Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Your Dog

Chew toys are a popular part of our inventory of toys we can provide for our canine companions – and for good reason. Chomping down on something safe (and fun!) fulfils a natural instinct, reducing stress and bringing pleasure. Here, we break down why chewing should be part of our dogs’ play routine and give an insight into what to look for in a chew toy. Why do dogs chew? Chewing satisfies several important needs. Puppies chew to explore the newness of everything they come across, and they find out by chewing which things are acceptable, as well as fulfilling. It isn’t a good idea, for instance, to chew their mother or siblings hard, and we aren’t too keen on it, either. But their milk teeth arrive within two weeks…

Afternoon tea experience The Ross and Friends afternoon tea is a lovely experience for both humans and dogs alike. The newly created café was super welcoming and offered both indoor and outdoor seating, each of which had a specially made dog station. The food and drink selection was extensive, ensuring there was something for everyone. What differentiated it was the inclusion of dog-friendly treats, allowing both of our dogs to join in on the indulgence. My partner, Vicki, and I found the experience to be both relaxing and enjoyable. Our host, Nick, was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. The setting was comfortable, with enough space for the dogs to settle down while we enjoyed our tea. My dogs particularly loved the home-made biscuits provided for…

While central heating means fleas can be a problem all year round, we’re now entering what is typically thought of as flea season. The warmer weather means fleas find it easier to thrive so it is especially important to ensure we’re protecting our pets – and our homes. A flea infestation can be a real pain – a literal one for your canine companion, and a metaphorical one for you, as you battle to evict the critters from every nook and cranny of your home. Understanding how fleas operate and what you can do to prevent becoming overrun is an important part of parasite protection. Lifecycle of fleas Adult fleas mate while on your pet and the resulting eggs that are laid fall off as they wander around – so…

A breed fit for the King – news came out last month that King Charles III had welcomed home a new canine companion. Reportedly the first new pet for the monarch in over two decades, the dog is named Snuff and is a Lagotto Romagnolo. With Snuff’s arrival at the palace, interest in the breed has soared and so we decided to put the Lagotto Romagnolo in the spotlight this month… The Lagotto Romagnolo originates from the seventh century marshlands and lagoons in Romagna, northeastern Italy. While the region gave the breed the second part of its name, the first part reflects its natural role. Lagotto is a dialect word reflecting that the breed is a water dog that was used as a duck retriever. As the marshes of north…

“Many pet dogs lack the correct level of mental and physical stimulation due to our busy lives” Many dogs show interest in the telly, often sitting close to the screen and reacting to the movement and sounds. They sit close because their vision is different to ours and they can see a clearer image the closer they sit. With modern high-definition screens, they can also see a clearer image. In the old days before high-quality pictures, the image would appear to flicker, which would have distorted the image; hence maybe why this is a modern problem. Couple this with issues such as a lack of physical and mental stimulation. Then add in breed traits, and dogs become prone to barking and reacting to images on the screen. There are ways…

Famous for its white sands, rugged rock formations, and dark green and red serpentinite cliffs, Kynance Cove is a somewhat hidden gem nestled away in Cornwall at the foot of Great Britain. A National Trust site, the natural beauty of Kynance Cove has made the area a popular source of inspiration for artists and poets since the nineteenth century; most significantly captured in the work of poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and artist, JMW Turner. Within the cove, you’ll find two main beaches consisting of a sand and rock mixture. The dramatic cliffs and turquoise water encourage a broad variety of wildlife to call Kynance Cove home. The waters are home to seals, dolphins, and a range of seabirds, while the cove contains a variety of plant life, including wildflowers and heather.…

BRAMBLE & CO DOUBLE TRAINING LEADS Bramble & Co, the Yorkshire dog accessories brand, has launched Double Training Leads. Designed for versatility, control, and ease of use, the leads are UK strength-tested and double-ended. The new dual dog training lead offers a range of features tailored to meet the needs of modern dog owners: Dual control: Attach to two points for enhanced guidance and better handling. Adjustable length: Easily shorten for close heelwork or extend for more freedom during walks. Versatile design: Adapts seamlessly to your dog’s needs, whether for training sessions or relaxed strolls. Available in three stylish colours, the Double Training Leads are crafted to combine both functionality and fashion. • To buy: visit brambleandcodogwear.co.uk TRIXIE THREE-HEADED PET TOOTHBRUSH Trixie’s new toothbrush for dogs helps to ensure optimal…

ALL ABOUT DOGS SHOW ESSEX 4 – 5 MAY The All About Dogs Show is returning to Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, on Sunday 4 May, and Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, 2025. This popular event offers so much for dog lovers, including exciting arena displays, expert advice, shopping opportunities, and a number of activities such as fun dog shows, K9 Aqua Sports, and talent competitions. Free parking is available on site, and visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs (on leads) to join in the festivities. A Bank Holiday weekend well spent! • Visit allaboutdogsshow.co.uk DOGFEST RAGLEY HALL, WARWICKSHIRE 10 – 11 MAY DogFest is a vibrant, dog-friendly festival returning to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. Here you’ll find a variety of activities, including have-a-go dog agility courses, fun dog…

We’re pleased to bring you the Your Dog Tourist Guide, a trip across both the UK and the world to find our favourite dog-associated tourist hotspots. From well-known attractions to hidden gems, we’re giving you great places to visit that have a canine connection. This month, we visit the tribute to a dog of Irish legend… Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House are hidden gems that promise delightful sights and heritage. The castle itself no longer stands, but the grounds are home to splendid Clotworthy House, as well as the woodlands, botanical wonders, and waterways. While there is no doubt that the gardens are a great dog-friendly day out (more on that later), what brings the Tourist Guide here is a statue of an Irish Wolfhound in the courtyard to the…

For a fabulous low-cost day out, it’s hard to beat the pleasure of a relaxing woodland walk. It’s great fun to see your dog out and about on a forest trail, discovering new sights, sounds, and sniffs! Woodland walks are enjoyable all year, but if there is a forecast for strong winds, it might be best to avoid areas with trees in case of falling branches. On hotter days, the trees can provide some very welcome cool shade, and dogs who love water might be lucky enough to find a stream or beck to splash through. Before setting off, check what the car parking facilities are, find out if there is a nearby dog-friendly café, and if any additional activities are available to help keep children amused. Be aware that ticks…

What were your first impressions of the food? I’ve never fed cold-pressed dog food before. In fact, I’d not even heard of it until I was asked to test the Wilsons recipes. That made the packaging important as I wanted to find out more about what the food was all about. Firstly, the packaging looks really nice! And the quality of information was equally as good. The packs explained the premise behind the cold-pressed methodology and highlighted the potential benefits. That set the tone as we knew what improvements we were looking for by giving Obi cold-pressed food. The guidelines on the packs said to feed the cold-pressed recipes separately to his existing food and gradually increase the amount of Wilsons food over a period of nine days. The main…

Chloé Fuller is a companion animal nutritionist, assistance dog handler, TV presenter, and social media personality. More than that, she is completely inspiring. Through her story, she is showing how you can overcome challenges to get the most out of life. Through her knowledge of nutrition, she is helping dog owners to provide a better standard of care for their dogs. Over six years ago, Chloé’s digestive system began to fail and she is fed through a tube. But rather than let this stop her, she has developed a pet nutrition business, starred on TV as a pet expert and an advocate for disabled people, and performs with her assistance dogs as The Super Spaniels at shows across the country. Where did your interest in pet nutrition stem from? From an early…

Tulips These bright, beautiful flowers are fun to look at, but they can upset a dog’s stomach and can sometimes make them vomit. If they eat too much, it can even affect their breathing. Snowdrops These tiny flowers may look pretty, but if a dog eats them, they could start vomiting and feeling confused. In some cases, they have caused seizures! Rhododendrons These shrubs might look nice in gardens, but eating too much can make a dog feel sick, have trouble breathing, and even cause them to fall into a coma. Rhubarb Rhubarb is something you might see in a pie with some custard (yum!), but it’s toxic to dogs. If they eat it, it could cause them to vomit, have seizures, or become seriously unwell. Geraniums Geraniums are colourful…

Foods can be medicinal. Wild animals have been shown to choose specific plants and minerals when they are unwell. Examples include chimpanzees swallowing rough leaves to deal with worm infections, and elephants travelling to find special clays for their digestive disturbances. Domestic dogs do not show such clear understanding of medicinal plants, though many will chew coarse grass to induce vomiting, and some seek out wild herbs on walks. Dogs also often eat plants and foods that are toxic, too, so I don’t trust their judgement that far! As a holistic vet and veterinary herbalist, I use herbs to treat illness and promote wellness alongside conventional medicines. I also often use dietary changes to help pets, and sometimes the line between food and medicine is blurry. Although I would always…