PRODUCT REVIEWS

If you're worried about global plastic waste, you're not alone. Around 400 million tonnes of the stuff is produced every year, with an estimated 50% of this being single-use plastic. But what can we do to reduce our individual plastic footprint as pet owners? The answer's simpler than you might think...

Poo bags are an unavoidable part of life for dog owners. With around 13 million dogs in UK homes, the daily tally of waste bags used across the country is staggering. Unfortunately, the journey of these bags doesn’t end when we throw them in the bin. Instead, many of them go on to contribute to one of the planet's biggest challenges — plastic pollution.

The problem with traditional plastic poo bags lies in how they break down. These bags, often made from petroleum-based plastics, don’t decompose naturally. Instead, they can take hundreds of years to degrade in landfill, all the while breaking into smaller pieces known as microplastics. These tiny particles contaminate soil and waterways,

You want to reduce your dog's exposure to "toxic goo" dog shampoo but you want to know what to expect when switching to a true organic dog shampoo. 4-Legger has helped thousands of pet parents through this transition so we can help set your expectations and offer a few tips!

Quality in - Quality Out 

It is important to keep in mind that the health of your dog's skin and coat is affected by the food and treats you feed them. If you are feeding your dog high quality food, the transition will be less noticeable than if you are feeding lower quality food.

Concentrated but thinner consistency

Traditional synthetic thickeners in pet grooming products can't be used in certified organic dog shampoo as they are on the restricted list. These synthetic thickeners can have links to allergies, dry and itchy skin, hormone disruption and organ toxicity, and despite claims otherwise; they are not natural.

As a result, most organic dog shampoo is fairly thin but concentrated (meaning a little goes

Are you thinking about adding a very special four-legged friend to your family? If you've already taken the leap and welcomed a new pup into your life – congratulations!  They bring so much joy, but we know that with all those cuddles comes a little bit of responsibility too. To help you get your pup off to the best start, we’ve put together a few tips on what they need nutritionally, emotionally, and for training.

Nutritional Support: Helping Your Puppy Grow Strong

At Proflax, they feel that supplementation is important for your puppy because they are growing at such a rapid rate. Throughout the first 12-18 months, they need extra nutritional, physical and emotional support to really thrive. 

Why Supplement a Puppy's Diet? - Adopting a pro-active approach 

• Puppies grow at a rapid rate - skin, bones, nervous, digestive and circulatory systems. Supporting these systems through the growth period is critical to avoid injury, strain or damage
• Specific breeds definitely need additional support

Proflax Feline Fine - The Ultimate Kidney Support for Cats 

Proflax are back to share more details on their Feline Fine, the all-in-one salmon oil based supplement that’s perfect for supporting your cat’s health - specifically their kidneys. If you have a senior cat or one who may be showing signs of kidney stress, Feline Fine is just what they need.

Why Renal Health is So Important for Cats

Kidney health is a major concern for cats owners, especially as they age. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood, regulating fluids, and balancing important minerals and electrolytes. As cats get older, their kidneys can become less efficient, leading to conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can cause symptoms such as:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Reduced appetite or weight loss
• Lethargy and weakness
• Vomiting and dehydration

Managing kidney health in cats is essential as it's such a common ailment. Feline Fine can help support your their kidney function, potentially

The Dental Hygiene formula for dogs by Hedgerow Hounds has been created to clean tartar and plaque from the teeth and to improve the overall health and hygiene of the mouth and gums. Although this blend’s main aim is to improve oral health there are so many benefits to feeding this supplement for improving all aspects of health and optimal wellbeing. 

The blend is made up of ingredients of the highest human-grade food quality.

Seaweed: The Seaweed used is a certified Organic Fucus vesiculosus Seaweed. It is traceable to the precise location of harvest, from remote areas of the British Isles and Nordic region, so you can thoroughly trust the purity and source. 

High quality, pollution-free seaweed is highly nutritious and offers your dog the following benefits: 

• An effective prebiotic, high in antioxidants
• High levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, antioxidants & omega fatty acids
• Iodine for optimum thyroid function
• Improves skin, coat, and nail health and loss of

What is enrichment for dogs?

Enrichment can be defined as the 'act of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something'. For your dog, enrichment often means thinking outside of the box to provide them with stimulating activities that engage their mind, body and senses. 

Most enrichment activities challenge dogs to think and problem-solve at varying levels of difficulty, depending on your individual dog. Super-smart dog breeds can be sometimes be harder to satisfy with standard enrichment activities, but luckily there are plenty of options out there for your intelligent pooch! 

Equally, not every enrichment activity is going to suit every dog. While some dogs are

Karnlea was founded by Lara McCullough, a pet lover from Northern Ireland. Following the sale of her successful pet supplement business - prompting Lara to start a new chapter with the launch of Karnlea. Let's look at her range of supplements and see how they may work for you? 

Bone Broths

Karnlea Bone Broth was born in 2021 when Lara, the founder, realised the need for a bone broth that could be kept in a cupboard or on the shelf, freeing up valuable freezer space for our pet's food.

Karnlea were the first company to bring a cupboard-friendly broth out in the UK and Ireland. They are made in a state-of-the-art factory that only produces human-grade broth, using human-grade ingredients and production methods; and all their products all have minimal ingredients and minimal processing. The secret of why Karnlea can offer a cupboard-friendly, three-ingredient, completely natural broth is in the aseptic (think Tetra) packaging. Once opened, the broth can be kept in the fridge for 5 days

Hydration is vital in a wellness routine

While a wide variety of dog food brands and treats are available, hydration is a critical aspect of a dog's overall health that often doesn't receive enough emphasis. As you may know, water is the essence of life, and proper hydration is crucial for the overall well-being of our dogs.

Approximately 70% of a dog's body is made up of water, and it is essential for numerous bodily functions, such as digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. What pet parents often overlook is the risk of dehydration and its impact. Dehydration in dogs isn't just about thirst—it can spiral into a myriad of troubles, from minor issues like a dull and dry coat, leading to undesirable shedding, to lethargy and more serious issues such as constipation, aggravating joint problems, urinary tract issues and in very severe cases, can result in organ failure. It is crucial to keep our pup hydrated to avoid these health hiccups.

Why are Lickimats so great?

LickiMats are great boredom busters that can keep your dog entertained even for hours at times. They encourage licking action in dogs, whether for eating treats or food, as well providing mental and physical stimulation which is very entertaining and satisfying for dogs and the licking action itself even enhances the sense of taste of the treats.

They allow you to spread out the dog food or treat on the mat surface or press the dog food or treat into the mat surface, encouraging your dog to lick and lick and lick to get the food or treat as a reward. 

The rubber tips of LickiMat gently scrape and stimulate your dog's tongue whilst feeding or snacking.  This increases saliva protection, improves oral hygiene, protects teeth and gums, and most importantly soothes your dog by releasing endorphins.

The pockets of the LickiMat challenge your dog to extract the raw, wet, dry or liquid food or treat as a reward, enriching their feeding experience.  The different

Fireworks can be a source of fear for many animals with their loud bangs and flashes.  Here are some tips to help your pets stay calm this Bonfire Night.

It's estimated that 45% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. It doesn’t have to be that way though - so don’t ignore the problem. There are many  things you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks and by preparing in advance, your pet will be better able to cope with those noises. 

• Keep your cats and dogs indoors. If your cat is normally out during the day and doesn’t return until dusk, consider whether you should keep them in all day, to avoid them being frightened by early fireworks. 
• Make sure if you have a cat flap this closed to stop your pets escaping
• Walk your dog mid-afternoon or at dusk before there is any chance of fireworks starting.
• Bring your pet’s feeding time forward by around an hour to settle them earlier than usual, without hugely interrupting the normal routine. Pets may also be