Health & Nutrition Blog

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 able to understand non-verbal cues is useful.

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 going to be more of a challenge. Here are some ways you can make sure that your pets are well provided for and that you keep your cat or dog happy while you are stuck indoors.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year and particularly in 2020 it's a long awaited chance to spend precious time with loved ones. 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 can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas with your pets.

Stiff joints and other aches and pains can feel worse during the colder months and even a warm home can have cold floors and draughts that you may not have noticed – but your dog more than likely has. Here are a few simple ways to help make sure your dog is comfortable at home during the winter months and keep those stiff joints at bay.

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…