Burgess Pet Care

We manufacture pet food to the highest standards and our range includes Excel Rabbit Food, Supadog dog food and Supacat cat food.

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Keeping Your Rabbits Warm throughout Winter

Your rabbits can live through a lot of different weather patterns. That doesn’t mean they love hopping along in the rain of course. And, domestic rabbits simply can’t deal with extremely cold temperatures. Wild rabbits burrow underground to get away from adverse weather, but the pets in your warren won’t have the same option. Instead, you’ll need to provide your rabbits with additional protection during the colder winter months.

The Best Solutions to Winter Cold

If your rabbits always live in the house or in an otherwise unused shed, you shouldn’t have too many wintertime issues. You should perform a monthly check on the hutch and run to ensure that everything is in order – and that your pets’ home is not sitting in a draught. And, the only other thing you may need is a pert-safe hot water bottle.

However, most rabbits in the UK live in outdoor hutches. If your rabbits are part of this group, you’ll need to take extra steps to keep your pets happy and healthy during the winter.

If possible, move your hutch (and parts of the run) into an unused shed or garage. This is often enough (along with some extra bedding and insulation) to mitigate the effects of even the coldest winters. You cannot, however, move your rabbits into a garage you use for your car; the fumes are deadly.

Once you’ve moved your rabbits indoors, it’s a matter of extra bedding and checking for draughts. And, don’t forget to let them hop around outdoors on warmer days.

What If There Isn’t Any Indoor Protection Available?

It’s not always possible to move your rabbits indoors, but that doesn’t mean you should leave them to fend for themselves. There’s a lot of work you’ll need to do to winterize your rabbits’ home.

Lift the hutches off the ground in order to prevent standing water and rising damp (both of which are very dangerous for rabbits). Add extra boards so your rabbits are able to get in and out of their elevated home easily.

Outdoor hutches should always be covered, and now is the time to check that everything is in order. It’s a good idea to add some extra blankets or newspapers on top of the existing roof and cover the entire hutch with waterproof sheeting.

Then, make sure most of the walls are covered and draught-free while ensuring your rabbits have fresh air and the ability to move around freely. Rabbits kept outdoors over the winter will likely need additional supplies, such as water heaters or insulator pouches to ensure water doesn’t freeze over. And yes, they will need more food as more energy is spent maintaining core temperatures.

Top Tips to Take Away:

• Wild rabbits burrow underground when the weather becomes adverse. Your rabbits won’t be able to do that, and you’ll need to make provisions to keep your pets happy and healthy when it’s cold. • The best solution is to bring your rabbits indoors for the winter. You could also move your pets to an unused shed or garage. • Never put your rabbits in a garage that you use for cars; not even when it’s freezing outdoors. • If you can’t move your rabbits indoors, you will need to modify their sleeping hutches to keep your pets warm and dry. • Remember that rabbits left in uninsulated areas will need extra food to maintain their core temperatures throughout the winter.

For more information about caring for you rabbits please visit the Burgess Website -  http://www.burgesspetcare.com/your-pet/rabbits/

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we got you this puppy. her name is winnie.

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How to keep your dog well-groomed at home

We all want our little furry companions in the best condition they can be in. Rather than having to take your dog to a groomer, here’s a few tips on how you can keep your dog looking and feeling their very best… all from the comfort of your own home.

Bathing

As far as dogs and bathing are concerned, some love it and some despise it. However, it’s very important to make sure your dog has regular baths to keep their skin and fur clean. Most dogs only need a bath every one or two weeks, depending on their breed and how long their fur is. However, if your dog loves to go jump in the nearest puddle of mud at every given chance, they’re probably going to need a little extra cleaning.

There’s a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners out there that will be suitable for your individual pooches. If any of your dogs suffer from skin problems, make sure you invest in some products are designed for sensitive skin. Don’t forget bath time for your dog is also a great time to check over their skin for any cuts, ticks or irritated skin.

After you’ve washed and rinsed your dog, let them drip dry for a few minutes before drying them off with a towel – they’ll be sparkling in no time!

Hair Clipping

Depending on what breed your dog is and the length of their fur, regular hair cutting is one of the most important parts of grooming.

Before your dog has fully dried after bathing is the ideal time for cutting your dog’s fur. It’s your choice if you’d rather trim all of your dog’s fur and keep it at the same length, or just trim parts. Again, it’s usually depends on the breed and the style they would usually have.

Clippers are great to use to get a nice even cut but some pets are bothered by the noise they make. This is where scissors can come in handy as they don’t make any noise and are ideal for pets with longer hair. They’re also good for grooming the trickier parts like their feet and face. However, be careful when using scissors as you don’t want to nick your pets skin.

If your dog is likely to move around whilst you’re grooming them, it’s a good idea to get someone to hold them whilst you trim their fur. If they seem to get distressed at any point, calm then down by giving them a treat, stroking them or by taking a little play break with their favourite toy.

Brushing

If your dog has long fur, it will more than likely need brushing daily. Shorter haired dogs need to be brushed weekly. Make sure to brush your dog before you bathe them to get out any tangles. You should also cut out any tangles that you are unable to get out just through brushing.

Nail Trimming

It’s no surprise that many dogs don’t like their nails being clipped. However, it’s very important not to let your dog’s nails grow too long as it will cause them a lot more bother if one ends up breaking or it could cause an infection.

If you try to associate trimming your dog’s nails with something more enjoyable for them such as giving them some treats or taking them for a nice long walk, the experience should start to become a little more bearable for them, and maybe even enjoyable one day!

You should always take it very slow and be gentle whilst you’re trimming your dog’s nails. If you try to rush the process, it will probably just distress them more. If it’s the first time you’ve clipped your dog’s nails, begin by just doing a couple rather than them all at once, in order for them to get used to the clippers and the feel of them.

There’s two types of clippers you can get, either a scissors type or a guillotine type. Use what you and your dog feel most comfortable with. You can visit a pet store, take a look at both and see which you think would be the best option.

If your dog has clear nails, you should be able to see the pink part of the nail which is the ‘live quick’. You shouldn’t cut this part as it will be painful for your dog and cause them to bleed. Cut no closer than 2 millimetres from the quick. If your dog has dark nails, you should cut carefully from the tip of the nail until you eventually start seeing a grey or pink oval appear. Once it does you should stop cutting.

We hope these grooming tips have been helpful for you and your dog!

For more information about caring for your dog then please visit the Burgess Pet Care website –

http://www.burgesspetcare.com/your-pet/dogs/

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7 Things About Sensitive Dog Food You Should Know

We know you’ve tried to get your dog to talk to you using a human language.  We’ve tried it too.  It just looks like so much fun in the movies, and it would be nice to know what your pet is really thinking sometimes, wouldn’t it?  Unfortunately (at least, as far as we know), it’s never going to happen.

You’ll need to look for the clues and listen to the experts until that point. And perhaps that’s just one of the joys of having a dog in the house anyhow.  But, even when your woofie doesn’t use words, there are still a few things he’d like you to know - like the benefits of feeding him a sensitive dog food.

It Tastes Delicious

You’ve always wondered what dog food tastes like, haven’t you?  Those little round pellets look nothing like the buttered steak and steamed veg you’d like to see on your plate.  How can the food be tasty enough to wolf it down?  And, on that note, is your dog eating so fast because he’s not getting enough?

Put your mind at ease; your dog isn’t conditioned to care about the flavour as much as you are.  She just wants her food; it’s a central part of the day, just like mealtime is for you.  Having said that, flavours do count to the point where your dog appreciates them enough - and the sensitive dog food flavours will do just fine.  Incidentally, don’t make the mistake of overfeeding your pet; as long as it’s the recommended amount of kibble; it’s enough.

Sensitive Dog Food Is Available for All Ages and Stages

Food sensitivities can develop at any point in a dog’s life.  Even if your four-year-old has never had any problems in the past - and is otherwise healthy and active, food sensitivities can kick in.  That’s just the nature of the beast, so to speak.

Now, most puppies don’t experience food sensitivities, as it’s often exposure to certain foods that create the trouble.  But it does happen, which means there’s sensitive puppy food available on the market.   There’s also senior dog food available too.  That’s because there’s no reason your pets shouldn’t live a long, healthy and active life - even if they do have to deal with food sensitivities.  (That’s good news that you might want to share with your pet actually.)

It Makes Those Unpleasant Symptoms Go Away

Sensitive dog food isn’t a scam.  Food sensitivities are a very real thing your pets might be dealing with.  And wow, it can be a truly unpleasant condition too.  You see, dogs don’t have “the manners” to rush to the bathroom if they’re experiencing wind.  They just let it out.  And because your dog just loves to be close to you; that’s all you smell.

And, that’s just the beginning.  Dogs with food sensitivities can also experience difficulty passing stools.  Or, more frequently, it will just be a sloppy mess in the garden (or left for you to pick up in the park).  There may also be a bit more vomiting than would make you happy.

These symptoms aren’t just unpleasant for you.  Your pet can feel there’s something wrong inside - and it doesn’t feel good.

Sensitive Dog Probably Means No Treats

Here’s the thing about sensitive dog foods; they’re made with ingredients that have been shown NOT to irritate your pets’ digestive system.  And, sensitive foods are made for those dogs that suffer.  They’ve cut out all the ingredients known to trouble dogs.  But that doesn’t mean that you know which ingredient (or which ingredients) your dog reacted to when he ate it.  It could be beef, for example, so you hardly want to offer your dog scraps of beef since you don’t know.  

And, the same goes for dog treats.  These are likely to have a few of those troubling ingredients inside each yummy biscuit.  The good news though is that your dog will also just be happy with your attention and love; he doesn’t need the extra treats.

Food Sensitivities Must Be Diagnosed by a Vet

Canine food sensitivities must be diagnosed by your vet.  This is important.   It’s just that your dog doesn’t want to tell you he needs to go to the vet because that’s not his favourite place.  But, you can’t diagnose a troubled dog with food sensitivities just because he’s got all the symptoms,

Unfortunately, the symptoms of food sensitivities can also be attributed to other, often more serious, illnesses.  If you attempt to diagnose your pet and make the switch to a sensitive food on your own, you could just be endangering your pet’s life.  A vet needs to rule out any other causes of the symptoms before diagnosing food sensitivities.  And, if you miss this step, you might be sorry.  

But, You Can Make the Switch for Healthy Dogs

If your dog doesn’t display any of the symptoms of food sensitivities, you can make the switch to a sensitive food if you wish.  That’s helpful if you have one pet that battles food sensitivities while her four-legged companion doesn’t.  

Sensitive food is a balanced meal with all the nutrients you would expect to see in any other quality dog food.  So, there’s no harm in making the switch for healthy dogs as long as you’re prepared to take your pets to the vet if they do demonstrate a need.  It’s more important to ensure that you select a dog food that’s age appropriate as this corresponds directly to development and energy needs.

Switching Food May Take Time; But It Might Not

Have you ever run out of your regular dog food at a strange or inconvenient time and then borrowed a cup from the neighbours (or managed to find a late-night shop).  You probably felt so good, going out of your way when you’d rather have fed yourself first.  And then, your pet just stares at you with those big, sad eyes as if to say “but, where’s MY food?  I like my food.”  

It’s normal.  Remember taste isn’t everything to dogs as it often is for us.  But dogs with plenty of routine may struggle to make the change.   They liked things just the way they were.  On the other hand, you may well have one of those dogs that would come back from the evening walk and eat dirty socks if they were put in his bowl.  That’s just the way of it, and you may need to exercise some patience as you slowly portion out food.  

Just remember, even though your pet can’t talk to you, she’s still saying plenty.  Part of the joy is discovering what that is - and the other is fulfilling those wishes (which often include that long evening walk).

For more please see: http://www.burgesspetcare.com

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Why Does My Dog Smell?

No one prepares for the unpleasant side of dog ownership (though they should be aware of them).  And, while training or love can help with some of your dog’s issues that awful smell requires something else entirely.  

Reasons Why Your Dog Might Smell

Dogs smell for many different reasons.  And, even though dogs are likely to all smell the same to you, each one has an individual odour that other dogs can sense.  Because they don’t sweat as we do though, dogs have smells that come from their mouth and feet as they try to rid themselves of excess body heat.  And, canines, like people, can develop nasty fungus infections.  A common cause of an unusual smell occurs when the anal glands become swollen (ask your vet if you need some information on this condition).  And, of course, there are dogs that are just plain dirty.  (Usually, these dogs just need a bath to fix that.)

But, the reason your dog farts often is the food he eats.  If your pet is farting or dealing with almost constant diarrhoea, then you’ve likely got a food sensitivity on your hands.  Fortunately, you can deal with this smelly problem fairly easily.  

What Are the Symptoms of Food Sensitivities?

Farting isn’t the only symptoms of food sensitivities, but it’s one of the key signs to watch for.  The other symptoms include frequent vomiting, diarrhoea, loose stools, or even an inability to pass stools.  As you can imagine all of these are ridiculously uncomfortable for your pet.  But, before you self-diagnose your smelly dog with food sensitivities based on these symptoms, keep reading.  There are a few things you ought to know first.  And, if your pet displays any of these symptoms along with lethargy, obvious pain, a refusal to eat or an extreme change in behaviour, you need to head to the vet now.  There could be something more sinister at play.

How Do Food Sensitivities Develop

We know what you’re thinking: “my dog’s older and we’ve never had a problem before; it can’t possibly be food sensitivities.”  But, if your pet is suddenly farting all the time at the age of five, this is what it’s most likely to be.  That’s because most dogs aren’t born with sensitivities to food - these tend to develop over time.

Food sensitivities develop as a result of continued exposure to certain foods or ingredients.  It doesn’t happen to every dog, mind you, or from eating every food.  But, it’s something that happens with the production of digestive enzymes in some dogs to some foods.  And, it usually happens as they age; not when they’re puppies.  It's something that happens from continued exposure; if you suspect an allergy or your dog has ingested poison, that's another issue altogether (both require medical intervention, by the way).

Which Foods Tend to Lead to Food Sensitivities

There are a few foods that researchers recently discovered that are most likely to cause sensitivities.  These include beef, soya products, dairy products, some wheat products and a handful of less common ingredients.  Notice anything about this list?  It’s likely to be a large part of the ingredients listed on that bag of dog food in your kitchen.  And, the more of this food that your smelly dog eats, the longer you’ll feel as though you’re always downwind.  

Diagnosing Food Allergies

So, your dog farts and there are too many runny stools for your liking, but otherwise she seems fine.  You can just make the switch to a sensitive dog food and call it a day, right?  No, please do not do that.  While it’s true that your pet is likely suffering from a food sensitivity, that’s not the only issue that could cause these symptoms. This condition must be confirmed by a professional, who will spend time ruling out any other possibility.  Only after you have that confirmation should you make the switch.

Keep in mind that you may be asked to monitor your pet for a period.  This time is likely to include only feeding your dog the food that you believe is troubling your pet.  That's just a means of narrowing down the potential causes of the nasty symptoms that your dog has at the moment.  You may also need to bring in a stool sample or have blood work done.  It's all perfectly normal, and your vet will guide you through the process. 

Are There Any Breeds that Don’t Experience Food Sensitivities?

Unfortunately, there isn’t one dog breed or any other qualification that can save you from food sensitivities.  It can happen to any dog though it doesn’t happen to every dog.  So, you just need to take your chances when adopting.  Fortunately, a switch to the (now) readily available sensitive dog foods will sort your issues quickly.  You see, these foods aren’t made with ingredients that trouble sensitive digestive systems.  In principle, you could start your dog off on sensitive foods when he’s young, but you still need to head to the vet if you suspect an issue.  

And, if your dog is smelly for another reason, then perhaps you should start with a serious bath.  You know, the kind where you need one right after you finish towelling off your pet.

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Can Your Fibrevores Eat Too Much Timothy Hay?

If you are the proud owner of a fibrevore (or more likely, a team of them), then it will seem like you go through an incredible amount of Timothy Hay every month.  So, it’s only normal to wonder whether you are over feeding your treasured pets.  So, can your fibrevores eat too much Timothy Hay?

Nope.  Never.

 It is that simple.  Fibervores are unlikely to eat too much Timothy Hay – and if they do, it is never going to be a problem.  That all has to do with the way fibrevores digest Timothy Hay and the benefits they can reap for it.  It’s also not one of those foods that actually causes adverse effects... in fibrevores, at any rate.

  Just Who and What Are Fibrevores?

 Fibrevores are a very tiny group of domesticated animals.  They include rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas – and that is about it.  These animals fall into a larger group of vegetarians, of course, as they only eat plant material.  But, they are wildly different than vegetarians as a whole.  Fibrevores need a whole lot more fibre in their diet than most animals.  And, they need very little of everything else – except water.  Most animals need plenty of fresh water every day, and fibrevores are hardly unique in that respect.  Rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs can live on almost nothing but Timothy Hay, which is filled with all the fibre that they need – and in the quantities that allow for optimum health.

Why Do Fibrevores Need So Much Fibre in Their Diet?

Being called fibrevores, it is hardly surprising that these animals require such an enormous amount of fibre in their diet, is it?  Mostly that has to do with the foods that were traditionally available to rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs in the wild.  But, these pets also have a specialised digestive system.  It revolves almost completely around fibre.  And, it’s not at all like the digestive processes that humans have. 

 To begin with, all the fibre that rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs consume (usually in the form of Timothy Hay) goes to their stomachs.  No surprise there.  But, at that point, digestion splits based on the type of fibre.  Fibre is a broad term.  It includes both digestible and indigestible fibre.  Fibrevores need both as they both form part of essential nutrition and digestion. 

 In fibrevores, indigestible fibre moves from the stomach through the intestines and is excreted as waste without ever being broken down in the process.  Instead, indigestible fibre stimulates digestion and keeps the intestines working and as healthy as possible.  As it leaves the body, fibrevores feel the sensation of hunger and continue to munch on the pile of Timothy Hay in front of them.  And that is a good thing.

 Digestible fibre follows another route through the body.  Although it is partially broken down in the stomach, even digestible fibre is tough to break down.  So, from there it heads over to an appendix-like organ known as the caecum.  The primary purpose of this organ is to ferment the fibre that flows into it.  This process makes it easier for fibrevores to ingest all the nutrients they need from Timothy Hay.  However, because it has already passed through the stomach, the body expels this fibre in little balls known as caecotrophs.  To the untrained eye, this may look like excrement, but these pellets are actually full of goodness and are meant to be eaten by your pets.  This time around though, fibrevores are able to extract all the nutrients that they need.

  There Are Other Benefits to Eating Timothy Hay Too

 The benefits of Timothy Hay are not limited to smooth digestive processes.  For a start, Timothy Hay is great for oral hygiene.  It’s not that it cleans the teeth as we would imagine oral hygiene in our own lives.  Instead, it helps animals like rabbits to grind down their teeth.  Instead of chewing Timothy Hay up and down as they might do with other food, rabbits mash this food back and forth between their teeth.  This keeps them from becoming too sharp and harming your rabbit (or you). 

 Besides nutrition and oral hygiene, fibrevores just love playing and sleeping in Timothy Hay.  They can spend hours eating it and then more time pushing it about from one side of their hutch to the other side.  You may need to see it to believe it, but Timothy Hay is great at relieving boredom. 

 So, Just How Much Timothy Hay Does Your Fibrevore Need?

 The easy answer to this question is that your fibrevore needs as much Timothy Hay as he can eat.  After all, it will never make him overweight or present any adverse side effects through eating it.  On the contrary, the more Timothy Hay your fibrevore eats, the healthier he will become. 

 But, as a minimum, each one of your fibrevores needs a pile of hay at least as large as themselves every day.  Keep in mind, that is the Timothy Hay for eating – not the hay meant for sleeping in or playing with.  You can always give your pets more Timothy Hay, which is recommended when you first introduce them to your home – and as you get to know them better.  But, never give them less.  And, never offer less hay if you spot a few leftovers at the next feeding.  Consider that food contaminated and replace it. 

 In addition, you can offer your fibrevore a few vegetables according to the type of pet that you have.  And there are also speciality treats available for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas.  This, along with water is all your pets will need to remain healthy. 

 There is, however, one food you should never feed your fibrevores – and that is muesli.  This food offers none of the nutrients that fibrevores need.  Additionally, it does not provide these pets an opportunity to wear down their teeth, and that can lead to secondary health problems in addition to the incomplete dietary plan.

 If you do have any questions about what your fibrevore should be eating – and how much – never hesitate to contact your vet.  Or, feel free to give Burgess Pets a call; we’re always happy to assist fellow pet lovers.

For any more information, please visit our website: 

http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/ 

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Special Food for Special Dogs

Isn’t it wonderful that we have dogs in our lives?  Anyone who has ever loved a dog before knows just how wonderful it is to come home to a wagging tail and perhaps a slobbery kiss or two.  Dogs can be the best companions we’ll ever have – even if they don’t speak to us in words.  They’re content to snuggle at our feet and protect our homes when we’re not there.  That’s the sort of loyalty you’re not going to get from many of the people in our lives. 

But, some dogs have special needs.  And the most common presentation of these needs has to do with food and digestion. 

  All Dogs Have Nutritional Needs

Every creature on Earth has nutritional needs.  And, every living thing has different needs.  While some animals are vegetarians, others are carnivores or omnivores.  Dogs are omnivores, though they need a fair amount of meat in their diet.  There are, however, a few other types of nutrients that all dogs need.  Restricting dogs from all the foods they need will cause them to become rather ill.  Fortunately, quality dog foods offer our pets all the nutrition they need compacted into small pellets.  Of course, treats are permissible, but they should not form the primary part of your pet’s diet. 

Considering the needs of most dogs, standard pet foods are made by combining a mixture of all the nutrients that dogs need.  This means that there is plenty of animal protein included in these pellets.  Most commercial dog foods are made with the most economical meat available on the market – beef.  This is then bound together using other starches and ingredients to create a complete diet.  And, while this is exactly what most dogs need, there are a few special needs which must be taken into account.  That’s because all dogs, like people, have different digestive systems.  Fortunately, there are other options for the dogs that need them. 

Understanding Special Dog Foods

Not all dogs need the same amount of nutrients. Some need more of certain elements.  And some dogs need this throughout their lives, while others have different needs at different periods in time.  Consider, for example, the prevalence of puppy foods and senior blends that have made it on to the shelves in the past couple of decades.  These are periods that require a different balance of nutrition based on energy and cell development levels. 

There are also specific breeds, such as Greyhounds, which require a different diet than most dogs.  Additionally, there are also foods that are specially crafted for miniature dogs and large breeds.  And then there are foods that are crafted specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

 How Do I Know If My Dog Has Food Sensitivities?

Not all dogs have food sensitivities, but it is becoming more apparent that more dogs have food sensitivities than we would have suspected a few decades ago.  Diagnosing a dog with food sensitivities is usually not terribly difficult.  After all, there are some serious symptoms that are prevalent with food sensitivities.  These include flatulence and loose bowels.  You’re likely to notice those almost immediately.  Food sensitivities may also cause dogs to vomit frequently.  Or, they may have difficulty with relieving themselves.  Although the last symptom may not be as noticeable – simply because it doesn’t come with an accompanying smell, it is likely to make your dog ridiculously uncomfortable. 

This can happen to any dog though it doesn’t happen to every dog.  And, it can happen at any time in a dog’s life.  That’s because food sensitivities can develop over time.  This happens as a result of repeated exposure to the same food day in and day out.  Some dogs can build up a resistance to certain foods, such as beef, the more they eat it.  This means that your pet is more likely to develop an issue the older she gets.  However, it is worth noting that some dogs are actually born with sensitive stomachs.  If your puppy is having difficulty with his food and digestion, then it’s a good idea to get him to the vet. 

With most dogs, if they present symptoms of food sensitivities, that’s exactly the cause of their troubles.  But, that’s not always the case.  Your dog could be experiencing something a little more troubling than that.  So, rather than diagnosing your pet yourself, it’s better to take your dog off to the vet for a proper examination.  That’s especially true if your pet is displaying any sign of trauma or lethargy.  Also, if there have been any pet health warnings in your area, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

In order to diagnose food sensitivity issues, your vet will want to be certain that he’s had nothing to eat but his food (which means that you’ll need to exclude treats for a period of time).  And, your vet will also want to know how long the symptoms have been presenting themselves.  Remember that although these issues may be problematic almost immediately, it may not be food sensitivity unless it’s been developing over time. 

Remember that food sensitivity is just one reason your vet may suggest a special food for your dog.  There are a few conditions that can be treated, or at least mitigated, through a change in diet.  This includes perfectly normal changes in your pet’s health, such as aging.  Keep in mind that when your vet suggests a switch in food, you will likely need to adjust food portions at the same time.  It’s always best to have your pet weighed before making the change so that your vet can make proper recommendations as to the amount you should be feeding your pet. 

Above all, remember that special conditions do not make your pets any less loveable – or needy.  They will still need plenty of your attention as well as regular (age-appropriate) exercise.  And, if you have any questions about your dog's needs – at any time – don’t hesitate to get in touch with your vet, or even the friendly folks here at Burgess. 

  For more information about feeding your dog sensitive dog food please visit the Burgess Sensitive page -

http://www.burgesspetcare.com/brands/burgess-sensitive/

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There is nothing a cat likes to do more after a long, delicious nap is to stretch and scratch. An ideal spot for a cat to scratch is somewhere they can drag

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With record temperatures expected at the end of the week, it's important to keep your pets in mind when keeping cool. Here are our tips for beating the summer

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Some handy tips to help you care for your rats.  See more tips and advice at www.burgesspetcare.com

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What to Do When Your Dog Growls or Snaps at Someone

You may have the most loving and tolerant dog on the planet.  And that is likely to bring both of you much joy – until one day when she suddenly growls or snaps at a neighbourhood child.  Even if no harm was done, this behaviour is likely to make you (and everyone else in the area) more than a little uncomfortable. 

This does not mean that you have an aggressive dog, and you do not need to run off to your local shelter to see if your pup can be rehomed.  But, you do need to understand this behaviour so that you can positively alter uncomfortable situations before they get out of hand.

Understand How Your Dog Communicates

Humans are fairly lucky that they can communicate in so many different ways.  Even though there are different languages and subtexts that we sometimes miss, we are rather adept at being able to communicate (when we choose to do so). 

On the other hand, dogs have a universal language, and they can speak, quite subtly to each other through their posture, their tail and the sounds they make.  Although humans have gotten better at understanding these movements and noises, we are certainly not proficient at them.

And, when it comes to communicating with humans and other animals, dogs have an extremely limited vocabulary.   There are a few sharp barks that indicate something is wrong, and tail wags, which are usually quite a happy movement.  Within this repertoire are growls and snaps.  It is not that your pup necessarily wants to use these (and indeed they often do not); these are simply the tools available to them.

When your dog growls or snaps, it is a warning.  Something has just made your dog experience fear, pain or discomfort and those are the communication skills that your dog has to hand.  Ignoring this warning means that your dog is likely to move on to the next level of warning: the bite we all fear.

  Do Not Attempt to Redress a Warning

There are only a few possible outcomes that will occur if you attempt to discipline your dog after snapping – and most of them are decidedly not something you want. 

Remember, naturally gentle dogs are simply not going to snap without cause; something will trigger this reaction.  Your dog is uncomfortable with the situation or something in it.  If you attempt to discipline your pet for using his warning signal, then you may escalate his discomfort.  What was a growl could very easily turn to biting – and that could be you, or the person he snapped at initially. 

Alternatively, you could send all the wrong messages to your pet through your usually gentle corrective smack.  Rather than knowing that growling is something you will not tolerate, your dog could learn that every time a child comes near him, he will be punished.  And no dog likes punishment, so rather than simply growling next time, your dog could easily just bite the next child he sees in order to avoid it.  Obviously, that is something you want to deter at all costs. 

It is acceptable to assert your dominance normally so that your dog understands he is meant to listen to you, and respect your commands.  This will allow you to keep control of your dog should you ever find the need.  But, asserting your dominance after a snap will not help the situation at hand.  It will only tell your dog that you do not care about his needs.  In a sense, he will assume you have ignored them – and he will then ignore your control.

  Try to Understand What Made Your Dog Uncomfortable

A snap or a growl is a warning that something has made your dog uncomfortable.  If you want to avoid this kind of behaviour from your dog, but cannot use correction on her, then you must try to understand what made your pet unhappy. 

It is entirely possible that the toddling child was too close to your dog’s food bowl for her comfort.  Or perhaps, there is a small cut on your dog’s ear and it is sore to the touch.  Some dogs do not like being leaned over while others are sensitive to certain smells. 

It may be terribly difficult – or particularly easy - to determine what made your dog snap out a warning.  However, you should try to suss it out and avoid repeating these mistakes in the future.  If you rescued an abused dog that cannot bear the sight of a stick, then it is probably best if you do not take him round to your uncle who uses a cane for mobility.  If your dog does not like people near his food bowl, then make sure it is moved before company comes round. 

You may not have it right the first time around, but that does not mean you should not try.  In fact, as a responsible pet owner, that is exactly what you must do.  It is also paramount not to become overexcited about a singular instance.  As long as there was no damage and no biting, you should assume that warning was a onetime thing, and something you can control in the future.

However, repeated warnings in the form of snapping or growling can indicate a problem.  That is not to say that you need to put your dog down – only that you need to get him to the vet.  Discomfort can come from internal pain just as often as it can from external triggers.  A thorough examination is required at this point, as is a discussion with your vet about possible causes.  If your veterinarian gives your dog a clean bill of health, then you may want to consult with a behavioural specialist.  Often a singular session is all that is needed to understand what is troubling your pet.  Just be wary of anyone who suggests strong corrective conditioning, as these practices can indeed turn an uncomfortable dog into an aggressive one.  And that’s the one point you genuinely do not want to hit.

For more advice and information on pet care, feel free to contact us!  www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/contact

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