Pet Product Marketing August 2022 by Pet Product Marketing

For independent pet retailers www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

August 2022

Four pages of new products!

Pet advice l Cats: lower your cat’s carbon pawprint l Dogs: how to build your bond through play l Small animals: lifestage diets

Business advice l When directors disagree l Using stay interviews to keep brilliant staff

Talking trade…

with Chris Socratous from Bob Martin

I N C I N E M A S J U LY 2 9

SCAN HERE TO ENTER Or visit: burnspet.co.uk/DCLeagueofSuperPets

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Welcome

Welcome! I

have been trying to improve my fitness recently. You know how it is, you start off all enthusiastic, but it doesn’t last and soon you find you’re back to square one. A friend of mine sent me a brilliant image for motivation. It was a graphic that depicted what ‘showing up’ looks like. We all believe that doing something is doing it 100 per cent every single time. That’s me with my fitness. I think I’ve got to give my absolute all every single training session, set a PB on every run, and eat perfectly. However, that is unsustainable and my mental energy fails and I’ll fall out of the routine. The graphic shows the reality of success — some days it’s turning up and giving it 100 per cent. Others it might be 50 per cent or 80 per cent, or even having that day off to recharge. But the theme is consistency, it’s doing something every single day. It’s sustained progression over perfection.

When I came to think of it, I think this attitude applies to our working lives too. No one can work at their maximum every single day. That doesn’t mean we’re not working hard. You can’t sprint a marathon! It’s about consistency and keep working at it. When I thought about it, I think Pet Product Marketing Magazine is like that. As a reader, you’re not going to use everything you read inside. Some months you might find new products you want to stock, business advice that makes you a better organisation, and top pet care tips to share with your customers. Other months, there might just be jone thing you take away. We’re here to keep you up to date and be a source of inspiration to steadily help you keep you improving your business. It’s progression over perfection!

Mike

Mike Hallam - Editor, PPM. michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.uk

YYour

Pet Product Marketing

team

Contents

Our email: editorial@petproductmarketing.co.uk

4 News The latest from the pet industry.

26 Customer Q&As Pet advice to share with your customers.

Our address: Pet Product Marketing, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH

6 New products We’ve got four pages of the newest products hitting the market.

30 Breaktime read Looking at the history of The Blue Cross.

Michael Hallam, editor (for news and product releases, contact Michael on michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.uk)

12 Talking trade… …with Chris Socratous from Bob Martin.

For advertising queries please contact Stephen Tanner on 01778 392404 Laura Wright, features and web editor Ellis O’Connell, marketing exec

14 Small animal feed production Understanding how small animal feed is produced could help your customers. 16 Build your bond through play Use play to have a closer relationship with your dog. 18 How to reduce your cat’s carbon pawprint How cat owners can help the planet. 20 Disagreeable directors What to do when directors fall out. 22 A focus on food for life How life stage diets can help our small furries. 24 Using stay interviews to understand employees How to retain your best staff members. SCRAGGS

by Richard Duszczak

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

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With grateful thanks to Sarah Wright (editor, Your Dog), and Nathan Hill (editor, Practical Fishkeeping) Nigel Fish, design and production manager Natalie Reynolds, production controller Graham Warren, colour repro Stephen Tanner, key account manager (advertising Pet Product Marketing/Practical Fishkeeping) Andrea Walters, key account manager (advertising Your Dog/Your Cat) Kay Cotterill, classiﬁed sales (all titles) Regular contributors: Adam Bernstein, Claire Hamblion and John Courteney-Smith Printed by Warners Midlands plc James Buzzel, publisher Subscriptions and back issues Pet Product Marketing is available free to people who qualify for our controlled terms of circulation. If you’d like to register for a free subscription, please visit www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

Pet Product Marketing is published 10 times a year by Warners Group Publications. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form in whole or in part, without the prior permission of Warners Group Publications. All material published remains the copyright of Warners and we reserve the right to copy or edit any material submitted to the magazine without further consent. The submission of material (manuscripts or images etc) to Warners Group Publications whether unsolicited or requested, is taken as permission to publish that material in the magazine, on the associated website, any apps or social media pages afﬁliated to the magazine, and any editions of the magazine published by our licensees elsewhere in the world. By submitting any material to us you are conﬁrming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Warners Group Publications to use it as described in this paragraph. You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Warners Group Publications. If Warners Group Publications receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us, we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images, or materials lost or damaged in the post. While every reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage, however caused, resulting from the use of the magazine.

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13/07/2022 11:54

News

NEWS

PPM NEWS August 2022

Mars Pet Nutrition announces 100% of fish sustainably sourced

ars Pet Nutrition Europe has announced that 100% of the fish used in its pet food products is now sustainably sourced, per Mars’ sustainable fish sourcing guidelines.

BETA International set to launch exciting new attractions ETA International, sponsored by Neue Schule, will be launching two exciting new features at this year’s exhibition: the New Product Showcase and New Product Awards. These additions to the leading equestrian trade exhibition, being held at NAEC Stoneleigh on 11 — 13 September 2022, will recognise and reward the innovation and excellence shown by companies in bringing new products to market. Seeing and touching the latest equestrian products is one of the major attractions for BETA International visitors, and the New Product Showcase will add greatly to this whole experience. Sponsored by Shires Equestrian, the New Product Showcase is designed to help visiting retailers and buyers find the latest products to hit the industry. Visitors will be able to view the products under eight categories: Clothing & Footwear, Feed & Supplements, General, Horsecare, Horsewear & Equipment, Pet Products, Saddlery & Tack, Safety. An information card will be placed alongside each product, giving details of suggested retail price and stand number of the supplier. All exhibitors are being invited to enter one product into the New Product Showcase free of charge, with additional items being charged at £150 per entry. As a stipulation the products must not have been available on the UK market at or prior to BETA International 2021, which took place on 9 — 11 September 2021. To determine the winners of the eight categories of the New Product Awards, all products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of retailers on the first day of the event (Sunday, 11 September). BETA International is being organised by Impact Exhibitions and Events, whose Gordon Thomas said: “We’re really excited to be launching the New Product Showcase and New Product Awards. We know that visiting retailers and buyers want to see ‘what’s new’ and discover the bestsellers of tomorrow, and these two new attractions will help them make the right buying choices.” Retailers and buyers wishing to register for free entry to BETA International should visit www.beta-int.com where a full list of exhibitors can also be found.

Mars Pet Nutrition, a division of Mars Petcare, announces that it has achieved its target to sustainably source 100% of the fish used in its pet products in Europe, aligned to Mars’ sourcing guidelines. Brands that feature fish as part of their ingredients in Europe are SHEBA®, WHISKAS®, PEDIGREE®, CESAR®, PERFECT FIT®, DREAMIES®, CRAVE™, JAMES WELLBELOVED™, CHAPPIE®, and KITEKAT®. Deri Watkins, Regional President at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe, said: “At Mars Petcare, everything we do is focused on our Purpose: A Better World for Pets – and a better world is a more sustainable world, for pets, people and the planet. Mars Pet Nutrition uses fish in its portfolio of pet food products as it enables pets to enjoy nutritionally balanced, healthy, and high-quality pet food. While our business accounts for a small share of the global seafood market, we continue to play our part in supporting a healthy future for ocean ecosystems and the seafood sector helping all to grow and thrive in a responsible way.” Mert Kacmaz, Commercial Vice President at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe, said: “Reaching our 100% sustainably sourced fish target in Europe is a great testament to what can be achieved in close collaboration with our suppliers, through years of rigorous work and a bold commitment to drive sustainability at scale. At Mars Petcare, we employ a holistic approach to responsible sourcing while focusing on driving greater supply chain accountability, verification, and transparency. We work with our suppliers to ensure we source high quality raw materials, in a way that complies with our Supplier Code of Conduct and aligns with our sustainability expectations. As we continue to take action to improve our environmental footprint across our supply chains, we’re focused on doing business that not only meets the nutritional needs of the pets we serve, but also builds a better, more sustainable world for all.” For further information on Mars’ approach to sustainable fishing, visit https://www.mars. com/about/policies-and-practices/sustainable-fish-sourcing.

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4 August 2022

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13/07/2022 09:47

New exhibitors join big-name brands at PATS Telford ATS Telford is the place for pet retailers to see a host of new and international exhibitors as well as the industry’s big-name brands, all of which will be showcasing their launches over two action-packed days on 25-26 September 2022. Exhibitors new to PATS Telford include: Accidents Happen, Durham Animal Feeds, Kikkerland Europe, Marnoch Pet Supplies, Milk & Pepper, Mr Slobberchops, Non-stop dogwear, Pippas Paws, Pup Pup Foods and Smoofl. Organiser Gordon Thomas said: “It’s great to see so many companies exhibiting at PATS Telford for the first time. The fact the show has attracted so many new exhibitors is a clear indication it is an important place to launch products. Companies have been telling me they have lots of products to showcase, so visitors can be certain there will be plenty of things to see and do.” Marnock Pet Supplies is a new distribution company launching on 18th July with the aim of bringing new products and companies to the UK. The company’s Josh Kane said: “Exhibiting at PATS Telford seemed like a phenomenal opportunity in which to showcase our new brands and to give future customers the chance to touch, feel products and talk to us in person.” PATS Telford will also again play host to popular visitor attractions like The New Product Showcase, demonstrations and workshops from top dog groomers. Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue. For the latest information on the show visit www.patshow.co.uk

Mars announces a large-scale coral reef restoration event

Burns partners with Warners Bros for movie release urns Pet Nutrition is thrilled to announce its first partnership with Warner Bros. to support the release of the highly anticipated big-screen movie ‘DC League of Super-Pets’, which opens nationwide in cinemas on 29th July 2022. ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ promises to be the big family release over the summer holiday season. The on-pack promotional campaign with Burns Pet Nutrition will run in-stores from early July through to September 2022. The promotion will be backed by a national marketing campaign including in-store POS, ATL national newspaper ads, social media spend, digital marketing, and social media influencer activations. The promotion offers customers the chance to win a UK holiday alongside runner-up DC League Super-Pets goody-bag prizes. The winning package will include a two-night stay at a luxury cottage in a location of the winner’s choice for four people, including £300 for spending money and travel. Of the new partnership with Warner Bros., Burns founder John Burns commented: “As our brand continues to grow and expand, we’re thrilled to be supporting the release of this movie and partnering with Warner Bros. in what we hope will be the start of a fruitful relationship.”

TRIXIE have opened a new UK distribution unit for snacks and treats in Northampton he new distribution unit opened in June and is another milestone in the company’s history as it continues to work alongside the head office and logistics centre in Tarp, Germany. Volker Haak, TRIXIE CEO, stated: “Following the establishment of TRIXIE UK Pet Products Limited in June 2021, this new building signifies a key development for our direct sales and underlines the importance of the UK market for us. TRIXIE is prepared to invest further to bring the standard of service for our customers back to pre-Brexit levels with a view to further improvements in delivery timescales following the challenges of the UK leaving the EU.” Snacks and treats will be shipped exclusively from the new distribution centre in Northampton, significantly reducing delivery times and lowering the minimum order value for orders in this category. Pet accessories will continue to be delivered from the main warehouse in Germany. For more information, visit www.trixieuk.uk or email Sales@trixieuk. uk

Rosewood Pet Products and Dayes announce strategic collaboration osewood Pets’ directors and major shareholders Neil and Bev Panter have sold a majority stake in Rosewood to Dayes. The senior team at Rosewood will use this opportunity to continue pursuing their ambitious growth plans. Neil and Bev Panter, Rosewood Pet, commented: “After 27 years of continuous growth, we have reached the point where it would be beneficial to team up with a bigger group to ensure further development of our company. “Dayes has distribution power in Europe and additional category expertise to complete our offer. Together with Dayes, we can cover the full range of pet treats and accessories and offer a branded portfolio with proven success around Europe. We feel that within Dayes our entrepreneurial spirit is appreciated and we are able to utilise our joint strengths to ensure a strong future.” Wouter Meijerink, CEO Dayes, added: “Over the last 12 months, we have become acquainted with the Directors of Rosewood. We were impressed with how they have built their pet care business over the last 20 plus years. They have become a key partner for many UK retailers, are driven by expert knowledge in petcare, and are renowned for their product innovation. “Rosewood’s treat offering is complementary to the existing Dayes pet treat range. Additionally, Rosewood is considered a leader in pet accessories, where we see many opportunities in the EU. This is a great fit and we see a great future for the collaboration between Dayes and Rosewood. ‘With the Rosewood team in our Group, we aim to be the leading European pet care specialist, offering a wide portfolio of pet products.” For more info on Rosewood: visit www.rosewoodpet.com For more info on Dayes, everyday essentials: visit www.dayes.eu

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

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ars, Incorporated has announced plans for a new coral reef restoration event for 2023 — ‘The Big Build’ — which will bring together conservation, scientific, and NGO partners for one of the largest single restoration events in the world. This massive partnership initiative responds to the world’s urgent oceans crisis which scientists predict will erase 90% of coral reefs by the 2040s with potentially devastating impacts for the more than 500 million people who depend on coral reefs for their livelihoods. The Big Build has been designed to highlight the importance of cross-sector partnerships to deliver restoration at scale. Scheduled to coincide with the week of UN World Oceans Day, June 8, 2023, the event will convene partners to build 5000m² of reef in just four days and outplanting 75,000 corals. The event will take place in Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia, where Mars spent the past decade working closely with local communities, a local university, several government agencies, NGOs and critical industries to establish one of the world’s largest coral reef restoration programs. By galvanising partners for The Big Build, Mars aims to provide advanced training for participants to help enhance global capacity to deliver restoration practices and programs at scale, to accelerate the pace of change that is possible. For more information, visit https://buildingcoral.com/

PIF Export Scheme moves to trial phase ollowing several months of due diligence, the Pet Industry Federation’s export scheme is now ready to move to a trial phase. The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) team has been working tirelessly to devise a scheme which enables manufacturers and suppliers to export pallets to the EU in a cost effective way. The PIF scheme will enable consolidation of pallets at a nominated DHL warehouse in the UK from where they will be exported into the EU. PIF CEO, Nigel Baker, commented: “Since Brexit, we have consistently heard how difficult export of products containing animal protein has become for pet businesses so the team here at PIF has been determined to find a workable, cost-effective solution. We’re delighted to now be in a position to run a trial phase and I encourage everyone who is interested in taking part to put forward their expression of interest.” The trial phase is open to all pet businesses, however once the final scheme is launched it will be specifically for PIF members. To join PIF today, visit http://www. petcare.org.uk/index.php/membership

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Product highlights

New&necessities Lily’s Kitchen Countryside Casserole

Pooch & Mutt Dental Sticks Say hello to Pooch & Mutt’s brand new, vet approved Dental Sticks in two flavours, Superfood ‘Mint & Spirulina’ and Calming ‘Hemp & Sage’ — both boosted with novel functional ingredients to offer added value! Superfood ‘Mint & Spirulina’ contains powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants to aid immunity, helps keep breath fresh, and prevents tartar formation. Calming ‘Hemp & Sage’ naturally helps to maintain low-stress levels, includes an Antimicrobial effect to help fight plaque, and helps prevent tartar formation. The dental sticks are shaped to clean deep between teeth and are also designed to last longer, ensuring your dog gets plenty of chewing time. This chewing keeps those gnashers sparkling white while also providing your dog with something enriching to be doing. Pooch and Mutt’s Dental Sticks are supplemented with SHMP (sodium hexametaphosphate), an anti-staining and tartar preventative ingredient used by human dentists. In both flavours of the Dental Sticks, you will find: chicken — a lean, healthy protein source which provides energy and essential amino acids to help your dog grow and maintain adequate lean muscle mass. SHMP — Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) binds the calcium found in dental plaque so it can be easily removed via dogs’ saliva. This process prevents the formation of tartar, leading to fresher, healthier gums. Suitable for all breeds and ages from six months old. RRP: £3.49 per pack of 7 Dental Sticks.

Lily’s Kitchen is launching its furry fan favourite, ‘Countryside Casserole’, in a smaller kibble that’s perfect for little mouths. The vet-approved, nutritionally complete recipe is ideal so that smaller breeds can get their gnashers around each mouthful. Packing the same delicious flavour and goodness that pets have come to expect from Lily’s Kitchen, Countryside Casserole for Small Dogs is full of proper meat and natural ingredients that will see your petite adult pooch thrive. The tasty grain-free recipe, steam cooked and brimming with mouth-watering fresh chicken and freshly prepared duck, contains all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your little one needs to flourish. The recipe comes complete with delectable garden peas, filled with fibre, vitamins and minerals, and sweet potato which provides a scrumptious, easily digestible alternative to grains — all infused with carrots, apples and cranberries for even more flavour! Samantha Crossley, Marketing Director at Lily’s Kitchen, comments: “Our customers with small breeds have been asking about a specific kibble for some time, so knowing that our Original Countryside Casserole is a firm favourite, we launched this recipe which is now perfect for smaller dogs. Countryside Casserole for Small Dogs has an RRP of £20 per 2.5kg bag. For more information visit www.lilyskitchen.co.uk or for trade enquiries, email sales@lilyskitchen.co.uk

it www.pooc For trade information, visit www.poochandmutt.co.uk/pages/trade

Milo’s dog toy range Henry Bell wild bird care collections

To pre-order for Christmas call 01953 882485 or for more information visit www.su-bridge.co.uk

For more information visit www.henrybell.co.uk or for trade enquiries, email enquiries@henrybell.co.uk or call 0800 195 8370.

6 August 2022

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d toy range from Su-Bridge Pet Supplies, combines a superMilo’s, a new luxurious dog premium dog toy, with a comfortable family friendly price tag. This exclusive ive dog toy range challenges the cost of premium products, while providing a competitive margin. Milo’s is a fantastic all-year-round collection that has potential to double as a Christmas toy due to its colour pallet, and the nature of the toys. Ranging from a plump penguin to a loveable llama, this versatile range can be used to celebrate an occasion or as staple comfortable companion. “This range has an incredible potential with the ability to become a real ﬁrm favourite for any pet parents,” says Lynne Hopewood, National Sales Manager. Available from Trade at £5.55 and with an RRP from £9.99.

For the 2022/23 season, leading wild bird food and accessories producer, Henry Bell is excited to introduce various brand-new product lines to their collection of wild bird care product offering. The season’s new collection — The Everyday Range — complements and extends the popular current collections, including the Heritage Feeder Collection and Heavy Duty Collection. Expected to be a best-selling line this year, the Heritage Everyday Collection (RRP £9.99) and Heavy Duty Everyday Collection (RRP £7.99) have been created in a compact format, yet maintain all the key features of the Heritage and Heavy Duty Wild Bird Feeders. For example, the Heritage Everyday Feeders feature ring perches to enable safe and easy feeding, and the Heavy Duty Everyday Feeder has an umbrella top to protect the feed from rain. Each collection includes a compact seed, peanut, fat ball, sunﬂower hearts, and suet bite & mealworm feeder. Importantly, the stylish and elegant collections are competitively priced to encourage everyone to start helping and feeding wild birds in their outdoor space. In addition, and part of the Everyday Collection, Henry Bell is introducing their new Heritage Everyday Finch Feeder (RRP £9.99) and Finch Blend (RRP £6.99), specially curated to allow the Finch family and other small garden birds to feed with ease. Henry Bell has also made sustainable packaging a priority with all their Wild Bird Food packaging being 100% recyclable while protecting the integrity of the elements inside each bag.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 08:56

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13/07/2022 11:12

Product highlights Treat’Em range new ﬂavours

TRIXIE has launched multiple new products:

TRIXIE meets Boho Style TRIXIE’s new boho collection for furry friends and velvet paws takes up warm earthy colours and patterns along with natural materials. New beds and cushions made of the trendy cotton/jute mix material and high quality plush were created as lying places. The woven-in diamond pattern and the cotton tassels round off the boho look for the caves and the canvas tipi as well. The noble cat tree Boho comes with a removable cuddly bed. A thick, heavy base plate provides stability. Leashes and collars in a diamond pattern and with neoprene padding, as well as toys made of a hemp/cotton mix expand the series across the categories. The combination of subtle and stylish boho elements leaves ample space for individuality and blends in well with the living ambience.

Chickens coop The two-storey natura chicken coop made of glazed pine with enclosure allows keeping several chickens. The coop features a lockable sliding door, a chicken ladder, and a perch. There are two nests in the nesting box which can be separated by a removable partition. A pull-out tub and a roof that folds open makes cleaning fast and allows the removing of the eggs. The spacious enclosure comes with a sturdy, close-meshed and galvanised metal grid. The coop is weather-resistant and easy to assemble. Dimensions: 183 x 107 x 80 cm.

TRIXIE Veggie creme

TRIXIE & World Bird Park products TRIXIE has overhauled and newly developed more than 90 products in the growing bird segment in cooperation with the World Bird Park Walsrode. The focus of the cooperation was on sustainability and adequate construction for the species of the products along with safety and health for the pets. For the new items for ornamental birds, special attention was paid to the use of natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, sea shells, cotton and sisal. The packaging of the product range was restructured in the course of a harmonious adaptation of colours and designs. The current display allows making the right choices for size, type and demands of the birds at a glance.

The tasty veggie cream with pea ﬁbres, spices, and herbs has a high reward effect. The handy tube can be easily used and can make giving medication easier. The vegetarian snack is glutenfree and has no added sugar. Combined with the TRIXIE tube guard, the licking fun is safe and hygienic. For long playful activity, the tube snack can be combined with the Lick’n’Snack licking plate. For more information on all the new ranges, visit www.trixieuk.uk

Wholesaler Simply2 Pet Products has introduced three new countrysideinspired treats to their all-natural Treat’Em dog treat range. The brand new, premium treats feature nutritious ingredients inspired by the British countryside: Venison Bites, Wild Boar Jerky, and Rabbit Training Treats. Chosen for the range with dogs’ unique dietary needs in mind, Treat’Em Wild Boar Jerky and Rabbit Training Treats offer a 100% meat, grain-free treat for dogs with more sensitive stomachs. Wild Boar Jerky provides bigger dogs with a chewy high-protein snack, whereas the smallbut-mighty Rabbit Training Treats are ideal for training rewards, enrichment toys and weight-conscious pups. With a delicious recipe that includes fresh venison, beef and chicken, Treat’Em Venison Bites are made in Britain and perfectly sized for a tasty training treat. No matter your dog’s favourite ﬂavour, the nutritious range is suitable for all ages, entirely free from artiﬁcial additives and preservatives, and packaged in recyclable plastic pouches or card tubs. RRP: Venison Bites - £5.00 / Wild Boar Jerky - £7.99 / Rabbit Training Treats - £6.50 For more information visit www. simply2pets.com/ or for trade enquiries, visit www.simply2pets.com/pages/whyset-up-a-trade-account-for-pet-suppliesat-simply2-pet-products

Henry Bell Solar Collection Henry Bell Wild Bird Care has further expanded their wild bird range with the introduction of the dual-purpose Solar Collection. This unique and innovative new addition to their 2022/23 offering delivers a stylish and dual functional solution for feeding wild birds. To support the growing demand for nature friendly products that support our environment, Henry Bell Wild Bird Care has reacted by designing a dual-purpose wild bird care collection. The stunning, decorative Solar Feeders allow birds to feed in ultimate comfort, while at night, the feeders deliver a warm glow into the garden. The Collection includes six feeders - each beautifully decorated and hand crafted: ● Solar Silver Twin Feeder (RRP £29.99) ● Solar Copper Twin Feeder (RRP £29.99) ● Solar Copper Hanging Feeder (RRP £29.99) ● Solar Copper Small Seed Feeder (RRP £19.99) ● Solar Copper Seed Feeder (RRP £29.99) ● Solar Copper Peanut Feeder (RRP £29.99) Innovatively created, the Solar Feeder’s warm LED lights collect solar energy during the day whilst the birds happily enjoy their feeding time. Once night-time falls, the feeders then use the power collected to create a gentle light to the surrounding area of the elegant feeders. For more information, please visit www.henrybell.co.uk or for sales enquiries, please contact National Sales Director, Paul Barker, email paul.barker@henrybell.co.uk or call 07305 562 171. 8 August 2022

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Soopa senior and jumbo ranges Soopa continues to grow its portfolio in 2022 by adding a new Senior and Jumbo range. After launching a Puppy selection of scrumptious snacks last year, Soopa wanted to create a suitable product solely for senior dogs. Senior dental sticks and healthy bites are delicious treats for all kinds of older pups who need some extra TLC in their life. Made with 100% natural banana and pumpkin and ﬂaxseed, these low-fat and easily digestible sticks are kind on tummies and tasty on tongues making them a superb snack for inbetween brush times. RRP at £3.99 for 4 dental sticks and £2.99 for 50g healthy bites. At Soopa, they listened to their customers asking for big sized treats. They have created Jumbo dental sticks for larger breeds in the three most popular ﬂavour: Carrot & Pumpkin, Cranberry & Sweet Potato, and Banana & Peanut Butter. Soopa Jumbo Sticks will keep those tails wagging for longer and help to keep furry friends happy & healthy! RRP at £4.99 for 2 x 85g dental sticks. All Soopa products including the new Senior and Jumbo range are low fat, grain free, made with natural and human grade ingredients and with 100% recyclable packaging. Since launching in 2013, Soopa is a family-owned business and 100% plant-based pet treat brand which is successfully growing beyond the UK borders to Europe and Asia. ‘’Owners want to apply their own dietary habits and values to their animals and want to help the planet as well. Plant-based products are high in demand and on trend,’’ said owner Barbara Hanly. For more information, visit www.soopapets.com or for trade enquiries, visit www.soopapets.com/pages/ become-a-soopa-stockist

Nylabone Puppy Power range Ever mindful of the varying chewing strengths of puppies, Nylabone has added to its extensive offering of teething and chewing solutions with the launch of an ‘extreme’ Puppy Power range. hat Designed to withstand even the most powerful of puppy chewers, the new range is made from durable nylon and has flavours that ce of run throughout ensuring that they remain for as long as the chew does. They are not sprayed, dipped, or coated so there is no chance their tasty flavours being licked off! eight, The range comprises a twin pack of beef stew and vegetable and bacon flavour chew bones suitable for puppies up to 11 kg in weight, a single beef stew and vegetable chew suitable for puppies up to 23kg, and a bacon flavoured Puppy Rings chew toy for puppies upp to 11kg in weight. ne. In addition to aiding teething and promoting good chewing habits, the Puppy Power Chew range is perfect for aiding dental hygiene. he The tiny bristles that raise on the bone during the chewing process act like a mini toothbrush to help keep teeth clean and prevent the build-up of tartar. The Puppy Power Chew range is available to order now from Interpet’s trade website For more information, visit https://trade.interpet.co.uk

Petto plant and insect-based dog treats P In a saturated treats market, Petto provides something new: 100% plant and insect-based ddog treats using solely human-grade ingredients and high quality recipes, all gently made in th the Petto bakery rather than being mass produced. Because these treats contain no meat protein, they have a signiﬁcantly lower carbon fo footprint, as well as less land and water usage when compared to the equivalent. Not oonly are they planet friendly, they are hypoallergenic which means they are sensitive-dog fr friendly as well! The partnership between Petto and Su-Bridge Pet Supplies Ltd will strengthen both oorganisations and further the growth in the UK pet specialist marketplace. Petto Dog Treats re retail at £3.95. FFor more information on Petto Treats, visit www.su-bridge.co.uk

Karnlea Lamb Bone Broth

Dogslife’s range

Karnlea is extending its Bone Broth range with the introduction of a new flavour. Lip-licking lamb is being launched as a highcollagen alternative to its beef flavour, the first ‘ambient’ liquid bone broth to hit UK shelves earlier this year. The flavour was chosen due to its easy to digest properties — lamb is a ‘gentle’ protein which is good for the gut, supports skin, coat, and joint health in cats and dogs. Karnlea Lamb Bone Broth is made from 100 per cent natural ingredients and like its predecessor, is slow cooked for up to 14 hours to extract high levels of protein, collagen and minerals. It can be used as a supplement, treat, or topper, and because it’s carton packed from fresh, maintains high-levels of essential nutrients. These can often be lost during the processing of concentrated or powdered collagen supplements. As with beef flavour, Lamb Bone Broth, uses ingredients from antibiotic and hormone-free, grass-fed animals, reared on cooperative farms. Its heat-sealed cartons are brick-shaped and designed to sit neatly on the shelf – easy to dispatch and store. Each unit contains 500ml of bone broth which has a recommended retail price of £10.99. For more information visit www.karnlea.com or for trade enquiries, visit www.karnlea.com/trade

For more information on Dogslife dog supplies, visit www.su-bridge.co.uk

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www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

Dogslife’s ethos is based on strengthen the relationship between owner and dog, and they offer an extensive range to help owners do just that. The Dogslife range of affordable dog care products are designed to ensure your pooch remains a picture of health, allowing you to be the person your dog deserves. But when it comes to taking proper care of your companion, it pays to ensure you know about the products you’re using. Where do they come from? What’s in them? And what are the beneﬁts? At DogsLife you can be sure the range of canine care products have been produced by dog lovers for dog lovers. The partnership between Dogslife and Su-Bridge Pet Supplies Ltd will strengthen both organisations and further the growth in the UK pet specialist marketplace.

August 2022 9

13/07/2022 08:57

Product highlights Fluval T-Heaters Fluval is launching its latest range of fully electronic aquarium heaters, the Fluval T Series. The T Series submersible heaters combine pin-point electronic accuracy, a reliable monitoring system and several new safety features to maintain desired water temperature with convenience and consistency in mind. Available in ﬁve different model sizes, the T Series are suitable for aquariums up to 300L. The T series features industry leading technology to retain temperature which is integral to the health and safety of certain species of aquatic life. Advanced electronic sensors and 24/7 monitoring allows for maximum consistency. There is also a 360˚ heat indicator which wraps around the heater, indicating whetherr the unit is active and hot (red light) or in standby mode and cool (blue light). Available in wattages from 50-300W, choose Fluval T Heaters for accuracy, safety and superb reliability. Trade details: For more information on Fluval T-Heaters, visit: www.ﬂuvalaquatics.. com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager

Laguna All Season Pond Sticks

Fluval 345L Shaker Aquarium and Cabinet The Fluval Shaker is now available in 345L! With a modern take on traditional Shaker design, the new Fluval Shaker Collection will create a stunning focal point in any home. The Shaker features exquisite attention to detail, from softclose panelled cabinet doors to perfectly crafted joinery, making the Fluval Shaker Collection incredible value for money. As you’d expect from Fluval, behind the beautiful exterior lies cutting edge technology, including Smart appcontrolled lighting and the latest Fluval External filter. Blending traditional design with the latest tech, the Shaker Collection will satisfy the needs of any fishkeeper! Integrated Bluetooth LED Lighting: Fluval Shaker aquariums are equipped with energy efficient Bluetooth LED lighting, with a bright daylight spectrum to help support plant growth and enhance fish colours to truly transform your aquarium. Easy-connect, through tank filtration: All Fluval Shaker aquariums include an award winning Fluval External Filter. Integrated heating: Fluval Shakers aquariums include a premium Italianmade Fluval M series heater. Featuring an ultra-slim profile, M series is highlighted by its reflective borosilicate glass tube, which allows it to blend in seamlessly with its aquatic surroundings. Trade details: For more information on Fluval Shaker, visit: www.fluvalaquatics.com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager

A new and exciting range of sustainable pond fish food has just been launched by Laguna! The key ingredient in Laguna All Season Pond Sticks is mealworm, a protein source which is closer to a fish’s natural diet than protein sources more commonly found in other brands. Packed with healthy fats and Mycoprotein, this is a food that pond fish will go crazy for. The colour enhancing formula contains the added benefit of Astaxanthin, a natural red carotenoid that helps to promote vibrant and defined colouration in fish such as salmon. Suitable to be fed all year round, these pond sticks are an easily digestible food that promote health, nutrition, and vitality no matter the month. Available in three different sizes and two varieties to suit all pond fish. Trade details: For more information, visit: www.lagunaponds.co.uk or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager

Zeus Fresh & Clear Drinking Fountains Introducing the next generation of pet drinking fountains with the Zeus Fresh & Clear Drinking Fountains which present dogs with an ever-ﬂowing stream of fresh, clean water, enticing them to drink more and stay hydrated. Available in two variations (with splash guard, and with waterfall spout), the Zeus drinking fountains have a raised drinking surface at a comfortable height for small to medium-sized dogs, and a translucent reservoir that enables owners to quickly check the water level at a glance. The Zeus Fresh & Clear Fountain with Splash Guard is a great choice for messy drinkers as it helps keep the water inside the fountain, rather than splash all over the ﬂoor. Additionally, the Fresh & Clear Fountain with waterfall spout offers three drinking options for maximum appeal and enjoyment: waterfall spout, bubbling top or drinking basin. The Fresh & Clear Fountains are a great solution for fussy or messy dogs, or perfect as an incentive for any dog to drink more water and stay healthy! Trade details: For more information, visit: www.zeusfordogs.com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager

Zeus Duo Dog Chew Toys Zeus DUO chew toys are a brand-new range of bright, colourful, and scented dog toys designed speciﬁcally to appeal to a dog’s natural instincts! This exciting new range is made of a unique duo of durable, non-toxic materials to provide dogs with an enjoyable chewing experience. The rigid nylon center is scented and enveloped by a soft yet resilient outer layer that dogs will love sinking their teeth into. From appetising bacon and chicken to delightful coconut and mint, Zeus DUO chew toys come in four scents, eight colours and eight designs sure to spark interest and keep dogs happy and engaged. Trade details: For more information, visit: www.zeusfordogs.com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager 10 August 2022

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Catit PIXI Smart 6-Meal Feeder Following on from their recent move into Smart Technology, Catit have released yet another fantastic product in their sleek and stylish PIXI range. The Catit PIXI 6-Meal Feeder is an automatic app-controlled cat food feeder that rotates between 6 compartments to serve cats a combination of up to 6 meals throughout the day. This cute feeder is suitable for dry food, wet food and even treats so owners can schedule their cat’s meals, keeping the food cold and fresh with the help of ice packs (included), which can be stored underneath. Handy replacement ice packs can be bought separately so they can be switched in when required. Easy to set up and control via Wi-Fi using the free PIXI app, available for iOS and Android, the Catit PIXI 6-Meal Feeder can be paired to work alongside other Catit PIXI smart products to take the stress out of juggling everyday life. Another way of helping owners to care for their cats no matter where they are, night or day! Trade details: For more information, visit: www.catit.com or speak to your Hagen Sales Manager www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 08:57

The UK’s National Pet Industry Exhibition

Where the pet industry meet to do business Over 200 brands & exhibitors

Where the pet industry meet to do business Visit the website to register for FREE entry or for more information call 01892 862848 IMPACT.indd 1

FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | FREE SHOW CATALOGUE 100’S OF NEW LAUNCHES | THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTS

www.patshow.co.uk Correct at time of going to press

13/07/2022 11:04

Talking trade

Talking Trade…

with Chris Socratous About Chris Chris Socratous is a senior brand manager for Pets Choice, suppliers of the Bob Martin brand. Founded in 1892, Bob Martin is now a large pet healthcare brand that is well-known for its ﬂea and tick controls, worm control, and supplements. The brand is celebrating its 130th birthday this year.

Why do Bob Martin products continue to be so popular 130 years on? I believe what makes our products so popular with pet owners is that they address the main criteria that they have as consumers. Research conducted earlier this year identified efficacy, convenience, and price as the three elements key to consumers’ purchasing decisions. Ultimately, pet owners want a product that is not only easyto-use and effective, but is also affordable. The latter will become increasingly important as we navigate the current cost of living crisis, with shoppers keen to tighten their belts when it comes to spending. Another reason that the brand remains so popular is the education and added value that it delivers, particularly to younger, first-time pet owners who may have acquired their first pet during the Covid-19 pandemic. Attracting these new shoppers into the category is helping to grow the market, while also educating the next generation of pet owners on responsible pet ownership; this includes parasite prevention. For example, in the event that someone discovers a flea infestation, one of the simplest things we do is highlight the importance of treating the home as well as the pet. Most new, inexperienced pet owners (and some more experienced ones) won’t necessarily know that only 5% of fleas live on your pet, with the other 95% in your home, hiding in your pet’s bedding, rugs, carpets, and soft furnishings. Many pet owners will simply use a flea tablet or spot-on, expecting that to eradicate the problem, unaware that the fleas on their pet are just the tip of the iceberg. Without treating the home, they will continue to experience reinfestation and keep seeing fleas return to their pets.

How important is it to educate people about parasite protection? I believe it’s crucial to educate pet owners about the importance of parasite prevention and making it part of their pet’s regular healthcare routine. Bob Martin is widely recognised as one of the leading pet healthcare brands in the UK and we look to use that platform to promote responsible pet ownership in an engaging, relatable, and meaningful way. It’s safe to assume that when most people get a new puppy or kitten, thinking about fleas, ticks, and worms isn’t going to be at the top of their priority list, so it’s our responsibility to ensure that they are fully aware of the hazards that these pesky parasites pose and understand what products they need to use in order to prevent or treat them. With so many different products out there it can be a little daunting to understand what products you need. Helping pet owners understand the differences between products A and B was at the heart of our recent packaging refresh. We hope that our new bolder colourways will help shoppers differentiate between our Clear Repellent (orange) and Clear Treatment (blue) ranges, with the most advanced formula Clear Plus being given a more premium feel with reflective silver band for superior stand-out on shelf. This new packaging started to hit the shelves at the end of 2021 and has been extremely well received by retailers and consumers alike.

What else is new in the world of Bob Martin? The brand has been experiencing a resurgence since being acquired by Pets Choice in November 2019 and the aforementioned packaging refresh has coincided with significant investment in a new state-of-the art manufacturing line at our UK-based production facility in Somerset. The new manufacturing line has allowed us to introduce a newly-designed pipette and easily-recyclable secondary blister pack to replace the previous format, allowing easier application and reducing packaging waste. The outer cartons will continue to be made from 100% recycled card and are fully recyclable, helping to minimise the brand’s environmental impact. Alongside the new designs, all packaging includes clearer step-by-step instructions to ensure pet owners can easily use the products regardles regardless of if they are an experienced or firsttime pet owner.

With more pe people shopping locally during the Covid-19 pandemic, how do pande you plan to continue supporting independent sup retailers in 2022? re

They have provided even clearer instruction on how to use.

12 August 2022

p12_PPM_Aug22.indd 12

A a UK manufacturer, we understand As the importance of supporting the local community and economy, encouraging consumers wherever possible to ‘buy local’ and support the llocal high street. Last year, we introduced an ex exclusive consumer loyalty scheme for ind independent pet retailers, with a multibuy feature designed to help generate custo customer loyalty, increase the number of store vis visits, and support increased sales for individual stores. We are als also rolling out a new suite of in-store point of sale mate materials to help educate shoppers at the point of purchase and continue to drive the education

The packaging has undergone a rebrand to make it more recognisable. message around the importance of maintaining your pet’s regular healthcare routine. We also offer independent pet shops training and support wherever required via our nationwide team of Territory Business Managers and technical team, who are always on hand to answer any customer queries and advise on the latest promotions.

Aside from the main promotional campaign, what else are Bob Martin doing to mark the brand’s 130 year anniversary? Bob Martin has a history of supporting charitable causes and as part of our 130-year celebrations we’ve set ourselves a target of recruiting 130 new volunteers to join the team at Pets As Therapy, our charity partner, supporting them in the great work that they do across the community. Pets As Therapy work on a national scale providing temperament-assessed therapy animals via a nationwide network of volunteers to hospitals, hospices, care homes, and schools, alongside a range of other establishments. Their services help some of the most vulnerable in society and it’s a charity we’re really proud to support. We actually enjoyed a visit from some of the volunteers recently on National Bring Your Dog To Work Day at our Lancashire head office and our healthcare manufacturing site in Somerset, allowing staff to feel the benefits that a little therapy animal can have. Bob Martin is a corporate supporter of Pets As Therapy and we have lots of joint activities happening throughout the year to support the charity.

Bob Martin produces a wide range of healthcare products. Tell us a bit about the range. Nowadays the brand is probably best-known for our range of parasite prevention products and this is going to be the focus for the brand moving forwards. We offer a range of solutions for a variety of uninvited guests, including fleas, ticks, and worms. Our range is split into three sub-categories: Clear Repellent, Clear Treatment, and Clear Plus. The Clear Repellent range is pesticide-free, containing natural ingredients helping to prevent pets from getting fleas or ticks by repelling them. The range includes collars, home sprays, shampoos, and spot-ons. The Clear Treatment range includes flea tablets, home sprays, worming tablets, worming spot-ons (for cats only), and flea/tick spot-ons containing Fipronil, which is the active ingredient that kills the fleas. Clear Plus is our most advanced spot-on range as it contains S-methoprene alongside Fipronil to also kill flea eggs and larvae, breaking the flea lifecycle and avoiding reinfestation. Home sprays and foggers are also available within the Clear Plus range to eradicate fleas in the pet’s bedding and wider home environment. All of our treatments are clinically proven and approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), meaning that consumers can have added peace of mind that they are not only safe, but also effective.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 08:58

Stay ﬂea free, tick free and worry free this summer. To celebrate Bob Martin’s 130 year anniversary, the e UK’s leading pet healthcare range is getting a fresh new look helping pet owners keep their pets ﬂea free, tick free and worry free.

Easy to apply Kill ﬂeas and their eggs ggs Kills ticks

No brand works faster or lasts longer.* Pet partners since 1892 @bobmartinUK Bob Martin and Bob Martin Clear Plus are registered trade marks of Martin & Martin Holdings. nd (S)-Methoprene for cats and dogs. * Based on AVM-GSL Spot-Ons containing Fipronil and

PETS CHOICE.indd 1

13/07/2022 11:05

Burgess Pet Care

Small Animal Feed Production Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB MRCVS Operations and Technical Director Burgess Pet Care.

Here the manufacturing process of small animal food is clearly explained, which arms you with knowledge you can use to help gain the trust of your customers. ith the UK’s population of rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals reportedly seeing a huge increase over the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a fair assumption that retailers will be seeing more new owners coming into their stores asking for help and advice. Therefore, it is essential that shop owners and staff have an understanding of the care and nutrition of these animals and the difference between the wide range of foods available. When it comes to feeding rabbits, guinea pigs, and other fibrevores — that’s small animals who need a high fibre diet — the first thing to remember is the importance of fresh grass or high-quality feeding hay. In addition to being the primary source of fibre, which is essential for digestive health, grass and hay also provide other important health benefits. These include supporting dental health by wearing down constantly growing teeth and supporting emotional health by allowing their natural foraging behaviour. These are the reasons why 85% — 90% of a fibrevore’s diet should be fresh grass or feeding hay. Given that grass and feeding hay has a natural variability in the levels of nutrients, concentrated feed, in the form of nuggets, has an important supporting role in ensuring a balanced diet by supplying a controlled level of macro and micronutrients. For rabbits, guinea pigs, and other fibrevores single component nuggets should make up 5% of the diet. Muesli style feeds are still available for the majority of small animals. However, research carried out by the University of Edinburgh highlighted the risks with these types of diets in rabbits. When fed muesli style feeds, rabbits selectively feed, picking out the high starch, high sugar elements of the food and leaving behind the high fibre parts. As a result, there were increased risk of health issues including an increased risk of dental disease, obesity, and uneaten sticky droppings (caecotrophs) which could potentially lead to flystrike. Although the research only studied rabbits, it would be a fair assumption that all species will selectively feed if given the opportunity. It is for these reasons that Burgess no longer manufacture muesli diets for any species. When it comes to creating top quality nuggets for small animals, it’s essential to ensure the right balance of nutrients are in the finished product. While that sounds relatively straightforward, putting it into practice is actually quite tricky and involves an understanding of the animals’ needs and how the method of processing can impact on the nutrient availability. Thermally extruded nuggets are widely acknowledged as the best way to support a forage based, balanced diet for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other fibrevores. This method of processing allows the optimal availability of nutrients while also helping to ensure food safety.

The thermal extrusion process involves grinding down a range of ingredients into a fine flour and mixing them together. Steam and water are added to create a soft mixture which can be pushed through an extruder, where it’s cooked by thermal and mechanical energy, and then through a die plate to form the nugget shape. Finally, the freshly made nuggets are dried, cooled, and packaged. Producing nuggets via thermal extrusion has a number of benefits: ● Better for digestion: Small animal nuggets contain wholegrains, which are a source of fibre, protein, and energy, in the form of starch. However, starch can be difficult for small animals to digest. By using heat in our process, the starch is cooked, or gelatinised. Without this cooking process, a bacterial overload may result, as the starch is rapidly fermented by the microflora present. This has the potential to cause digestive issues, particularly in very young or stressed animals. The cooking of starch has been shown to increase its absorption in the small intestine. Internal testing carried out a Burgess showed cold-pressed pellets had a gelatinisation of around 65%, whereas for thermally extruded nuggets this was 80% or higher. ● Food safety: Many of the ingredients used in small mammal feed are minimally processed before extrusion and may have been exposed to the wild animal population. The temperatures reached during thermal extrusion are an important step in ensuring food safety. ● Combatting anti-nutritional factors: Using heat also reduces anti-nutritional factors in the food. Many of the ingredients used in animal food, such as soya beans, contain anti-nutritional factors — essentially components in foods that can reduce the effectiveness of some of the nutrients. These include compounds such as trypsin inhibitors, phytates, polyphenols, tannins, anti-coagulants, phytooestrogens, and other alkaloids. The temperatures reached in the thermal extrusion process destroys these compounds to ensure that any risk to animal health is eliminated. Crop

Anti-nutritional factors (ANF)

Reduction (%)

Grains (bran)

Phytates

54.5

Grains (bran)

Polyphenols

73.4

Grains (bran)

Oxalates

36.8

Grains (bran)

Trypsin inhibitors

72.4

Legumes

Trypsin inhibitors

Complete degradation

(Soya Beans)

Alpha amylases

Complete degradation

Hemagglutinins

Complete degradation

Legumes

Tannins

Partial reduction

Peas

Lectins

Complete degradation

Phytates

Minimum reduction

The nugget making process

Single component small animal food can be made via two manufacturing processes — either cold-pressed pelleting or thermal extrusion. Cold-pressed pellets are made at lower temperatures using high pressure to bind the ingredients together. In comparison, nuggets made via thermal extrusion are cooked at higher temperatures.

14 August 2022

p14_PPM_Aug22.indd 14

Linseed

Trypsin inhibitors

Complete degradation

Tannins

factors. The reduction in nutrients in thermal extrusion is well researched and can be considered when formulating recipes. Any responsible manufacturer will formulate their products to ensure that their thermally extruded nuggets contain the right level of nutrients after processing.

A whole host of nutritious ingredients

There are many ingredients that can be used in small animal nuggets, ranging from grass meal and wholegrain wheat, to beneficial dried herbs such as mint and oregano, along with dried nettles and dandelions. Each and every ingredient in the formulation should be selected to help deliver nutrients to the animal. While there are often different views on the best way to achieve this, it is important to understand, firstly, the overall role of the food, and secondly, the role that each ingredient plays. With rabbits, guinea pigs, and other fibrevores there’s a significant natural variation in the nutrient content of forages, influenced by many factors, including the mix of plant species in the forage, the time of year it’s harvested, and the soil that the plants are grown in. Given that forage should be 85% — 90% of their diet, the role of nuggets is to balance out the natural variation in the forage and to help ensure that the correct amount of energy, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and fatty acids are available to the animal. A typical small animal nugget may contain ingredients such as wholegrain wheat which, while often maligned, is actually a source of fibre, protein, and energy in the form of starch made more digestible by the thermal extrusion process. Some ingredients, such as lucerne, known as alfalfa, are a source of protein and fibre, but have high levels of calcium that need to be tightly controlled to ensure that any foods produced with it are safe for small animals. Peas, a great source of protein, and linseed which contains essential fatty acids to support skin and coat health, both contain anti-nutritional factors. However, these can be destroyed or significantly reduced by the temperature reached during the thermal extrusion process.

The beneﬁt of added vitamins and minerals

One of the main benefits of commercially manufactured nuggets is the addition of vitamins and minerals to make sure that each species of small animal receives the correct amount they need. Importantly, these are added in specific compounds. This ensures that not only are they safe and beneficial for small animals, but they also remain intact during the thermal extrusion process and throughout the shelf life of the product. While a deficiency of vitamins and mineral will result in health problems, it’s essential that small animals don’t consume excessive amounts, as this can also be bad for them. To ensure optimum safety, responsible manufacturers consider all the available research to ensure that their foods contain the correct levels so that pet owners don’t need to add extra supplements to their small animals’ diet. The vitamins and minerals that we use are tightly regulated and must be approved by the Government. Labelling regulations mean that vitamins and minerals are classed as additives. While consumers may be resistant to the idea of additives, it is important that they understand the health benefits that they bring. By understanding the differences between types of small animal feeds, the processing methods, and the role of ingredients used, retailers will be able to offer sound advice to their customers and reinforce their role as pet specialists. This will help to improve the health and welfare of small animals, which is in everybody’s interest.

Of course, any cooking process results in the loss of some nutrients. However, these losses are outweighed by the benefits of thorough cooking — notably the reduced risk of digestive upsets and the destruction of anti-nutritional

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 08:59

A British Family Company

A new look for Burgess Excel

Big care

for small animals

*annual survey with UK vets

burgesspetcare.com

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WATER

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FRESH

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5 Step Excel Feeding Plan

@burgessexcel

13/07/2022 11:03

Dog advice

BUILD YOUR BOND t hrough play

Part Two

Toys are valuable learning tools and can help you to forge a trusting relationship with your dog, says Carol Price.

ast month we looked at the critical role play has in dogs’ lives, in both preparing them for real life, and in building social bonds. From playing with each other as young puppies, dogs move on to their new ‘human’ homes, and it is then that we can take over their ongoing social development and training, with the use of games and toys. When people first get puppies, playing with them in some way or form may seem the most natural thing in the world. But not everyone appreciates the way toys can also become valuable learning tools, in terms of what dogs learn about us when we use them in play, and what we can teach them.

Building the bond

It is important to spend as much time as you can playing with any new puppy you get, as this is the way he learns to build his primary social bond with you or other family members. Remember that in leaving his former home, mother, and littermates behind, he has lost all his past primary social connections and now has to build new ones. And you want to make this process as pleasurable and rewarding for him as possible. Further, the more you invest in forging this early social bond through play with your puppy, the more trust and goodwill you will build up in him, which will really help when it comes to his future training.

16 August 2022

p16_17_PPM_Aug22.indd 16

The same applies if you get an older dog, like a rescue. Making this early bond through play gets your new relationship off to the best possible start. If you have existing dogs, and get a new puppy or dog, it is also very important to spend regular time playing with the puppy one-to-one, every day, so he builds his primary social connection in life with you and not with your other dogs. Dogs in a home who are allowed to bond more strongly with each other, rather than you — such as littermates — can be that much harder to train later on.

leave any room you are in with a puppy if he persists in trying to nip you. Also be aware that more exciting, rough and tumble play of any kind with your puppy will always trigger greater use of his teeth. You can use a specific command, like ‘Stop!’, to tell your puppy all play is now going to be abandoned because he has touched you with his teeth, and over time this command should be enough in itself to make any nipping stop. However, I personally prefer to use the ‘Off!’ and ‘Back!’ commands, as they can have so many other uses later.

The ‘no teeth’ rule

Ongoing play and learning

When playing with puppies, bonding apart, the next important thing to consider is what do you want to teach your dog through toys and the whole play process? The reason for this is that puppies will carry on doing what is most instinctive for them to do as dogs when playing, unless you give them better direction. The way, for instance, people want to play with puppies is not how puppies tend to play with each other, where there can be a lot of wrestling, barging, and tugging, and the use of teeth. So, one of the very first play lessons a puppy needs to learn when he comes into a new human home is the ‘no teeth’ rule. In other words, the instant his teeth touch any part of the human body all play and social interaction will stop. You may also need to immediately

Playing should also be an ongoing habit between you and your dog, with the dogs and owners who play together more regularly always having the closest bonds. Just about every important future life lesson or training command I teach my dogs always begins with their earliest play sessions, whether this is better recall, or retrieving things, or dropping down on the move when I ask them to. As some dogs get older, they may become less interested in play, or even toys, but they still won’t forget what they learned from these things when they were younger. So, take the time to teach your dog what you need to through play, when they are young, or even older if needs be, and the effects it will have on their future behaviour will always be worth it.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 09:00

Teach your dog to give back a toy when requested to do so.

Teaching the ‘Give’ command

Keep the toys your dog values most for training.

Remember that in leaving his former home, he has lost all his past primary social connections... Teaching the ‘Off!’ and ‘Back!’ commands The ‘Off!’ and ‘Back!’ commands are important things to teach a puppy, because they can be used in many different contexts later, like when you want a puppy to stop nipping, or jumping up. Puppies can learn a lot through play. And teaching them is just so simple. First get a favourite toy in your hand and wait until your puppy actually jumps up to get it. As he tries to do this, suddenly walk forward in a way that means your puppy has to move off and away from you. As he is actually doing this, say ‘Off!’ and then immediately praise him well and let him have his toy as a reward for moving off you. Then move on to the ‘Back!’ command. Get your puppy to move ‘Off!’ you, as before, then keep walking forward a few more steps so he has to reverse backwards as well. As he is moving backwards a few steps, say ‘Back!’ and praise and reward him again with his toy. Once you have taught your puppy or dog to move ‘Off!’ and ‘Back!’, you can teach him things like off-then-back-then-sit before giving him his toy, or off-then-back-then-lie down-and-watch you —a whole string of different and valuable commands for the he future.

So many less pleasant scenarios with dogs, like them stealing things off others and not giving them back, or getting more aggressive about their possession of them, could be avoided if owners only taught them a ‘Give’ command when they were younger. To do this, simply have a toy in one hand and lots of tasty treats in your pocket. When your dog takes the toy in your hand in his mouth, let him see a treat in your other hand. Do not pull the toy, which may make him hold on

DID YOU KNOW? The top-selling dog toy in the UK (according to Amazon) is the high bounce Chuckit Ultra Ball (usually used with launchers or chuckers).

TOP TIP!

Should dogs have access to toys all the time?

Bear in mind that terrier breeds and crosses can be very destructive with their toys.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk w.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p16_17_PPM_Aug22.indd 17

to it more ﬁrmly. As he lets go of the toy to eat the treat, say ‘Give’, praise him, and, after he has eaten the treat, let him immediately have the toy back. Practise this over and over again, until your dog will ‘give’ you a toy back even when he can’t see the treat ﬁrst. Then move on to swapping something he has ‘given’ back to you for something else, like another nice toy. Eventually your dog will learn that there are only intense rewards attached to him giving back to you anything you ask for.

Some people are of the opinion that dogs should never have access to toys at home all the time, as it devalues their future incentive power in training. But I believe there is a compromise where dogs can have some favourite — and less easy to destroy — toys available to them all the time if they want them, whereas those they value most you just keep for training. It can also depend on the breed. Some breeds like terriers, for instance, can be incredibly destructive with toys, to the point where few ever last long in their

If you want to improve your puppy’s or dog’s recall when out, take special toys with you that he never gets or sees at home, which will act as a bigger incentive for him to come back.

presence, whereas other breeds can be far more gentle or careful with them. With more obsessive breeds like collies, and some spaniels, you really do have to ration how much time they are allowed to play with something like a ball as they often just do not know how or when to stop. Dogs who show any kind of more serious resource guarding behaviour around toys should definitely not be allowed constant access to them (see ‘Teaching the ‘Give’ command’). August 2022 17

13/07/2022 09:00

Cat knowledge

REDUCE YOUR CAT’S CARBON PAW PRINT

Can you reduce your cat’s impact on the planet?

Alison Gallagher-Hughes Journalist and PR expert who owns Tillymint Communications, a marketing communications agency which specialises in a range of B2B and B2C industries, including the pet sector. Visit www.tillymint.co.uk or email info@tillymint.co.uk Alison Gallagher-Hughes looks at the ways you can reduce your cat’s impact on the environment.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES? Anything that requires intensive processing, packaging, or transportation top the list including:

● Pet food transportation and storage. The reality is that some brands — even British ones — manufacture outside of the UK, compounded in some cases by Brexit which has prompted some companies to establish secondary manufacturing and warehouse operations in mainland Europe.

● Pet food ingredients — protein sources are needed to ensure a balanced diet — most come from fish and meat, although alternatives such as insect-based food is becoming more popular. Beef production is often cited as having high environmental impact. The flip side is that less desirable meat derivatives are often used within the manufacture of pet food, minimising waste from the human food chain.

very living being makes its mark upon this Earth. We consume and discard everything, from the air that we breathe and the water that we drink, to the non-essential items that accompany modern life. This is no different for our pets except that in most cases, it’s their human carers that are making critical choices which impact on our wider eco-system. We all try to put our pets first but it is easy for the distinction about what our cats need and what is merely desirable to become blurred. Faced with the stark facts around climate change, many of us are now questioning our choices and attempting to modify our way of living. The mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink is a good starting point. Being mindful of our actions and buying decisions will help us to do our bit — and along the way we might find we are making more informed, healthy choices for our pets. So where do we start?

th i w n o i t a i c o s s a Did you know? Over 2 million tonnes of cat litter are thrown away every year in the UK.

● Cat litter — Non-biodegradable varieties often end up in landfill, which is compacted and hard to breakdown. With most owners refreshing the litter tray on a daily basis, this stacks up to tonnes and tonnes of cat litter waste each year which can have a massive impact on the planet. ● Pet beds and toys made with plastic and/or synthetic materials.

● Pet food packaging – particularly foils, plastics, and secondary packaging. Manufacturers often struggle to balance requirements for freshness and durability with eco credentials. However, some are making active efforts to balance these needs and turning to innovative recyclable and sustainable materials.

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www.petproductmarketing.co.uk www.pet tproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 09:03

What can we do about it?

Definition Your cat’s carbon paw print is based on the total amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of activity undertaken by the pet and its owner, including the products they consume.

The evidence Pets are thought to be responsible for a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by ‘animal agriculture’ with the equivalent of 64 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted in the production of their food. It is estimated that a single cat creates more than 1,100lbs of greenhouse gas each year.

Homemade cat toys are often popular with your pet!

To ﬁnd out more about Felight Eco, visit www.bobmartin. co.uk/our-products/ cat-litter-accessories/ cat-litter-accessoriesfelight

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Essentially, we need to think differently and be mindful about the choices we make and try alternatives: ● DIET — this is one of the biggest ways you can help to reduce your cat’s impact on the environment. Think about what’s in the bowl and how often. Cut down on feed times. How often do those appealing eyes prompt us to automatically pick up a tin? Being methodical about mealtimes could also reduce your cat’s likelihood of becoming obese. If you do want to treat, try making your own which could work out to be more economical. When considering the ingredients of your feline’s food, you may want to think about whether the ingredients come from sustainable sources (many manufacturers will put this on the packaging). You could also think about giving your cat an insect-based food which is a source of protein that has far less impact on the environment. Also, avoid products that include palm oil, its production is incredibly harmful to wildlife and the environment. ● MAKE GREEN CHOICES — the pet industry is one sector that has been quick to understand the climate change challenge and many brands are adopting greener ways of working. This includes offering eco-friendly products, using recycled materials in their products and packaging, using alternatives to plastic, giving profits to green causes, and being carbon neutral businesses. Brands that are leading the way with being eco-friendly will want to shout about it! Often it will be on their packaging. Fully research and try alternative brands with eco credentials and buy in bulk to avoid trips to the

pet shop in the car. ● OPERATION POOP — switch to an eco-friendly cat litter that won’t go into landfill and take hundreds of years to decompose. Some are made from sustainable materials, such as plant fibre and are biodegradable, or even recycled material such as Felight Eco. When emptying the tray, don’t pour discarded litter into carrier bags. Instead use eco-friendly waste bags or even better, many can be composted, so consider acquiring a composter and layer the waste with soil or sawdust and garden materials. ● REUSE AND REPAIR — instead of regularly buying your cat brand new resources, think about how you could reuse or repair them. For example, cat scratching posts are an essential in most cat homes but they wear out. Don’t dump the whole thing. It’s easy to replace worn areas with natural sisal rope — widely available online — or old carpet that can be held in place at the back with a staple gun. ● MAKE HOMEMADE TOYS — how often have we bought an item and found our four-legged friend more interested in the packaging? Before chucking out a box, cut a couple of holes in it for your cat to play in. Homemade playthings can be highly amusing. Toilet rolls and eggboxes make great puzzle feeders. Old socks containing dried catnip can be tied-off or attached to a garden cane with a length of string. Check out Cats Protection’s How To Guide www.cats.org.uk/catsblog/how-to-make-fishing-rodtoy August 2022 19

13/07/2022 09:02

Business advice

Fallouts among directors can be messy for a business.

Disagreeable directors Adam Bernstein Writer/researcher for independent businesses. o matter how well a firm is set up, as the saying goes: ‘stuff happens’ and when it does, the finger pointing starts and heads begin to roll. Parting company with an employee is one thing, but what happens when it’s a director? Maybe one who is also an employee and a shareholder? It’s a problem for all firms regardless of size. It’s a problem that Paul Taylor, a partner in the corporate department of Fox Williams, has seen. The issue can appear worse because an individual can wear three totally separate hats — director, employee, and shareholder — each of which comes with a different matrix of rights and obligations. From experience, Taylor knows that “nine times out of ten it will be necessary to come to an arrangement which results in the individual ceasing to act, at a minimum, as both a director and an employee and, ideally, also as a shareholder.” But that’s not always possible.

Removing a director According to Vickie Williams, a director at Freeths, the starting point for resolving any dispute is the company’s constitutional documents. As she points out: “In most companies, the power to remove a director is granted to the board of directors or to a majority of the shareholders under the company’s articles of association or in a shareholder agreement.” “Most articles,” says Taylor, “contain a list of circumstances when a director will be deemed to have resigned.” He says that they usually include statutory disqualification; bankruptcy; mental disorder; or prolonged absence. But there are more: Williams cites resignation; under the company’s articles which may provide that the office of director is automatically vacated on the occurrence of certain events; under the law, where for example, no one can be under 16 when appointed; under contract where a provision in a service agreement requires the director to resign; by court order; and, logically, on the death of a director. George Marques, a senior associate in the company commercial department of Bishop & Sewell LLP, considers articles or shareholder agreements as essential since they can offer easier routes to remove a director. Further, he notes that company form — private or public — “does not in and of itself alter the options available for removal.”

Employee directors Starting with the removal of employee directors, companies should first examine any service agreement that may be in place. Here Taylor advises looking for any resignation of directorship clause as “this

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may include useful provisions, such as an obligation to resign as a director upon any termination of employment. It may also include a power of attorney, allowing a resignation letter and other relevant documents to be signed by the company if the outgoing director refuses to do so.” If properly drafted, Williams says documents should make the process relatively straightforward, but adds that “if they are not available, the Companies Act 2006 will step in with a mechanism for shareholders to remove a director by passing an ordinary resolution.”

to their lists Marques adds another circumstance that “a director is appointed to the role under the proviso of a fixed-term tenure and once that term expires, they will relinquish their position.” But if they fail to leave at the appropriate time, he says that litigation or a s.168 Companies Act removal may be required to enforce the point. Marques adds that in the event of a conflict between the articles and a shareholder’s agreement, the articles take precedence. That aside, he says that there are ways to override the removal provisions in the articles that conflict with those in a shareholder’s agreement.

Removal by shareholders But what if the director’s removal is sought by fellow directors or if it’s the shareholders who are seeking a removal? Does the process differ? Williams says that it can, adding that if the removal is sought by shareholders “the Act requires that an ordinary resolution is needed, subject, of course, to any agreement between the director and the company as well as a special notice of the resolution.” She makes the point that the law “also demands that upon receipt of notice of intended resolution to remove a director the company must send a notice to the director concerned.” But while the procedure is set down in law, Taylor explains “that this method of removing a director is not always going to be practical, especially where the rapid exit of a director is desired.” And Marques agrees. He says that the statutory procedure can be a drawnout process and can cause delays to any removal. It’s for this reason, he believes that “it is preferable to have an alternate procedure in the articles of association which simplifies and shortens the timescales for a removal.” Lastly, those seeking a removal should take a tip from Taylor — that they should check the articles of association to confirm whether any shares exist that give holders enhanced voting rights, for instance, which might permit the director in question, if they hold shares, to weighted voting on any resolution to dismiss them.

Removal by directors But where the removal is sought by directors, Williams says that “they need to have been given the power in the company’s articles which should also set out the procedure.” If they are not given this power, then the matter must be passed back to the shareholders for a simple majority view. It’s also possible, as Taylor and Williams noted earlier, that a director’s appointment can be terminated ‘automatically’. But

selling shares, not the re-instatement of directors.” Something else he draws attention to is the size of shareholding, and he says that “all other things being equal, a majority shareholder director will usually have an easier time of defending themselves in a campaign to remove them as a director and, if they own over 75% of the share capital they cannot be removed.” However, in some cases minority shareholders can fare almost as well due to provisions in the articles or shareholders’ agreements that give a shareholder the right to appoint a director and have super-voting rights with respect to their removal.

Size can mean everything A natural question to ask, is whether a director’s shareholding bears any relevance to their position and rights? In other words, can a majority shareholder director be removed as easily as a director who is in a minority? On this, Marques says that a director who leaves their role is not obliged to sell their shares in the company as “the two roles are entirely separate unless linked under the company’s articles of association or a shareholders’ agreement.” However, he sees a chance of conflict rising when a director shareholder is removed from the management of the company unless there is an agreed or stipulated mechanism in place for dealing with the shareholding of a terminated director. Williams advocates the soft approach through negotiating their position or exit. In contrast, a hard approach would involve a petition to wind up the company. But again, she says that “the starting point should be the company’s articles or shareholder agreement to see if they contain any provisions requiring director shareholders to sell their shares if they are removed as director.” She cautions, however, that the company should be aware of the risk of an unfair prejudice application by removing a director if the shareholders are in a quasipartnership. For the record, in terms of an unfair prejudice petition, the Act, s994 specifically, helps those in a minority where a director is removed from the management of the business, or a shareholding is deliberately devalued. Regarding this, Williams says that “courts have very broad discretion in these types of claims and can make orders that the prejudiced shareholder be bought out or buy the other shareholders out requiring independent valuations to be undertaken to determine share price.” Marques expands the point and comments that “it is worth noting that S.994 claims usually result in one party or another

A refusal to go quietly While some directors will walk when they see the writing on the wall, not all will. So, should they be ‘bought off’ to get their compliance to keep the peace and keep the matter private? Or should the company and remaining directors stand their ground? The answer, reckons Williams, is that “usually, the remaining directors will not want the expense of going through the courts; they just want to get on with running the business.” In her view, the best route is to try to negotiate with the exiting director and reach some sort of agreement. And Marques believes the same and thinks that potential issues are better thought through at company formation stage rather than when they appear: “One often used approach is for the articles to provide that the removal of a director automatically triggers a transfer of their shares to the other shareholders.” As to buying off the director concerned, Marques says that “it is unlawful for a company to make ‘a payment for loss of office to a director of the company unless the payment has been approved by a resolution of the members of the company.’” But if there is serious conflict with minimal likelihood of amicable resolution, Williams does offer one more and very final solution: “If negotiation is not an option, there is always the threat of winding up the business as a nuclear option.” Assuming the business is solvent, a members voluntary winding up allows the directors and shareholders to extract the value of the business in a cost effective and tax effective way.

Seek good advice It’s easy to act in haste only to repent at leisure. Removing a director is not a simple process as procedures are, if not documented elsewhere, set down in law. In any situation requiring action, talking and negotiation are the best options to finding a resolution and staying out of the courts.

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13/07/2022 09:04

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13/07/2022 11:13

Small companions

Rabbit and guinea pig nutrition:

d o o f n o s u c a fo life. for

riven by the pandemic and lockdowns of the last two years, the UK’s pet population has boomed, and it’s not just dogs and cats whose numbers have increased. According to the PFMA, 62 percent of households have pets, of which one million are rabbits and 0.9 million are guinea pigs. The days when rabbits and guinea pigs were considered as ‘starter pets’ are long gone and there is widespread recognition of the unique requirements that need to be met to keep them in tip-top health. Today’s small pet owners are increasingly well informed and recognise the need to invest in the very best in pet care from nutrition through to housing and veterinary care, to allow their pets to live a healthy and happy life.

You are what you eat: tailored nutrition for optimum health With a highly specialised digestive system, fine-tuned for a fibre-rich plant-based diet, feeding rabbits and guinea pigs a diet that closely mimics that of their wild cousins is of the utmost importance. Here is a quick reminder of the key points to emphasise when talking to owners about nutrition: ● High-fibre food is critical for supporting digestive health and wearing down their continually growing teeth. At Supreme, we have refined our manufacturing process to include higher levels of fibre in our diets, and our Science Selective Adult Rabbit diet has 25% crude fibre – higher than any other comparable rabbit food. ● Excess sugar can lead to health problems including dental disease and obesity, so diets with no added sugars will be preferable to those that may include sugary ingredients like molasses. ● Hay should make up 80% of the diet and should be chosen for its palatability and nutritional content. Some of the best options for rabbits are Timothy hay such as Science Selective Timothy Hay or Meadow hay like Russel Rabbit Tasty Hay. ● Selective feeding can occur for some rabbits that are fed mixes if they are fed incorrectly. To get the full nutritional value from the diet, rabbits should eat all of their daily measured portion, but if some ingredients are left behind, particularly the cold-pressed pellets, they may not be getting a balanced diet. Help overcome this problem by choosing an alternative highquality mix that includes tasty extruded nuggets and high fibre components, such as

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Russel Rabbit Tasty Mix and advise owners on how to feed correctly. Mono-component alternatives that prevent selective feeding include Russel Rabbit Tasty Nuggets and Science Selective. ● Dietary requirements can vary according to life-stage and lifestyle including special diets for indoor rabbits such as Science Selective House Rabbit which is rich in Vitamin D. But are the nutrient requirements for a young growing guinea pig the same as for an adult? Or what about a rabbit whose binkies have turned to sedate bunny-hops in their more senior years? Surely they have different nutritional needs to their more active friends. Life stage diets for dogs and cats have been available for years, with puppy, kitten and senior diets part of all retailers’ product ranges and there is widespread acknowledgement of the benefits of feeding such diets. So is a ‘one size fits all ages’ approach suitable for rabbits and guinea pigs? It probably comes as no surprise to learn that the answer to this is ‘no.’

carefully balanced - sudden changes in the diet can upset this, so dietary changes need to be slow to allow the friendly bacteria time to adjust. Owners should be advised to allow a minimum of ten days for any dietary transition. On day one, a maximum of 20 percent of the food portion should be the new diet, slowly building up to 80 percent by days seven and eight, with 100 percent of the portion being the new food by day ten.

Senior diets for older pets

Food for young growing animals needs to promote healthy growth and development. Higher protein levels in both Science Selective Junior Guinea Pig and Science Selective Junior Rabbit help support optimum growth and are suitable for feeding up to the age of about 20 weeks. In addition, Science Selective Junior Rabbit food is fortified with a blend of amino acids, vitamins and spinach to provide a great source of antioxidants, helping to give young rabbits a great start in life naturally, whilst Science Selective Junior Guinea Pig has enhanced vitamin C levels to support optimum health during the all-important first few months.

Energy requirements decrease with age, partly due to a slowing of the metabolism and partly due to a reduction in activity levels. Due to this, the risk of weight gain and obesity rises from about four years of age. According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association 2019 obesity report, 29% of small mammals are overweight or obese and carrying this excess weight has a detrimental effect on health, as well as increasing the risk of joint and mobility problems. One of the single most important things owners can do to help keep pets fit as a fiddle and arthritis at bay, is to keep their pet at a healthy weight. Feeding a high fibre diet with no added sugar is key to preventing obesity throughout life, but especially in the more senior years. With this in mind, Supreme’s Science Selective Four+ Rabbit is designed to meet the nutritional needs of rabbits aged four years and over. High fibre levels respect the natural diet and promote wellbeing and vitality whilst reduced protein (12 percent) and energy levels help maintain a healthy weight. With a correctly balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio (calcium 0.6%, phosphorus 0.4%) optimum bone and joint health is also supported.

Adult diets for the prime of life

A word about arthritis

Junior diets for the best start in life

Once the initial phase of rapid growth is complete, usually around the age of 20 weeks, rabbits and guinea pigs should be transitioned onto an adult diet. Any dietary transition should be gradual to avoid upsetting delicate digestive systems. Rabbits and guinea pigs are what is known as hind-gut fermenters. This means that they have a huge organ called the caecum that contains lots of ‘good’ bacteria to help break down the tough fibre in a herbivore diet. These friendly bacteria are

Many rabbits and guinea pigs suffer from arthritis; indeed it is probably much more common than is often realised. The main hurdle to diagnosing the condition is that as prey animals, they are experts at hiding signs of pain - after all, displaying any sign of weakness in the wild would significantly increase the risk of predation. As well as a reduction in mobility, signs of arthritis in small pets can include a reduced appetite, lethargy or ‘slowing down’, a hunched appearance, teeth grinding, weight loss and

less commonly, vocalising. Any abnormal signs in small pets should be checked by a veterinary surgeon without delay, as often by the time such signs of illness are noticed by owners, pets are already quite unwell.

Life stage diets: supporting the retailer Life stage diets for these specialised herbivores are a relatively new addition to the nutrition toolbox but one that is well worth making room on the shelves for. Some rabbit and guinea pig owners may be unaware of the availability of life stage diets, so creating an in-store display is an excellent way of highlighting the benefits. Supreme offers retailers a comprehensive range of effective POS materials to help boost sales, including care guides, free samples and loyalty schemes. Free samples are particularly successful, and retailers can use them in ‘new pet packs’, or to encourage owners to switch from another brand - owners like the reassurance that their pet will like the diet prior to purchase. Once owners have made the switch, loyalty cards and money off next purchase schemes help establish firm shopping habits and encourage repeat custom. Retailers can now take advantage of free samples of all Supreme’s Selective rabbit and guinea pig lifestage diets. Educational resources including care guides are another useful tool for the retailer. Owners are increasingly looking to provide gold standard care for their small pets and are keen to access high quality information to support this. Along with posters, retailers can use these to create eye-catching displays to attract customer attention and start the life stage diet discussion. Today’s pet parents are often very knowledgeable and willing to pay a premium for the very best in pet care and nutrition. By advising them to start their pet on high quality nutrition tailored for young growing animals, such as Supreme’s Science Selective Junior Rabbit or Science Selective Junior Guinea Pig, retailers can help foster long term shopping habits. Indeed the Science Selective range has particularly strong brand loyalty, with 80 percent of junior food shoppers remaining brand loyal when switching to adult food. What better way to encourage repeat store visits?

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13/07/2022 09:05

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13/07/2022 11:14

Business advice

Stay interviews could help your staff to thrive.

Adam Bernstein

Using stay interviews to understand employees

Writer/researcher for independent ndependent businesses.

“

Interviews need to be closed properly with the interviewer summarising what the employee has said...

“

t shouldn’t take a degree in astrophysics to recognise that there’s a shortage of labour across many business sectors. Partly due to changing demographics, the changing nature of many industries, it’s also a function of what has been termed ‘the big quit’ where following Covid many re-evaluated their lives and decided, where they could, to enjoy what time they had left. This leaves employers in a double bind. On the one hand, they can struggle to recruit, but on the other, they need to prevent good employees leaving. And it’s a salient point. Estimates vary, but Glassdoor reckons it costs at least £3,000 to recruit an employee, while the CIPD’s ‘Resourcing And Talent Planning Survey 2020’ thinks that for some employers it can be as high as £5,000 (median). It makes sense then for employers to retain good employees and one tool to do this is to run what is termed a ‘stay interview.’

The interview deﬁned The polar opposite of an exit interview where employers ask why an employee is leaving, the stay interview seeks to understand what would make an employee stay put — what are their motivations, what could be made better for them, and how they envisage their careers developing and

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how the employer can facilitate this. Fundamentally, a stay interview can help an employer understand what it is they need to do to keep an employee on board — remembering, of course, that for many sectors, employees are in a very strong bargaining position. For the record, the stay interview is not, and should not, be a formal process which puts an employee on edge or causes them to worry. Rather, it should be an informal conversation that aims to relax and reassure employees that the employer wants to understand and help with career progression. Further, it should be held in a form to encourage an employee to speak freely, without fear of retribution, and where they can give feedback on what is wrong in the organisation and where they would like to see improvements. Interviewing managers do best when they are mindful that employees can hold back on their true thoughts for fear of retribution. Managers may not know where issues and bottlenecks are, even though employees think that they should be obvious. And to drive the point home further, a December 2017 survey, albeit in the US, from Ultimate Software and the Center for Generational Kinetics, found that “there’s a significant gap in managers’ and employees’ perceptions: 80 per cent of managers think they’re transparent with their direct reports, yet only 55 percent of employees agree their managers are transparent.” Stay interviews are not a one-time deal where an employer goes through the motions but neither responds to what has been divulged or regularly repeats the process to maintain an on-going understanding; everyone’s needs, views, and personal situation will fluctuate over time. Similarly, stay interviews should not be tied to performance or pay reviews. However, they may uncover issues that are easily fixed such as low or unequal remuneration (which could be discriminatory and therefore illegal), a

general lack of employee development, or an inconsistent or unpleasant workplace culture. Beyond that, an organisation that runs, and is known to run, stay interviews may find themselves becoming an employer of choice as word gets out. Like any other employer, they will suffer natural losses as employees move away or retire, but they will find it easier — and therefore faster and less expensive — to recruit replacements.

The interview The whole of point of a stay interview is for the manager to be able to understand exactly what it is that the employee does, down to the nth degree, every day. The interview needs to uncover how employees visualise their work, how they feel their contribution is perceived, and where they see themselves within the organisation. A stay interview should not seek information of work or project status and nor should it be a one-way conversation — it needs to be a genuine two-way dialogue. And it often helps if an interviewee is told beforehand what the meeting is about and sent a few starter questions to help them formulate their thoughts. To start with, the interviewer ought to open the process with words such as “I want to discuss with you the reasons why you want to stay with us and what we can do to make it better” or alternatively, “I want to talk informally about your work and how the management can support you.” As for questions, many should be obvious but could include: What is it that makes you get out of bed to come to work? What are the best and worst things about working here? Why do you stay? If you could make a change, what would it be? Do you feel recognised? What are your motivations when you’re here? What demotivates you? What can we do to support you better? And importantly, what might cause you to want to leave? Of course, there will be plenty more and there’s not the space to detail them all here.

Also, one question may lead naturally to another. But regardless, it’s key to let the employee feel that they can talk freely and openly so that the manager can learn and then direct appropriate resource where possible. Interviews need to be closed properly with the interviewer summarising what the employee has said — both the reasons to stay and the reasons for a departure. It wouldn’t hurt, if, for example, the manager ended by saying something akin to “thank you for sharing your thoughts with me; I’ll do whatever I can to make this a place where you want to stay and work.” And it’s important that employees can see, post interview, that their comments have been taken on board and change has been actioned where possible. A process that operates on the basis of lip-service is a futile waste of time that will invariably do the exact opposite of what was intended — it’ll cause employees to distrust management and seek to leave. Lastly, it’s been said that employees tend to leave because of a bad manager rather than the organisation itself. Good or bad, managerial relationships don’t form overnight and if employees have been truly alienated, sitting down for a chat may not change their minds. In other words, stay interviews aren’t perfect and it’s much better to foster a great workplace in the first instance, using stay interviews to fine tune the environment. It’s often said that a question should never be asked if the answer is not wanted, but sometimes the truth can be uncomfortable. Even so, in today’s market, where employees are in short supply and the web has made both salaries and new job prospects very apparent, management that doesn’t seek to understand how employees feel are destined to lose experienced staff and pay to make good the losses. Hopefully though, stay interviews will lift an organisation’s retention rates, help them hold on to star employees, and possibly attract new employees.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

13/07/2022 09:06

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13/07/2022 11:20

Customer Q&As

Customer & solutions Building a speedy recall My dog’s recall is OK. He knows what it means and will come — it just takes quite a long time, and he gets easily distracted by an interesting scent along the way! How can I speed up his recall and what should I do if he comes but takes a long time to get to me? I’m very aware of not making it a negative experience so I always treat him when he comes. Is this the right thing to do? Tony says: The answer depends on whether you want a fast recall or are simply grateful that your dog returns at all! Often a sluggish recall is because the dog is not sufficiently motivated, and there are competing elements in the environment (other dogs, scents), which trump your reward. Consider changing the reward. Have you tried a favourite toy? Have a special ‘recall toy’ that he absolutely loves. It depends on your dog, but it could be a tennis ball, a squeaky toy, or a tuggy toy, which he only sees after returning. The game becomes the reward. Play can create an energetic return. If he is not into toys or you can’t build that craving, then perhaps raise the value of the food rewards. You want your dog to absolutely desire the treat and run back to you in order to get it. Dogs have a hierarchy of rewards. Usually, the softer, moister treats are their most valuable, so you can change your rewards to low-fat cheese, chicken, hotdogs or — the best for many dogs —liver cake (the recipe can be found on the internet). Another tip is to perform multiple recalls in the park. If you only do one and then go home, your dog knows his fun will end with a recall. Call him back, reward him, and let him return to where you called him away from. Of course, after one of the recalls you will need to clip on the lead and leave, but keep him guessing as to which one it will be. If you want to advance his recall performance overall and make it faster, you can start being smarter with the treats or toy and reward for performance. If he returns within so many seconds, he gains the reward (food or toy). If the return is slower, praise him and

The best start

Dog Training We W are getting a new Labrador puppy later this L summer and we’re keen s to t get her off to a good start with puppy training s classes. How soon can she c start these (she will be eight s weeks old when she comes w to t us) and what should we expect in terms of training? e Also, do you have any tips A on o finding a good trainer?

Tony says: With a young T pre-vaccinated puppy, it is p always worth asking your a local veterinary surgery. l Many surgeries provide ‘socialisation evenings’ where the puppies get together for the first time. If this is done in a controlled way, it is an ideal start and in a sterilised and safe environment. Once the puppy is fully inoculated, then a training class can be considered. Classes can be indoors or outdoors and generally last about 45 minutes per week (as we know puppies have a low concentration span!). Choosing a class where the head trainer is affiliated to a specific organisation usually ensures that the trainer has been assessed and follows a continuous professional development (CPD) programme. Dog training is constantly changing and progressing as we learn more about canine behaviour. It is good to ask the trainer if you can attend without your puppy and observe. Don’t sign up if you see any harsh punishments or forceful techniques. Harsh voices and corrections can be particularly detrimental to the mental development of a young dog. Classes should be fun, where the dogs appear happy and content. We now know that the best learning is done via positive reinforcement. Both the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMTD) have registers online where you can find a professional trainer near you who is up-to-date and has been assessed. Keep training fun! Check out any puppy training classes before signing up.

Dog Training

Pick your rewards carefully —moist, soft treats usually score highly..

release him with no game or treat. This technique means the treats (or toy) aren’t quite as predictable as they are in a fixed, continuous reward schedule, and he may keep trying harder... and faster. Tony Cruse is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers

Long line training

Dog Training

A long line is a useful training tool, particularly in building a solid recall.

Can you explain the benefits of using a long training line? How long do they need to be? How easy are they to manage? Tony says: Training lines (often known as long lines) are great tools. We use them in my training classes to help build a solid recall. They are the necessary training step between the dog being off-lead, completely free at the park, and on a lead. Training lines are longer than a lead, so they give the learning dog freedom but not so much that he is able to run off. If a dog learns to run off towards a distraction multiple times, you can have a bad habit to overcome. The long line prevents this by building errorless training. With this management in place, you can teach a recall. You can use either the dog’s name with a command like ‘Here’ or a whistle to get your dog to return to you for a tasty treat. A decent long line is 10 metres long and often made of strong material. Any longer than that and it gets messy and any shorter and it is not much better than a lead. Ideally, connect it to a body harness so the dog doesn’t hurt his neck should he jolt at the end of it. Hold most of the lead bunched up in your dominant hand and feed out the slack or take it in with the other hand. You can adjust the length as you walk around the park. Once you have built a solid recall on the long line, you can allow the line to drag on the ground. If there is an issue, the line is much easier to catch than the dog. And finally, when the recall is at least 90per cent reliable using the long line, you can allow the dog off completely to romp and be free, knowing you have a good reliable recall. A note of fact here...there is no such thing as a 100per cent successful recall, so expect the odd blip!

Tony Cruse is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Tony Cruse is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers

26 August 2022

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Customer Q&As

Neutering small pets Small Animal Dog Advice Training

Unlike rabbits, neutering male guinea pigs doesn’t affect their behaviour and will not reduce fighting between a pair. Therefore, the general advice is to only neuter male guinea pigs if they cannot be paired with a male due to fighting, and need to be paired with a female. When to neuter Male guinea pigs can be castrated from 3 — 4 months or as soon as their testicles are visible. Care before and after: Guinea pigs should not be starved before the op, and must have a constant access to fresh hay and water. Once the guinea pigs have returned from the vet’s, it is very important to monitor their castrate wound for swelling or signs of infection. You should also monitor their toileting output which should be of normal amounts — if this has reduced or the poo appears smaller, then it is important to take advice from your vet straight away. It is very important that a male is neutered and rested for up to three weeks before you pair with a female to prevent unwanted babies.

Ferrets

Many small pet species benefit from being neutered. However, each species has their own individual needs when it comes to neutering. Like with all procedures, neutering comes with its risks and these should be discussed with your small pet-savvy vet.

Both male and females should be neutered, there are several benefits to neutering them which include: ● Unwanted babies. ● Reduce in odour. ● Aids mixing as entire ferrets are more likely to be tricky to mix. ● Prevents the risk of females developing Pyometra. When to neuter Male ferrets can be neutered from 5 — 6 months of age, while females are best to be neutered at around 7 — 8 months, but your vet will guide you on each female. Care before and after neutering Ferrets need starving prior to going for the procedure, this is generally a time frame of between 1 — 4 hours, your vet will advise you on their preference. Once you return your ferrets home, ensure they have plenty of cosy blankets to snuggle in, and monitor the wound for any signs of infection.

Woodgreen say:

Rodents — Rats, Mice, Gerbils, Degus, and Chinchillas

Your vet will help prepare your small companion for neutering.

Rabbits: There are many benefits to neutering your pet rabbits. Some of these include: ● Females are very prone to uterine cancer from the age of four years — neutering will prevent this. ● Entire males will often spray over their enclosure, their companion, and you. Neutering will stop this. ● Entire females will often experience several phantom pregnancies each year which can be stressful for them. Neutering will stop this. ● If planning on introducing a pair or more of rabbits, ensuring that all the rabbits are neutered first will offer a much higher success rate when bonding. ● Neutering prevents unexpected/unwanted babies. ● Neutering can reduce early signs of fighting. When to neuter: Males can be neutered from 3 — 4 months of age or as soon as their testicles have appeared. Females can be neutered from 5 — 6 months of age. Care before and after neuter: Going into a vet practice can be very stressful for pet rabbits. To help reduce this, you can take some of their bedding with them that has their scent, which can then be placed in the hospital cage. Rabbits must have plenty of hay and some fresh food available pre and post op. Some species need to be starved for a certain amount of time, whereas rabbits must continue to eat to maintain their gut movement. Once your rabbits return to their enclosure, it can be a good idea to offer a soft, warm area for them to rest, using some towels and even a snuggle-safe heat pad placed within their enclosure can be ideal. For the next 48 hours it is very important to monitor their toileting output and food intake, and you should also monitor their neuter site for any signs of infection or any other issues.

Guinea pigs: In most cases, only male guinea pigs are neutered. Neutering female guinea pigs can be very risky and should only be taken on by a guinea pig savvy vet if it needs doing for emergency reasons.

Cat Rescue

The Snowshoe

Rescuing a pedigree cat My last cat was a pedigree Snowshoe, but I would now like to adopt rather than buy another one. I can find plenty of moggies on the main rescue websites but no Snowshoes. Do I just have to keep on looking at my local cat rescue websites?

Neutering rodents is a fairly new practice, but it can have many benefits. Previously, it was not considered possible due to their size, but now many rodent-savvy vets are willing to neuter rodents. Only males of the above species are generally neutered, however in some rare cases females may be neutered due to medical or behavioural emergencies. The benefits to neutering these species include: ● Single males who have a history of fighting with other males can be neutered and paired with females. ● Reduction in odour for male mice. ● Prevents unwanted babies. When to neuter Most of the species can be neutered from 4 — 6 months. However, it is advised that Degus are neutered closer to one year of age as it can take longer for them to be fully developed physically and mentally. Care before and after neutering Rodents do not need to be starved prior to neutering, and the procedure is relatively quick. Once your rodent has returned home, it is advisable to house them on soft towels or vet bed material for the first week to avoid loose bedding irritating the castrate wound. Sand baths for chinchillas and degus should also be removed for the first week. It is advisable to monitor your rodents closely for the first 1 — 2 weeks to ensure they do not chew the wound area and that their toileting output and food intake is normal.

Hamsters In most cases, hamsters do not require neutering as they either prefer a solitary life or are most content in same sex groups. However, female Syrian hamsters can be prone to Pyometra. With the support of a rodent savvy-vet, neutering can cure this.

Woodgreen Pets Charity helps pets and people at every step of the way. As well as being a safe haven for vulnerable pets in need of urgent care and a loving new home, Woodgreen provides expert advice and hands-on support to petowners in need of a guiding hand. With almost 100 years’ experience in rehabilitating and rehoming pets, the charity is committed to making sure that pets have the best lives possible. This vital work is only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters. Find out how you can make a difference to pets in need at woodgreen.org.uk Celia says: Adopting a cat, rather than buying one, is the best way to help cats in general. There is another way to find a pedigree rescue than simply waiting for one to turn up in your local cat rescue charity. Go to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy website (www. gccfcats.org/ownership-health-welfare/rehoming/clubs-rehoming/) and download the list of breed clubs and cat clubs. Almost all clubs have a welfare officer who will know if they have any cats up for adoption. There is often more than one club for the most popular breeds. Sometimes you will find details already online of pedigree cats needing new homes on these sites. These will normally be adult cats, not kittens. The list contains only one Snowshoe club (http:// thesnowshoecatsociety.co.uk/). If you look under rescue and welfare section, you will find an email for the welfare officer. She can tell you if there are any Snowshoes needing homes. You may have to go on a waiting list. Celia Haddon MA MSc MA is a well-known pet columnist and author of numerous cat books. She is a cat lover and owner, with a cat behaviour qualiﬁcation and broad experience of feline issues.

28 August 2022

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Breaktime read

A First World War dog ambulance funded by Mrs Elphinstone Maitland of Connecticut, USA.

DID YOU KNOW? Blue Cross estimates that it has helped a staggering 38 million lives.

A Blue Cross Fund wounded war dogs poster.

The charity has always campaigned to raise awareness and improve the lives of animals. In 1949, it took up the plight of council tenants banned from keeping pets, resulting in an agreement that enabled pet ownership. In 1955, the ODFL officially changed its name to Blue Cross. In 1991, it launched a Pet Bereavement Support Service to support owners who had lost a pet or had to hand over an animal due to a change of circumstances. Blue Cross also became the first animal charity to employ a dog behaviourist to address behaviour issues in rescued dogs and improve their chances of being rehomed. During the covid pandemic, it launched a helpline to assist the nation’s pets and their owners in managing changes to their home environment.

Second World War soldiers are reunited with a German Shepherd at the Charlton kennels.

Protecting people

and their

The Blue Cross marks its 125th anniversary this year. Alison Gallagher-Hughes looks at the history of a charity devoted to animal welfare. nglish law may have only recently recognised animals as sentient beings, but there have always been those who have considered the needs of animals and helped people in less fortunate circumstances to care for their animals. This year, the Blue Cross charity celebrates its 125th anniversary and we look back on a journey which mirrors that of wider society, reflecting our changing attitudes and a deepening bond with the animals that share our lives. The charity was initially founded as the ‘Our Dumb Friends’ League’ (ODFL) to help working horses in London, who were often underfed, carried heavy loads, and were prone to injury on the slippery asphalt roads. In 1900, it supported dog owners who could not afford to pay a licence fee, which could result in them having to give up their pet. The dog licence remained a legal requirement until 1987. It also ran a scheme loaning water troughs to shops and homes to provide refreshment to passing dogs during hot weather.

30 August 2022

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s pet

dogs they had befriended. When the time came for them to return to Britain, many found they could not afford the fees for the required six-month quarantine. The ODFL acquired kennels at Charlton, South London, and turned it into a dog quarantine station. A total of 285 dogs from France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Mesopotamia (now Iraq) were received there — free to their soldier owners. In 1906, the charity opened its The start of the Second first animal hospital in Victoria, World War saw animals at central London, treating home suffer. Many were working animals and pets whose owners could not The charity plans to help abandoned when people fled cities for the relative afford private veterinary more than 120,000 pets safety of the countryside. care; it was thought to be over the next three years When the bombing started, the first of its type in the through its rehoming, those who stayed often lost world. clinical, education, and their pets. Disorientated by Its symbolic blue cross behavioural support the noise and devastation, first featured when the ODFL services. the pets would escape and be raised funds to help animals unable to find their way home. during the Balkan War of 1912. The ODFL stepped in, collecting A flag bearing a blue cross on a white stray animals and rescuing them from background was used on the field of battle bombed out buildings. Newspaper appeals to indicate facilities for injured animals, as were launched to find owners or secure opposed to the red cross for humans. temporary homes. The charity also At the start of the First World War, the produced white ‘saddle cloths’ for dogs to charity set up hospitals near the battlefields wear that enabled them to be seen during of Belgium and France, treating injured blackouts. horses, dogs, and other animals used during The Victoria Animal Hospital continued the conflict. to work around-the-clock treating sick, Horses were indispensable for both injured, and frightened animals throughout the cavalry, and for pulling gun carriages, the war. The Charlton kennels, used to wagons, ambulances, and munitions trucks. quarantine befriended dogs in the First Dogs acted as messengers and carried firstWorld War, became a refuge for the pets aid equipment on their backs. of servicemen and women called to serve Not surprisingly, by the end of the war, overseas. many soldiers had formed bonds with

DID YOU KNOW?

BLUE CROSS MEDAL In 1940, the ﬁrst Blue Cross medal for pets was awarded to a dog called La Cloche, who saved her French sailor owner after he fell overboard. La Cloche dragged him to the safety of a raft where he was rescued by his crew.

Great Dane Juliana is the only pet to have been awarded the medal twice. She ﬁrst won it in the Second World War after miraculously extinguishing an incendiary bomb during the Blitz. Three years later, she was awarded the medal again, after alerting customers to a ﬁre ripping through her owners’ shop.

The rebuilt Victoria Animal Hospital was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2001, and the charity now has four animal hospitals, five pet-care clinics, and 11 rehoming centres across the UK. It recently launched an appeal to raise £40,000 to support people and their pets fleeing across the borders of Ukraine. To date, it has raised over £150,000 and this total continues to rise; visit www.bluecross. org.uk/blue-cross-ukraine-pet-welfare-fund Kerry Taylor, education manager at Blue Cross, reflected: “We are very proud of our heritage and the work the charity does. We are needed today more than ever, with pet theft, online scams, and impulse purchase from unscrupulous sellers.” Despite changing times and the growing bond between people and their pets, there is still a need for the valuable work that Blue Cross undertakes, to protect people and their pets and, in turn, bring more people and pets together.

La Cloche.

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Pet Product Marketing August 2022

Articles inside

Build your bond through play

Talking trade

A focus on food for life

New products

Using stay interviews to understand employees

Breaktime read

Disagreeable directors