETBOWLS For pet owners having trouble controlling their pet’s diet or sticking to RDA (recommended feeding allowances) there is the new FAT GUT-BUSTING bowl – the latest feeder technology in the fight against pet obesity. This unique innovation combines the traditional shaped pet bowl with a timing and weighing device that alerts the owner when and how much to feed their pet, with whichever type of preferred feed, be it wet, dry or human. Patent pending GB2465569 A.

Information: 0808 100 8885

Information: 0787 701 6000 or www.artpetbowl.com

SmartBedz SmartBedz says it’s the economic, convenient and environmentally-friendly solution for all pet litter needs. With designs for cats, rabbits, chickens, ferrets, small pets or reptiles, the pellets are made entirely from straw – a natural, sustainable and renewable resource, with absolutely nothing added. They can absorb up to four times their weight in liquid in double-quick time, which means SmartBedz gives natural odour control without the aid of chemicals, minerals or perfumes. Comprehensive dust extraction ensures reduced risk of respiratory problems to pets and people, and after use the totally biodegradable pellets decompose quickly when used as a soil conditioner or discarded with the garden waste. Information: 0845 388 3534, nigel@smartbedz.co.uk or www.smartbedz.co.uk

Taking stock

Bodens The Boden Group of Companies – known for its Smart Cat wood-based cat litter, Smart Pet small animal bedding, Smart Horse pellet bedding and Mellor Vale equine dust-free shavings – has now launched Smart Chick. Produced from 100 per cent FSC UK-sourced dust-free softwood, this premium wood-chip poultry bedding is not only good for the animals but, being organic and biodegradable, also good for our environment. As with all Boden products, Smart Chick is manufactured in the United Kingdom. Information: 01942 882 667 or www.bodensgroup.com

Skinner’s Like humans, some dogs can be prone to weight gain as they become older or less active. Neutered or spayed dogs can also gain excessive weight due to reduced energy requirements. These dogs require a carefully-balanced diet with high-quality ingredients to maintain their health and condition and Skinner’s Light & Senior has been specifically formulated to meet these needs. It is wheat gluten free, has no artificial additives, flavourings or preservatives, is made with easily digestible chicken and rice and contains enhanced levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to help protect dogs’ joints.

Wuffitmix Premium Dog Foods Since the 1960s, Wuffitmix has provided a range of nutritionally complete diets for puppies, working, sporting and domestic dogs containing no added artificial colours or flavours. Its products are suitable for any life stage and come in re-sealable packs in various sizes for added freshness. Wuffitmix is a family business with a personal service. Information: 01200 420 200, info@wuffitmix.com or www.wuffitmix.com

Information: 01379 384 247 or www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk

KONG Guy Fawkes Night is fast approaching and can often be a trying time for pets and their owners. For particularly nervous dogs, a stuffed Classic or Extreme KONG toy will keep most dogs engrossed and calm for hours. Once de-stuffed, a gentle massage with KONG’s ZoomGroom will help keep them calm, with Jez Rose, KONG’s behaviour consultant, recommending that this ritual starts “at least a week” beforehand so that pets gets accustomed to it. For dogs not affected by loud bangs, a treat-filled Wobbler or KONG followed by an indoor tug game with KONG’s new Tugger Knots will keep them amused. Information: www.kongcompany.com

Copdock Mill “All manufacturers and wholesalers of wild bird feed have a vested interest in keeping the public aware of feeding our native and foreign bird populations,” says Copdock Mill. “Monitoring our Copdock Mill bird care range of products and manufactured wild bird mixes gives us a great idea as to how the current recession is affecting this important area of any pet shop. As prices of raw materials reached unprecedented levels, it was great to see the birdloving public were still buying feed, whether a mix or an oil seed. If all manufacturers in this field continue in advertising and supporting this important area of any pet shop, it will help retailers in these difficult times.” Information: 01473 730 246 or www.copdockmill.co.uk

Taking stock

Royal Canin Very small dogs are growing in numbers and their long life expectancy of 16 years and up makes them a huge growth area for specialist retailers. Royal Canin says its response is “the latest in nutritional precision” – its X-SMALL range in Junior, Adult, Doggy Things Mature +8 and Ageing +12 varieties for dogs weighing up to four kilograms as adults. Plus, there is the addition of Mature +8 and Ageing +12 options to the MINI Mouse Chaser is the new, fun and interactive toy for cats that keeps them range for dogs up to 10 kilograms. Pack sizes are 1.5 kilograms. entertained with a built-in motion Information: 0845 300 5011 or www.royalcanin.co.uk sensor that detects the cat and starts the mouse. The mouse runs around the enclosed plastic bowl which has holes Brigadiers Choice strategically placed on the sides and October sees the launch of Brigadiers Choice – Copdock top, attracting cats to its movement. Mill’s own-branded premium dog food range developed This battery-operated funhouse will in partnership with GA Pet Food Partners. “With sales entertain the cat for hours as he tries of premium dog food making up a significant part of to catch the mouse at all the different most pet shop and animal food store sales, we were angles. There is also a fitted scratch constantly being asked by our customers to offer a pad on the top of the toy that will help premium dog food range that didn’t compromise on maintain their claws. Ideal as a present quality but could offer savings to the customer while or as a long lasting toy, it is available in maintaining or increasing the margin to the retailer,” three colours – pink, blue and green. said the company. “After a long debate and investigation Information: 01707 708 202 or into this market, we set about finding the premium dog info@doggythings.co.uk food manufacturer that could make the high quality product we were looking for. After due consideration, we decided upon Golden Acres pet food partners.”

Information: info@copdockmill.co.uk

Pet Corp International Pet owners often experience problems with stray cats after they have purchased and installed a manually-operated cat door, or have multiple pets to manage. Pet Corp’s revolutionary design allows the locking mechanism to be changed via an innovative cartridge system without the need to remove or replace the cat door. The stylish doors – designed to suit installation into all glazing applications, wood doors and walls – have a high impact Bayer 100 per cent polycarbonate flap making them tough and mildew-resistant, and upgrade cartridges are available in magnetic through to fully-programmable selective-entry models. Information: 01594 827 755 or sales.jamesmarketing@googlemail.com

CJ WildBird Foods Ltd The CJ Wildlife adventurer feeder range will add a touch of class to winter bird care displays. New for this autumn is the Adventurer Peanut Feeder – an addition to the company’s best-selling premium feeder range. Adventurer feeders are high capacity and made from extra tough steel in a modern, sleek gun-metal colour. The company says that all feeders in this range offer excellent defence against squirrel damage. Information: 01743 709 555 or commercial@birdfood.co.uk

Taking stock

Hemmo and Co The Dog & Co Fling A Dog Toy Range by Hemmo and Co is perfect for keeping dogs entertained throughout the year. Ideal for use indoors and outdoors as part of a dog’s training and exercising regime on those cold dark nights, it is available in soft plush with squeakers and will help the entire family bond and play with a dog, providing hours of fun. Just pull the tail back, let go, watch it fly and allow the dog to retrieve it – great for demonstrating in-store. Information: 0151 632 1125 or sales@hemandboo.co.uk

Denes Natural Pet Care Ltd Denes Natural Pet Care Ltd is launching three new deluxe meals for adult dogs in new packaging. The foods are packed in 150 gram trays in a pack of two break-off trays, following on from the introduction of four by 80 gram cat foods in similar break-off cups at the end of 2010. With a high meat content of 60 per cent and above, natural ingredients and no gluten, the company says the recipes are ideal for small animals. Available in chicken with parsley; lamb with carrots and rice; and beef with potatoes and rice. Information: 01273 229 099 or peter.leaney@denes.com

Cranswick Pet Products Cranswick Pet Products has extended its innovative Nature’s Feast wild bird care range to include the all-new No Gro food. Nature’s Feast No Gro recipe has been specifically developed with nongerminating and husk-free ingredients that don’t grow in the garden, making them perfect for keen gardeners as they leave no waste after the feed has been consumed. Suitable for feeding on bird tables and in ground feeders, the formulation contains many premium, palatable ingredients, attracting a wide range of common garden birds such as blue tits, great tits and robins. Information: cpp@cranswickpet.co.uk, www.cranswickpetproducts.co.uk or www.naturesfeast.co.uk

Wagg Wagg Foods has invested in a full re-brand, with a re-designing of packaging across its entire portfolio of products, including complete dry dog food, small animal food and all Wagg treats. The focus of the redesign is to revitalise and strengthen the Wagg brand and achieve added impact on the shelf. The packs continue to amplify the brand’s ideal category positioning and value price point with a new logo, cleaner design and prominently-placed nutritional information, ensuring customers are provided with all they need to make an informed choice.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Hill’s Pet Nutrition is launching Science Plan Sterilised Cat to the pet channel this month. Hill’s says this sector represents a big opportunity for the trade, as around 90 per cent of cats are sterilised (or neutered) and yet very few cat owners realise that “a food that meets the very specific nutritional needs of these cats can offer significant benefits.” The product offering is across two lifestages to meet the different needs of young adult and mature adult cats. For comprehensive nutritional information and support tools to help staff talk confidently about sterilisation and the benefits of precise nutrition, contact Hill’s.

Information: 01845 578 111 or www.waggfoods.co.uk

Information: 0800 242 438 (UK) or 1 800 626 002 (ROI)

Caring for dogs in winter

Walkies in a winter wo

Cold weather doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a problem for pooches if owners are aware of the hazards, says Sarah Jacotine

onderland

Caring for dogs in winter

hat little taste of summer we had is long gone and we now face shorter evenings and severe weather warnings. For dog owners, this time of year requires dusting off the thick coat last seen in February in preparation for those dark mornings. The changing season also means going the extra mile to keep our four legged friends safe, well and warm. The key is, unsurprisingly, insulation – both natural and shop-bought. Dogs Trust veterinary director Chris Laurence advises: “Let the dog’s winter coat grow and if you have a puppy, short-haired or old dog, it is a good idea to buy him a sensible coat to keep out the chill.” There are a wide variety of coats on the market that will fit every size of dog and owners can apply the same criteria as when they are shopping for their own. As you would expect, fit and quality are of the utmost importance. “Goose down fill is the most efficient and lightweight natural insulation,” says Patti Wilson, owner of Joy Pet Products. “It traps air to maintain a comfortable body temperature. It’s washable, dryable and, when properly cared for, lasts a very long time.” It’s popular too. Patti reveals: “Our patented Goose Down Filled Doggie Coat is our best known item and worn by dogs in many countries, including the UK, Canada, the US and Japan. Our customers in the mid-west and Canada especially understand the quality of the down we use and appreciate the warmth it offers in their extreme winters.” Cold weather can be especially tough on dogs with hip problems, such as hip dysplasia. Owners can keep walks brief for dogs who are at risk of aches and pains – unless the dog has other ideas – but exercise will still remains essential. Therefore a warm coat is a must-have for dogs with hip problems. Patti comments: “While our Goose Down Filled Doggie Coats are not a medical device, and we certainly can’t make any medical claims, we’ve had a very positive response relating to animals with hip issues. The lightweight warmth of our goose down fill coupled with the hip coverage our design offers, helps to protect the hip area and make colder weather more tolerable. We’ve often heard from people whose animals have undergone surgery to say the soft fabric and lightweight fill offered comfort and extra warmth over shaved and sutured areas.” One of Patti’s own dogs benefitted immensely from the extra layer when he underwent medical treatment: “My Papillon never minded the cold much for a quick outing unless it was close to freezing, but when he went through chemotherapy treatment he shivered in much warmer temperatures and waited for his coat before going out.” If a dog is healthy and well, how can owners decide whether a coat is necessary? “Each animal has a different tolerance for cold weather,” Patti asserts. “In general, dogs have become accustomed to the same living temperatures as we have. Some have thick coats which provide protection, and others don’t. Some pets have issues which make them very susceptible to the cold. If your pet has a thick coat and is in good health he or she may not require a coat for a quick outing unless it’s very cold. Since goose down fill helps maintain a comfortable body temperature, adding a coat in the cold weather should be fine for most dogs.” Whichever coat does the trick this winter owners should keep their dogs on a lead as snow can affect the sense of smell, resulting in a dog becoming lost. A lead will also prevent dogs from exploring frozen ponds, which are rarely thick enough to take their weight. Owners should also be wary of the grit used to melt snow, as it can cut paws. By wiping a dog’s legs, feet and stomach after a snowy walk, owners can prevent stray lumps of ice or grit getting painfully trapped in paws. It’s worth bearing in mind that just as seasonal weather changes can cause problems for our skin, it’s no different for our dogs. Anh 

Caring for dogs in winter

Nguyen, brand manager for Mikki Pet, says: “As well as having to adjust to cooler temperatures outside, the change in weather triggers moulting and the growth of the dog’s winter coat, which requires special care and attention to keep it in peak condition. Daily brushing is essential, regardless of coat type. Good grooming is key to promoting healthy skin. Brushing encourages blood flow, removes dead skin and hair, which can cause minor irritations, and stimulates natural oil production while distributing it all over the coat, helping to make it healthy and glossy.” Grooming also provides the ideal opportunity for owners to undertake a health check to look for early warning signs of ill health such as skin sores, flaky skin, rashes, cuts, bumps and bruises. “Mikki has a wide range of grooming tools that cater for every breed, coat and temperament,” Anh continues. “The Mikki Slicker Brush has specially shaped slicker pins mounted on an air cushion to reduce excessive brushing force while grooming out big knots and tangles, and the Mikki Anti Tangle Comb was designed by grooming experts to reduce pressure exerted when combing and features 360 degree spinning teeth to tease through tangles.” Owners may also need to protect their house from the effects of a moulting dog and there are a number of products available to help, such as the Mikki Pet Hair Magnet, which removes hair from clothes and furniture. It’s clear that in spite of snow, ice and rain under paw, simple precautions taken in this cold period allow dogs to maintain a good level of health throughout winter. These simple steps also mean they needn’t curtail their love of the great outdoors, however much owners wish they might on those icy mornings.

Supplier Listing Addicare: www.addicare.co.uk Doggy Things: www.doggythings.co.uk Dorwest Herbs: www.dorwest.com Hemmo & Co: www.hemandboo.co.uk Hilton Herbs: www.hiltonherbs.com Mirage Pet Products: www.miragepetproducts.com

Images: Joy Pet Products

Winter feeding for birds

Winter bird care Sam Marriage, head

Image: Cranswick Pet Products

of sales and marketing at Cranswick Pet Products, explains how promoting the right products and providing useful advice on bird feeding can help retailers to maximise profits this winter

Winter feeding for birds

raditionally, winter has always been the most popular time for feeding wild birds, and while research from Cranswick Pet Products shows that 82 per cent of customers claim to be year-round feeders, there is a significant increase from November to February. This is caused by an increase in customer demand from casual and seasonal feeders, and the fact that birds need more food during the winter months, as they expend a lot of energy keeping warm.

The best foods for the season

By promoting the right products, and offering advice that helps customers to encourage and support their wild bird population, retailers can capitalise on this busy time of year. The most important thing to think about is that customers want to see wild birds eating from the feeders and enjoying their gardens. In order to keep both the birds and customers coming back for more feed, it is important to supply products that provide the right nutritional balance for the cold weather. During winter, cold temperatures and the scarcity of food mean that providing a variety of high-energy, high-fat foods, which help birds to maintain their strength and energy levels is essential. Stocking and promoting a good selection of the following foods will help customers keep a wide variety of wild birds visiting a garden throughout the winter: • Sunflower seeds • Peanuts • High-energy seed mixes • Nyjer seeds • Fat balls • Suet treats • Mealworms Fat chance Suet is a firm favourite among many species of birds, as well as being a hugely popular food with bird lovers throughout the country. High energy suet can be fed throughout the year and is particularly appreciated during the cooler months and during the breeding season. Offering fat-based products to birds will help encourage a greater diversity of species into the garden. Walter Harrison’s has launched a brand new, convenient way of feeding suet with its range of Suet Rolls that can be given either from a fat ball feeder, a table or on the ground. They are supplied in pre-merchandised display boxes, each containing 10 suet rolls. To support the launch of this brand new format Walter Harrison’s has produced a special promotional pack comprising two Suet Rolls and a Suet Roll/Fat Ball Feeder free inside. As well as encouraging repeat sales of suet rolls and fat balls for the retailer, this special promotional pack offers a quick and easy way of feeding birds for the consumer.

The right winter feeders

Providing the right bird feeders for winter is also important. Wet weather reduces the lifespan of seeds, so recommend covered feeders to customers, as this helps to prolong the life of the seed and prevents it from going mouldy and posing a health hazard to birds. It is also worth noting that food is scarce for all wild animals in winter, not just birds. Hungry rats and squirrels can quickly decimate food supplies and prevent birds from feeding on unprotected tables, so recommend that your customers invest in squirrelresistant feeders. The best feeders for winter are hardwearing, easy-to-clean and covered, so stocking a good selection of these is a must.

Don’t forget the basics

As with all products, shops need to ensure that displays are well-presented and products clearly priced and positioned in the correct locations throughout the store.

Advising the customers

Retailers should take advantage of the increased interest in bird feeding during the winter months by encouraging young feeders and converting casual buyers into enthusiasts. Information sells, so ensure that product literature is positioned at key locations around the outlet. Creating winter feeding starter kits – which might include an entry level feeder and a high energy seed mix – are great ways of encouraging young customers to get involved. Educating customers on the best way to feed birds encourages them to return for extra supplies. Make sure your customers are aware that they need to regularly replace feed and keep feeders clean to ensure birds don’t catch any diseases. Birdbaths can provide an excellent additional revenue stream if customers are informed that birds need a constant supply of clean water to drink and bathe in throughout the year. On cold winter mornings, this water often freezes, so customers should be advised to leave in a small floating item or to regularly remove the ice from the shallow edges of their pond or bird bath.

Making the most of seasonal events The winter feeding season offers plenty of opportunities to maximise sales. Teaming high-energy foods along with a bird feeder can make a great Christmas gift, and providing a selection of different hampers can pay dividends. At Christmas, it is also a good idea to promote smaller packs of nuts and seeds at the checkout as stocking fillers. Go to www.naturesfeast.co.uk to see a selection of feeding guides and charts which can be used as a resource both for retailers and customers and are aimed at helping people choose the right products for their gardens.

Supplier Listing CJ Wildbirds: www.birdfood.co.uk H.G Gladwell & Son: www.copdockmill.co.uk Natures Grub: shop.naturesgrub.co.uk Simons Rodents: www.simonsrodents.co.uk The Hutch Company: www.hutchcompany.co.uk Vetark: www.vetark.co.uk

Simons Rodents So much more than just rodents

• We now stock blister packs such as artemia, bloodworm, tubifex and many more • Large choice of frozen and live foods • We have temperature controlled vans so all frozen and livefood will arrive in the best condition possible

For more information or to order, please contact: Tel: 01767 651832 Fax: 01767 652919 Email: sales@simonsrodents.co.uk Website: www.simonsrodents.co.uk SimonsRodentsApril11.indd 1

3/14/2011 10:21:29 AM

Rabbits

Image: Heather Pinchien

Better for bunnies, better for business Claire Hamblion discovers

that promoting rabbit welfare is as equally important as selling the animals and their related products

The Hutch Company

Rabbits

abbits have long been established as the third most popular furry pet in the UK, behind their cat and dog counterparts, and the latest estimates put the population in the region of one and a half million. Although we consider ourselves a nation of animal lovers, animal welfare organisations have reported that rabbits are one of the most neglected pets in the country. It appears that while many owners set out with the best of intentions, there is a general lack of knowledge about what a rabbit needs to lead a happy, healthy lifestyle. As the first, and sometimes only, source of information about keeping a pet, retailers are in a prime position to educate customers on the full extent of the responsibilities of pet ownership. It also seems that a little effort can go a long way, improving rabbit welfare and increasing profits.

Prevention is better than cure

Images of Easter bunnies and the popularity of animal characters in films all fuel interest in keeping rabbits as pets. However, fads and fashions change – particularly among younger owners – which often leads to increasing numbers of rabbits being abandoned at rescue centres. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 puts the onus on retailers to give full and accurate information to customers. While it is almost impossible for retailers to be sure customers have been entirely truthful with their responses, providing the right advice before an animal is sold allows the customer to make an informed decision and helps to avoid impulse purchases. To help retailers fulfil their obligations under the act, Supreme produces a freely available Guide to Small Animals. Designed to be given away to customers, it covers all aspects of looking after small animals, from feeding and exercise to housing and handling. With the support of Supreme, the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) has produced a retailer charter, which addresses all of the common welfare issues and helps show that what’s good for rabbits can be beneficial for business too.

Accommodation and exercise

Earlier this year, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) published a report into animal welfare in the UK. One of its findings was that many rabbits live in hutches that are too small – an argument that has been echoed by the RWAF’s ‘A hutch is not enough’ campaign. Ideally, rabbits should be able to take three hops inside their hutch; should be able to stand upright on their hind legs; and should be encouraged to exercise freely in a separate run. However, it appears that many owners and retailers are unaware of the minimum sizes of hutches and runs recommended by welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, PDSA and RWAF.

From the retailer’s perspective, larger hutches and runs mean higher value sales, plus more bedding material purchased on an ongoing basis. In addition, many owners gain huge satisfaction from keeping their rabbits indoors. This is a great alternative to the traditional hutch at the end of the garden and means that customers may well spend far more on their pet, as it is seen as one of the family.

Diet and health

In the past small animal food was usually the by-product from local millers, with the idea that one muesli mix of grain was suitable for all small animals. In the last 20 years, a whole market has grown around the concept of species-specific diets for small animals. Despite this advancement in the awareness of rabbits’ nutritional needs, a PDSA survey showed that 88 per cent of owners still feed their rabbits whole carrots (which are high in starchy sugars) while 10 per cent give them human food leftovers. Similarly, 40 per cent of owners used “common sense” or “experience” to determine how much, and when, to feed their rabbit. It’s little wonder that obesity, and all its associated problems, is a serious health issue for rabbits, leading the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association to introduce its anti-obesity campaign in 2009. Other side effects of a poor diet include dental problems caused by overgrown teeth and digestive issues. As both of these conditions can be caused by not providing enough hay, retailers should also offer hay alongside pre-packed diets. The right diet can make a substantial difference to a rabbit’s wellbeing and happiness. Responsible manufacturers like Supreme put a large amount of detailed nutritional and portion control information on their packaging to guide owners towards correct feeding practices. By encouraging customers to read the packaging and trade-up to premium brands, not only is the rabbit getting a nutritionally-superior and balanced diet, but retailers’ profits from food sales also increase. Passing on information about common rabbit conditions such as flystrike is another excellent way for retailers to improve the welfare of animals while simultaneously building a specialist image with customers. However, retailers should not be seen as a substitute for veterinary assessment and diagnosis. Therefore, the advice to customers should always be if they are at all worried about the health or wellbeing of their pet, they should consult their vet.

Companionship and recreation

Rabbits are naturally social animals that need the company of their own species, but according to the PDSA report, two-thirds of rabbit owners only have one rabbit. Animal welfare organisations and veterinary professionals advise keeping rabbits in socialised pairs, 

Rabbits

which have been neutered to avoid unwanted litters or fighting and this advice should be passed on to customers. Twice the number of rabbits sold also increases profit margins from the original sale and doubles the amount of food and hay needed on a regular basis. As recognised in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, keeping a rabbit mentally stimulated is also an essential part of maintaining its psychological welfare. With owners living increasingly busy lifestyles, finding the time to interact with their rabbits becomes ever more difficult. A constantly changing supply of things to play with is a good way to relieve boredom, so stocking a range of rabbit-suitable toys and accessories can boost sales. Happy, healthy pets also tend to live longer, which potentially means keeping customers longer. Providing the right advice and selling the right products help to create both a specialist image and an excellent local reputation, generating customer loyalty and attracting new customers. In addition to the moral motivation, there are also sound financial reasons for encouraging good husbandry, as when it comes to health and happiness, rabbits and profits go hand-in-hand.

Supplier Listing Boden & Davies: www.bodenanddavies.co.uk Burns Pet Nutrition: www.burnspet.co.uk Smartbedz: www.smartbedz.co.uk Friendship Estates: www.friendshipestates.co.uk H.G Gladwell & Sons: www.copdockmill.co.uk Natures Grub: shop.naturesgrub.co.uk Natural Litter Products: www.naturallitterproducts.co.uk Natural Pet Products: www.naturalpetproductsltd.com Norfolk Industries: www.norfolk-industries.co.uk R.J Leigh Pet Products: www.canineproducts.co.uk Simons Rodents: www.simonsrodents.co.uk The Hutch Company: www.hutchcompany.co.uk Vetark: www.vetark.co.uk Wagg: www.waggfoods.co.uk

Supreme Petfoods is primarily concerned with the wellbeing of small animals. The company works closely with veterinary and nutritional experts to offer pet owners a unique range of species-specific foods. Each is tailored to meet the individual nutritional needs of one of nine species of small animal: rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus, hamsters, rats, mice, ferrets or gerbils. For more information on Supremeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ranges of foods, treats, bedding and cleaning products, toys and accessories go to: www.supremepetfoods.com

Image: Claire King

Pedigree cats

A breed apart Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a vocal Siamese or the more sedate Persian, the pedigree cat presents many challenges for its owner and plenty of sales opportunities for retailers

Pedigree cats

merican author and humorist Mark Twain said: “If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” This neatly sums up the elegance and appeal of the pedigree cat, which clearly classes itself a cut above its cross-bred cousin. One of the key reasons owners opt for pedigree cats is they can choose a breed that matches a set appearance and personality. For example the Bengal cat – like many of the oriental breeds – is intelligent, lively and very sociable, even to the point of showering or bathing with its owners. It is also renowned for its distinctive appearance, from the swirling ocelot-like patterns of the marbled cats to the more common spotted Bengal.

With pedigree cats costing hundreds, even thousands of pounds, owners will want the best for their beloved pet. According to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Club (GCCF), “cats and kittens must be provided with warm and comfortable housing, with plenty of opportunity for exercise and play.” This is especially true of the pedigree, with many breeds renowned for their intelligence and love of human interaction. The Tonkinese is a natural at games and will even use its favourite toys to play ‘fetch’ and ‘hide and seek’. Balls and mice may not be enough to keep pedigree breeds amused and owners may look for more challenging products such as the Karlie Kitty ‘Brain Train’ innovative, wooden toys. Owing to their value, many pedigree cats are housed indoors and will require a wider range of equipment than the freeroaming moggie. A scratching post, a litter tray, a plentiful supply of toys and catnip or cat grass in a planter will all feature on the pedigree cat owners’ shopping lists. You may also like to recommend the addition of hiding spots around the home, with igloos and enclosed cat beds providing a quiet retreat in the day. There is much debate about keeping a cat indoors, but in the case of pedigrees it can be a necessity. Burmese cats are renowned for their trusting and friendly nature which makes them prime targets for theft. They are also one of the more common breeds to go

missing with their friendly ‘go to anyone’ nature. Whichever breed your customer owns, advise them to ensure their cat carries some means of identification in case it gets lost. This can either be in the form of a microchip or a collar and tag. All cats require some form of grooming but with pedigree breeds such as the Persian they will need daily or even twice daily brushing. Key products to keep the coat in tip-top condition will be a wide metaltoothed comb, a fine-toothed comb, scissors and a selection of brushes. Journalist and author of The Joy of Cats and The Love of Cats, Celia Haddon says: “I begin with a Zoomgroom, then I use Lawrence Tender Care slicker brushes, using a small size round the head and a larger size for the body. Then I finish off with a metal comb. A Persian expert uses a Mason Pearson rubber-backed brush and steel comb.” Not only can daily grooming keep the fur clean, it can also reduce hair on the furniture, reduce the incidence of furballs and help owners bond with their pets. It is also important to prevent knots and mats which can tighten if left, causing raw sores. Celia advises that Persian cat breeders have a trick for dealing with mats. She says: “They cut across the top of the mats with bluntended scissors, being careful never to get too close to the skin. Then they leave the mats. The fur left behind will fall away in two or three days or can be combed off.” 

Pedigree cats

There are also specific products that your customer might like to purchase such as the Mikki Mat Splitter, designed to quickly and effectively remove small mats and tangles with minimum discomfort to the pet. When it comes to feeding a pedigree cat, Royal Canin believes that “one food doesn’t suit all.” In 1999, the company was the first to introduce a tailored food specifically adapted to suit the characteristics of a particular breed. Formulated to meet the unique dietary needs of Persians, the range has now been expanded to include the Siamese, Maine Coon and British Shorthair. The company introduced the breedspecific food as it recognised the nutritional requirements of the cats were as different as their appearances. The adult Siamese formula is designed to help maintain the cat’s muscular body shape with the addition of a high quality protein and L-carnitine to

stimulate fat metabolism. The adult Persian food helps maintain the coat’s colour, softness and sheen and also limits hairball formation. All the foods in the range also feature different kibble sizes to cater for each of the cats needs – the size and shape of the Malachite 9 kibble promotes optimal oral hygiene and is ideally suited to the Maine Coon kitten’s large jaw while the Sapphire 12 kibble has been designed to encourage the Siamese to chew and help slow the rate of food intake. Ensuring pedigree cats have a healthy and well-balanced diet is essential as they can be prone to more illnesses than the more robust mixed breeds. Research by Sainsbury’s Bank has shown that the cost of owning a pedigree cat can be up to 34 per cent more expensive than a cross breed with the average owner spending £427 compared with £319 for a cross breed. The company says a key reason for

this is that pedigree animals incur higher vets bills as they are treated for various hereditary conditions. The PDSA notes how hip dysplasia is common in Bengals, Maine Coons and the Devon Rex while the British Shorthair and the Persian are prone to polycystic kidney disease. Burmese cats are at risk of suffering from diabetes and the Siamese cat can develop mediastinal/thymic lymphoma – a type of cancer causing an accumulation of fluid around the lungs. Clearly, there are many demands placed upon the owner of the pedigree cat both in terms of cost and time but for most, their handsome pure bred feline friend is worth every penny.

Supplier Listing Pet London: www.petlondon.net Royal Canin: www.royalcanin.co.uk

Feline obesity

Fat cats With more people preferring to keep cats indoors and weight gain harder to spot in felines, veterinary consultant for Petsafe David Chamberlain explains how owners must be encouraged to fine-tune their feeding plans

Feline obesity

ot all fat cats are bankers! Joking apart – it’s a startling fact that just under a third of family cats are overweight. Vets estimate that 29 per cent of household cats in the UK are obese. To classify as ‘obese’ a cat’s body weight needs to exceed 20 per cent of its ideal body weight. Cats, like humans, gradually gain weight, so it can be almost imperceptible to an owner who sees the cat every day. The problem is often picked up on when cats are weighed by vets during their annual health check. There are a number of pre-disposing factors associated with obesity in cats, including:

The biggest cause of obesity in cats is inactivity

Breed

Common, non-pedigree breeds are most at risk, Oriental breeds less so.

Age

Cats are at greatest risk between 10 to 13 years of age.

Neutering

Increases the risk of obesity especially in male cats.

Medication

Certain drugs like steroids increase appetite and consequently weight.

Activity

The biggest cause of obesity in cats is inactivity. This is a serious problem for indoor cats that spend the majority of their time sleeping, grooming and eating, and often get little, or no, exercise.

Household

One to two cats in a home have an increased risk of developing obesity. Three to six cats have a reduced risk, as do households which also have a dog.

Food

Food type, treats and scraps all have an influence, but many owners are guilty of making food available all the time by topping up feed bowls whenever they are empty. Many owners are under the misapprehension that cats will regulate their own food intake – this is not the case.

Move more, eat less

So what can owners do to prevent their cats getting too fat? Like humans it is a simple case of ‘move more and eat less’, with inactivity being the biggest cause of feline obesity. Pet owners should try and encourage their cat to be as active as possible and, if it is safe, let them go outside. Selective entry cat flaps like the Microchip Petporte Smart Flap give the animals the freedom to explore their outdoor environment. Not only does the cat flap keep potential intruding animals out of the home, it can be programmed to keep the cat in at night, reducing the risk of road traffic accidents. Toys can also be used and owners should be encouraged to keep a selection in a box offering a different toy each day of the week. If owners feed dry kibble, they could try using a feed ball or toy to deliver the daily ration, where the size and number of holes which release food can be adjusted. This means your customer can make it easier or harder for the cat to release the kibble by interacting with the ball.

A balanced diet is best

As a result of the increase in feline obesity, food manufacturers have re-assessed their recommended daily feeding rations. Recent guidelines appear to reduce feeding quantities in an attempt to address the obesity epidemic. However, food manufacturers cannot combat this problem

alone and retailers can make owners aware of their responsibilities. Each cat has individual requirements and the manufacturers can only offer a guideline; the owners must fine-tune the feeding quantities to maintain their cat’s ideal weight. Many owners are under the impression that, given the opportunity, pets will eat a balanced diet and only consume the amount they require. However, pets are unlikely to achieve a balanced diet using innate selection and many, if given the opportunity, will over-indulge which can result in dangerous excess or deficiency. Owners must moderate their pet’s food intake to maintain an optimal weight. It’s worth noting that this is a serious issue and people who have ignored warnings to reduce the weight of a morbidly obese pet have been prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Serious health implications

Feline obesity plays a significant role in the development of several diseases: • Obesity and physical inactivity are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in cats. • Obese cats suffer with under-confidence and anxiety. • Hepatic lipidosis, also known as ‘fatty liver,’ is one of the most common liver disorders in cats. • Fat cats cannot groom properly, so their hair can become severely matted, which can cause discomfort and skin infections.

• Pre-existing heart and lung disease and arthritis are aggravated by obesity. • If weight loss is too rapid it can cause fatty liver disease, so advise the owner to seek help from their veterinary clinic. An appropriate weight loss programme can then be developed to ensure a slow and controlled reduction.

Don’t misread a pet’s communication

Cats are social animals and communicate with their owners with chirps, meows and rubs. Unfortunately, many owners interpret their cat’s interaction with them as demands for food, so they feed them. However, the cat may not be hungry and may simply be attempting to interact with the owner. So, while a cat may appear to be demanding food, owners should be encouraged to purchase toys and play with the cat or groom the animal instead. Owners of fat cats often despair when they are advised to put their cats on diets because many animals will simply steal from the neighbours or increase their hunting activity. Life is often a compromise and a combination of dietary management, and increased activity will reduce the dependence on dietary measures alone. If appropriate, owners should allow the cat to explore outside and make time for play. It can only help them to lead healthy and longer lives.

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For enquires and to be included on our stockist list contact...

Steve Moffatt, Sales Manager on (0)1942 882667 or 07582 358061 Email steve.moffatt@bodenswwr.co.uk The Boden Group of Companies | Minshulls Farm, Lower Green Lane, Astley, Manchester, M29 7JZ

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London Vet Show

The event with certified pedigree Praised for its innovative concept and outstanding event execution, the London Vet Show promises to deliver a programme for 2011 that is practical, relevant and inspiring

he London Vet Show is back on 24 and 25 November at the Grand Hall, Olympia. This annual event seamlessly blends clinical and commercial insight to support and equip vets, vet practice managers and owners, nurses and all other veterinary and healthcare professionals for the challenges ahead. Once again the show is working with Jill Maddison of the Royal Veterinary College to deliver over 70 hours of worldclass clinical content covering the hottest topics in small animal veterinary medicine. New conference speakers for 2011 include Arthur House, European specialist in small animal surgery at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in Australia, Gareth Arthurs, Stijn Niessen and Sophie Adamantos. Plus some of the most highly rated speakers from last year with David Church, Anke Hendricks and Simon Girling all making welcome returns. The business programme, so popular last year, also returns with top figures from the profession including Susie Samuel, Alan

Robinson and Mark Moran providing their insights into matters as diverse as managing practice costs and maximising profits, to getting the best out of your team. The sponsor-led seminar programme, which proved highly popular last year, has been expanded, plus there will be opportunities to get hands-on experience with specific technologies at the workshop programme. New for this year are the Association Rooms hosted by APBC, ISFM, SPVS, VPMA and BVDA, where members can benefit from individual advice from specialist associations to the veterinary profession. Already more than 280 cutting-edge exhibitors will be on hand, including Novartis, Hill’s, Nestle Purina, Supreme, Boehringer Ingelheim, Protexin and VRCC plus leading suppliers of everything from practice management software and imaging equipment to pet nutrition in the commercial exhibition. The LVS 2011 ‘Vets Now’ party will take place on Thursday 24 November, organised by Vets Now, which will be bringing its own

expertise, looking after the social side of the country’s (and industry’s) fastest growing event. Plus this year, one lucky delegate will walk away with the holiday for two of a lifetime – a chance to take in Zambia’s finest National Parks, get hands-on with the Worldwide Veterinary Service and visit Victoria Falls. CloserStill’s Kate Holgate believes any individual involved with the veterinary trade will be missing out by not attending in November. “Eighty three per cent of last year’s attendees had adopted new clinical procedures within three months of attending,” she said, “and a whopping 98 per cent said they would recommend attending the London Vet Show to a colleague or peer. This is the must-attend event for all vets – affordably priced, hugely informative and great fun.” Delegate passes can be booked for just £199 plus VAT until 31 October using promotional code PG6.

Focus on

Focus on…

London Vet Show products previews the products on offer at 2011’s London Vet Show, the premier trade event for Britain’s veterinary healthcare professionals Jon Chapple

he trees are shedding their leaves, the weather’s taken a turn for the worse and legions of over-stressed office workers will soon be short-sightedly toasting their extra hour in bed then complaining how dark it is; and that can only mean one thing – the yearly return of autumn and all it brings. But if Hallowe’en, Guy Fawkes Night and Independence Day in Latvia don’t float your boat, there’s still plenty to look forward to in the return of the annual London Vet Show (LVS). Held in the Grand Hall of London’s Olympia – a monument to Victorian engineering ingenuity that was, upon opening, “the largest building in the kingdom covered by one span of iron and glass” –

the show, now in its third year, has announced it will once again be working with Jill Maddison of the Royal Veterinary College. Together with organiser CloserStill Media and accompanied by a roster of new conference speakers that includes Gareth Arthurs, Stijn Niessen, Sophie Adamantos, Maddison will deliver over 70 hours of worldclass clinical content, promising to cover “the hottest topics in small animal veterinary medicine.” It also provides the perfect platform to showcase new products and innovations and the show has very quickly established itself as a great way to reach potential clients face-to-face. Here we focus on some of the companies exhibiting at the event:

James Wellbeloved James Wellbeloved will be exhibiting at this year’s London Vet Show. Several exciting new ranges of naturally hypoallergenic products have already been launched this year including dedicated Small Breed and Large Breed complete dry foods and the company’s first ever complete Wet Cat Food. With new products still to be unveiled, this is an excellent opportunity to speak to the team to learn more about these innovative products and how they could benefit you. Information: 0845 603 9095 or www.wellbeloved.com Stand: N80

Collarways Collarways is an independent importer of quality products for dogs. The company will be exhibiting its brand new Zogoflex Twix, a dog fetch toy with twistable handles and a treat compartment. Also on the stand will be the latest patterns in the Lupine range of collars, harnesses and leads with an ‘even-if-chewed’ guarantee; the Leuchtie LED light collar for dogs; and the new Tuffy’s dog toys. There will also be a 10 per cent show discount on orders of over £200. Information: 0845 456 8395 or www.collarways.com Stand: R10

Supreme Petfoods Obesity in rabbits is a worrying issue, so Supreme Petfoods says it’s delighted to be able to offer concerned owners an innovative solution available exclusively from vets. Supreme has created a new concept in feed for rabbits, based on “current thinking about a rabbit’s specific dietary and physiological needs.” Monoforage technology has been developed as a way to formulate diets with exceptionally high levels of fibre that are much closer to the natural grass-based diet of a wild rabbit. Supreme says its new VetCarePlus range offers a weight-management formula that contains 34 per cent fibre, presented as longer fibres that need to be actively chewed, promoting dental health and extending the feeding time. This also allows rabbits to replicate their natural feeding behaviour without consuming excess calories. Information: 0845 058 9697 or www.supremeprofessional.com Stand: B30

Hilton Herbs Following the success of its recently launched range of herbal supplements for cats, Hilton Herbs has produced a bespoke point-of-sale display box. The box’s seven different products are highly palatable, can be administered directly into cats’ mouths or added to food, and are formulated to provide a ‘natural answer’ to common feline conditions. The smart display stand offers store owners an eye-catching way to showcase a range of supplements for bladder and urinary tract health; efficient digestion and elimination; kidney health and function; mobility and seniors; strong immunity and calm behaviour. Information: 01460 270 701 or tradesales@hiltonherbs.com Stand: N90

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Focus on

Animology Group55 says it’s helping stockists of its award-winning Animology grooming product range to drive sales with the provision of attractive new POS material. Bright and colourful A2 window posters and an informative full-colour product leaflet for dog owners to pick up and take away are now available for Animology stockists. As well as being voted the Pet Product Retail Association’s ‘Best Product’ last year, Animology was also recently unveiled as the official shampoo of Groom Team England. Information: 01772 786 864 or enquiries@group55.co.uk Stand: P51

Nurtured Pets Nurtured Pets will be displaying its new and improved Anti-LickStrip at the London Vet Show. The latest Anti-LickStrip replaces clove oil with peppermint which the company says is proven to produce even better results in stopping dogs and cats licking, biting and chewing minor wounds, insect bites, lick granulomas and hotspots. The ingredients are sprayed onto the plaster offering a more user-friendly product and it comes in eye-catching hologram packaging. The eight-foot dispensing rolls of Anti-LickStrip Pro & Pro C – for use within practice – have also been upgraded to include peppermint and presented as a powderless product. The company is also introducing the Anti-ChewStrip – a nose and taste deterrent designed to stop young puppies destroying household furnishings. Information: 024 7630 2222 or www.nurturedpets.co.uk Stand: N15

SureFlap SureFlap’s multi-award-winning Microchip Cat Flap, which has sold well through veterinary practices since its launch in 2008, is an ideal product to promote alongside a microchipping service, says the company. SureFlap identifies cats using their unique microchip number, preventing unwanted neighbourhood cats from entering the home. It runs on four AA batteries and is compatible with all European microchip formats. Vets can order direct from SureFlap’s dedicated ordering line and veterinary webshop, which also provides free product training and merchandising materials. Information: 01954 211 664 or www.sureflap.co.uk Stand: Q30

Dorwest Herbs Dorwest Herbs says it is delighted to be exhibiting at the London Vet Show again this year. In addition to its range of fully-licensed herbal medicines including skullcap and valerian tablets – widely used in practice for anxiety, phobias, nervousness and excitability – and mixed vegetable and garlic and fenugreek tablets – used to treat osteoarthritis for over 40 years – the company will this year be focussing on products to treat and support joint problems in dogs and cats. There will also be a special delegate offer on its glucosamine HCL and chondroitin tablets. Information: 01308 897 272 or www.dorwest.com Stand: I120

Pet Munchies Pet Munchies are 100 per cent natural pet treats made from quality, human-grade real meat and fish. They have no artificial additives, preservatives, colours or flavours and are naturally low in fat; perfect for the health-conscious pet. Having secured a place in the market for premium natural dog treats, Pet Munchies has now launched a premium range of cat treats that it says “even the fussiest of cats cannot resist.” The six varieties for dogs are chicken breast fillets; chicken strips; chicken chips; duck breast fillets; beef liver; and ocean white fish, while the varieties for cats are sushi; cod; chicken breast fillets; liver with chicken; and duck breast fillets. Information: info@pet-munchies.com or www.pet-munchies.com Stand: I20

Vetark Professional Exotic pet specialist Vetark Professional will be exhibiting its new pond-fish range and a range of professional products for backyard poultry at the London Vet Show. “This area is growing dramatically with pet birds and rescue birds, and lots of veterinary input is needed,” the company explains. “These products will be shown alongside staples such as AVIPRO PLUS, NUTROBAL and CRITICAL CARE FORMULA.” Vetark says it believes in building links between pet owners and their vets, so will be inviting vets to take away details to register on their free find-a-specialist vet web register. Practices will be able to register their details, including specialist animal interests, to be searchable by potential clients. Information: 01962 844 316 or www.vetark.co.uk Stand: R42

Vaccinations

A boost to the system Registered veterinary nurse Claire King looks at the regular vaccinations that cats, dogs and rabbits need to help protect them against several nasty and potentially fatal diseases

accinations have been around for a very long time. They are designed to ‘trick’ the immune system into thinking it has been exposed to a specific disease. The immune system remembers the disease that it has been vaccinated against so, if exposed again, the body can mount a defence. Recent advances in vaccine technology mean they are safer than ever and can protect against even more diseases.

Dogs

Dogs require vaccination against several diseases. • Canine parvovirus (parvo): more common in young, unvaccinated puppies but can occur in older dogs. It is an aggressive virus that attacks cells lining the intestines and the immune system. This causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which often becomes haemorrhagic. The vast majority of dogs who contract parvovirus will die or require euthanasia to ensure they don’t suffer. • Canine distemper (hardpad): attacks the gut, lungs and nervous system and is more often than not fatal. • Infectious canine hepatitis: rapidly attacks the liver, lungs, kidneys and eyes. This virus

is in many cases fatal, but some dogs do recover with intensive veterinary treatment. • Leptospirosis: caused by bacteria from the leptospira family and attacks the kidneys. There are two types of this disease with vaccination protecting against both. The first is transmitted from the urine of infected rats, often when dogs go swimming or drink from lakes, ponds or rivers. The second is passed on from the urine of infected dogs. Antibiotics can help to treat leptospirosis but often cases are fatal or cause lifelong damage to the kidneys. • Canine parainfluenza virus: this is a component of ‘kennel cough’. It is a highly

infectious upper respiratory tract infection in dogs which causes a dry, hacking cough.

AT What age should dogs be vaccinated?

Puppies can be vaccinated from eight weeks of age with their initial vaccination and the second part given two to three weeks later. Puppies are not protected until 10 days after the second vaccination, so shouldn’t start going for walks or mixing with unvaccinated dogs until after this time.

Cats

It is recommended that cats are vaccinated against: • Feline panleukopenia (feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus): clinical symptoms include severe gastroenteritis, with destruction of the cells in the blood. Cases are relatively rare, but infected cats don’t normally survive • Feline leukaemia (FeLV): causes several problems including numerous types of cancer and immuno-suppression and it destroys the cells in the blood. Most cats coming into contact with the virus will have a strong enough immune system to fight off the disease and will remain uninfected. However, approximately 25 to

Vaccinations

Rabbits

30 per cent of cats will become infected and will eventually die of the FeLV. As the virus can take months, or years, before it causes clinical symptoms, many cats don’t show any symptoms for some time after initially contracting the disease. • Cat flu: typical clinical signs are runny eyes, sneezing, a streaming nose, depression and anorexia. Prompt veterinary treatment normally leads to a good recovery but may still cause death particularly in kittens or adults with a compromised immune system. After infection, some cats can end up with constant snuffles or symptoms that return at times of stress. These cats act as carriers of the disease. The cat flu element of the vaccine protects against feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). However, there are many other strains of cat flu, so vaccination will not totally eradicate the risk.

AT What age should cats be vaccinated?

Kittens can have the first part of their initial vaccination at eight to nine weeks of age and the second part of the injection three to four weeks later. A kitten will not be fully protected until seven to 10 days after the second vaccination.

Optional vaccinations

Other vaccinations for dogs include the kennel cough vaccine, which protects against the bacteria ‘bordetella bronchiseptica’, one of the more serious strains of kennel cough infection. Cats in a multi-cat household, especially if kittens are present, may benefit from vaccination against feline chlamydophilosis. The bacterium is spread by direct contact between cats and causes severe conjunctivitis and sometimes respiratory disease. Both dogs and cats going abroad on the Pet Travel Scheme must be vaccinated against rabies, as well as meeting the other travel requirements. For more information about the Pet Passport Scheme visit www.defra.gov.uk

Rabbits must be vaccinated against two potentially fatal diseases – myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD or HVD). • Myxomatosis: has been around for decades and is predominately spread by blood sucking insects such as fleas and mosquitoes. Typical clinical symptoms include swelling of the genitalia, swollen eyes (leading to blindness) and eventually death, after approximately two weeks from secondary pneumonia. • Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD or HVD): this is a virulent calicivirus that came over from China around 20 years ago. It is spread via contaminated feed or hay, other animals and people in contact with the virus. Rabbits are often well one day and the next are found to have died, with clinical signs of haemorrhage from the nose, mouth and anus. There is no treatment.

AT What age should rabbits be vaccinated?

The myxomatosis vaccine can be given from six weeks of age and requires a six monthly booster for full protection. The VHD vaccine is recommended from 10 weeks of age with an annual booster, but in high risk areas the vaccine can be given at six weeks of age and repeated at 10 weeks of age, continuing with annual boosters. A two week gap must be left between vaccinations as they are not licensed to be given together.

What is the difference between the various types of vaccine?

There are four types of vaccines that are commonly used: • Inactivated (killed) vaccines: are prepared using the virus strain that has been inactivated or killed. • Modified live vaccines: these contain live strains of the organism that are weakened or attenuated. Live vaccines should not be used in pregnant animals or those who have a weakened immune system. • Subunit vaccines: these are dead vaccines which have been broken down and only contain certain parts in the vaccine. • Vectored vaccines: these are the newest types of vaccine. Small amounts of the genetic material from the virus are inserted into a different, harmless virus and made into a vaccine.

How are vaccines administered?

Most vaccinations in animals are given by injection into the scruff of the neck. The exception is the kennel cough vaccine, which is a liquid administered up the dogs’ nose.

Why do pets need regular boosters?

Boosters are needed to ensure sufficient immunity is maintained throughout the animals’ life. The length of the protection that a vaccination offers will wane and eventually wear off, if regular boosters are not given. Most vaccinations require annual boosters, but the specific intervals vary according to which product is used.

What adverse reactions may be noticed?

No animal reacts in the same way to vaccination and sometimes an adverse reaction may be seen. These are normally mild and may involve some itching or swelling at the site of the injection, and the problem often resolves itself without needing veterinary attention. Some animals may seem slightly lethargic for a few days and rabbits can develop a scab at the site of injection after the myxomatosis vaccine.

Vaccination failures

There are several reasons why a vaccine may fail to give immunity: • Ineffective vaccine: all vaccines undergo stringent tests before they can be used in veterinary practices. However, if vaccines are transported or stored at too high a temperature, this can deactivate them. Equally, the effectiveness of the vaccine can be reduced if there is a delay between preparing the vaccine and administrating it. • Unhealthy animal at time of vaccination: one of the reasons a vet must perform a health check is that an unhealthy animal’s immune system does not respond to a vaccine challenge. When an animal is ill, its immune system is already fighting infection, so cannot respond to the vaccination. • Natural characteristics of the vaccine: no vaccine can ever be 100 per cent effective in 100 per cent of cases and some will fail, as all animals react differently to vaccination. • Maternal antibody interference: at birth all animals receive maternal antibodies passed down from their mother. Therefore, if the mother is vaccinated against disease, the young will have protection. The duration of immunity will depend upon the mother’s strength of immunity at the time of the birth. Young whose mothers had strong immunity to a specific disease, may have sufficient antibodies for several months. Generally, maternal antibodies last a few weeks, after which time, the young should start their vaccination schedule. If animals are vaccinated while they still have maternal antibodies, these can interfere with the build up of their own immunity, which is why it is recommended that animals have to wait a specified amount of weeks.

Pet obesity

A weighty issue With obesity in pets on the rise, Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager of Burgess Pet Care, shows how retailers can help their customers combat this growing problem

besity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat and its main causes are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat. As a rough guide, as little as an extra one per cent caloric intake can result in a 25 per cent increase over ideal body weight by middle age. In the wild, dogs, cats and rabbits expend a large amount of energy hunting or foraging for their food, and in the case of cats and dogs they would eat a diet based on raw meat, with high levels of fibre, skin and sinew and bone. Rabbits would only eat high fibre items such as grass, herbs, plants and bark. However, the domestic pet has its food lovingly placed in a bowl, often several times a day, and this increases the potential for obesity with the extra weight carried by these pets having long-lasting and very damaging effects. Unfortunately approximately 25 to 40 per cent of dogs are considered obese and it is the most common nutritionrelated health condition. Overweight dogs often experience difficulty breathing and/ or walking and are unable to tolerate heat or exercise. If you consider that a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dog is overweight, advise them to visit a veterinary surgeon for a health check, including an accurate measure of body weight and an assessment of body condition score. An evaluation of the dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily intake of all food, treats and snacks and an exercise schedule is essential in developing a successful weight loss programme. Clearly, if the calculated caloric intake exceeds the calculated daily energy requirement of the dog at an ideal body weight, then excessive caloric intake is the cause of the obesity. In younger dogs, obesity can cause early arthritis or ligament damage such as a ruptured cruciate, and in older dogs the consequences are worse. It can quickly lead to respiratory problems, especially in larger breeds like Labradors or short-nosed breeds such as the bulldog or pug. The excessive weight also causes increased wear and tear on the joints and can lead to degenerative joint disease. Just as with people, there is also an increase in pressure on the heart and cardiac issues are common. Other problems include skin diseases, thyroid problems, liver and kidney disease. It is essential that dogs are fed on a balanced nutritious diet receiving all the vitamins and minerals they need, as well as the correct levels of protein and carbohydrate. Dogs should always have a plentiful supply of fresh water to help satiate their appetite. However, diet is not the only issue as exercise is also important. It keeps the dog fit and provides quality time with its owner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; always more appreciated than a quick titbit despite those pleading doe-eyes!

Pet obesity

In the wild, dogs would probably only feed several times a week and so they do not need three large meals a day. Therefore the type, amount and frequency of food are important considerations to combat obesity. Dogs’ dietary requirements also change throughout their life. Young, growing dogs need foods that are high in minerals such as calcium, high levels of protein and lots of carbohydrates and fats. Once they have grown, they need less protein, but depending upon their breed and lifestyle, differing amounts of carbohydrate and fat. Obviously working dogs need much more than the average pet dog, but some dogs are more prone to putting weight on than others. For example the Labrador is well known for being genetically predisposed to putting on weight, while salukis and whippets are notorious for not keeping it on. Obesity is also one of the most common nutritional disorders seen in cats, with approximately 40 per cent of cats classed as obese. Just like dogs, cats have differing requirements as they grow, needing higher levels of carbohydrates as juveniles. Dry food diets are popular these days, for convenience as well as for their health benefits such as keeping teeth clean. However, some dry foods can be higher in carbohydrates and fats than others, so it is important that you recommend quality, high protein products to your customers

and advise them on the correct amounts to feed. Establishing whether a cat is obese is often harder than with dogs. They come in all shapes and sizes and it is impossible to determine a standard weight which covers all breeds. For example, a Singapura would be expected to weigh less than a Maine Coon. It is possible, but difficult, to increase a cat’s exercise. You can advise owners of the many interactive toys available to encourage their cat to exercise. Other hints include absolutely no treats. Instead, advise cat owners to try feeding four to six small meals per day instead of filling the bowl and leaving it down for their cat to graze on. Many vets are also now seeing a rise in the numbers of obese rabbits. As with dogs and cats, this is often down to lack of exercise, housing that is simply too small and doesn’t allow room for them to run and jump, or a lack of stimulation to keep them active. However, obesity in rabbits is often also the result of the wrong diet. Rabbits should only be eating high fibre foods such as grass, hay and a small amount of nuggets for essential vitamins and minerals, together with healthy fibre-based snacks to promote foraging and exercise. Traditional muesli-type foods can often be high in sugar and starch and this can promote selective feeding. This means a rabbit will pick out only the really ‘tasty’

bits and leave the healthier bits. Over time this, together with lack of exercise, will lead to obesity. Obesity in rabbits has many repercussions, not least that it puts pressure on joints and major organs such as the heart. It can lead to sores on their feet, pododermatitis and flystrike if they are unable to clean themselves. One of the biggest issues is being unable to reach their bottoms to eat their ceacotrophs. This is something they must do to receive all the nutrients provided by this process. Without ceacotrophy their normal digestive system fails to function correctly, and they develop chronic malnutrition. The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) provides some excellent body condition score charts for pets. To find out more visit www.pfma.org.uk

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Burgess Pet Care, a leading pet food manufacturer based in Yorkshire, is a company of pet lovers and owners committed to making the lives of pets’ better, through great food that’s really healthy and delicious. They are equally committed to helping and supporting rescue centres and encouraging responsible pet ownership through education. For more information call 0800 413 969.

Pet obesity

Food for thought

According to Kevin Dover, a leading show judge, Corgi breeder and sales manager for Dicksons Pet Food Ltd, “obesity is a vicious circle as once your pet is overweight its physical activity drops which, in turn, makes it harder to lose the excess weight.” When managing the weight of dogs, he stresses the importance of feeding a well-balanced diet from the moment the animal enters the home. He adds: “It is important to feed the dog the correct protein levels, which will vary with the age, size and activity level of the dog. Feeding guides should always appear on the packs and it is important to choose foods with good quality ingredients with good meat content and less fillers.” Dicksons Pet Food’s Just Delicious Range, formerly known as Berrimans, is designed to maintain the health and fitness of dogs catering for three life stages – puppy/ junior, adult and senior/light. There are many experts who believe that when it comes to tackling obesity problems with dogs and cats, the Biologically Appropriate or Bone and Raw Food diet is the best option. BARF follows the principle of evolution that cats and dogs in the wild are used to raw foods and this is the most natural way of feeding.

Andreas Dauer, the co founder of BARF Pet Foods, says: “Serving the BARF diet is great for weight control because there are no fillers in the food such as wheat or grain. Since it’s all natural and fresh, the dog’s body uses the food instead of storing the indigestible matter into fat.” The return to a more natural, holistically-balanced approach is also the principle behind the Happy Dog range, which includes ingredients that a dog would have eaten in the wild including herbs such as thyme and rosemary, apples for natural fibre and green-lipped New Zealand mussels, which contain important glucosaminglucanes. Director and distributor of Happy Dog in the UK, Mark Griffiths, says: “The veterinary surgeons working with the Happy Dog parent company in Germany have spent many years developing a range of foods which take into consideration all the nutritional needs of a dog. They have taken the best elements out of each diet on the market and converted them into a range of dry foods. They have even looked at the evolutionary diet and process of dogs from their wild state in the domesticated animals we have today.”

Supplier Listing Art Pet Bowls: www.artpetbowl.com • BARF Pet Food: www.barfpetfoods.co.uk • Burgess Pet Care: www.burgesspetcare.co.uk Dicksons: www.dicksonshanley.co.uk • Doggy Things: www.doggythings.co.uk • Dorwest Herbs: www.dorwest.com Eukanuba: www.eukanuba.com • Hill’s Pet Nutrition: www.hillspet.co.uk • Hilton Herbs: www.hiltonherbs.com Kong: www.kongcompany.com • Natural Pet Products: www.naturalpetproductsltd.com Roger Skinner Ltd: www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk • Supreme Pet Foods: www.supremepetfoods.com The Paws Pet Supplies: www.thepaws.co.uk • Wagg: www.waggfoods.co.uk

Comment

A festive feast

t is not only humans who need to worry about their waistlines and general health over the festive season. Unfortunately, the cold weather can reduce the amount of exercise for pets and their owners. It is also common for owners to overindulge their pets with leftovers, which is one factor contributing to the rise in pet obesity.

With Christmas approaching and so many treats in store, Michael Bellingham of the PFMA advises retailers to remind customers to maintain good pet nutrition

What to stock

Research commissioned by the Blue Cross a couple of years ago showed that pet owners spent over £27 million on their pets at Christmas, so it is certainly worth ensuring you can meet consumer demand and provide them with a healthy selection of treats, foods and gifts. However, with range extensions and so many products on offer, it is even more important to present your products well to maximise sales. We advise you to produce festive signage, helping customers find the gifts they want, in addition to healthy treats for stockings and luxury meals. Also, use the shelves by the till or the counter top for displaying the smaller impulse purchases and don’t forget to update your window display. When theming your window, consider the colder weather and remind customers to ensure pets traditionally kept outside, such as rabbits, are warm enough and suitably sheltered. As temperatures plummet water freezes, so rabbit owners should invest in water bottle covers to ensure their pet always has access to fresh water.

Treating without spoiling

We are all guilty of over-eating and picking at leftovers, but the PFMA is keen to remind pet owners of the benefits of prepared pet food to help maintain good pet health. Customers feeding a commercially-prepared pet food can have complete confidence they are addressing all their pet’s nutritional needs.

If customers are looking for something special, they could try the luxury pet food ranges, which offer the different flavours and textures while still being nutritionally-balanced and an appropriate food for their animal. Remember to advise customers to take any extra treats into account when measuring out their normal meal portions. In addition to the health problems caused by overeating, pets can easily choke on bones, so leftover chicken or turkey should be put in a safe place away from wandering paws. We would also urge retailers to warn customers about toxins from the raisins in Christmas puddings and all the berries we use to decorate the house over the festive season. Dogs should not be given human chocolate – only specially formulated ‘chocolate’ treats. If owners really want to spoil their pet, they should spend quality time playing with them or take them for a long walk – whatever the weather!

Obesity advice

PFMA research showed eight out of 10 dog, cat and rabbit owners incorrectly believe their pet is just the right weight. Unfortunately, when asked which of a series of pictures most closely resembled their pet, only 33 per cent of dog owners and 23 per cent of cat owners chose the ‘normal weight.’ At www.pfma.org.uk, we regularly update our health and nutrition advice. We also have the Pet Size-O-Meter, which retailers can download for pet owners to check their pet’s weight. This could be a useful flyer to provide to customers in December and January.

A good balance

To enjoy Christmas, it’s important to strike a balance. As pet retailers, you can provide owners with all the treats they need, from toys and healthy ‘chocolate’ drops to special meals. By helping customers with their shopping and advising them on good pet nutrition, we should all have a happy, healthy holiday!

About the PFMA The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association is the principal trade body representing the UK pet food industry; a key focus of activity is to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Its 60 members account for over 90 per cent of the market and produce a wide range of products for cats, dogs, rabbits and other pet animals. To find out more or download some useful information sheets for you and your customers, please visit: www.pfma.org.uk

Practice Standards Scheme

Setting the standard Claire Millington

explains how the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is seeking to raise and monitor standards in the veterinary profession

hen you’re advising your customers about pet care, the question of which veterinary practice to use may crop up alongside discussions of diets and husbandry. If you sell animals, you may mention the vets you use, but what if you don’t keep animals or think your practice won’t suit that particular customer? You hear things on the grapevine but how can you really be sure what the different practices are like? Veterinary surgery itself is a regulated profession – individual veterinary surgeons must be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to practise and can be disciplined for serious professional misconduct. Although standards are generally good in veterinary practices, the statutory regulation covering veterinary

surgeons does not extend to the practices in which they work. To encourage and support veterinary practices, the RCVS developed the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS). By setting standards and carrying out regular inspections, this voluntary initiative aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. All premises are inspected by the RCVS at least every four years and it also makes spot-checks to ensure standards are being met. “All practices in the PSS must show they only use appropriately qualified staff, have basic surgical and diagnostic equipment and meet various hygiene requirements,” says Peter Jinman, PSS chairman. “The RCVS also asks to see evidence that the vets and veterinary nurses fulfil our requirements about professional development – it’s

Practice Standards Scheme

important they keep their skills and knowledge up to date.” Practices that meet core standards can also seek additional accreditation as a general practice and, if they can also meet more specific requirements, accreditation as a veterinary hospital. The same core standards apply to all accredited practices, but further categories of accreditation also relate to the species a practice treats, as small animals, horses and farm animals need considerably different approaches and equipment. So, a general practice accreditation will be granted either as small animal, equine or farm animal (or a combination), or an emergency services clinic. A veterinary hospital will be accredited as small animal or equine. The scheme is worth considering if your business includes a veterinary practice – practice premises within pet stores can, and do, receive accreditation. Once accredited, the scheme gives practices some marketing support, including PSS logos that show the type of accreditation the practice has achieved for use, for example, on their stationery or signage. Accredited practices pay annual fees which allow the scheme to operate on a not-forprofit basis. Included in the fees is the cost of

the Veterinary Practice Premises registration, without which veterinary surgeons cannot legally supply medicines – saving on paying a separate fee. If you’re wondering whether accreditation costs will increase the vet’s bills, the short answer is: they shouldn’t. In terms of staff and facilities, the core standards accreditation (applying to all accredited practices) principally covers the legal minimum requirements for running a practice. It also includes the requirements as set out in the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct such as ensuring vets offer and explain a range of treatment options (including prognoses and possible side effects); give clients realistic fee estimates based on treatment options (including ancillary and likely post-operative cares); and keep their clients informed of progress and any escalation in costs once treatment has started. Practices such as veterinary hospitals, which are able to offer a wider range of services, may well cost more than those that are less fully equipped and staffed, and a decent local practice may be more appropriate to some customers’ needs and budgets. So it’s worth encouraging people to check what their preferred practice offers and what it costs, whether or not it is accredited. The RCVS guide also states that vets must provide fully itemised accounts if requested and answer any enquiry about the price of any relevant veterinary medicinal product they stock or sell. It’s perfectly reasonable for clients to ask what the charges are for its consultations, vaccinations, common procedures and treatments. “Although there can be no guarantees about clinical outcomes in veterinary medicine, it may be reassuring to know that the veterinary services you use for your animals are offered through a practice that meets certain standards and has been inspected,” says Peter. “If you’d like to see the full list of what the RCVS expects and checks, you can get this from our website (www.rcvs.org.uk/practice-standards-scheme).” You can find practices local to an area by searching the RCVS’s online Find a Vet database (www.findavet.org.uk). This is free to use and searches can be made by postcode or town and can be limited to accredited practices only. If you want to check whether a particular practice is accredited, you can also search by the practice’s name. By using the advanced search you can select practices according to the type of animal they treat, for example, small mammals – although for rabbits it’s also worth considering practices treating ‘exotics’ as they are still sometimes categorised this way. With 2,277 accredited practices spread across the UK, the next time that ‘which vet’ conversation crops up you might find somewhere to suggest to – and impress – even the trickiest of your customers.

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Offer valid for new Petplan Sanctuary policies taken out before 31st December 2011, valid for one transaction only. ‘Mutneys’ must be quoted at time of call. Petplan Sanctuary is introduced by Petplan and sold and administered by Brooks Braithwaite (Sussex) Ltd. Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638) both of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.

PP 4148.4 Pet Gazette - Groomers Ad.indd 1

12/05/2011 09:57

Fish food

Feeding frenzy There are many types of fish food available, so Tim Hayes outlines some of the basics of nutrition to help retailers make an informed choice about what to offer customers

Fish food

or retailers, as well as customers, fish food is of primary importance. As a repeat purchase it contributes to your cash flow, and for customers it helps keep their fish healthy and alive. The main categories of fish food are processed, frozen, freeze-dried, live and food for herbivores. • Processed – the mainstay of the trade. Includes flake food, pellets and tablets. Flake and pellets can be further categorised as floating or sinking. • Frozen – many different frozen foods are available, mainly based on invertebrates such as small crustaceans. Lower quality examples are typified by excess water and broken-up organisms, with the danger of unwanted nutrients leaching into the water in sensitive environments such as reef aquaria. • Freeze-dried – again invertebrate-based; this process is a good way of preserving the nutritional quality of foods but requires adequate re-hydration before use and may bring unwanted nutrients into the aquarium. • Live – small crustaceans and worms, freshwater species include daphnia and tubifex, while saltwater species include copepods and the ubiquitous artemia (or brine shrimp), also used for freshwater. • Herbivore – for freshwater fish this can be based on vegetable matter of terrestrial origin or for marine fish, it should be based on marine algae. Spirulina-based foods are useful for both freshwater and marine fish. Different fish have different nutritional requirements. Some species may be carnivores (or more correctly piscivores) while others are herbivores, planktivores or detritivores and this all affects what constitutes a correct diet each individual species. Essentially, a complete fish food is one that supplies all the nutritional requirements necessary for the health of the fish. It consists of protein, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, plus vitamins and minerals. Different species require different ratios of protein to carbohydrate, depending on their natural diet. For example, piscivores will need higher levels of protein and lower levels of carbohydrates, while it will be the other way round for herbivores.

In fish, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen that can be mobilised to satisfy energy demands, but although it is a major energy source for mammals, it is not used efficiently by fish. Furthermore, fish have different requirements for lipids, vitamins and minerals, often depending on their origin. Some of these are considered essential nutrients, as they cannot be synthesised or manufactured, and must be present in the diet for good health. For example, there is a class of lipids referred to as essential fatty acids that are required by humans and other animals for good health and must form part of the diet, as the body cannot synthesise them. Referred to as Omega fatty acids, they are often included in the list of ingredients on some fish foods, the most common ones being EPA, DHA and linoleic acid. Marine fish require EPA and DHA as part of their diet, whereas freshwater fish don’t have the same requirements but may often need linolenic acid in their diet instead. Other species such as tilapia (members of the carp family) all require different fatty acids, or combinations of fatty acids, in their diet for long-term health. So, it is unlikely that a single food can supply all the requirements of a disparate collection of species. My suggestion would be to recommend a selection of two or three different foods, with the aim of catering to the diverse nutritional requirements of the fish being stocked. Be wary of simply stocking low cost, low quality products that might give you a higher mark-up. Also, avoid foods containing high levels of cereals – usually a sign of cost cutting during manufacture. One of your aims should be customer retention, so try to sell foods of good quality that will not pollute your customers’ aquariums and cause algal or water quality problems and another customer to leave the hobby out of frustration. When your customer comes into the shop asking to purchase a pack of fish food, it is important to determine what types of fish are being fed. Try and educate your customer about their fishes requirements by passing on some of the information already mentioned. You also need to establish the frequency of feeding. With the exception of

a few of the larger predatory species, advise feeding a small quantity of food at least twice a day, preferably three times. The oft quoted, “no more than the amount of food that can be eaten in two to three minutes” stands as a reasonable guide. Few fish die as a result of being underfed yet many fish do die as a result of poor water quality, induced by overfeeding. Although it may seem counterintuitive, try to dissuade your customers from purchasing larger packs of food. Explain to them that it’s a false economy because as soon as a pack of food is opened it starts deteriorating. Exposure to air and light causes certain vitamins to start breaking down, resulting in food of poor nutritional quality, and exposure to moisture can even result in the growth of mould! Suggest your customers buy only the amount of food their fish will go through in a reasonable time. This approach benefits both you and your customers as they will return more frequently to your shop to purchase food and their fish will be healthier, as they are being fed fresher food with minimum degradation.

Food for thought • Avoid food packed in transparent containers as this can lead to a degradation of vitamin content through exposure to the UV light. • As far as vegetable matter of terrestrial origin is concerned, consider its presence in marine foods as a pollutant, as marine fish cannot assimilate it. • Be wary of foods containing excess fillers such as cereals, as these can lead to water quality problems. • The majority of the fish kept in the aquarium rarely eat other fish (with the exception of larval fishes or fry) yet fishmeal is a major ingredient in processed fish foods.

Supplier Listing JMC Aquatics: www.jmc-aquatics.co.uk Natures Grub: shop.naturesgrub.co.uk Vetark: www.vetark.co.uk

New appointments

New appointments Pastures new for professionals in the pet trade Veterinary Thermal Imaging

Lindsay Cope is the latest thermographer to join animal thermography company Veterinary Thermal Imaging (VTI). Lindsay comes to VTI from an animal behavioural background and has a particular passion for pain-related behavioural problems in all species. In addition to working with horses and companion animals, Lindsay – who has postgraduate qualifications in companion animal behaviour and training – has also spent time at the Animals Asia Foundation China Bear Rescue Centre looking after bears. “We’re thrilled to have Lindsay on board,” said Helen Morrell, managing director of Veterinary Thermal Imaging. “Lindsay’s passion for pain-related behavioural problems and the use of thermal imaging is already proving really valuable and useful to our clients and vets.”

Ideal Saddle Company

The Ideal Saddle Company has appointed 40-year-old Jim Revilles as product development manager. A former instructor in the Royal Air Force, Jim is an experienced rider and was a member of the RAF’s show-jumping and eventing squad. His new post will see him playing a key role in the development of new saddles and techniques, as well as working on the marketing side of the business. Jim said: “I am very excited to be joining the Ideal Saddles team in a professional capacity and look forward to working on the new projects it has planned.”

Rabbit Welfare Association

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) has announced the appointment of Richard Saunders BSc (Hons), BVSc, MSB, CBiol, DZooMed (Mammalian), MCRVS as its vet expert advisor. Richard will advise the RWAF on all health strategies and provide input into the organisation’s welfare and educational work. He will also issue advice and guidance to RWAF members on developments that may affect rabbit care, such as the availability of medications and new research or techniques, and offer a free advice service to vets who are members of the RWAF or are treating a member’s rabbit. The RWAF’s Rae Todd said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have Richard as part of the team. He is not only one of the most well-qualified and knowledgeable vets in the field of rabbit medicine in the UK, but completely shares the RWAF ethic and is a huge asset to the organisation. Under Richard’s guidance we are able to take a significant step to the next level, continue our educational work and reinforce our position as the rabbit authority in the United Kingdom.”

Has someone recently joined or moved to a new role within your company? You can send the details and a photo to jon@petgazette.biz

Events

Events 24–27 September Pet Fair Asia Shanghai Everbright Exhibition Center Shanghai, China www.petfairasia.com

29 September–1 October iberzoo Fira de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain www.iberzoo.com

30 September–2 October PET BIZ Inter Expo Center, Sofia, Bulgaria www.petbiz.bg

5–6 October

6 November

AQUA Telford International Centre Telford, Shropshire www.aquatelford.co.uk

Animal Charities Fair The Camden Centre, London www.animalcharitiesfair.org.uk

6–8 October Pet Expo 2011 Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, Australia www.piaa.net.au

China International Pet Show China Import and Export Fair Complex Canton, China www.cipscom.com/en/index.asp

18–20 October

19–20 November

Pet South America Expo Center Norte, São Paolo, Brazil www.petsa.com.br

Aquatics Live Olympia, London www.aquatics-live.com

29–30 October

24–25 November

LovePets Exec Peterborough www.lovepets.me.uk

London Vet Show Olympia, London www.londonvetshow.co.uk

16–19 November

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Recruitment

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Voice on the highstreet

Voice on the highstreet William McQuillan of

Ballyharvey Pet Country Club, Muckamore, County Antrim

Could you tell us a bit about the services you offer at Ballyharvey? We offer a full range of boarding services for a wide variety of pets. Our customers’ pets have included dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and parrots, to mention just a few, with even a family of goats as regular guests while the owners are on holiday. Our kennels and cattery were purpose-built in 2004 with the sole focus of creating a pleasant, clean and safe environment for customers’ pets. At the time, we could not find any other kennels in Northern Ireland offering advantages like generously over-sized runs, under-floor heating, rubber matting on floors throughout to eliminate pressure sores and slipping and webcams to view pets while on holiday. We also have a fully equipped grooming parlour to pamper both boarding guests and the general public’s pets. It includes walk-in baths and walk-in drying cabinets to make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible for the dog.

You’re personally from a farming background – why did you choose to make the transition to pet care? I had a successful 300-strong herd of suckler beef, when I was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, the illness took over and I was unable to continue with farming, but on Christmas Day in 2002 I received a transplant and started on my road to recovery. We have always had pets of one kind or another for as long as I can remember – about 10 years ago we got our first Newfoundland dog and were smitten with the breed and showing. We went from never having been at a dog show to travelling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom and even managed to qualify for Crufts! At other events we achieved many best in shows and managed to make our dogs into champions along the way. As you can imagine we met a wealth of people during this time, and the amount of knowledge and information we were given access to regarding pet care was to prove invaluable to us in our venture.

The Country Club is located in the heart of the Antrim countryside. Why did you choose such a rural location? Was it the right decision? Fortunately, our home farm was located in a prime location for the development of the kennels and cattery. Set in 90 acres of countryside and well away from busy roads, we have plenty of room for exercising and play time with the dogs. It has worked to our advantage to be both in the heart of the countryside in Northern Ireland and only minutes away from the main motorway. We are also only three miles from Belfast International Airport which enables most customers to drop off their pets on the way to catch their flight.

You have a modern website and you’re currently trialling an online booking service – would you say this is an essential part of being a 21st-century pet business? Without any doubt. In my opinion, it is essential to have an online presence for any modern boarding kennels to reach a wider audience. Online bookings account for a large amount of our overall bookings – they save us a great deal of time spent on the telephone and also reduce booking errors, as all the information is given by the customer. We have also introduced a members’ section that stores customers’ pet details. This saves regular customers from having to fill out a complete booking form each time.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to follow in your footsteps? Do a lot of planning and research and then do some more. It is definitely not just a case of getting to play with other people’s cute pets and then handing them back. Get advice from local authorities on planning, licensing and funding. It takes time, effort and quite a bit of money to get your business up and running while complying with all the rules and regulations associated with a boarding kennel. However, when new customers arrive and say they have been highly recommended to us by either an existing customer or a vet, it makes all the effort worthwhile.