Monthly Archives: January 2024

Dental hygiene for dogs and cats is essential for their overall health and well-being. Studies have found that an estimated 80% of dogs over the age of three have gum disease

The mouth is very important to animals as they spend their days not only eating and chewing but also …. grooming, removing insects from their coat and manipulating things. The mouth has a good blood supply and contains many nerves making dental issues a potential problem. If your pet has a sore mouth you may be unaware as they are unable to tell you about it!

Sometimes there are no signs at all that your pet is suffering from dental problems, but typical signs can include:

• Plaque (a biofilm which contains bacteria) and tartar/calculus (yellow-brown hard mineralised plaque) build-up on teeth
• Reddened tender inflamed gums resulting from tartar build-up which irritates and puts pressure on the gums and which if isn’t removed can build up under the gums causing them to recede from the teeth.
• Receded gums allow additional

We often get asked - how frequently should I test for worms? In this blog we cover some guidelines

Pets can be infected with worms and not show any signs - particularly in the early stages.  Worms in pets can cause the following symptoms:-

• diarrhoea
• digestive disturbances,
• bloating and wind
• coughing / severe lung disease
• weight loss, poor condition, anaemia and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

For further information on the above please read our blog on which goes into much more detail. 

Chemical worming products contain chemicals designed to kill parasites, however it may result in adverse reactions in sensitive pets. This can include ill-effects on the liver, kidneys, bowels, gut flora, nerves and immune system. Following a regular maintainence programme is an alternative and screening can help to prevent significant and sometimes serious damage to the body occurring, as a result of these parasites going undetected for any period of time.

Frequency of Testing

Please note that following

The cold weather can be problematic for any pet suffering from arthritis, as pain and stiffness can intensify in winter which can be an excruciating burden to deal with on a daily basis. When cartilage between your dog’s joints degrades, this can cause painful swelling and stiffness. The simple act of moving often becomes an unbearable chore. Arthritis is more common in senior dogs, but it can affect dogs of all breeds and ages. So to reduce pain and help your dog feel more comfortable, here are a few steps you can take as those temperatures drop.

Keep your dog warm

Providing warmth is one of the most important things you can do for your dog inside and outside the home. Ensure your dog has a warm bed with extra blankets they can snuggle up under. It may also help to move their bed next to the radiator, but not too close that they’ll burn themselves. You can manage your dog’s joint pain on walks by providing a warm doggy jacket.

Keep your dog active

https://www.healthfulpets.co.uk/brands/natural-dog-companyJoints

Getting a puppy? Not quite sure what to buy or where to start? Then don't worry, we have your back! Here at Healthful Pets we have plenty of suggestions to help with the arrival of your new puppy...

Preparing for a puppy can be stressful, but we have a range of products ideal for your puppy to make buying easier. So have a read before your new family member arrives...

FEEDING

It is really important to get the right food for your puppy, this may mean trying out various options available to find the right one. Try to make sure you feed them species appropriate food as this will help their immune system and overall long-term health. Ideally feed raw food but if this isn't an option then try and feed the best food you can.

You can find out more about which dog food to buy here: All About Dog Food

DOG BOWLS

Puppies can gobble down their food, especially in the presence of other dogs, which could lead to health issues; so a good choice would be a Slow Feed Dog Bowl to promote natural eating

With Fireworks night upon us, let's focus on two products to help relieve pet anxiety - Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Dorwest Valerian Compound

Anxiety and nervous behaviour in dogs and cats can encompass an array of conditions with many varied causes that may need different actions.

Herbal products are ideal to induce calm and relaxed demeanour, but some cases will also benefit from the use of behavioural techniques from a qualified animal behaviourist.

Specific situations can cause anxiety – such as thunderstorms, fireworks, travelling, meeting strangers, going into kennels, visits to the vets or just a new experience or an unfamiliar place. Often the problem is not really nervousness but fear or apprehension of what is expected when a new situation arises. This is often the case with young dogs but correct training and appropriate support will help them overcome this as they mature.

On-going or habitual anxiety or nervousness may have various causes and a range of techniques

Sometimes it is not just us humans that can suffer from a case of the back to work blues. After all of the hustle and bustle of the festive period January can be a tough time for our pets, particularly for those who do not like to be left alone

From personal experience with my Cockapoo (also known as velcro dogs as they stick to you like glue!) I know that separation anxiety can be very tricky to deal with, especially if you work long hours and need to be able to leave your pet on their own from time to time. The whining, crying and howling can be very distressing, both for pet and owner! Not to mention the destructive behaviour some dogs can exert when left on their own.

We have put together our best hints and tips as well as some of our calming products which can help your pets deal with separation anxiety when you go back to work this January.

Tips on How to Deal with Separation Anxiety:

• Interactive toys or treat dispensers can be a great way to keep your pet entertained whilst you

Over my more than forty years in veterinary practice there are certain conditions that I have seen far more commonly than others. In the 'top ten' of health problems are definitely itchy skins, recurrent digestive upsets, and persistent ear infections. Also in the unwanted hit parade of dog (and cat) disorders is joint disease.

Many, if not all, of the conditions in the hit list are treatable and often preventable by attention to diet and to natural supplements. This certainly applies to joint disease.

When you take on the responsibility of a new puppy, there are many decisions to make and much to learn – decisions about what to feed, whether to neuter, when to vaccinate, how best to socialise and so on. Generally not much thought is given to joint health, because it's not a problem you expect to happen until much later in a dog's life. But now is exactly the right time to think of encouraging healthy bone and joint development – after all, these joints will have to last a lifetime and