Lords & Labradors Information Hub

The home of handy tips and advice dedicated to pet owners

Our Favourite Accessories For Day Trips With Your Dog
18.04.21 April 18, 2021 Owning a Dog Featured

Our Favourite Accessories For Day Trips With Your Dog

This week in England, the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed a little more and we can now enjoy a drink or meal in an outdoor space at restaurants and cafés. This gives us even more chance to get out and about and means we can now spend longer periods of time outdoors. This is great news for our dogs too as they will be able to come with us on ever longer walks. Picnics in the park, ice cream on the beach and lunch in the gardens of dog friendly pubs will all be possible. We can’t wait to get out about and enjoy some socialisation with friends we haven’t seen in a while, whilst spending some valuable time with our dogs as well. With this in mind we thought we’d share with you some of the products we like to take out with us at this time of year. These are our favourite essentials for dog walks and outings that we couldn’t live without   Travel Feeding Sets One of the things that we’re most excited about at the moment is the thought of a coffee or lunch in an outdoor restaurant or café. With the weather becoming milder (despite the odd flurry of snow that we’ve had recently!), the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with some refreshments is hard to turn down. And our dog’s shouldn’t miss out on the fun, which is why travel feeding accessories are high on our must-have list of products. Whether it’s a small set of travel bowls for a short trip to the beach, or a larger backpack of items with space to pack other things for a day trip, we have a host of brilliant accessories designed to make on-the-go meals a breeze. For a quick lunch in town - We’d suggest a Beco Travel Bowl teamed with a small H2O flask. If you want to add in a snack for your pup then try the Dexas Popware Snack Duo. When you stop for a coffee break or a sandwich, you’ll be able to serve your four-legged friend a drink of water or small portion of food too. For a daytrip to the park or the beach - If you’re going somewhere for the afternoon or even the day, you may need some extra provisions for your pup. The Backpacks by Mobile Dog Gear come with travel bowls for both food and water, and also have space to fit any other dog accessories you may need such as wipes, toys, a drying coat, poo bags and any other essentials.   Outdoor Toys At this time of year when the weather is pleasant, dog walks can easily be turned into playtime! There are loads of fun throwing toys that will make a day at the beach or park super fun. Here are some of our favourites: Chuckit Sport 18M Ball Launcher - Sometimes the simplest games are also the most exciting and that definitely applies to games of fetch with a dog-safe tennis ball. Give the game a little extra distance with this throwing launcher by Chuckit. You’ll be able to send the ball flying way further than usual and your dog will get tons of exercise as they retrieve it. Ideal for games of fetch on a quiet dog-friendly beach. KONG Tag-A-Long Ball - If you don’t have the space for throwing the ball long distances, a regular ball thrown by hand might be a better option. This one in particular is great for taking on walks as it can be attached to your dog’s lead leaving your hands and pockets free for other things.   Dog Poo Bags No dog owner should leave the house without poop bags and we have some practical solutions for storing them and taking them on your travels. Beco Pocket Poo Bag Holder - This is a super popular item at Lords & Labradors, combining practicality with sustainability. It’s really easy to use and clips to your dog’s lead so you don’t have to worry about remembering it when you leave the house. It’s also made of eco-friendly biodegradable materials, so it’s good for the environment too. Don’t forget to stock up on spare poo bags to put inside when it’s empty! Cocopup London Poop Bag Holder - Cocopup is brand new to our ranges at L&L and we cannot get enough of their delightful prints and practical accessories. Their poop bag holders have a handy clip so it can be attached to a lead and there’s even a zip pocket so you can pop your keys or a bit of change inside. Discover the other matching accessories here.   Dog Training Treats It’s important for us to treat our dogs for good behaviour even when we’re out on a walk. It could be a reward for good manners crossing the road or it might be for trying hard in a game at the park. Make sure you always have a treat or two to hand so you can show your dog your appreciation.   Collars, Leads and Harnesses Of course you can’t leave the house without a walking set. A harness that fits well is our walking accessory of choice as it gives more comfort and support than using just a collar. If the weather looks like it might take a turn for the worst you may want to consider a dog coat as well. Take a look at our recent article, The Best Dog Coats for Spring to see which styles we recommend for this time of year.

By Zac Girdlestone

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Indoors vs Outdoors - What Is Best For Your Cat?
08.04.21 April 08, 2021 Health Featured

Indoors vs Outdoors - What Is Best For Your Cat?

When most of us think of cats we probably envisage playful felines climbing trees or stalking the local pigeons. There’s no doubt that cats love the outdoors. The outside is like a giant playground for cats who love to climb, chase and play. But many of us choose to keep our cats indoors and, with the right kind of care, that can be okay too. There are pros and cons to both options and there are many things to consider when deciding whether to let your cat outside or keep them as house cats. Here we discuss some of the main things to think about when choosing whether to allow your own feline to roam outside or keep them indoors.   Should I Let My Cat Outside? The likelihood is that your cat is going to really enjoy the outdoors. There is a plethora of things for them to discover including trees to climb and wildlife to experience. Cats naturally like to roam and allowing them outdoors will give them a wider space to do just that. Some cats can become anxious if kept indoors, especially if they aren’t given enough things to do, or enough socialisation. Allowing them outdoors can relieve them of stress which can in turn stop them from doing negative things indoors such as scratching furniture. Bored cats can develop a number of other bad habits such as fouling outside of the litter box and marking their territory by spraying. These things are less likely to occur if your cat is allowed to let off steam and enjoy an open space. What are the main benefits of letting your cat outside? More space for their territory - cats are territorial by nature and allowing them outside will give them a bigger space to make their own. They can express natural behaviour - cats like to scratch and some like to spray to mark their territory. Whilst this is natural, as owners we often don’t want them doing these things in the house. Letting them outside allows them to scratch in a ‘suitable’ place without damaging the furnishings. Interesting environment - the great outdoors is full of all kinds of interesting things that will keep your cat occupied. The constantly changing environment that’s full of smells, textures and tastes will stimulate your cat in a way that won’t happen indoors. This brain stimulation is good for their brain development and will stop them getting bored. Exercise - The extra space provided outside will allow your cat to exercise more. They’re likely to climb, run and chase more outside keeping them physically fit. Rodent Control - cats have an inbuilt instinct to hunt and chase. It isn’t just about food either as even cats with plenty of food will still stalk their prey. Allowing your cats outdoors can help keep unwanted rodents, such as mice, to a minimum.   What are the risks of letting your cat outside? Injuries - this can depend greatly on where you live, but the risk of injury is greatly increased when your cat goes outside. Many cats are injured due to road traffic. This can be due to busy roads in town, but also country roads where your cat may be caught off-guard. Cats can also become injured by other animals outside. Fighting can be reduced by neutering your cat but can still occur when new cats come into their territory. Illness - Allowing your cat outside can put them at an increased risk of catching illnesses and diseases. If you do allow your cat outside always ensure they are fully vaccinated. Parasites - Any cat, whether indoor or outdoor, can catch parasites such as fleas or ticks, but the risk is greatly increased if they venture outdoors. Make sure you treat your cat to help prevent and treat parasites. Speak to your vet to see what they think is the best way to do this. Loss - Cats that go outside can go missing for a number of different reasons. It could be due to injury, getting trapped in a strange building or even theft. Sometimes cats will be taken in by someone mistaking them for a stray. Before letting your cat outside ensure that they are microchipped to help increase the chance of their return if they do go missing. Poisons - There are a number of things that can poison your cat including garden chemicals, anti-freeze and slug pellets. Make sure all of your garden chemicals are stored well out of reach of cats and make sure any spillages are always cleaned up thoroughly.  If you think your cat may have ingested poison, seek veterinary care immediately.   Ways to help keep your outdoor cat safe Collar - let them wear a collar, preferably with some kind of reflective panel for visibility and an ID tag in case they get lost. Make sure it has a safety breakaway buckle in case it gets caught whilst climbing. Microchip - all pets should really microchipped in case of loss. A collar can come off, whereas a microchip is always there They’re much more likely to be returned home if they get lost. Get them vaccinated - to ward off any unwanted diseases. Get them treated for fleas - regularly treat them for fleas and other parasites. Get them neutered - you need to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies as soon as possible. Enclose your garden - if you Iive in a busy town you could consider making your garden as enclosed as possible to deter them from straying any further than the boundary.   Should I keep my cat indoors? Ideally all cats would be given at least a bit of time to experience the outdoors. However, some cats adapt very well to living an indoor lifestyle, especially if they do so from a young age. Some cats will need to live indoors due to certain medical conditions and some actually prefer living indoors. There are many pedigree breeds, such as Ragdolls, that will benefit from being kept indoors. The key is to give your indoor cat a healthy environment to live in and replicate a cat’s outdoor habit indoors. As long as your cat is given plenty of socialisation, areas to climb and scratch as well things to play with, they will probably lead healthy fulfilled indoor lives.   What are the main benefits of keeping your cat indoors? Protected from loss - indoor cats are much less likely to get lost or stolen. Be aware of open windows around the house so they don’t escape! Less risk of catching fleas or other parasites - there is still a slight risk they could parasites, but the risk is greatly reduced if they don’t go outdoors. Less risk of disease - The reduced contact with other animals means they will be less likely to catch certain diseases and infections. Less likely to hunt - Unless you have mice in your house, your cat probably won’t hunt. This means you won’t find ‘presents’ on your doorstep in the mornings!   What are the risks of keeping your cat indoors? Risk of boredom - Indoor cats are more likely to grow bored if not given enough things to keep them occupied, which can result in negative behaviours such as spraying, aggression and scratching furniture. It’s important to give your cats plenty to do in the house with a good scratching tree and plenty of toys to keep them stimulated. Can become more dependent on routine - A static environment can lead your cat to fear change. They can become sensitive to even slight changes in their routine which can lead to stress. Lack of hiding places - if your cat can’t get outside, it may not give them many places to hide from visitors or other pets. Even sociable cats like their own space sometimes. If you do choose to keep your cat indoors make sure they have places that they can retreat to when they want some alone time. Houseplants - Just as there are some hazardous plants outdoors there are also some that we keep as houseplants. Be aware of these and keep them out of reach of your cats.   Enhancing your house for an indoor cat All cats need some indoor stimulation, but house cats need even more than outdoor cats. Here are some top tips for setting up the home for indoor cats: Toys - Make sure they have lots of things to play with. A variety of different types of toy will keep their bodies active and their brains working. A place to scratch - All cats need to scratch to keep their claws healthy. A scratch post or two around the home will encourage them not to scratch your furniture. Places to climb - This could as part of the scratching post if you choose something with platforms and multiple posts for them to explore. Cats like to be high up and giving them a tall scratch post to do this is ideal. A place to hide - Many cats will naturally flee from strangers and giving them, some hiding places is the perfect way to do this. A quiet place for their litter tray - cats are quite private creatures and will appreciate a bit of privacy when going to the loo. Keep their litter tray in a secluded spot so that they are encouraged to use it. You could consider a covered tray too which will give them even more privacy than an open one.  Places to roam - indoor cats should have access to a number of rooms that they're allowed to explore. Also think about leaving room on a windowsill for them to sit as they'll enjoy looking out of the window and watching wildlife.   Should your cat be an indoor or an outdoor cat? This really does come down to the individual pet owner, the cat that they own and the kind of lifestyle that they live. Both indoor and outdoor cats can live happy, healthy lives with the correct care, and there are pros and cons to both lifestyles. Whichever you choose for your cat, make sure you have read through our lists of benefits and risks and choose the right lifestyle for you and your cat. If you’re rehoming a farm cat who has lived outside their whole life, then you’ll probably need to consider continuing with an outdoor life for them. On the other hand, if you are getting a pedigree breed who tend to live more sedate lifestyles and have grown up indoors, then you may wish to continue with that. Heed all the advice and make the correct choice for you. If you want further advice, you can always talk to your vet.

By Zac Girdlestone

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How To Stop Your Dog Destroying Their Bed
06.04.21 April 06, 2021 Health Featured

How To Stop Your Dog Destroying Their Bed

For any dog, their bed is a haven for relaxation and alone time. It’s also something they can become accustomed to and identify as theirs and theirs alone. But if your dog has started to attack their bed, it can mean that they don’t have anywhere to relax and may not feel properly comfortable in your home. Many different reasons can lead your dog to destroy its bed, and due to this, there can also be different methods of stopping them from displaying this behaviour. In this blog, we look at the ways in which your dog may be doing this and offer tips on how to stop them from totally destroying their own dog bed.   Why Do Dogs Destroy Their Beds? Not only could there be a variety of reasons why your dog is destroying their own bed, but they may also be doing it in a number of different ways. While some dogs erratically dig in or scratch their bed, others pee on or chew them. Below, we’ve looked at some of these behaviours and explain why it could be that your dog is acting in this way.   Why Do Dogs Scratch Their Beds? Scratching beds is one of the most common traits a dog can have, and it could mean any number of things. For instance, it could be something they do alongside urinating on their bed as a way of marking their territory, or a habit they picked up from their parents or siblings during the puppy stage. Alternatively, it could simply be an action they do naturally without thinking. Another reason could be that they’re nesting. If a female dog isn’t spayed and comes into heat, they will begin to experience maternal instincts. A common behaviour trait of this in female dogs is to prepare their bed for puppies, even if they’re not pregnant. As a dog owner, it can be upsetting to see your pooch preparing their bed for puppies, especially if you intend on having them neutered. However, while this trait may continue several months after being spayed - or it could simply be something they always do - it’s likely to fade with time.   Why Do Dogs Dig In Their Beds? Although similar to scratching, when a dog digs in their bed, it’s more likely to cause damage as, instead of simply changing the shape of their bed, they could end up breaking through the material. Despite the similarity with scratching, digging is often a sign that your dog is trying to become more comfortable in their bed. Just like when cats knead their bed before sleep, dogs will dig as a pre-sleep ritual or to make more of an indentation in the bed to improve their comfort. It is something they may also do outside, but with the benefit that digging in mud will cause the surface below them to change, whereas digging in the bed will either have no effect at all or potentially ruin their sleeping aid.   Why Do Dogs Pee On Their Beds? When your dog pees on their bed, it can be concerning as it may make you think that they’re unwell or haven’t properly picked up the toilet training you’ve given them. Finding pee on your dog’s bed could be a sign that they’ve picked up a bug or simply need more toilet training, but it could also be an indication of many things. Potential reasons why your dog is peeing on their bed include: A side effect of a urine infection Feelings of anxiousness, excitement or nervousness Incomplete house training Naughty behaviour To mark their territory Peeing on beds is also a common trait of female dogs, and while it can improve with age, they may continue to struggle with holding water for long periods of time if they aren’t spayed. Using a waterproof dog bed would prevent the level of damage caused by your dog peeing the bed, but as it won’t stop them from doing it, you need to consider more long-term solutions.   Why Do Dogs Chew Up Their Beds? It’s less likely that you will find your dog chewing their bed, but if your dog has started to show this trait, it could lead to them needing a new bed entirely. In some instances, a dog chewing their bed could be a result of becoming too excitable during their playtime. However, if they’re doing it in an aggressive manner or appear to be actively trying to ruin their bed, it could be caused by something more serious. The reason behind why a dog may resort to chewing their own bed is often either anxiety or boredom. If they’re feeling stressed, anxious or panicked, chewing their bed could be a way of showing you how they’re feeling. Some specific dog breeds are especially susceptible to these feelings, with the cause often being related to separation anxiety. As for boredom, dogs are often known for becoming destructive if they’re full of energy and don’t have any way of releasing it. Chewing their bed could be a result of not having enough walks and being overly stimulated, not having enough dog toys to play with, lacking in proper training or being left alone too long and not being given the attention they need.   How To Stop Dogs From Destroying Their Beds Your dog may be destroying their bed in several different ways and as a result of multiple possible factors. However, there are ways of preventing them from causing too much damage to their bed or potentially stopping them from having the urge to destroy their bed entirely. Firstly, you should work out if there are any reasons why your dog is damaging their bed and use these reasons to find effective solutions to stop them. For example, if they’re suffering from feelings of stress, anxiety or panic, or they’re struggling to cope when left alone, consider ways to eliminate these feelings. If they’re wetting the bed due to not being properly trained, give them the training they need to understand that peeing should only be done on puppy pads or in the garden. Likewise, scratching their bed may be a sign that they can’t get comfortable and either need extra blankets or a different type of bed that better suits their size, breed and behaviour. If you’re not entirely sure why your dog is destroying their bed, you may need to try an approach that covers all likely causes. Below, we’ve outlined steps you can try How To Stop A Dog From Chewing His Bed Allow your dog to use their bed, but take it away when you’re not around to supervise. If they’re in a room that isn’t suitable for sleeping on the floor, provide them with a blanket as an alternative option. Offer them a selection of chew toys. Dogs are prone to chewing and do it as a way of relaxing or releasing excess energy. By giving them a few different options, they should be able to find one that is suitable and preferable to them. Supervise your dog when they’re in their bed and if they begin to chew, dig, scratch or look like they’re getting ready to pee on the bed, say ‘no’ firmly to indicate that it’s bad behaviour. If they don’t take any notice of this, instead use a squeaky toy to distract them. As soon as you see your dog behaving in their bed - even if that means they’re sitting comfortably and not acting out - praise them, stroke them and give them a treat as a reward. Work out how much exercise the breed of your dog should be getting and take them for the amount of walks they need. During their walk, you could use an extendable lead to give them freedom and allow them to play during their walk, and you could even use their walk as an opportunity to teach them obedience training. When you feel like your dog is becoming less inclined to destroy their own bed, start giving them more time with it. You could leave them alone with it for an hour and increase the time by an hour each day until they’re eventually allowed to be left with it permanently.   What Can I Spray On Dog Bed To Stop Chewing? The Simple Solution Chew Stopper spray is a great choice to spray on your dog's bed to help stop them chewing. Simply spray your dog's bed with the spray, your dog will recognise the marked area as unpleasant and it will discourage them from chewing it.    Indestructible Dog Beds Although there is no such thing as a completely indestructible dog bed, there are, however, some more chew and scratch resistant options. Here at L&L we developed our Rhino Tough Collection using our toughest fabric with more destructive dogs in mind. The stylish faux leather is water resistant and bleach cleanable making it the perfect choice for dogs who have a habit of urinating on their bed. The Rhino Tough collection is made with no zips or fastenings to discourage chewing, it also comes in 6 stylish colour options. It's also scratch resistant so if your dog likes dig in their bed at night or scratch their bed this might be the choice for you. It's available in our three most popular bed shapes, cushion, high wall and box bed, so however your dog likes to sleep there will be a bed for them. The cushion is a great choice as a indestructible dog bed for crates, if you prefer your dog to sleep in a crate.     Another option if your dog likes to chew soft beds, is a plastic bed which is filled with blankets. Rosewood's Eco bed is constructed with 100% recycled plastic, making it an extremely resilient and robust choice for dogs who like to chew. The ventilated base offers increased airflow, perfect for keeping pets cool in the summertime. Non-slip rubber feet prevent the bed from shifting on hard surfaces, while the plastic is easy to wipe down to clean for dog's who tend to urinate on their beds. 

By Zac Girdlestone

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Top Tips For Bringing Your New Kitten Home
04.03.21 March 04, 2021 Owning a Cat Featured

Top Tips For Bringing Your New Kitten Home

Getting a new pet is really exciting but can also be a little nerve wracking. It may have been a while since you introduced a new pet to your home, or you may be a first-time kitten owner. Whatever the case, don’t panic! We’re here to help. From preparing their living space in your house to encouraging them to explore around the home, there are some key things to consider. Here we highlight some of our top tips for new kitten owners, to help you prepare to bring them home.   Prepare the Kitten’s Room and ensure it is Cat proof Before you bring them home you need to make sure you have everything you need for them and that their room is set up how you want it. The last thing you need on the day you collect them home is to be fumbling around trying to prepare their bed or other accessories. Have the room ready a couple of days in advance and you’ll feel much more settled about introducing them to the family. Brands such as Catit are dedicated to making good quality cat products for every area pf your cats life.  Think about the comfort and safety of your little kitten. They may be nervous at first so providing them with a safe and quiet space is really important. Ensure you have cat proofed the room and there are no escape routes. Our Cat Proofing Your Home blog post may be of interest if you’d like some further advice around kitten safety. Don’t forget to give them some fun cat toys to keep them occupied too. These won’t just provide them with lots of excitement but will also help their brain development and learning. ​ Give Kitten Places to Hide Cats quite like hiding in general, but little kittens may be especially nervous and thankful for some ‘secret’ spots that they can hide themselves in. Make sure these hiding places are still accessible for you though, as you will still need to socialise with them. Try to use a room where kitten can’t get trapped and use things like cardboard boxes as their hideaway! Some good quality scratch posts have hiding spaces which would make the ideal addition to your kitten room.   Prepare the Litter Tray and Feeding Areas Your kitten will need somewhere to toilet so you will need a litter tray set up in the kitten’s room. This should be situated away from the kitten’s bed and their feeding area. Your kitten won’t want to sleep or eat where they toilet so take a bit of time to work out the perfect layout of the room. The feeding area should include at least two bowls or saucers for dry food and water - possibly three if you’d like a separate dish for wet food. Ensure kitten has access to fresh water and dry food throughout the day and supplement with a serving of wet food once or twice a day. When you first bring them home and introduce them to their living space, it’s important to show them around so that they can easily find their food and their litter tray.   Provide a Scratch Post We briefly mentioned scratch posts when talking about a place to hide, but they have much more importance than being a hidey place. Cats have many unique senses, one of which is to scratch. Scratching keeps their claws in tip top condition and allows them to stretch their muscles, keeping their athletic bodies healthy. If you don’t provide your kitten with a scratch post or pad, they will find elsewhere to sate their scratching desires. Provide a good quality scratch post and encourage them to use that rather than your soft furnishings!   Calming Feliway Cats are known for their inquisitive nature, but some can be quite nervous especially when introduced to a new environment. We would highly recommend a calming product such as Ceva’s Feliway plugin diffusers to help keep your feline calm and relaxed. Feliway products are designed to mimic your cat’s facial pheromones (the things they leave behind when they rub against objects). The products have been developed over many years and help to make your cat feel reassured and relaxed in unknown environments. Pop a plugin diffuser in their room a few days before you collect them to help them relax when they come home.   Don’t Forget to Travel Safely Before your kitten reaches their new home, they will have some kind of journey to get there. It might be just a short trip across town, or you may be travelling hours to pick up your new arrival, but however long the journey you need to make sure you travel safely. Ensure you have a suitable cat carrier for the car and think about what other accessories you may need. We’d suggest a blanket to keep them cosy inside and perhaps a travel bowl for water if it’s a long journey. Have your travel bag ready for the big day so you don’t panic before you collect them.   Socialise with Them This may seem obvious. Why would we need to encourage you to play and socialise with your cute little kitten?! We only mention it because the time spent with your kitten at this stage isn’t just fun for you both, but a really important way to help them settle and feel at home. Do be mindful at first that you don’t over stimulate them. Just being around them with short periods of gentle play is enough. Get them used to normal household noises like talking on the telephone, the radio and the TV. The first couple of weeks will be all about transitioning them into your routine and getting them used to normal daily life in their new family.   Exploring their New Home It will soon be time for your new feline to explore beyond their kitten room and into the rest of the house. You will know when your kitten seems relaxed and settled enough to begin exploring. When you decide the time is right, make sure their forays into the rest of the house are done with supervision and in stages. You shouldn’t just set them free, but rather show them only small parts of the house at a time, maybe a room or two. Make sure the rooms or hallways are kitten-safe, putting your cat proofing skills to work. They will soon get used to the house (or parts of the house that they’re allowed) and will start to learn all about their family home. Hopefully with the help of our advice, your kitten will move to your home and settle in quickly and efficiently without too many problems. Try not to stress, make your preparations, and all will be fine. Kittens are resilient little things and they'll soon be enjoying your company and exploring their new home! If you have any other questions about bringing your kitten home or you're not sure what things you might need, do give us a call. We're always happy to help. Also, take a look at our Information Hub where you will find all kinds of helpful pet articles. We try to update the Hub regularly, so keep checking back to see what is new. 

By Zac Girdlestone

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