Hints & Tips

Oral health and hygiene are important for the health and well being of any animal and represent a vital mechansim for its natural resistance to disease.

4 in 5 dogs over the age of 3 suffer from some sort of dental disease...but 90% of owners think their dogs' teeth are fine!

Gum disease is one of the most common problems for dogs and 'periodontal disease' describes a number of plaque-induced inflammatory reactions that are associated with oral pain, halitosis, tooth loss, and potentially diseases in remote body organs.

The process of Gum Disease...

Plaque is a film of bacteria and its by products, some of which lead to gum disease.  Tartar forms a rough surface on teeth that makes plaque formation very easy.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It leads to reddening of the gum but IS reversible.

Periodontitis is a second stage gum disease. It leads to destruction of tissue and IS NOT reversible.

Brushing your dogs teeth regularly is by far the best way to prevent gum disease and keep their teeth and gums healthy (check out or seperate hints and tips post on brushing your dogs teeth)

It is not always easy to brush your dogs teeth, so if you need a little help then feed dentastix.

Pedigree Dentastix are the only oral treat recommended by vets and when fed daily can help reduce tartar build-up up to 80%.  They are a fantastic daily treat being tasty, sugar free and low in calories (a medium stick conatins just 82 colaries).

How do they work?

1. Special Texture - They have a unique X shape, and when fed daily, its special texture is scientifically proven to help reduce tartar formation by up to 80%

2. Active Ingredients - Pedigree Dentastix contain sodium tripolyphosphate and zinc sulphate.  These 2 active ingredients bond with the calcium in saliva and slow down tartar formation.  This helps plaque stay softer for longer; making it easier to remove by chewing Pedigree Dentatsix.

We recommend feeding Dentastix daily to help prevent gum disease - and remember a healthy pet is a happy pet!

Can I feed puppies and kittens on BARF (Bones And Raw Food)?

You most certainly can. They can be weaned onto a raw food diet straight away, after all this is what they did for 300,000 years ago before 'puppy and kitten' diets became available. Of course, you won't want to feed that little puppy huge marrow bones! So use common sense in your feeding and ask in store for advice.

How do I start?

We recommend that your dog goes without food for a 12 hour period, so the BARF diet can be fed without weaning. This is mainly because this food takes a different amount of time in the digestive system then a dry food diet would. Many people would start with the minced meats and veg, then when the animal is used to this, they would add in a raw meaty bone eg. chicken wings.

I fed a raw meaty diet and my cat was sick immediately - should I continue or revert back to the food that I have fed for years?

Try introducing the raw meat more gradually. Also, the cat may have a problem with one meat more then the another, so vary what you give it.

Isn't it dangerous to feed dogs chicken bones?

Never ever feed cooked bones to your dog as they are more likely to splinter and cause problems in a dog's digestive system. People have been feeding dogs raw bones for years and rarely report problems. Chicken wings are the best bet, also a minced chicken with bone content. Try Prize Choice minced meats or the wings from the Chunks range.

It is very important to socialise your puppy with other dogs and people, from an early age.

> Turn your puppy into a socialite! The more different and unusual places he visits in his first few weeks, the better.

> Fear of loud noises can make life a misery for many dogs. Fire works cause distress, along with thunder storms, gunshots, heavy traffic and even a baby crying. Desensitising a puppy to this wide ranges of noise will help them become a confident adult.

> Puppies want and also love to learn, so why not join up to puppy classes.

Puppies only toilet indoors as they do not instinctively understand that it is inappropriate to do so! They will, however, naturally move away from its eating and sleeping areas to toilet which makes them easier to house train.

> When you are not able to supervise them, restrict the puppy their own area like their crate. This area becomes the puppies den, providing him with comfort and security. Dogs rarely soil their den so this will discourage toileting until you present an appropriate opportunity and location and a change to reward his successes.

> Your puppy needs to be taken to his toilet area frequently. These times should include whenever he wakes up, after eating, after playing, and at approximately hourly intervals. Use a specific word to be associated with toileting, and always reward him afterwards.

> Never punish if a mistake occurs indoors. Rather than associating your displeasure with him going to the toilet indoors, the puppy is more likely to develop a negative association of toileting in your presence.

>Areas in the house that have been soiled should be thoroughly cleaned to remove odours that will otherwise attract your puppy to the same area. Use non ammonia-based cleaning products.

It is normal for puppies to use their teeth to carry things and to explore their world, including your hands! You do not want this type of behaviour to continue as the puppy nips could turn into dog bites. You need to ensure the following:

> No play fighting. Encouraging a puppy to bite your hands and clothes may be fun but you are teaching him that biting people is acceptable. Use a toys at play time.

> Should a puppy nip you, cry 'ouch'. Most puppies are shocked to hear you cry of distress and will naturally back away. When a puppy does this, wait a moment or two and then ask him to come over and make friends again.

> If your puppy nips again, repeat as above. If this behaviour continues, simply exclude and ignore them by putting him in another room or move him away from yourself. This is not a punishment, just a 'time out' opportunity for your puppy to calm down.

> Do not over-stimulate or over-excite a puppy. This is an common mistake in most people and children.

> NEVER smack a puppy. Hands should always be instruments of kindness.

> It is important to remember that a puppy is unable to differentiate between individual people in his behaviour. Do not allow your puppy to exhibit any behaviour you would not like to be directed at young children or anyone outside of your family.

Your puppies first teeth are only temporary and, as they are replaced by adult teeth, their gums will become sore through inflammation and the eruptive process. Chewing provides relief from teething pain. The following points may help:

> Offer toys into which sharp puppy teeth can sink, thereby providing friction on the gum surface. Soft ropes or rubber safety toys are ideal. Teething toys must be tough, so small pieces cannot be chewed off and swallowed.

> Cold and damp toys often provide temporary relief to the pain of teething gums. Wetting, chilling or freezing ropes are a great idea to help the pups sore teeth. One toy we recommend is the puppy KONG where you can fill it with watery gravy and freeze it to aid this problem and it also helps with entertainment.

> Chewing of unsafe or unsuitable materials, be they household or personal items, garden plants, or most dangerous of all electric cables, will all have consequences. Keep these items away from puppies. Always have an alternative puppy chew toy to occupy them instead.

> Don't forget to praise your puppy when he is playing with his own toys as reinforce the desired behaviour.

Dog Rocks are an exciting and proven 100% natural product used to help prevent urine burn patches that appear on your lawn as a result of pets urine.

> Repeat Product; needs to be replaced every 2 months

> No need to medicate your dog

> Hassle free & safe for all household pets

> 100% natural rock, all natural minerals, straight from the earth

> Safe for your dog; does not affect the PH balance of your dog’s drinking water or urine

> Endorsed & sold by vets worldwide

Dog Rocks have been selling in Australasia since the late 1990s when their beneficial properties were discovered, tried, tested & then sold with great success.

Dog Rocks are a naturally occurring paramagnetic igneous rock. They absorb and retain some of the impurities found in water which contribute to burning lawns, grass and box hedge; there are no known harmful effects on dogs through the use of Dog Rocks. Dog Rocks are only intended for use as stated.