Health & Nutrition Blog

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.

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. At this time of year you may be stabling during the night and even parts of the day – which means less room for your horse to move around as well as reduced or no ad-lib grazing.

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 feeds or minerals. And of course, easy access to clean, fresh drinking water. The basic rule of thumb is that although they have a similar digestive system to sheep (Ruminants) they are often classed as ‘pseudo-ruminants’, and so they actually need a diet akin to that of the horse (Hindgut Fermenters).

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…

Arthritis in dogs is surprisingly common, with as many as one in five dogs reportedly suffering from the condition. And although arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in middle-aged and older dogs, it can also affect younger animals too. Arthritis can be painful and debilitating and if left untreated it can significantly affect your pet's quality of life.

Diarrhea in dogs is a very common complaint and is one of those unfortunate things that most dogs (and their owners) will have had to deal with at some point. Many cases tend to clear up by themselves, but other dogs can become seriously ill very quickly and may need hospital treatment to recover. The severity often depends on the age and general health of the dog. Diarrhea (or diarrhoea) in dogs can be acute (sudden) in a usually healthy dog, or chronic (long term) weight loss. 

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 hoof. The laminae is a soft tissue structure that holds the horse’s pedal bone to the hoof. It has a high blood supply and a very high nerve content.

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. Your vet may even recommend trying a supplement with glucosamine for dogs to support your pet's joints before considering medical treatments.

Joint supplements can be a good way of supporting your dog’s joints alongside a healthy lifestyle and any medical care they may be receiving from your vet. Many pet owners are finding that nutraceuticals like glucosamine for dogs make joint care easier to manage and can be a helpful addition to the daily diet.

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. Joint supplements like Joint Aid for Dogs are amongst the most sought after, with many pet owners finding that glucosamine for dogs can be a beneficial addition to the daily diet.