Seaweed is not a tasty treat

Seaweed can have many health benefits for your hound – that’s why many of our foods contain seaweed extract. However, a full-sized plant lying on the beach should definitely not be eaten.  Having spent hours drying in the hot sun, a large frond is reduced to a finger-sized stem. Once rehydrated in your dog’s stomach, the consequences are potentially lethal.  Initial symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and lethargy. Medical attention should be sought immediately.

Keep an eye on the tide

Most dogs can’t resist the temptation to show off their best doggy paddle and the sea is the perfect playground. Do be aware though. The tide and the waves can be powerful and unpredictable plus the water can conceal sharp rocks and obstacles. If your pet enjoys exercising in the sea, ensure you have checked what is on the sea bed below.

Jellyfish may intrigue but could deliver a nasty shock

An unusually high number of jellyfish along Britain’s southern coastlines have been reported recently. Although often very large, these are usually harmless barrel jellyfish.  It is possible though, to encounter more sinister and potentially harmful species. For example, the Compass jellyfish and the Lions Mane jellyfish can deliver severe stings long after being washed up.

Once stranded, it can be difficult to identify a species of jellyfish. The best advice is never to touch one or let your dog near one and move to a clear area of the beach.

Unidentified washed up substances

In February this year, palm oil made headline news as large quantities of the solid, waxy substance washed up on the East Sussex coastline. Dog owners were warned not to allow their pets to eat the white lumps which, despite smelling rotten, they seemed to find attractive. The main problems for dogs were vomiting and diarrhoea and there was no specific treatment for this type of poisoning. In all cases of discovering unidentified substances, dog owners should always avoid them and report them to the local port authority.

Don’t be put off a visit to the beach

We are sure you will agree that nothing beats a long stroll in the fresh sea air and your dog is sure to enjoy his time exploring this fantastic environment. Common sense, a sharp eye and a ball or stick should be all you need to have an exciting and invigorating break on one of our many beautiful beaches. The golden rule is simply ‘if in doubt, avoid it’.

Wishing you a fantastic holiday!

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Remember the saying that dog owners end up looking like their pets? Well there are a lot of cartoon canines out there too. We thought it would be fun to find out which famous pooch you’re most like. Take our quiz to see whether you share personality traits with Gromit or are more like Goofy in real life. Once you’re done, share the result with your friends so they can have a go too!

Click here to take the quiz

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If you seek help for your pet’s undesirable activities, professionals will often first ask what you are feeding them. For some time now, food nutritionists and animal behaviourists have recognised that there is a direct link between what we feed our dogs and common negative behaviours such as hyperactivity, jumping and aggression.

It is common to believe that because your pet pooch has always been naturally jumpy, or perhaps a little snappy, that it is just the way he is. A change in diet may reveal something different though. Do remember, it must be gradual, will take time and is not a replacement for seeking professional advice. This should always be sought when making any changes to diet – but it could reveal surprising results.

Shop around for the best quality

Whilst there is plenty of choice available, it pays to shop around. At Little Chompers, we provide a wide range of high quality foods, made with the best ingredients that ensure your dog remains fit, healthy and better natured. What’s more, all our foods are hypoallergenic, meaning that they are easily digested and unlikely to cause adverse reactions – view our range here.

Every ingredient we use serves a purpose. We don’t use cheap fillers, additives or colourants. Fillers are common in many pet foods and help to keep the cost down by bulking out the food. However, they may leave your dog unfulfilled and tempted to scavenge. That’s why we only use high quality grains including barley and rice for slow-release energy, keeping your dog fuller for longer!

Try Little Chompers and see what a difference it could make

We would love to introduce you to the Little Chompers range of dog food. Click here to choose a sample to try for free. Many of our customers have already taken advantage and the feedback has been very encouraging! Don’t forget – you won’t find us in the supermarkets!

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Here are some common, unsuspecting plants to look out for when enjoying the great outdoors with your dog. All are toxic, some can cause allergies or could even be fatal.

Azalea – all parts of this plant are poisonous and can prove fatal if eaten in large enough quantities.

Bracken – ingestion of this plant can to health problems including acute haemorrhagic syndrome, blindness and tumours.

Buttercups – the juice of this unassuming flower may severely damage your dog’s digestive system and could also cause dermatitis.

Clematis – The toxins in this plant can affect your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. They can also cause dermatitis.

Cyclamen – also toxic to cats, this affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause convulsions and paralysis.

Elderberry – Elderberries can cause nausea and vomiting.

Foxglove – this pretty plant can cause nausea and vomiting.

Oak  – both the leaves and acorns of this tree are harmful, affecting your dog’s kidneys.

Ragwort – causes irreversible kidney failure and liver damage.

Yew – ingestion of any part of the tree can be fatal although the foliage is more harmful than the berries.

What should I do if my dog eats something he shouldn’t?

If you are concerned that your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t, seek medical advice as soon as possible. If you know what plant was swallowed, tell the vet so they can quickly administer the correct treatment.

This is not a complete list of poisonous plants. If we’ve missed one off that you think dog owners need to know about, please tell us in the comments below.

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Your new little bundle has arrived, bringing with him all the excitement that a puppy inevitably brings. However, in addition to the cuddles and attention, your young pet will be relying on you to give him the best start when it comes to feeding. Good nutrition is paramount at any stage in your dog’s life but puppies have different nutritional requirements to adult dogs. A high quality food that is correctly balanced is therefore essential.

What are their specific needs?

Puppies grow at the impressive rate of 20 times faster than adult dogs and require regular feeding. However, large meals won’t do – puppies need to be fed small quantities to avoid overwhelming their immature digestive system. Their diet requires ingredients that are higher in calories, contain highly-digestible protein (for healthy tissue and organ development) and key nutrients. Essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iron, as well as vitamin D help build strong bones and teeth. Unless advised to do so by your vet, you should not give your puppy any additional supplements.

Bite-sized kibbles are ideal for a smaller mouth and are easier to chew. Here at Little Chompers, we provide a tasty range of specially formulated foods, created for your puppy’s specific needs. For example, our Super Premium Chicken and Rice Puppy Food is made with Grade A fresh chicken, offering the highest quality protein available. It also includes Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM joint supplements to help safe joint development, all essential ingredients for a growing dog.

When is my puppy no longer a puppy?

Of course, before you know it, your dog will grow into a full-sized adult. The point at which this occurs depends on the breed but it will be at between 9 and 24 months. A large or giant breed will take longer to mature, but any breed is deemed to have reached adulthood when they have full skeletal maturity.

At this stage, you will need to begin thinking about changing your dog’s diet to adult food. Avoid changing their diet suddenly, unless advised by your vet. Instead, do it gradually over a period of time. We offer a comprehensive range of foods for adult dogs and all of them are free from the common causes of food allergies such as wheat gluten, cereals, artificial preservatives and colours. Remember that at any stage of your dog’s development, and as part of his feeding regime, fresh water should always be made available.

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The quality of dog food is a hot topic right now and for good reason. For a long time, little attention has been paid to what actually goes into our pets’ food. However, owners are now waking up to the realisation that what we feed our four-legged friends has a direct impact not just on their health and well-being but on their behaviour too. We humans seem to be obsessed with reading our food packaging labels and our dogs rely on us to read theirs!

Hyperactive or aggressive?

In recent weeks and months, several TV programmes and articles have been published that demonstrate the link between what we feed our dogs and their behaviour. For years, dog behaviourists and nutritionists have made an association between food and behaviour – including hyperactivity (most common), excessive nipping, jumping and aggression. In many cases, when assessing behaviour problems, professionals will establish what food the dog is eating before anything else.

If you are struggling with undesirable behaviour from your pet, a change in diet may be the first step to improvement. The link between food and behaviour is one that we at Little Chompers whole-heartedly support and why we work so hard to offer only the most nutritionally balanced, high quality ingredients in our complete range of dog foods.

So what are the problems with ‘normal’ dog foods?

It is widely accepted that just as artificial additives in human foods can cause conditions such as hyperactivity or a short attention span, so too can these cause problems in dogs – it’s just that the symptoms will manifest themselves differently!

Our supermarket shelves are stacked high with a baffling array of choices and every manufacturer aims to convince us that theirs is the best. What many have in common, though, is the addition of artificial additives including flavourings, colourants and preservatives. Many contain low-grade ingredients and cheap ‘fillers’ to keep the cost down. These will not satisfy your dog’s appetite and may leave him feeling hungry or scavenging for more. In some cases, it may extend to negative behaviours including over-excitement and jumping or aggression.

How do I know if food is causing bad behaviour?

Naturally, it will not be possible to know overnight whether your food choices are the cause of behaviour problems. Changing your dog’s food should be a gradual process and it may be necessary to seek professional advice to be sure you are taking the right action.

So what should I be looking for?

It is always worth paying close attention to the ingredients list on the food you buy. Check for artificial additives and find out how much meat and cereal content there is. Foods that are free of artificial ingredients and are easily digestible will provide the best in terms of nutrition and bring out the best in your dog’s behaviour.

Little Chompers’ hypoallergenic dog food only uses premium ingredients including human-grade meats, carefully sourced grains (no GM), oils and fish, and contains no ingredients such as wheat gluten – a common cause of allergy. You can see an A to Z list of ingredients here.

If you decide to change your dog’s diet, do it gradually. Ensure you feed the correct amount for their weight and activity levels, and consider your pet’s age. Looking for ingredients that are easily digested and are unlikely to provoke allergies are all useful tips. Just remember, it is not a ‘quick fix’ and professional advice should always be sought if you are unsure.

Tell us about your experiences – have you seen a difference in your dog’s behaviour since changing their food? We would love to hear your stories.

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Your dog relies on you to make sure his skin is in great condition and his coat looks fabulously shiny. There is certainly plenty you can do to keep your precious pooch looking and feeling in tip top condition.

Only feed him the best quality food

Feeding your dog a high quality pet food is one of the most important things you can do for him. Not only does it keep his coat looking immaculate but ensures he’s healthy on the inside too. Hypoallergenic food is a fantastic way of achieving this – it has been carefully formulated by leading nutritionists to provide exactly the right balance of nutrients to keep your dog in great shape, both inside and out.

Hypoallergenic food contains specific ingredients that help maintain a healthy, shiny coat. Fish and fish oils, such as salmon, contain a naturally high level of omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur. Similarly, turkey and chicken are great sources of these valuable fatty acids.

Seaweed extract contains iodine, which among other benefits contributes to healthy skin, hair, teeth and nails. Brewers Yeast and garlic are also considered to be effective natural flea repellents. So a balanced diet, containing the right combination of high quality ingredients, will go a long way to making your dog’s coat look shiny and feel healthy! Click here to see the Little Chompers range of hypoallergenic dog food.

Give him a bath

It is not advisable to over-bathe your dog – this will strip his coat of natural oils and leave it looking dull. However, a regular bath, depending on coat length and how dirty it is, will help. Adding natural oatmeal can help perk up a dull coat and soothe underlying skin conditions such as itching.

A conditioning shampoo can also be useful in adding softness and shine. Just as we regularly use a hair conditioner, your dog’s coat will also benefit from some conditioning.

Groom your dog regularly

Once your dog has been bathed and is feeling fresh and clean, give him a good going-over with a brush. Regular grooming helps to stimulate the hair follicles to produce natural oils and brushing will distribute these oils through the coat, adding a fantastic gloss. Your dog will thank you for it and he will look great!

Provide suitable shelter

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, ensure he has suitable protection from the elements. This will not only ensure a healthy coat but keep other ailments at bay too.

If in doubt, visit the vet

If you have changed your dog’s food, regularly bathe him and groom him but are still concerned by a dull coat or itchy skin, ask the vet to check them over. It could be a medical condition that needs attention, such as parasites or an infection. Your vet will be able to offer the best advice and treatments to provide your four-legged friend with a clean bill of health.

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How often do you stop to consider what you are actually feeding your dog? Both the health benefits and negative effects of the food we humans eat are well documented, but it is just as important to give our precious pooches the same consideration. After all, they are part of the family too!
Hypoallergenic dog food offers the very best in balanced nutrition and considers all the health benefits needed to keep your pet in tip-top condition. Your dog can be susceptible to allergies (sensitivities) to food ingredients, just like us. This may be something they are born with, or develop after a period of time.

Only the best ingredient

The hypoallergenic dog food range has been specially formulated by leading nutritionists and contains carefully selected, natural ingredients, which recognise the unique needs of your dog. It can successfully clear the symptoms of allergies including persistent itching or dry skin patches and prevent them from occurring in the future. Free from the common causes of food allergies, such as wheat gluten, cereals and artificial preservatives and colours, hypoallergenic dog food only uses premium ingredients including human-grade meats, carefully sourced grains (no GM), oils and fish, ensuring every aspect of your pet’s health is taken care of.

Kind to your pets, kind to your wallet

From a healthy heart to strong muscles and healthy teeth and bones, every ingredient serves a purpose. There are no cheap fillers, meaning you will not need to feed as much when compared with cheaper pet food brands, so not only will your dog thank you, but your wallet will too! Switching to hypoallergenic food could save you nearly 50% of the price of a comparative premium brand dog food, offering excellent value for money.

Tried and tested

We all want the very best for our pets, so the food we provide for them is crucial to keep them happy and healthy. Here at Little Chompers, we only make food that we would feel comfortable feeding our own dogs. Many of our regular customers pay testament to the benefits of hypoallergenic pet food, with many dog owners reporting numerous benefits including shinier coats, healthier digestive tracts and even improved behaviour. The Little Chompers range of dog food is trusted by many loyal customers, including boarding kennels and breeders – so why not give hypoallergenic food a try? Your best (canine!) friend will be glad you did!

See our full range of hypoallergenic dog food here: www.little-chompers.co.uk/hypoallergenic-dog-food

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December has arrived so we would like to send all our customers best wishes for the upcoming festive season.

To ensure that you do not run out of your dog’s favourite food over the holiday period, please place all orders by 10am on Wednesday 18th December. All orders placed by then will be delivered by December 24th, weather permitting!

Christmas is a time for fun, family, and of course, feasting. However, not all those delicious treats on the table are safe for your pets. Keep harmful foods like chocolate-covered nuts and chicken bones well out of reach. You can find out about other poisonous foods for pooches on our blog post.

While we are getting ready for Santa’s arrival, we’re still on hand to answer your questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any queries including when your order will be deliver.

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Although many towns have their Christmas lights up already, the beginning of December is when the festivities really kick off. This year, we want to give you and your four-legged friends an early present. Stock up on dog food in preparation for snowy days or kick start your pet’s healthy regime with our hypoallergenic food. In fact, purchase anything from our online shop and save some pennies with 5% off.

All you need to do is give us a like on Facebook. That’s right, we’ve extended our offer so our customers have more to spend on festive fun this December. To receive the code, click on the ‘Special Offers’ tabs after you’ve given us a thumbs up. The discount code can be used on all orders and is valid until December 31st 2013 (not valid with other offers).

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