Following the updates from the government and the latest guidelines from CFSG, Scamps & Champs can continue to offer all of our services in a safe and responsible manner. We are taking all of the necessary precautions and will continue to follow the advice from the CFSG.
Does your dog’s poop look funky? Here’s the scoop on doggie-doo of every color and how to tell normal dog poop from problem poop:
Normal Dog Poop
It varies from dog to dog, breed to breed and can change depending on the type of dog food being eaten. In general, color should be medium brown and neither too soft and liquidy (diarrhea) or too hard to pass comfortably (constipation). Pay attention to your dog’s “healthy”
poops (color, consistency and frequency) so you can recognize when there’s a problem.
Black Dog Poop Or Very Dark Dog Poop
Black stool in dogs may have a “tarry” or “sticky” consistency, which may be a sign of a gastrointestinal ulcer or a stomach ulcer. Many human medications can cause stomach ulcers in dogs, especially aspirin. Never give human meds without consulting your vet.
Red Dog Poop Or Streaks Of Blood In Stool
This can indicate bleeding in the GI tract. Streaks of blood in your dog’s poop may be colitis (inflammation of the colon), a rectal injury, an anal gland infection or possibly a tumor.
Pink Or Purple Dog Poop
Anything that resembles raspberry jam (sorry to ruin your toast) could indicate hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). A large number of dogs die each year from HGE but most will recover with prompt treatment. Seek emergency medical attention.
Grey Or Greasy-Looking Poop
Doggy-doo that appears fatty, glistens or comes out in large, soft amounts could indicate Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI).
Commonly referred to as maldigestion, EPI is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce the necessary enzymes to digest fat. EPI is treatable, so see your vet.
Green Dog Poop
Dog green poop can be common if your dog eats large amounts of grass.
However, it can also be a parasite, rat bait poisoning or other internal issues. If your dog has green poop, see your vet to be safe.
Orange Dog Poop
It could indicate a liver issue or biliary disease, or it could just mean that your dog’s food moved too quickly through the GI tract to pick up the bile. Bile is what changes poop to the normal brown color we expect. If your dog has orange diarrhea, contact your vet.
Yellow Dog Poop
Yellow mucus usually indicates a food intolerance, especially if you’ve recently changed your dog’s diet. Take a look at what your pet’s been eating and try to rule out any new ingredients that could be causing stomach upset and mustard-yellow dog poop.
White Specks In Poop
Worms often look like white grains of rice in your pup’s stool. This is treatable, so see your vet.
WHAT IS COPROPHAGIA?
Coprophagia is the scientific name given to poop eating (sorry if you’ve just eaten); although coprophagia is upsetting and revolting to us; it is a common problem in dogs and puppies and there can be any number of causes:
If your dog is eating poop, it is always a good idea to have him/her seen by a veterinarian. Your vet will help determine if there are any medical conditions or behavioural issues causing your dog to be excessively hungry. A Complete Blood Count can also help determine if the dog is anaemic or has a bacterial infection.
The vet may also recommend a urinalysis, or faecal fat test (measures fat in the stool sample), and a faecal exam (checks for parasites).
These diagnostic tests can help narrow down the cause and may reveal underlying health issues.
Dogs that are anemic may need B-12 injections.
Intestinal parasites – The parasites are feeding on the dog’s nutrients causing him/her to be super hungry. Parasites should be treated with a de-wormer and your dog’s bedding, toys, and bowls will need to be washed in hot water. Flooring should be cleaned and disinfected to help eliminate any remaining eggs. Dogs should be regularly wormed.
Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) – this Is a disorder where the pancreas is not producing digestive enzymes; the food being ingested is not broken down nor are the nutrients being absorbed (the dog is starving) – Treatment of Coprophagia in Dogs with Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency is usually treated by replacing digestive enzymes using freeze dried pancreas extracts from pigs and cattle. The extracts are sprinkled on the dog’s food usually 30 minutes before feeding. The dog will also be placed on dietary supplements and vitamins.
Underfed – Not feeding the dog the right amount of food or giving a poor quality diet – Dogs diagnosed with deficient diets will need to be fed a better quality commercial food. It is recommended that you read the ingredient label; the first ingredient should be a protein not a “by-product”. Dietary supplements and vitamins may also be prescribed if the food source does not contain them.
Malnourished Taste – Cat faeces may actually taste good to a dog
If you have a new mum and pups in your home you may notice that the Dam (mother) will often eat their puppies poop – this is done to clean the den; this is a normal behavior in dogs and should stop once the pups are weaned and more self sufficient.
Prescription medications can also make a dog very hungry – this needs to be discussed with your vet.
Behavioural reasons for coprophagia in dogs: include abused dog that was not being fed – these dogs may get used to eating their own poop in order to obtain some form of nourishment – Puppy mill puppies that were neglected and overcrowded causing anxiety issues will often eat their own poop and this then becomes a habit that is hard to break.
Seeking owner’s attention or just boredom (no activities or playtime) this is often seen in Kennelled/isolated dogs where isolation is extended for a long time. Your vet may suggest more playtime and walks, and less alone time. Dogs that are exercised and played with tend to be more content. If your dog persists in eating faeces the veterinarian may recommend a dog behaviourist to help stop the behaviour.
Recovery of Coprophagia in Dogs that were diagnosed with a medical condition will need follow-up visits to monitor their progress. Dogs that were diagnosed with a behavioural problem will need their owner to have patience and breaking the habit will require consistency.
Dogs are pack animals and do not do well being isolated or confined.
They require love, activities and attention.
In addition, it is important to ensure that you pick up faeces from the yard as soon as you can and regularly clean your cats the litter box if this is a source of poop eating. Providing toys as well as teaching your dog the command “leave it” may also help him to stop eating faeces.
There are also deterrent soft chews made of natural ingredients which may help the dog not to eat his own faeces.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET?
Do you walk through the park or woodland and get fed up of seeing dog poop everywhere? It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s the fault of those who will find any and every excuse under the sun not to pick up their dog’s poop – Here are just two excuses people use for not picking up.
Excuse No.1
It Is A Natural Fertiliser – This Is NOT True,
Because Not All Poop Is Created Equal as we shall see. If it was, then we wouldn’t have to invest so much time and money in the sewage treatment of our own waste.
Other types of manure such as cow or horse has a very different make up from dog waste because their digestive systems and diets are very different.
For example, Cows are herbivores whereas dogs are omnivores and their diets are very high in proteins. Though dogs waste is high in nitrogen and phosphorous it can have the opposite effect of fertiliser and can actually burn your lawn if you don’t pick it up. Worse still, it can cause all sorts of issues for local watersheds, because once it gets into the water it can cause all kinds of sickness both for other animals and humans too.
Excuse No.2
It Will Wash Away In The Rain – Again NOT True!
This is not the case with dog poop – the fact is that dog waste can
take over a year to break down naturally. And the other down side is
that bacteria in the poop and any parasites it contains will linger in
the soil for several years after the poop has finally dissolved. (Dog
waste is even more full of disease causing bacteria and parasites than
other types of waste).
These bacteria and parasites are harmful to humans and spread disease
to other dogs. Dog waste is full of E. coli, salmonella and is a
common carrier of the following: Worms (several types), Parvovirus,
Coronavirus (NOT COVID 19), Giardiasis, Salmonellosis,
Cryptosporidiosis, and Campylobacteriosis. These bacteria and
parasites can actually linger in the soil for years after the dog
waste has disappeared.
IF YOU DON’T PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG, YOU ARE PUTTING OTHER PEOPLE AND
OTHER DOGS AT RISK OF GETTING SICK – BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN – BAG IT
AND BIN IT !!!
NB – Canine coronavirus (CCoV) is not the same virus as SARS-CoV-2
that causes the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). CCoV does not affect
people. CCoV causes gastrointestinal problems in dogs, as opposed to
respiratory disease, it is spread by dogs eating poop or coming into
contact with another (infected) dogs poop.
Don’t forget Scamps & Champs offer a dog poo pick up service. Contact cardiff@scampsandchamps.co.uk. View our dog poo pick up prices here https://scampsandchamps.co.uk/services/dog-animal-poo-pick-up/dog-animal-poo-pickup-prices/
Hаіrbаllѕ are balled tufts оf hair thаt form in уоur саt’ѕ dіgеѕtіvе trасt аftеr grooming ѕеѕѕіоnѕ. Fеlіnе tongues have hооk-lіkе fеаturеѕ that trар loose, рrеvіоuѕlу ѕhеd hаіr. Whеn your cat ѕwаllоwѕ thе fur, іt trаvеlѕ tо іtѕ ѕtоmасh аnd is nоt digested.
Evеrу cat owner knоwѕ about hаіrbаllѕ. Evеrу саt has them at ѕоmе роіnt, especially long-haired brееdѕ like thе Persian оr Hіmаlауаn ones. Since all felines suffer frоm thіѕ аt ѕоmе роіnt, еvеry саt owner ѕhоuld knоw hоw tо dеаl wіth thе problem.
Hairballs occur bесаuѕе cats frеԛuеntlу grооm themselves with thеіr tongues. Aѕ a result, they еnd uр ѕwаllоwіng a lot оf thеіr hаіr. Usually, thе hair dоеѕn’t gеt bunched together аnd is еvеntuаllу just раѕѕеd іn thе саt’ѕ ѕtооl. Other times, іt ассumulаtеѕ nеаr thе thrоаt оr іn thе uрреr dіgеѕtіvе trасt; in mоѕt cases, a cat wіll еіthеr cough uр a hairball оf vomit іt оut.
Most саtѕ hаvе trouble wіth removing hairballs. If thе саt саnnоt get them up, іt can gеt іntо the intestines аnd саuѕе a blосkаgе. Thіѕ is lіfе-thrеаtеnіng tо the pet. If уоur саt seems to bе соnѕtіраtеd, іt may bе a ѕіgn of оbѕtruсtіоn.
If thе cat іѕ lеthаrgіс аnd hіѕ соаt is dull аnd unhеаlthу looking, thіѕ tоо may be a ѕіgn. Wаtсh that he eats аѕ hе uѕuаllу dоеѕ. If not, уоu should саll аnd tаkе him tо see the vеt who will thеn find out іf it is a hаіrbаll, аnd then hе’ll remove it.
Grооmіng уоur fеlіnе уоurѕеlf wіll mіnіmіzе the problem оf hairballs. Pеt shops sell ѕресіаlіzеd bruѕhеѕ thаt ѕіmulаtе the tеxturе оf a саt’ѕ tоnguе. In mоѕt саѕеѕ, уоur саt wіll ѕtіll self-groom, but bу dоіng muсh of thе grооmіng yourself, уоu can gеt rіd of excess fеlіnе hаіr and lеѕѕеn thе аmоunt of hаіr thаt your саt ѕwаllоwѕ. In ѕоmе саѕеѕ, whеn groomed rеlіgіоuѕlу еnоugh, саtѕ have bееn known tо stop ѕеlf-grооmіng altogether.
Thе lоng-hаіrеd саt nееdѕ to bе соmbеd аnd bruѕhеd еасh dау to rеmоvе еxсеѕѕ hаіr. If you ѕtаrt to grооm him whеn hе іѕ ѕtіll уоung, hе wіll lеаrn tо tоlеrаtе it. Hе mау even look forward tо bеіng groomed. Sоmе саtѕ will bring thеіr соmbѕ tо thеіr оwnеrѕ also. If he doesn’t lіkе tо bе grооmеd, use a grooming glоvе instead.
If thе саt still ѕееmѕ to hаvе trоublе with hairballs, уоu саn add dіеtаrу аіdѕ tо hіѕ dіеt. Onе оf these is a dry саt food that can hеlр to prevent hairballs. Don’t juѕt buy thе fіrѕt bаg оf thе fоrmulа that уоu fіnd. Make ѕurе it іѕ still a gооd quality fооd for your реt, оnе thаt іѕ hіgh іn рrоtеіn and оthеr nutrients.
If уоur саt hаѕ a hаіrbаll, you can ѕhор for thе gel thаt can bе аddеd tо thе fооd, whісh wіll hеlр thе hаіrbаll tо раѕѕ. Mаkе ѕurе tо tаlk tо уоur vet bеfоrе uѕіng оnе of these hairball rеmеdіеѕ for long реrіоdѕ, thоugh.
Yоu can trу ѕоmе of thе more nаturаl rеmеdіеѕ as wеll, but уоu ѕhоuld еnѕurе they аrе okay with your vet first. Sоmе will асtuаllу cause уоur реt dіѕсоmfоrt оr wіll rеmоvе еѕѕеntіаl nutrіеntѕ frоm hіѕ bоdу. Thеѕе include ѕuсh things as рumрkіn, mineral оіlѕ, аnd even butter. If your саt соntіnuеѕ to have trоublе with hairballs, tаlk tо your vеt аbоut what you ѕhоuld dо tо improve thіѕ.
Fіnаllу, Yоu саn аlѕо рurсhаѕе certain types оf саt fооd thаt hаvе a hаіrbаll control remedy. Thеѕе рrоduсtѕ аrе nоt a tоtаl answer but mау gіvе a slight rеduсtіоn іn hairball buіld-uр. Onе ѕоlutіоn thаt ѕееmѕ tо wоrk fоr some саt owners is рuttіng a dіgеѕtіblе oil оn the tорѕ оf thе саt’ѕ paws. Whеthеr уоu do іt to thе frоnt раwѕ only, оr bоth back аnd front feet, the cat wіll lick off the оіl. They dоn’t like thе feel of іt оn thеіr fееt, and іn thе ѕtоmасh, іt еndѕ uр as a coating thаt makes thе fur ѕоmеwhаt dіgеѕtіblе. You саn use оlіvе оіl or саnоlа оіl, but mоѕt сооkіng оіlѕ wіll work juѕt as wеll.
With Valentines Day quickly approaching Scamps and Champs Bristol would like to take this opportunity to provide some information around the safety of some indoor flowers. This is just a snapshot of a 5 flowers that are known to be either safe or toxic to pets. Please contact your vet for advice or treatment immediately if you think your pet is unwell and showing a reaction to a plant or flower. Your pet may also have a sensitivity or an allergy to a plant so it’s important to always be vigilant and seek expert health if you are ever worried about the health of your pet.
Five flowers that are dangerous for our pets 🐾
Daffodil: All parts of the daffodil are harmful and even drinking the water from a vase of cut daffodils is potentially hazardous. A small bite from a daffodil bulb can kill a small animal
Iris and gladioli: The bulb is the most dangerous as it contains a higher concentration of chemicals but all parts of these are toxic
Tulip: All parts of the plant can be toxic in large quantities, but the bulb is the most toxic
Lily of the valley: Lily of the valley flowers and leaves are very poisonous to dogs and cats as they contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, heart problems, fits and collapsing
Lilies: Including Tiger, Easter, Stargazer and Arum, are potentially poisonous, especially to cats. Eating or chewing the leaves, stems or flower heads can poison pets. Even the pollen can be harmful, as cats may lick this off their fur after brushing against the flower head. If you have a cat you will need to ensure any lilies are kept in a place in the house that your cat cannot access. Not always that easy!
Five flowers that are safe for our pets 🐾
We are ok ladies, these are a few of our favourites that are not harmful to pets 😊
Roses: mean love, desire and romance and ALL varieties are pet friendly!
Peruvian Lily: mean devotion and friendship and are the perfect substitution for toxic lilies
Phalaenopsis Orchids: mean love and beauty and are safe for pets
Snapdragons: mean gracious lady and are non-toxic and a safe optionSunflowers: mean admiration and loyalty and pose no harm to cats
Chocolate is the product of dried and fermented seeds of the Cacao tree (Theobroma Cacao) and the active ingredient in chocolate is Theobromine.
Chocolate and cocoa products including the mulch made from the seed shells and used in gardening are poisonous to dogs even causing death if the amount ingested is large enough, though it also depends on the type of chocolate and the amount the dog has actually ingested and also the size of the dog compared to the amount that it has eaten.
The key toxic component chemical in the chocolate that harms the dog is called theobromine, which is only produced in chocolate . Humans can metabolise theobromine quickly as the half life of the chemical is only 2-3 hours for humans who then excrete it from the body, but for dogs it is a much slower process with the half life of the chemical taking up to 18hours which can cause a build up in the liver as it metabolises prior to excretion in the urine.Theobromine is known to affect the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.
Dark chocolate and cocoa products contain the most theobromine whereas milk or white chocolate contain the least. Bitter dark chocolate used for cooking also contains very high levels and even a vey small amount can be enough to poison even a very large dog, though the lethal dose is roughly between 250mg and 500mg per kilo of the dogs body weight.
However, a dog that eats just a small amount of milk chocolate may still be affected and may develop an upset stomach with diarrhoea and vomiting, it is always wise to seek medical advice however small the amount and however big the dog.
A dog that eats a whole box of chocolates or a large amount of very dark chocolate will require emergency treatment as they may suffer dangerous effects that lead to death.
The onset of the poisoning may be preceded by severe hyperactivity, muscle tremors and an irregular heartbeat, panting and increased thirst, during this time the dog may develop internal bleeding, increased heart rate and finally a heart attack. The signs of chocolate poisoning may not show until 2-24 hours after ingestion and even for a small amount of chocolate ingestion you will need to watch the dog for at least 72hours afterwards.
If you know that your dog has eaten chocolate then you should try to induce the dog to vomit as well as getting advice from the vet. If the dog’s life is in danger then the vet may put the dog on intravenous fluids to flush the stomach contents and may also give charcoal based medication to absorb the poisonous chemical before too much harm is caused.
Many pet owners tend to get confused when they see their beloved canine eating grass even though they feed them with a nutritious food full of everything they need to grow and be healthy. Could it be that they’re hungry? Bored? Sick?
Grass-eating seems to be common among dogs. As veterinarians will tell you they discuss this issue all day with dog owners. This behaviour is known as “pica,” and it is essentially a disorder characterized by eating things that aren’t food. Sometimes, pica is caused by a diet deficient in nutrients, vitamins or minerals, giving room for other possible reasons dogs on well-balanced diets engage in the foraging behaviour.
Why is my dog eating grass?
While no one can be entirely sure why dogs eat grass, here are the common reasons experts give to answer the question, “why does my dog eat grass?”
Grass tastes good
The first possible reason why your dog eats grass is that they enjoy the flavour and texture of the grass. Some canines consider it a pleasurable behaviour and simply eat it for fun. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since dogs enjoy all sorts of things that disgust the human palate, including dirty socks, wood, and gristle from the bin.
Another perspective to consider is that some dogs have the tendency to eat plants, and this is not strange. Some theories opine that dogs have been natural omnivores for thousands of decades (meat and plant-eaters) and as a result, domesticated dogs today instinctively include plant material in their diet. So there’s a good chance that in addition to grass, your puppy also enjoys raw-plant snacks such as sliced bananas, green beans and even apple slices from time to time.
To induce vomiting
Sometimes, dogs eat grass to induce vomiting. This reason raises another question: Does your dog eat grass to vomit and soothe an ailing stomach, or does he develop a stomach upset and vomit because he ate grass? In other words, does the grass make your dog feel unwell, or is it helping him to throw up as a form of relief?
The answer to the question may vary for many dog owners, but studies show that only 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass, meaning the majority of grass-eating dogs aren’t sick beforehand, so chances of this pica behaviour making your dog feel unwell are slim.
In fact, only 10% of dogs show signs of illnesses caused by a range of factors such as intestinal worms or gastrointestinal upsets. The grass helps induce vomiting to expel whatever might be bothering them, and you can tell this is the case if your dog eats and swallows grass quickly, barely chewing it. When your dog finally vomits, he may stop eating grass and return to his normal diet.
To ease boredom
Some dogs get anxious when their owners leave and use grass-eating to pass time until their return. Think of grass-eating as your dog’s comfort mechanism, just like nervous people chew their fingernails. The longer it takes for their owners to return, the more anxious they become and the grass-eating increases. Other times, it could be that your dog is trying to get your attention because he’s been alone for too long and wants some time with his favourite human.
Is it safe for my dog to eat grass?
Grass-eating is a common occurrence in dogs, and it poses no real risk. But it’s critical to keep a careful eye on the sort of grass your pet eats. You need to be mindful of the chemicals used in the grass as they may irritate your dog’s stomach or cause health problems.
Additionally, if you notice your dog is eating grass too often, it could be a sign of a health condition. In such instances, don’t hesitate to visit the vet.
How do I stop my dog from eating grass?
The first step towards getting your dog to stop eating grass is to figure out why your pet eats grass. If your pet is bored, engage him in some fun activities or get him to chew toys to keep his mouth busy with other things other than grass. On the chance that it is caused by a nutritional deficiency, feeding him with a well-balanced diet could help alleviate the problem. If the pica behaviour persists, a visit to the vet for a full examination can help rule out any underlying problems.
Conclusion
Grazing itself isn’t harmful, especially if you can keep your dog from eating anything that has been treated with pesticides or fertilizers. But if your pet’s pica behaviour makes you uncomfortable, try some of the tips above or discuss with your vet about ways to curb the habit.
The incessant volleys of yips, woofs and whines of dogs when left alone can be a big problem for any dog owner and even the neighbours, except if you live in a detached house in the countryside. All dogs bark as way to communicate with their owners but a dog that barks continuously can cause so much trouble. To get your dog to stop barking when left alone, you have to first discover what triggers the reaction so you can address the situation effectively.
Here are some common reasons dogs bark:
Now that we’ve identified the factors that could be causing your dog to be especially vocal when left alone, here are some to tips to get them to stop.
1. Mask the sounds
Generally, most dogs bark when startled as a reaction to sounds they’re hearing. The solution here is to control the environment so you can limit their exposure to things that get their attention, and a good way to do that is to mask the noise with other sounds. For example, you could use a fan, a radio, a t.v. or a white noise machine to help your canine relax and lower their stress levels.
If you live in an apartment and share walls with others, covering up the sound of what’s going on outside can help keep your dog calm which in turns prevents frequent barking.
2. Use sight barriers
Another way to solve your dog’s barking problems via environmental management is to block your pooch’s sight-line to potential barking triggers. This solution is ideal for dogs that are territorial/alarm/defence barkers as it aids to prevent visual stimulation which can trigger your dog.
For outdoors, you can cut off visual access by using private fencing or privacy hedges in the garden. If your dog stays indoors, you can leave the curtains closed or close the blinds. Alternatively, you can use place removable plastic films which allows light in but make the windows opaque. Be sure to place the window film a few inches above your dog’s line of sight to reduce the chances of visual stimulation.
3. Use treats and toys
As you leave the house, give your dog a chew-toy that has your scent on it to keep him busy. This can help distract your pooch as you leave and also keep him calm since the toy has your scent on it. The toy could be a stuffed Kong toy or a safe chew bone stuffed with cheese spread or peanut butter (without xylitol), but what counts is that the toys will keep their mouth occupied with something aside from barking. Interactive treat toys are also a great way of keeping their minds busy.
Similarly, give your dog treats as a way of rewarding him for not barking. If he hears a noise from outside or doesn’t bark when you’re out of sight, praise him and give him a treat. Rewarding your dog is an excellent way of getting him to associate his refusal to react with something positive.
4. Create a quiet zone
A dog that suffers from separation anxiety shouldn’t be allowed to move freely at home, so create a quiet zone for them in the house where they can be when you aren’t at home. Ideally, the spot should be the quietest part of the house like a back bedroom, utility room or space. You can include a dog crate with comfortable bedding for them, and don’t forget to leave some food and water for them too.
5. Uses exercises
Some dog breeds like retrievers, pointers, setters and collies were originally used to work all day and they tend to become restless if they’re under-exercised. They need to be kept busy or they might resort to barking due to boredom. Experiment with different dog exercises to discover the ones that come close to tiring your pooch out. A panting, utterly exhausted dog will be too tired out to waste his remaining energy barking.
6. Hire A Dog Walker
Hire a dog walker if you are out at work all day to tire your dog out and to break up his day.
All in All
If you have applied all the tips above and still can’t seem to get your dog to stop barking, you might need extra help from a dog trainer/behaviourist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Get in touch with your local Scamps and Champs Branch here to discuss your pets needs.
Using dog walking services over the past 5 years has been become increasingly popular by dog owners in the Bristol area. No more are loving dog owners finding it acceptable to leave their dogs unattended for the whole day while they go to work.
With the use of professional dog walkers in Bristol our Bristol dogs are getting to go out, stretching their legs and have stimulation during the day, despite their owners being at work. Having this type of dog walking service available has also opened up the possibility of having a dog as part of the family to families who are out all day at work or school and had otherwise discounted owning a dog.
There are the obvious reasons our dogs really need to have the day broken up for them, number 1 being the need to pee! No one wants to come home after a day at work or school to a find a puddle or worse, greeting them as the walk through the door. But there are other reasons, including the dogs mental health.
It’s known that a lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to attention-seeking and destructive behaviors. With sufficient daily exercise and stimulation, dog owners are far less likely to come home to a house that’s been torn apart by anxious or neglected feeling dogs.
There are also many physical health benefits to ensuring your dogs are exercised regularly and have plenty of enrichment throughout the day such as maintaining a healthy weight and joints.
Being the owner of younger dogs or puppies brings increased demands on your time but this is also the key phase where unwanted behaviours can develop. Ensuring your puppy has sufficient stimulation, exercise and training while it is young will help create the well-behaved, happy family dog you no doubt want. Using an experienced dog walker for your younger dogs and puppies is definitely worth considering, if you are struggling for time yourself.
There are many great places to go dog walking in Bristol and finding a safe route suitable for your dog will make the walk even better. Allowing your dog to sniff and search provides them with good mental stimulation and using their senses in this way will also tire them out…bonus for you when you return home for a nice cup of tea.
Reputable dog walkers in Bristol will have some form of GPS tracking, where you are able to monitor the service provided and check where your dog has been and how long for.
It’s tempting to use the “girl or boy next door” to walk our dogs as sometimes it can seem easier to arrange or possibly less costly. However what happens if something goes wrong; your dog lost, injured or injures someone else? Or what if the person you are relying on has something of their own crop up last minute, where does that leave your dogs walk.
Just in the same way you wouldn’t have the bloke next door service your car (unless they so happened to be in that trade), why then do we risk our four-legged family member with someone un-qualified or at the very least uninsured?
Protect your dog and your friendships; use a professional dog walker for your dog walking in Bristol.
Contact your local Scamps and Champs branch for more information or to discuss your dogs pet care needs.
Scamps & Champs Stockport provide a dog poo pickup service to manage the pet waste in your garden around the Stockport area. The service includes cleaning and sanitising/deodorising your garden.
Dog poo can contain harmful bacteria such as, E.Coli, Parvovirus, Fecal Coliform, Salmonella, worms and parasites. Left unchecked these can pass back to your dog and other animals, but also to children and adults.
We offer weekly, fortnightly, monthly or one off cleans. There are no contracts and you can cancel at any time.
All tools and footwear are disinfected between each garden visit to eliminate the spread of disease.
Your dogs are welcome to visit with us while we clean as long as they are friendly.
There is no need to stay in and wait for us. As long as we can gain access to your garden, we can clean up in your absence. All of our staff are DBS checked and fully insured.
Scamps & Champs Stockport offer a dog poop pick up service around Stockport, Bredbury, Woodley, Romiley, Marple, Compstall, Bramhall, Davenport, Offerton, Cale Green, Reddish, Heaton Moor, Heaton Mersey and Heaton Norris areas.
Prices start from as little as £12.00 but will vary depending on how many pets you have and how many visits you require. Please contact us for a detailed quotation and further information.
To find out more about our Dog Pooh Pick Up Service simply visit our Scamps and Champs website. To check availability or make a booking with us please complete our online form.
Whilst summer provides an abundance of outdoor opportunities for our canine companions, it also comes with additional risks. Hikes, swimming, holidays, picnics and exercising offer ample opportunities for us to take our beloved dogs out with us to enjoy the sunshine. At Scamps and Champs we definitely don’t want to suggest for one moment that this isn’t a fabulous idea! However, there are risks you can come upon in the summer months that as a responsible dog owner, it is good to be aware of so that preventative measures can be put in place and your dog’s safety ensured. Keep reading for our top 10 safety tips for your dog this summer:
It goes without saying that you should never leave your dog in a hot car during the summer. Temperatures can reach over 90 degrees in a car during hot days and so the fairest thing to do is leave your dog at home in the cool, however beautiful the day is and how tempting it is to take your dog out to enjoy it with you.
If you chose not to protect your dog then your dog can be at serious risk of; heart worm, Lyme disease and a lot of other serious diseases associated with the heat and parasites. So always protect your dog as prevention is far better than trying to treat a serious illness.
Pavements, stones and footpaths can become exceedingly hot when the sun is out and can very easily cause your dog’s paw pads to become burnt. This can be extremely painful for your dog and therefore keeping your dog inside whilst the heat of the day is at its peak, or opting for woodland walks can be necessary alternatives. If your dog appears to be over heating then put their paws in some cold water to cool their body temperature down.
Dogs can sweat but only a small amount so they therefore need to pant to cool down, this means they need to drink a lot of water when the weather is warm. To avoid your dog getting heat stroke ensure cold, fresh water and shade are available at all times.
Your garden can get very hot in the summer so why not provide your dogs with their very own kiddy pool to keep them cool! Who doesn’t love a cool dip in the summer!
Whilst a quick dip in the river, ocean or a lake may seem like a great idea to cool your dog down, do not assume they can swim! Make sure your dog can’t jump into deep water when they are unattended, as if they can’t swim well they could drown. Make sure you are always there to supervise your dog in deep water.
Did you know that dogs can get sunburn too? Dogs can still get sunburn and it can be very painful, so keep them in the shade or ask your vet about pet sunscreen as it does exist. Do not assume sunscreen for humans will do the job, as this is not the case.
When you go out for the day or on holiday, the temptation is there to let your dog off the lead to explore. However once in an unfamiliar environment this can be extremely disorientating for dogs and they can easily wonder off and get lost. If you are unsure at all about your dog’s recall then keep them on the lead or on a long line, where they can explore safely.
If your dog is overweight then this can cause them to struggle in the heat and make exercise and breathing more difficult. So after those winter months make sure your dog is the correct weight ready for the summer heat. If you are in any doubt ensure you visit your vet.
It’s tempting to keep all of your house windows open at night particularly when it is really hot outside. However, don’t leave them open too wide and don’t forget to close windows when you go out of the house. As your dogs may get curious and escape, putting them at risk of coming to harm or running away.
We hope you have enjoyed our preventative summer top ten tips for your dogs! We hope you all enjoy the fabulous summer months with your precious pooches in the great outdoors!
Scamps and Champs are one of the country’s leading Pet Care Service companies, we offer caring and reliable animal care for when you can’t be there. Check out our services and availability in your area. If we can assist you in anyway please do contact us.