Top Dog Food Ingredients for a Shiny Coat

One of the best ways you can tell your dog is happy is through the shininess of their coat. It is a sign that their skin is healthy and that they have enough vitamins. This means that they are likely to live longer, more fulfilling lives. 

So what sort of natural dog food should you be looking out for? For maximum coat and skin health, there are certain foods that are better than others. 

Remember to read the ingredients on any dog food you are buying to make sure that it’s not stuffed with fillers and low-quality ingredients. If they don’t show the ingredients on the box, chances are they have something to hide, and you should steer clear. 

Essential Fatty Acids 

Fats are very important dog kibble ingredients for maintaining coat health. High-quality dog food brands will contain the right balance of nutrients and fatty acids to optimise your dog’s skin and coat. This can be either through supplemental ingredients or through fresh ingredients. 

Low-quality dog foods, or poorly balanced homemade diets, do not contain the correct proportion of ingredients. There is also a danger in opting for a low-fat diet for your dog, which may lead to it developing a dandruffy coat. 

Puppies also need a proper start to their lives, with a higher fat diet, which can be found in puppy specific dog foods. If they don’t consume the right amount, they are at risk of developing coarse, dry hair and, in some cases, skin lesions that are prone to infection.  

This is why it is important to invest in high quality dog food, specialised to your dog. 

Omega 3 

Omega-3 is fantastic for the skin. It is found mostly in fish oil, such as salmon. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an all-round great ingredient. High quality food will contain fresh sources of omega-3, to provide your dog with maximum health benefits.

Omega 6 

Found in sunflower oil and other vegetable oils, omega-6 is a fatty acid that can really benefit your dog’s coat. It is also included in the majority of high-quality dog food brands, such as Edmondson’s and Barking Heads. 

It is important that you keep the food properly. Essential fatty acids can oxidise and lose their efficacy when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. Ensure you keep the dog food in an airtight container.

Other Supplements 

Every dog is different! If you are feeding one of the highest quality dog kibble out there and it is still itching, then you might want to consider a dog supplement. It is important you don’t go overboard with these and stick with the recommended intake guidelines. 

Brands such as Lintbells provide specially formulated supplements to promote coat shininess, skin health and nail strength. If you find your dog seems to have a dull coat, is moulting too much or has dry skin, then that’s another avenue to consider. 

Health First! 

Trusty Pet Supplies are here to offer you the best products for your pet’s health. If you ever need advice on what dog food may be best for your pet, then we are always happy to answer questions: Either in person at our Derby store, or online. 

Returning to work and your dog

For those of us who have had the luxury of either being furloughed or been in a position to work from home, for the duration of lockdown, there have been some unexpected joys. Aside from the stress, uncertainty and boredom, this period has given us the chance to think deeply about things, ruminate and consider.

As well as that, it has given our pets full, uninhibited access to us. Dogs are very sociable animals: they get anxious and lonely if they are left for too long by themselves, and they really do thrive off our love and attention.

Over the period of lockdown, our dogs will have been jumping for joy: not only did they get full access to their human, but said human was a lot less busy than normal. Now, however, restrictions are lifting, work is resuming and furlough is ending.

This will understandably be a tough time for your dog. They had most likely just gotten used to having you around, and now will have to get used to not seeing as much of you. Here are some tips on how to make the transition easiest and least stressful for the both of you.

First and most importantly, do not leave your adult dog alone for more than six hours, or two hours if it is a puppy or senior. If you are at work for longer than that, you should organise for a dog walker, friend or neighbour to come to your house and either feed, play or walk with it. This is a necessary part of dog ownership, and if you are considering bringing one into your family, you must take the level of commitment required into consideration first.

Preparing to leave your dog at home:

• No free reign 

If your dog has become used to being around you all the time, it is more likely to suffer from separation anxiety from being alone. You can actually help your dog out by designating a special part of the house that is their safe space.

Leave your dog in this comfortable space while you are out, and it will be more likely to relax, in your absence. Otherwise, they may wander around the house, looking for you, and potentially cause damage. As your dog becomes more accustomed to being left in the house alone, you can open up their access more. 

• Some morning exercise

Before you leave the house, it can be helpful to walk your dog to tire them out. Take them with you on your morning run, or to the shops. This will mean that they burn off some of that morning energy and may sleep a while

While your dog is home alone:

• Shirts that smell of you 

Give your dog an old shirt, and wrap it around a favourite cuddly toy. Having access to your scent can be of great comfort to your dog and will help reduce anxiety and loneliness if your dog is particularly averse to being alone. This is more for puppies than adult dogs, but it works for senior dogs too. 

• Leave the radio on 

Some constant low-level chatter is useful for dogs as it fills the silence. In the same way that having the television on in the background can help people deal with loneliness, the radio has a calming influence on your dog. Either stick on a radio channel or a playlist for your dog. 

• Food dispensing toys 

Food dispensing toys, such as Kong, may help to keep your dog occupied and entertained while you are gone. They provide a mentally stimulating outlet with rewards for your dog to play with and may reduce the boredom and resulting destruction that could occur while you are out of the house.

When you are home 

• Play first, treat later

It is tempting to feed your dog some delicious natural dog treats the moment you walk through the door, but most likely, it has spent the entire day in a state of inactivity. You should play with your dog in the garden, to let it stretch its legs and burn off some of the energy, and treat it later.

You should also use this as an opportunity to normalise the fact that you will be leaving the house and coming back in more frequently. This means you should try not to make a huge fuss over your dog as you walk in. Be casual, and show your dog that returning home is not a huge ceremony or celebration, but just a usual part of the routine.

As your dog becomes accustomed to the everyday routine of you leaving and coming back, their anxiety will reduce. 

• Long walks on the weekend

Make sure that the time you do spend with your dog is enriching and enjoyable for you both. Your dog is less likely to feel sad and neglected by you going to work if you make an effort to play with and walk them when you’re there. Your work schedule will become easier to accept if you show your dog you care.

In conclusion 

Returning to work is always going to be a difficult time, as it is, yet again, an adjustment to the new normal. Reduce the impact this has on both you and your dog by being proactive about how you leave them, and what you do with them when you are around.

Become a Trusty Trader

Become a Trusty Trader

At Trusty Pet Supplies, we are always looking to expand. We stock a wide range of products: from dog food, to rabbit leashes, and from cat treats to turtle food! 

We love hearing from other businesses, about what your plans are for the future; your ethos, when it comes to providing the best pet supplies you can; and about yourselves, how you first got interested in pets and your favourite animals. 

We are opening up our doors to more trade accounts. If you are interested in joining our family-run business, then we would absolutely love to hear from you. 

As a Trusty Trader, you will gain access to a wider pool of customers, a new community of like-minded folk, who will offer support and advice as well as a platform from which to sell your wares.

We are looking for businesses that place animal welfare at the forefront of their list of priorities. It does not matter whether you are a small business that is just starting out, or a well-established family name: We would love to hear from you.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, please fill out our application form or give us a call. We are more than happy to talk you through the process and hear a little more about what you are offering customers. 

Our Top 3 Nutritious Bird Feed Choices 

Our Top 3 Nutritious Bird Feed Choices 

Spring is well and truly here. With birds returning from their migration, nesting and having babies, it is the best time to feed them. Liven up your garden, and make a real difference  

They’ll be tired and hungry raising their young, so putting out some bird feed will go a long way to ensuring their survival. Wild birds have been under threat in this country for a while, with habitat and climate changes reducing their numbers. 

Birds are mostly omnivores. They like foods that are high in fat, protein and energy. Our top picks for bird feed will help you keep the birds in your area chirping. 

1.Calci Worms

Calci Worms are a versatile snack, suitable for wild birds, hedgehogs and reptiles alike. They are similar to mealworms but contain 20-40 times more calcium, promoting strong bones and eggs. This makes them just perfect for nesting wild birds.

Calci Worms are the larvae of Black Soldier Flies. Not only are they abundant in calcium, but they are also high in protein, fat and amino acids. This makes them a delicious and highly efficient snack for your garden birds. 

They are also appropriate for hedgehogs and other small vertebrates, unlike mealworms, which are unsafe for hedgehogs due to their phosphorus levels.

Feed your garden wildlife Calci Worms in bird feeders, bird tables or directly on the ground.

2. Suet

Suet, in its various forms, is absolutely brilliant for attracting and feeding birds. Packed with nutrients, energy and protein, these treats will keep birds coming back to your garden for more. 

Suet provides birds with instant, delicious energy. It does not melt in the heat and can be offered all year. 

Suet is a type of fat, and it is known to be healthy for birds. 

Peckish Coconut Halves are a natural and versatile option because they can be hung easily, look good in your garden and have all the benefits of coconut oil. Please ensure that you also have water available for your birds, when you are offering these out! 

3. Fat Balls

If you want to offer your garden birds an excellent feed, that is high in energy, we recommend hanging fat balls around your garden. Typically, fat balls are seeds and nuts, squashed together with fat, in a ball shape. 

Although you can make them yourself, purchasing them from a store will provide you with greater benefits, because you can be assured they are being formulated well. For example, Bucktons Fat Balls are specially made for easy consumption. 

Not only that, but they are calcium boosted for strong egg production, meaning the birds will have healthier babies, and they contain small seeds, making them highly nutritious and delicious.    

Bunny-Proofing your home

Bunny-Proofing your home

Bunny-Proofing your home.  Anyone who has ever met a rabbit can attest to the fact that, although cute, fluffy and cuddly, they can also be destructive, territorial and feisty. Those teeth may chew through wires, skirting boards, your favourite jumper and books, and they may also dig up your carpet. 

Getting annoyed at your bunny for merely practising its natural instincts would only be counter-productive. What you can, and should, do for both your sanity and your rabbit’s safety, is bunny-proof your home. 

Wires 

Most people who have a rabbit will know the struggle of constantly losing phone chargers and headphones. However, if your rabbit chewed through a mains wire, you could end up losing your rabbit as well as your electrical power. 

Cover all wires in your home with hard plastic sleeves or flex tubing to prevent the rabbit from chewing through. If possible, also keep all wires out of reach. Flex tubing is easy to find and can be bought at pretty much any hardware or electronics store. 

Skirting boards 

If you are in a rental property, avoid losing your deposit by protecting your skirting boards. Anything that blocks the vulnerable areas will work: if you don’t want to have ugly plastic boards all over your home, you can get creative and crafty by making and decorating your own skirting board covers. 

Stairs 

You may wish to prevent your bunny from going up and downstairs to keep the bunny-proofing simple. To block your rabbit from entering certain parts of your house, simply put some child doors in the way. 

The important factor to note with these is they must be made of metal rather than plastic. Also, ensure that you choose a gate with slats that are close together, and one that is high enough that it cannot jump over the top. 

Carpet digging 

Bunnies are burrowers and will attempt to dig up anything. If you can, identify particular parts of the carpet that your rabbit seems to like digging in, and cover them with furniture to block it off. You can also cover loose bits of carpet with tape or linoleum to protect it. 

Poisonous plants 

Naturally curious chewers, bunnies don’t always know what plants are safe or toxic for them. Avoid poisoning your rabbit by choosing houseplants that are safe for them to eat. Tomato leaves, tulips, cherries and daffodils are among some of the plants poisonous to rabbits. A full list can be found here. 

A rabbit run 

Although rabbits should not be kept in a hutch all the time, they like to have their own space that they can sleep in and feel in charge of. This allows them to be territorial in a contained space. 

Rabbit runs should have metal bars, to prevent chewing, and use a soft and absorbent substrate that they can dig and burrow in. Some good ideas for rabbit bedding are sawdust, hay or grass. 

Play with your bunny! 

If your rabbit is stimulated, happy and well-attended, it will be more likely to behave well. Buy them rabbit chew toys and encourage them to chew those, rather than your wires. You can even get them a special rabbit harness that will allow you to take your bunny for walks around the neighbourhood. 

If your rabbit is tired out from activities and mentally stimulated, it will be less likely to behave destructively in your home. 

At Trusty Pet Supplies, we stock a fantastic range of toys, food and accessories for your rabbit, and other small animals. These will help them to live an enriched and fulfilled life, and protect their belongings from the peril that is a bunny’s jaws. Click here to peruse our collection of rabbit accessories. 

Dog Food Spotlight: Orijen Dog Food

Dog Food Spotlight: Orijen Dog Food

All of the team, here at Trusty Pet Supplies are genuine animal lovers. This means that we only sell products that are healthy for your pets. In this blog, we are going to put the spotlight on one of our favourite dog food products: Orijen Dog Food. 

Orijen Dog Food is a dry dog food brand concocting biologically appropriate and healthy meals for dogs. Made exclusively from fresh, local ingredients, in their own kitchens, you can be assured that there are no hidden “nasties” finding their way in. 

High Meat Content = Happy Dog!

Labrador retriever puppy looking at an English Bulldog eating from a dog bowl, isolated on white dogs are omnivores but are supposed to get the majority of their calories from meat sources. Unlike some major dog food brands, Orijen dog food doesn’t rely on nutritionally poor starchy fillers to feed dogs. It is 85% meat, meaning your dog will get the correct balance of amino acids, fats and nutrients. 

To go into greater detail about why dogs are designed for high meat diets, you need only understand how their bodies work. With single-hinge jaws, perfect for tearing up meat, pointy teeth (which would be useless at breaking down foliage), you can see how dogs are best suited to meaty diets. 

What is also important is variety. While you could feed your dog chicken for every meal, it is preferable to give them a range of different meat sources, so that they are getting the full spectrum of fat and protein types. 

In each dry dog food pellet, you can find up to eight different fresh or raw meats, providing your dog with top draw nutrition for peak health. 

Fresh and Raw Ingredients

Another problem with a lot of large scale commercial dog food brands is that they cook their ingredients to oblivion, meaning a lot of the nutritional value is decimated. Moreover, they use derivative ingredients that would be unfit for human consumption, just to save a little money. 

Orijen uses natural and fresh ingredients only, and all of their meat and fish is sourced sustainably and responsibly. It is even tested for human consumption before being made into dog food.  

A Trusty Approved Dog Food

With these fantastic features, it’s no surprise that Orijen Dog Food has the Trusty Pet Supplies paw print of approval. You can get yours, tailored to your dog’s needs, for next day delivery from our website. 

Top Dog Food Ingredients for a Shiny Coat

Top Dog Food Ingredients for a Shiny Coat 

Top Dog Food Ingredients for a Shiny Coat – One of the best ways you can tell your dog is happy is through the shininess of their coat. It is a sign that their skin is healthy, that they have enough vitamins. This means that they are likely to live longer, more fulfilling lives. 

So what sort of natural dog food should you be looking out for? For maximum coat and skin health, there are certain foods that are better than others. 

Remember to read the ingredients on any dog food you are buying to make sure that it’s not stuffed with fillers and low-quality ingredients. If they don’t show the ingredients on the box, chances are they have something to hide, and you should steer clear. 

Essential Fatty Acids 

Fats are very important dog kibble ingredients for maintaining coat health. High-quality dog food brands will contain the right balance of nutrients and fatty acids to optimise your dog’s skin and coat. This can be either through supplemental ingredients or through fresh ingredients.

Low-quality dog foods, or poorly balanced homemade diets, do not contain the correct proportion of ingredients. There is also a danger in opting for a low-fat diet for your dog, which may lead to it developing a dandruffy coat. 

Puppies also need a proper start to their lives, with a higher fat diet, which can be found in puppy specific dog foods. If they don’t consume the right amount, they are at risk of developing coarse, dry hair and, in some cases, skin lesions that are prone to infection.  

This is why it is important to invest in high-quality dog food, specialised for your dog. 

Omega 3 

Omega-3 is fantastic for the skin. It is found mostly in fish oil, such as salmon. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an all-around great ingredient. High-quality food will contain fresh sources of omega-3, to provide your dog with maximum health benefit.

Omega 6 

Found in sunflower oil and other vegetable oils, omega-6 is a fatty acid that can really benefit your dog’s coat. It is also included in the majority of high-quality dog food brands, such as Edmondson’s and Barking Heads. 

It is important that you keep the food properly. Essential fatty acids can oxidise and lose their efficacy when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. Ensure you keep the dog food in an airtight container.

Other Supplements 

Every dog is different! If you are feeding one of the highest quality dog kibbles out there and it is still itching, then you might want to consider a dog supplement. It is important you don’t go overboard with these and stick with the recommended intake guidelines. 

Brands such as Lintbells provide specially formulated supplements to promote coat shininess, skin health and nail strength. If you find your dog seems to have a dull coat, is moulting too much or has dry skin, then that’s another avenue to consider. 

Health First! 

Trusty Pet Supplies are here to offer you the best products for your pet’s health. If you ever need advice on what dog food may be best for your pet, then we are always happy to answer questions: Either in person at our Derby stores or online.  

How to make your pup picture-perfect ????

How to make your pup picture-perfect ????

Getting the best picture of your dog can be tricky! Not only are they difficult to keep still, it’s also hard to get the right angle, or make sure they are looking at the camera. On the internet however, most people love an adorable puppy picture, so read on if you’d like to know how you can melt hearts with your favourite furry friend.

Set the scene.

To get the most out of your doggie’s aesthetic, you will want to find a setting that suits them. Is your dog a fancy bichon frisé? Booming bloodhound? Happy-go-lucky golden? Work out what scenery best suits your dog and lay it out. Perhaps perfume bottles, handbags and fluffy blankets won’t work for your bloodhound, but then perhaps they will!

Get your dog warmed up!

You want your best friend to pull some wicked happy faces, so make sure they’re in a good mood! You can do this by playing with them before you start your photoshoot. Not only will this get you a pose-ready pup, it means they will begin to associate camera time with playtime!

Where’s the birdie..?

Getting your dog to look at the camera can be tricky. Especially if they’re all riled up and excited. Dogs are however very responsive to certain sounds. If you make a whistling or squeaking sound as you are pointing your camera, they’ll look right at you. This can be done with a toy or as a recorded sound!

Got the nose for a good angle?

Photos taken from above of a dog never look quite as good as ones taken from eye, or nose-height. When taking your picture, squat in front of your dog and make sure you are working from the perspective of a similar-sized animal.

Use the fast shutter lense… trust us

No matter what you do, your dog will move about (unless they’re a crufts champion, but if they are, what are you even reading this guide for?!) Use a fast shutter on your camera, so it takes lots of pictures in a second, ensuring that you will get some good ones.

Don’t forget to pay your model!

Having your photo taken when you have no idea what a camera, photo, or keeping still are is most likely a confusing experience. Make sure your patient pup is compensated for their efforts. We recommend some cronch-worthy carrot sticks or a little bit of boiled chicken. This can be enjoyed as a treat with one of our delicious and nutritious varieties of Edmondson’s dog food. Gently steamed at 90 degrees, our food is 50+% meat, grain-free and hypoallergenic.

Competition time!

Now you’re a dog photography pro, we want to see what you can do. Using this guide, take a picture of your dog and post it in the Facebook comments. We will choose our favourite and send them a bag of our food, for free! Get snapping! We can’t wait to see your puppy pics.

Winner announced on 11th September 2020.

Lintbells: Improve Your Dog’s Quality of Life

Lintbells: Improve Your Dog’s Quality of Life.  Common untreated problems that dogs may encounter during their lives include issues such as itching, moulting, stiffness, indigestion and anxiety. Dogs, being generally stoical, tend to put up with these as a part of their day-to-day lives, but there is no reason why they should continue to. Dogs are very sensitive to their surroundings, and being naturally curious, they love to play and explore their environments. As their owners and carers, we should allow them to do that in a way which keeps them comfortable, healthy and safe.

While lots of these minor ailments are curable by changing their diets to hypoallergenic dog food, you can also make them more comfortable by using our range of Lintbells products. There is YuDerm, which is suitable for itchy and moulting dogs; YuCalm, which helps anxious dogs; YuMove, which is good for relaxing aiding stiff joints; and YuDigest, which provides digestion support. 

YuDerm

Is your dog moulting a lot?

Have they developed thin or balding patches?

Is your dog prone to dry, itchy skin? 

Does their coat condition need a helping hand?

YuDerm is a premium quality coat and skin supplement that’s packed with natural essential Omega 3 and 6 oils. The proven formula is ideal for moulting dogs, improves dog dry skin and supports coat condition, using golden flaxseed and starflower. You will start to notice the difference in 3-6 weeks! Here are some of the ways you can improve your dog’s coat: 

• Boost coat growth and condition
• Nourish and soothe dry skin
• Reduce excess moulting
• Trusted by breeders and vets
• Works in 3-6 weeks

YuCalm

If your best friend is prone to nervousness or anxiety, this triple-calming supplement can make them feel a world of difference. Some signs your dog may benefit from YuCalm are: 

• Quivering or panting when it’s not to do with the weather
• Restlessness or hiding
• Tucked tail and ears held flat against the head
• Toileting or destructiveness in the house
• Excessive barking and aggressive responses

A mixture of Lemon Balm, L-Theanine, B vitamins and our special blend of natural fish protein hydrolysate will stimulate a reduction in stress, calmer behaviour, playfulness and a generally happier and better behaved dog.  

YuMove 

As our dogs grow older, their joints do begin to stiffen. This is a natural part of the ageing process of most mammals, and it causes discomfort in us and our pets. Although sadly, the ageing process itself cannot be reversed, the symptoms can be managed and life made more comfortable for your dog. YuMove is a joint supplement, containing green-lipped mussels from New Zealand, that not only eases joint pain, but also promotes healthy cartilage in the joints themselves, giving your dog the most mobility and comfort, for the maximum amount of time.  

If your dog is:

• Starting to lag behind on walks 
• More reluctant to walk, jump and play
• Sleeping more
• Seems stiff or has trouble getting up after a rest
• Looking uncomfortable

YuMove may help them regain some of their youthful spirits. 

YuDigest  

If your dog is experiencing any kind of gastric distress, YuDigest, which contains Vet-Strength probiotics, will help to: 

• Quickly help mitigate gastric emergencies
• Restore natural balance
• Top up good bacteria
• Bind bacteria, viruses and toxins

YuDIGEST and YuDIGEST PLUS work together to restore and maintain digestion. Try YuDIGEST Dog every day to support digestive health, keep stools firm and increase ‘good’ bacteria in the gut after using YuDIGEST PLUS for Dogs to help your pet get back to normal if they have a major upset.

We hope that these products help to give you and your dog the best time together possible! If they continue to have symptoms, or you are worried about symptoms that are particularly severe, never hesitate to consult a vet.

How To Safely Protect Your Pets From Fleas

Protect Your Pets – If you have a cat or a dog that has ever been outside, the chances are, at some point it would have picked up fleas. Fleas live on the skin of our pets, beneath the hair, and feed off their blood. They are nearly impossible to remove manually and cause great discomfort in pets. They can even spread onto our soft furnishings and bite us! It is therefore extremely important to protect cats and dogs using a flea treatment.  

Fiprotec is a type of spot-on treatment you can use to protect your pet from fleas and other blood-suckers for up to one month. It is crucial to use the flea treatment intended for dogs, on dogs only, because using that medication on cats can cause poisoning, and lead to serious health issues.

Beaphar FIPROtec Spot-On Solution Dogs kills fleas and ticks on small dogs and continues to kill fleas for up to 5 weeks and ticks for up to 4 weeks. It is important to establish a regular flea control routine for dogs and the household. Dogs who spend a lot of time outside are especially at risk from fleas and ticks.

To apply it, first remove the dog’s collar. Then, spread the fur at the back of its neck, in a spot between the shoulder blades, where it can’t be licked. Apply the entire sachet of FIPROtec flea treatment to the skin. Avoid touching the wet spot, and allow the treatment to spread for 24 hours, and try to prevent it from licking itself.

With cats, the procedure is similar, but make sure you are using FIBROtec Spot-On Cats. Spread the fur at the back of your cat’s neck and on the top of its head, and apply the entire sachet of the flea treatment directly to the skin. The treatment will spread, kill fleas and ticks, as well as providing protection for a month. It is suitable for cats aged 7 months plus. 

After applying the treatment to an infected pet, make sure you hoover the house thoroughly and wash your clothes and soft furnishings to remove eggs and other fleas. This will reduce the risk of reinfection. Remember to use flea treatment on your pets regularly, before they show symptoms of fleas. This will ensure they are kept as comfortable as possible and prevent fleas from living in your home.  

Keeping Yourself Busy During Lockdown

Are you finding yourself bored with the current isolation rules? Do you sit in your garden wanting to feel close to someone or something? If you live alone, do you think that it is possible to find company in nature?

With the current COVID-19 situation, many people are searching for things to do, while at home, to remain entertained. Many people are also beginning to realise how much they take for granted. 

Picture yourself in your garden, watching a myriad of birds flying around without a care in the world. Seeing any animal in the wild triggers feelings of wellbeing, but birds are a species that are very easily attracted. They bring such beauty and peace into the world and they are everywhere. Although delicate and somewhat nervous, simply putting out food for them can be an amazing experience for both them and us. 

We have seen a dramatic increase in customers searching for bird food, which tells us that it’s something people are enjoying doing. If you haven’t tried it out yourself yet, give it a go and see how it makes you feel. You don’t need a bird feeder to join in on the fun, all you need is the right food to help our wonderful wildlife, and to sit back and enjoy the view. 

If you have never thought of bird watching as a hobby, maybe it’s time to start right now! There are so many beautiful species that we take for granted and almost ignore. Now we have the time to sit back, relax, and appreciate the world around us. 

We have a wide range of bird food available, and if you are unsure which to get then you can give us a call to double-check. We also have a great range of bird feeders if you would like to take it to the next level. Having a bird feeder not only selects the feeding area, but they are also a great addition to any garden. 

You may have never considered birdwatching, or you may have thought that you wouldn’t enjoy it. Either way now is the perfect time to see if this new hobby and way of nurturing is for you. It gives you something to care about, and it also helps the wildlife that so many of us take for granted. 

Let’s make the most of the current situation we are all in. Let’s find the silver lining of the cloud together.

 

Wet or Dry Cat Food?

A question many cat owners ask is, should I use wet or dry cat food? Every animal needs a healthy and balanced diet, and having a cat means no different. The choice of wet or dry depends on yours and your cat’s preference. The important part is the nutritional value of the meals you provide. 

Many cat owners believe that dry is best, but they both have the same benefits as long as you get them from a trusted supplier. The important thing is that your cat has a ‘complete’ diet, and some foods simply don’t provide this. 

What your cat needs will depend on their individual circumstance, as well as how active they are and if they are an indoor or outdoor cat. If you have an indoor cat, they won’t need as much fat intake as an outdoor cat would. They may still be active, but having a lighter formula would help to avoid weight gain.

Benefits of dry food

Dry cat food is easy, convenient, and lasts longer. They have a much longer shelf-life, and some can also help to remove plaque from teeth. You may find that kittens and older cats prefer wet food because it is easier to eat.

What about wet food?

Cats do tend to eat more wet food in one sitting in comparison to dry food. They may also drink less because of the water content in wet food. If you opt for wet food, then you should ideally serve it at room temperature so that your cat can smell and taste it properly. An important point to note is that wet food should be consumed within 24 hours of it being opened.  If you don’t do this, it could make your cat poorly and give him/her a bad tummy. 

Benefits of wet food

You may notice that your cat does not drink enough water, and this can lead to problems, especially in male cats. Wet food for cats contains a lot of water, so this is a tasty and nutritious way of ensuring they get the fluid intake that they need. 

Mix it up

Although you may think cats prefer one to the other, most cats actually prefer their food to be mixed. Wet food satisfies their enjoyment, but dry food meets their natural desire to eat. There really is no right or wrong answer, as long as your cat gets the required nutrition every day. 

We have an extensive range of cat food, and every one is designed to give your cat the nutrition it needs. Feline nutrition is very important, and you should pay close attention to it if you want to keep them as healthy as possible. If you are unsure about the best food for your cat, get in touch to get your questions answered.