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PET’S DELIGHT VALENTINES EDITION 2019 EDITORIAL Farah Al-Khojai Emma Kay-Flowers Lisha D'souza
Farah Al-Khojai
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DESIGN Pee Jay Cunanan
ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Increase your customer base by reaching over 10,000 pet owners with the Pet’s Delight magazine. For more information please email emma@petsdelight.com.
ARTICLE & PHOTO SUBMISSIONS If you would like to submit articles or photos, please email submissions to emma@petsdelight.com. Please include the following statement with signature: I grant Pet’s Delight magazine permission to reproduce my photos and content.
CONTACT US Pet’s Delight Magazine P.O. Box 29893, Dubai, UAE T: 800-DELIGHT (3354448) E: info@petsdelight.com W: www.petsdelight.com PetsDelight
PLEASE NOTE Despite the care and attention we devote to the information contained within our magazine, Pet’s Delight cannot guarantee the completeness and accuracy of the content, nor that it is up to date at all times. Pet’s Delight accepts no liability for any direct or indirect damage of any kind that arises from, or is in any way related to, the use of the magazine. PET’S DELIGHT MAGAZINE.
All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or in part without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
A
EDITION
re you feeling the love this Feb? I don’t know about you, but I feel it every time I set eyes on my wonderful pooch Danny. Love at first sight it was and still is! Nothing can beat the unconditional love of a pet, and let’s face it they can be a lot less agro than a humane valentine ;-) More on that on page 5. We have some pawsome products on page 4 for you to give some of that love back to your pet this Valentine's Day. There is something fishy unfolding here at Pet's Delight HQ. We are excited to be launching Fish4Dogs and Fish4Cats. Pages 16-17 explains why this is a great option for your pet. This might just be the most palatable food out there yet... Have you been hearing a lot about raw feeding lately? Yes, so have we. Have you also been concerned by the dangers it poses to humans and especially families with young children? Yes, so have we! We talk about the advantages and disadvantages of raw feeding on pages 10-11. For those of you taken by the nutritional positives of what raw feeding has to offer, but are concerned about the health dangers or expense, we have explained some other healthy options. VR and AR for pets? No, I’m not talking about the next PlayStation for pets but rather how these phenomenons are impacting and changing the veterinary world and what that will eventual mean for our beloved pets. Please turn to pages 20-21 for more from Chris at Umm Suqeim Veterinary Clinic. As you know, we are always meeting people we consider 'Unsung Heroes' in the UAE that work tirelessly to help with animal welfare. Go to pages 14-15 to read about how two twin sisters are making a difference to the strays in Sharjah. Finally. Yes. Not only do we take loving your pets seriously, but loving our environment too. We have taken our Pet's Delight Goes Green Initiative one step further and now offer you our very own ‘Bags for Life’. Pick yours up online or at one of our shops and help us reduce the amount of single use plastic!
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SHARE THE LOVE WITH YOUR PETS Between all the paper hearts, flower bouquets, and chocolate boxes, we shouldn’t forget about our fur babies that love us unconditionally. This Valentine’s Day, share the love with your fur babies with these pawsome gift ideas: Scruffs Snuggle Dog Blanket The soft plush lining in the Scruffs Snuggle blanket works as a perfect gift for those cosy days. It will make sure your little fur ball remains comfortable all the time.
Pamper your fluff ball with this Love and Family Ceramic Bowl. The colour and design of the bowl will definitely add to the Valentine’s Day occasion. Size: 14cm Volume: 400ml
Price: AED 105.00
Price: AED 52.50
Kong Pawzzles Bone + Pooch & Mutt Feel Good Dog Treats The perfect duo to reward your pup. The Kong Pawzzles boneshaped toy can be stuffed with healthy treats for your pup like the Pooch & Mutt Feel Good healthy treats.
Price: AED 52.50 + 21.00
Scruffs AristoCat Tramps Lounger
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Flamingo Love and Family Bowl
Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Paw-Gel for Cats Salmon De-stress your kitties with the Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Paw-Gel. Combined with essential oils and salmon flavour it helps calm and relax cats.
Price: AED 57.75
Thrive Cat Treats Tuna
Purrrfect for snuggles and curl-ups! The Scruffs Aristo Cat Tramps Lounger will definitely make each nap time a more memorable one. Colours: Black, Pink, Plum, Tan
Treat your kitties with some healthy goodness. Thrive freeze-dried tuna treats, made with 100% Atlantic-Tuna will definitely leave your cat asking for more.
Price: AED 115.50
Price: AED 33.50
14 REASONS WHY PETS ARE BETTER THAN PARTNERS 1
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Their mum won't judge you.
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Plus your mum won't judge them either, everyone loves pets!
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With them, you will never have to argue about who gets the TV remote.
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They always want cuddles.
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They are (usually) not picky eaters, so won't complain about your cooking.
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It's socially acceptable to have more than one of them.
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They can't lie.
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They will never hold grudges.
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The later you get home, the more excited they are to see you.
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You don't have to worry about buying them expensive gifts.
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You will get attention from them without a fuss or having to work for it.
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You can train them to behave.
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They don’t care if you just rolled out of bed or are dressed up for a night out, they'll still think you're fab.
They don’t hog the bathroom (or leave their towels on the floor), so you can live in freedom and harmony.
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THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO FEEDING YOUR NEW PUPPY Bringing a new puppy into your family is a really exciting time. Life with a puppy is rewarding and will be a brilliant experience for your family. It’s important to remember, though, that having a puppy is a lot of responsibility. Preparing for your new pup It goes without saying that it’s vital that you source the right nutrition for your pet. Like any baby, puppies demand a lot from their food to help them develop. Particularly during a puppy’s first two years, nutrition will determine not just wellness, but behaviour too. The food they consume must be nutrient-dense and have a good balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Water is essential for your new pup too, and their bodies are made up of over 80% water. It’s important to know that not all dog food is created equal. Don’t fall into buying adult food, or food without proper nutrition, simply because it’s cheaper.
The difference between adult and puppy food Unlike a fully-grown adult dog, your puppy is still developing. Their bones, muscles, and organs are going through significant changes that require special nutrition. Their jaw and stomach are also much more sensitive when compared to an adult dog. Poor nutrition can have serious consequences. A malnourished puppy will suffer from underlying health issues that you may not notice until it’s too late. The symptoms of malnutrition are below: • • • •
Serious weight loss Inconsistent bowel movements, diarrhea, and excess gas Change in your puppy's breath A dull and brittle coat
Following feeding guidelines In an ideal world you will start feeding your 06
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puppy when he’s finished nursing from his mother. Weaning should happen after the first six to eight weeks of your puppy’s life. This is a good time to introduce your puppy to quality pet food. The below are feeding guidelines that you should bear in mind: 1. Amount of food, and how often you feed • First 3 months Start with semi-solid foods if you got your pup after he or she has been weaned. Feeding frequency during this development stage should be four times a day. But this will be determined by your puppy’s breed. If your puppy is on the free-feed method, be careful around wet or moist food. If left out too long, it could dry out or grow bacteria. • Months 4 to 6 Your puppy should be losing his roly-poly
pudginess around this period. At this point, most breeds can transition from four feedings a day to three. Puppies on a free-feed method should transition to a regulated feeding schedule to avoid overfeeding. • Months 6 to 12 After month 6, your puppy can be put on a twice-daily feeding. Your puppy’s breed will also influence whether or not they can transition from puppy food to adult dog food during this period. Smaller breeds will be ready for adult dog food at this point, while large breeds will need to be kept on puppy food as they will still be growing. Closely monitor your puppy’s body condition to prevent your puppy from becoming obese due to overfeeding.
Try to pick a food brand that mimics a dog’s natural biological diet. This means your puppy food should be rich in meats and proteins as well as formulated with the essential vitamins and minerals your puppy needs to grow. For puppies with special dietary needs, there are specific dog foods available such as sensitive digestion dog food to ensure optimal nutrition. Always aim to buy premium puppy food as its ingredient profile has higher nutritional density. • Months 12 to 18 At this point, your puppy has more or less reached full adulthood. Feeding frequency shouldn’t change during this development period. The only difference that should be considered is your puppy’s energy level.
your house where he can’t be bothered by activity. Distractions may contribute to your puppy losing his appetite. This can, of course, result in your puppy not getting the essential nutrients he needs to grow. What about treats, you ask?
Your puppy’s energy levels should dictate its portion sizes, particularly if your puppy has developed a penchant for being a couch potato. This will help reduce your puppy’s risk of obesity.
While there is nothing wrong with giving your puppy treats, it should be done sparingly. As your puppy is still growing, it should be getting most of his nutrients and calories from his diet rather than dog treats. Treats should amount to no more than 5% of its diet.
2. Other feeding tips to consider With your puppy’s nutritional requirements covered, let’s move on to other important feeding tips. When your puppy transitions between developmental stages, don’t abruptly change his diet. Changing from semi-solid food to solid food abruptly can add stress to your puppy’s feeding experience and upset his digestive system. When introducing new food to your puppy’s diet, do so gradually, preferably over a few days. This is also applicable to changes in commercial pet food brands. Mix the old with the new to ensure your puppy gets used to the new food. Food should be served at room temperature to ensure vitamins, nutrients, and minerals are optimally absorbed. Likewise, fresh water should always be readily available in a clean bowl. Your puppy should be fed in an area of
3. Choosing the right puppy food When it comes to commercial pet food brands, pet owners are spoiled for choice. Whether it’s wet or dry puppy food, when choosing a commercial pet food brand, look for one that is grain-free, wheat-free, and preservative-free.
4. Foods to avoid Feeding your puppy a raw diet can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses in your household. While dogs are immune to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, two types of bacteria present in raw meat, humans are not. Eating raw meat can make your puppy a carrier of these disease-causing bacteria, which can be easily transferred to other dogs or humans it comes in contact with. It’s also tricky to make sure you have all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your puppy needs, such as calcium and Vitamin D, when feeding a raw diet. So bear this in mind. Other common foods your puppy should avoid include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Chocolate High-fat foods (bacon, ham, meat trimmings, etc.) Salty foods (French fries, popcorn, etc.) Garlic Onions Dairy products Sugary treats Avocados Grapes and raisins Nuts Foods sweetened with xylitol
If your puppy has ingested any of the food in the list above, immediately consult your veterinarian.
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COMING SOON
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PET’S DELIGHT GOES GREENER
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id you know 1 million plastic bags are used every minute? Plus, standard plastic bags remain toxic even after they’ve broken down, and can take up to 1,000 years to degrade?
Opt out of receiving a plastic bag with your online delivery
When we found out it struck a cord with our team. As humans, it’s within our power to make changes that will make our planet a better place (or at least not do any further damage to climate change) but our pets don’t get a choice.
A lot of our customers shop with us online. So a few months ago we changed our website so that you can choose whether or not you want your pet food and accessories delivered in a plastic bag. Our plastic bags are biodegradable, but if you don’t need one, it’s best that you opt out so that we can give it to someone else who does, and stop printing so many in the long run.
Let’s make this world a better place not just for humans, but for our pets, too.
Poop happens, pick it up! The clean up initiative by Pet’s Delight
Here are some of the ways you can go greener with us.
Purchase a Pet’s Delight Bag for Life The launch of our Pet’s Delight Bag for Life is a big step in reducing the amount of plastic waste we produce. Sturdy enough to hold at least 2 of our 2kg bags of food, as many tins as you can probably carry, and enough dog treats to feed your pup for about a year, it was important to us that these bags not only had longevity, but are able to carry the weight you need. For our shop customers we hope this is a welcome change. And for our online customers, although you might not be popping to our shops and necessarily need a bag for life for shopping for your pets food and accessories, we hope that you use them in other areas of your life.
There are limited public spaces in the UAE where your can walk your dogs. Unfortunately, this will only reduce if we don’t clean up properly when our pups poop. Not only is dog waste being left unsightly, but it poses a risk to human health, can pollute waterways, and poison grass and lawns. For those who do pick it up, using the wrong kind of poop bag can harm the environment. To help encourage our customers to do their bit, and as eco-friendly as possible, we’re giving out free poop bags throughout the months of February and March. Simply purchase dog items online within this timeframe and you’ll receive some free eco-friendly, strong, and degradable Beco poop bags. *Whilst stocks last. Online only.
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ALTERNATIVES TO FEEDING YOUR PET A RAW FOOD DIET
There are two main types of raw diets, commercial and home-prepared. Commercial raw diets, which can be either fresh or frozen, are typically in a meat patty form. Home-prepared raw diets usually consist of raw meat and bones, with veggies, fruits, supplements, and grains added.
Advantages of raw feeding include: • • • • • •
Shinier coat Healthier skin Cleaner teeth High energy levels Smaller stools The ability, if done correctly, to meet your pet’s specific needs e.g. if your dog is allergic to beef you can avoid it altogether.
Disadvantages of raw feeding One of the biggest concerns with raw feeding is the associated safety risks. A growing number of researchers are doing studies to find out more:
F
eeding your dog or cat a raw food diet is a choice an increasing amount of pet parents are making. Here we talk about why, some of the advantages and disadvantages of raw feeding, and some alternatives.
Feeding cats and dogs raw meat and bones and avoiding additives is being hailed by some pet owners as being a more natural diet for their pets. As a result, in recent years researchers have been looking into the real benefits and risks associated with raw feeding, with mixed reviews. The overwhelming amount of conflicting information can make it difficult to figure out what you should really be feeding your fur baby. 10
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1. A recent study in the Netherlands published in journal Veterinary Record, analysed 35 commercial frozen foods from eight popular brands, and found that E. coli was present in eight of them, Listeria species were found in 15, and Salmonella species were discovered in seven. Although the likes of Salmonella won’t harm your pet, if transmitted (through contact with contaminated household surfaces, or by eating cross-contaminated human food) it can pose a risk to humans. The researchers concluded that proper instructions should be included by companies selling these raw food diets to minimise the risk. 2. Public Health England (PHE) found that raw pet food diets risk posing threats to human health, including fatal illness following an investigation into certain deaths.
Premium dry food is a good option for your pet if you're looking for a high quality, healthy food without the expense or time required to feed a raw diet. The higher the meat inclusions, the better is it for your pet. Here are our top picks:
Ziwipeak – Straight from the fields in New Zealand, and with the biggest meat inclusions of any other pet food of over 96% fresh meat, organs, bone, and seafood, and with no grain you can’t get much better in a dry food for your pet. Most of the dry food has a single animal protein source, making it a popular choice for pets with allergies.
Aside from the risks to humans, other pathogens found in raw foods sush as Neospora caninum, Nanophyetus, Trichinella spiralis – pathogens can make your dog sick, too.
Orijen – Made lovingly in Canadian kitchens, ORIJEN is a grain free favourite of ours. Following the Biologically Appropriate philosophy, this food is protein-rich (75-80% meat inclusions), carb-limited, and grain-free. Meaning it’s a good choice for the majority of cats and dogs.
Other disadvantages include: • • • • •
If not prepared correctly an unbalanced diet that might damage your pets health if fed for a long period of time. Having to handle raw meat on a daily basis is something some pet parents would prefer to avoid. Raw vegetables are often poorly digested by dogs. Finding the time to prepare raw meals for your pets can be quite tricky for busy pet owners. It’s usually very expensive to feed a raw diet.
Experienced vet Dr Leigh Davidson suggests the following for those practicing raw feeding safely: • •
•
Choose human-grade meat as some pet meat and bone products will have preservatives that can be bad for your pet. Practice impeccable food hygiene, as the risk of both you and your pet getting a food-borne bacterial infection like salmonella is high. Have a veterinary nutritionist formulate the diet for you, as a lot of raw diets aren’t balanced appropriately for life stages or medical conditions.
So what are some good alternatives to raw feeding? There’s an abundance of alternatives to raw feeding, some of which are better than others. Remember, all pets are different. Therefore, something that might suit your friend’s dog or cat won’t necessarily suit yours.
Fish4Dogs & Fish4Cats - Fish4Dogs and Fish4Cats is premium pet food made from fish, rich in Omega 3 providing a hypoallergenic, healthy, and nutritious balance for your pet. Visit page 16-17 for more information about this brand.
Acana – Owned by the same company as ORIJEN, Champion, Acana follows the same principles but with slightly less meat inclusions of 40-65%, still with no grains. ACANA foods, like ORIJEN, mimic the natural eating habits of your pet with highprotein and low-carbs. However, the lesser meat inclusions is reflected in the more affordable price.
Applaws – UK-made brand, Applaws, focusses on creating pet food that is 100% natural. Following the grain-free philosophy its dry food is Complete and a palatable option for your furbaby.
Vitalin – A UK-made, super premium dog food at an affordable price, Vitalin proves that grain free and healthy doesn’t need to be expensive with a number of grain free options in its range. This Complete pet food has been carefully formulated to be nutritionally balanced yet delicious. And you may not know that the Queen of England used to feed her dogs Vitalin!
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SOME OF OUR HAPPY GROOMING CUSTOMERS
To book a grooming appointment visit our website or call 04 566 7143. Address : Shop 10, First Avenue Mall, Motor City, Dubai, UAE
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OUR UNSUNG HEROES: 4 DESERVING PAWS Amy and her sister Taz have been rescuing strays for over a decade. Their passion for caring for animals in need lead them to set up 4 Deserving Paws, where they rescue and re-home pets. How many pets do you own/foster? Technically, there should be a quick answer to this question; however, our family has grown due to the various chronic cases we have picked up over the 10+ years we have been rescuing, and unfortunately these chronic/special needs cases have been very hard to re-home successfully. In any case, we have 6 cats which are our family cats, our 30 other cats are in transition (between homes), 14 tortoise, and a few birds (all of these were either abandoned pets or they were given to us by families who have had to leave the UAE suddenly).
What were your main reasons for helping to solve the stray issues in the region? It all started when we adopted our first rescue in 2008. T-rex was only 8 weeks old, and was suffering from a serious upper respiratory infection. Our vet had cautioned us that he might not survive being so young. He is a spoiled, 11 years old now, and we see him in every stray we come across. When we see a hungry, injured or abused animal, the first thing we think of is what if this was our T-rex? After that we cant help but do our best to make sure no stray (we come across) is left hungry, or hurt.
What would your top tips be for someone looking to foster pets? Our advice for anyone thinking of fostering pets is simple, make sure you are aware of what type of pet you are getting ready to
foster. For example, kittens and younger animals get fostered easily but it is such animals which need the most amount of attention/ interaction, so if you are someone who leads a busy life but you still would like to "help" then may be you could foster an older cat who spends most of the day being lazy. If you are part of a larger family (living in the same house), you need to make sure everyone is onboard with the idea of a pet being around.
How can people help who might not have the space to foster or adopt another pet? For those who have no space to home an animal (short term or long term), our advice is: Donate your time: by volunteering at shelters/ or with rescue groups such as K9 friends. Such organizations need assistance of volunteers to walk their dogs or to help give attention to their animals who would otherwise have very little human interaction. Donate food: we can not say this enough, because something as simple as donating food to animal welfare groups regularly can be a huge help. It doesn't need to be a large amount, just whatever you can afford to give.
What are the biggest challenges you face? A few of our challenges this far have been: 1. Unfortunately, our immediate family are not aware of our animal welfare work, which makes it extremely difficult for us to do what we have been doing. 2. Our parents are retired (above 70 years of age) and with Amy being on dialysis (since 2002), we find it hard to make our salaries last the entire month. This has unfortunately resulted in a humongous AED 30,000+ vet bill. 3. Finding foster or forever homes has also been a huge challenge, this has forced us to start looking for homes abroad (through our Instagram page @4deservingpaws). However, this also has caused more strain on our already strained budget.
How can the UAE help solve the stray cat issue in the region? Of course solving the issues of strays will need to include a strong TNR programme, but more importantly people need to be educated of the advantages of neutering their own animals and the strays living in their areas. If each community/area took it upon themselves to "care' for their strays, over a period of a few years they could easily limit the population of strays from increasing and eventually reduce that population. The bottom line with this issue is, people need to understand that to a certain extent we (humans) will have to coexist with these strays. It can be done, places like Istanbul is proof of that. One can try and have all the strays in an area removed but within no time the vacuum created will be filled-up with more strays.
Donate extra/unwanted items: Some shelters and animal welfare organizations are in need of blankets, used ACs or pet beds and toys for new rescues. Donate money: for TNR efforts being carried out by welfare groups or to medical emergency case for stray animals (you would have to know the group closely to be ware of their cases of-course).
4 Deserving Paws would like to say a special thanks to the Dogs in Dubai social media group admins for their continued support promoting their rescues, and Europets Clinic, Sharjah, for giving their rescues a chance at life with their quality care. Finally, 4 Deserving Paws would also like to thank Pawsome Pets UAE founder Kirsty Kavanagh, who provides discounts for rescues, transportation for pets, and much more.
Travel buddies: many animal welfare groups are now managing to find homes for their rescues abroad; however, their rescues spend many months waiting for a flight buddy to be willing to take them to their forever homes. Spread the word: if you hear of an animal looking for a home, let as many people as you can know of this. People underestimate the power of "spreading the word" and sharing posts.
You can contact Amy and Taz on @4deservingpaws on Instagram.
FISH4DOGS
is back in the United Arab Emirates
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ogs and cats in the United Arab Emirates are wagging and purring with excitement as the well-known premium pet food brand, Fish4Dogs (and Fish4Cats) returns with its exciting range of fish-based food and treats.
their pets as it was for themselves, and that Fish could be extremely beneficial in a healthy diet
Fish4Dogs company formed 12 years ago just at the time when dog owners were starting to realise that nutrition and balance in food and treats was just as important for
Passionate animal lovers, Fish4Dogs have taken the beautiful fish that is not going to be used in the human food chain and used it as their protein source in all their dog food, cat food and treats and are selfprofessed ‘champions of fish as the perfect protein for dogs and cats’.
Fish is rich in Omega 3
Omega 3 aids joint mobility
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Omega 3 is great for skin and coat condition
Fish is tasty
From a product point of view, the answer is simple – Fish. Fish4Dogs have built an award-winning brand using fish as the protein in their food and treats. In fact, they go as far as stating that they believe fish is the ‘perfect protein’ and they are unique in that they only offer fish in all its delicious variety in their range, which is also formulated to be wheat free, extremely low in allegiants and free of artificial additives and preservatives.
Fish is easy to digest
Fish4Dogs and Fish4Cats is a wheat free recipe
The reviews Fish4Dogs receive speak for themselves with over 90% of people leaving a 5-star reviews; for example: Excellent dog food, my Labradors look amazing.
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The food product is fantastic and would recommend it to others.
Available in Salmon, Ocean White Fish and Sardine and Puppy varieties. A choice of bag and kibble sizes. Finest complete canned food offers owners the choice of feeding a delicious, fish-based moist food to their dogs. Grain free and satisfying, this high-quality canned food comes in two delicious yet simple recipes, Mackerel and Potato and Herring and Potato.
Fish4Dogs Original Finest dog food range is a beautifully balanced, complete range of dry food that offers owners and their pets a range of tasty fish varieties and simple, nutritious ingredients that’s grain free and packed with natural, healthy omega 3. Formulated with potato, sweet potato and pea - these carbohydrates are less likely to cause intolerance but still help a dog feel satisfied. 16
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Fish4Dogs Mousse is also an enticing complimentary topper that owners often use to tempt fussy dogs or just as an added treat for use with food or on its own. Made from 91% fish the mousse comes in two flavours, Trout and Salmon.
With pet health and obesity, a key topic, health-conscious dog owners will also love the Fish4Dogs Sea Jerky range. Made from dried white fish, teeth-friendly treats are low in calorie - ranging from 3 calories to 11 (average) and have a rough texture that is great for helping remove tartar from teeth.
" "
excellent product, my dog loves these and they really do keep his teeth clean.
The Fish4Cats range is specifically formulated for cats and offers dry kibbles and complimentary mousses and wet food.
My dogs love sea jerky, I can’t get them out of the bag quickly enough and I like the fact that they are all natural.
Finest dry cat is available in 3 flavours, Salmon, Sardine and Mackerel. The kibble is of a small, appealing size for cats and the recipes are formulated with up to 65% fish with the higher fat content that cats need.
A more recent addition to the Fish4Dogs range are the two fish wrap products, Sea Wraps and Sweet Ocean Wraps. These delicious fish wraps offer a choice of delicious sweet potato or chewy, sweet apple, wrapped in healthy dried white fish skin. These treats aren’t just delicious, they’re natural and healthy too. And for a touch of luxury Fish4dogs have also used some innovative ingredients to create their chewy Calamari Rings and soft and super-tasty Squid Bites. Calamari Rings have a strong, chewy texture and particularly suitable for medium to larger dogs. Squid Bites are a luxury treat with a strong fishy smell. They can be fed whole but are extremely popular as a training treat, because they are easily broken up into small pieces but are still satisfyingly delicious.
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Who knew dogs loved fish?!!! Calamari Rings rate as one of our Cockapoo's favourites.
My dog Bramble absolutely loves these! She gets so excited as soon as I get the packet out. Would definitely recommend them.
Of course, cats play an important role in the lives of their owners and with their delightfully fussy natures, many owners are constantly seeking a way to satisfy their cats in a healthy way.
Adding ingredients like Cranberries to support urinary tract health, algae for a rich source of omega 3, for coat and skin health and sweet potato for fibre (aiding gut health and the passing of hair balls) – means this range not only offers tasty choice, its healthy too. Two flavours of mousse are available as a complimentary topper to add interest, moisture and texture to the cat’s food. Trout and Salmon are the delicious choices available. And finally, for even the fussiest cats, is a range of complimentary tinned food. There is a rich variety of 6 fish combinations, providing that much sought-after variety and owners can be assure that with its high fish content, this wet food range provides a diet reflecting the natural diet of cats making it a healthy, delicious choice where owners can feed a different flavour nearly every day of the week should their cats demand it. For more information visit www.petsdelight.com
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PET STORIES Told by Pet’s Delight customers.
FOUND A STRAY? If you find a stray cat and would like advice, speak to Bin Kitty at binkittycollective@gmail.com If you find a stray dog and would like advice, speak to K9 Friends at info@k9friends.com
Tell us your story
info@petsdelight.com 18
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GEO’S STORY
O
ne Friday afternoon, I was seeking out a pretty cafe in Al Quoz with my husband, Steve. By chance, Kitty Snip were hosting a cat adoption day next door. We'd managed to avoid the apartment cat trend for almost a year since moving to Dubai, despite my desire to home every street cat we met. This was partly because of Steve's allergy to cats, as well as concerns about lack of pet insurance in the UAE and issues transporting pets with us when we eventually move back to the UK. Despite his allergy, Steve encouraged us to take a 'quick look' because he knows I adore anything furry. Most were kittens, except a couple of full grown cats. After being told kittens usually get adopted the easiest, we both agreed if we were to get one, it would be a slightly older kitty. We got chatting with a volunteer who showed us Geo. Geo was around one and half years old and extremely reserved vs other cats there. The volunteer attempted to get her out of the cage, however, she hissed and refused to picked up. We were assured she was a friendly cat and that it was just the stress of the adoption day, as Geo had been to a couple. She was found on the street with a broken leg and had to live in a cage for a couple of months whilst
healing and she'd also been blinded in one eye. She was mostly social, very happy to be indoors and is a breed known to be more allergy friendly. We arranged to visit Geo at her foster home to see her in a more natural setting, and more importantly to see if she liked us. It only took that one visit to fall in love with her. Completely opposite to how she was at the adoption day, she was playful, couldn't stop purring and was very happy to be held. Before committing, we did our research into relocation and found that the process isn't half as complex as we imagined and requires no quarantine between UAE and the UK. We were so nervous to make the commitment but it's honestly the best thing to come out of our entire move to Dubai. She has settled into her new home so well and is the most adorable little fur baby. It's fair to say I'm almost as obsessed with her and her perfectly stripy tail, as she is with watching cat TV via YouTube (yes that's a thing)! Written by Jemma Synnott
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VALENTINES EDITION
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VR & AR: ANIMAL REALITIES
I
magine being able to walk in your cat or dog’s shoes, or rather, paws and getting to experience the world from their perspective. Or getting to see what that cute new collar would look like on your cat before actually buying it. These are a couple of the very simple yet wholly realistically achievable promises of both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). They offer a limitless range of exciting possibilities to enhance every aspect of pet care and ownership, from improved veterinary services to greater choice and power to select the right products for you and your furry companion.
So what exactly do we mean by VR and AR? They sound like ridiculously futuristic terms straight out of a Hollywood film, right?! In some respect they can seem like magic, especially when experienced for the first time, but are becoming more widespread and thus more familiar. In fact it is possible to experience both using just the smartphone in your pocket. With Virtual Reality users are fully immersed in a digital environment and are made to feel as though they are physically present in that new place. Imagine putting on a pair of VR goggles and finding yourself standing on the submerged deck of a shipwreck as colourful fish swim past, even swerving your hand in a convincingly realistic manner as you reach out to touch them. Or being able to shrink yourself down to the size of a cell in order to be able to ‘explore’ the body, and thus bringing the wonders of biology to life in a way that no textbook could ever hope to. The sense of immersion is what makes VR such a powerful experience as you can’t help but feel as though what you are seeing, interacting with and experiencing is real. Augmented Reality, on the other hand, adds digital content to the real world in front of us. One of the best known contemporary 20
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examples is the smartphone game, Pokemon Go, or filters that add, for example, a dog tongue to your face, on platforms such as Snap. Whether frivolous fun or serious work or learning, there are a plethora of examples of applications of both VR and AR, with more being constantly added. Many of us might have already experienced VR using Google Cardboard, the Oculus Go or other such VR goggles, with AR being even easier to experience with the use of just a smartphone that can act as the ‘lense’ through which it is possible to view the world with extra ‘stuff’ added. That is until we’re all walking around wearing smart glasses. It might not be as far away as we’d think, especially if rumours of companies such as Apple, who are whispered to be working on such a device, are to be believed. As a veterinarian I am most excited by the potential for both VR and AR to make training and client education more interesting, accessible and, frankly, fun. Being able to pick up an Oculus Go to
run through the steps of a new surgical procedure during my lunch break without having to even step into the theatre or to take clients on a journey, using an iPad, through their dog’s stifle to show them how we plan to fix a problem there, the potential to make the complicated easily understandable is where I think VR and AR hold most promise. The possibilities for VR and AR are, literally limited by the extent of our imaginations. More fun applications, for example, could include spending time in a VR game where you get to interact with the world as a cat, or to use AR to make your dog appear as though he’s talking. One fun application of AR is in bringing printed media to life. Its possible, for example, to direct your phone at an interactive poster, catalogue or even magazine such as this one and see either the contents become animated or to unlock otherwise hidden content, such as additional information or special offers. It is this ability to add to, or augment, the physical reality in front of and around us with extra layers of content that make AR such a compelling medium. With the current generation of smartphones it is perfectly possible to see a realistic version of that new dog bed or cat scratching post in your own house, changing colours or size at a stroke of a button, all before even hitting ‘buy.’ Knowledge, after all, is power and both VR and AR can, often, feel like superpowers! As VR and AR become more widely adopted, both for entertainment, marketing and more serious uses, they are terms that we will all become familiar with, including as pet owners and those in the pet care sector.
Author Biography: Chris is a vet, a self-confessed technology enthusiast and a nerd. This level of nerdiness has seen Chris develop his own award winning iPhone apps for UK dog and cat owners, in addition to writing on a range of technology matters relevant to pets and the veterinary profession. He made the move out to Dubai in early 2013, plying his trade as a small animal vet. When he is not writing, thinking nerdy thoughts or treating animals, he can be found training for and competing in ultramarathons, scuba diving or jumping from planes in the interest of fun.
could you be their valentine? On the 20th December 2018 K9 Friends took in 13 puppies from an industrial site in Abu Dhabi. The puppies are now three months old and available for adoption. They have been well handled by our volunteers, have started to learn basic commands and are very socialable with other dogs. All the dogs at K9 Friends are fully vaccinated, microchipped and when old enough neutered. At K9 Friends we have 130 dogs available for adoption. If you are ready to adopt a dog, one of our furry four legged friends could be your forever valentine.
We would be extremely grateful for your support. Phone: 04 887 8739 Email: info@k9friends.com Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday 9am - 1pm 22
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