Dogs and Halloween: Sound Advice for Keeping your Pets Safe and Calm during Fireworks

by Pilar Bueno

It is nearly that time of the year when the night skies filled with colourful displays, loud bangs and explosions as we get ready to celebrate events such as Diwali, Halloween, Bonfire Night, and of course Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

We have been enjoying fireworks for centuries. Originally believed to have been invented by the Chinese in the 11th century, the then small firecrackers ("fire pills", as they were referred to) were apparently used to scare off evil spirits. Nowadays, the popularity and affordability of fireworks have increased so exponentially that they have become a sign to mark special events all around the world.

As much as we humans may enjoy and delight with the beautiful light displays that pepper our skies, there is no doubt that our faithful pets and wildlife have a different opinion of this cacophony of sound and flashing lights.

Animals simply don't share our fondness for these explosives and react in the only way they know when confronted with a perceived harmful attack or threat to their survival: fight-or-flight. The stress generated as a result of this event can cause not just psychological but physical damage to domesticated animals and wildlife as they try to flee from danger. 

Thousand of panicked birds roosting in large communal flocks during the winter months take to the skies at night crashing into trees, power lines, houses and each other. And the lucky ones that manage to survive the stampede, may end up being poisoned by the pyrotechnics' toxic fumes.

Closer to home, our dogs (and cats), struggle to cope with the perceived attacks to their safe haven and respond either by "attack barking", trying to run away or cowering in a pitiful shacking mess. That is no surprise as dog hearing is far more sensitive than humans, as they are able to hear sound four times farther away than we can and up to three times higher frequency too. Your cat's hearing is even better!
Having said all of the above, some lucky pooches are only concerned that their nap time is being interrupted and couldn't care less about the light show.

Strategies for Coping With the Fireworks Season

• Exercise your dogs before dusk before most of the fireworks commence. If you can, take them on an extra-long and energetic walk with plenty of stimulation so that they are tired and more relaxed.
• Ensure all your pets are indoors. Comfort them to make them feel safe and secure.
• Build a den where they can take refuge. If you have one, cover your dog’s crate or place a blanket over a small table where they can hide. Cats, on the other hand, feel safe up high or in cosy spaces like a cardboard box. Place a comfy bed for them with blankets to burrow in and make sure that they always have access to this safe haven.
• Don’t leave them on their own. Your pet will definitely feel safer if you are around. If you must go out, make sure that someone they know stays with them.
• Play with them and keep them entertained and distracted. The Facebook Group Beyond The Bowl - Canine Enrichment share some great ideas
• Shut windows, doors (and cat flaps) and draw curtains to minimise the noise/light disturbance. Put the lights on in some rooms and leave others in darkness so that your pet can choose where it feels safest.
• Play calming music or turn the tv sound to loud to muffle the outside noise but not too loud that will scare your dog.
• Put your dogs on a lead if they need to go out to the toilet, even if it is in your garden,  in case they hear a firework and bolt.
• Thundershirt: This is a very popular all-natural, drug-free solution to dealing with your pet’s anxiety and fear of loud noises. The shirt applies gentle constant pressure on specific pressure points that create a sensation similar to swaddling a baby. It is available for dogs and cats, starting at around £30 and available in different sizes and designs.
• Put on a snug-fitting t-shirt on your dog. A more affordable version of the Thundershirt that will work along the same lines.
• Be prepared in the event that your pet escapes. Ensure that they are wearing a tag with your contact details and/or that they are microchipped so that you can be promptly reunited with them. 
• Natural Remedies:  CBD (Cannabidiol) Oil, a non-psychoactive substance obtained from hemp, is well known for its therapeutic properties and it has recently gained more popularity for use with our pets for treating a variety of ailments such as seizures, lessening pain and calming anxiety, to name a few. Make sure you purchase from a reputable company. We personally use Chakanna CBD oil who has a special range for Pets.

Help For Cases of Fireworks Phobia or Conditioning

Sound Therapy 4 Pets is a wonderful and FREE sound-based treatment programme to help your dog deal with distressing noises. You can download the programme and the full set of instructions from the Dog Trust Website

Clinical Animal Behaviourists. For those cases that need special attention. Details where you can find suitably qualified personnel can be found at the RSPCA.

Be Safe - Be Thoughtful - Be Kind

Help Make Fireworks Less Frightening to Animals

No sound Fireworks 

If you are a big pyrotechnics enthusiast, why not buy “No Sound Fireworks”? You get the thrill of deploying the firework and enjoy the colourfull light show without the loud bangs.

Klasek is the European pyrotechnics company that manufactures them. You will find their UK stocklist here. Prices start around £30 for 25 shots.

Join the RSPCA Fireworks campaign to help change regulations to protect animal welfare.
The campaign does NOT call for a total ban on fireworks but aims to minimise distress to animals by, for instance, restricting the sale of fireworks for private use with a maximum noise level of 90 decibels. To put this into context, currently, the allowed level of 120 decibels is the equivalent of a jet aircraft taking off! 

Please sign the Change.org petition and don’t forget to share it on social media.

Halloween Can Be Fun For Dogs Too!

Dressing Up:

There are some hilarious and cute costumes available for your pets. Obviously, don't force them to wear one if that is going to distress them but otherwise let them enjoy the fun. 

Tasty and Nutritious Treats

With all that pumpkin around, why not treat your dog to some delicious and nutritious food. Read our previous blog post about the benefits of cooked Pumpkin for dogs. Also, watch out for our next HALLOWEEN SPECIAL for a tasty selection of Pumpkin Treat Recipes for Dogs. If you don't want to miss it, make sure you go to the top of the article and on the right-hand side of the page you will see the option to "Subscribe".

Do NOT feed RAW Pumpkin flesh or seeds, only cooked or canned

From all of us here at Dogs at Home House Sitting, we wish you a very Spooky and Fun Halloween. 
Be safe and be responsible always remembering to clean up all firework residue such as bits of paper, spent casings, used matches and ash. The debris can be toxic and harmful to animals that may ingest them. 

Thanks

Pilar and John

If you've found our blog to be useful please don't forget to go to the top of the article and on the right-hand side of the page, you have an option to....

Fido's raw meat pet food may be loaded with harmful bacteria: study

October 16, 2019 by Marlowe Hood

Three-quarters of raw meat pet food samples purchased and tested in Switzerland exceeded recommended limits of bacteria known to cause gastrointestinal infections

Increasingly popular raw meat meals for dogs and cats may be full of multi-drug resistant bacteria, posing a serious risk to animals and humans, scientists reported Wednesday.

Three-quarters of samples purchased and tested in Switzerland exceeded recommended limits of bacteria known to cause gastrointestinal infections, and more than half had bugs impervious to drugs designed to kill them, they reported in Royal Society Open Science.

"It is really worrying that we found EBSL-producing bacteria in over 60 per cent of samples," said first author Magdalena Nuesch-Inderbinen, a researcher at the University of Zurich, referring to an enzyme that renders some antibiotics ineffective.

"They include several types of E. coli which can cause infections in humans and animals."

Sales of raw pet food—sometimes called "biologically appropriate raw food", or BARF—have soared in recent years, especially for dogs. Paleo-like diets are said to boost canine vitality and immunity, even if there is scant research to back up such claims.

Indeed, veterinary medical associations in the United States and Canada have raised concerns about raw meat pet food, with reports showing it to be a source of Salmonella and infectious yersiniosis in dogs.

And that, Nuesch-Inderbinen told AFP, is a problem for humans.

"Raw meat-based diets may be contaminated with bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, including those categorised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as critically important for human medicine," she wrote by email.

Pet lover beware
"There is growing evidence that these pathogens pose a risk of infectious disease to humans not only during handling of feed but also through the contamination of household surfaces and through close contact to the dogs and their faeces."

There are an estimated 140 million dogs and cats in the European Union, and at least as many in North America.

More generally, antibiotic resistance has become a major health crisis across the globe.

More generally, antibiotic resistance has become a major health crisis across the globe.
"The situation with multi-drug resistant bacteria has spiralled out of control in recent years," said co-author Roger Stephan, a professor at the University of Zurich's Institue for Food Safety and Hygiene.

The indiscriminate and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics has allowed surviving bugs to mutate into superbugs that outpace the development of new medicines.

Because of the overuse of antibiotics in livestock production, animals raised for consumption have become a major reservoir for antimicrobial resistance.

"Like conventional pet food, most raw meat-based diets are based on the by-products of animals slaughtered for human consumption," the study notes.

To find out exactly how contaminated raw pet foods really are, the researchers tested 51 samples from different suppliers in Switzerland, purchased in stores and on the Internet.

"We advise all dog and cat owners who want to feed their pets a 'BARF' diet to handle the food carefully and maintain strict hygiene standards," said Nuesch-Inderbinen.

"Pet owners should be aware of the risk that their pet may be carrying multi-drug resistant bacteria and can spread them."

More information: Raw meat-based diets for companion animals: a potential source of transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae,
Royal Society Open Science, rsos.royalsocietypublishing.or … 0.1098/rsos.191170

Journal information: Royal Society Open Science

© 2019 AFP

Pet Heath - Prevention is Better than Cure : Household cleaners can damage pets!

If your pets are developing skin allergies or breathing problems it might be something to do with the chemicals you are using in and around your home. I could write a whole book about this subject as most of the same problems obviously can be also linked to human conditions. The difference is we humans can express ourselves and more importantly CHOOSE what chemicals are in our environment, our pets have to rely on our choices and understanding of this cause and effect. If it can affect our health then undoubtedly it will affect your pet's health.

Anyway, here's a very informative video from the amazing Planet Paws to get some foundational info that will hopefully save your family and your pets from suffering and medical expenses.
Any question please feel free to contact us.

 Dr. Karen Becker — with Karen Becker and Rodney Habib in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Planet Paws

If you're planning a long holiday, or just a weekend away from home but you hate the idea of leaving your pets in costly and stressful kennels, we can help and your dogs will love it.

Drop us an email or call us for a chat.

Please feel free to share this post with your friends, it would be much appreciated

Thanks, John & Pilar

Dogs At Home - Dog / House Sitting Service WORLDWIDE

It's Halloween! Which means Pumpkin time for your Dog

by John Hodges

With Halloween just around the corner food shops, farmer markets and superstores are stocking up on all shapes, colours and size pumpkins for families to carve and illuminate pumpkins displays for their gardens and doorsteps. I imagine a lot of the pumpkin flesh gets thrown into the waste bin, much to the family dogs disgust.

Pumpkin flesh and seeds are an amazing source of nutrition for not only your family but your drooling pooch. The flesh and seeds are full of vital vitamins, minerals, fibre and are cheap and easy to prepare. It can also be made into delicious doggie treats, all of which can be frozen and used throughout the year. (recipes will be coming in the next blog entry)

Below is a list of seven important benefits for your dog from the consumption of pumpkin. Its got to be better than expensive vet bills and the nasty side effects that go hand in hand with the expensive medication that in my opinion is often over and wrongly prescribed.

Now go and buy a HUGE seasonal orange gourd, get carving Halloween displays and prepping doggie meals in the kitchen, the kids and your dogs will love you even more.

PUMPKIN BENEFITS FOR YOUR DOG

EYE HEALTH

As with humans, vitamin A (beta-carotene) is essential for eye health. It helps prevent macular degeneration, cataracts and night blindness. Pumpkin along with carrots are a great source of this vital vitamin.

GENERAL IMMUNE SYSTEM INTEGRITY

The most famous vitamin associated with human health is vitamin C which helps support all functions of the immune system.

Along with Vit A and Vit E found in Pumpkin are rich in Vit C. It will help prevent certain cancers and destroy dangerous free radicals in yours and your dogs’ body.

BOWEL AND URINARY TRACT SUPPORT

Pumpkin flesh and seed are a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids. These vital anti-inflammatory fatty acids can help remove kidney stones and prevent urinary tract infection which ultimately can develop into more serious health problems. Also because of pumpkin in high in soluble fibre, it helps prevent constipation or diarrhoea, a common complaint in the dogs with poor commercial diets.

WEIGHT LOSS

Because of the high water content and soluble fibre in pumpkin, it can help remove stored toxins in your dogs’ body, acting like a sponge, removing the toxins that have been locked up by the immune system with fat cells. Regular addition of pumpkin, either canned or fresh will help maintain your dogs' weight and therefore overall health.

METABOLIC EFFICIENCY, MUSCLE INTEGRITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE

One of the most important all-round benefits of eating regular pumpkin supplemented meals is that it’s a great source of Potassium; ask any athlete about the importance of a regular, natural source of potassium. Everybody thinks of bananas as being the easiest source, maybe the marketing, as well as taste, has made this the most common go-to food but a pumpkin will go much further because of size. Prepare it and freeze so that it’s always at hand come meal times. Trust me your dog will love the sweet, creamy texture of pumpkin, you can even add a little honey or cinnamon for an added treat.

SKIN AND FUR

Nothing looks better than a dog with a shiny, healthy looking coat of fur. As well as all the vitamins and water content I’ve previously mentioned, Pumpkin is also rich in Zinc. This is the mineral that all the cosmetic companies promote in shampoos and body lotions to help maintain good hair and skin. The same applies to your dogs. Give them a makeover every day with a little pumpkin love.

PARASITES

Dogs can easily become infested with parasites such as tapeworms which they can pass on to humans. This wreaks havoc on the digestive system with symptoms including weight loss, scruffy coat and dry skin.

Pumpkin has a high concentration of the Amino Acid Cucurbitin which is toxic to most parasites and is often used to expel parasites in ruminants such as cattle, sheep.

PORTION SIZE

Recommended 1-4 tablespoons per day depending on the size of the dog.

IMPORTANT: Do not feed RAW Pumpkin flesh or seeds, only cooked or canned.

Beneficial Herbs & Spices for your Dog

I'm a big believer in preventative medicine via diet. This not only applies to myself and my family but it also applies to the animals in my life, especially the many dogs we look after. Correct and balanced nutrition is like making a regular deposit into a high-interest saving account in preparation for possible harder times in the future, a kind of safety net and deposits can be made with every meal we or our dogs consume.

Of course if the 'harder times' don't manifest, you have the good fortune of your acquired 'health' equity to enjoy into your old age. Who doesn't want healthy, pain-free twilight years? The same applies to your dog.

The early signs of inflammation in the body should never be ignored. When the system is showing signs of inflammation it's a signal to you that things are starting to go wrong. The common signs to look for are stomach and bowel conditions, aches and joint pains, skin and hair/fur conditions, rapid eye deterioration. These are all early warning signs that your body is becoming inflamed and sick and if ignored can lead to serious and often life-threatening disease. 

Many things in our lives can cause inflammation but most roads lead to poor, low nutrition diets that are often loaded with toxins such as colourants, sweeteners, bad oils, salts and much worse and scary nasties that I won't go into here but you can find out more by searching through the articles on my other blog.

The easiest way I find to assist my immune system, apart from my vegan diet, is the daily use of a wide range of spices and herbs. It's so simple and effective to apply to your daily routine, you have to wonder why our vets an doctors don't advise us all to do the same!

Our dogs can hugely benefit from the following herbs and spices as well as feeding them a 50/50 diet of meat & kibble /fruit & veg.

Here are my favourite SEVEN ingredients to use for your pooch.

Parsley

Used fresh or dried and used in moderation will help with all inflammation and help fight and prevent arthritis, treat and prevent stomach and bowel issues and is a powerful herb in fighting urinary infections. Your dog will also have a noticeably fresher breath

Ginger

Humans have known about and used Ginger for medicinal purposes for over 2000 years.  As with the use for humans, this powerful root spice is fantastic for treating your dog's upset stomach, relieve nausea,  especially motion sickness. If you are planning to take your dog in the car for any length of journey and you are worried about car sickness, give your dog a flat 1/4 tsp of dried ginger mixed in his food an hour before leaving on your journey. As a bonus Ginger has powerful anti-cancer properties which is why it is a daily part of my own diet.

Basil

This common herb is loaded with antioxidants, antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties which is great news for both us and our dogs. Basil has a very high concentration of beta-caryophyllene which actually belongs to the cannabinoid family and is in many other herbs, such as rosemary, hops, cloves and of course cannabis. It is also found in high concentrations in black pepper.

Basil is an amazing anti-inflammatory and is especially useful in treating arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

One lesser known quality is for the treatment for anxiety which can be very common in pet dogs. If this is the case, add some dried basil to the food mix or make some special treats for your dogs. I'll add a simple, generic biscuits recipe and the end of the article. This is a great way to add these ingredients into treats so that your dogs have a regular supply.

 Milk Thistle

This is another favourite herb used for 1000's of years by our ancestors. It has incredible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for humans but is often referred to as the 'Miracle Herb' for dogs. It's a must if your dog is suffering from digestive problems, although if this is the case, it's worth covering the research into the actual ingredients of the food you're feeding your pets.

It's easily available from most health shops, either in capsules form or as a liquid. Either way, it's easy to add to the dogs' food mix. Just add 1/4 teaspoon per 20lb of your dog's body weight. If your dog is overloaded with possible toxins, Milk Thistle will help remove them via the liver. This is recommended advise throughout the veterinary professions. But please if you are worried that your dog has consumed something toxic, don't hesitate, call your vet immediately. 

The miracle ingredient is a flavonoid called Silymarin. At the moment the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly confident that this substance helps in the treatment of serious liver conditions such as chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Who'd have thought that the weed at the end of most gardens could have such beneficial properties?

Mint

Dog Breathe!! Everyone knows what I'm talking about. Just like us, it's easy for your dog to consume a treat with a little mint and it'll not only help his halitosis it'll also aid digestion.

It's a real easy herb to grow in pots and is a great addition to any kitchen.

Wild Mint, Spearmint and peppermint are all non-toxic to dogs but according to The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the English species Penyroyal (Mentha pulegium) should be avoided.

I'm saving my last two favourite ingredients until last.

Spirulina

Spirulina powder is blue-green algae and its scientific family name is "cyanobacteria". It is universally recognised as a superfood packed with a wide range of beneficial nutrients.

A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder contains:
Protein: 4 grams.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 11% of the RDA.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 15% of the RDA.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 4% of the RDA.
Copper: 21% of the RDA.
Iron: 11% of the RDA.

It also contains decent amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese, and small amounts of almost every other nutrient that we need and it has the same benefits for your dogs' health. It also has up to 60-70% of its dried weight made up of protein. 

Thanks to its powerful nutrients, spirulina can fight inflammation, ease digestive issues, reduce arthritis symptoms, improve mental function, enhance natural detoxification, and fight cancer (that’s just to name a few benefits).

It should be administered by mixing into meals or home-made snacks, 1/4 teaspoon per 2-lbs of dog.

IMPORTANT:
Blooms of blue-green algae in standing water, usually during the summer months can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog’s liver from functioning properly. However, not all types of blue-green algae are dangerous.

Sadly, exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal, and can also cause long-term health problems in dogs that survive after drinking or swimming in algae-contaminated water. Some types of blue-green algae can kill a dog just 15 minutes to an hour after drinking contaminated water.

Dogs who have been swimming in water can get the algae caught in their fur, and can ingest it while cleaning themselves later on.

Concentrations of the algae vary throughout the year and may not always be harmful - but you can’t tell simply by looking at them whether or not they are dangerous, so it is best not to run the risk of allowing your dog to come into contact with water where the algae may be present.

The powdered and dehydrated forms in the correct amounts are beneficial as discussed above.

Now to my favourite spice of all.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice that’s often used to flavour Indian cuisine. Along with its blast of flavour, the powerful spice has been used for its medicinal purposes for centuries. Turmeric’s therapeutic benefits are believed to be a result of its bioactive ingredient curcumin (not to be confused with cumin).

It was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as Ayurvedic medicine. Today, pet nutritionists recommend you give it to your pooch! Similar to how it benefits humans, adding turmeric to your pet’s diet can help ward off cancer, fight inflammation, aid digestion, kill dangerous parasites, and boost mood.

When it comes to turmeric, a little goes a long way! For every 10 pounds, add just a 1/4 of a teaspoon.


Here is one of our favourite home-made biscuit treat recipes. Any of the above herbs and spices can be added to this recipe, your dogs will love them.

Doggie Fruity Digestive

Ingredients

• 240 grams of spelt or rice flour 
• 1 large egg 
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil 
• 120ml hot water 
• 1 low sodium stock cube 
• Add any other safe ingredient: blueberries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, diced apple or banana 

Instructions
Mixed together the egg and the oil and gradually add the flour and all other chosen ingredients until a firm consistency is created. On a floured surface roll out the dough to approx ½ inch thickness. Either make into balls and flatten with palm of your hand to make rough cookies or used a shaped cookie cutter.

Place on baking tray with ½ inch spacing and bake at 180C for 15-20 minutes. Take out and cool and store in a paper bag to keep crunchy.

For easy treats try raw fruit and vegetables such as carrot pieces or celery pieces dipped in unsalted peanut butter (with no artificial sweetners, especially Xylitol), banana chunks, frozen or fresh blackberries. Your dog might be cautious at first basically because he doesn’t recognise these new foods. I found a sure way to get your dogs to try new varieties of fruit and veg is to sit on the floor with them and share the treat, one for me one for the dog, works every time.

Finally, remember if you’re cooking yourself any vegetables always prepare a little extra for your dog. My dog always has Sunday dinner with us; he just loves a large bowl of steamed sweet potatoes, a few brussels sprouts, some cabbage or kale and a few carrot and peas. To finish off, I put on a good ladle of gravy made from the vegetable water. Our dog licks his bowl clean every time.

Please feel free to contact us at the number and email on our banner at the top of the page.

We have 10% off all Dog/House Sitting bookings running to the end of the year, including all booking made for 2019.

Thanks

John Hodges

Dogs At Home

IMPORTANT: Like humans all dogs are different. Occasionally what works for one animal can be detrimental to another animal. Like humans, some dogs develop allergies to foods, including spices. If you notice any signs of allergic reaction contact your nearest vet immediately.

10% OFF - DOGS AT HOME - HOUSE SITTING

10% Off ALL BOOKINGS BEFORE CHRISTMAS & 2019

If you're planning a long holiday, or just a weekend away from home but you hate the idea of leaving your pets in costly and stressful kennels, we can help and your dogs will love it.

Drop us an email or call us for a chat.

Please feel free to share this post with your friends, it would be much appreciated

Thanks, John & Pilar

Dogs At Home - House Sitting

#InternationalDogDay

As many of you are aware Pilar and I, while in the UK over the last five years, have had the pleasure of looking after many clients houses and pampered pooches while they relax on vacation or fulfil business engagements. The length of the house sits have ranged from a single day to five full weeks; all are repeating clients.

We take our work very seriously. The health and happiness of the dogs we look after is our priority. We tailor exercise and diet accordingly to the wide range age and breeds we work with. We feel very honoured to have a very large and extended dog family up and down the country with wonderful clients.

When our clients have to leave the family home for whatever reason, they need to feel secure that the family dog is receiving the best of care. Diet, exercise and affection (that's the easy part for us) are essential to minimise the stress for the animal while being separated from their human family. The idea of putting the family dog into kennels is not an option for our clients, I'm very pleased to say. For most dogs, this is a very hostile, foreign and scary environment. They have no idea where the owners have disappeared to or even if they are returning. Dogs are emotional animals and a day or a fortnight in doggy prison, no matter how luxurious, can change a dog's personality forever. 

Happy dogs need to be in their own environment with all the familiar smells, toys, places to sleep, walking routes, diet and no competition from strange dogs. A familiar routine and family environment equals wagging tails. 

As well as loving care for the dogs, we will guarantee the best security for your home. Apart from the obvious dog walking and food shopping, we will spend the majority of our time in your home. The property will show no signs of being empty for extended periods of time and your cars will be safe on your drive.

Our new business, 'Dogs At Home - House Sitting' is being launched this month. Not only are we taking requests and bookings for standard dog/house sitting, we are also offering on the job nutritional plans for ailing and sick dogs of which we have vast amounts of experience. We are also offering a photographic portfolio and updates uploaded online here at the Dogs At Home blog 

For the first time, we are also offering our services outside of the UK. This is a service we have declined in the past because of other obligations. But now after too many requests, we are offering our services ANYWHERE around the globe. Our fees will remain the same as for our UK clients but travel expenses and other travel expenses will be charged.

Additionally, in the coming weeks and months, we will be looking for the 'right' people to come and join the team. All potential applicants will be required to go through the DBS police security check. We will then conduct in-house or online interviews.

If you have free time, are prepared to travel with your own transport, have a clean record, love dogs and have experience with canine care, this could be the perfect job for you, couples are preferred. 

Our services come fully insured and we can provide references from our established and happy clients, many at the top of their professions.

For more details or booking requests or just a chat please either give us a call (UK 07976 268332) or email us at DOGS AT HOME
John and Pilar

Dogs are OMNIVORES - Wild berries for dogs

It's just a fact, modern dogs are omnivores and need a wide spectrum of plant based foods in their diet to maintain health and vitality. It will also mitigate you from the cost of vet bills, plus the worry and pain that many of us go through at the end of life with our beloved pets. Prevention is better than cure. Shhh, don't tell your pet insurance company this. 

Evolutionary biologists in the study of how genetic code of the domestic dog differs from that of the wolf, have discovered starch assimilating genes that suggest that canine evolution in part was sparked by wolves adapting their diets to eat more like us. (See my previous blog entry) or check this BBC coverage by Jonathan Amos - Science correspondent.

Below is a short clip of one of our client beautiful dogs, Lois picking blackberries for herself. Once I showed how a few years ago she now happily gorges herself when the opportunity presents itself. Our dogs evolved as seasonal foragers, just like us and their biology benefits the same as ours.

Here are some additional superfoods for your dogs that you can introduce. If they're not familiar they may at first turn their noses up at your new food offering, just like children and some adult do. Be patient and I suggest sitting and sharing the food with them. Once they realise it's good and enjoyable for you they'll soon cotton on. Some of these they'll enjoy raw but the greens I suggest a gentle steaming preparation and before feeding make sure they have cooled appropriately.

In the near future, I'll be posting some great recipes so that you can prepare food in bulk and freeze. Also, some really tasty snack for your dogs so that you can give them the best diet with knowledge and care.

Please feel free to comment and share. 

Or contact about Dog Sitting or dietary advice at dogsathomesitting@gmail.com

A special thanks to the Roberts family and their wonderful dogs