Pet Gazette August 2012

PET GAZETTE AUGUST 2012

www.petgazette.biz

ISSN 2046-7303

A growing business

The demand for homeopathic and herbal remedies

Getting to the root of the problem

Products to improve oral health How stress in pets can be developed to enhance their quality of life Animal farm Pet owners are pursuing a more self-sufficient lifestyle by introducing a range of farm animals into their back gardens

Lounge lizards Often described as one of the easiest of the lizards to look after, the bearded dragon is proving a popular pet

August 2012

PET GAZETTE

This month

Editor’s letter

August 2012 Contents Roundup

4

Three minute interview

5

New appointments

8

The latest news from the industry Phil Judson, managing director, Pinetree Pet Products Ltd Pastures new for professionals in the pet trade

Taking stock

10

School of thought

15

Healing herbs

16

A growing business

20

Extra care needed

27

Getting to the root of the problem

28

Focus on…dental care

32

Pressure points

36

Animal farm

40

Hours to suit

44

Setting the standard

47

Reptile Business

49

Roundup

50

Taking stock

53

Lounge lizards

54

Voice on the highstreet

58

An innovative and varied range of pet products Michael Bellingham looks at the importance of educating children about pet welfare issues Ray O’ Mahony MVB MRCVS CVH is one of the UK’s leading veterinary herbalists and this month he shares his experience of this alternative type of medicine and how it can be used to treat pets With the market for homeopathic remedies expanding, Roly Boughton explores the reasons for its growth and the range of products available This month Deanna Selby of Dogs Trust looks at how difficult it can be to rehome dogs with special needs Veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, Sarah Endersby, offers advice on preventing and spotting the signs of dental disease in pets With dental disease on the rise, Callum Gildart discovers which products can help maintain healthy teeth and gums Anxiety expert Helen Wingstedt believes that not all stress is bad. Here she explores how pet owners can harness positive stress to improve an animal’s quality of life With more people bringing poultry and pigs into their back yards, we look at the growing trend for urban farming With the Government looking at the possibility of extending flexible working hours beyond parents, senior associate at Fox Solicitors Emma Clark considers the benefits This month, chief executive of OATA Keith Davenport tackles the issue of implementing an industry-wide standard for all pet shops

The latest news from the reptile trade A range of products for reptile enthusiasts Now established as one of the most popular lizards among reptile enthusiasts, John Berry discovers the appeal of the bearded dragon Ray Murphy of the Haslemere Pet Company, Haslemere, Surrey

PET GAZETTE

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newly opened pet store has recently hit the headlines due to the range of animals the owner plans to sell, with the emphasis firmly on exotic pets including raccoons, skunks, hedgehogs and squirrels. The young owner said the aim is to help people realise “there’s an option out there for people who fancy something a bit different.” This has angered the owner of a local wild animal park, who has expressed his concern at “the way the pet shop was promoting the keeping of potentially-dangerous and nondomesticated animals.”

This raises the question as to what constitutes a suitable pet. The proprietor of the pet shop believes that owners can develop just as strong a bond with a skunk, hedgehog or spider as they can with a cat or dog, but there are many who would disagree with this view.

The Captive Animals’ Protection Society says there are more than 1,000 species of exotic animals being kept by private keepers in the UK, outnumbering the range of traditional domesticated species such as cats and dogs.

This makes non-native and non-domesticated animals the fastest growing sector in the UK pet market. Many animal welfare organisations have also expressed concern at the rising trade in exotic species, questioning whether both retailers and prospective owners have the necessary knowledge to take on these animals.

There was a time when the keeping of reptiles was seen as a niche market but they are fast catching up with cats and dogs as one of the most popular pets in the UK. As demand for them has increased, more specialist, reptile suppliers have emerged and greater awareness of the different species has grown. Perhaps that’s where the answer lies – as long as the retailers are equipped with expert knowledge of the animals they sell and the prospective pet owner is made fully aware of the needs of the pet they are taking on, we may now see more unusual species becoming commonplace in the home.

Sam Guiry sam@petgazette.biz

August 2012

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4

Roundup

PET GAZETTE Established 2008

Managing Editor

Louise Hoffman louise@petgazette.biz Editor

Sam Guiry sam@petgazette.biz Editorial Assistant

Callum Gildart callum@petgazette.biz Reporter

Emily Northcott emily@petgazette.biz Deputy Production Editor

Lewis Bowes copy@petgazette.biz Group Advertisement Manager

Kelly Smith kelly@petgazette.biz Advertisement Manager

Julie-Ann Kwok julie@petgazette.biz Senior Sales Executive

Lauren King lauren@petgazette.biz Accounts

Maureen Scrivener accounts@petgazette.biz Customer Services

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

Michael Bellingham, Roly Boughton, Emma Clark, Keith Davenport, Sarah Endersby, Ray O’ Mahony, Deanna Selby, Helen Wingstedt Design

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

ISSN 2046-7303 Pet Gazette is published monthly by:

Mulberry Publications Ltd, Wellington House, Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DA Tel: 01206 767 797 Fax: 01206 767 532

www.petgazette.biz The editor and publishers do not guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers, or accept responsibility for any statement that they express in this publication. The opinion of the contributors may not necessarily be the opinion of the publishers. Articles are considered for publication on the basis that they are the author’s original work. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the permission of the publishers.

August 2012

And the nominees are…

Among the businesses shortlisted for the 2012 Pet Industry Awards are a raw pet food manufacturer, a luxury boarding cattery and a leading authority on veterinary herbal medicine that has been in business for over 60 years.

The Pet Care Trade Association announced the 16 shortlisted companies last month and they include the 3C’s Cattery; Burgess Pet Care; Dorwest Herbs; Furst Class Lounge; Grooming at Tiffany’s; the Just For Pets branches at Acocks Green, Telford, Wolverhampton and Yardley; Moorlands Pet Foods; Natural Instinct; Pet Brands; the Rosegreen Country Cattery; Royvon Training and Boarding School; Snobby Dogs; and the Natural Pet Pantry.

Natural Instinct finds itself back in familiar territory – it was voted Pet Specialist Service of the Year in 2011 with the judges predicting “a big future” for the family-run business that offers a range of dog food based on the principles of the Biologically-Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet.

Since the company scooped the award, it has gone from strength to strength with plans to refresh the product portfolio and packaging this autumn to highlight the company’s continually expanding range. Co-founder Michael McVay said: “While we’ll never lose sight of the fact that it’s what is inside the tub that really counts, we do feel that our significant success over the last three years now warrants a fresh, dynamic and more colourful identity that exhibits and educates with extra aplomb.”

Cattery owner Mark Welsh said: “It’s fantastic news and a great achievement for the team at Rosegreen Country Cattery to have reached the UK finals for boarding establishment of the year 2012. It is great recognition for such a young Fife business and is down to the hard work and professionalism of all our staff and volunteers.”

The Pet Industry Awards are among the largest in the industry and the winner of each category will be announced at an award ceremony and black tie dinner, to be held at the Barceló Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on Sunday 16 September.

Family pet business Fin & Fur turns 40 A third-generation family pet business that specialises in a “natural and holistic” approach to pet and aquatic retailing is celebrating its 40th birthday.

Established in the summer of 1972 by Christina and Dennis Westbrook and now run by their daughter Karen, Fin & Fur of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire prides itself on a ‘big enough to know, small enough to care’ approach to retail that the shop says is “slowly disappearing.”

Fin & Fur partner Daniel Fuller explained: “Customer service, a warm welcome and an ability to recognise a need have ensured an almost folkloric status among the town’s pet owners. In fact, ask a passer-by and mention ‘Pet Shop Karen’ and most people will know who you are talking about!”

High street defies gloom in June Britain’s high streets are “holding steady” despite the financial freeze, according to BDO’s High Street Tracker for June. In its latest report, BDO revealed that mid-tier retailers saw likefor-like sales rise 1.1 per cent year-on-year, despite continuing economic uncertainty and the wettest June ever recorded in the British Isles. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee lifted both the nation’s spirits and spending on non-fashion, with a 4.2 per cent year-on-year rise posted over the long weekend. Don Williams, national head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said that “the high street is holding steady from a sales perspective, and that’s no mean feat given the various headwinds that are faced by retailers and consumers alike.”

PET GAZETTE

Roundup

PetEx postponed until 2013

Three minute interview

The organisers of the planned PetEx 2012 pet trade show have announced that the event has been postponed until 2013.

The decision to put the show, due to be held in September, on hold was made following consultation with previous visitors and prominent companies in the Republic of Ireland’s pet trade.

Lesley Magill, PetEx’s sales director, commented: “We have decided to postpone PetEx mainly due to the economic situation in Ireland. The larger pet store chains are all experiencing an increase in business – however, they are buying directly from China and Asia and creating own brands.

“The two main Irish distributors are not in a position to exhibit with us this year as the smaller independent shops have seen a slowdown in trading and have cut back on stock.

I would be concerned that if we go ahead this year the exhibitors would not have a good show without independent pet shops placing orders.”

New dates will be announced shortly.

New grooming competition at PATS Harrogate A brand new competition – PATS Groomer of the Show – is to be launched at this year’s PATS Harrogate in association with the Animology and English Groomers Group. The pet trade show, which takes place on the 16 and 17 September, will also feature a full schedule of grooming demonstrations by members of Groom Team England.

Phil Judson, managing director, Pinetree Pet Products Ltd

Nominations are sought for veterinary awards

When you were at school, what did you want to be and why?

Vets, scientists and veterinary students who carry out research in aid of dogs have the chance to have their hard work rewarded at the inaugural Kennel Club Charitable Trust Veterinary Awards. Nominations for the awards, underwritten by a gift from the Vernon and Shirley Hill Family Foundation, can be sent until 30 November.

Created to recognise innovative researchers, veterinary scientists and students from around the world who have carried out research that has helped improve the health and wellbeing of dogs, the awards will “identify and encourage visionary thinking, ambition and accomplishments within the field of canine health” with three gongs – the Lifetime Achievement Award, International Prize in Canine Health Award and Student Inspiration Award. The awards come with £10,000, £40,000 and £10,000 prize money, respectively.

Vernon Hill, founder and president of Metro Bank, and Shirley Hill, whose foundation underwrites the Awards (both pictured), said: “We look forward to our gift making a difference and supporting the future leaders in veterinary science.” For further information and to find out how to enter, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/charitabletrust

Describe yourself in three words Honest, ambitious and determined.

A striker for Doncaster Rovers because I loved football. The closest I came was going on strike at Doncaster abattoir!

What was the first music album you bought?

Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA.

What was your first job?

Working at the abattoir (my dad was a butcher).

What is the best advice you have been given?

Give your suppliers the same respect as your customers.

What is the most important thing your job has taught you?

That hard work, determination and a good team behind you should bring success for your business.

How did you get into the pet trade?

By leaving the abattoir to start work for my father-in-law, John Sneyd, who at the time was a partner in Burgess & Sneyd.

Dates for your diary

Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your professional life?

2 – 4 September

17 – 19 September

John has taught me a lot over the years and at 75 he is still there when I need him.

spoga+gafa Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany www.spogagafa.com

Glee The NEC, Birmingham www.gleebirmingham.com

16 – 17 September

27 – 29 September

PATS HIC, Harrogate www.patshow.co.uk

BVA Congress Maritime Museum, Liverpool www.bva.co.uk

PET GAZETTE

What are you hoping to achieve at Pinetree?

To maintain our family values and keep up the quality, consistency and service that we pride ourselves on.

Do you have any pets?

Two labradors, Honey and Millie.

August 2012

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Roundup

British Dog Grooming Championship 2012 judges have been announced The judges have been announced for the 32nd British Dog Grooming Championship in October. Joanne Botwood lgci, Bill Browne-Cole and Corina Verschuren will preside over the event, which will be held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 28 October.

Botwood, who has been grooming for 23 years, is a member of the Master Guild of Groomers who specialises in the American cocker spaniel. She will judge the Handstrip and Clipped Gundogs and Pot Pourri Scissor categories.

Judging the Handstrip and Clipped (other than Gundog) and Purebred Scissor categories is Bill Browne-Cole. The owner of 21-time English champion-producing kennel Travella, Browne-Cole has judged terrier breeds at Crufts on a number of occasions.

Corina Verschuren, an expert in poodles, will judge the Clipped Terriers and Schnauzers and Poodle Scissor categories. A seven-time winner of a ‘Best in Show’ title, Verschuren was nominated for the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for International Groomer of the Year 2009.

Joanna Page becomes PDSA ambassador BBC’s Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page has been revealed as an ambassador for the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

The actress, whose filmography also includes Love Actually and From Hell, decided to help the charity after finding out it needs to raise £6 million to build three new pet hospitals to replace outdated sites in Plymouth, Birmingham and Cardiff over the next three years.

“The charity desperately needs to build new hospitals and – as one of these will be in my home country, and because I am probably one of the biggest animal lovers in the world – I want to do all I can to support the charity’s amazing work.

As part of her ambassadorial work for the charity, Page intends to take a “hands-on approach”, and is planning numerous fundraising events, one of which may be a trek to Peru.

Feeders fly off shelves after TV appearance Cranswick Pet Products’ All Seasons Twist Feeder’s sales were boosted after an appearance on BBC’s Gardeners’ World. The feeder, which allows three different varieties of seeds to be used at the same time, was featured after wildlife expert Kate McRae picked one up at the Gardeners’ World live show. The marketing and category manager for Cranswick Pet Products, Rachael Dickinson, said: “The show was aired on Friday evening and we sold out of the feeders on Saturday morning, resulting in us having to have more delivered to the show.”

August 2012

25 per cent more pets go missing in summer Pets are nearly 25 per cent more likely to go missing in summer than winter, according to new data from Petlog. The lost-and-found pet database has revealed that 20,000 more pets since 2000 were reported missing in summer, and that last year alone over 3,000 more pets went missing in June, July and August than in December, January and February. Petlog has more than 6.2 million pets registered on its database, but estimates that only 58 per cent of dogs are microchipped, with the number thought to be even less for cats, rabbits and other pets.

Small pet ownership comes at a cost Small, furry pets are among the most popular of companions, but their love comes at a price, according to a new survey by the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT).

Although up to 32 per cent of small pet owners say their pets are their greatest companions – above even partners, children and best friends – they also admit that they’ve had to make sacrifices to accommodate the cost of their animals, such as giving up days out, holidays, going to restaurants and buying clothes and luxury food.

Small pet owners are also tightening their belts in the ways they feed and care for their pets, such as switching to a cheaper brand of food (26 per cent of rabbit owners; 23 per cent of guinea pig owners; and 15 per cent of gerbil, chinchilla, hamster and rat owners) and shopping online for pets’ medicines (27, 19 and 18 per cent, respectively).

The NAWT national pet survey was carried out as part of the charity’s 40th anniversary celebrations in order to understand what “motivates, moves and inspires people to live with animals in 21st-century Britain.”

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PET GAZETTE

August 2012

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New appointments

New appointments Pastures new for professionals in the pet sector Copdock Mill Hugh Chennell has joined Copdock Mill as area sales representative for the south of England. Hugh, who lives on the edge of the South Downs and shares his cottage with three dogs and 13 Dutch bantams, has 30 years’ experience working in the pet industry and says he is “looking forward to a new challenge” at Copdock Mill.

Dengie Emily Brown has joined the nutrition team at Dengie Horse Feeds for a one-year work placement after gaining a degree in equine sports therapy from Writtle College in Essex. A keen rider, Emily owns two German warmbloods, Mikki and Pepe, with whom she competes at mediumlevel dressage. Emily is to be mentored by Dengie senior nutritionist Katie Williams, who says she is delighted to welcome her aboard. She said: “Emily has come to us with a good degree and a high level of knowledge and training. I am sure she will learn a great deal during her time with us and will be a great asset to the brand.”

Fish4Dogs Worcestershire-based natural pet food business Fish4Dogs has appointed Tony Molton as international sales manager. Tony, who joins Fish4Dogs from the Company of Animals and has 11 years’ experience in the pet industry, will also be responsible for the company’s British sales team.

Other duties will include managing existing international distributors and being responsible for new business development in target countries. The chief executive of Fish4Dogs, Graham Smith, said: “Export is a significant part of our business at Fish4Dogs, with exports to over 22 countries including China, Russia, Japan and Australia.

Our success in this was recognised in 2011 through the award of International Business of the Year by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. This expansion of our export team will allow us to effectively support the business gained so far, as well as ensure continued growth.”

The KONG Company The KONG Company has announced that Tatiana Suarez Parra has joined the KONG team as business development manager. Tatiana is responsible for increasing KONG’s business in France and developing sales in Switzerland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus and Malta.

Tatiana has previously worked for Dynavet and, latterly, as west Europe sales manager for FURminator. She said she is “very excited to be part of the KONG team” and is confident both sales and brand awareness in these countries will “grow substantially.”

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

August 2012

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Taking stock

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Baggee Baggee says it has had a busy time recently with its funky new dog waste bag dispenser, the Doggee. The company shared a stand at Interzoo with James & Steel and had a “great response” from major distributors, with plans being set for a Europe-wide release. Royal Canin has just done a national promotional give-away of specially-designed Doggees, and the autumn season will see the release of grey Doggees in Marks & Spencers. A new range of Doggees are also being planned for the new year, so Baggee says “watch this space!”

Information: 0208 616 2297 or info@baggee.com

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Northern Pet Trade With foraging becoming the buzzword in the pet bird-keeping world, Northern Pet Trade says it’s no wonder the company has added to its Parrot Piñatas range. Featuring ‘Forage Friends’ for smaller pet birds and ‘Ultimate’ piñatas for larger pets, each can be filled with treats for the bird to find through chewing.

Northern Pet Trade’s Parrot Piñatas have also been loaded with other materials offering different textures to explore.

Information: 0800 018 1890

Information: www.northernpettrade.com

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IAMS IAMS, the premium petfood specialist, has launched a complete new look for its range that focuses more on taste and health credentials on-pack as a key to choosing the right product. The entire range of IAMS SKUs are included in the change, which aims to help drive understanding of why purchasing IAMS is the right choice for satisfying the needs of beloved family pets. The company says: “Using a simplified and more impactful design, the new-look packs are immediately more user-friendly, drawing the shopper’s eye to the key ingredients of the mix and the associated health benefits.”

Information: www.iams.co.uk

August 2012

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Burns Pet Nutrition Burns Pork & Potato and Duck & Brown Rice are hypo-allergenic diets suitable for even the most sensitive of dogs. Both diets contain novel protein sources – a novel ingredient being one a dog is unlikely to have eaten before, meaning the pet is less likely to react to it – in duck or pork. These highly digestible, low-fat diets are ideal for dogs with sensitive skin or digestion and are very economical to feed.

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Riggs Autopack Riggs Autopack’s Model 1000 depositors and filling machines provide highly precise, volumetric depositing of hot or cold liquid, semi-liquid and suspended solid pet food products and accurately fill most container types or sizes. This range is available as a semi-automatic unit for small scale production, or as an automatic conveyor filling system for larger batch runs. With quick changeover times and easy set-up, Riggs Autopack’s filling equipment is robust, reliable, hygienic, easy to clean and simple to use and maintain. The machines are supplied with a full after-sales support package and are available for purchase and short- or long-term hire.

Information: 01282 440 040, info@autopack.co.uk or www.autopack.co.uk

PET GAZETTE

Taking stock

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Hilton Herbs LBM mix is designed to support spayed bitches and male dogs with urinary issues, and to help alleviate the distress caused to dogs when they have accidents in their beds while sleeping. Some breeds are more prone to this problem than others, and Hilary Self Bsc MNIMH, medical herbalist at Hilton Herbs, formulated the LBM mix in response to her own Dobermann bitch’s needs, selecting pure herbal tinctures known to help support and maintain healthy bladder control and tone. The mix does not contain hormones and will not affect the dog’s behaviour and has been sold to dog owners and veterinary practices around the country, all of whom have reported excellent results. LBM is available in sizes from 250 millilitres to 500 millilitres, with the latter lasting a 30 kilogramme dog approximately 40 days at a dosage of 12 millilitres per day.

Information: 01460 270 701, tradesales@hiltonherbs.com or www.hiltonherbs.com

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Bodens Bodens’ Smart Horse Bedding is now available in two alternative formats.

Smart Horse dust-free shavings offer traditional bedding of high quality and are manufactured from kiln-dried softwood, which is highly absorbent, Smart Horse wood-shavings are free from all chemicals and provide a safe, clean and dry environment particularly suitable for animals with allergies or respiratory problems. Smart Horse wood pellets – available in 15 kilogramme bags – are the smart alternative to straw and wood shavings.

Using Smart Horse can substantially reduce mucking-out time by turning it into simply removing solid material and replenishing with dry pellets – thereby reducing ongoing maintenance and proving to be economical in use. All Smart Horse products are manufactured in the UK by the Bodens Group of Companies.

Information: 01942 882 667 or www.bodensgroup.com

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Plevin Plevin is a family-owned company best known for its market-leading Snowflake and Woodpecker animal bedding brands. Plevin supplies a range of sustainable bedding products to supermarket chains, leading pet wholesalers and some of the UK’s largest agricultural outlets. Plevin products, including the Snowflake small animal range of wood shavings, are manufactured using material sourced from responsibly-managed forests and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The company says, “it is dedicated to producing bedding that is safe and natural and creates a healthy and clean environment for pets.”

Information: 0870 750 0805 or mail@plevin.co.uk

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Bestpets Bestpets is proud to announce the latest initiative for its Bestpets local Retail Club customers – the Bestpets collectors’ scheme. The principle of the scheme is simple: customers need to spend in store to receive a cuddly toy. Bestpets will provide you with everything you need to run the scheme successfully, including posters, leaflets, loyalty cards and shelf edge tickets. This is free and exclusive to Bestpets Retail Club customers. A full set of collectors’ toys can also be won from entering the ‘name me’ competition at www.best-pets.co.uk/nameme Information: contact your local Bestpets depot or email info@best-pets.co.uk

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August 2012

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Taking stock

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Skinner’s Skinner’s unique Field & Trial Turkey & Rice is the only dog food to contain joint aid for dogs, enabling owners to provide this high-quality supplement in one complete feed at a daily maintenance level. Completely hypoallergenic – free from wheat, maize, barley, soya and dairy products, and with no artificial additives, flavourings or preservatives – it has been specially formulated to be sensitive on a dog’s digestion. Field & Trial Turkey & Rice has recently won Best New Gundog Product at the Shooting Industry Awards 2012.

Hem and Boo Hem and Boo’s Micro Pig dog toys are the latest fun addition to its range. The company says: “These cute pigs are designed in the UK with great attention to detail and are made from super-soft plush with a rope tail and squeaker.”

They are available in pink, blue or tan.

Information: www.hemandboo.co.uk

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

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Burgess Pet Care Burgess Sensitive has announced it is launching, “the UK’s first hypo-allergenic real meat treats for dogs.” Available from August, the Sensitive Gourmet Treats range includes three gourmet recipes with lamb, game or salmon, all containing 75 per cent real meat. A delicious and affordable option for sensitive dogs, the company says, “all are free from the usual ingredients, which can upset a dog’s stomach.”

Information: 01780 483 311

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Spike’s World Spike’s World’s new Feathers & Beaky Vegetable Holder keeps hens amused and vegetables clean and dry and, because no food is on the run floor, prevents vermin from being attracted. The company says this unique product also provides hours of entertainment, as “it’s so much fun to watch the chickens jumping to get their veg.” The Feathers & Beaky Vegetable Holder is made from robust, high-quality, rust-resistant plastic and stainless steel and is easy to clean and fill. It is available from wholesalers.

Information: 01522 688 300, hello@spikesworld.co.uk or www.spikesworld.co.uk

August 2012

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August 2012

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Comment

School of thought Michael Bellingham, chief

executive of the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, looks at the need for more pet care education in schools and reviews the benefits for pets and children

The Statistics Recently the PFMA conducted a survey among 2,500 adults and 400 teachers to investigate opinions on teaching about pets in schools. Eighty-nine per cent of adults, 78 per cent of primary teachers and 70 per cent of secondary teachers all agreed that it is important to teach responsibility on how to care for pets. More adults thought it was important to teach younger children how to care for pets than it was to teach them about sex education and money management*.

Unfortunately, the research among teachers revealed that caring for pets is not currently taught at 60 per cent of primary and 85 per cent of secondary schools.

The Education Alliance This research supported the development of the Education Alliance, a collaboration of the UK’s key pet welfare charities and organisations: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, the British Veterinary Association, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, Guide Dogs, the National Office of Animal

Health (NOAH), National Pet Month (NPM), the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Pet Health Council (PHC), the Pet Care Trust (PCT), Raystede, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), Wood Green, the Kennel Club, the Mayhew Animal Home and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Our focus The Education Alliance has one focus – to look at ways of ensuring children and young people are educated about caring for animals by way of a two pronged approach.

Firstly, the alliance is working to persuade government that when making changes to the national curriculum, they should consider that knowledge and understanding of an animal’s five welfare needs is essential. Secondly, the Alliance has created www.peteducationresources.co.uk, a unique and free website giving teachers and anyone with a love of pets, access to all of their

educational resources in one place. It provides links to interesting resources that make learning about pets fun for families and teachers. The website’s interactive map also allows users to find pet establishments that they can visit, as well as organisations that will come to schools to do demonstrations.

Summing up Animal welfare and child welfare go handin-hand. It is vital that children understand how to behave responsibly with animals and also appreciate the significance of an animal’s needs. However, we should not forget the huge joy of pet ownership and the benefits interaction can bring to our children. By visiting our website, parents and teachers can help educate.

We think all children should understand the five welfare needs, arising from the Animal Welfare Act (2006). These are: • Environment – the need for a suitable living environment.

• Diet – the need for a suitable diet.

• Behaviour – the need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.

• Companionship – the need for appropriate companionship.

• Health – the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Pets are good for children

Our main objective is to ensure children are educated about animal welfare. However, there is a huge amount of research proving that pets are good for children. A recent study in the UK revealed: • Children with pets are less likely to take time off school .

• Having a pet means children will have more respect for other living things around them.

• It may be sad but loving a pet, watching it grow old and eventually die, helps children prepare for life.

• Stroking a cat or dog can help calm children down.

• If children are ill, owning a pet can mean a speedier recovery.

• If children live with a cat or a dog they’ve got less chance of getting hay fever, asthma and animal allergies.

PET GAZETTE

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 * 81 per cent of UK adults surveyed thought teaching responsibility through learning for pets was important for primary school children in comparison to 71 per cent who thought sex education was important and 76 per cent who thought managing money was important.

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Healing herbs As well as running his own practice in Ireland, Ray O’Mahony MVB MRCVS CVH is one of the UK’s leading veterinary herbalists. Here he discusses his interest in herbal medicine, why he uses it in day-to-day practice and the benefits it can offer pets

August 2012

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ne of the most common questions I get asked as a vet practising herbal medicine is: How did you get into that? This, I feel, is a reflection on how rare it is to find a vet practising in such a way.

There are a handful in the UK and two or three in Ireland and that is about it. As an alternative to conventional medicine, herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, is less widely available than homeopathy or acupuncture and yet it is better understood, being essentially chemical in nature. By this I mean that it is chemicals within the plants that produce their medicinal effects. We refer to these chemicals as phytochemicals – the flavolignans present in milk thistle seeds are an example. These are actually a group of similarly structured compounds and are known to be responsible for much of the activity of milk thistle. Upon digestion they are taken into the liver cells and act as potent antioxidants within these cells. Milk thistle is commonly and mistakenly said to stimulate the liver but in fact it acts as a protector, although by providing antioxidants the detoxifying capacity of the liver may be somewhat improved So to get back to the question posed at the beginning, how did I get into herbal medicine? Within a short time of qualifying I realised that although conventional pharmaceutical drugs were very effective at treating acute conditions, such as infections,

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Homeopathic and herbal remedies

trauma or shock, they were much less effective at controlling chronic inflammatory or chronic degenerative conditions.

Examples of such conditions include allergic skin disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver and kidney disease. We refer to these as ‘chronic’, meaning a condition that manifests for a long time, as opposed to an ‘acute’ condition, which means one that comes on quickly and lasts only a short time. In many of the above we struggle conventionally to find actual causes and our treatments are directed towards the clinical signs, or the outward manifestations of what’s going on inside. Usually these treatments involve corticosteroids and antibiotics, often for extended periods and there are considerable health issues associated with using these drugs in such a way. With this in mind I began to look at non-conventional modalities with the hope of finding one that filled some of the ‘effectiveness gaps’ in my clinical practice. So I was not looking to replace drugs, I just wanted something else that would work more effectively in those chronic cases.

I looked briefly at homeopathy and acupuncture and just did not feel they would fit into my style of practice. I felt I would struggle to incorporate them into my essentially very western approach of medicine. Then about 10 years ago I came across a course on western herbal medicine for vets. I took a four-day introductory course and came away thinking that if herbs could achieve 25 per cent of what I had been told they could, then it would change the way I practised for ever. They did, and it did.

In those intervening 10 years I have noticed an ever-increasing acceptance of herbal medicine among the public. I think this has come about as part of the increasing concern for the environment and green issues and an interest in healthy diets, organic farming and sourcing food from small local producers. The protective nature of antioxidants is now better understood and the increasing concern for the health of the nation in light of the growing obesity epidemic all contribute to the column inches given over to healthy eating advice.

It becomes easier, therefore, for people to understand how herbs might work as part of this healthy lifestyle both for themselves and their pets. This is important because one of the most obvious changes in the pet industry and veterinary medicine is the expectation among the public that their pet be treated with the same high standards of medicine, care and products as any other member of the family. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” as Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, wrote almost 2,500 years ago.

How much and how little has changed!

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As interest grows there will of course be new products introduced to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. A lot of damage has been done to the reputation of herbal medicine over the years by poor quality off-the-shelf products. As herbs act in a chemical nature, unless they are grown, harvested, processed and stored under optimal conditions then most of the important phytochemicals are lost. Talking to retailers I commonly hear that they have tried herbs in the past and that they didn’t work, which is a real shame.

It is unfortunate that based on past experience all herbal products are lumped together and consigned to the bin.

The herbal products industry is totally unregulated, both for people and animals, and as a result finding quality products can be almost impossible. Older licensing requirements were almost nonexistent so choosing a licensed product is of no benefit, and in many cases they consist of formulae 50 plus years old bearing no correlation to our modern understanding of disease. The interest in natural health will continue to increase but it is now a more educated and bargain savvy public who are prepared to do their own research, so retailers need to offer dependable advice their customers trust and come back for. Speaking to retailers it is clear that online shopping is taking an ever-greater toll on small and medium sized businesses and only by assuming a role as a trustworthy and knowledgeable partner in pet health will retailers buck the trend.

Ray O’Mahony MVB MRCVS CVH is one of the UK’s leading veterinary herbalists. Adopting an integrative approach to animal health using herbs and drugs side-by-side, he has a special interest in chronic inflammatory conditions and ageing. He provides consultancy services to the pet food and supplement industries, has developed herbal products for both retail and veterinary use, is a tutor at Integrate CPD and is a founding member and past president of the British Association of Veterinary Herbalists. He may be contacted on vetadvice@phytoforce.ie

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Homeopathic and herbal remedies

A growing business of Dorwest Herbs discovers more about the herbal and homeopathic market and its relevance to today’s pet industry

Roly Boughton

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here is nothing new in the use of herbs and plants to benefit an animal’s health and wellbeing.

People have been using them since time immemorial but what is relatively new is the way that these products are manufactured, packaged and produced for the pet market. It’s not as easy as wandering down to your local hedgerow to pick your own, time has moved on and so have the scientific advances, which have shaped the multi-million pound natural medicines market today.

The last two decades in particular have seen a real surge in companies adding natural ingredients to their products in the hope of satisfying consumer demand. Walk through any local supermarket and you only have to look at the plethora of products that are now sold as having an added benefit due to the inclusion of natural ingredients. This growing trend has filtered through to the pet market, as consumers are increasingly looking to herbal and natural supplements before man-made drugs when treating or helping with a common medical condition in their pets. Companies manufacturing pet foods and treats have also tapped into this market, incorporating ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin or omega oils to enable their offerings to be marketed with added health benefits. However, in most cases, these extra ingredients are in

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insufficient quantities to have a therapeutic impact on an existing medical condition.

Herbal medicines should not to be confused with herbal supplements for a number of important reasons. Firstly, herbal medicines work in the same way as orthodox medicines – they are substances that, when given, cause a change in the body resulting in an improvement of the condition. All plants contain chemical compounds and it is these active compounds that are isolated and then artificially copied to form the base of many modern drugs. In herbal medicine the herb is used in its entirety, thereby giving all the other thousands of chemical compounds, which are thought to have a balancing effect on the body. This, in turn, is thought to be the reason why there are less side effects and adverse reactions from herbal products.

The key point to emphasise with veterinary herbal medicines is that they are proven to be safe, pure and effective and can be identified by an AVM/GSL number on the label, which shows the medicine has been authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

The number following this is the same format as you would see on a prescription only medicine (POM) label, however AVM/GSLs can be sold over the counter in many retail outlets including pet shops and grooming parlours. As well as reassuring the consumer they are safe, pure and effective, they can also mention clinical conditions on the label and

in their promotional material, for example ‘for the relief of arthritis’ or other conditions such as skin conditions, epilepsy or anxiety to name but a few.

A supplement, on the other hand, cannot be promoted to treat a clinical condition as it is not proven to do so. Therefore, selling herbal medicines can be of great benefit to the retailer as it provides reassurance that the product you are supplying is of the utmost quality and is safe and effective – basically it is proven to do what it says on the label. There are only a small number of these licensed herbal medicines in the UK compared to the vast array of veterinary supplements which are now on the market and unlike medicines do not have to conform to any of the strict testing procedures, and so these are not suitable to be used to actually treat a medical condition.

There are many more products on the market which fall under the title ‘veterinary supplement’ or ‘nutraceutical’. The term nutraceutical has become more common over the last decade or so to describe nutritional supplements, herbal supplements and anything which is not a properly licensed medicine. It’s a clever word to conjure up thoughts of both pharmaceutical and nutritional values, associating it with positive connotations. In actual fact these products are simply food products which may provide health benefits, but without being subject to testing or regulation in the way that a licensed medicine will have.

None of these products will have an AVM/ GSL number on the label either and will not display any medicinal wording such as ‘for the relief of arthritis’ but will more usually say something along the lines of ‘to support the joints’ or ‘to maintain mobility’.

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Homeopathic and herbal remedies

Herbal medicines, supplements and homeopathic remedies often raise many questions. We have highlighted several common questions and their answers.

• Can herbals for people be used on dogs and cats?

You should always ensure the product has been specifically formulated for animals as some herbal products produced for humans are not safe for pets and it is always best to err on the side of caution. Also, because of their shorter food transit time, dogs and cats need a higher quality and stronger concentration of the ingredients to ensure that they are sufficiently absorbed in a four or five hour period when in the system.

• Are all herbal products safe?

It is a common fallacy that just because something is herbal, or natural, it is also safe. Some plants are not safe for dogs and cats at all, and very many have not been proven to be safe or effective. Always use a herbal medicine or supplement that has been produced by a reputable company, which has knowledge and expertise in herbal products, monitors safety issues and has products which have a long history of safe use.

• Do herbal remedies have side effects?

The thing that consumers like about herbal products is that they generally have an extremely good safety record with minimal side effects. The majority of licensed veterinary herbal products have no recorded side effects and in those that may occasionally cause a side effect this is an extremely rare occurrence with typically just one recorded minor side effect in every million doses sold. Any animal, or person, can have an unexpected reaction to any medicine or supplement or even a food, but it is this low risk in herbal products that pet owners find so appealing and has helped to increase sales in this sector.

From both the retailer’s and the consumer’s point of view this can be quite confusing, however all the pet owner really wants is a high quality natural product that works. This is why it is important that any dietary supplements or nutraceuticals you retail are sourced from a reputable company that manufactures to the same exacting standards as medicines and does not compromise on quality. A good example of variation in quality is a commonly used herbal supplement called evening primrose oil. This product is very popular in both the human and veterinary market, but there is a huge variance in quality.

With any herbal product, whether a medicine or a supplement, it really is the quality of ingredients used that dictates the outcome for the pet and also the owner, who will return to your shop as a regular customer. It’s also useful to remember that because dogs and cats have a shorter time span to absorb the ingredients in supplements through their gut, using high quality and stronger strength veterinary

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products is of paramount importance, when compared to human strength products, which are usually less concentrated.

Homeopathic remedies are often used in the treatment of dogs and cats to help many common conditions. There are literally hundreds of homeopathic remedies available to the consumer and, in most cases, the more commonly used remedies are seen in pet shops with the more specialised ones usually dispensed by a qualified homeopathic veterinary surgeon after a consultation. Each homeopathic remedy is available in several potencies, which are marked with a number followed by either an X or a C, which differentiates between the scales of dilution when they were made. The more general homeopathic remedies available from many retailers include Arnica or Rhus Tox in pillule or liquid form.

Products in pillule form have many benefits, such as being very easy to administer and ensuring a measured dose is given.

Homeopathic remedies are often confused with herbal medicines when, in actual fact, they are

very different. In layman’s terms herbal medicine uses actual plant matter as its active ingredient whereas with homeopathy the active ingredient is diluted in either alcohol or distilled water and then followed by forceful striking on an elastic body, which is called succession. Each dilution followed by succession increases the remedy’s potency.

The other difference is that homeopathic remedies can be made from a wide range of ingredients, which can derive from animal, plant, mineral and even synthetic substances.

The savvy consumer wants to know what’s natural and why it works, but do we as retailers and suppliers have the knowledge to capitalise on this? Sales in the herbal medicines and supplements market have been steadily growing for several decades.

The increased customer awareness of natural products has caused a huge demand in all aspects of pet welfare from food and treats to medications. This trend has grown from the human market and crossed over in the pet market with a huge impact – just 10 years ago you were less likely to see products containing herbal ingredients.

However, many herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used by pet owners for far longer – in fact they have been popular in a pre-made form for well over 30 years.

As with any products your basic knowledge and the correct seasonal promotions can really reap rewards. Understanding your products has never been easier with many companies now running training schemes for staff, which can be completed by correspondence and some also offer talks and training to staff in-house.

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Homeopathic and herbal remedies

On the shelf

A range of remedies for pets based on herbal and homeopathic principles

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lthough homeopathic remedies are derived from herbs, they are used and administered very differently from herbal remedies. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says: “Many people confuse homeopathic remedies with herbal products, most probably because homeopathic products are often derived from herbs and are called by their botanical name. Further confusion may result from the fact that a single manufacturer may produce both homeopathic and herbal products.” Homeopathy is based on three main principles – like cures like, the minimal dose and the use of a single medicine. Herbal medicine is the use of plant remedies in the treatment of disease with the dose-response pharmacology underpinning these treatments – in other words, the biological response varies in direct relation to the dose or contraction of the product.

Further highlighting the differences between the two forms of alternative medicine, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society explains: “With herbal products, increasing the dose would be expected to increase the therapeutic effect, while homeopathic practitioners believe that the more a homeopathic product is diluted, the greater effect the product is expected to have.”

Heather Giles, sales and marketing manager at Hilton Herbs, says: “Herbalism and homeopathy vary in both their function and application. Herbal medicines are generally given as feed supplements and will support the whole body, with herbs being selected for their individual actions (such as anti-inflammatory or antiseptic). It normally takes several days for herbs to be

fully absorbed by the animal’s system, so herbal products need to be fed daily for a given period for best effect.

Herbal supplements are generally available in the form of dried herbs, herbal (liquid) tinctures, or tablets.”

She compares this to homeopathy where ‘like is treated with like’ and uses Apis Mel as an example – a remedy commonly used for treating acute allergic skin reactions where oedema or soft fluid swellings are involved, which is made from the honey bee – the very insect known to cause rapid swelling under the skin.

The action of homeopathic remedies can be very quick – within hours even – and their use can be punctual or long-term depending on the requirement. The remedies, available in different potencies, come in the form of small sugar-coated tablets and are generally given by mouth, acting on a clean, mucus membrane.

She adds: “Although there is much debate over the so-called lack of scientific proof behind herbalism and particularly homeopathy, it is worth bearing in mind that herbs were the original drugs and that many drugs currently available still use plants as their base, and there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence to prove that these forms of therapy work with animals.” She does caution that no professional homeopath or herbalist would put these complementary therapies forward as a replacement for veterinary treatment but believes there are many cases where these therapies can be very effective, particularly where conventional medication has failed. She says: “Two of the many advantages of complementary therapies, such as herbalism or homeopathy, are that long-term side effects and adverse reactions are rare, providing treatment dosage is respected, and both therapies can generally be used in conjunction with conventional medicines.” 

Homeopathy is a popular form of complementary medicine which was founded on the medical traditions and beliefs of the Greeks and Romans many thousands of years ago. Its real potential was not realised until the late 18th century with the pioneering work of the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Medical treatments of the day seemed to rely on a large amount of good fortune and it appeared that the more pungent and unpleasant a medicine, the more effective it was likely to be. Many of the treatments, such as bloodletting, were harsh and most cures probably occurred as a result of the patient’s own ability to recover rather than as a direct benefit of any treatment.

Hahnemann’s work on one book in particular, Cullen’s Materia Medica, was to become of major significance in the development of homeopathy. Cullen’s book suggested that the benefits of quinine (isolated from Cinchona bark) in treating malaria was because of its action as an astringent. Knowing that other and more powerful astringents had no effect in treating malaria he set about trying to discover how and why quinine worked. Hahnemann took repeated doses of Cinchona bark over the course of several days and noted the effects. Somewhat surprisingly he developed a set of symptoms closely resembling those seen in malaria. However once he stopped taking the

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medicine, the symptoms disappeared rapidly. This experiment he termed a ‘proving’ and he concluded, after repeating the test on other people, that like is capable of curing like. This is the basic principle on which homeopathy is founded.

Over the following years Hahnemann tested a number of other substances on himself and on friends. In each case he carefully noted down the symptoms, both physical and mental, which developed as a result of taking each individual substance over a period of time, which he compiled into his own ‘Materia Medica’. Hahnemann was very aware that some of the remedies he tested were quite toxic and produced side effects, so he set about finding the minimum dose needed for a cure.

To do so he began diluting his medicines, finding that as he did so, they became more effective. This is, of course, in direct contrast to modern drugs, which become less effective when diluted.

Source: Denes Natural Pet Care

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Homeopathic and herbal remedies

Leading manufacturer of herbal products for dogs and cats Dorwest Herbs is raising awareness of skin conditions. With many animals showing symptoms of irritable skin conditions in the warmer months, the company says that now is the ideal time to benefit from sales in the increasing natural medicines sector.

Dorwest’s focus is covering several products including two of its licensed, herbal medicines: Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets and Mixed Vegetable Tablets. Both products are among the company’s top 10 best sellers and provide a safe, effective and long-term solution to combat skin conditions. The herbal ingredients in these tablets contain over 20 anti-inflammatory compounds and 10 painkillers between them, as well as having antibacterial, antiseptic and antihistamine properties. Dorwest is also offering new POS material for its Skin Condition focus.

Information: 01308 897 272 or trade@dorwest.com Natural active ingredients form the basis of AntiLickStrip Prevent from Nurtured Pets, an effective deterrent to stop dogs and cats licking, biting and chewing hotspots, lick granulomas, skin irritations and minor wounds. Cayenne pepper, oregano, lemon powder and peppermint act as both a nose deterrent and a taste deterrent. By stopping a dog, or cat, constantly licking, the irritated area has a chance to heal naturally within the environment, perhaps supported by products used within homeopathy and herbal medicines. The adhesive used on Anti-LickStrip Prevent is of medical grade and is hypo-allergenic.

This means the plaster can be placed above, below, or around the area needing protection – simply trim the hair for best adhesion. Anti-LickStrip Prevent is a pre-cut plaster available in small (four inches), medium (five inches) and large (six inches) with pack sizes of two or six plasters. Anti-LickStrip Prevent is widely available through wholesalers and selected distributors.

Information: 0247 630 2222 or sales@nurturedpets.co.uk Using phytotherapy or herbal medicine as its inspiration, nose2tail is a new range of wet canned foods from Optim Pet Products Limited that is already proving to be a hit with customers and retailers alike since its successful launch at Crufts this year. Ray O’ Mahony, leading herbal vet and founder of Phytoforce Herbal Tonics and advisor on the range says: “Plants and herbs contain large quantities of complex antioxidants that protect the cells of our bodies from damage by the oxygen we use for cell function.” Herbs can be effective in preventing and treating a number of conditions in dogs, as well as helping to improve their general condition and wellbeing. nose2tail recipes are packed full of vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, antioxidants and omega oils as well as K9 Complete Herbal Tonic in the chicken and lamb varieties and Super Skin Herbal Tonic in the salmon variety. The benefits of a fish-based diet for dogs have long been recognised and the combination of omega oils, together with supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin and Phytoforce Herbal Tonics in all the varieties means that the nose2tail brand can support the wellbeing of dogs.

Information: 0800 978 8648

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Cranimals Original from Natural Pet Products is made from certified organic cranberries, which contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) or naturally occurring polyphenolic bioflavonoids known to inhibit the adhesion of Escherichia coli, the bacteria responsible for 80 to 90 per cent of urinary tract infections. Cranimals Original is especially suited for animals with poor kidney function or urinary tract problems. PACs may also support dental health by discouraging the growth of plaque on teeth and gums. The phytochemicals found in cranberries are also anti-carcinogenic, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral and antioxidant. Cranimals Original can be easily added to a pet’s daily diet to boost health and vitality and can help prevent the recurrence of struvite stones and stop tear staining. The Cranimals products are certified organic and the range includes Sport (joints/ muscles), Vibe (detoxification) Very Berry (antioxidants) and Gold (brain/eyes) Information: 01926 311 514 or sales@naturalpetproductsltd.com Apocaps, the nutraceutical supplement designed by Dr Demian Dressler DVM, is now available for dog owners in the UK. Made in the USA from 100 per cent natural, human-grade ingredients, it is described

by Dressler as “the world’s first supplement designed to re-establish natural cell death.” He explains further: “All cells in the body are designed to perform their function, break apart and gently leave the system, making way for new cells. This process is called apoptosis. In some conditions this malfunctions and cells grow rapidly and uncontrollably causing serious health problems.” Apocaps are plant-based apoptogens combined in a patentpending process to get through the body’s digestive system, arriving in the bloodstream in concentration to switch apoptosis back on.

Information: www.dogcancerkit.co.uk or www.apocaps.co.uk

Supplier listing Apocaps: www.apocaps.co.uk.

Denes Natural Pet Care: www.denes.com Dorwest Herbs: www.dorwest.com Healing Animals Foundation: www.healinganimalsfoundation.org Hilton Herbs: www.hiltonherbs.com Natural Dogs: www.naturaldogs.co.uk Natural Pet Products: www.naturalpetproductsltd.com nose2tail: www.nose-2-tail.co.uk Nurtured Pets: www.nurturedpets.co.uk Phytoforce: www.phytoforce.ie PET GAZETTE

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Charity spotlight

Extra care needed In this month’s issue Deana Selby looks at some of the more challenging dogs the charity has to rehome

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ach year Dogs Trust cares for over 16,000 dogs at its nationwide network of 18 rehoming centres. The charity never destroys a healthy dog and endeavours to find loving, lasting homes for every dog in its care. Of the thousands of dogs which the charity takes in every year, some are naturally more difficult to rehome than others due to reasons ranging from breed and age to temperament. Over the years, Dogs Trust has taken in a number of dogs with unusual medical conditions, which can make them a little harder to rehome. But with a little time and understanding, many of these conditions can be managed well and the dogs can go on to live long and happy lives.

A dog’s other senses can make up considerably for a lack of sight and allow it to lead a normal life at home Blind dogs Rose a Labrador/Collie-cross was handed into the West Lothian centre in 2009 with her four siblings as a tiny puppy. Her owners did not feel they had the facilities to care for a blind dog.

Fortunately she was rehomed at eight weeks old to a family with other dogs, cats and rabbits and has adapted very well with patient training and careful re-arranging of the furniture. A dog’s other senses can make up considerably for a lack of sight and allow it to lead a normal life at home.

Epilepsy Megan, a Border Collie, was handed into our Darlington rehoming centre in 2010 despite possessing so many qualities which would make her a wonderful family pet, but week after week Megan found herself overlooked by visitors to the centre because she suffered from epilepsy. Her condition is managed by pills and she needs regular trips to the vet for a check-up but apart from that she can live a happy and normal life. Owners who had experienced canine epilepsy were the ideal choice for Megan and she is now settled with a new family who know exactly how to monitor and manage her condition.

Obesity Patch, a six-year-old Beagle-cross, was brought into Dogs Trust Glasgow weighing a whopping 4.5 stones (28.45 kilogrammes), the average weight of a six-year-old child.

Obesity would put him at a real risk of organ failure, diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis and arthritis, plus the simple physical strain of carrying that much additional weight on his frame was huge. Dogs Trust staff were also very conscious that losing weight too quickly could be detrimental. Fortunately through a controlled diet and regular gentle exercise including hydrotherapy, the rehoming centre staff managed to help him shed almost half his bodyweight to reach his goal of 2.4 stone (15 kilogrammes) and find the loving home which he deserved.

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A missing limb Bowser, a lively two-year-old Lurcher at Dogs Trust Darlington was handed over to the centre to be rehomed when he was around seven months old, as his owners were moving out of the country.

Unfortunately, Bowser had a leg amputated before arriving at the centre. This did not stop Bowser by any means and despite his condition he was probably one of the fastest dogs in the centre! Dogs are amazingly good at adapting to the loss of a limb, usually because the pain and distress caused by the injury is worse than the actual amputation. Once they are over the actual operation (probably a few days), they very quickly learn to walk on the other three legs and once they’re fit enough to run around it’s hard to know there’s a leg missing.

All of the dogs featured have fortunately found the loving homes that they deserve due to Dogs Trust’s efforts to educate potential owners about their conditions and how they can be managed. Some terminal conditions take extra care and devotion from our staff, and although in some very sad cases a dog is too unwell to find a home, our staff ensure that they receive all the love and care we can give to ensure that their short lives in kennels are as happy as possible.

For further information on the charity and its work, check out the Dogs Trust website at www.dogstrust.org.uk

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Dental care

Pet Smile Month

Getting to the root of the problem With over 80 per cent of all cats and dogs over the age of three showing some form of dental disease, the promotion of oral healthcare in pets is essential. Here, Sarah Endersby, veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, offers advice on spotting the signs and steps to prevent gum inflammation and tooth decay

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pet’s dental health is very important. Their teeth are as vulnerable as ours are to disease and at least 70 per cent of adult dogs and cats have dental disease of some kind. They rely on their owners to make sure their teeth and oral health are in good order, as they cannot brush their own teeth or take themselves to the dentist regularly as we do.

Poor dental health can be a source of longterm pain and discomfort. Often owners are unaware of this because most animals do not cry out in pain but tolerate it. Dental disease in older pets can be even more difficult to spot, as early signs can be thought of as the pet getting old. It is only when there is a change or improvement in behaviour that people realise how much pain the pet with dental disease was in. Pain can be exhibited in many ways including a reluctance to play with certain toys, a reluctance to eat (or eating on one side), pawing at the mouth (some cats can have a specific condition – feline orofacial pain syndrome, which can be

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Dental care

difficult to treat and is distressing for cat and owner) or pain on touch of the mouth area.

Halitosis, tartar or calculus build up, pus and bleeding are signs of dental disease in the mouth (or in the case of halitosis before the mouth is opened). Importantly, an infection in the mouth can spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream (or inhaled from their own breath) and cause disease at distant organs such as the kidneys, heart and joints.

Plaque is a mixture of bacteria, saliva components and cell debris that forms a thin film on teeth within hours of being removed. When this forms at the junction between the gum and tooth different bacteria thrive due to less oxygen being present.

Toxins produced by these bacteria cause inflammation of the gums or gingivitis.

Minerals from saliva can combine with the plaque and form hard deposits on the teeth called tartar or calculus. Tartar has a rough surface and is thus an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Gingivitis is reversible but if left will progress to periodontal disease, which is not. There is damage to the structural support of teeth in periodontal disease, which will result eventually in the tooth being lost.

Plaque forms on teeth daily but the build-up of plaque and tartar is preventable with regular dental care at home. Diet can have a big role in influencing the build-up of tartar on teeth. A good quality dry food is statistically less likely to result in tartar build-up than a wet food, as less food sticks to the teeth. Some dry diets are specifically designed to scrub the teeth, as the large kibble is broken up by the teeth, while others contain specific elements and nutrient blends to reduce plaque (the precursor to tartar).

Any change in diet should be performed gradually to allow the gut to cope with the change in nutrients. Some pets have specific diets they need to remain on for medical

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reasons and should not be changed, such as a wet diet for feline cystitis.

Dental chews can be very easy to use in dogs (less so in cats). The physical action of chewing helps to remove plaque and increase saliva production, which contains anti-bacterial agents and also helps rinse the mouth. Any chew used needs to be the correct size for the dog’s mouth (too large and the dog cannot cope with the chew, too small and the benefit of chewing is lost) and not too rich as they are given as a daily supplement to the diet. Care should be taken when offering bones to pets to chew, especially cooked bones, as they can splinter causing damage to the gut or can damage the teeth causing enamel chipping or tooth fracture.

The very best way to care for a pet’s teeth and mouth is by toothbrushing. It is

possible to get adult dogs and cats to accept toothbrushing, but this is easier if started as part of their daily routine while young.

Human toothpastes are not appropriate for pets – they contain fluoride which we can spit out. Pet toothpaste contains flavours that pets love including malt, meat and fish.

If there is any sign of dental disease this should be treated by a vet before starting toothbrushing – we wouldn’t like a painful area of our mouth brushed either.

Once any inflammation has resolved the brushing routine can be started. Taking the process slowly is the best way to achieve success, as well as praise and rewards.

Initially, just getting the pet used to the taste of the toothpaste is helpful – they can lick it from an owner’s hand. Then a finger brush can be employed, so they get used to the circular brushing motion on their teeth, but owners should have good control of what the brush is doing. The circular motion should be concentrated on the area of the tooth next to the gum line, and only the outer surface of the teeth needs to be brushed. Ultimately once this is tolerated owners can progress to using a soft bristled toothbrush using the same circular motion.

The toothbrush should be replaced every two months, and a separate brush should be used for each pet.

Mouthwashes are also available and these contain antibacterial agents and are designed to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth, and hence, inflammation.

Regular check-ups with a vet are essential, as any changes can be readily noted and action taken. The examination of the mouth is part of any routine health check as oral health is so important for the health of the rest of the body.

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Focus on

Focus on…

dental products

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to pets’ dental care, and this month Callum Gildart looks at the range of products to help keep their teeth and gums healthy

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ccording to many veterinarians dental disease can affect up to 80 per cent of pets over the age of three and, just like in humans, poor dental hygiene can have serious consequences. Unlike us, pets can’t just arrange a visit to the dentist whenever their dental issues become too much to bear and, subsequently, they can suffer undiagnosed and untreated for long periods of time.

Pet Smile Month is the largest veterinaryled pet health campaign in the world, dedicated to increasing awareness of dental disease and the harm it does to pets. The brainchild of Bob Partridge, a founding member of the British Veterinary Dental Association, Pet Smile Month aims to remind the public that dental infections don’t just affect animals’ mouths. Tartar and affected areas of the mouth contain bacteria that can move on to other parts of the body such as the kidneys, intestinal tract, joints and heart.

The term ‘prevention is better than cure’ is particularly relevant to dental hygiene with many companies offering a wide variety of products that all attempt to prevent pets ever feeling the pain of infected teeth and gums. PetSafe says: “Dental hygiene is just as important to pets’ overall health and wellbeing as proper nutrition, exercise and grooming. Fortunately, as most pet owners are only too aware, pets love to chew and with the right products this, in combination with tooth brushing and regular check-ups, can be a great way of keeping their teeth in tip-top condition.”

One of the most popular first lines of defence against dental problems in dogs is dental chewing sticks. As effective a treat

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for a pooch as it is helpful, a chewing stick reduces disease by both the physical action of chewing, which helps remove plaque biofilm from teeth, and the increased saliva production that helps to rinse the mouth.

Sticks may well be helpful to dogs, but what of cats? There are plenty of certified, scientific options designed to give felines optimum dental protection.

Introducing a toothbrush to a pet can seem a thankless task but could prove invaluable to its long-term health. Brushes may be met with some resistance at first, so it is worth suggesting a gradual implementation. If an owner wants to use a toothbrush, it really is a case of the sooner the better. Gently rubbing the outside of a pet’s cheeks with the finger to get the pet used to the sensation – with a lot of praise and a treat – can speed up the process of becoming familiar with brushing.

It needs to be a relaxed and enjoyable procedure for both owner and pet, so there’s no harm in adding a touch of tuna juice for a cat, or meat juice for a dog, to make it an easier and more gratifying experience. Special toothpastes have also been developed in pet-appealing flavours – human toothpaste should never be used on a pet. There are plenty of other brush options available and one of the best ways to get started is the finger brush. Like a glove for the finger, the finger brush helps the owner gently scrub their pets’ teeth with minimal intrusion. Finger brushes can also be recommended to help in preparing an animal for a brush.

The following are just some of the products available to help prevent and deal with dental issues in pets.

Burgess Pet Care’s Supacat range is a dental diet aimed specifically at cats. The premium quality dry cat food includes STAYClean, a specially formulated ingredient that helps to reduce plaque and tartar build-up on teeth. The company says: “STAYClean is clinically proven to reduce plaque formation and inhibit bacterial growth and survival. It also improves gum quality through stabilising gum tissue, creating an additional barrier against bacterial infection and gingivitis.”

Supacat foods cater for every stage of a cat’s development with each stage offering different flavours such as Chicken with Duck and Scottish Salmon for adults and Turkey and Cranberry for cats over seven years old.

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The ZiwiPeak range of dog and cat treats from New Zealand is made from the same high quality raw meat and organs as the Cuisine range and contains a minimum of 95 per cent meat. The treats share the same air-dried process as ZiwiPeak cuisine and the finished product looks like jerky or biltong. Dog treats are available in Beef, Venison or Lamb flavours (454 and 85 gram bags) and cat treats are available in Lamb Liver and Venison and Fish. ZiwiPeak also produces a range of oral healthcare chews including the popular Deer Shank Bones and Deer Hoofers. These shank bones are sourced from New Zealand deer raised on grass-fed pastures. “We have taken the shank bone, which is full of nutrients and marrow, and wrapped a beef oesophagus over the top. The bone is then naturally air dried to retain its goodness in a shelf-stable form. They’re long-lasting and dogs go crazy for them,” says the company.

Collarways is the UK distributor of KissAble – a range of natural cleaning and plaquepreventing products that can make caring for canine teeth easy and convenient. The range’s three-way toothbrush allows all three sides of a dog’s teeth to be cleaned in one go and the toothpaste contains natural ingredients that reduce tartar build-up and promote fresh breath. The dental wipes are ideal for dogs that don’t tolerate brushing and the Pro-biotic Anti Plaque Spray helps reduce plaque-causing bacteria.

The Dog & Co dental chew range by Hemmo & Co has been specifically designed to help promote healthy gums and teeth. The raised, varying textures are design features that help to stimulate the dog’s gums while they chew. Each chew is fully-flavoured for continued satisfaction and enjoyment. The nylon range is designed for the ardent chewer and comes in mint, chocolate or vanilla flavours, while the rubber range, ideal for teething puppies and the gentle chewer, comes in vanilla.

KONG has been manufacturing pet toys for 35 years and included in its product output is KONG Dental – two ranges comprising products for puppies and dogs. KONG’s patented Denta Ridges provide gentle abrasive cleaning and conditioning of teeth and gums. Denta Ridges help to reduce plaque, clean teeth, and massage gums, and can also be stuffed with treats.

KONG’s puppy range includes a Teething Stick and the Puppy KONG, which is recommended for teething puppies.

Natural Way Teeth and Gums is a dual purpose treat, developed by Natural Pet Products, that rewards a dog and helps improve the condition of its teeth and gums. The treat comes in biscuit form and provides the natural nutrients necessary to keep a dog’s gums, mouth and teeth healthy. The low-in-fat product contains parsley seed oil and garlic, both sources of natural antioxidants; eucalyptus, renowned for its antibacterial properties; and kelp, enriched with vitamins and minerals. The company says: “Natural Way Teeth and Gums are low-in-fat and baked at a low temperature to retain the goodness of the ingredients and produce a tougher biscuit – good for exercising the teeth and gums.”

Isobel Miller, Pedigree care and treats senior brand manager for Mars Petcare, says that its dental care campaign in June has proven to be the most successful yet with a surge in customer’s responding to the £2.3 million DentaStix advertising campaign, which highlighted the availability of free oral check-ups at registered veterinary practices. The company recognises that gum disease is one of the most common complaints in dogs and has developed a range of products to combat this. It says: “Just one Pedigree DentaStix a day is scientifically proven to help reduce tartar build-up by up to 80 per cent. With 74 per cent of vets recommending DentaStix, all packs will now feature a ‘Recommended by Vets’ flash, taking the importance of oral care message out of the surgery and bringing it to consumers in-store.” The company also offers the Puppy DentaTubos, which aim to create a good oral care routine from an early age. The unique shape and special texture of the DentaTubos is designed to care for puppies’ teeth and gums in a tasty chew format that provides calcium for strong teeth and bones.

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PetSafe offers a range of products specifically designed for gnawing and dental care. The Busy Buddy range includes the Bouncy Bone and Bristle Bone, which provide a stimulating, but fun, challenge for dogs.

Both products contain long-lasting Gnawhide treat rings that result in dogs continuing to chew the toy long after the treats have gone – helping to keep their teeth healthy. Bouncy Bone has been designed to provide an extended chewing experience, with a durable nylon bone and rubber ball.

Bristle Bone’s nylon bristles and rubber nubs make for a unique chewing experience to stop dogs gorging on treats. The products come in a range of sizes and additional Gnawhide treat rings can be purchased separately.

Petzlife offers 100 per cent natural products for dogs and cats including the Petzlife Oral Care spray and gels which work fast and are easy to use. Applied directly to the teeth, they help to remove plaque and tartar, eliminate bad breath and help gum issues. Made from 100 per cent natural essential oils and herbal extracts they are available in easy-to-use spray or gel. The Petzlife Oral Care Wild Salmon Oil Gel is formulated with pure Alaskan wild salmon oil for a better taste, especially for cats and dogs, and is now available in 65 millilitre and 250 millilitre spray sizes and 130 millilitre and 360 millilitre gel sizes.

Many pet shops are now incorporating a natural dog food and treats section in their stores as well as offering toys and bedding which are considered environmentally-friendly. One such natural dog chew is the Stagbar

by Pure Dog. The Stagbar is the original antler dog chew and since its launch in 2010, the company says it has become a must-have. Pure Dog explains: “These popular chews last an incredibly long time. They are full of minerals and are natural teeth cleaners. They don’t splinter, don’t upset sensitive tummies or leave a mess, and have minimal fat level and are suitable for puppies.” The Stagbar is sourced from naturally shed deer antler and has been awarded an Ethical Accreditation for the second year running.

Bern Pet Foods (ZiwiPeak): 01737 767 679 or www.bernpetfoods.co.uk • Burgess Pet Care: 01405 862 241 Collarways: 0845 456 8395 or www.collarways.com • Hemmo & Co: www.hemandboo.co.uk KONG: www.kongcompany.com • Mars Petcare: 01664 411 111 or uk.pedigree.com Natural Pet Products: 01926 311 514, sales@naturalpetproductsltd.com or www.naturalpetproductsltd.com Petsafe: www.petsafe.net • Petzlife: 0208 424 2701 or jay@petzlife.co.uk • Pure Dog: 0845 272 5992 or info@puredog.co.uk

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Pet stress

Pressure points

With her unique approach to animal behaviour, anxiety expert Helen Wingstedt says that not only are pets capable of experiencing stress, but by differentiating between positive and negative stress many training and health issues can be resolved

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tress is a by-product of mental activity and as pets have a mind they naturally generate stress and experience the sideeffects too. Popular culture would have us believe that all stress is bad but that is not the case – understand what stress is, and the purpose it plays, and it can be developed to enhance the quality of life.

It’s not just fish that have tanks Did you know that both humans and animals have stress tanks which store the stress generated? The size of the tank – unchangeable and set during the early years of life – dictates how much stress can be comfortably stored, utilised and handled. Animals bred and raised in the wild have a far bigger stress tank than their domestic cousins as from the moment of birth their minds have to be far more switched on in terms of the mental activity needed to solve the problems associated with survival. Their stress tank is large and therefore, so is the amount of mental activity they thrive on. Although the stress tank of a domesticated animal is nowhere near the size of its wild cousins, an animal with a lifestyle closer to the one it was designed for will switch on more than those that are far removed from it.

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Stress is essential for success Stress is actually responsible for all of the things that are achieved in life. Stress creates discomfort, which drives the mind on to find successful solutions. For example, a dog seeking a reward during training will increase its mental activity in order to succeed, therefore generating more stress. As soon as the reward is received, the process is complete and the stress is released from the tank – the dog gets an energy surge and bounces around happy with the positive outcome.

Likewise, a horse separated from its herd will generate huge amounts of stress as it tries to solve the problem of returning. If the goal is achievable, and the stress short-term, the discomfort will push the horse on to be successful. The discomfort of short-term positive stress is good for animals, as long as it’s associated with a goal that can be achieved. It’s the negative stress of long-term, unachievable goals that has the opposite effect of profound unhappiness, ill health and even depression.

Negative stress makes life a mess Wild animals demonstrate the effects of long-term, negative stress perfectly. Bring a wild animal into a captive or domesticated lifestyle

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and it will seriously struggle to cope with the diminished mental activity. This is an example of negative stress – where a positive outcome can’t be achieved but the mental activity and therefore the stress continues indefinitely.

Negative mental activity internalised over years leads to health problems (particularly with weight, skin, digestion, joints, depression), behavioural issues, training problems and even aggression. Without positive problems to solve on a daily basis an active mind will start to focus on negative questions and problems that can’t be solved. For example: How can I get out of this cage?

Where is my friend? How can I get the plant or food I need to selfmedicate? Where is my normal food? However, an animal won’t be thinking through these questions, it will have an instinctive urge to solve the problem and it will generate stress as a result.

A dog used to constant company will have a problem if left on its own for long periods. The dog can’t solve this problem but will generate a huge amount of stress as it tries to. The discomfort of the energy will lead it instead into negative activity like urinating and destroying property. Not until the owner returns is the problem solved. At this point the stress bubble bursts and a massive amount of energy is released, which fuels the manic bouncing around. The mind shuts down, with sleep being an essential part of the recovery.

Dump it or ditch it fast Negative stress is stress of the past and goes way back to the early years of life – memories may fade but the stress generated by unresolved conflicts, unanswered questions and bad experiences remains. The best way to improve life in the present is to ditch stress from the past and automatically increase the capacity in the tank to more normal levels. In so doing the stress will be dumped, the energy released and a feeling of being lighter or relieved will follow.

Positive stress – the way to impress Constructive, positive stress imposed on a daily basis plays a huge part in building a close bond with a pet. For example, police dogs, sniffer dogs and gun dogs have a very specific job to do which involves extended, focused mental activity. These dogs generate far more stress than a pet which has switched off its mental activity as a result of a comfy, convenient lifestyle imposed upon it. Introducing constructive, positive stress to a pet’s life can have enormous benefits that are almost instantaneous, as demonstrated by dog whisperer Cesar Milan and horse whisperer Monty Roberts.

Animals with too much time on their hands – and few opportunities for positive mental activity – suffer the same kind of experience. A dog, for example, knows it should be physically busy in the outside world establishing territory, tracking and killing prey, finding a mate to reproduce and enjoying social time with others. If these needs are not met the dog will experience negative stress and the results can be seen in ill-health, training issues and behavioural problems to a lesser or greater degree.

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The Pudsey effect Any animal that has no short-term, achievable problems to solve, and no survival tasks to complete, is an unhappy animal, no matter how shiny the coat looks or how many treats it receives.

The more of an animal’s natural lifestyle that can be creatively replicated, the healthier and happier it will be. Simulate the mental stimulation, social interaction and physical exercise that meets an animal’s needs alongside food and what you have is a well-adjusted, switched-on pet. How many owners across the country wished their pet was half as well-behaved and alert as the Britain’s Got Talent winner?

Stress – both negative and positive – is a normal fact of life for any animal, including human beings, and is a sign that you’re trying to be successful. The trick is to reduce the mind’s negative stress and ensure it has plenty of short-term, positive stresses to keep it focused, out of trouble, healthy and happy!

Supplier Listing Ceva: www.ceva.co.uk Dorwest Herbs: www.dorwest.com Denes Natural Pet Care: www.denes.com Hilton Herbs: www.hiltonherbs.com PetSafe: www.petsafe.net Stress therapist Helen Wingstedt has received professional training in psychology, social behaviour, public speaking and body language. She has worked with people from all walks of life including business professionals, journalists, actors and actresses. She is a regularly featured in magazines and newspapers, and has been the subject of radio documentaries and television news features.

She deals with both human and animal anxiety and provides alternative perspectives and practical tools to help clients to resolve problems related to stress. For more information go to www.petstressstop.com

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Backyard pets

Animal farm As more people opt for a back-to-basics way of living by transforming their backyards and gardens into farms, we look at some of the animals that are finding their way into the urban environment

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he pet sector is benefiting from a boom in backyard farming as, with the continuing recession, increasing numbers of people are turning to self-sufficiency in an effort to cut food costs and return to a more rural lifestyle.

Author of Get Your Goat, Brent Zimmerman, says: “It’s all about back to basics: consumers are rejecting consumption and looking for more ways to reconnect with the earth, the community and their food sources.”

Founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust Jane Howorth has seen a dramatic increase in the number of hens she has rehomed since she set up the charity in October 2003. In that year she placed about 400 birds with new owners and by 2009 this figure had risen to 61,957. She says: “With the rising cost of travelling abroad, families are electing to spend money on setting up a new hobby, which can be enjoyed by all the family, and this allows everyone, even those in suburban locations, to enjoy a little slice of the rural idyll.”

This pursuit of ‘the good life’ is welcome news for many retailers with companies extending their product ranges to encompass

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the care of farmyard animals. Sales are booming as both manufacturers and suppliers try to meet the rising demand for housing, specialist feeds and bedding. James GodmanDorington and his wife Claire started their business building bespoke stables and field shelters plus a range of duck and hen houses under the brand name Cock-A-Hoop. Claire explains: “We hit the market when poultrykeeping was just getting popular again, and I would definitely say that demand has been consistent – around 80 per cent of our business is from new hen owners.”

Dorchester-based company Flyte So Fancy recently displayed its range of hen houses at this year’s Hampton Flower Show, scooping a top award in the process. Founded by husband and wife team Anne and Phillip Weymouth the company has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of poultry equipment in the UK. Anne says: “Chicken keeping has really taken wing in the last few years, if you pardon the pun. Hens really are the perfect creditcrunch pets – they don’t cost much to keep, they have great personalities and there’s the extra bonus of tasty fresh eggs.”

As well as the interest in chicken keeping, many people are also opening up their back gardens to other species of poultry including ducks. Founder of the hobby website poultrykeeper.com, Tim Daniels, has owned these birds for many years and says: “Keeping a few domestic ducks in the garden is a growing trend and I can understand why people are drawn to these webbed wonders.

Nine out of 10 people who start keeping ducks started with chickens first.”

He believes there are many preconceptions surrounding ducks, most notably that they are more difficult to look after than chickens and they require a pond or small lake. This is not the case, as not only are they relatively easy to care for, they only spend around

10 per cent of their time in water, so will happily use a plastic container that can be tipped out and refilled.

The Goose Club brings together anyone with an interest in keeping or breeding domestic geese, helping to promote understanding of these birds. It explains how geese were originally domesticated for various purposes including as watchdogs to alert owners to visitors and intruders, as egg producers and for grass cutting – in fact 80 per cent of their diet will come from grass. However, Tim Daniels cautions: “Geese need a lot more space than is available in the average garden. While it is perfectly possible to supplement their diet

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with wheat and poultry layers pellets, unless you are fortunate enough to have a paddock, orchard or similar with about half an acre of grass then it isn’t very fair to keep them.”

In recent years keeping pigs – and in particular micro pigs – has also increased in popularity, with many people discovering just how intelligent and sociable they can be. Supplier of horse feeds Allen and Page has extended its range of products to include those specifically tailored for the smallholder, including natural feeds for hens and waterfowl, goats, sheep and pigs. The company says: “Keeping poultry is often the first step for smallholders but next in line are usually pigs. Like most farmyard animals, pigs need a secure space to roam, shelter from the weather, a nutrionally balanced diet and access to fresh water at all times.”

Animal Health at Defra – the government agency responsible for the health and welfare of agricultural animals in England, Wales and Scotland – has recently expressed concern at the trend for keeping pigs. It cautions potential buyers to remember that

although these animals are being bought as pets, in the eyes of the law they are still regarded as agricultural animals. Under current legislation pig owners must register their pet with Animal Health at Defra, are required to obey regulations governing the movement of pigs and follow strict guidelines as to feeding – for example, giving kitchen scraps to pigs is illegal.

Describing itself as a one-stop shop for pig owners and supplying everything from the pig itself to fencing and arks, the Bidiemiere Pig Company has helped smallholders in both rural and urban environments, including chef Gordon Ramsay. Linda McDonald-Brown, who runs the firm with her husband, has seen a significant rise in the number of customers purchasing both pigs and pig shelters. She explains: “I have delivered substantially more arks to people in urban environments, ranging from the outskirts of cities right into the centre. While some people keep their pigs for pets, the majority do it for food.” She also believes that pigs are just as easy to keep as chickens,

just requiring sturdier fencing. They also need shelter and space – 30 foot by 30 foot being the minimum – along with a trough for water and one for food.

Clearly, there is a growth in urban farming as people pursue more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyles, but the question for retailers is whether to meet current consumer demand or to continue catering for the more common species such as cats, dogs and rabbits. Expert commentator on Country Smallholding, Tim Tyne, offers a note of caution: “I’ve probably seen more cases of poor welfare on smallholdings than I have on big farms and it’s all down to ignorance and lack of experience. Many smallholders stubbornly believe that they are on moral high ground where welfare is concerned because they aren’t farming commercially, but sadly the opposite is true.”

If retailers are to reap the benefits of this latest trend it is worth ensuring that the new breed of urban farmers not only have all necessary products to care for their animals, but also the correct advice and knowledge.

On the shelf From feeding to housing, we look at the range of products to help urban farmers care for their animals Andy Morgan of Copdock Mill says: “Over the last few years poultry keeping has exploded across the generation gap, with the baby boomers rekindling fond memories of a hobby that was necessary post-war and new poultry keepers all contributing to this growth.” He believes the media has played a significant part in the poultry boom, with countless celebrity chefs extolling the benefits of freshly laid eggs and the sheer enjoyment of keeping a few chickens in the back garden. He also adds: “This hobby generates fantastic sales and is another revenue stream that all pet and country stores should seize upon. As well as mixed corn, layers pellets and mash there is a large range of accompanying equipment and accoutrements that could boost sales and bring in new custom to your store.” The company has recently added to its range of poultry products with the Range Layers Pellets with Verm-X, designed to keep hens in tip-top condition. Verm-X is a natural formulation for the control of intestinal hygiene, is free from artificial chemicals and can be fed to hens every day, giving continuous protection.

Information: 01473 730 246 or info@copdockmill.co.uk Leading specialist in exotic pet nutrition Vetark has developed a range of products to help in the treatment, nursing and general support of a wide variety of fancy fowl and poultry. In the past year, the company has seen sales of these products increase, with Avi-Tonic becoming a best-seller along with the probiotic Avipro Plus. AviTonic has proved extremely popular in the rehabilitation of rescued battery hens or exhausted layers, while Avipro Plus is described by the company as “our goldstandard veterinary probiotic combination of bacteria, enzymes, electrolytes and vitamins.” It can be added to drinking water as a nutritional aid and is suitable for many different species. In developing the extensive range of specialist bird care products, the veterinary surgeons at Vetark have seen a boom in backyard poultry over the last two years, plus the addition of more veterinary courses and lectures on this subject to help increase knowledge of the birds’ needs.

Information: 01962 844 316, info@vetark.co.uk or www.vetark.co.uk

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SmartBedz Universal Bedding and Litter is ideal to use with chickens and other fowl.

It is made from specially selected straw that is ground and pelleted, which the company says “gives it its exceptional absorptive capacity and smellprevention characteristics. The liquid in droppings is absorbed so quickly and effectively that the ammonia, which causes the unpleasant litter smell, is prevented from forming.”

SmartBedz also rots down at a rapid rate because of its fine particle size, making it ideal for composting or for use as a soil conditioner, and the pellets are dust-extracted throughout the manufacturing process, which also sterilises the pellets.

SmartBedz founder Mark Stone says: “These pellets are ideal for anyone wishing to make life easier for themselves and their chickens, especially if they are limited for space in the garden or smallholding. The feedback we have had is incredible – people have been amazed at how much time it saves them and how clean it is.”

Information: 01473 356 134 or nigel@smartbedz.co.uk 

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Hilton Herbs offers a range of herbal products manufactured using medicinal-grade herbs and tinctures for animals. Available in liquid or dry supplement form, they can simply be added to the drinking water or food to promote year-round health.

Products include the Daily Hen Health tonic for poultry – a balanced blend of herbal tinctures mixed with Apple Cider and honey, which when added to drinking water can assist in the moult, strengthen shells, support digestion and provide essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains marigold (calendula), which contains high levels of sulphur giving the flower its bright orange/yellow colour and improving egg yolk colour.

Information: 01460 270 701 or tradesales@hiltonherbs.com Norfolk-based pet food company Natures Grub says: “Chicken treats have been our biggest area of growth in the past 12 to 18 months and show no sign of slowing.” The company’s most popular products include chicken pecking balls, which are used to add interest for the birds as they peck at them and move around the coop. The Chicken Pecking Block with Insects is a blend of small and large seeds with the addition of dried mealworms, silkworm and Gammarus shrimp, which provides a high level of natural oils and proteins. The block is the latest addition to the Natures Grub Poultry range and complements the existing products which include: Dried Mealworms; Mixed Corn with Mealworms; Chicken Seed & Insect mix; Coop mix with or without insects; Mixed Dried Insects for Chickens; Dried Maggots for Chickens and the Chicken Pecking Balls. All of Natures Grub Chicken range has been tested and endorsed by the British Hen Welfare Trust.

Information: 01485 517 177 or sales@naturesgrub.co.uk Spike’s World has added some new products to its Feathers & Beaky range to help retailers benefit from this growing category. The eye-catching Vegetable Holder is ideal for keeping vegetables clean and dry and for deterring rodents. The Easy Grow Wheatgrass has undergone extensive development, with many varieties of British wheat being tested and tried by Spike’s World’s very own chickens (rescued ex-battery hens). The wheat chosen has a high germination rate and is highly nutritious. As the company explains, “as well as healthier chickens, an increase in egg production may be seen.” These new products are available alongside the Feathers & Beaky Chicken Gym, which recently won a prestigious Retailers Choice award beating stiff competition to be chosen by pet shops from around the UK as the best new product in the bird category.

Information: 01522 688 300 or hello@spikesworld.co.uk

Interhatch says: “By stocking products from Agrivite and its related group businesses, retailers can now offer poultry enthusiasts a complete range of scientifically-designed products.” It helps combat nutritional deficiencies, which are significant contributory factors in mite infestations, worm burden, reduced immune response, respiratory infections, coccidiosis and behavioural vices such as feather-pecking and egg-eating. Following the success of its original Chicken Lickin range, Agrivite has developed a new group of liquid herbal supplements specially formulated to improve health and vitality of the flock. Herb ‘n’ Thrive is a concentrated blend of herbal oils with natural anti-coccidial properties and is an ideal tonic for birds showing signs of ill health or parasite burden. Calm ‘n’ Thrive supports the immune system and reduces stress in poultry, while Breathe ‘n’ Thrive is an effective combination of liquid plant extracts, useful when birds display symptoms of respiratory or digestion problems. All three products have been tested commercially and are suitable for both large and small flocks, from backyard to commercial.

The company says: “You will find suitably packaged products in your size range ready for the shelf,” and the products (pictured here) are supplied in both 250 millitre and one litre quantities with easy-touse, pump-action applicators.

Information: 01246 264 624 or www.agrivite.com The Hutch Company says: “A wide selection, exceptional value and great customer service are some of the defining features that keep our range of products in the spotlight.

New design features, generous dimensions and upgraded premium 13 millimetre T&G construction make our chicken coops and pet housing one of the best value ranges on the UK market.” The featured Canterbury Coop with its raised housing for under dust bath siting, easy access doors and ramp is this season’s hot favourite. Delivery is available from the company’s Kent-based factory throughout the UK. Information: 01227 470 470 Your customers can keep their animals healthy with the Verm-X smallholder range, which includes pellets and liquids for cows, horses, poultry, sheep, pigs, ducks, game and caged birds, rabbits, llamas and alpacas. Made from a 100 per cent herbal formulation it provides vitamins, minerals and trace elements that contribute to overall health and wellbeing, in addition to natural control of intestinal hygiene.

Verm-X is recognised for Environmental Best Practice by the government-supported Green Apple Awards; has Ethical Accreditation from the ECO; and, as the company adds, “is the only approved product of its type approved for organic systems.”

Information: 0870 850 2313

Supplier listing HG Gladwell & Sons: www.copdockmill.co.uk Hilton Herbs: www.hiltonherbs.com The Hutch Company: www.hutchcompany.co.uk Interhatch: www.interhatch.com Natures Grub: shop.naturesgrub.co.uk RJ Leigh Pet Products: www.chicken-coops-direct.co.uk Smartbedz: www.smartbedz.co.uk Spike’s World: www.spikesworld.co.uk Vetark: www.vetark.co.uk Verm-X: www.verm-x.com August 2012

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Employment

Hours to suit Senior associate at Fox Solicitors, Emma Clark, asks whether flexible working is the way of the future

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n a recent speech to the Demos Think-tank1, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that the Government wanted to examine the option of extending flexible working beyond mums and dads. He talked about extending flexible leave to grandparents or close family friends in order to make it “much more common – a cultural norm.”

The law currently restricts the right to request flexible working to parents with children under 17 (or 18, if the child is disabled) or to carers. Sometimes such a request can stall or, at worst, end careers. It is often sensible for working parents to mention at interview stage that they want to work flexibly, whether it is working four days a week, asking for a job share partner or leaving on a certain number of days to collect children from school. Refusing these requests can result in an unnecessary loss of talent.

An employer is fully entitled to refuse such a request on the basis of a ‘genuine business ground’ such as the negative effect on customer demand, quality or performance, or due to the effect on existing staff.

As we have read many times before, flexible working can instil immense loyalty in workers and improve staff morale. This is often seen by management as a ‘nice’ employee relations exercise and something that firmly falls within the remit of human resources. Yet, true change should come from management. There are many positive business advantages of flexible or remote working and the real-life examples detailed below illustrate the benefits. Now is the time to consider extending the option of flexible working beyond the current legal remit.

Remote working does not mean working from a kitchen table surrounded by noisy children and builders. It means working anywhere that is not the firm’s physical premises assisted by the use of Skype, Facetime and video conferencing to discuss matters with colleagues and clients. Employers often argue that they cannot be certain their employees are working hard. There is an element of trust in every employment relationship. Unproductive people will find ways to procrastinate irrespective of whether they are remote working or gossiping with colleagues in the office. These issues should be managed through appropriate HR procedures.

Remote working provides an employer with access to new markets. If your employee wants to spend a couple of hours after school with their child to assist them with their homework or coach a sports team every Wednesday afternoon or pursue a passion for music by giving regular piano recitals, then why not let them take the afternoon off work and reach your American online cutomers or stockists for four hours that evening? This will invariably deliver a better and extended service for clients in our age of amazing technological advancement.

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Employment

Remote working can also have an enormous benefit in reducing sick days.

According to a study of 24,000 IBM staff worldwide, employees who worked flexibly were able to work an additional 19 hours a week before they experienced the same levels of stress as those who did not work flexibly.2 Reducing current levels of sickness is key for any employer and the positive effects of flexible and remote working could therefore result in a win-win situation.

Employers are being encouraged by the Department for Transport3 to manage the impact of an extra one million passengers using our busy transport systems throughout the Olympics. Staggering hours and working from home are obvious solutions to enable your clients to be serviced when they need immediate assistance rather than making your clients wait for staff to travel an extra hour to reach the workplace.

The Government has re-commenced the fight to prevent Europe from making our

employees work less than 48 hours per week.

Trade unions and employer organisations (collectively called ‘the social partners’) are trying to reach an agreement on ‘working time’ issues by September 2012.

Currently, the UK’s Working Time Regulations 1998, which implement the European Working Time Directive (the ‘Regulations’) set out permitted exceptions to the prohibition on working more than 48 hours per week. Many employers rely on the commonly used exception that senior executives and senior employees work ‘autonomously’ and as a result they can work as many hours as they want. This exception is used throughout the EU, especially in France and Italy. It is likely that this exemption will be retained but many employment practitioners often query whether some of their clients’ senior employees really do work autonomously.

The main debate in Europe relating to the regulations is whether or not Europe will still allow the UK to ask its middle management and junior staff to sign a document, often attached to an

employment contract, in which they agree to ‘opt out’ of the 48-hour working week.

Although it is often hard to exceed the 48-hour working week (as it applies over a rolling 17-week reference period), the fundamental aim of the restriction is to protect workers from the health and safety consequences of overworking.

Even if a worker has agreed to opt out, he/ she cannot be required to work excessively long hours if this would create a risk to his/her own health and safety. Employers are under a duty to protect their workers’ health and safety and while many working time policies seek to place the onus on the employee – stating that they should not put their own health and safety at risk – it is for the employer to monitor and manage this issue. Under the Regulations, if an employee agrees to opt out of the 48-hour working week, the law currently states that the employer need only retain updated records of the names of those employees.

Rather than rely on this stringent 48-hour working week, or lose sleep over the health and safety liabilities that might arise if these hours are exceeded, employers could start to focus less on potential loopholes and consider offering employees the right to work flexibly and remotely.

A strategic business decision that is led by members of management who want to move out of the Victorian era and embrace the benefits of ever-changing technology could change the workforce of the future.

Employees should be judged by the results they achieve and not by presenteeism.

Emma Clark is a senior associate at Fox Solicitors, a niche firm specialising in the law relating to employment, partnership and discrimination. She advises employers, employees, partners and firms on their full range of employment and partnership law concerns. For further details call 0207 618 2400, email eclark@foxlawyers.com or go to www.foxlawyers.com 1 http://www.demos.co.uk/; and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12204079 2 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7803246/Home-working-allows-employees-to-clock-up-an-extra-couple-of-days-of-work-a-week.html 3 http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20110803

Image: Joseph Hoban

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Comment

Setting the standard

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ad news makes good press. This applies as much to our industry as to any other. Press and media coverage always focuses on the worst examples in an industry and it is a cruel fact of life that pet shops are also reported and characterised in this way.

OATA’s position has always been that the minimum standard for a pet shop is ‘good’. In brief this means that the animals are well cared for, the staff are well trained and knowledgeable and customers are given the right information to ensure that if advice is followed, the pets sold are well cared for throughout a long and healthy life. Individual businesses may trade up from that standard depending on their clientele and their business model, but never below that standard. We are concerned that there must be a level playing field on the standards applied to pet shops rather than a postcode lottery, whether this is with regard to pet welfare, inspection regimes or charges.

There must be a level playing field on the standards applied to pet shops rather than a postcode lottery, whether this is with regard to pet welfare, inspection regimes or charges So are there any bad pet shops out there? Unfortunately, the answer is yes and those that exist damage the reputation of the whole industry. That said, the answer should be an emphatic “no” as local authorities have had the power to issue licenses (and withhold them) since the introduction of the Pet Animal Act in 1951. The outcome has been that there is one law on the mainland but over 300 interpretations of what that law means. As the law is applied locally, it also means the issue is prioritised in terms of importance and resources in 300 different ways.

For the past 20 years, OATA has been working with local authorities to create a level playing field by: • providing input into nationally agreed Pet Shop licensing guidelines, which include OATA’s Water Quality criteria. Though Guidelines are voluntary in nature, many local authorities use OATA’s Water Quality Criteria as the basis for licensing outlets.

• making available the OATA code of conduct and explanatory material on water quality criteria for use by licensing officers so they have no reason to say they do not understand the guidelines.

In spite of this, there are a whole range of standards used and fees charged for pet shop licensing across the country. OATA is seeking ways to overcome the disparities that exist. As part of this we have played a major role in gathering information from local authorities about how they conduct licensing. If the body of evidence grows that the current system is not working in some areas, then it may soon be time to ask ministers to bring in a new system that will be able to overcome the problems we currently see. This should be risk-based and pragmatic, and officers undertaking licensing should be well versed in animal husbandry. However, for the time being licensing rests with local authorities. OATA offers assistance and advice both

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Chief executive Keith Davenport explains how his organisation’s work with local authorities is helping to raise standards and support OATA members to local authorities and members both routinely and as the need arises.

A recent example of OATA lending its support was when a long-serving OATA retail member faced its annual Pet Shop Licence inspection earlier this year. Unlike previous inspections, on this occasion, it was stipulated that a detailed register of customers who purchased livestock be kept, which logistically could prove difficult to maintain and verify. Seeking guidance and clarification and to ensure that there would be no delay in obtaining a renewed licence, the store manager approached OATA. With our member’s interests of primary importance, OATA was able to clearly undermine the rationale behind this decision, resulting in the removal of the additional condition.

Another slightly separate issue is ‘enterprises’ that trade in pets illegally. These businesses can be literally ‘Fred in the shed’ or an electronic version of this. OATA will always bring them to the attention of local authorities if we know about them. Unfortunately, there will also continue to be retailers who are branded as poor or negligent through no fault of their own, with customers all too quick to make a complaint when all that is required is a simple explanation.

Take the upside-down catfish (Synodontisnigriventris) for example – to an amateur, this fish may appear to be ill, when it is simply exhibiting a normal behaviour pattern of swimming upside down, or the Clown loach (Chromobotiamacracanthus) that has a peculiar habit of lying on its side or upside down when sleeping. Moreover, algae in tanks can be misconstrued as an unhealthy environment for livestock, negating the fact that it may be a purposeful display designed for fish species that specifically eat algae.

Our Customer Charter, which is presented to members when they sign the code of conduct and displayed within store, outlines what customers can expect from their visit, most notably animal welfare, store cleanliness and customer service. Although we encourage all complaints and issues to be addressed within the retail establishment, if an issue cannot be resolved, OATA also offers customers a conciliation service or, failing that, a member of the public can get in contact with the licensing section of their local authority.

About OATA OATA was established in 1991 and currently represents over 700 members from across the ornamental aquatic industry, from importers and wholesalers to suppliers and retailers. Its core mission is to protect and promote the ornamental aquatic industry and to ensure its longevity through pro-active and continuous lobbying and marketing activity at local, national and international levels. If you would like to find out more about its membership scheme, please visit www.ornamentalfish.org or call 0870 043 4013.

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REPT I L E Business

Open house Customers invited to Peregrine Livefoods

Lounge lizards An insight into the bearded dragon PET GAZETTE

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Roundup

Watchdog upholds complaints on antireptile campaign The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the advertisement by the Lush cosmetics company that claimed the reptile trade was driving the species to extinction.

In August 2010, Lush joined forces with the Animal Protection Agency (APA) to launch its ‘I’m a chameleon, get me out of here’ campaign, which was designed to raise awareness of animal welfare issues. As part of this promotion, several claims were made – including statements like “most wildcaught reptiles die within their first year of captivity”; “the capture and transportation process is crude and brutal”; and “those animals that die en-route are simply factored in by the dealer as expected losses.” There was also a further claim that the import of six million reptiles from the EU and 200,000 from other parts of the world was threatening the species with extinction.

In total the ASA received 14 complaints, relating to eight different points in the ad, and upheld six of the complaints on the grounds of lack of truthfulness. Lush was also deemed to have breached advertising rules.

Commenting on the decision, Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trade Association, said: “This is a strong indictment from a public body with an objective outlook, and a lesson for high street retailers to check their facts and talk with us before signing up to so-called animal rights campaigns.

“It’s also a strong lesson for us all in the pet trade to be confident in taking a prompt stance against anyone who misrepresents data for their own ends. In this instance, the Advertising Standards Authority was able to adjudicate as the campaign was used as a hook to sell cosmetic products.”

2012 Reptile Expo set to attract large crowds Following on from the success of last year’s Reptile Expo, the Federation of British Herpetologists (FBH) is planning the return of the show for 2012.

The joint society event – held in association with the British Reptile and Amphibian Society, the Essex Reptile and Amphibian Club, the Thames and Chiltern Herpetological Group, the Portsmouth Reptile and Amphibian Society and the Eastern Herpetological Society – will be staged on the 14 August at Kempton Park in Surrey.

Last year’s event brought in over 3,000 visitors and 2012 looks to be even bigger – with over 200 tables of exhibitors on two floors showcasing a wide selection of their surplus animals and reptile products. The Expo is open to the public from 10.30am to 4.30pm, but members of FBH affiliated clubs and societies will be admitted from 10am.

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Japanese pet shop condemned by animal charities A Japanese pet shop has been criticised by animal charities for caging and selling endangered and exotic animals.

Marketing itself as “the inner city zoo”, Nature Orientated Animal House (NOAH) charges visitors the equivalent of a £4 entry fee just to look around the shop, which is located in a single room on the second floor of an office building. Penguins, alligators, meerkats, monkeys, foxes and cranes are some of the animals housed in cages and available to buy from the shop.

NOAH has been open since 1999 and has, according to its website, recently taken stock of marmosets, fennecs and squirrels.

The chief executive of International Animal Rescue, Alan Knight, said: “We would urge people to stay away from this pet shop and others like it.

“Exotic animals should live in the wild as nature intended; not in captivity as a source of entertainment and prestige.

Breeding and selling wild animals as exotic pets is cruel and irresponsible.”

New website for Arcadia Lighting specialist Arcadia Reptile has recently launched its new website, which it hopes will “take reptile keeping to the next level.”

Packed with product information, a comprehensive lighting database, links to educational and forum websites and stunning images and videos, the company hopes www.arcadia-reptile.com will be the “finest reptile-keeping site available.”

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Roundup

Peregrine opens its doors to customers Specialist wholesaler Peregrine Livefoods recently hosted a customer open day at its showroom in Essex.

The company welcomed over 200 customers who were able to meet the Peregrine team, see how the company operates and browse through one of the largest ranges of reptile products in the UK. Displays about the company’s insect-rearing facilities proved a real eye opener to those who discovered what it takes to produce 550,000,000 insects.

Its showroom was converted to a shop for the day to show off new products as well as displays from all of the major brands. ZooMed and Lucky Reptile had sent representatives from their European operations who were on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their new products. Visitors were also able to see displays from REPTA, the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association, and Frances Baines’ lighting collection proved the centre of attention – Frances will also be leading training days at Peregrine later this year to help educate retailers and consumers about UV lighting and the needs of reptiles.

Dave Perry, one of Peregrine’s directors, was auctioned in the name of charity and Steve Fowler, managing director of the Pampurred Pets chain, bid £501 to get his services for the day, with the money supporting reptile-related projects at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The event was rounded off by a gala dinner to help celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary.

Reptile show goes ahead despite controversy The mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, has spoken out about his attempts to put a stop to the reptile show at the Doncaster Dome.

The International Herpetological Society went to the High Court to force bosses at the Doncaster Council-owned venue to allow its show to go ahead.

Permission was granted on the understanding that no animals would be sold at the event.

Mayor of Doncaster Peter Davies, having been accused of giving in to pressure from animal rights campaigners, said: “I’m not greatly entertained by these sorts of animals being kept as pets. They should be wild, and if they’re not wild they should be kept in reputable zoos.

“No one leans on me and I am quite capable of making decisions based on common sense. This was one based on animal welfare.”

The show went ahead, with vets in attendance, and attracted more than 2,500 visitors.

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Taking stock

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Natures Grub Norfolk-based company Natures Grub has recently added to its growing natural range with Snapper Diet, a new complete diet for large turtles, terrapins and snapping turtles available in 110 and 250 gram sizes.

Snapper Diet consists of Snapper Snax (a complete, large natural food pellet) giant mealworms, grasshoppers and dried fish.

Snapper Snax, which contains over 60 per cent natural insects and crustaceans, is also available separately. Other new ranges include Top Insect frozen free-flow insects, available in mealworm, buffalo worm, pinkies, locusts, crickets and waxworms varieties, plus live mealworms and waxworms and frozen rodents and chicks.

Information: 01485 517 177, sales@naturesgrub.co.uk or www.naturesgrub.co.uk

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Peregrine Livefoods Peregrine Livefoods has entered the reptile market with an exclusive new range of reptilebased gifts ideal for all reptile enthusiasts, young and old. The Blue Bug collection has been timed to coincide with the beginning of the school holidays, with many lines being pocket-money-priced for additional impulse sales following visits to view the animals in store. Featuring key rings, jewellery, fridge magnets and soft toys, the range is available with immediate effect.

Information: 0800 919 631 or sales@peregrine-livefoods.co.uk

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Monkfield Nutrition Monkfield Nutrition has introduced a new and convenient way to buy frozen rodents packed in smaller amounts. Each pack comes with 10 to 20 mice or rats (dependent on size) and is heat sealed and re-sealable to keep the frozen food fresh. Mice and rats are also available individually bagged and bar coded.

Information: 01223 208 261 or www.monkfieldnutrition.co.uk

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Simons Rodents In addition to Simons Rodents’ ever-growing range of rodents, birds, reptiles, arachnids, frozen and live foods, the company has become one of the first to announce the introduction of a wide range of beetles and larvae, which it says make excellent low-maintenance pets. Simons Rodents also stocks substrates and jelly food for the insects.

The company says: “From flower beetles to giant Hercules and rhinoceros beetles, there’s something for everyone’s taste!”

Vetark Vetark’s Bug Grub and Grub Grub have been replaced by a single product, Nutrogrub, developed after two years’ work on feeding feeder insects. The comapny Information: 01767 651 872 or sales@simonsrodents.co.uk says: “Nutrogrub is highly palatable for mealworms REPWEB or hoppers and can Calcium is an essential compound needed for sustained health increase their calcium in reptiles and amphibians. Without using a supplement levels by a factor of seven deficiencies can occur, especially at times of growth and to 10 times.” Nutrogrub, reproduction, which can lead to poor bone structure and like Calci-Dust, contains density and even death. REPWEB’s new pure calcium is natural the same super-fine, superand ultrafine for ease of ingestion, and is phosphorus-free. absorbable calcium source Used regularly when feeding, REPWEB’s Calcium Supplement used in Nutrobal, which is will help keep pets in peak condition and reduce the risk of packed in a 300 gram tub. skeletal deficiencies. REPWEB’s Calcium Supplement is very Trade enquiries are competitively priced and at 100 grammes is an ideal size for the always welcome. average reptile and amphibian keeper.

Information: 01962 844 316

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or www.vetark.co.uk

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Information: 01753 685 696 or info@waterlife.co.uk

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Bearded dragon

Adam Singleton/Monkfield Nutrition

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Lounge lizards

Known for its ability to flare out the skin in its throat region, the bearded dragon is in fact a friendly and quiet creature as John R Berry of BerryZoo Distribution explains.

It is these characteristics that have made it popular with a wide of reptile enthusiasts August 2012 

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Bearded dragons

Adam Singleton/Monkfield Nutrition

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earded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are one of the most commonly kept pet lizards. Their popularity stems in no small way from their gentle and docile disposition and the fact they are very tolerant of being handled. Unlike many lizards, they are diurnal – active during the day time so they are awake when their owners are around. Another big plus factor is that they are relatively easy to care for. If kept in optimal conditions they will thrive and can live to around seven to 10 years of age.

However like all reptiles, if conditions are not correct they will be susceptible to sickness.

Bearded dragons are sun-loving agamid lizards that originate from Australia. Those available in the pet trade today are all captivebred and have been for many years. Australia restricts the export of its native wildlife, so there is zero chance of ever finding a wildcaught bearded dragon in captivity. In a way they really are a domesticated lizard and have been likened to the dogs of the lizard world as they are friendly and seem to enjoy human companionship.

Adult bearded dragons grow to an average length of between 16 and 22 inches, although some larger adults can grow a bit longer. An adult should be housed in a vivarium at least 48 inches long or bigger. Although they are a ground-living, terrestrial species, bearded dragons do like to climb, if given the chance.

For this reason a few, well-anchored, sturdy branches are a useful cage addition.

Beyond the correct caging, in order to give captive bearded dragons the best quality of life, a few simple rules need to be followed.

These can be summarized as: correct heat; correct light; and the right kind of nutrition (water, food and supplements). If your customer gets this right, they will have a healthy lizard, so let’s look at each of these in more detail:

105°F (40°C) and 110°F (43°C) and slightly less for adults. The cooler side of the cage should be around 85°F (29°C). At night the temperature can drop to around 65°F (18°C). The best way to give heat is by a ceramic heater or a reptile basking light linked to a thermostat. An under-tank heat mat, again controlled by a thermostat, can add additional heat if the vivarium is too large to be heated by the main basking lamp or ceramic heater. Any type of hot or heat rock should be totally avoided as these can cause burns and injuries to reptiles.

inches of the UV tube. For adults this can be increased to around eight to 12 inches.

There are several specialist exotic pet and reptile light manufacturers who make lights that can give the correct levels of UV, such as Arcadia. After about eight to 12 months, most bulbs need to be replaced, as they will have lost their ability to produce the required levels of UV. Your customer can check this with a handheld UVB meter. As an alternative to using a UV tube, a mercury vapour lamp can provide UV, heat and light all in one. 

Lighting The correct lighting is a must for this type of lizard. In their natural Australian habitat, wild bearded dragons are exposed to high levels of natural, direct sunlight. In captivity it’s vital to reproduce the same sunlight conditions they are exposed to in their native surroundings. In order to do so, there are two aspects that need to be addressed; these are brightness and ultra-violet (UV) levels.

UV is essential to the wellbeing of most lizards as without it they cannot produce vitamin D3, which is required for them to absorb much-needed calcium. Thus 12 to 14 hours of bright daytime light should be given by a UV tube placed over the length of the enclosure, (the lights should be switched off at night so the dragons can sleep). Advise your customer to ensure the UV tube is placed inside the cage or behind a mesh or wire screen and not outside the glass as this will deflect the UV rays. In order to absorb the required amount of UV, juvenile bearded dragons should be able to get within six

Arcadia

Heating A thermal gradient with a basking area and a cool side of the enclosure needs to be provided. In the basking area, the daytime temperature for juveniles should be between

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Bearded dragons

John Berry Reptiles

Dragonmorphs.co.uk

Supplier listing Monkfield Nutrition: www.monkfieldnutrition.co.uk Natures Grub: shop.naturesgrub.co.uk Peregrine Livefoods: www.peregrine-livefoods.co.uk Simons Rodents: www.simonsrodents.co.uk John Berry Reptiles: www.johnberryreptiles.com Vetark: www.vetark.co.uk Nutrition While they are found mostly in semi arid regions, all bearded dragons require access to fresh water. Apart from water, their nutritional needs are provided by a combination of fresh food, insects and supplements. Being omnivores, juvenile dragons will readily eat small crickets or locusts (as many as they will eat in 10 minutes); plus leafy greens (finely chopped watercress, sprouts, any type of squash, green beans, apple or grated carrots and their tops). Owners should avoid feeding lettuce and cucumber as they have little to no nutritional value.

In addition to chopped vegetables, adult dragons will readily consume locusts, large crickets, cockroaches, waxworms and silk worms, but advise your customer not to overdo these last two as they are high in fat. All of these are commercially available.

Mealworms should be avoided due to their hard exoskeletons and if any prey insects are not consumed, they should be removed from the cage.

In addition to their daily feeding, it is important to ensure they get the vitamins and calcium they require. All prey items should be dusted with a fine calcium supplement that contains vitamin D3 (like Rep-Cal ultra-fine calcium with added vitamin D3). Additionally, once a week a high quality vitamin powder, like Rep-Cal’s Herptivite, should be dusted onto all feeder insects. Once these needs are met, bearded dragons make fascinating pets.

August 2012

Adam Singleton/Monkfield Nutrition

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Voice on the highstreet

Voice on the highstreet of the Haslemere Pet Company, Haslemere, Surrey

Ray Murphy

How did you get into the business?

When Claire and I met in Dublin we were both very actively involved in animal welfare, but properly-paid positions were almost nonexistent in Ireland. We had the idea of running a welfare-oriented pet shop in the UK and spent six months searching for the right shop. We missed out on a couple during that time before Haslemere dropped into our lap, but it’s a fantastic place to live, so no regrets!

You have an in-store canine nutritionist, Claire Goyer. What are the most common concerns Claire is approached with?

Dog food – like human food – is a minefield for those lacking a basic handle on what’s involved.

Customers have many misconceptions when it comes to pet food, so mainly it’s about talking them through the differences between good and bad foods and the ingredients contained within each. There are also cases where a dog has a specific diagnosis and where nutrition is an important aspect of management and treatment, just like with many human conditions, so finding and tailoring a diet, with follow-ups, to create the best possible outcome for a dog is her speciality. Frequently there will also be no veterinary diagnosis to work with – they are probably the most complex cases that she deals with.

You’ve twice won awards for being the ‘UK’s most dog-friendly shop’. How did that come about and what was it that made Haslemere stand out?

Our own dogs are always in the shop, which creates a doggy-friendly atmosphere, and customers’ dogs can often be seen dragging their owners across the street to the pet shop. We like dogs and like most pet shops, we tend to know the dog’s name rather than the owner’s name! Plus, our fantastic customers took the time and effort to vote for us (twice!) when we mentioned we were applying for the Kennel Club competition, so it’s all down to them.

Do you specialise in any particular areas of pet retail?

Our staff are very experienced and can give a high level of service across the board. If a customer needs really detailed assistance, we direct them to the staff member with the most knowledge, so we have our canine, aquatic, reptile and other experts. We spend a lot of time correcting bad advice that people have received elsewhere and once they realise we are right, we tend to have loyal new customers.

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What do you enjoy most about the job?

I get real satisfaction from making a difference in the welfare of pets.

Having been involved in animal welfare for years before owning a pet shop, I can honestly say that via the shop we can help more animals in a month than I could have in a year of traditional animal welfare work.

What’s the most challenging thing about being an independent pet retailer?

People increasingly price-checking online, although they are happy to take up your time while doing their research before thanking you and telling you they’ll get what they’re looking for online. You have to grit your teeth and hope they’ll at least remember your knowledge and service and come back again, preferably to buy!

How has having an online presence benefitted Haslemere?

We are not yet doing ecommerce, but having a good quality, personalised website gives people living further afield confidence in making the effort to come and visit us. We get regular visits from people travelling from as far away as 40 miles because they like what we do.

Are customers’ buying habits changing?

In small animal products, we have noticed a steep increase in the number of people buying hutches and cages online or using neighbours’ old ones. We get fewer of the ‘whole package’ sales these days. Luckily we are in a still-affluent area, so have not seen many customers trading down on dog and cat foods – however, lengthy roadworks in town at the moment are having an effect on trade for all businesses in Haslemere, so we will need to start Christmas trading earlier than usual to try to win back what we have lost through that.

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

You have to hope that people come to appreciate the shortcomings of relying on the internet and that building a good relationship with people like us is more valuable for their pet than saving a few pounds here and there. My fear is that I will be proven wrong!

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