Health & Nutrition Blog

Probiotics and Prebiotics for Dogs

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  Probiotics and prebiotics are both extremely important for your dog’s digestive health and their immune system as a whole. But what’s the difference and what exactly do they do? These important ingredients help regulate the natural microorganisms in your dog's gut, which affects how healthy their stomach is, the...

Should I Feed My Horse a Gut Balancer?

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  Since we introduced the concept of gut balancers back in 1989, this approach to feeding horses has become widespread, with similar products offered by all the major feed companies in the UK. But how important is a feed balancer – and can you do without it? Your Horse’s Digestive...

New Year Resolutions for a Happy Healthy Dog

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  As we step into the New Year, it's an ideal time to hit the reset button and put in place some healthy habits for both you and your dog. Whether your goal is to eat a healthier, more balanced diet or to spend more time outdoors, the cold weather...

Dogs & Fireworks: Helping Them Cope

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  With Bonfire Night just around the corner, fireworks season is fast approaching and it can be a frightening time for your dog. We’ve put together some useful practical tips to help keep your pooch as calm and happy as possible during the festivities. Planning Ahead It might sound strange,...

How to Care for Your New Puppy

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Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting moment but it’s also a big responsibility. Your new puppy will be leaving the security of being with his mother behind, so he’ll need all the love and care you can give to help him settle in. There are lots...

How to Prepare Your Gundog for the Season

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  As the game season approaches and you get ready for your first outing of the year it’s important to make sure your gundog is well prepared ahead of time. From conditioning and obedience training to your kit bag, we’ve covered everything you’ll need to make sure you both enjoy...

Walking With Alpacas - 5 of the Best

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If you’ve never tried alpaca walking it’s fast becoming a popular way to enjoy the British countryside at its best. Alpacas are beautiful, calm creatures and enjoying a trek alongside one of these fluffy companions is something between a therapeutic experience and a hands-on animal adventure. The alpaca pace in...

Sweet Itch in Horses

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What is Sweet Itch? Sweet itch is the most common allergic skin reaction in UK horses, and it tends to rear its ugly head at this time of year thanks to the warmer weather. It affects as many as five per cent of our horses and is caused by an...

Can Dogs Get Hay Fever?

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  Dogs can suffer with hay fever at this time of year, just like humans can - and it can certainly affect their enjoyment of the outdoors during the summer months. So how can you tell if your dog does have hay fever? And what’s the best way to manage...

Worming Your Dog

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  Regular worming is an important part of looking after your dog’s health and well-being, whether you are a seasoned pet parent or you’re just considering welcoming a new furry friend into your family. Worms are a common problem for dogs, which most will catch at some point throughout their...

Omega 3 for Dogs

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  What is Omega 3 and why is it so popular? Does your dog really need essential fatty acids in their diet? And how can you make sure they are getting enough? The quick answer is that Omega 3 fatty acids are very important for your dog’s health. As a...

Pet Safety in the Hot Summer Weather

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  The sunny weather at this time of year can be glorious, but extreme temperatures also come with a health warning, particularly for the four legged members of the family. Here are some simple tips to help you make sure your cats, dogs and horses stay safe in this week’s...

Breed Focus: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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Corgis Make a Comeback As the nation gets ready to mark the Queen's historic Platinum Jubilee we’re also celebrating a British dog breed making a comeback - the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Famous for being the Queen’s choice of pet, this lovable dog certainly has a lot going for it. Although...

Turning Your Horse Out For Spring & Summer

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  As we welcome in the spring season your horse will be eager to enjoy the fresh green grass if they aren't out already, especially if they’ve been eating hay all winter. But how do you manage horses in spring grass and when is it safe for horses to be...

10 Ways to Show Your Dog Love

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  The bond between dog and owner is a very special one and our dogs would do anything for us. They show us unconditional love - they're loyal, devoted and will never judge. But how can you show your dog affection in a language that they will understand? Here are...

Meet Our Nutritionist

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  Nutritionist Wesley Habershon Joins the GWF Nutrition Team Meet our newest member of the team - Nutritionist Wesley Habershon. Cat lover Wesley is from a farming background and joins us with extensive experience in pet and livestock nutrition.   "I'm really excited to be joining the GWF Nutrition team...

Is a Raw Food Diet Good for Dogs?

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Raw Food for Dogs Raw food for dogs is said to have a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing, and is becoming more popular throughout the UK. However, raw feeding has also had its critics. There are a lot of arguments on both sides and it can be hard...

Celebrating 50 Years

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  We're thrilled to be celebrating a special milestone with our 50th Anniversary this month.There have been a lot of proud moments over the last 5 decades; we changed the industry's whole approach to equine feeding with the first ever feed balancer (now Equilibra) and to this day the Oatinol...

Is Your Cat Happy?

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  Our favourite feline companions can be more aloof than dogs and their behaviour can be harder to read. We all want the best for our kitties but how can you tell if they are happy or not? Here are some tell tale signs to look out for in a...

How to Tell if Your Dog is Happy

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  As the saying goes, a healthy dog is a happy dog and as owners we all want to do the best for our four-legged friends. But how do you know whether your dog is really happy? It’s not always straightforward to know exactly how they are feeling, so being...

Looking After Your Pet During Lockdown

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  During the lockdown many of our usual day to day activities, including travel (even to and from work) and socialising are no longer possible, so making sure we keep ourselves and our pets active and stimulated is more of a challenge. And just like you, your dog in particular...

Keeping Your Pets Safe This Christmas

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  Christmas is a wonderful time of year and a chance to spend precious time with loved ones, four legged and otherwise. Wrapping paper, tinsel and turkey scraps are all great opportunities for some festive fun – but make sure you are aware of the potential hazards too so you...

Keeping Your Dog Warm & Well This Winter

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  You’ve cranked up the heating, dug out the blankets and the extra thick duvet is back on the bed. You may have winter proofed your home and the family may be snug as bugs - but have you ever thought about how your dog feels at home during the...

Looking After Your Senior Dog

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  As dogs age they inevitably slow down and their needs and habits may change. Whether your dog is a Labrador or a Dachshund, there are some things you can do to keep your older dog happy and healthy and enjoying their twilight years as much as possible. How Old...

Looking After Your Horse's Health in Winter

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  As the winter nights creep in, and the weather turns colder, it’s important to think about the changes in conditions and how they can affect your horse’s health. During the winter months you may be stabling during the night and even parts of the day – which means less...

Feeding Alpacas

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  Whether you are an experienced alpaca farmer or you are looking at welcoming a pet alpaca to your family, the key to feeding your alpaca well is fairly simple – essentially an alpaca’s diet should include mostly grazing, with additional forage where needed and a small amount of concentrated...

COVID-19 Update - Deliveries Remain in Place

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  We Are Open We are pleased to confirm we are open and taking orders as usual. However, some deliveries are still taking slightly longer than usual - please therefore allow more time for your order to arrive. Our dedicated team is working hard to minimise any disruption to you...

Choosing a Muscle Supplement for Your Horse

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  As a horse lover, you understand the importance of providing your horse with the best care and nutrition possible. You know that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper rest are essential for your horse's overall well-being. But have you ever considered the role that muscle supplements can play...

Caring for Your Senior Cat

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  Cats are considered officially senior once they reach around 10 years of age and while they still need just as much care and attention their needs will be different to that of a younger cat. Here are some useful pointers on caring for your cat in its golden years…...

How to Estimate Your Horse's Weight

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  How much you should feed your horse depends on the weight of your animal and working this out is not always easy. If you don't have access to a horse weighbridge, this calculation gives a handy way to estimate your horse or pony's weight with a few simple measurements....

Hay or Haylage for a Horse With Ulcers? Getting Forage Feeding Right

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  Forage is without doubt the most crucial part of any horse’s diet. It is more important than any other feed type, or supplement, and is often overlooked when planning a feeding programme or addressing digestive disorders. It’s all too easy to be swayed by the latest marketing for the...

Arthritis in Dogs - The Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

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  Arthritis in dogs is surprisingly common, with as many as one in five dogs reportedly suffering from the condition - and it can feel even more uncomfortable as the colder weather sets in. And although arthritis is usually associated with middle-aged and older dogs, it can affect younger dogs...

Diarrhea in Dogs

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What is the Most Common Cause of Diarrhea in Dogs? Diarrhea in dogs is a very common complaint and although many cases tend to clear up by themselves, other dogs can become seriously ill very quickly and may need hospital treatment to recover. Commons causes of diarrhea in dogs are:...

Colic in Horses - How To Spot The Warning Signs and What To Do Next

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  There are a number of causes of colic in horses, from indigestion to twisted intestines or blockages from feed, and the word "colic" itself simply means abdominal pain. Although equine colic is relatively common and can often be easily treated, it can also be extremely dangerous for your horse...

Laminitis in Horses: The Signs and How To Prevent It

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  With laminitis reportedly affecting 1 in 10 horses in Britain these days, it’s important to make sure you understand what can cause the condition and recognise the signs. Laminitis in horses occurs when the laminae starts to break down, causing the pedal bone to pull away from the horse’s...

Glucosamine For Dogs - What Is It and What Does It Do?

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  If your dog has stiff joints, you’ve probably come across glucosamine for dogs in one way or another. Joint supplements are amongst the most widely used nutritional supplements today, and most of these are built primarily around glucosamine and chondroitin or hyaluronic acid (the building blocks for chondroitin). Your...

Oatinol: Maximising Nutrient Uptake in our Feeds and Supplements

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  When you choose a feed or supplement for your dog, horse or alpaca, you rightly want and expect your animal to benefit fully from the nutrients it provides. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and many owners find themselves paying out for products that are not producing results. Your...

The Best Joint Supplements for Dogs: What To Look For

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What Should I Look For in a Good Dog Joint Supplement? The best joint supplements, like Joint Aid for Dogs, should support your dog's overall movement as well as the joints. They will usually contain glucosamine for dogs as well as chondroitin or hyaluronic acid and some natural anti-inflammatory support....

Supplements for Dogs: Supporting Your Dog's Health

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  Nutritional supplements are becoming more widely used both by us and our pets, and they can be a good way to support your cat’s or your dog’s overall health. Dog joint supplements like Joint Aid for Dogs are amongst the most sought after, with many pet owners finding that...

Is Jumping Safe For My Dog's Joints?

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How Jumping Can Affect Your Dog’s Joints The biggest health problem linked to jumping in dogs is early arthritis. As many as 65% of dogs will develop arthritis in their lifetime, and constant jumping up and down can increase the inevitable wear and tear on their joints. Of course, it...

Allergies in Dogs

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How Can I Tell if My Dog Has Allergies? Allergies in dogs generally fall under three categories – flea allergies, environmental allergies and, less commonly, food allergies. If your dog is itchy it could be a sign of one of these allergies - 10 of the most common symptoms of...

Muscle Atrophy in Dogs: How to Spot the Signs

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What is Muscle Atrophy in Dogs? Muscle atrophy, or muscle loss, is the wasting away of your dog’s muscles and can be caused by ageing, illness in your dog or simply by reduced activity. Muscle loss can affect any dog, although larger dog breeds are more likely to suffer as...