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).

With the latest lockdown coming into force across England 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 during the restrictions.

Whether you are gearing up for competition season or you have an ex-performance horse enjoying its retirement, issues like tying up or muscle loss can be common and frustrating. And because all horses use their muscles extensively during every ride, giving them the proper care is essential. Follow these tips to keep your horse’s muscles in tip top condition.

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 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. It is also more accurate than weight tapes, so it's ideal for calculating feeds and worming treatments.

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. So which forage should you feed your horse?

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.