Tag: dogs

Pets on the go!

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The summer sun is heating up, and trips to the beaches of Spain and mountains of Switzerland are calling your name. Or maybe just a trip to the farmers market! And no one appreciates a new adventure more than your pet! (Napping in the sun and looking cute all day can be exhausting!)

As you look to pack for your next trip, finding safe pet transportation is very important. Carriers should be sturdy, comfortable, and provide enough ventilation.
At PetLondon, we have four models that we feel are best for taking little dogs or cats on summer adventures. A Sherpa, Sling, backpack, and shoulder bag all guarantee a safe transport of your pet, however, they do have some key differences.

sherpaSHERPA: A Sherpa carrier is the original style of travel transport. Its boxy shape gives pets a little more space, and are approved by most major airlines. It can easily fit under most seats when flying. [We always advise checking with your individual airline] The bottom of the carrier includes a fuzzy mat, which can double as a bed. The Sherpa style carrier provides the convenience of two different entry ways- the top and the side. The addition of a side zippered-entry, allows pets to walk right in to the carrier. The top zippered-entry, allows for you to check on your pet during the journey, or let your pet pop their head out to take in the views. Some sherpa carriers can safely hold pets up to 10 kilograms.

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SLING: The sling carrier also provides several benefits. A sling provides hands-free transport, which active owners can appreciate, especially on hikes. The shape allows the carrier to comfortably sit against your body. This is helpful if your animal has anxiety, because they can feel close to you, while still having a full view of their surroundings. Some sling models provide full-body mesh, perfect for carrying pets in the heat. The mesh creates lots of ventilation. The sling carriers are best for small dogs, cats, and rabbits.

backpack.jpgBACKPACK: Another way to go handsfree is with a backpack carrier. It offers great weather protection on rainy or windy days. Backpacks also allow for more storage over other carriers. If you are on the go, a pet backpack has pockets to store pet food, water, and toys. Pets up to six kilograms can participate in safe and comfortable backpack rides for the pet and owner.

shoulder.jpgSHOULDER BAG: For many women, a shoulder bag offers the comfort and familiarity of a purse. If you’re riding in the tube, or on a shopping trip, this is a discreet way to protect and carry your pet. Shoulder bags can come in different fabrics to match the season. Linen and cotton bags are the most popular summer materials. Like the backpack, shoulder bags also have built-in storage. This style of carrier is best for shy or relaxed pets that like to be comfortable and close to their owner.
An extra benefit of shoulder bags is that is comes with two strap options- a long adjustable shoulder strap, or short handles. It gives pet owners carrying options when in busy or crowded places.

Each of the four carrier options provide different benefits to different pet lifestyles. If you haven’t invested in a pet carrier, summer might be the perfect time to do so. It keeps paws off the hot payment, and allows owners to get on the move!

Marauding around Marylebone – The Ultimate Doggy Day Out

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Nestled in the heart of London, Marylebone’s village-like atmosphere is the perfect place for a day out with your dog. PetLondon has been part of this community for over ten years; our showroom is a true-to-life Aladdin’s cave for all your doggy needs. The area is bursting with a variety of dog friendly activities and we want to share all the hidden gems with you. This is the only guide you will need for the ultimate adventure with your canine companion.

Start off your morning exploring Marylebone High Street, it’s a haven for shopping, food and culture – a perfect blend of individuality and character rarely found in a city centre.  This unique vibrant high-street is warm and welcoming, with a plethora of boutiques to explore as you stroll down the pleasantly bustling avenue.  Most of the shops are super dog friendly, but the winner all round has to be Lululemon – it hands out dog treats! We love their store, not only for their excellent range of premium quality and chic sports wear but also their ‘amour-propre’ laid back manifesto to life. It’s our guilty pleasure to indulge in some new apparel for the morning run with the dog. 

John Lewis on Oxford St is an icon boosting the latest in shopping technology over six different floors. This beloved institution is now dog-friendly and we can highly recommend we give them a visit to shop to your hearts content.

After some well needed retail therapy, we implore you to grab a luscious coffee at Illy Cafe on Regent’s street, where the spacious seating outside is perfect to soak up some sunshine with your canine , and relax as the world goes by. Make sure to order their Cappuccino – it’s to die for! Don’t forget to visit us whilst walking up Wigmore Street. Our showroom is a paradise for dogs; we have a huge range of premium products, from grooming and garments to treats and toys. Just ring the buzzer of No.16,  we are on the fourth floor.

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With a new harness or lead in hand, head over to Paddington Street Gardens, located just around the corner, it’s a total hidden gem. Opened in 1886 by HRH Princess Louise, these beautiful public gardens are perfect for dogs and owners of varying energy levels to stretch their legs. This lovely secluded spot located between Marylebone and Baker Street is popular with local residents. Park dwellers  always seem to be  spotted relaxing on the deckchairs which can be hired, and these gardens are the home for the annual Marylebone’s Summer Fayre which takes place in June each year.  If you are visiting of a weekend, be sure to explore the nearby Marylebone Farmers’ Market which is filled with scrumptious goods from across the country with both locals and food enthusiasts alike sampling the best the capital has to offer.

Whenever you fancy wander onwards to Il Baretto’s; their upstairs dining area is fully dog friendly. This lesser known spot is our hidden secret gem but we wanted to share this with you.  This restaurant is an ideal spot, to rest your feet and enjoy a spot of lunch. We have got to recommend fully their scrumptious Bufala pizza. It’s classically simple and authentic menu takes culinary influences from specialty dishes and regional produce of Italy. We can also recommend 31below the restaurant which offers fabulous small plates and sharers.

Afterwards you must spend the afternoon perusing the  five floors of fashion and lifestyle goods at the globally renowned Selfridges, which is known for being extremely dog friendly. Just remember your companion has to be under-arm or alongside you in a carry bag!

With so much to do, you consider staying a few nights in the area. For those visiting from near or far, we highly recommend The Langham. This prestigious and  iconic pet-friendly hotel has been praised by many for its excellent customer service for both owners and their pets and is ideally located to explore Marylebone. To top it off,  the glamorous Artesian  Bar has been dubbed the ‘World’s Best Bar’, winning  the coveted Drinks International Best Bar award for four years in a row.

We hope you enjoyed our suggestions for a dog friendly day in our beloved neighbourhood.  We are proud to call Marylebone our home, it’s definitely the picture-perfect place to explore all year round, with plenty of fantastic shops and spaces no matter what time of year.

Dog Fashion Trends for the Summer!

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It’s almost officially summer here in London. That means it’s time to catch up on hot summer trends of 2016. As Elle Magazine puts it, here are “key ways to wear neon without looking like a traffic cone.”

PetLondon stays on top of seasonal trends. Our pet product lines are always updated to match current in-style fashion items for humans. This summer, neon will be a popular trendy fashion statement across the UK. We want to make sure your furry friends are hip for the summer.

PetLondon offers a variety of neon products that can be worn separately or coordinated. From harnesses, to hair bows, collars, and much more. We are confident these will be on trend for 2016 and perfect for your canine. These products are suitable for parks, vacations, and city walks. Wherever you go, passing dogs and owners will probably be super jealous of your pup.

The most recent accessories in our neon line are the Puppia Harnesses. This chic item comes in a variety of colors and sizes to fit most breeds of dog. No matter the occasion, your pooch will be looking picture perfect and fresh for the coming summer months.

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Neon RiteFit Puppia Harness in pink, orange, green, and blue.

The Puppia Neon Harness II is a RiteFit style. This means that the harness does not need to pass over your dogs head. It can be buckled up around them. This suits breeds that dislike having anything pass over their hand and also dogs with large heads relative to the size of their neck. The other bonus of this style of harness is that the shoulder straps can be adjusted, so you can make the neckline bigger if needed. This may be needed for dogs who are normally hard to fit or are in between sizes. Sturdy metal Double D rings for safety on the back, so you can clip your lead around both. The Neck has Velcro and two buckles for an exact fit! The chest belt is adjustable and fastens with a sturdy plastic buckle. Matching leads are available. They are vibrant and full of fun vibes. The inside of the harness is lined with a thin layer of breathable padding keeping your pup comfortable in this summer heat.

If you don’t want a harness, we’ve got you covered! PetLondon also offers Neon Glitter Collars. These dog collars come in a variety of colors and sizes. From a vibrant yellow to a hot pink, these collars are sure to catch eyes in the streets. They’re also great for safety reasons, keeping your pet highly visible.

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Neon Glitter Collar in blue, pink, orange, and yellow.

 

Easily adjustable and a comfortable fit, these collars will make your pup stand proud as they walk down the street.

You can’t have a collar without a leash. Don’t forget to grab yourself a matching Neon Lead.

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Neon Lead in pink.

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Neon Lead in green.

The Neon Leads come in a variety of colors and are super sturdy for both small and large dogs. Walks are good for people, but great for dogs. Make sure you keep your pup active this summer.

Accessorise your pooch! Now that your furry friend has a neon harness, collar, and lead, you’re going to want to make sure they are accessorised too. PetLondon carries a variety of accessories to beautify your canine. These Neon Hair Bows are fit for both male and female dogs.

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Neon Hair Bow in pink, orange, yellow, and green.

 

Now that you have some ideas for your pooch, make sure you get out and start shopping today! You don’t want your pup behind on the latest trends. We have everything you need here at PetLondon. The showroom is open Monday – Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and we are pet friendly. So bring your furry family. We love making new friends.

To Brush or Not To Brush?

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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

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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

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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!