Dog Health & Care

Neglecting your dog’s dental hygiene can lead to a range of complications impacting their overall health, comfort, and even lifespan. This makes maintaining your dog’s teeth a crucial part of responsible pet ownership. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from a range of dental problems like gingivitis, tooth decay, and other oral infections. 

This article provides a brief overview of important aspects of canine dental care and what you can do to help keep your dog’s mouth healthy and clean.   

Gingivitis, gum disease, and periodontal disease in dogs

When talking about gum disease in dogs, some terminology can be confusing as the terms gingivitis, gum disease, and periodontal disease are often used interchangeably. However, there are medical distinctions between these terms:

• Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It's characterized by inflammation of the gums, often caused by plaque buildup. Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment.  
• Gum disease: This is a general

The Green Zone design principle of JULIUS-K9® harnesses is a feature to not restrict the dog’s movement or breathing while still allowing for maximum control from the handler.

This is achieved by having the harness’s front strap sit in the ideal position across the dog’s chest, with the main focus of pressure being concentrated on the sternum; the tough chest bone running vertically downwards.

Free movement, free breathing

Unlike collars, the special angle of the chest strap allows the IDC® Powerharness to rest on the ideal zone of the chest. This completely frees your dog’s neck for healthy, unrestricted breathing while ensuring free movement for the front legs.

Why chest strap placement matters

An incorrectly fitted chest strap not only can affect breathing, but can also cause other health issues as well as limit the functionality of the harness.

If the chest strap sits too high:

• Reduced Shoulder Movement: A strap that sits too high can impede the dog's natural shoulder movement,

Lots of dog owners treat their pets with presents, snacks, and maybe even their own turkey meal at Christmas. But it’s important to remember that some popular festive foods are not dog friendly and can make pets very sick. Some traditional Christmas foods can even be poisonous. Other things like decorations and popular seasonal plants can also be dangerous.  

Dog owners should already know some of the information covered in this article, like not giving dogs chocolate, but Christmas exposes dog’s to lots of guests who might not know what’s harmful. It’s important to let them know what’s safe and what’s poisonous.

Below we offer tips and advice on how to keep your dog safe and happy through the festive period.

Harmful and poisonous Christmas food for dogs  

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine which is very toxic for dogs. The amount of chocolate a dog can eat before it is fatal depends on the size of the dog.

All types of chocolate are dangerous for dogs to eat (like milk, dark,

Halloween is the spookiest night of the year but it can be spooky for your dog too. It’s important to keep dogs safe and happy with all the new sights, smells, and oddly dressed humans they are likely to encounter over Halloween.

People At The Door

You may have a high number of trick or treaters knocking at your door over Halloween night which can cause problems for some dog owners. Many dogs go crazy at the sound of the doorbell and can get over-excited at someone at the door.

A short term solution would be keeping your dog separated in a room as far away from the front door as possible during peak trick or treat hours. This might not stop the dog from barking or starching, but does prevent the dog rushing to greet at every batch of Halloweeners that arrive.

A more suitable long-term solution would be to train your dog to limit how excitable they get when the doorbell goes. Pet Central have some great tips from a professional trainer on how to stop your dog from going too crazy.

But

From taking a short drive to your favourite walking spot, to long day trips, there are a few essential things to remember whenever you’re travelling with a dog in the car. In this guide we go over the basics of how to keep your dog happy, ensure everyone’s safety, and the legal requirements of the Highway Code you should be aware of.

Restraining options

There are four main options for securing your dog in the car:

Seat belt harness

Seat belt harness adapters securely lock into your car’s seat belt socket and clip onto a harness. These are a popular option as it means the dog can be comfortable on the car seat while also wearing something they are familiar with.

It is recommended that dogs should be secured on a backseat and not on the front passenger seat. This keeps the dog safe if the safety bag deploys. It also reduces distractions.

Pet carriers

Pet carriers range in functionality and style. Although you may want to buy one that looks the most comfortable, it’s important to check if

Swimming is a great activity for dogs and most breeds love being in the water. Swimming is also fantastic exercise for canines.  It helps improve their cardiovascular health, strengthen their muscles, and boosts circulation.

On warmer days, letting your dog off lead to jump into a pond or lake is a nice treat and is an excellent way for them to expel energy. But there are a few things you should keep in mind for your dog’s safety.

There also might be restrictions in place for certain bodies of water or wildlife conservation areas you should be aware of.

See our tips below to safely and legally let your dog swim in the wild in the UK.

General safety tips and advice

• Strong currents and tides. You should only let your dog swim in calm waters. Even a small current can cause strong swimmers to struggle.
• Supervise your dog at all times. Never leave your dog unattended in the water, even if they are experienced in the water and the water looks calm.
• Your dog should know basic commands. It’s

There is a lot to consider when planning a hiking route with your dog. Even if you take your four legged companion everywhere with you, going on a long walk and trekking off the beaten path has its own unique challenges that you should plan carefully for. 

Although hiking in Britain with a dog may seem tame compared to backpacking aboard, you still need to be prepared and plan carefully to ensure your dog’s wellbeing. Plus you need to be aware of laws and restrictions on certain trails.

In this article we provide an overview of what you should know about hiking with your dog in the UK.

Is your dog suitable for hiking?

The first question you need to ask yourself is if your dog is up to the task. Long walks, lots of time outdoors, and being constantly surrounded by wildlife and new experiences all mean your dog needs to be physically up to the task and have the right temperament.

Breeds

Not all breeds are suited to hiking and walking for hours on end. Brachycephalic dog breeds (breeds

Dog Liability Insurance is a policy that provides financial protection to dog owners if their pet causes accidental injury or damage to a third-party and their property. It can be included in regular pet insurance policies, or it may be an additional add-on for an extra fee.

But what does Dog Liability Insurance actually cover and do you actually need it if you’re a regular pet owner?

What does third party dog insurance cover?

As the dog owner you are legally responsible for their behaviour. If your dog injures someone or damages property you can have Civil Action taken against you and be taken to court to pay for any costs your dog has caused.

Common reasons why a civil action might be brought against you:

• Your dog injured someone
• Your dog injured harmed someone’s pet
• Your dog damaged a third-party’s property

Dog Liability Insurance, also called third-party dog insurance, varies between policy providers and the terms of the individual policy, but the insurance typically covers:

• Legal

Walking your dog daily is an important part of their routine and keeps them fit, healthy and helps reduce stress. But in freezing conditions it can be easy to make excuses not to take them out. So when is it actually too cold to take your dog for a walk? And what should you do to help them keep warm in sub-zero temperatures? Below we have a brief guide on helping you decide.

How cold is too cold to take your dog out?

The breed of your dog will be the main determiner for when it’s safe for it to go outdoors in very cold weather. Small and medium breeds with thinner coats will struggle in -4°C conditions. Bigger dog breeds with thicker coats can withstand temperatures of -6°C.

At -7°C dogs are at a risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite and going in these conditions is not recommended for most breeds.

If you need to stay inside with your dog to avoid extreme weather, see our How To Keep Your Dog Entertained Indoors article for ideas on keeping them active and stimulated.

How long

A rehabilitation or a lift support dog harness are aids that can be used to help dogs with short or long term mobility issues. They are designed to make it safer for owners to move dogs with disabilities, injuries or paralysis while also keeping the dog comfortable. Using a support harness improves a dog’s, and owner’s, quality of life by making everyday actives easier like getting in and out of cars, going up stairs, and going outdoors.

Why your dog might need a support harness

Common reasons people use support harnesses include:

Post-surgery

Even minor surgeries can leave dogs struggling to move comfortably. Using a support and lift harness can help your dog keep their weight off the operated area when you need to get your dog out of the car, or onto the sofa.

Minor Injuries

Just like their owners, dogs can injure themselves through accidents or over excursion.  Some breeds are more prone to injuries than others making sprains and torn muscles more frequent. This is why some owners