Choosing a bed for your dog

All of our stores have a great range of beds, here is an introduction to some of the solutions we have for different needs.
For large dogs who are prone to arthritis, an orthopedic bed can provide relief to aching hips and back legs.

Dogs such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers and  Bulldogs prone to skin allergies benefit from a lightweight bed which removes moisture from their skin and also control odour.

Puppies often respond well to a cuddle bed when making the transition into a new home.  These beds can reduce anxiety by making them feel nestled in with their pack mates.

The two main types of outdoor beds are those that are elevates and the basic mats.  Elevated beds are beneficial in summer as they allow air movement around the dog, keeping them cool; while in winter they raise your pet off the cold and sometimes damp ground.

If your dog has enjoyed biting and tearing their bed in the past, you may want a tear resistant material.  The Snooza D1000 and the PetLife are tear resistant and have a hidden zipper, making it harder for your dog to get inside.  These two beds are often recommended for dogs with stronger jaws, such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

For the best advice on the right bed for your dog, bring your dog into our store and speak to one of our staff members!  Click here for your nearest store.

Don’t scrap your best friend’s diet!

While it may be tempting to share your Christmas dinner with your best friend, remember it is important that your pet still get’s the real nutrition they need from their premium pet food diet. Overfeeding your pet can lead to obesity or weight issues that can affect joints, mobility and overall well being. For more information on obesity, check out our article below.

Have a Pet Safe Christmas

We’ve put together this list of things to remember to ensure you have a pet safe Christmas this year.

• Avoid tinsel on your Christmas tree, as your best friend may eat it. Keep all tree ornaments out of reach and make sure you don’t have any edible decorations like strings of popcorn on your tree. Also, don’t use chemicals in your tree’s water as your pet may drink this.
• Ensure you don’t have any Christmas treats such as candy canes, Christmas lollies and chocolates where your best friend can reach them.
• Dispose of Christmas wrapping paper, bows, ribbons etc as soon as possible as curious pets may play with them then eat them or get caught up in them.
• Christmas lunch is always delicious for us humans, but not that good for pets. If you want to treat your best friend to a special Christmas treat at lunch time, select items from Best Friends that are suitable. Be careful not to over feed your pet. Make sure your guests know not to feed your best friend too.
• Ensure your best friend has their collar with their ID tags on securely. Some pets often take the opportunity to sneak out the front door as guests are coming in. So always make sure your best friend can easily be identified and returned to you.

Keep your best friend safe from garden hazards

When you're working in the garden, be careful of any chemicals, plants or tools that could harm your pet.

Warmer weather means it's time to dust off the garden tools. Pets love investigating the garden shed, but be careful - there are hidden dangers:

• Fertiliser: Most blood and bone fertiliser contains high levels of nitrogenous additives. If eaten, these can prove rapidly toxic or even fatal.
• Insecticides and Weed killers: These are toxic to pets and should be safely stored and locked up.
• Compost: The garden compost heap is very attractive to your pet, but it contains bacteria, moulds and toxins that can make them very sick if ingested.
• Snail and Slug Bait: A common cause of death in dogs and cats. On the garden bed or in the box, it's attractive to pets, but ingestion of small quantities can be rapidly fatal. Products that call themselves "pet friendly" contain a bittering agent, but this only acts as a deterrent. Some pets will still eat these highly toxic baits, so be careful.
• Rat and Mouse Baits: These are very toxic and unfortunately very attractive to pets. Ingestion causes internal bleeding and your pet can become unwell before you are even aware.

Clean your best friend's living quarters

As the weather heats up, pet odours can become more noticeable. The best way to address these is with a thorough cleaning. At Best Friends Pet Stores, our staff are experts at cleaning up after pets, so come in and ask them for their pet cleanliness tips.

Here are a few of our top tips for keeping things clean around your best friends:

Dogs: Bag it, Bin it. Councils have hefty penalties for owners who don’t clean up after their dogs when out walking and playing. Always have bags on hand to clean up after your dog. At Best Friends we have plenty of bags and dispensers for sale.

Cats: Daily, weekly, yearly. With increased penalties and curfews for outdoor cats, more owners are using litter trays for their feline friends. To keep odours under control, stick with the 3 Cs: clear out any solids on a daily basis; change over the full litter weekly or more regularly; consider a new litter tray each year.

Birds: Get the daily news. A quick and easy way to clean up after your bird is to line the bottom of the cage with 7 sheets of paper at the start of the week, and remove one (with all the mess!) each day. Together with a regular scrub out, this will help keep your bird happy and healthy.

Small pets can make a big mess! When cleaning out their enclosures, make sure the products you use are pet-friendly. Never use household bleaches or harsh cleansers.

Fish: Ensure your fish tank is away from direct sunlight, and part-change your water regularly to reduce algae overgrowth and additional scrubbing.

Reptiles: Most reptiles carry salmonella bacteria, so it's important to sanitise their enclosures regularly. Always use antibacterial soap or gel after handling your reptile. If the reptile has been exploring any household surfaces, sanitise them straight away.

Enjoy the sunshine with daily walks and outdoor excursions

Just like humans, pets risk their health when they put on too much weight. Over the winter months, your best friend has probably been less active while keeping out of the cold, wet weather, and you might have got out of the daily walking routine.

Spring is a great time to get active again and enjoy some outdoor time with your best friend. Play in the backyard, promenade at the dog park, frolic at the pet-friendly beach, or come and see us at Best Friends, where you and your pet are welcome in any weather!

Spending time outdoors doesn't just keep your dog fit and active. The chance to socialise with other dogs and owners at pet-friendly venues will get your best friend used to the company of others, which will lead to an improvement in behaviour.

The right walking and play equipment will make this time with your pet even more enjoyable. Talk to the Best Friends team in store for expert advice on collars, leads, harnesses, interactive toys and travel equipment.

Toys - healthy fun & play!

A variety of toys is important to socialise, entertain and nurture your pet’s physical and mental well being.

Find a great range of dog, cat & bird toys in store specially designed to relieve boredom, interact with your best friend or even help prevent oral disease.

Keep your pet's flea and worming treatments up to date

Whether your best friend is a cat or a dog, you'll have to grapple with fleas, ticks and worms at one time or another.

Left untreated, these common parasites can be the cause of dermatitis and infection for your pet, and can even infest your home.

The best way to prevent things going this far is with regular monthly treatments.

There are some great spray, tablet and spot treatments out now, which are safe, quick and easy to administer, so your pet is always up-to-date and protected.
Remember, with the right advice, and regular treatment,   you needn’t let these little pests get between you and your best friend!

For advice on flea and worming treatments, talk to our expert staff at the Grooming Salon or Our Vet™ Pet Clinic.

Shed your best friend's winter coat without the mess

As the weather warms up and daylight hours increase, dogs start losing their winter coats. Shedding hair is a natural process for most dog breeds. It happens all year round, but especially in spring and summer.

With a little extra attention to brushing and combing, you can save your house from masses of loose hair everywhere, and from mats building up as your dog’s winter coat moults:

• Brush and comb weekly, more often for long-haired dogs. Talk to our groomers in store for advice on grooming techniques, brushes and detangling sprays that can reduce unwanted shedding.
• Shampoo regularly to keep shedding and allergies under control. Consider a Health Essentials Coat Conditioning treatment at Best Friends Salon to get your dog’s coat back in good condition.
• Do a quick health exam. Check the skin for sores, ticks and fleas. Make sure ears are clean and odour-free, and nails are at a comfortable length. If you have any concerns, make an appointment at Our Vet™ Pet Clinic.
• Make sure your dog's flea and tick treatments are up to date.

For the best results, bring your best friends in for a Salon visit. Our grooming experts have specialised equipment to de-mat and brush out your dog's winter coat. Better to shed hair on our floor than your couch!

Premium Food: More nutrition, less clean up

Premium foods are the best foods you can feed your pet. They are made by companies known for high-level nutrition research to provide the perfectly balanced diet for your dog and cat. Premium food can be tailored for your pet’s specific needs and is formulated for different life-stages, activity levels, size and even specific breeds. The health benefits of feeding premium food include:

• Concentrated nutrition: feed less, costs less per feed
• Better dental health
• Healthy skin & coat conditions
• Less clean-up & odour
• Greater overall well-being

Plus at Best Friends Pet Stores, as a VIP Member you get minimum 10% off premium food Every Day!

Join for free in store or on line.

Help your best friend shed those extra kilos!

33% of cats and 41% dogs are overweight or obese, according to a 2008 study by the RSPCA.

Obesity is a growing problem for pets. It can lead to other health issues like joint stress, heat intolerance, and cardiovascular or respiratory diseases. Just like in people, obesity in pets can be caused by overeating, lack of exercise, and underlying medical issues.

If you're concerned about your best friend's health, you may need to review their diet and exercise routine. The team at Our Vet Pet™ Clinic can assess your pet’s body score, and give you expert advice on how to get them looking and feeling healthier.

We’ve even got a specific “Slimmer's Program” to get your pet on the right track.

Top 5 Summer Tips

Here are some basic tips over the hot summer months to ensure your best friend is happy and healthy:

1. Always ensure your pet has fresh water easily available.
2. Make sure your pet’s habitat, aquarium, kennel is in a shaded area out of direct sunlight.
3. Avoid exercising or over-exerting your pet on extremely hot days or when the sun is at its most intense.
4. Pets can get sunburnt, especially those with short and/or light coloured hair. Apply sunscreen before going out in the sun.
5. Never – ever – leave your pet unattended in a car. This is particularly dangerous in Summer when heatstroke can occur.