Pet Product Marketing June 2022

For independent pet retailers June 2022

w ww www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

New s t c u prod za! n a n bo

Pet advice ● Dogs: The battle against dog thieves ● Cats: how well does your cat cope with change? ● Rabbits: how retailers can help combat flystrike ● Reptile advice ● Customers Q&As

Business advice ● Debunking health and safety myths part 2 ● The national minimum wage — don’t get caught out!

70% freshly prepared chicken

Grain free recipe for sensitive digestions

Salmon oil as a natural source of omega 3 to aid in cognitive development

For more info, please email GillMckenna@ipn.co.uk or call 07824 846234.

p01_PPM_Jun22.indd 1

11/05/2022 11:22

We don’t just protect against little things like fleas and ticks, we look after the little things people love most about life with their pets. That’s because we know that when pets are healthy and happy, owners are happy too – it’s as true today as it was in 1892. So, for our big birthday, we’re celebrating 130 years of all the little things that make pet parents smile.

Because simply, without them, there is no us.

EST. 1 8 9 2

@bobmartinUK Bob Martin is a registered trade mark of Martin & Martin Holdings.

PETS CHOICE_BM.indd 1

Pet partners since 1892 11/05/2022 08:21

Welcome

Welcome!

I

t’s been a couple of months since our last issue. We produce 10 issues of the print magazine each year, so there are two months when there is not a copy of PPM dropping into your shop. Not to fear though, your favourite trade magazine is back!

We’ve got a bumper issue of new products to bring you — in fact, 4 A3 pages of them!

Many were launched following the PATS show in March and there are some fantastic new ideas and additions to the industry. Finding great items to stock is halfway to making a sale.

Remember, if you work for a brand and want to tell everyone about your

For independent pet retailers June 2022

w ww www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

new product, all you have to do is email Michael.hallam@warnersgroup. co.uk We’re on a mission to bring independent retailers and brands closer together.

Just another reminder too, if you’re a pet shop owner, sign up to our e-newsletter which is completely free. Visit www.petproductmarketing. co.uk/circulations/subscribe to join the mailing list and receive news, exclusive features, and competitions direct to your inbox.

New ts producza! n bona

Mike

Pet advice O Dogs: The battle against dog thieves O Cats: how well does your cat cope with change?

O Rabbits: how retailers can help combat flystrike O Reptile advice O Customers Q&As

Business advice

O Debunking health and safety myths part 2 O The national minimum wage — don’t get caught out!

70% freshly prepared chicken

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

Grain free recipe for sensitive digestions

Salmon oil as a natural source of omega 3 to aid in cognitive development

For more info, please email GillMckenna@ipn.co.uk or call 07824 846234.

Contents 4 News The latest news from the pet industry. ucts 10 New products We’ve got fourr pages of items you could soon be stocking.

14 First Lookk he scene to find out about a new We’re first on the at litter. eco-friendly cat ack 16 Fighting back he battle against dog thieves.

How to help the

Your 28 Customer Q&As solutions We’ve got pet advice you can share with people comingg into store.

30 Breaktime read A look at the hobby of collecting stamps with a canine theme.

Pet Product Marketing

team

Our email: editorial@petproductmarketing.co.uk Our address: Pet Product Marketing, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH Michael Hallam, editor (for news and product releases, contact Michael on michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.uk) For advertising queries please contact Stephen Tanner on 01778 392404 Laura Wright, features and web editor Ellis O’Connell, marketing exec

nality test 18 Cat personality How well doess your cat cope with change?

20 Reducing the threat of flystrike in rabbits How to avoid this potentially fatal disease. nal Minimum Wage 22 The National ght out with paying your staff.

Don’t get caught afe — thermostats 24 Staying safe hn extolls the virtues of thermostats.

Our expert John 26 Debunkingg health and safety myths We’ve got partt 2 of banishing misconceptions about the law.

SCRAGGS

by Richard DDuszczakk

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p03_PPM_Jun22.indd 3

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.

June 2022 3

11/05/2022 11:33

News

NEWS

PPM NEWS June 2022

Owner spending on pets he latest data shows over seven in 10 (71%) Brits are willing to spend more on their pet than themselves.

The new research from MoneySuperMarket analysed pet owners’ attitudes towards financing their furry friends, revealing Brits spend an average of almost £500 on luxury items each year.

Pampering pets is much higher on the agenda for younger age groups. Those aged 18-24 are spending more than double on their pets than over 55s, shelling out an average of £759 and £308 respectively on luxury pet products each year.

Concern over pet welfare is also on pet owners’ minds, especially with more people returning to offices. Just over one in three (34%) owners are concerned that their return to work will have an impact on their pets’ anxiety. As a result, over a third (35%) are more willing to purchase therapy for their beloved animals than themselves.

Even though owners are worried about their pets’ mental health, over a quarter (26%) can’t afford therapy for their pets. Similarly, other pet costs are proving to be too expensive, with nearly three in 10 (28%) saying they are struggling to afford pet insurance and two in 10 (17%) even willing to risk not purchasing pet insurance to save money.

The costs of keeping their pet healthy and happy do not cross the mind of nearly a third (31%) of pet owners, which may be why dog owners are making extravagant purchases for their pooches, including 17% giving their furry friend a sweet treat of dog ice cream. Just over a quarter (26%) of 18-24-year-olds have also introduced their pet to technology with an intercom camera, and 14% give their pet CBD supplements.

T

Further data shows it’s not just dog owners that are splashing the cash on their pets.

10% of cat owners purchase Meowijuana (ground catnip) and half of Brits (51%) spend hundreds of pounds on cat play towers. Vegan diets are gaining traction too, as over one in 20 (6%) purchase vegan cat food.

Top five luxury purchases dog owners are making this year: Pet Owners’ top five most sought-after dog products and percentage of dog owners buying 1. Dog Calming Bed - 26% 2. Pet Intercom Camera - 19% 3. Dog Ice Cream - 17% 4. Dog stairs for bed/sofa - 14% 5. CBD Dog Supplements - 9% Top five luxury purchases cat owners are making this year: Pet Owners’ top five most sought-after cat products and percentage of cat owners buying 1. Cat Play Towers - 51% 2. GPS tracker - 18% 3. Pretty litter (smart cat litter for monitoring health) - 14% 4. Meowijuana (ground catnip) - 10% 5. Vegan Cat Food - 6% Pet owners have also had their say on which dogs and cats are most sought-after, with 19% making Labradors a priority and 18% revealing their love for British Shorthair cats.

FOOD FOR LIFE. The Kinmel site.

£6-million investment at IPN Kinmel site will triple wet dog food tray capacity nspired Pet Nutrition, the company behind the popular Harringtons and Wagg pet food brands, is investing more than £6 million at its plant at Kinmel in North Wales.

This exciting investment will triple the site’s wet dog food tray capacity to more than a huge 75 million units a year.

A new line will be three times faster than the existing line, which already runs 24/7.

It will be focused on the wet tray production for the popular brand Harringtons, while also seeing IPN move to create its own label products also.

Sales of the premium product Harringtons wet tray range, which features a hugely popular mix of human-grade freshly prepared meat and vegetables, has proven extremely popular with sales seeing an increase of nearly 100%. This increased product demand played an important role in the expansion of operations to ensure demand could be met.

The new filling equipment will also enable IPN to offer pet parents a choice of wet tray formats, including fully recyclable aluminium trays, which will be a huge hit as pet owners become a lot more eco conscious.

James Lawson, CEO at IPN, stated: “This is an exciting development for the business as we will significantly increase production at Kinmel — the UK’s only FreshCook and carbon negative wet food facility — and it will help us on our journey to become the UK’s most sustainable pet food manufacturer. The investment will also play a key role in making Harringtons a £100 million Masterbrand across multiple categories and species.”

I

4 June 2022

p04_06_08_PPM_Jun22.indd 4

You want your customers’ pets to live a long and happy life, so choose to stock Selective, tailored nutrition to help support small pets’ digestive health and vitality for all life stages and lifestyles.

• • • •

HIGH IN FIBRE NATURAL PREBIOTICS NO ADDED SUGARS OMEGA 3 & 6

SELECTIVE. FOR EVERY STAGE IN LIFE

supremepetfoods.com

RECOMMENDED

BY VETS

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

11/05/2022 11:38

TELFORD 25-26 September 2022 The UK’s National pet industry exhibition

Where the

pet industry meet to do business FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | MAJOR BRANDS & EXHIBITORS | 100’S OF NEW LAUNCHES | THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTS |

Register for FREE entry Simply visit the website www.patshow.co.uk

p05_PPM_Jun22.indd 5

Or for more information call 01892 862848

10/05/2022 13:50

News

Entries open for PIF Awards 2022 ntries are now open for the hugely coveted Pet Industry Federation Awards.

Winners of The Pet Industry Federation Awards 2022 will be revealed at Whittlebury Hall in Northamptonshire on November 17th and entries will remain open until July 29th. Following a record number of nominations in 2021, the judges are expecting a higher than ever standard this year.

Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, commented: “We are delighted to be hosting the PIF Awards again this year. The Awards, sponsored

by Cliverton Insurance and Tuft, provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding performances in the pet industry over the last twelve months.”

With a range of 20 categories, these keenly anticipated awards are a great showcase for the breadth of the pet industry and highlight this year’s inspirational success stories. Sponsorship is available at Headline or Category level and provides excellent promotional and networking opportunities To find out more about sponsorship, telephone Daniel Everett, PIF’s Events Coordinator, on 01234 224507 or email daniel.everett@petfederation.co.uk.

To enter your business for an Award visit www.petfederation.co.uk

E

Staff news Beaphar have announced the appointment of John Toole as UK Country Manager and Jane Austin as UK Sales Manager following an internal promotion.

The appointments follow the retirement of both Sue Huggett, UK Business Manager and Roland Huggett, UK Sales Manager, who have been leading the team for almost 30 years.

All About Pet Health set to expand own label business ent-based All About Pet Health has set out ambitious plans to further conquer the UK private label health supplement and pet aids market in the UK by introducing new products to own label customers.

Currently distributors of the successful Naturvet (Overby Farm in the UK) range of supplements and pet aids manufactured by the Garmon Corporation USA, the distributor is looking to offer more clients their own white label range targeting pet food manufacturers, large pet shop chains, smaller multiple independent shops, online pet retailers and veterinary practices with their products.

All About Pet Health was founded by Daniel McKenzie and he said: “We are building our range all the time and our product range is very comprehensive and many items are what we call ‘problem solvers’ so are niche but very highly rated to solve problems like ‘carpet scooting’, chewing carpets, lawn burn, etc. All of our products are formulated by our own veterinarians and materials/ingredients are natural and sustainably sourced. Private/white labelling is currently highly popular with our growing client list. We want to become the ‘go to’ manufacturer for private label customers within the UK.” For further information visit: www.allaboutpethealth.co.uk, call 01892 839989 or email dan@allaboutpethealth.co.uk

K

John Toole.

John joins the team with over 20 years of commercial experience within the animal health industry having worked in both veterinary and retail sectors, in senior marketing and commercial roles. His extensive experience in companion animal parasiticides includes the POM to OTC switch of Frontline® and most recently helping Vetoquinol develop their retail business following the acquisition of Drontal®.

Karnlea boost from TV star V star Diane Morgan has given start-up pet brand Karnlea her seal of approval after the Belfast company gifted her a case of its nutritious Bone Broth for her rescue dog Bobby.

The toy poodle – stage name, Robert Bovril Morgan – loved the beefy supplement which is made from 100 per cent natural products and has high levels of protein, collagen and minerals.

Karnlea’s owners, husband and wife team Lara and Ken McCullough, were thrilled when they heard back from the comedy actress who features in TV favourites After Life, Motherland and Mandy.

She told them that the product was just what she had been looking for: “Bobby is 10 now so I’m always looking for something to keep his joints supple, and he LOVES this!” she told them in a thank you note, accompanied by photos of her with Bobby.

Lara said: “It was lovely that Diane took the time to thank us in this way. We are so pleased that Bobby enjoyed Karnlea Beef Bone Broth. It’s so good for joints and bone health, and easy to digest, so ideal for older dogs.”

Karnlea recently launched the UK’s first ‘ambient’ liquid bone broth and a new flavour variant is planned for later this year. Although the brand is new, Lara and Ken are not newcomers to the pet industry having previously run other successful pet businesses over the past 15 years.

Karnlea Beef Bone Broth is sold through independent retailers and its website: www.karnlea.com

Jane Austin.

T

Diane Morgan and Bobby.

For independent pet retailers

Wan Want nt tto share your news? Got a story or new product?

Pet PProd Product Marketing share your stories and new product launches for free!

Simply Simp p eemail Michael.hallam@warnersgroup.co.uk ply For aall the latest news and new products, head to www.petproductmarketing.co.uk 6 June 2022

p04_06_08_PPM_Jun22.indd 6

Jane is promoted to UK Sales Manager after almost 28 years in the business. She has held a variety of roles since joining Beaphar UK as one of the first employees to the business. Since then, Jane’s roles have included: Regional Sales Executive, Training Manager, as well as her previous role of Field Sales Manager which she has held for the last 10 years.

Beaphar would like to take this opportunity to thank Sue and Roland for their dedication and hard work over the last 28 years and for helping make Beaphar UK the business that it is today.

For more information on stocking Beaphar products, please contact your Beaphar Sales Executive, or the customer service team, who can be contacted on 0333 006 6236. www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:24

CAN

A

DA NA

LT

IVÉ AU C

A

GROW

• C

U

IN

A•

Smart 6-Meal Feeder

N

D

Serve up to 6 varied meals at any time, including wet food!

CATNIP

the ca lowing re the bu Simply t popping th bbles em. dip th e and sti wand into th rg eb back o ently. Next, ut and take th ottle blow b e wan at’s ge d ubble neral s in yo directi ur on.

SERIES

NEW!

THIS MONTH FROM

catit.co.uk

BUG BITES

catit.co.uk

™

INSECT LARVAE RECIPE FISH FOOD

For more information contact your Hagen Sales Manager or call 01977 556622

STICKS

20% FREE

EXTRA

ALL SEASON POND STICKS

Y

S

WITH

ER TAST UP

MEALWORM PACKED WITH

ALL SEASON COLOUR STICKS

PROTEIN & HEALTHY FATS

lagunaponds.co.uk

20% EXTRA FREE / 54G FOR THE PRICE OF 45G ROLF C HAGEN.indd 1

WITH MYCOPROTEIN SUSTAINABLE, HIGH-PROTEIN SUPERFOOD

WITH NATURAL CAROTENOIDS PROMOTES VIBRANT COLOURS

10/05/2022 14:52

News

IPN celebrate being carbon negative ward winning pet food manufacturer, Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) is celebrating another year as a Carbon Negative business, with market leading brands including Wagg and Harringtons.

IPN is a pioneer in sustainable business practices and has always believed that the way it treats and respects the environment is critical to the way it operates. From the outset, IPN has sourced ingredients and packaging locally; for example, in 2007 the brand patented a compostable bag to support the launch of Harringtons. In 2020, this progressive journey was cemented with the decision to become the first major pet food manufacturer in the UK to become carbon negative.

James Lawson, CEO, comments on the work so far: “We are delighted to be able to show we have reduced our location-based emissions for each employee’s greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6% since 2019. In addition, 100% of our purchased electricity is now sourced from renewable energy. It’s important for all of us at IPN that we continue on our positive pawprint journey and work hard to be ever more sustainable in new and innovative ways.

“We have offset 11,273 tonnes of CO2 through funding projects such as Brazil REDD+, Kenya Trees & REDD+, Uganda Borehole, North Darfur Cookstoves, Philippines Solar, Cambodian Water Purification, and India Wind Farms. All of these inspiring projects are verified against the Gold Standard VER and Verified Carbon Standard, so we know we are investing wisely.

“On top of this, we have set ourselves a challenge of planting one million trees, and over the past year we have planted 500 trees in the UK and 80,000 across the globe through our partnership with Ecologi.

This helps sequester even more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. I’m proud to say that our business activities have therefore become Net Zero Carbon, and we will continue these practices going forward, exploring more ways we can ensure a greener planet in the future.”

To learn more about IPN visit: www.ipn.co.uk

Staff news

A

Organisers plan for another successful show at PATS Telford “This show always delivers…it’s a brilliant event…a great place for networking…there is so much to see.” These are just some of the many fantastic comments received from visitors to the recent PATS Sandown.

The two-day pet trade exhibition, which attracted 1,794 visitors to Sandown Park in Surrey, was hailed as a great success after hundreds of new products were launched during the show.

Now the attention has turned to PATS Telford, which takes place on Sunday and Monday, September 25th and 26th 2022.

According to retailer Becky Seviour, of Pet Pals, if you have an interest in the pet trade, then you have to visit PATS: “I think it’s important to visit PATS as a pet products buyer, as it gives us the opportunity to meet and speak to producers in person, rather than over the phone or online all the time. Also, buyers can view the quality of the products on offer, not always possible from a photo and of course we can see the latest in designs and materials being used.”

With five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Telford is set to be another sell out event. More than 140 companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting at the Telford International Centre, where regulars like Wagg, Harringtons, Pedigree Wholesale, Hem and Boo and BECO Pets will be joined by a growing number of companies making their first appearance at Telford, including Paleo Ridge, Herbal Dog and Assisi Pet Care. PATS is the UK’s pet industry exhibition and the only event where the entire trade comes together under one roof.

With the easing of air travel restrictions PATS Telford is set to have a strong international presence with pet buyers and exhibitors from around the world expected to attend the show.

In a move to create more interest with international buyers, the PATS team will be travelling to Nuremburg, Germany, in May to exhibit in the British Pavilion at Interzoo.

“Our primary aim for exhibiting at international shows is to meet, talk to and encourage international retailers and distributors to come to PATS, both in Telford and Sandown,” said Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions, organisers of PATS. Leading trade association PetQuip will also be working with PATS to tempt international pet retail chains and distributors to the Autumn showpiece.

The association’s involvement doesn’t end there because it will be staging its prestigious PetQuip Awards after the first day of the exhibition.

Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive a free tea and coffee voucher, and a free show catalogue.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.

8 June 2022

p04_06_08_PPM_Jun22.indd 8

New executive leadership team at Paleo Ridge Paleo Ridge, a leading producer of high-quality raw dog food, has established a new leadership team to drive business growth following a £2million investment from private equity firm Ashridge Capital earlier this year.

Will Green, who joined the business in 2020 following an extensive digital marketing career in the music, paper and real-estate industries, has been promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing. Will now runs an extended team of eight covering sales, marketing and customer services.

Meanwhile Chris Jones has been promoted to Director of Supply Chain.

Chris comes from a fast-paced Supply Chain background which has enabled him to develop the skills required to lead the supply element of a new and rapidly expanding industry. Dainius Kinta has been promoted to Head of Operations having previously held the role of Operations Manager.

Tyler Daly, CEO, was joined by Ton Christiaanse earlier in the year as Chairman who has driven significant growth with household name brands including Brakes and Unilever. At the same time, Graeme Banfield joined the team as Finance Director and David Sherratt, Founder and CEO of Ashridge Capital joined the business as Non-Executive Director.

The newly established executive leadership team comes amidst a raft of new hires and promotions to support the rapid growth of the business.

The Paleo Ridge team has expanded by roughly 10% since the beginning of the year, with key hires in the supply chain, sales and marketing and business development functions, amongst others.

Mollie arrives to enhance PIF member services The Pet Industry Federation (PIF), the UK trade association for pet businesses, has strengthened its team with the arrival of a new Customer Service Co-ordinator, Mollie Richardson.

Mollie comes from 1Life gyms, where she was Customer Experience Manager, developing and managing systems and processes to ensure that customer queries were handled effectively and that the customer experience was enhanced.

Mollie’s role at PIF will be to spearhead the delivery of outstanding customer service to members and potential members, to identify opportunities which add value to membership and to promote PIF services to members, as well as to oversee the registration and renewals process.

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, said: ‘Mollie’s appointment is part of PIF’s strategy this year to refresh and enhance our membership services. Members are at the heart of PIF and we’re delighted to have secured someone of Mollie’s calibre to develop a really customer-focused experience within membership for each type of PIF member, large or small.’

To find out about the benefits of PIF membership, please contact Mollie on 01234 273933 or email info@petfederation.co.uk

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

11/05/2022 13:35

Our dental sticks & treats are turning over a new leaf.

exclusively available from South West Emma Frake 07747 031878

Midlands London & South East Tracey Clark Matt Bond 07894 586648 07730 529250

Tel: 01953 882485

SU BRIDGE.indd 1

National Sales Manager Lynne Hopwood 07500 905739

North East & Scotland East Ian Pullman Liz Matthews 07387 023977 07827 963931

East Jacky Rees 07889 167348

www.su-bridge.co.uk

10/05/2022 14:50

Product highlights

New&necessities Hill’s Pet Nutrition weight management pet food With half of pets reported to be overweight across the globe, and the excessive load obesity places on dog’s joints known to increase wear and tear, Hills have launched a new weight management dog food.

Hill’s Science Plan Perfect Weight & Active Mobility is formulated with optimal levels of key nutrients to ensure nutritious and effective weight loss, alongside clinically proven omega-3 rich fish oil to support joint mobility. Moreover, the food contains glucosamine and chondroitin, building blocks of joint cartilage, as well as antioxidants and vitamins to help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.

The new range includes four SKUs to cater for small and mini, medium, and large dogs, and provides complete and balanced nutrition, formulated with decades of cutting-edge research to be a great-tasting meal.

Furthermore, with its use of nutrigenomics technology, Hill’s has identified ingredients to help change overweight pets’ gene expression, naturally activating the metabolism to burn excess body fat.

For more information, speak to your local Territory Manager, call 0800 282 438, or visit www.hillspet.co.uk

Extra SSelect l cat collars ll A range of designer collars has been added into the popular and versatile Extra Select cat range.

The range is available in three different designs: pink leopard print, red start prints, and red boucle. All collars feature a safety clasp, a bell, and are adjustable to ensure comfortability and flexibility. These collars come in a 6 pack, with plasticfree packaging and euro hooks, with an incredible price of £2.49 RRP, which equals great value for the customer and a competitive margin for retailers. These new cat collars extend the Extra Select Cat range and provide customers with an easily accessible collar. Extra Select is exclusively available from Su-Bridge Pet Supplies Ltd. For more information, visit www.su-bridge.co.uk, call 01953 882485, or email info@su-bridge.co.uk

Bestpets launches 20 new toys for cats ats andd dogs Bestpets is delighted to announce the launch of 20 brand and new w wing a products to its Bestpets own-label product line. Following m breakout year that saw record growth for the division, the team nd dogs at Bestpets has designed a new line of toys for cats and that is guaranteed to get tails wagging. lush Ranging from fluffy hedgehogs with added catnip, plush squeaky foxes, and new knot rope toys for dogs, the new 20 SKU product line includes 16 products for dogs and 4 for cats, with 11 of the dog toys being PMP. aid: “We Adam Moore, Bestway Category Controller for Pets, said: know that quality is critical for pet owners, but with inflflationaryy pressures facing all of us, so is affordability. We are pleased to be offering our retailers the best of both worlds and know that our new range will be a big hit with customers.

“Our PMP range in particular will be a popular choice for pet owners and retailers alike. PMPs are essentially self-executing, meaning retailers don’t have to worry too much about promotional activity, and PMP products play an important role in getting repeat business and building consumer confidence,” he said.

For more information, visit best-pets.co.uk or to find your local Bestway contact, visit www.best-pets.co.uk/contact

Carnilove new dog food and treats Carnilove has launched three brand new products: True Fresh dog food is a fresh meat kibble that perfectly preserves properties of fresh meat; True Fresh Raw Freeze-Dried Snacks, which are made with 100% human grade ingredients; and Meat Jerky Snacks, which contain 90% meat.

All of these new Carnilove dog foods and snacks deliver irresistible taste, and are grain-and potato-free to satisfy dogs’ instinctive love of meat. New True Fresh dog food is made with innovative new processing methods that enables the kibble to be made entirely from fresh meat.

Colin Rodger, Managing Director of BSB products, says: “Research shows that 70% of dogs prefer fresh meat kibble, like Carnilove True Fresh, which delivers the benefits of BARF with the convenience of dry food. Dog owners are increasingly turning away from conventional dry kibble and choosing to feed raw or alternative dry foods. True Fresh dog food offers something entirely different from the market, thanks to the innovative processing methods that deliver entirely fresh meat in a handy form. Both the True Fresh range and the new Meat Jerky Snacks meet owner demand for high quality foods that contain superior ingredients.”

Carnilove True Fresh dog food contains 60% fresh meat, 40% vegetables, fruits, herbs and superfoods. It contains no cereals, potatoes, or GMOs. True Fresh dog food is available in three recipes: Fresh Fish with Chickpeas & Apples, Fresh Beef with Peas & Pumpkin, and Fresh Turkey with Red Lentils & Lemna. SRP for a 1.4kg bag of True Fresh Dog food starts at £13.95 Carnilove True Fresh Raw Freeze-Dried Snacks contain 100% human grade ingredients, are 100% freeze dried and are made from fresh meat only. They contain no artificial preservatives and are grain- and potato-free. The snacks come in two flavours: Rabbit with pumpkin and Duck with red fruits — the SRP for a 40g bag is £4.95.

Carnilove Meat Jerky contains 90% fresh meat and is free from wheat, rice, corn, soy, or potatoes. The Jerky comes in four fillet flavours (Turkey with Venison Fillet, Duck with Herring Fillet, Lamb with Salmon Fillet, and Beef & Beef Muscle Fillet) and four bar flavours (Turkey & Rabbit, Chicken with Pheasant, Chicken & Wild Boar, and Chicken with Quail). The SRP for a 100g bar or fillet of Carnilove Meat Jerky is £3.95.

For more information, visit carnilove.co.uk, email sales@bsbproducts.co.uk, or call 01737 488400.

10 June 2022

p10_13_PPM_Jun22.indd 10

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:07

Boost and Nourish fish meal topper Specialising in natural pet foods, treats, and quality pet accessories, Natural Cornish Pet, based in St Erth, Cornwall has launched a tasty range of fish-based toppers.

Natural Cornish Pet’s Boost and Nourish range consists of meal toppers in Scottish Salmon, Cornish Whitefish, and Cornish Redfish varieties. These are ideal for adding that fishy goodness to any meal. Available in easy to shake spice jars with a flip-up lid, Boost and Nourish toppers are 100% natural and grain free.

The fatty acids found in fish are perfect for providing moisture to skin and coats, helping to reduce itchy skin and boost overall coat health, with less shedding and more shine! They are rich in Omega 3 & 6, which aren’t naturally found in canine digestive systems — adding these oils to your dog’s diet can have amazing benefits, including aiding in brain development, helping focus, memory and behaviour, and even boosting your dog’s immune system! Boost and Nourish is made with sustainably caught 100% Cornish Redfish, Whitefish or Scottish Salmon.

For further information, please visit www.naturalcornishpet.co.uk or for trade information visit www.naturalpetwholesale.co.uk

ADAPTIL Chew Ceva Animal Health has extended its leading behaviour range, ADAPTIL®, with the launch of ADAPTIL® Chew, the new fast-calming chew for dogs.

The premium, fast-acting, and tasty chew calms dogs when facing stressful situations, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, visits to the vet, and grooming sessions. It quickly helps to relax dogs if given at least 30 minutes before an expected event, and the handy, soft chew is non-addictive and can be given like a treat directly from an owner’s hand.

The enhanced formula comprises key calming ingredients to keep dogs relaxed without drowsiness and there are only 11 calories per chew. Consisting of colostrum, green tea mine (Vitamin B1), the colostrum’s bioactive extract (L-theanine), L-tryptophan and thiamine ing ng effect molecules work together to provide a calming ctt is an on any age dog, while the green tea extract A ABA amino acid that increases the release of GABA toophan which plays a role in relaxation. The L-tryptophan c ch in the chew is an essential amino acid which feects the body uses to make serotonin which effects s mood regulation, impulse control, and the sleep/ n of ngs wake cycle, and is involved in general feelings ne is happiness and well-being, and the thiamine b essential for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.

An ADAPTIL Chew should be used daily or as needed at times of increased stress; half a chew should be given to dogs weighing less than 15kg, one chew should be given to dogs weighing between 16 and 30kg, and two chews to dogs over 30kg. This is in addition to a dog’s daily food. There are 30 chews in each pack, which has a shelf life of 24 months from production.

Dog Doctors natural flea and tick repellant treatment spray Prevention is the best way to protect your pets and yourself against tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, and to combat the threat, The Dog Doctors has brought out a Natural flea, ticks, and mite repellant treatment spray for dogs.

Ticks are active and looking for something to feed on (you and your pet) as soon as the temperature hits four degrees celsius. As well as Lyme disease, ticks also carry many other serious illnesses and are often so small that they are difficult to spot. They live in wooded areas, tall grass, bushes, or leaves just waiting to attach onto your pet.

You can protect your pets with The Dog Doctors’ repellant spray which is completely natural, giving protection against fleas and ticks while having the additional benefit of being great smelling, cruelty free, and a vegan coat conditioner. It uses the highest quality natural essential oil blends with active ingredients.

For more information on any of The Dog Doctors’ range, visit www.thedogdoctors.co.uk or for trade enquiries, email daniel@thedogdoctors.co.uk

For further information on ADAPTIL Chew, visit www.adaptil.com/uk

Harringtons Advanced Science Diet dog food range

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p10_13_PPM_Jun22.indd 11

is a healthier gut, and better utilisation of nutrients.

Harringtons New Advanced Science Diet range is available in three recipes tailored to specific breed sizes (small breed, medium breed and large breed) and comes in a delicious chicken and gravy flavour with an RRP of £7.50 for a 2kg bag making it an incredibly high quality, yet affordable diet for pets.

For more information, visit www.harringtonspetfood.com

▲

Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) has acknowledged the current rise in the cost of living and the consumer’s desire to give their pets proper nutrition and created a product in Advanced Science Diet which offers affordability, accessibility, and advanced tailored nutrition.

Harrington’s Advanced Science Diet was created in partnership with Peter Wright from the Yorkshire Vet. It provides a perfect balance of nutrition to boost your four-legged friends health and well-being with specific recipes tailored for different breed sizes that are naturally enhanced with Vitaguard™, a proprietary mix of pre - & pro-biotics, vitamins, and minerals to support digestion and immunity.

Not only does it cater to your pets’ insides, but with a balanced ratio of Omega 3 and 6 oils, your dog’s coat and skin will be healthy and shiny. These Omega oils come from the raw materials in the salmon oil and chicken fat.

Maintaining and caring for your dog’s mobility is key and the Advanced Science Diet medium and large breed recipes include glucosamine and chondroitin. These aid mobility by supporting cartilage development, and also block certain enzymes from damaging existing cartilage, while supporting joint fluid to help with lubrication, both of these work together to help minimise pain and inflammation.

The recipes also take into account how active dogs can be, by ensuring there is enough protein and fat so that they’re hitting the ideal energy requirements for the everyday pet, which differs for each dog size, something unique to the market.

When developing these recipes, digestion has been a big consideration, which can often be a problem when higher levels of animal protein are in the food. To combat this, Advanced Science Diet has the probiotic, Bacillus subtilis C-3102 added. Bacillus subtilis creates an environment which is positive for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. It promotes the population of good bacteria in the gut and reduces the pathogenic bacteria. The result

June 2022 11

10/05/2022 13:07

Product highlights

Brambles Semi-Moist Hedgehog Food Brambles Pet and Wildlife launched a tasty and nutritious Semi-Moist Hedgehog Food at PATS Sandown and were inundated with orders!

David Tracey, sales manager, commented: “PATS Sandown was our busiest ever show and our new hedgehog food has proven to be a big hit with the Wildlife Rescues who have trialled the food for us. With the price increases we’re all facing, we are keen to ensure our food for wildlife remains affordable and within reach of wildlife enthusiasts.”

The food is packed in fully recyclable and 850g resealable bags. It has a RRP of £5.79 and is available to order from your wholesaler now.

For more information, visit www.bramblespaw.co.uk

Mr Bug Bug Bites dog treats

Honest 2 Nature Eco suet pellets The new Eco suet pellets developed by Unipet, manufacturers of Suet 2 Go, have come about after two years of development and a £750,000 investment in new plant and technology.

The new Eco suet pellets have replaced the beef fat content associated with regular suet pellets, and replaced with pure insect fats and insect protein. The rationale for the project was to look at other ways to develop new products for the wild bird feeding category that really create a sustainable product for the long term.

The trade is seeing supply issues with many products from China and the Far East, peanuts from the USA and South America, and sunflower and other seed products from eastern Europe, so there is more reason than ever to work and source closer to home.

The new Eco suet pellets are not seen as a replacement of the very popular beef suet, this is mainly due to the limited supply of the insect fats at the moment, however is seen as a good step in the right direction.

Unipet have developed a strategic partnership with Protix, based in the Netherlands, and plan to increase their commitments going forward to allow further increased supply of the insect fat and protein to keep up with the expected demand for the new Eco suet pellets.

New Eco suet pellets will be available packed in two sizes, and non-plastic packaging, of 1kg paper packs and a 12.55kg bulk box option.

Mr Bug has launched a new sumptuous, nutrient-dense range of wheat-free, bug-based treats made with the kingpin of flavoursome grubs, the mighty mealworm. The range includes: ● The Nutty One — mealworms plus peanut butter and turmeric ● The Fruity One — mealworms plus honey, cranberries, and apple ● The Veggie One — mealworms plus sweet potato, carrot and parsnips ● The Cheesy One — mealworms plus vegetarian cheese and beetroot Mr Bug founder Conal Cunningham said: “Although grub consumption has historically been tarred with a yuck factor, it feels like we’ve now reached a moment when sustainability, planet-responsible practices, and a more personalised approach to our dog’s well-being have reached a crescendo. Thoughtful pet parents increasingly crave tasty snacking solutions made with ‘real food’ and no added salt or sugar, back-of the-barn meats, or over-processed synthetic nasties.”

For the record, it’s worth noting that mealworms are jampacked with nutritional worth, offering more calcium than milk, more B12 than salmon, more iron than spinach, and all nine essential amino acids!

For more information, visit Mrbug.co.uk

For more information, email marketing@unipet.co.uk

Natural Instinct ambient treat range Premium raw pet food brand Natural Instinct has launched its brand-new line of ambient treats. Initially, the range will feature Beef Paddywack, Lamb Shoulder Strips, Fish Skin Cubes, Chicken Sausages, and Pigs Ears giving a variety of longer-lasting chews and treats suitable for training. There is sure to be something for all dogs to enjoy.

The new line of ambient treats complements the current delicious raw and dehydrated treats and raw food for dogs and cats offered by Natural instinct. The treats come in newly designed packaging and various sizes.

Passionate about happy, healthy pets, the new goodies from Natural Instinct are not only tasty but help support pet health and development.

Phil Keen, Managing Director at Natural Instinct, commented: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new line of tasty ambient treats.

This new line of treats has been carefully created to ensure your pet receives the most natural treat possible.”

For more information, visit www.naturalinstinct.com or call 01276 608500.

12 June 2022

p10_13_PPM_Jun22.indd 12

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:07

Trixie UK have launched a range of new pet products: Water-repellent dog lounger: made of robust Oxford-polyester with sturdy powderrcoated metal frame, it allows pets to relax after an eventful time outdoors. The net material provides good air circulation and pleasant cooling on warm days. For pets weighing up to 15 kg/25. With handles for carrying and rubber feet as well as a washable cover. Available in two sizes.

Drive-on plate for dog leash: The drive-on plate with dog attachment option madee of stainless steel allows leashing one or more pets to the car in a simple, stable, and secure way.

Samoa Classic travel blanket: made of nylon with a pocket for inserting a cooling mat -it can help to regulate the temperature for your pet on warm days. The blankett can be rolled up to save space and is easy to hold together with rubber bands.

Available in two sizes.

Be Eco series: a range of exciting toys made from recycled materials. The range includes Koala Elly, Piglet Edison, Teddy Bear Eddy, Rabbit Evan, Penguin Erin, and Dog Enno, with some featuring sound and others for pets with more sensitive ears.

Be Eco Coline Bed: the bed is made of recycled materials. The curly teddy plush makes it extra cuddly. With removeable polyester cover, foam-flake filling, firmly attached cushion and non-slip base. Available in three sizes.

Be Eco Coline Cushion: made of recycled material, the curly teddy plush makes thee cushion bed extra cuddly. With removable polyester cover, thick foam-flake filling and non-slip base. Available in three sizes.

Cuddly sleeping bag: it offers our pets a comfy place to sleep for cool nights. On the inside it comes with cuddly plush as well as a soft polyester-fleece filling and on the outside, it has a water-repellent polyester cover. When unfolded, it can also be used as a blanket.

TRIXIE’s cat tree XXL Tazio: ideal for large cats and particularly recommended for older as well as physically impaired cats. This extra stable and compact cat tree features a large cuddly cave and padded platforms made of upholstery material.

2 Vital cushions with visco-elastic foam (memory effect) allow it to adapt to the individual body shape and provide optimal pressure distribution.

Senior cat tree Emil: it comes with four padded climbing aids, allowing even older and physically impaired cats to reach the higher levels without problems. The compact cat tree in a light-grey plush cover features various scratching surfaces, padded platforms, a removeable cuddly bed and a cave completely fitted with plush. 2 Vital cushions with visco-elastic foam allow it to adapt to the individual body shape and provide optimal pressure distribution. With toys on a string.

For more information, visit www.trixieuk.uk, email sales@trixieuk.uk or call 0207 1542940

Fish4Dogs Finest Salmon Puppy Food Fish4Dogs, the dog food and treats brand known for championing fish as “the perfect protein” for your canine companions, has introduced a second flavour to its hugely successful Finest Puppy Complete Food.

Fish4Dogs Finest Salmon Puppy Food is a nutritionally complete diet, full of marine-sourced omega 3, known to support joints, skin, coat, and cognitive development, also enhanced with vital vitamins and minerals, all to aid healthy growth and development.

The new food is available in 1.5kg, 6kg, and 12kg bags, and both small and large kibble sizes, making it perfect for all dog breeds. It was showcased at PATS Trade Show in Sandown last month, where it was well received by show visitors.

Fish4Dogs Finest Puppy Complete Food is a premium, highly palatable, natural, and nutritionally balanced food made from limited ingredients. It is grain-free, healthy, and made without chicken, lamb, beef or pork, proteins often responsible for causing intolerances in some dogs, so a fish protein diet is perfect for puppies with sensitivities.

Fish4Dogs Puppy products no longer stop at premium, nutritional complete food. The company recently applied everything they know about puppy development to a brand-new range of premium, natural treats that perfectly complement healthy feeding. They have taken four of their leading adult dog treats and formulated them specifically for growing puppies, each product in the range addressing a specific need of a developing puppy.

The new range gives puppy owners absolute confidence that the treats are appropriate for their new canine companions and that they are safe and healthy for them to enjoy.

For more details about the new Fish4Dogs Finest Puppy Salmon Complete Food, or their puppy treats, contact your Fish4Pets representative, or call customer service on 01299 252 352.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p10_13_PPM_Jun22.indd 13

June 2022 13

10/05/2022 13:07

First look

New Felight Eco Cat Litter Intro Introducing the Queen of Green — Pets Choice launch new Felight Eco Cat Litter.

Feli at litter manufacturer Pets Choice has launched the newest addition to their Felight range with a first to market, unique cat litter product called Felight Eco. This product has been in development for over 12 months and is entering the market as a true disruptor.

With ongoing concerns about the future of the environment, more and more companies are exploring ways that they can make their products more sustainable, and Pets Choice are no different. By its very nature, cat litter has Two million tonnes of used always been a disposable cat litter are thrown away product where waste is every year in the UK. inevitable. However, there are things we can do to make this more sustainable.

With over 12 million cats in the UK, the introduction of more ecofriendly options can make a huge impact on the carbon pawprint of our furry four-legged friends.

We spoke with Chris Socratous, Senior Brand Manager at Felight, to find out more about this new and unique product.

C

DID YOU KNOW?

What is Felight Eco made from?

“Felight Eco is a first of its kind, 100% recycled cat litter, combining a complementary mix of FSC-certified sawdust, re-purposed minerals of recycled concrete, and recycled gypsum. The recycled concrete and gypsum that are used in the litter are waste by-products from other manufacturing processes. Felight Eco allows us to give these materials a second life, using them to create a more sustainable cat litter product without extracting from limited natural resources or compromising on the Felight performance that shoppers love. Every pellet is treated with our unique Antibacterial SilverFresh Technology so cat owners will still benefit from Felight’s superior odour control for up to 10 days.”

that over two million tonnes tonne of cat litter ends up in landfill in the UK every year, with a significant environmental footprint. Felight Eco is helping to reduce waste in the cat litter industry as we are giving materials a second purpose and our Cardiff manufacturing facility is a zero waste site.”

Why would customers choose Felight Eco Cat Litter?

“Shoppers are now, more than ever, aware of climate change and conscious of the impact of waste on our planet. They are also actively looking for ways to make more environmentally-conscious purchases, without compromising on quality. A recent YouGov report found that 57% of UK consumers are actually willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.

“The launch of Felight Eco is a step in the right direction, helping consumers to do their bit with every plastic-free, 100% recyclable bag they pick up.

We’re proud to have created a product that reduces the environmental impact of a product that has waste in its very nature, all 85% of consumers have while still maintaining shifted their purchase the high standard behaviour towards being of performance that more sustainable in the consumers have come past five years. to expect from the Felight brand.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Felight Eco is now available to retailers, with an RRP of £6.00 for a 10L bag.

To learn more about this product and find out about stocking options, please email sales@petschoice.co.uk

How does this differ from other cat litters?

“Many different materials can be used in cat litter, which is just as well considering how fussy some felines can be with where they go to do their business. However, broadly speaking, there are three main types of cat litter materials that you’ll find on the market: ● Clay-based litters are probably the most popular, with materials sourced by mining natural rocks to create highly-absorbent cat litter products. ● Wood or paper-based litters are becoming increasingly popular. However, you should always check that these are coming from a responsible source. ● Silica litters are also popular. However, they tend to be more expensive as a general rule. As this type of litter is made of synthetic materials, it is considered the least sustainable option.

Where Felight Eco differs is, rather than taking directly from natural resources or creating a synthetic compound, we are sourcing recycled materials from existing manufacturing processes and giving these materials a second life. This offers a more sustainable solution than many traditional cat litters.”

What environmental impact does cat litter have?

“Due to the very nature of the product, some sort of waste is inevitable. What we can do however is minimise that waste, by making more eco-conscious decisions when it comes to what cat litter we choose to use. It is astonishing to think

14 June 2022

p14_PPM_Jun22.indd 14

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

11/05/2022 10:53

Introducing the Queen of Green

NEW!

y d a e r e n o r ? h s t l l r a u c e r u Is yo t a n n e h for w KET R A M CT TO FIRSTUE PRODU UNIQ 00%IALS 1 M O E FR D MATER MADY CLE REC EE, CKAGING R F C I PLASYTCLABLE PA REC OUR D O S ENT AYS PREVUP TO 10 D FOR IAL R E T C A ANTIBNOLOGY TECH

@FelightUK

For more information about Felight products and stocking deals please contact your Pets Choice representative on 01254 54545 or email sales@petschoice.co.uk Felight is a registered trademark of Martin and Martin Holdings

PETS CHOICE_IFC.indd 1

10/05/2022 13:35

Dog advice

Fighting back

TOP TIPS! ● Avoid leaving your dog in a vehicle — but don’t victim shame. ● Support dog theft petitions.

By sticking together and supporting each other, owners can help in the battle against heartless dog thieves.

Julie Hill reports.

DOG THEFT UPDATE

W

hile dog theft is devastating, it is still relatively uncommon.

In 2020 — when the pandemic saw a surge in demand for dogs — there were approximately 2,000 incidents of dog theft reported to police forces across the UK, which equates to around five dogs per day.

Statistics gathered by The Kennel Club through Freedom of Information requests, using figures from 36 UK police forces, show that was a seven per cent increase on 2019.

Arriving at any definitive statistics is challenging, as no national tally is kept, but mainstream media outlets latched on to dog theft during the pandemic, and momentum grew around the issue, giving it a high profile.

With more cases hitting the headlines, awareness of dog theft has certainly increased, and that will hopefully put owners on their guard, and keep dogs safe. For example, Dogs Trust’s theft prevention page had 780 per cent more visits in 2021 than it

Many dogs are stolen from cars.

“It’s one of the worst crimes that can affect people, and it changes your life forever,” said Debbie Matthews, who has run the Vets Get Scanning campaign since 2006 when her own dogs, Widget and Gizmo, were stolen.

Debbie and her father, Sir Bruce Forsyth, made television appeals, and thankfully the two Yorkshire Terriers came home. Since discovering the prevalence of dog theft, Debbie, who lives in Sussex, hasn’t left her dogs in a car, and has inspired countless others to follow suit.

However, in reality, situations occur and mistakes are made — everyday life is full of imperfection. Frequently, those whose dogs have been taken from a vehicle are heavily criticised, particularly online, but surely our wrath is better aimed fairly and squarely at the criminals, rather than unfortunate dog owners?

“It’s quite bizarre, because they’re actually attacking owners at their lowest ebb — of course they know they shouldn’t have left the dog in a car outside the shop or even in the garden alone — but these things happen. These people need support from other dog owners,” said Debbie, who has seen the positive results of a stolen dog being shared online, resulting in them being reunited with their families.

MASSIVE RISE IN THEFT

Wayne May, from Dartford, Kent, is the police liaison for DogLost and the Stolen And Missing Pets Alliance (SAMPA). He says he has seen “a massive rise” in the level of dog theft in the past two years.

“People think it won’t happen to them,”

16 June 2022

p16_17_PPM_Jun22.indd 16

said Wayne. “Dog theft is rare when you look at crime in general, but a dog is still a member of your family and when it happens it’s devastating.” Wayne had six dogs stolen in 2008. “They ran me over to steal my dogs. We emailed every dog warden in the UK within three days, and I only got three out of the six dogs back,” he recalled.

The DogLost website enables you to create and share a poster to raise awareness of your stolen or missing dog. DogLost was founded by Jayne Hayes after her French Bulldog was stolen in 2003, and offers practical help and advice to distraught owners. The fact that many who have their dogs stolen go on to devote their lives to helping fellow victims is a testament to the devastation wrought by dog theft.

As well as supporting other dog owners, there are steps you can take to minimise your own dog’s risk of being stolen.

“Every area has its own group for residents on social media, and you can meet up and go on a joint walk,” Wayne recommended. “When you take your dog for a walk, change your routine; instead of turning left every day, turn right. Don’t go to the same park every time and stay in a built-up area.”

Louise Lee, senior media officer for the animal charity Blue Cross, revealed: “The actual home is the most common location for dog thefts. Make sure gardens are secure and, if possible, not visible to passers-by.

Always keep an eye on your pet when they’re in the garden.”

Certain attributes make dogs less attractive to thieves and Louise also suggested: “Make sure your dog is neutered

did in 2020.

While the national situation remains vague, some facts emerge from comparing different regions. The police force with the highest number of reported dog thefts is the Metropolitan Police, followed by West Yorkshire, Kent, Lancashire, and Northumbria.

DogLost, as a national organisation, had 10,649 lost and stolen dogs registered with them in 2020, and saw a drop to 8,874 in 2021; so far in 2022, at the time of going to press, 2,209 dogs have been registered.

Dog theft is a danger, and the degree of danger can vary depending on your postcode, and the breed, age, and size of your dog.

Younger dogs, and smaller, more portable dogs are easier to steal and sell on.

However, beware of headlines trumpeting pet theft statistics, because they’re probably geographically specific, and not applicable to your area. The best advice is to stay calm, be careful — and be kind to other victims of this crime.

and state this on their tag, in addition to your name and address. Report the theft to your microchip database so they can mark on the record that the pet is stolen.”

We buy health insurance but hope our dogs stay well, and similarly, although we all tend to think our dog won’t be stolen, it’s best to be prepared.

Debbie recommends storing relevant details on your phone. “I keep my dog’s microchip number on my phone. I’ve also got the phone number for the microchip database and the local animal warden.

If something did happen when we were out, I’ve got the information with me at all times.”

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Those unlucky enough to have their dog stolen, can find themselves targeted by scammers. Wayne warned: “When people post on social media their dog is lost or stolen, they may be called by scammers claiming to have the dog, and demanding around £500 for its return.

“I’d like the public to be very aware of this at the moment, and insist on seeing a picture of their actual dog. If a genuine person has your dog sitting in front of them, they’ll be able to supply a picture. If they haven’t got an image, please don’t part with any money — it’s a scam. The police are working extremely hard on this and there have been several arrests.”

The good news is, thanks to the combined efforts of many charities and individuals, we can protect ourselves, our dogs and each other, and stolen dogs can beat the odds and make it back home.

Wayne May devotes his life to keeping dogs safe and is the police liaison for DogLost and the Stolen And Missing Pets Alliance (SAMPA).

“As a result of my dogs being stolen, I’ve reunited over 2,000 dogs and owners in the last 10 years,” said Wayne, who is proud to be part of the fight back.

“So many people say: ‘I’m so pleased you got your dogs back. I don’t leave my dogs in the car any more!’” Debbie added. “So, we did get a huge message out there — but it’s still an ongoing message, it’s still something you’ve got to keep mentioning.”

Statistics indicate that the vast majority of dog thieves are not charged — or even identified. We dog owners need to mobilise and support those campaigning on our behalf. To paraphrase an old saying, if a British person’s home is their castle, their garden should be a safe domain for their dog!

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:10

TOP TIPS! ● Keep your dog’s microchip details up to date. ● Make a note of your dog’s chip number.

Much-loved puppy Fudge.

As new dog owners we weren’t aware of the prevalence of dog theft,” said Hayley Durham, from Narborough, Leicestershire. “Until this happened to us, it wasn’t something that had even crossed our minds.”

Sixteen-week-old working Cocker Spaniel Fudge had been put into his crate in the car while his owner popped to the toilet at a country park. Minutes later — at around 9.45am — the car’s back window lay in shards on the ground. Fudge was gone; his collar was found discarded nearby. He was missing for five agonising days.

“We also received hoax calls and messages, which were just so unnecessary and, at times, scary,” recalled Hayley. “There were negative comments on the social media posts asking why a puppy would be left alone in a car. He wouldn’t have been left if we’d have thought, for even a second, that there was a risk of him being taken.”

Five days after Fudge had gone missing, a member of the public called to say that he had found the body of a puppy in a nearby village with the same markings as Fudge.

“The whole experience has been devastating,” said Hayley. “We had thought long and hard about getting a puppy to add to our family, so when we finally made the decision we were so excited. Fudge was a lovely little thing — he was great with the children and we all adored him. After he was stolen we were hopeful we would get him back — the thought of anything else was just unbearable. When we knew he hadn’t survived, it was heartbreaking. I’m so angry that whoever took him didn’t leave him somewhere safe where he could be found.

“We are truly grateful to the Beauty’s Legacy team [a charity offering advice, support, and assistance to the families of lost and stolen animals] who worked tirelessly with us,” said Hayley. ● To find out more, visit www.beautyslegacy.co.uk

Case study TOP TIPS! ● Have clear, recent photos of your dog. ● Keep a scent item for tracker dogs to recognise your dog’s scent.

“

“

Case study

Always keep an eye on your pet when they’re in the garden.

TOP TIPS! ● If your dog is stolen, get him on lost dog sites and online as soon as possible. ● Share missing and stolen dogs on your social media.

“I was screaming on the floor basically. I’ve never had a reaction like that to anything in my life. The world went dark,” said Johanna Kerwien, from Grays, Essex, recalling the moment she and partner Michael Fox returned to their van in the car park to find their Russian Bolonka, Bjorn, was missing.

When the police attended the crime, Johanna was horrified to be told there was a Bjorn was easily identifiable “low chance” of ever seeing her dog again. Johanna’s mother bred Bjorn, and Johanna thanks to his unusual breed and colouring. and Michael drove to her native Sweden and back to bring him home.

“In Sweden we leave dogs in cars all the time; it’s perfectly normal to leave them outside the shops in your locked car — you’d think it was as safe as being in your home,” said Johanna.

However, on this occasion Bjorn fell victim to thieves, and it was only his unusual breed which alerted his new ‘owner’ to his stolen status.

“A woman called us saying she’d recently got a dog, and I thought: ‘Here we go again!’ because we got this sort of call all the time. But she showed a photo of Bjorn to her friend, who said he looked like a stolen dog she’d seen on Facebook.”

The caller sent Johanna photos, and it was indeed Bjorn.

“I was crying, and she was crying, saying: ‘I got him for my kids two weeks ago, and we really like him but of course he’s your dog so come and get him.’”

Bjorn was with at least one other family during the time he was missing, and arrived home with matted fur and a foot infection.

Happily, now he’s back to full health and happiness. “We were so lucky!” said Johanna.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p16_17_PPM_Jun22.indd 17

Image: Blue Cross.

Johanna Kerwien fell to the ground screaming when she realised Bjorn had been stolen.

USEFUL CONTACTS ● Vets Get Scanning; visit www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk ● DogLost; visit www.doglost.co.uk ● Stolen And Missing Pets Alliance (SAMPA); visit www.stolenandmissingpetsalliance.co.uk/about-sampa ● Blue Cross; visit www.bluecross.org.uk

June 2022 17

10/05/2022 13:10

Cat knowledge THE CAT PERSONALITY TEST

Part four:

how well does your cat cope with change?

Change is an inevitable part of life. Dr Lauren Finka’s quiz will help you decipher how your cat handles change and how you can help them cope with it. he closest wild relative of the domestic cat (the Near Eastern or North African wildcat) lives and hunts alone, goes where it wants, when it wants, and has its own carefully selected territory. In stark contrast to this, we pretty much control all aspects of the lives of our companion cats. While most of our cats will certainly appreciate the cushy lifestyles we provide, as a species, they remain creatures of habit, sensitive to their surroundings and craving a sense of predictability and control over their lives.

These needs are quite similar to our

T

own. The presence of uncertainty and a loss of a sense of control within our lives can certainly cause us stress and anxiety.

We may, however, underestimate the effect these stressors can also have on our feline companions. For example, the global pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for most of us, but it is likely to have impacted our cats in various ways too.

The value of our companion animals as a source of comfort and support during this time has been very clear. Many of our cats will also have benefitted from the

extra attention and affection they have received from us. However, some cats will not have coped so well, particularly considering the disruptions to their usual routines, potentially combined with a busier household filled with often anxious or frustrated humans. Additionally, over the course of the pandemic, many of us may have decided to redecorate, have huge clear outs, or even move to a new home.

A lot of households have also welcomed new additions — be these four-legged or two.

All these changes that are outside of our

3

1

You start to spend a lot more time at home than usual. How does your cat respond?

A They seem contented but generally stick to what seems like their usual routine — it’s almost as if they’ve hardly noticed you’re there.

B They seem pretty relaxed but are keen to make the most of the extra fuss opportunities.

C They seem fine but are perhaps spending a little more time away from the busier areas of the home than usual.

D They seem a little agitated and uncomfortable, and their usual routine seems to have changed.

E They seem very agitated and unsettled, or you aren’t sure because you hardly see them these days (they’re either outdoors or hiding indoors).

2

You’re unwell and are bedridden for most of the week. Does your cat:

A Rejoice at the sheer amount of daily cuddling opportunities that await.

B Quite like the idea of having food and attention on tap.

C Feel OK about it, as long as you don’t disturb their nap times.

D Prefer you to make a speedy recovery so you stop ruining their week.

E Look for somewhere else to live.

Did you know?

The resources and how you provide them are such a vital part of your cat’s lifestyle.

5

cats’ control can create an unpredictable, stressful environment for them. Our cats’ reaction to these types of challenges and how well they can cope will be influenced by their previous experiences and their underlying personality. How we manage our cats and their surroundings during these times can greatly impact on their general coping potential too.

The following quiz has therefore been designed to help you reflect on how well your cat typically fares during various life upheavals and what you can do to support them.

You’re on the phone having a catch-up with friends and you’ve missed your cat’s usual feeding time. Have they:

You’ve just placed some clean, freshly ironed clothes on your bed. You notice your cat’s about to jump up and make themselves comfortable so decide to shut them out of the bedroom. Does your cat: A Accept this banishing gracefully and saunter over to the food bowl.

B Seem a little disappointed by this sudden denial of entry, but wait patiently until access is restored.

C Look confused or slightly irritated.

D Meow their head off and paw at the door until you give in and open it for them.

E Not care in the slightest; the bedroom is not a fun place to be anyway (because that’s where you usually are).

4

You’ve recently broken up with your partner whom your cat adored. How is your cat?

A Pretty happy and relaxed as long as food and attention continue to arrive on schedule.

B Looking a little confused at times but happy for the extra attention they’re getting from you.

C Sometimes restless and a bit more meowy than usual.

D Generally restless, anxious, or agitated.

E Seemingly withdrawn or lethargic.

A Hardly noticed; they’re enjoying the additional lap time they get while you chat.

B Been pretty patient so far, except for the occasional meow and rubbing around your legs.

C Been crouching nearby, giving you the odd evil look every now and then.

D Been shouting at you constantly for the past 10 minutes.

E Been anxiously waiting at a safe distance until you’ve put the food down and cleared off.

18 June 2022

p18_19_PPM_Jun22.indd 18

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:13

SPONSORED BY

Humans working from home was a novel experience for many pets.

11

With restrictions easing, you’re spending more and more time out of the house. How does your cat typically greet you when you arrive home?

A Your cat is happy to break off from whatever they were doing to come and greet you.

B Your cat quickly trots over, tail up, chirrups or meows, and gives you a few head rubs.

C Your cat is already waiting impatiently by the door, ready to demand things.

D There’s a lot of meowing, pawing, climbing all over you, and following you around.

E They’re avoiding you, as per usual.

6

You’re in the middle of an important Zoom/ Teams call but your cat wants attention.

What do they do?

A Wait patiently nearby, keeping a close eye out for any signs that you might be available.

B Give you a gentle cheek rub or two and emit a couple of hopeful chirrups, perhaps sauntering casually across the computer screen (to the delight of your colleagues).

C Meow at you with great urgency and nuzzle you vigorously, using their annoying furry body to block your view of the screen, refusing to move.

D Frantically paw at you, shout at you, climb on you, bite you/the mouse/keyboard — whatever works.

E This would never happen — your cat hates it when you give them attention.

7

You decide it’s time for a huge home declutter.

You’re moving furniture and boxes around all day.

What’s your cat doing?

A ‘Helping’ you by inspecting each box carefully and making sure they fit inside it.

B Inquisitively checking out the new furniture locations.

C Looking a bit perturbed — I liked things as they were, human!

D Steering clear of all commotion until it’s over.

E You have no idea, but you’re unlikely to see them in the next 24 hours.

8

You’re decorating for a few weeks.

It’s noisy, there’s paint everywhere, and you need to keep your cat out of several rooms of the house that they usually spend time in. www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p18_19_PPM_Jun22.indd 19

9

It’s the first day for you and your cat in your new house. What’s your cat doing?

A Strutting around as if they own the place, exploring everything.

B Acting a little cautious to begin with, but seemingly keen to check out their new surroundings; there is lots of sniffing and rubbing of objects going on.

C Looking quite alert and on edge, holding their body low to the ground, trying to figure out all the entry and exit points.

D Pressed up in the back of the cat carrier, refusing to come out.

E You think they made a dash for the nearest small, dark space and that’s where they’ll be for at least a week.

10

You’re super busy turning the spare room into a nursery, and you realise you’ve neglected your cat a bit.

How do they respond?

A Like it’s totally cool — they know you’ve been busy, although they’re hopeful that you’ll eventually have some time to squeeze them in for a cuddle session.

B They’re not overly keen on this sudden lack of attention, but they have other stuff they can get on with until you remember them.

C They are pretty peeved about the whole thing — cats should come first, not babies!

D As if they are suffering from the most intense withdrawal symptoms imaginable.

E Like it’s totally cool — they don’t like spending time with you anyway.

Does your cat: A Carry on as usual — there’s still plenty to do and they’re glad you finally got rid of that terrible brown wallpaper.

B Seem a little confused by the relocation of their things, but adjust well.

C Seem a little on edge, invest a great deal of time in sniffing everything, and occasionally sit outside the closed doors.

D Seem agitated, frequently pace, meow, and scratch at the various doors.

E Seem tense, hunched, and generally uncomfortable.

Decorating can disrupt your cat’s territory.

12

With travel restrictions easing, you decide to go away on holiday for two weeks and have a pet sitter looking after your cat. How is your cat?

A Having a great time, staying up late and enjoying all the extra treats!

B Adjusting well to the slightly altered feeding schedule and stroking protocols.

C A bit agitated, seemingly not too happy about all the disruptions to their routine.

D Totally unable to relax and accept this new intruder.

E The cat sitter will be lucky to catch more than a few glimpses of your cat.

INTERPRET YOUR CAT’S SCORE: My cat scored mostly A’s and B’s Your cat is probably the friendly but relatively laid-back type, able to take quite a lot in their stride. He or she may generally feel quite at ease in their environment, dealing with household upheavals relatively well. However, even the most seemingly unflappable of cats will appreciate a little extra support during times of commotion.

My cat scored mostly C’s Your cat is probably of the more sensitive variety.

They may tend to be quick to react to disruption to their environment, perhaps sometimes affected by even the seemingly smallest of things. They are probably the kind of cat that enjoys a specific daily routine, something that will help them to feel a little more in control of their surroundings. They will appreciate the feeling that they have safe, predictable access to all the things they value in life, be this food, good hiding spots, access to the garden, somewhere quiet to hide, or even attention from you. During times of disruption or commotion in the home, your cat is really going to appreciate some support from you to help them get

through it.

My cat scored mostly D’s and E’s Your cat is likely to be very sensitive to the world around them. They might already be finding life a bit challenging, seemingly even without anything very major going on. They may be easily worried by the smallest changes, perhaps generally not feeling very in control of anything.

The reasons behind this can be complex, although these are a few of the common ones: ● This is part of your cat’s personality. They can become easily annoyed or frustrated when the reality of a situation doesn’t quite meet their expectations. Equally, they may have a generally sensitive, nervous, or anxious disposition. ● Your cat may be experiencing stress caused by other factors (such as conflict with other cats or a medical condition), which makes it harder for them to deal with other things going on around them. ● Your cat’s current lifestyle isn’t able to meet enough of their basic needs. Cats have some fundamental requirements in order to have good well-being and these needs will vary depending on their specific personality, age, and current physical and mental well-being.

Visit: catit.com to discover their brilliant ranges.

June 2022 19

10/05/2022 13:13

Small companions

Reducing the threat of flystrike in rabbits The green bottle fly is a danger to rabbits.

Claire Hamblion Marketing manager at Supreme Pet Foods lystrike (also known as myiasis or blowfly strike) is common in pet rabbits, and is seen particularly during the warmer months, with the majority of cases between May and October. The condition arises when flies lay eggs, typically around the rabbit’s back end. These eggs hatch into maggots which feed on tissue, often causing significant damage. Flystrike is an exceedingly painful condition which if left untreated, can quickly become fatal.

It is worth remembering that normal, dry clean skin will not attract flies and is key to preventing this unpleasant condition.

In the UK, most cases are due to the green bottle (Lucilia serracata) and the incidence of flystrike correlates closely with numbers of these flies. Flystrike can occur at any time of year, but cases drop significantly from October onwards when most adult green bottles enter dormancy.

Pet retailers are ideally placed to help educate rabbit owners on all aspects of flystrike prevention, and in so doing, help to improve the welfare of the UK pet rabbit population. Being seen as a knowledgeable and reliable source of pet care advice also shows that you are a caring and responsible retailer with the best interests of pets at heart and this will go a long way to earning that all important customer trust.

Flystrike need-to-knows: ● Each fly can lay up to 200 eggs. ● Maggots can hatch from the eggs within as little as twelve hours. ● Warmer weather speeds up maggot development. ● Flystrike is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. ● Prevention is better than cure.

F

Myth-busting

● Maggots only infect existing wounds. FALSE – although maggots are well-known for clearing away dead or damaged tissue, they will also feed on healthy areas. A wound may increase the chance of a rabbit getting flystrike, but only because it attracts more flies to lay their eggs. ● Flystrike in rabbits only occurs in the summer. FALSE – flystrike is more common during the summer months, and extra precautions are recommended at this time of year.

However, rabbits can develop myiasis during any season and owners should check their rabbit twice daily, even in winter months. ● Flystrike will not affect an indoor rabbit. FALSE – those pesky flies can get just about anywhere and infestation with maggots can happen thanks to a single fly laying eggs on a rabbit. While indoor rabbits may be at lower risk, they can still develop flystrike.

The right diet can help prevent flystrike.

20 June 2022

p20_PPM_Jun22.indd 20

Risk factors for flystrike

Although no rabbit is immune to the threat of flystrike, there are a number of risk factors that may increase the likelihood of being affected: Risk factor one: reduced caecotroph ingestion Rabbits produce firm faecal pellets and softer sticky clumps of faeces called caecotrophs. Rabbits eat caecotrophs directly from their bottom and a second trip through the digestive tract maximises the absorption of nutrients from the diet. However, several health conditions including arthritis, neurological disease, and obesity, may reduce caecotroph ingestion as they can prevent rabbits from reaching their back end. Caecotroph eating is vital for optimum digestive health, but in addition, if a rabbit is unable to remove caecotrophs from around their bottom, soreness and skin infections may develop both of which are attractive to flies. Dental disease may also make caecotroph eating difficult.

Risk factor two: diarrhoea There are many causes of diarrhoea in rabbits but feeding an inappropriate diet which is low in fibre and high in carbohydrates is by far the commonest. Rabbits with diarrhoea may quickly develop sore skin round their bottom putting them at high risk of flystrike.

Risk factor three: urine scald Urine scald (wet, red, sore skin caused by urine-soaked fur) provides ideal conditions for flies to lay their eggs.

Rabbits at risk of urine scald, include those that are obese or inactive as well as those with certain medical conditions.

Owners should always be advised to seek veterinary attention if they have concerns about their rabbit’s health.

Prevention is better than cure: the importance of diet

Armed with an understanding of risk factors for flystrike, retailers can advise owners how best to care for their pets and reduce the threat of this unpleasant condition. First and foremost, emphasis should be put on the importance of feeding a nutritionally balanced, high-fibre diet that mirrors that of wild rabbits. If owners get this right, they will help prevent their pet becoming overweight, greatly reduce the risk of dental disease and minimise the chance of digestive upsets, all of which reduces the risk of flystrike. Build your relationships with customers by being a source of reliable, trusted rabbit nutrition advice. Here is a quick reminder of the key messages to emphasise about a healthy rabbit diet: ● 80% of the diet should be hay or grass — different types of hay vary in terms of their taste and nutritional content, and rabbits can often be picky, preferring the higher quality options. Timothy Hay, such as Science Selective Timothy Hay, and Meadow hay, such as Russel Rabbit Tasty Hay, are both nutritious choices that bunnies love. Rabbits should be offered unlimited hay, and a good guide for owners, is that their rabbit should eat a bunny-sized portion every day. ● Feed a carefully measured portion of high-quality rabbit food every morning and evening. This food should be high in fibre and no added sugar diets are preferable to those that contain sugary ingredients like molasses. There are various types available to suit all tastes from mueslistyle mixes to extruded diets, such as Supreme’s Science Selective range. ● Selective feeding can be a problem for some rabbits that are fed muesli. To get full nutritional value from a diet, rabbits should eat the whole portion, but if some ingredients are left behind, particularly the pellets, they are unlikely to be getting a balanced diet.

Retailers can help to overcome this by suggesting a mix that includes tasty extruded nuggets, such as Russel Rabbit Tasty Mix, or

switching to a fully mono-component diet, like Science Selective Adult Rabbit or Russel Rabbit Tasty Nuggets. ● Feed a handful of leafy greens to add variety. Healthy treats and high sugar veg like carrots should only be offered occasionally.

Cleanliness is key

One of the best ways to keep flystrike at bay is to ensure bunny bottoms are kept clean and dry and retailers should suggest a good quality bedding material with high absorbency, such as Tiny Friends Farm Eco Bedding or Russel and Gerty Supasoft Bedding. Bedding should be changed regularly and enclosures cleaned using pet-friendly cleaning products, such as Keep It Clean from our Tiny Friends Farm range.

And don’t forget to… ● Remind owners to check their rabbit over twice a day, paying particular attention to their bottom area. It is important to keep an eye out for anything that might attract flies, this includes urine or faeces that are stuck in their fur which should be gently wiped away. ● Remind owners to groom their rabbit regularly, particularly if the rabbit is unable to do a good job themselves for any reason. This could include old age, arthritis, obesity, and dental disease. Despite an owner’s best efforts, some rabbits may still be prone to a dirty back-end and this should be cleaned at least twice a day. ● Have a discussion about environmental protection too — suggest fly screens to protect hutches from unwanted pests and planting naturally insect-repellent plants close-by, such as rosemary or peppermint. ● Mention that there are suitable spot-on treatments to help deter flies and reduce the number of eggs that hatch into maggots. Owners should seek veterinary advice to ensure they use products that are safe for their rabbit. These should be used as part of an overall management plan and are designed to be used in combination with the above tips, not to replace them.

Showcase your expertise

Why not spruce up your store with an eye-catching seasonal display on flystrike prevention? You can include educational information and incorporate relevant products such as food, bedding, and pet-safe cleaning products. Supreme offer a range of options to grab customer attention and liven up displays including posters and FSDUs. Care guides are particularly useful to include. Rabbit owners often appreciate these resources and they are an effective way of reinforcing your messages around products.

Free samples are another handy tool and can be a great way of providing the extra nudge that some owners need to encourage them to try new products. At Supreme, we offer free care guides, as well as samples of our rabbit diets, which, combined with a money off next purchase voucher, are a very effective tool for changing shopping habits.

We can also provide independent pet stores with loyalty schemes to keep these customers coming back for more.

Use in-store displays to start conversations on flystrike prevention and other aspects of rabbit care. To get the most out of these opportunities, make sure that all your staff are happy discussing rabbit needs and linking these to the key features of the products you offer. If your team needs a recap on your stock, think about arranging some product training.

At Supreme, we offer this as an effective way to help retailers promote products and drive sales.

Role of the retailer

Retailers have an important role in helping to educate owners on many aspects of rabbit husbandry including the prevention of flystrike. However, flystrike is a medical emergency which can be fatal. It progresses very quickly and is a big animal welfare concern if left untreated. If owners have spotted any signs of flystrike on their rabbit, they should be advised to contact a vet immediately.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:14

Super stretchy

R e a e n l g o e H u F

n,

u d r a , b e l l i e t a d s o r g e v

All natural rubber

toy s

Stuff with treats

The JW Hol-ee range is a fun, versatile selection of dog play toys that keep dogs entertained for hours.

The Hol-ee toys have excellent shelf presence thanks to their bright colours, as well as being made from highly durable natural rubber. Pet parents can use their Hol-ee toys in multiple ways by filling with treats or other toys to create a multi sensory experience!

0115 982 3900 PEDIGREE_1.indd 1

sales@petproducts.co.uk

petproducts.co.uk 10/05/2022 15:07

Business advice

The National Minimum Wage Adam Bernstein Writer/researcher for independent businesses. he National Minimum Wage (NMW) has been a part of UK law for decades.

A key part of the Labour Party’s 1997 election manifesto, it finally came into force in April 1999. Back then, it required employers to pay those aged 22 and over £3.60 an hour and £3 an hour for those aged 18 — 22.

With the passage of time, new rates and age bands have been introduced along with the National Living Wage (NLW), in 2016, for those aged over 23. And as we continue through 2022, the matter of employee pay is high on the agenda. And will be especially so for Manchester-based Steve Ratcliffe and Ronnie Bale, trading as Manchester Pets & Aquatics, as they failed to pay £4,058.37 to six workers.

The breach was reported on a list the tax body published at the start of December 2021. On the same list was Ashford-based Paula Ann Simper, trading as P and J Pets/ Paulways Pet Resort, who failed to pay £516.78 to one worker. While both were named by HMRC, there is no information on whether the breaches were accidental or deliberate.

T

on the GOV.UK and Acas websites, but thought should be given to hours worked, commission paid, tools and meals, and compulsory time spent at work before and after the working day.

The regime is self-policed by employers but with oversight from HMRC, which if it finds an underpayment — either through its own investigations or a tip-off from a disgruntled employee — can take an employer to court. It should be noted that HMRC’s compliance officers have the power to take information away from an employer’s premises (or the premises where the information is held) to copy it.

The maximum fine for non-payment is £20,000 per worker. Employers who fail to pay can also be banned from being a company director for up to 15 years.

Beyond that, employers can be taken to an employment tribunal or civil court if an employee or worker feels they have not been receiving NMW or NLW; have been dismissed or experienced unfair treatment because of their right to the NMW or NLW; or have been discriminated against because their age means they are entitled to a higher minimum wage rate.

Follow the law Presently, the rate — for the year from 1 April, 2022 — stands at £4.81 an hour for an apprentice, £4.81 for those under 18, £6.83 an hour for those aged 18 to 20, £9.18 for those aged 21 and 22, and £9.50 for those aged 23 and over and on the NLW. Employers must consider what should and shouldn’t be included in the NMW and NLW calculation. There’s plenty of detail

22 June 2022

p22_PPM_Jun22.indd 22

Avoid being in the position of having to make an excuse Periodically, HMRC publishes reports on those employers that have been caught out for not paying the NMW or NLW. These employers are publicly named and shamed and that’s how Manchester Pets & Aquatics and P and J Pets/Paulways Pet Resort came to prominence. Similarly, HMRC publishes

the excuses that employers give when confronted about their non-payment.

Non-payment is quite widespread.

In the 2020 to 2021 tax year, HMRC’s investigators helped more than 155,000 workers recover more than £16m in pay.

HMRC also issued more than £14m in penalties for non-payment.

As for the most outlandish excuses for not paying NMW or NLW, HMRC’s top 10 make for interesting reading: “She does not deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors.”

“The employee was not a good worker, so I did not think they deserved to be paid the National Minimum Wage.”

“My accountant and I speak a different language — he does not understand me, and that is why he does not pay my workers the correct wages.”

“My employee is still learning so they are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.”

“It is part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their worth first.”

“The National Minimum Wage does not apply to my business.”

“I have got an agreement with my workers that I will not pay them the National Minimum Wage; they understand, and they even signed a contract to this effect.”

“I thought it was okay to pay young workers below the National Minimum Wage as they are not British and therefore do not have the right to be paid it.” . “My workers like to think of themselves as being self-employed and the National Minimum Wage does not apply to people who work for themselves.”

“My workers are often just on standby when there are no customers in the shop; I only pay them for when they are actually serving someone.”

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9

10

Maintain employees’ rights It’s worth noting that employees cannot be asked or told to sign-away their rights.

Further, HMRC says that it reviews every complaint it receives about the minimum wage. It also encourages employees who think that they “are being short-changed or are a business that is unsure of the rules or needs help to get things right, to get in touch.”

HMRC has also gone on record to state that “any employer deliberately or

unapologetically underpaying their staff will face hefty fines and other enforcement action.”

Employees can lodge complaints via GOV. UK or the confidential Acas Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100; calls can be transferred to HMRC. Employees have rights and know how to exercise them. Further, the law is clear here — NMW and NLW must be appropriately paid and if they’re not, employers can expect regulatory trouble.

Where employers go wrong According to a recent BEIS report, ‘National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme Round 17, August 2021: educational bulletin’, there are two key areas where employers make mistakes that result in employees receiving less than their statutory minimum entitlement: deductions or payments from wages that take pay below the relevant minimum rate; and unpaid working time.

Some of the example deductions that BEIS details that have led to NMW breaches are, to an extent, logical and may make sense at the time. They include fees for processing attachments of earnings, and deductions for uniforms or for working equipment. But on the flipside, some deductions are so simple to spot, especially those where the employee obtains a personal benefit from the deduction. Here examples include deductions for parking permits, the cost of onsite meals, an employer-led Christmas savings scheme, and those deductions for benefits provided through salary sacrifice.

As for unpaid working time that BEIS identified, these involve underpayments where employees are required to change or wait for work purposes (security checks and getting changed into PPE before and after shifts for example), clocking in and out time being rounded down, employees not being paid for mandatory training, time worked on a sleep-in shift, or carrying out trial shifts.

Another worrying area for the BEIS report is underpayment risks relating to apprentices such as failing to pay for time spent in training and failing to pay the correct age-related rate.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:27

UNIPET.indd 1

10/05/2022 15:05

Reptile care

Staying safe

Heat is an energy source.

— thermostats

John Courteney-Smith MRSB Arcadia Reptile; Head of Science and Innovation/Author/Herpetologist

R

24 June 2022

p24_PPM_Jun22.indd 24

to good tungsten and halogen flood lamps and now also DHPs. Tungsten and halogen lamps provide a lot of highly bioavailable Infra-Red-A. These wavelengths push further into the dermis and deliver more energy than IR-B which is also terrestrial, usable, and vastly more bioavailable than non-natural heat sources producing IR-C such as CHE, RHP, Mats, and cables. These lamps are most effective when running at full pelt with 100% output as the curve of the spectrum is pushed upwards into IR-A and away from visible red. This does not mean that heat lamps when dimmed are not effective and able to keep animals alive!

Indeed, even a heavily dimmed halogen is still producing an emission within the wavelengths that are most bioavailable and would be far more usable to life than heat sources that only produce IR-C. As such, we can safely use dimming to control these lamps during the day to provide a set thermogradient that we have accurate control over, while also be sure that our provision is usable.

“

I am glad to say that much of this positive change is being driven not only by the more vocal keepers online, but also by stores in the UK.

“

eptile keeping is advancing quickly now. Keepers are, on the whole, better educated within their passions and stores are able to provide much of the equipment required to create a thoughtful, well designed and effective environment in which a species can live. Of course, we will go on to improve in our care further over time as we learn more and more, and also as technology continues to allow us to become ever more accurate in our provision.

The bad old days of small, bare, and poorly thought-out enclosures are well behind us now and we are living at the start of an altogether more positive age for reptile keeping.

I am glad to say that much of this positive change is being driven not only by the more vocal keepers online, but also by stores in the UK. I was particularly pleased to see social media updates published from a range of UK stores informing keepers that they would no longer sell animals unless the potential keeper could prove that they had the correct enclosure, the correct UV system, and a thermostat to control heating. Of course, these items could be purchased at collection, but these forward thinking, ethically-trading stores are setting a gold standard that not only protects the animals in question, but also protects their businesses and the hobby as a whole going forwards.

The use of the most pertinent UV systems per species and enclosure size is now of course standard — it is even written into AAL and has become the norm. Subsequently, we will see healthier animals long-term and a welcome reduction in wholly avoidable metabolic bone disease. I am, however, still worried at the number of keepers that fail to invest in, or do not understand the vital importance of, the use of quality thermostats, yet another invention pioneered by British design and manufacture. A thermostat, when used correctly, measures the temperature provided within a given area and then adjusts the energy provision to a heat source in order to maintain a pre-set temperature. The probe that is built into the thermostat is measuring as ‘live’ and the electronics adjust the lamp to keep things where they should be. This greatly lessens the risk of harmful, if not fatal, overheating and it can also quite dramatically reduce energy spend and lengthen the usable lifespan of a lamp.

The accurate provision of heat is essential for reptiles.

This is the energy source that they use to function, to be able to move and feed and digest food. If this energy is unbalanced or under provided then the animal is also unbalanced and underprovided in a linear way. If the level of energy is too high (too hot), above and beyond the level that the species has adapted to use over long time and without access of escape from this heat, it can quickly lead to death. Indeed, a slight under provision is far less harmful than an enforced over provision.

The closer that the spectrum of a lamp’s emission is to the sun, the more bioavailable the energy provision is to a species as this provision is closer to the providers developed over vast time within natural development. For us as keepers, we are still fairly lucky that we have access

Sadly, I have also seen advice given from certain sections of the professional hobby that latches on to the fact that the harder a lamp is run, the more effective it is in terms of energy into the dermis. As such, they have started to advise that thermostats are not required and that keepers can choose lamps that will only reach a certain temp when running at full pelt at home. In reality, there are very few keepers at home with the knowledge of physics needed and the tools required to install, measure, and maintain such a system that is so prone to inaccuracy. Public advice should always be to use a good dimming thermostat as this is the practical failsafe to both common mistakes in terms of lamp choice (wrong wattage or beam shape), lamp siting, and, of course, ambient temps.

This is a very important point. If a keeper was not fully aware of the impact of ambient energy around the cage and measured the heat provided from a lamp at home on a colder day, they would soon find that they could have a 15 — 20C swing in the heat of the summer. With their lamp running full pelt, the usual 34C could become 45C or even more.

The risk of chronic oversupply is just too high to assume that all keepers of all skill levels can apply complex maths

at home and ensure perfect supply. Many of us older keepers that used to try to get away with not using thermostats will remember rushing to turn lamps off, opening windows, and even putting ice bags in vivarium doors trying to get temperatures down. None of this would happen if a good thermostat was used. Why? Well, as the probe heated it would reduce energy to the lamp accordingly to maintain the set temp at the position of the probe. If the heat then continues to rise, the thermostat delivers less and less energy until it is delivering none. Good thermostats will then issue a warning alarm if temps continue to rise, which may be caused by other lighting, a failed secondary heater, or, most commonly, heated air in the room (ambient temps). These warnings are secondary to the control of energy but remain essential in allowing a keeper to make quick changes in order to maintain life.

I see no value at all, only large risks, by advising that good thermostats can be avoided in modern care. Indeed, I fully subscribe to these forward-thinking UK stores that have made formal policy of sale to ensure that keepers of all levels of experience do indeed use these vital tools. Our care must be safe, effective, measurable, and adaptable if we are to carry on advancing in this wonderful hobby. Removing an element of control is no more than a leading pathway towards accidental harm.

If certain keepers feel confident in complex measuring and the laws of physics, let them tinker at their own risk. For the mass of keepers and their beloved pets, let’s do all that we can to protect them.

Using a thermostat is a positive step to keeping pets safe.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

11/05/2022 11:36

FOR THE TOUGHEST CHEWERS Discover our new range of MPOH MBTUJOH ŤBWPVS QBDLFE Nylon chew toys!

6OJRVF NPVMEJOH QSPDFTT GPS B SFBMJTUJD UFYUVSF MPPLlj .BEF JO UIF 64" )VNBO HSBEF JOGVTFE ŤBWPVST Long shelf life

Exclusive to

0115 982 3900 PEDIGREE_2.indd 1

sales@petproducts.co.uk

petproducts.co.uk 10/05/2022 14:57

Business advice

Debunking health and safety myths — part two

Adam Bernstein Writer/researcher for independent businesses.

H

indsight is a wonderful thing but when it comes to health and safety law, it’s akin to playing Russian Roulette with not only human life but also the survival of a business. And with many managers operating according to a set of myths, it’s only a matter of time before they become entangled with the authorities.

In this second and concluding part, Adam Bernstein spoke to James Lowe, Regulatory Partner in the Commercial Litigation department at Wright Hassall, on the health and safety myths that he regularly has to bust.

systems — the formal framework to help an organisation manage and improve its health and safety. He notes that “they are not legally mandatory so businesses can choose whether to have one — and many avoid what they perceive to be unnecessary bureaucracy. But regardless, what is needed in any organisation is a culture of safety, whether or not a formal health and safety management system is used.”

Myth No.9: Fines for breaching health and safety laws are not significant

Myth No.6: The Government’s Covid restrictions keep changing so companies do not need specific measures in the workplace Lowe says that employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees while at work and other persons, so far as reasonably practicable. He says, though, that “this general duty to protect employees and others from harm and to take reasonable steps to protect those in the workplace is not a static obligation — it needs to be reviewed regularly.” In his view, the pandemic is a dramatic example of a new risk to workplaces which should be assessed and addressed whether or not Covid legislation specifically requires it.

Lowe continues: “Since the pandemic began, the Government has published Workplace Guidance which it updates each time national restrictions change. This guidance does not supersede employers’ existing legal obligations relating to health and safety.” His point is that the guidance is likely to be considered the minimum that businesses need to implement when complying with general health and safety obligations.

So, his advice, for the moment at least, is that when employers carry out health and safety risk assessments “the risks concerning Covid should always be included, and reasonable steps taken to ensure that risks are mitigated so far as reasonably practicable.”

And to embellish the point, he adds that “as local or national Covid restrictions change, employers should continue to update their Covid risk assessments and if necessary, the measures that are in place to reflect any changes.”

It’s important to remember that the HSE and local authorities are the lead enforcement authorities for all health and safety legislation, and “this,” says Lowe, “includes Covid compliance and enforcement.” Any business failing to address Covid-related risks in the workplace may therefore face improvement notices, prohibition notices, investigations, and prosecutions.

Myth No.7: Health and safety management systems just cause red tape The second problem area for Lowe is that relating to health and safety management

26 June 2022

p26_PPM_Jun22.indd 26

vicarious liability.” He carries on to explain “that employers in businesses are usually legal entities such as companies, so if an employee acts negligently or illegally, a company may end up being prosecuted.”

But worryingly, not many realise that in relation to health and safety legislation, there are, says Lowe, “situations where individuals can also be held personally liable for their actions, even though these were undertaken as part of their job.

Employees may be prosecuted if they have not discharged their individual duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who are affected by their acts or omissions.”

It’s just as pertinent to note that directors and officers of a company are firmly in the firing line and can be personally prosecuted if a company commits a health and safety offence which can be shown to have been committed through their consent, connivance, or neglect.

On this Lowe details that “the Health and Safety Executive has used its powers much more frequently in recent years; fines on conviction can be considerable and custodial sentences are more likely since the introduction of the Definitive Guideline for sentencing Health and Safety Offences.”

He reiterates the point that employers have a legal obligation to manage health and safety risks in their business. This is why he thinks that by establishing a health and safety management system “an organisation should be able to demonstrate that it has identified and considered such risks and can address them to ensure that they are managed and controlled.”

The system doesn’t have to be complex.

In fact, Lowe thinks that “a simple, straightforward system, with clear responsibility and a structured approach to assessing, controlling, and monitoring will not only contribute to an organisation meeting its legal obligations, but will demonstrate to employees that they are valued at work and that their health, safety, and well-being is prioritised.” He knows from experience that this will also improve the culture of health and safety in organisations and should, in theory, reduce workplace accidents and ill health, which he says “is the ultimate purpose of all health and safety systems.”

Further, and with an eye on the bottom line, there is evidence that having an established health and safety management system in place will reduce certain insurance costs, increase the likelihood of attracting investment into a business from financial institutions and others.

Another worry for Lowe is that some ignore the law since they believe that if they’re caught that the penalties will be trivial. The reality, says Lowe, is that “there are a variety of penalties for breaching health and safety laws depending on which laws are breached, and the circumstances of the particular matter.”

It should be noted that prior to 2015, the maximum fine that could be imposed on a company in a Magistrates’ Court was £20,000 per offence, although it was unlimited in the Crown Court. That upper limit has now been removed in the Magistrates’ Court and unlimited fines can now be imposed in both jurisdictions.

As to what may be levied, Lowe points to the ‘Definitive Guideline for sentencing Health and Safety Offences.’ It sets out the scope and parameters for sentencing such offences and have “led to significant increases in the fines imposed by the courts which now take in to account a company’s turnover, as well as culpability, harm, and other factors when considering the appropriate penalty in any prosecution.”

Notably, 2021 saw some of the highest ever penalties for health and safety breaches.

Here Lowe cites the largest fine of £4 million plus costs was given to National Grid Gas plc. Then there’s the cases involving British Airways, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Enterprise Managed Services, and Drayton Manor theme park — all of which were fined over £1 million where fatal injuries had occurred.

Other cases to note are Aster Healthcare Ltd, which was fined £1m for corporate

manslaughter after the death of an elderly woman at a nursing home in Bracknell and other workplace accidents at Nestle and Young’s Seafood have led to significant fines.

As Lowe summarises: “businesses cannot count on fines for breaching health and safety laws being insignificant. In all likelihood, the contrary will be true on conviction. The costs to the business may be enormous and it is vitally important to secure early legal representation when an incident occurs.”

Myth No.10: HSE will not prosecute as there was no accident The very last myth Lowe busts is that prosecutions only follow on from accidents.

While he says that many health and safety prosecutions occur after an accident or death in the workplace, “many of the fines handed out in 2021 — including the largest — resulted from a risk of harm, rather than an incident occurring that led to injury or death.”

In the example noted in Lowe’s fourth myth, National Grid Gas plc was fined £4 million for failing to ensure its records relating to gas risers in some high-rise multi occupancy building were up to date, even though this failure had not actually resulted in an accident or death.

National Grid Gas operates the nationwide gas transmission system and the gas distribution systems supplying gas to approximately half of the UK domestic and industrial gas customers, including the gas pipes in high rise multiple occupancy buildings (HRMOBs).

Lowe explains that in 2016 it sold part of its operations to Cadent Gas Ltd, including inspection and routine maintenance obligations in various HRMOBs. “It was subsequently discovered that incomplete records about the HRMOBs were transferred to Cadent who therefore were unknowingly inspecting only a portion of the buildings for which they had become responsible.

Routine safety inspections on hundreds of properties therefore did not take place for many years creating a risk of harm.”

He adds that after this discovery was made by the HSE in 2018, Cadent took appropriate remedial action. National Grid Gas were prosecuted for its failings and pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety law, resulting in the hefty fine: “It was shown that National Grid Gas did not have a robust system for recording the details of the gas pipes within HRMOBs, and when the data error had been identified, it had failed to act to correct these.”

So, with these ten myths debunked, health and safety offences do not only relate to situations where harm is caused, they can also centre around omissions in administrative processes that have the potential to cause harm. When these failures, and their possible consequences come to the attention of the authorities, they have shown that they will not hesitate to prosecute.

Myth No.8: I cannot be liable for the consequences of my actions in the course of my employment This is an important myth to dispel in Lowe’s opinion. He says that “it is settled law that an employer can be held responsible for the actions of their employee if such actions were committed during their employment. This is known as

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:29

Global

100

2020 WINNER Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UK

Winners 2013-2022

Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook

Start stocking Dogmatic’s award winning products TODAY! Excellent Profit Margins with Low Minimum Orders

Your Customers deserve the BEST so call today

9 TIMES WINNER OF ‘Product I can’t live without’

NO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORT

AWARgDCoEllDar

Recommended by Trainers, Vets, Behaviourists & Rescue Centres.

‘Best Do - UK’ 1 2 0 2 0 2 r e r Manufactu tive Dog a v o n n I t s o M cturers a f u n a M r a l l Co

2019

DOGMATIC.indd 1

Available in Original Leather and Padded Cushioned Webbing all in various colourways.

Matching collars and specialised leads also available offering added security and confidence throughout the winter months.

Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association

Call to join the ever growing number of Retailers changing to Dogmatic on 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk 10/05/2022 14:53

Customer Q&As

QA

Customer & solutions Neutering guinea pigs

Guinea pig advice

I am looking at getting a pair of guinea pigs. Do I need to get them neutered?

Wood Green say: Guinea pigs are sociable animals – they should always be kept in pairs or small groups to keep them happy and healthy. The best mixes are two males, two females, or a neutered male with one or more females.

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.

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. Male guinea pigs can be neutered from 3 — 4 months or as soon as their testicles are visible.

Before and after care for your guinea pigs Some small animal species need to be starved for a certain amount of time before an operation. Guinea pigs should not be starved and must have a constant access to fresh hay and water.

Once your 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.

Wood Green, The Animals 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, Wood Green provides expert advice and hands-on support to pet owners 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

Clever dogs soon learn where the food comes from and when.

Dog behaviour

Struggling to poo

Dog health

I think my dog is constipated. Lately, he has been struggling to poo and when he does succeed, he only produces a very small, dry, firm stool, or sometimes nothing at all. What could be causing this? His diet hasn’t changed and he’s eating as normal. What can I do about it?

Can I have some more?

My Golden Retriever pup (seven months old) has started barking before mealtimes and when playing. After I have fed him, he will keep going back into the kitchen, jump up at the cupboards and cooker, and bark for more food. What am I doing wrong?

Tamsin says: Don’t blame yourself — there are likely to be many factors at play and it’s great that you’re seeking support early! Dogs this age can typically show frustration-related behaviours, which sounds like what your pup is displaying.

Your clever, food-motivated puppy has learned where meals come from and when, so is trying to communicate that he wants feeding/more food!

With toys, he’s likely trying to get you to engage in more play. Barking’s difficult to ignore, but our responses might inadvertently encourage our dogs.

Generally, with any unwanted behaviour, the goal is to set dogs up for success by managing the situation. Teach him that barking at you doesn’t get a response; however, a more appropriate behaviour will always be praised or rewarded. For

28 June 2022

p28_29_PPM_Jun22.indd 28

Vicky says: A common cause of constipation is mild dehydration. Ensure your dog gets sufficient water by adding some to his food or trying filtered tap water.

You don’t say how old your dog is, or if he is neutered. Middle-aged entire males can suffer from an enlarged prostate which can make passing faeces difficult. Back and hip pain can also discourage a dog from toileting frequently, which can lead to constipation. If increasing his water intake doesn’t help, I recommend visiting your vet for a thorough health check.

Vicky Payne BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex.

Mild dehydration may cause constipation.

example, when playing, reward your pup for sitting before the toy is thrown. Around mealtimes, give him something else to do while you prepare his food, such as asking him to settle, and intermittently reward him with a treat for staying quiet and calm.

After the meal, encourage him to settle, or distract him by letting him in the garden. Preventing access to the kitchen might help. If he does bark, try to ignore or distract him, avoiding any telling off/ feedback for it. Getting cross never helps and might make him bark more. Lastly, check with your vet that his diet is appropriate for his age and keeping him feeling full, as this might contribute to food-seeking behaviour.

Tamsin Durston is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s canine behaviour and research team.

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:17

Do I need a balcony fence?

Sign of arthritis?

I live in a sixth floor flat with a balcony and I am thinking of getting a cat. A friend has told me that cats can survive falls from high buildings so there is no need to fence in the balcony. Is this true?

My 12-year-old dog has stopped jumping up on the sofa and on my bed. I was wondering if this could indicate arthritis? If so, are there other symptoms I should look out for, and what can I do about it? He seems happy enough in himself, but he always loved to join me on the sofa or my bed and now he doesn’t. He tries to jump up, but then he just rocks backwards and forwards a bit and gives up.

Cat care

Make balconies safe for cats.

Celia says: You must fence in the balcony with netting or mesh since it is quite common for cats to fall off balconies or topple out of open windows. This usually happens in good weather when they are sunning themselves, fall asleep, and lose balance after a sudden noise or some other alarm. If they fall, even if they survive and many do not, the vet’s bill is likely to be sky high and one extra danger is that when they fall, they may fatally impale themselves on something like a railing spike. People in flats without a balcony should invest in a window screen for open windows. You could try Flatcats mesh screens (www.flatcats.co.uk) The high-rise cat syndrome has been studied by vets who have marvelled how cats can survive falls that would kill a human.

One reason is that cats can adjust their posture as they fall, so their bodies are spread out, thus slowing down the speed of the fall. Because they can twist their body, they land with their legs extended to break the impact. The legs are severely injured, but their head and body are somewhat protected. According to one survey, the most severe falls occur when cats fall from the third or fourth storeys. Falls from higher storeys give them time to adjust their bodies and so reduce some, though not all, of the damage.

However, the injuries are always severe, and sometimes fatal, so all balconies and open windows should have safety mesh or netting.

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.

How easy is it to teach your cat tricks? How do you do it?

Cat training

Dog health

Get your dog checked Vicky says: Difficulty jumping can over by the vet if he has indicate pain or weakness in the back difficulty jumping. and back legs, however it can also be sign of deteriorating vision (where the dog can’t judge the jump), or balance issues.

Ask your vet to do a thorough examination so you know what the problem is. If your dog has arthritis, medications and supplements can help and you can make adjustments such as adding a ramp or steps to help him get onto the sofa or bed. If eyesight is the problem, a bright-coloured throw might help him judge the jump.

Vicky Payne BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex.

Why is she howling?

Dog behaviour

I work part-time and my dog, a German Shepherd-cross, is left on her own for about three hours each morning during the week. She is eight years old and I haven’t been aware of any problems up until now. She doesn’t seem worried when I leave the house and when I return she is always pleased to see me, but shows no indication of being stressed or unhappy. I think she just sleeps in my absence. However, just lately, my neighbour has told me that she has been howling after I’ve left. He said it wasn’t excessive, but he was concerned that something was wrong. Why do dogs howl? Now, I am very worried about her, and don’t know what I can do to prevent this behaviour getting worse. Any advice?

Tamsin says: With their excellent hearing, especially at higher sound frequencies and over long distances, howling is a long-distance communication revealing a dog’s location.

Thought to express a desire to reunite, it’s often associated with pet dogs when left alone, even for short periods. But howling can also happen when owners are present, as an in voluntary and natural response to specific high-pitched sounds, such as police car sirens, ice cream vans, or even someone singing.

Groups of free-living dogs have been observed responding to howling across wide spaces, a likely beneficial behaviour for their survival.

Your dog starting to howl could be a natural response to a novel sound she’s heard; however, given it is happening only when she’s alone, it might well be a sign she’s not feeling as comfortable by herself as she has been in the past. As dogs age they might feel a little more vulnerable, so have her examined by your vet to rule out any medical or painful issues in the first instance.

Setting up a video camera in the home to record what she does when you are out would be very helpful. Your vet can refer you to an accredited behaviourist to help you assess the footage to see how your dog is feeling, as very subtle signs of distress such as drooling, a little panting, and yawning could be missed or misinterpreted. If she is feeling a little worried when alone, the behaviourist can help you teach her to feel better.

Clare says: Training cats can be a fun and rewarding activity. It can help nurture the bond between you and your cat, provide stimulation for indoor cats, and give more boisterous cats an outlet for their energy.

Tamsin Durston is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s canine behaviour and research team.

However, unlike dogs who perform tricks in part to please their owner, cats will only respond to training if the circumstances are right.

This means conducting training sessions at a time of day when your cat is naturally at his most active and in a quiet place, free from distractions. Keep the sessions short, around three minutes, and only try to teach your cat one trick at a time.

Before you start training your cat, find a tasty treat that he really enjoys and which is not too difficult to chew. You will use this as a reward for the behaviour you want him to perform. The next step is to make a unique sound just before giving the treat, such as that made by a clicker. You’ll find these little plastic devices in most pet shops. The purpose of the clicker is to mark the correct behaviour and let your cat know that a treat is coming. Once your cat associates the sound of the clicker with a reward you can start teaching him tricks.

For example, to train your cat to ‘Sit,’ stand in front of him with a treat in your hand. The treat is used to guide your cat’s movements — in this case, if you draw your treat hand back behind your cat’s ears this will encourage him into a sitting position. As soon as he lowers his bottom, click the clicker and give him a treat. Move away to encourage him to stand, then repeat the exercise. You can use this technique to teach your cats other tricks such as lying down, giving you a high five, ringing a bell, jumping up, and the list goes on!

As you and your cat become more advanced, you can introduce other elements into the training such as verbal commands either as well as or instead of a clicker. The internet is awash with tutorials teaching you how to train your cat, and although the methods might differ slightly, the basic premise of learning by reward and association remains the same, no matter what trick you are teaching.

It’s important to understand that training cats requires patience and persistence. Don’t give up if your cat doesn’t progress as quickly as you had hoped. They are independent and strong-willed and will likely view these sessions as training you to give them a treat!

Clare Hemington DipCAPBT is an accredited feline behaviourist. She has a cat behaviour referrals practice and runs her Honeysuckle Cat Toys business with the help of her Siamese, Billy. You can find out more from her website: www.honeysucklecattoys.co.uk

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

p28_29_PPM_Jun22.indd 29

June 2022 29

10/05/2022 13:18

Breaktime read

Every stamp tells a story...

Fancy taking up a new hobby? Then why not try stamp collecting? Focus on issues with a canine theme and you’ll find it’s anything but dull, y Karen Bush. says

TO TELL …

A TALE , each can be an entertaining challenge in itself ing down stamps to add to your collection While track lly fascinating to research. one has a tale to tell, which can be equa

● GOING SHOWING s a hobby, stamp collecting takes up little space and is fairly inexpensive, with many stamps costing only a few pounds — some even less. ● The first country to issue a stamp featuring a dog was Newfoundland, in 1880; the breed was, of course, a Newfoundland.

Since then dogs have appeared on over 4,000 different stamps from all over the world. They include commemorative issues, breed studies, working dogs, fictional dogs, TV stars, and cartoon dogs; even canine art is celebrated, although many of the stamps are miniature works of art in themselves.

A

Starting your collection You don’t need a lot to get started on this absorbing hobby: ● A stamp album protects your stamps and keeps them all in one place. Stamps should never be permanently attached to the pages; gummed hinges are still used, but a stockbook-type album, with transparent pockets and protective interleaves, shows them off equally well, is less fiddly, and it’s much easier to move them around if you want to change their order. ● Tweezers — not the sort used to pluck eyebrows or remove splinters, but with flattened tips (‘spade’ ends), which won’t damage the stamps when you pick them up. ● Magnifying glass — the naked eye is fine, but a magnifying glass allows you to appreciate all the finer details. ● Stamps — you can kickstart your collection with a packet of 100 dog-themed stamps for around £10.

Adding to your collection Stamp dealers still exist in high street shops; one of the biggest and most famous is Stanley Gibbons in London, with over a million stamps in store. There are also stamp fairs and auctions, and you’ll also find lots of sellers online, as well as plenty of information about collecting. ● Stamp catalogues can help in identifying your stamps but can be pricey to buy. Local libraries often have copies in their reference section, which you can consult for free. ● As well as official postage stamps, there are also ‘cinderellas’ to collect — unofficial stamps not issued by an approved government postal service, such as those featuring canine characters from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books.

30 June 2022

p30_PPM_Jun22.indd 30

● LAIKA Hailed by many as a canine hero, in reality Laika, the first animal to orbit the Earth, was a victim; the spacecraft she travelled in was never designed to be recovered, and burnt up on re-entry 162 days after being launched on November 3, 1957. Poor Laika had perished long before that, after just a few hours, from overheating and panic. The whole tale is a terrible tragedy, one of the saddest aspects of which is that Laika was specifically selected because of her calmness and trusting nature. In 1998, one of the scientists expressed regret, saying: “We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog.” Her image endures however on dozens of commemorative stamps issued by a number of countries, probably making the most appearances on stamps by a single dog.

Stamps commemorating the World Dog Show at Brno in 1965 (top) and 1990 (bottom).

Although the Stubbs stamps were affixed to first day cover envelopes celebrating the centenary of Crufts, the show has never had its own dedicated stamp, unlike Czechoslovakia, which issued a striking set of images when selected to host the World Dog Show in Brno in 1965. On June 19 and 20, 1,800 dogs from 17 countries were judged in front of 105,000 spectators. The events were captured for posterity by British Pathe, so you can still marvel at the sight of contestants parading precariously along a canine catwalk. A further memorably lovely set of four stamps featuring 12 breeds followed, when Brno hosted the show for the third time in 1990.

● TO THE RESCUE A stamp featuring Laika.

● GEORGE STUBBS The largely self-taught 18th century artist George Stubbs — the Leonardo of equestrian painting for which he is probably best remembered — was no slouch when it came to depicting dogs either. In 1991 Royal Mail produced a set of stamps featuring five of his canine portraits, including a King Charles Spaniel. This portrait only came to light in 1973 and is stunning; you feel that if you reached out, you would feel the silky coat. But Stubbs didn’t paint only canine aristocrats; he also celebrated those of humbler, mixed ancestry, capturing their character and charm with equal virtuosity, as shown by his picture of ‘A Rough Dog’.

A special issue of Australian stamps in 2010 aimed to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership, and to support the work of organisations rehoming lost and abandoned dogs. Each of the dogs featured — Buckley, Piper, Jessie, Tigger, and Daisy — gained a second chance, finding adoring new families after spending time in a shelter.

A British set of stamps celebrating rescue dogs (and cats) also appeared in the same year, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. The home has taken in over three million dogs and cats since being founded; as well as rescuing and rehoming, around 2,800 lost animals are reunited with their owners each year. Featuring on the canine stamps are Mastiff Pixie, found as a tiny stray puppy; Leonard the terrier, who was starving and wary; Lurcher Casey, who arrived at Battersea when his owner became too ill to care for him; mixed breed Herbie who went on to represent the From the Australian ‘Adopted and Adored’ set . home in flyball competitions; Bulldog Boris, also found as a stray; and Tia the terrier — all found happiness in new homes.

● A BIT OF SLEUTHING George Stubbs King Charles Spaniel dog portrait.

There can be few people who haven’t heard of Sherlock Holmes and ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’: the fearsome fictional hound made his debut on Royal Mail’s 1993 set of Sherlock Holmes stamps, and reappeared again in the 1997 ‘Tales of Terror’ set. The complete set of the Sherlock Holmes stamps appropriately enough contains its own mystery, which you’ll need a magnifying glass and a sharp eye to discover. The author’s name DOYLE is hidden on the stamps, one letter on each — the ‘D’ is on the hound stamp.

The Hound of the Baskervilles on Royal Mail’s 1993 set of Sherlock Holmes (above) and in the 1997 ‘Tales of Terror’ set (left).

www.petproductmarketing.co.uk

10/05/2022 13:19

SMART

FISH 4 DOGS.indd 1

10/05/2022 14:55

E M S I T S T D A O R O T G O D O F G O O H T D I !

W At Webbox Naturals, we believe that pets deserve the very best at every stage of their life. Our range of cat food and treats are made with natural ingredients with no nasties and we cater to every life stage. The natural way to build a bond that lasts.

JťŶ7Oť 2ŷ WƅŴ0Lťƀ

FŝƂ(UƁ 7R Ŝ/ų OŭŦ( ƁƂ$Jťƀ

For more information about Webbox Naturals products and stocking deals please contact your Pets Choice representative on 01254 54545 or email sales@petschoice.co.uk

PETS CHOICE_OBC.indd 1

Q2 Qŝƀ7Lťƀ

WebboxNaturals

WEBBOX.CO.UK/NATURALS

10/05/2022 13:34