How much research do we do before adopting a dog?

Posted on January 8, 2019 by admin

Something which may surprise a lot of dog owners recently emerged in the news, as the results of a survey from Legal & General revealed that one in every three dog owners did little to no research before deciding on which breed of dog to adopt.

This may feel like a high number, but as some of us know it’s sometimes the dog who chooses the owner rather than the other way around.

Out of those surveyed who did their research before adopting, common considerations for settling on a specific breed was size at 43%, followed by temperament at 41% and 34% who considered their breed based on their lifestyle. 11% of people surveyed thought about how much adopting a dog would cost, and just 7% looking into the price of insurance policies.

Considering the numbers, it isn’t much of a shock that 14% of owners said that they had five or more visits to the vet in the past year. 45% of owners also revealed that at some point they have also had to pay a visit to an emergency vet, which can come with astronomical costs.

Worryingly, 36% of owners revealed that they don’t have pet insurance, with 46% saying that there is no need for it. Thankfully, 48% of owners said that pet insurance is a life safer (and will surely be made up of those who had to visit the emergency vet!)

Sadly 6% of those surveyed said they were unsatisfied with their chosen breed, so to help lower this number Legal and General have released the Breed Selector, an tool which, instead of allowing you to choose the ideal dog for you, allows a dog to choose you as their ideal human.

It’s a fun tool that asks about you, your home and your lifestyle, and matches you with a breed which fits in with what you’re looking for.

As we all know, owning a dog can be hard work, but it is also rewarding and can bring love and joy to our lives. Whilst research is important before deciding who we want to bring home, we can’t always decide who we fall in love with and want to join the family.

For more information on pet insurance from Legal and General, more information is available on their website.

The Safest Materials for Your Dog Bowls

Posted on August 24, 2018 by admin

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to selecting a material for your dog bow. There is a variety of options in the market, including stoneware, ceramic, plastic, stainless steel, slow-feeding, nonskid and even automated portion-sized dog bowls. However, even with so many options out there, there are still some materials that are naturally safer than others. According to forthefurry.com, here are the five most common, including an exploration of whether they are safe or not.

Plastic Dog Bowls
This is by far the most commonly used material for dog bowls. However, it isn’t the safest. In fact, it can often be the worst material for a dog bowl.
To start with, young teething pups tend to chew a lot on their feeding bowl. A few minutes without you looking and your little pup can tear the bowl apart and ingest the little pieces of plastic. What follows is internal bleeding and blockage of the intestinal system.
Plastic bowls can also be highly porous and easy to scratch. The result is that they develop crevices that make for perfect homes for dangerous bacteria.

Ceramic Dog Bowl

Ceramic dog bowls are often a pretty good choice, assuming you’ve done your homework before going out to buy one. You should also take care of them to ensure they last longer. The greatest concern when it comes to ceramic dog bowls is that the glazes used to coat them may sometimes contain harmful chemicals like lead. You should be careful about this and go for those that have been certified for food use and are free of lead in their coating. You should also regularly inspect your dog’s ceramic bowl to check for chips and cracks that can harbor bacteria. You also shouldn’t let your dog ingest any chips from the bowl. With such bowls, maintenance is the biggest issue. They are, however, a terrific choice.

Stoneware Dog Bowls

Stoneware bowls may have trace amounts of lead so you should be careful about the ones you buy. Lead is very dangerous for pets and can lead to lead poisoning. The symptoms of lead poisoning include cardiovascular problems, renal and kidney problems, skeletal problems, disorders of the muscles and joints, nerve disorders, loss of memory, intellectual impairment, mood swings, infertility and cancer. Select stoneware bowls that are free of lead. Apart from the lead issue, however, stoneware dog bowls are much safer than plastic dog bowls as they don’t chip as easily.

Silicone Dog Bowls
Silicone is a relatively recent material on the market. It is rubber-like, nonstick and nontoxic. It has high heat resistance and does not retain any odors. It can also help you save space as such dog bowls are typically collapsible.

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

These dog bowls are nonporous, which means you don’t have to worry about bacteria. They are also resistant to rust and very easy to clean. Steel also isn’t exposed to as many dangerous chemicals as plastic is during its manufacture.

Animal Welfare Act 2018: What does it mean?

Posted on August 21, 2018 by admin

Important changes are taking place in England, affecting anyone who breeds, boards, sells or provides day care for dogs. From 1st of October, the new Animal Welfare Act 2018 will come into force providing extra protection for the welfare of our pets.

From October, dog owners in England will be able to check whether a doggy daycare or home boarder have a licence and see a star-rating awarded by the local authority. The amendments to the Animal Welfare Act will bring changes in terms of licensing and local authority compliance to anyone who sells, breeds or cares for dogs as a business.

As stated on the Dogs Trust website: “There have been significant advances in the understanding of dog behaviour and welfare in recent decades. [We are] pleased that the Government is updating this old legislation, which pre-dates the Animal Welfare Act, and are introducing measures to ensure those conducting animal activities are doing so to the best standards of animal welfare.”

Who must be licensed?

Boarding kennels
At-home boarders
Breeders
Doggy day-care providers

However, the changes to the legislation allow dog walkers, dog groomers, and dog hydrotherapists to continue without the need for a licence from their local council.

A key reform to replace a variety of outdated legislation will be to introduce a single licence for pet vending (selling), dog breeding and animal boarding including home dog boarders and pet daycare. These licences will be issued for a fixed term rather than annually at any point in the year.

Each council will use a risk-based approach to licensing, meaning lower risk and high performing business will be allowed a longer licence with fewer inspections. This new practice aims at incentivising licence holders to operate at and maintain higher standards, enabling council resources to better targeted.

For breeders and sellers, stricter regulations under the new licence will mean better protection for dogs. From October, it will be prohibited to sell puppies below the age of eight weeks in all cases matching the regulation already in place in Wales and Scotland.

The Government, along with several animal charities, hopes the new legislation and focus will help tackle puppy farms in the UK and make it easier for councils to focus their attention on combating issues affecting animal welfare in their local areas.

PetStay has been a strong advocate for licensing, ensuring all their carers across the 42 branches hold a valid licence to care for dogs in their home. Established since 2005, PetStay has built a reputation on the high criteria of their dog carers, ensuring they are checked by branch owners as well as the local authority.

To find out more about our PetStay Carers click here.

ANIMAL MAGIC COMES TO MAIDSTONE AS ‘WE LOVE PETS’ FRANCHISE OPENS!

Posted on August 8, 2018 by admin

Award-winning animal care franchise We Love Pets has opened a new branch in Maidstone.

The local franchise has been taken up by Elaine Dunn, aged 52, who will be helping pet owners with dog walking and boarding, cat sitting and even looking after snakes, lizards and bigger animals.

Elaine, who recently moved back to her birth town of Maidstone, decided that the time was right to start a new career with animals after leaving the care profession. She has already taken on one member of staff to help her with dog boarding and is looking forward to growing the venture.

The mum-of-four said: “Working with animals is my dream and comes so naturally. Already, we’ve helped customers with dog boarding and walking. It’s important for me to do something that helps people who perhaps don’t have the time or mobility to do it themselves.

“I’m delighted to be able to work with We Love Pets and to continue their great track record. I’m looking forward to providing an exceptional service to my customers and Maidstone is a great place to do it thanks to its numerous parks and nature reserve meaning there’s lots of variety and somewhere new to walk all the time.

“We Love Pets have given me so much support already; they’ve been doing this for ten years and the business model is proven to work. They made me feel they care about me and my success. Plus, being outdoors in the fresh air is such a bonus in any job I’d say.”

For more information, click onto www.we-love-pets.co.uk/areas-covered/maidstone

How to Find Best Pet Insurance For your Pet and What Should You Know Before Buying?

Posted on May 21, 2018 by admin

When we adopt a pet, we know for the matter of fact that it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring happiness and joy and optimism. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.
We find a friend in them and unconditional love. So, to protect these amazing animals in their times of sickness or injury and to give them the best medical aid, it is imperative to avail Pet Insurance.

What do pet insurances do?
The first question comes on our mind Is Pet insurance necessary? The Pet insurance schemes cover all veterinary expenses incurred for the treatment of a pet who has suffered an injury or is sick. Some pet insurance plans along with death cover also cover the loss of the pet that is insured. These benefits help pet owners to eliminate the risk of high expenditures on medical treatment of the pet and protect its valuable life by giving the best treatment.

Features and Benefits of a good Pet Insurance:
Customized plans – Pet insurance plans are customizable according to the needs and available for pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, etc. Know here how to find an insurance company.

Sum Assured – Generally, the sum assured on pet insurance products, varies from £500 to £750. This depends on the factors like the breed of the pet and other related considerations.

Add-On Cover – Some insurance providers like Future Generali insurance offer add-on benefits and covers as well for the base policy, such as loss of show entry fee. This cover is meant to offer for the forfeit of entry fee when the pet cannot make it to the show due to an injury or sickness.

Third Party Liability – Third party liability cover is also offered by some pet insurance policies, in the unlikely event that your pet attacks a third party and causes any damage to third party property.

Types of Cover – There are three major types of pet insurance cover.

Lifetime cover
Time-limited cover
Money-limit cover

What does pet insurance cover?
These policies cover the following
Accidental Death
Illness contracted or injury suffered while the policy is in effect
Full Treatment expenses of the pet.
An accident of the pet insured while in transit via rail, air or road.
Loss or theft of the pet insured
Incapacitation
Accidental poisoning
Any Third Party Liability

Factors considered in Calculations of premiums for Pet insurances:
Age of animal
The breed and type of animals
Health condition of the animal
Exotic animals will have a higher premium rate
The location of your house and the prevailing climatic conditions

A good pet insurance covers pet’s treatment at the vet, covers the vaccinations that need to be given to the pets for protection, the life cover of the pet.
Home is not a home without a pet. So, ensure your happiness with pet insurance.

Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ status achieved by Wagging Tails UK Dog Boarding

Posted on May 10, 2018 by admin

Wagging Tails is the only Dog Boarding Franchise which has achieved this level across all of its branches, offering a clear indicator to dog owners that they can be assured that Wagging Tails delivers on everything it sets out to do.

Operating within a legal framework (all dog carers are licensed and insured). And is without a doubt a leader in its industry.

www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/news/trading-standards-buy-with-confidence-status

A Pet Vacuum for Dog Owner – Expert Recommendations

Posted on January 5, 2018 by admin

A vacuum for pet is not just a simple appliance with a high power score that makes the life of a pet owner easier and carefree. In fact, pet vacuums allow for cleaning dust, pet hair, and other allergens thus assuring absolute cleanliness in premises. In this review, we will talk about vacuums for pet efficiently coping with the pet hair and the consequences of canine and feline pranks. All the cleaners from our review have passed tests in several steps and proved to be useful appliances.

The characteristics that reflect an upright vacuum cleaner dealing with the 2 turbo brushes. A greater brush’s to be used for clothes, furniture, fur, and carpet. On the top of that, the turbo brush has a roller in the center of the nozzle, which winds the pets’ hair or dust. The two turbo scrapers make the cleaner the right weapon in the fight against wool, hair, as well as dirt. However, there are some other parameters that must be met to assure you are using the best vacuum for pet owners. Characteristics of the best vacuum for long hair include:

– The suction power has to be stably high even when the dust canister’s full. Therefore, multi-cyclone systems with a high suction score are optimized to fill the bag in several steps. They are aimed at removing pet hair and dirt from any surfaces.

– Hair cleaners must be hygienic (high-class vacuuming filter HEPA – 13 or 14). If it is a bag-cleaner, it is optimal for pet owners to have an additional cleaning filter. It helps to eliminate the specific smell and remove absolutely all animal hair in the house.

– The roller of the corded turbo brush should be driven not by the flow of air but by electricity since when the force of the airflow decreases, the roller of the brush generally stops spinning.

– The roller of the turbo brush should be easy to get and clean. If there’s a device to be used directly on the nozzle, there will be no issues with cinetic cleaning vacuum.

– A canister has to be heavy to store large amounts of pet hair in several steps. Otherwise, if the canister is small, you should clean the vacuums again and again.

Vacuums for Animal Hair?
Dog owners often have to take into consideration what sort of a friendly cleaner is better for harvesting cats and dogs’ hair to buy in the store and test the chosen appliance. Modern cleaners are manufactured taking into consideration all the latest cleaning specs. It is interesting that many buyers of cleaners prefer purchasing cinetic robots and other modern washing options, which have a high score from us.
What should you take into account if you have a dog/ cat in the house? An important thing you’ll need to do is to clean floors and any other surfaces with a cleaner regularly. Another thing to enquire is the suction power of the device. The presence of additional cinetic supplements will also be a plus for the appliance. As a general rule, you’ll find the following items in the clean package claims:

– Nozzle for floor and carpets;
– Mechanical turbo-brush (can be multiple);
– Electric turbo-brush;
– Special silicone nozzle;
– Nozzle-puncher;
– Turbo motorhead.

What Useful Functions Should a Vacuum Cleaner Perform?
Still wonder what type of a cleaner is for you to clean pet hair from floors, clothes, fur, and carpets? It’s necessary for you to realize that the device is needed not only for this purpose (and test it), so it is worth checking the following parameters:

– Vacuums with aqua filters perfectly cope with the cleaning the floor, steps, and moisturizing the air well. Their only drawback is the inability to use them when cleaning the carpeted hardwood.

– The greater suction rate of the device is, the higher score we will give it. However, it is still necessary to test the device. Such tests will provide you with info on how easy it cleans stairs, floor, corners, apart from other surfaces. You should test everything yourself, without simply believing all the claims of the manufacturer. If there’re many cats and dogs in the house, then the vacuum should have suction Powerglide of at least 350 W – 400 W. The manufacturer usually reflects the score on its motorhead. Give precedence to those appliances whose suction power is indicated on the brush.

– Modern devices have an impressive weight and size. A manufacturer claims to test the device in several steps before releasing the device. Therefore, the company claims to use the best materials for the appliance. Read this review as well as many other reflects before making a purchase. But it will be a greater approach if you could test the cleaner yourself and make sure that it works well and removes dirt, for example, Miele, in several steps. You should see what the tube tile is made of. If the tile material plastic, then it is necessary to test how strong it is.

Best Vacuum Cleaners for You and for Pet

1. Shark NV752 Rotator– our score 9,5
It is an upright cleaner with lift-away mechanics allowing deep cleaning of the deepest corners with pet hair or Miele on them. But the option dog owners really adore is the TruePet attachment. The appliance powers deep into carpets removing dust in several steps.

2. Miele Alize S8590 – our score 9,2
Such a greater score in our review is due to excellent functioning, greater look, and mobility. It effectively picks up dust in several steps and is easy to clean.

3. Dyson V6 Motorhead – our score 9,1
Having passed many tests, the upright pet vacuum justified all the claims of its manufacturer, which we have to mention in this review. The device has cordless stick vac’s cleaning power that is easy to readjust on any surfaces in several steps. Our high score reflects such a unique feature.

Dog poo on beaches

Posted on October 25, 2017 by admin

Hundreds of bags of dog poo have been found on the UK’s beaches according to the Marine Conservations Society’s 2016 research; with 792 bags recorded at 364 beaches by volunteers over the Great British Beach Clean weekend in September last year. However these numbers don’t show the full scale of the problem; beach clean volunteers do not record unbagged waste therefore the total amount of dog poo left by some owners on our beautiful beaches remains unknown.

Many people believe that leaving dog poo on the beach is OK because the tide washes it away, however this natural disposal technique isn’t the best thing for our beautiful beaches and seas. Bacteria present in dog poo is potentially harmful to beach users and can affect water quality.

That’s why organisations and campaigns from across the UK are uniting this week for #binit4beaches; a campaign focused on reducing pollution and litter at the beach and calling for dog owners to help with ongoing improvements.

Millions of people head to the UK’s beaches to relax, paddle and swim every year and we want water quality to be the best it can be. Last year 98.5% of the UK’s bathing waters met the tough minimum standards. By working together, we can continue to help protect and improve water quality. So, if you visit the beach with your dog please do your bit to help by bagging and binning your dog poo, making the beach safe for everyone to enjoy.

Support by visiting this link: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/63649-confess-who-hangs-dog-mess

5 Handheld Vacuums Pet Owners Will Just Love to Own

Posted on October 18, 2017 by admin

If there is one thing that we, as pet owners, dread it’s the amount of fur we find from our animal companions on a daily basis – especially during moulting season. The clean-up can take a lot of time and effort to complete, leaving you tired and frustrated with the situation – especially when using a full size vacuum cleaner. However, with one of these five handheld vacuums you are sure to find the task a lot easier and will be saying goodbye to pet hair and smell in no time at all. Your home will be unrecognisable.

Dyson V6 Animal
Dyson are well known for their excellent quality vacuum cleaners, and since they released the Animal range it has been sending pet owners straight to the store to get their hands on one – and right so. It is perfect for removing fur from carpets and hard floor.

The V6 is handheld and cordless, so you don’t need to worry about getting tangled up. It can extend and retract, depending on where you are cleaning, offering versatility. The batter life lasts twenty minutes, and the suction is very powerful. No need for bad, it empties easily into the bin using it’s mess-free canister.

Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flick
This handheld vacuum cleaner works a dream on pet hair, and it is very easy to use. With seven amps of power, it provides excellent suction and is also the perfect size for reaching into every nook and cranny in your home. It is very lightweight, making it easy to handle, and it has several hose sizes – including a special pet brush for all of the excess fur. It also works great on furniture – no pet hair will be safe.

Black and Decker Pivot
With cyclonic action and powerful suction, it works well on embedded hair that is stuck in your carpets. It is high performance for this very purpose, and the nifty pivotal head makes cleaning every type of surface a whole lot easier. Handheld and cordless, it is also completely bagless. With a great battery life and short charge time, it is perfect for furniture, all floor types, and even your kitchen counter.

Eureka Handheld 71 B
Lightweight and exceedingly popular, this yellow wonder has two motors – one for suction and the other for optimal cleaning. There is also a nifty visor that rises when you come to carpeted areas or the upholstery of your car/furniture. There is a long cord provided and the hose is the perfect length for reaching around the house. It’s powerful, small, and incredibly efficient at its work. When you buy it, you won’t want to let go.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
This small yet might vacuum cleaner is ready to take on the pet hair that is littering your home. With a rubber nozzle for a soft touch on your furniture and upholstery, it also comes with a tougher one to suck up the most difficult messes, such as cat litter and embedded fur lumps. With a HEPA filter to protect those with asthma and allergies, it also sports bagless technology and a very long cord. Compact and portable, it is also easy to store away.

To Conclude
What did you think of the handheld vacuum selection? Are there any you would have added to the list? We’d love to hear from you, so let us know in the comments below.

About the Author
Will is a freelance writer, his blog can be seen here . If you are interested in more information on anything Vacuum related, then check out his ultimate vacuum guides for more details Follow Will on Facebook or Google+

Are you Worried about the Two Poo Bag fine?

Posted on September 22, 2017 by admin

Brand dooup has the answer…

The dooup walk-ease is now available, and just as the fine for being caught without at least two poo bags may be coming into play near you.
So far, the feedback has been great from those who have purchased but we are also interested in hearing from anyone who may feel it’s not ideal for their dog walk.

We’ve thoroughly tested the concept for the short and long walk. From the perspective of the leisurely walker, through to the busy working mum, and the active, trendy chaps amongst you.

The important thing about this product is that you won’t even know you’re carrying it. You especially won’t feel conscious of carrying a scoop! The roll of bags inside are conveniently positioned so you can grab one without even needing to open the bag! So, the two poo bag rule will never be a problem for The dooup walk-ease owner!

This comfy and discreet chest/shoulder bag attaches to the lead and is ready to leave the house when you are. Packed with treats, hygiene pouch (including a reminder tag), sanitiser and some with a ball thrower and a torch which is well positioned for those darker nights. This means you are always equipped with what you need. It even allows you to let go of your dog’s lead if you wish to.

We’ve already made a success of the garden dooup which was voted Best for the Garden by Dogs Today magazine. The majority who have one love how it sanitises and stores a week’s worth of dog waste before auto sealing the bag upon removal. Simple, hygienic and convenient for the home.

Many assumed we’d do something similar for the dog walk but when you consider the needs of the dog walker, it’s far more important to provide benefits such as a hands-free walk, easy, compact scoop and a place to store the waste if you need one. The poo part ends there but the benefits of The dooup walk-ease will mean you’ll never be caught without poo bags.

These fines, perhaps necessary, are rather harsh as we all know there are days we forget things. The dooup walk-ease means that can never happen to you.

We’d love to hear from you – any suggestions about what to add, takeaway, or just general observations on how The dooup walk-ease would or wouldn’t fit into your doggie life, would be much appreciated.

Some have already expressed the need for a longer scoop which we can provide should you wish to try it. However, we have fully tested the current small scoop and found they are not only extremely effective with variations of waste size and consistency, they also fit very nicely and discretely inside the poo pouch, so we would urge you trial it. There may be no need to carry anything bigger.

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