Pets Alone

Three of our talented models recently took part in creating a viral video for Frontline. The brief was to recreate a scene from Home Alone but with a dog as the one left at home alone and a couple of “cat” burglars trying to break in over Christmas.

The casting process was tough and several animals were considered for the positions. In the end the lucky dog selected was Lottie, a crossbreed from Essex who has an impressive list of special skills.

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PetLondon Model Lottie

Cast alongside Lottie were siblings Birman Foxy and Maine CoonWolfie, two felines from Southend-on-Sea. This lovely duo often work together on set as they are both very talented and photogenic.

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PetLondon Models Foxie & Wolfie

The filming took place over a day and Lottie (aka “Kevin”) had to do some special practise rehearsals at home to get used to the actions required.

We were very excited to see the final video as the script sounded like a really fun storyboard and we are delighted to be able to share with you the results on here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfxHOSARzA

 

To Brush or Not To Brush?

Yes, I know, in today’s busy world you probably barely have time to brush your own teeth so the thought of having to do your pets too might sound like a lot of work but seriously when you think about it….. It is just about 180 seconds of your day that could make a huge difference to the health and life span of your furry friend.

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Try to get into a routine where you brush your animals teeth in the evening after they have finished eating for the day. It’s a good idea to do it around the same time as you do your own nightly brush. That way you are more likely to remember. Keep your pets toothbrush in your bathroom where you will be likely to see it each night as a reminder.

You can use a special pet toothbrush. There are lots of different kinds available to suit different types of dog or cat. The main choices are; finger toothbrush, tiny toothbrush or a dual headed brush that covers both at once. Then you need to select a pet toothpaste. Make sure you check the scent of this, meat flavoured ones might not lead to very pleasant breath! Its best to look for one that is minty or vanilla for sweeter puppy kisses.

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Brush your pets teeth just as you would your own. They don’t need to rinse . However make sure you carefully rinse out their brush under water each time you use it to avoid it getting stiff and also to keep it clean.

In an ideal world you would brush your pets teeth EVERY day but if you can manage even 3-4 times a week then you are doing better than most. For those of you who want another option, on nights when you cannot manage a full brush you can use a pet tooth wipe which is a 20 second quick solution that is better than doing nothing at all.

Once you start teeth brushing into your dog or cats routine you should notice a number of key benefits. Your dog or cat will have cleaner teeth and plaque will build up less quickly. This should mean better breath and less visits to the veterinarian for teeth cleaning over their lifetime. The teeth and gumline affect the whole health of your pet and most people are unaware that bad teeth can cause pain (which your pet cannot tell you about) and lead to other dangerous conditions such as heart problems.

Do your pet a favour and try to start today!

November Spotlight | Polaris Hoodie

An opportunity to put some of PetLondon’s bestselling products under the spotlight and examine what makes them so special. This series will highlight one product each month.

New for Autumn/Winter 2015, the Polaris Hoodie is already becoming a firm favourite with our customers. Available in a dusky pink or a soft oatmeal and brown, the Polaris is made of a very simple herringbone patterned material. Each hoodie has a small and understated fleecy star on the back- which is how it earned its magical name! A single button can be fastened around the neck for a chic look, or left undone to give your dog a little more room.

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The same super soft cotton fleece used for the star has also been incorporated into the lining, hood and sleeves. This gives the hoodie long-lasting softness and a touch of stretch. Designed with premium comfort in mind, the cotton fleece is extremely high quality which is guaranteed to make your dog even more cuddly than normal! Another cosy design feature in the Polaris is the ribbed bottom. This little touch is found across the Puppia range, and helps make sure the sweater has a snug and secure fit.

As well as being soft, elegant and comfortable, the Polaris is functional. It is one of a few Puppia items that come with a leash hole. Nestled at the top of the jumper- just under the hood- the leash hole means you can easily slip it on over the top of a harness and clip your lead through the hole. This makes it the perfect everyday choice for walks outside, especially as the weather gets colder.

To complete the look, Puppia have also released two matching harnesses this season. The Witta Harness A follows their internationally loved Harness design- easy to pull over the head, the Witta puts no strain on your dog’s neck and has a comfortable and supportive fit. Available in the same neutral pink and brown colours as the Polaris hoodie, the Witta is made of a similar herringbone patterned material. Perfect for the cold London weather, the harness is edged with luxurious cotton fleece material which helps keep in the warmth.

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Also available is the Witta Jacket Harness. The Jacket is made of the same elegant fabric and soft, cotton fleece trim. Popular with broad chested dogs, the Jacket does not need to be pulled over the head and is easy to step into and adjust.

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Whichever style your pet prefers, the Witta looks very chic and smart paired with the cosy Polaris Hoodie- and of course there is a matching lead!

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The Polaris range is available to buy online or in store today.

Trimming your dog’s nails: A Guide

Keeping your dog’s nails neatly trimmed is so much more than a manicure- it is an essential part of their grooming routine! Overgrown nails can be painful and awkward for your dog, and they can break which risks infection and more health problems. Did you know you should check your dogs paws once a month- if they’re overgrown they need a chop! Sadly, we often don’t realise how much time has passed, and how much your pup’s claws have overgrown. Have a check now- with their paw on the floor, check to see if your dog’s nails touch the floor. If they do- they need to be trimmed!

Doggie manicures are not always a fun task, and can make both people and dogs worried. Although it seems a little daunting, we have outlined a few guidelines to keep in mind to make trimming your pup’s nails as stress free as possible!

Before you get stuck in, remember you can teach your pup to tolerate, and maybe even enjoy, nail trimming. If they learn that it leads to exciting things, like treats or new toys– they could learn to love it. So whenever you trim your dog’s nails, immediately follow up with things they enjoy. For example, clip a nail and then feed your dog a delicioustreat. Clip another nail or two and feed another treat. With repetition and a little time, your dog will probably decide that getting their nails done is fun, not frightening.

Take a little extra time to slowly introduce the nail clippers, as well as the sensations involved in trimming. The first time you use clippers, don’t give your dog a full pedicure. Instead, just clip one or two nails, and remember to give your dog treats or play a game right after trimming. Keep it slow and easy so the paid of you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, approach calmly and speak in quiet, soothing tones. If you want your dog to relax, you’ll need to be relaxed too.

Okay, so now to the nitty gritty:

1) Get some treats and your clippers, and take your dog to a quiet area. Keep a clotting powder nearby when you trim your dog’s nails so that you can quickly stop the bleeding if you accidentally cut the quick (more details below!).

2) Choose a nail to trim. Take your dog’s toe and hold it firmly but gently between your fingers.

3) When trimming your dogs nails, you need to avoid the quick. This is the pink bit at the base of your pup’s claw where the blood vessels and nerve endings are. PetLondon have got their paws on an amazing product to help you out, these nail clippers will scan your pup’s nails to find the quick for you as you go.

If your dog has clear nails, you can see the live quick, which looks pink. Cut the nail no closer than about two millimeters from the quick. If your dog has dark nails, you can avoid cutting into the quick by trimming one little sliver of nail at a time, starting with the tip. As you cut slices off your dog’s nail, look at the exposed edge of the cut nail. Eventually, you’ll see a grey or pink oval starting to appear. Stop trimming when you see the oval. Another option with black nails is to have a helper use a torch to back-light each of your dog’s nails while you trim. The light from behind the nail allows you to clearly see the pink quick.

4) If you’re using a guillotine-type trimmer, insert the very tip of your dog’s nail into the hole, holding the trimmer perpendicular to the nail so that you cut from top to bottom, not side to side. When you’ve positioned the trimmer in the right place, squeeze the handles to cut through your dog’s nail.

Take it all super slowly and carefully, and ease your pup -and yourself- into the routine and remember to keep an eye on your pup’s paws!

Happy Grooming!