• Vaccination records
• Collar
• ID Tags
• dog crate or harness
• Leash
• Plastic bags
• 2 bowls
• Dog food
• Masking tape (optional)

All dogs like to be with their owners on holiday and not left behind with friends or in kennels.

Taking your dog on holiday can be made simple by following a few general points and helpful tips to make it easier for you and your dog.

1. Update your dog vaccinations and get a copy of the records to take with you as proof should you need to show it.

2. Give your dog a good fitting collar with some ID engraved on the tag. If the telephone number on the ID tag is not where you are staying, then use some masking tape to cover the engraved telephone number so you can write the new temporary contact number on the masking tape of the holiday home you will be staying at.

3. If you are travelling abroad and your dog will be flying, get a properly labeled airline approved crate for your dog. Ask the airline what papers you would need to bring.

4. Decide where your dog will sit if you are travelling by car.
If you own a small or medium sized dog then buy a crate that will be more suitable for them. It will let them feel safe and secure when they travelwith you. Remember to put their favourite matress or blanket in the base to make it more familiar and comfortable to lie on.
If you own a large dog then a harness would be better with a seat belt attachment to prevent your dog moving and jumping around.

Don’t let your dog ride in the car with its head leaning outside the window as injuries can occur from flying debris from the road or from sudden sudden stops and starts from the car.

5. Stop frequently to let your dog have some exercise and to stretch its legs. Let you dog have a bowl of water and a toilet break where you can use the plastic bags to collect any toilet deposits.

Avoid feeding your dog between 1 – 3 hours before travelling, especially if it is a long journey this can relieve car sickness.

6. When you arrive at your destination or stop travelling for the day, feed your dog and provide more fresh drinking water and a toilet break.

7. A short walk will help your dog to relax and unwind in its new envoiroment so you can all enjoy the holiday together.

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• Wax
• Debris
• Inflammation
• Abnormal smell

If you do notice any of the above signs, them contact your vet straight away. It is always better to treat a problem rather than wait for it to escalate into something bigger.

A vet may perscribe a specific treatment for your dog to relieve the irritation, itching and inflamination, that is why is it important to get your dog used to regular ear checks as part of a routine.

If there is no sign of any abnornal swelling or inflammation then go ahead and continue to clean your dog’s ears which is very simple to do.

You will need cotton wool balls or soft tissue and ear cleaner.

You can buy the dog ear cleanerover the counter or by perscription.

1. Have a cotton wool ball or soft tissue that is gentle on the outer ears ready.
Apply the dog ear cleaner to the soft cotton wool ball or tissue and hold the dog’s ear flap open and gently clean by wiping the area of the ear mainly the flap that you can see and just inside the ear entrance.

Don’t stick any objects down the ear canal by using items such as Q tips. This can push any wax or debris further into the ear canal which causes more problems. It can cause discomfort to your dog which may affect its hearing.

If your dog’s ears need a deeper clean then it may require pouring a cleansing liquid into the ear canal, otherwise it can be damaging if there is a problem with the dog’s ear drum. For example, if the ear drum is ruptured, so only do this if it is specifically advised by your vetinarian.

How To Apply A Deeper Cleansing For Your Dog’s Ears

2. Only if recommended by a vet, you would lift the dog’s ear flap and gently place the nozzle into the ear entrance then squeeze the cleansing bottle for a few seconds to let the liquid squirt into the ear canal.

This will loosen any hard wax, debris and relieve any inflamation for your dog. Your dog may want to shake its head as you apply the liquid so try to hold its head still other wise the liquid will spray everywhere with hardly any going into the ear canal!

Once you have squirted some ear cleanser into the ear canal, remove the bottle and flap the ear over and massage the ear for a few seconds. This will encourage the liquid to move down the ear canal and to loosen the moist
wax and debris. Now you can let your dog shake its head so it will feel more comfortable.

3. Gently wipe any excess liquid or debris from the exposed ear area without sticking anything into the ear canal. This will leave your dog’s ear clean and healthy.

Remember don’t stick anything into the dog’s ear canal at any time unless advised by a vet.

If you regularly check and clean your dog’s ears using this simple method and include it as part of your routine, you may find there is no need to do a deep ear clean leaving your dog happy and carefree. If you are unsure then your vet can advise you.

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1. How to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth

There are many different types of dog beds in all shapes, sizes and materials to suit your dog.

Firstly – consider how much room your dog will need. This can be done by measuring your dog when it is relaxed and asleep. Allow extra room around them as they would turn around and change their sleeping position in the night.

Consider also how they sleep. Do they curl into a ball or lie flat and stretched out they they sleep?

If they curl into a ball then a bed with sides would suit them to shape around them giving them security and something to lean against. If they lie stretched out then a flat bed with no sides would be better for them.

Generally speaking, a dog bed with sides suits a small dog and a flat bed suits a large dog.

Secondly – decide if you would like removable covers to put into your washing machine when cleaning your dog bed. Most covers are removable by a zip. Some may only permit spot cleaning so it is wise to read the instructions.

Some of the larger beds do not have removeable covers so would it fit into your washing machine or would you
have enough space to hand wash it and dry it somewhere?

Thirdly – Why not choose to have more than one bed? It makes it easier for you and your dog to have more than one bed as one could be left upstairs and one downstairs.

It would save you carrying the bed up and down the stairs and it allows your pet the freedom whether to settle for a nap up or downstairs in their own bed where they can feel safe and secure.

Fourthly – Consider if your dog should have a mat or matress in it’s travelling crate. If your dog is small or medium sized it would probably prefer to have the extra comfort when travelling and it would keep them warm too.

A larger dog or a very thick coated dog may prefer no mat or matress in its crate as it could make them overheated and uncomfortable. It would be better for the large or thick haired dog to lie down against the cooler floor of their crate.

Be careful when buying a dog bed for your puppy especially when they are teething. Think carefully about the type of material that would be safe for them. Don’t choose a bed with loose threads or anything they could pull, tug, chew or choke on.

A plain bed proper daybed would suffice until they are older and have finished teething before they have any blankets or fluffy lats in their travelling crates.

Finally your dog may like a mat or blanket when go on a picnic or holiday with you. This is particularly good for holidays as it keeps pet hair off the furniture and allows your dog to have their own blanket or mat that is familiar to them with their own smell on it.

This helps them to instantly recognise a certain chair or area is theirs and helps them to feel secure and settle in quicker to new surroundings. Buying a dog bed is definately a good idea for the happiness of your best friend!

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You will need:

• A small human toothbrush or a dog toothbrush or a dog fingerbrush
• dog toothpaste (or baking soda as a substitute)
• A bowl of water
• A dog treat

Once a week check your dog’s gums and teeth by gently rubbing your finger your dog’s gums. This lets you check for any swelling, tenderness or a build up of tartar.

The gums should look pink to show a healthy colour.
If your dog shows any signs of tenderness, swelling or bleeding then take them to the vet.

Put a pea size amount of canine toothpaste onto your finger and let your dog sniff it and lick it off your finger. This will allow them to get used to the new taste especially when you first start cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Never use human toothpaste as the ingredients are too strong for dogs. Canine toothpaste is made of special dog flavourings which makes it kinder and more suitable for your dog.

Put a small sized amount of canine toothpaste onto the small toothbrush or dog fingerbrush. Let your dog sniff it again though this time, slide your finger into the side of their mouth so you can slide the brush around the left and right sides. Also brush the front top and bottom teeth.

Remember to use gentle brush strokes as the gums can get massaged too. Always brush on the outside of the teeth nearest to their cheeks, not on the side nearer to their tongue.

When you have finished your dog may want to drink its water so make sure its bowl is nearby. You may want to give your dog a small treat after so they will remember that cleaning their teeth is rewarded afterwards.

To help your dog keep its teeth for longer, it is better to use dry dog food rather than moist dog food. This also helps with keeping their breath fresher too.

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The Union Jack is made of strips of satin and hand stitched which looks absolutely fabulous.

	The Union Jack Hoody design. I’m a Terry-or supporter!
Union Jack T-Shirts (above and below)

	Union Jack Baseball Cap These are perfect for the summer for all those patriotic puppies who feel the heat.
Design your own cotton and lycra t-shirt they are hand washable and look Fab-io.

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Eukanuba small bite is suitable to use with  automatic pet feedersas it is a complete dry food so there is no odour. Dry dog food is recommended by vets to be better than moist dog food for your dog’s teeth, breath and digestive system. Giving your dog a complete dry dog food meal can help to reduce or eliminate dog flatulence.

Eukanuba small bite is recommended for smaller dog breeds with an adult weight of up to 10kg. Available in 3kg, 7.5kg and 15kg bag sizes.

Customer Reviews:
I feed my little Yorkie Eukanuba small bite and she loves it. I have tried her on different dry brands but she prefers Eukanuba. Her teeth, breath and coat are excellent even though she’s fifteen, everyone that sees her thinks she is still a puppy.
Mrs. Cheedle.

Good food and good value
Eukanuba small bite is one of the best dog foods and my 1 year old Jack Russell loves it. The price beats my local pet store so I am happy as well. I feed my 3 year old GSD on the breed Eukanuba who also likes it, so save fair amount when ordering for both. I will certainly be ordering from petplanet in the future for all their needs.
Bryan.

Perfect
Item just as advertised – perfect! Service excellent too!
Mrs. Brown.

For all your dog needs…

Petplanet.co.uk

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Dog flatulence can happen at the most unexpected times and it is most embarrassing when you have friends around. It is quite natural for the body (whether it be dog or human) to omit gas but you know you have a problem when it becomes a habit! There are solutions that can relieve this embarrassment for you, and to benefit your dog.

What is Dog Flatulence?
Dog flatulence is a build up of gas inside the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually caused during natural digestion through the breakdown of bacteria. All humans and dogs do this but it can in some cases be rather excessive. Although it may be embarrassing for us and humorous, it can be uncomfortable for your dog and they too can become sensitive about this.

What Causes Dog Flatulence?
There are a few things that can cause dog flatulence.

• Your dog will be rushing and gulping down its food quite quickly.
• Feeding your dog human foods such as beans and peas.
• Giving your dog cheap dog food as this is usually of poor quality.
• Feeding your dog any leftovers or scraps from your meals.

How To Combat Dog Flatulence
There are many ways to combat dog flatulence.

Firstly feed your dog a high quality dog food.
Many of these contain the correct balance of nutrients and vitamins to provide a stable diet and reduce if not eliminate the flatulence. The same applies if you give your dog kibble or any dog treats. Always provide the best that you can. Although named brands are usually more expensive, they really are the best ingredients for your dog and generally it is worth paying more for the quality rather than the quantity.

Secondly, try to stick to the same brand your dog enjoys.
If you change from a good quality brand to a cheap brand, although it can cost a bit less, a cheaper brand can cause your dog more flatulence as there is less quality in the ingredients. Basically what you get is what you pay for and your dog’s stomach will benefit from it to make him/her feeling more comfortable after eating with no tummy aches or wind.

Thirdly, if your dog tend to rush and gulp their food down, then spread the feeding timetable out throughout the day resulting in less flatulence.
Little and often is the saying and how true it is rather than one or two meals per day. Unless you can be at home all day, invest in a automatic pet feeder, which can help to feed your dog a small meal which will in turn greatly reduce its flatulence.

Fourthly, if you really want to feed your dog scraps or leftovers from your plate, then stick to vegetables.
This can help to give a fuller feeling to a dog who is constantly begging for food. Try to mash down any peas or beans which can make your dog windy and avoid rich meats too. A great alternative is cooked or raw carrots, green beans, a tiny bit of banana (this is good for the heart in small quantities), tomatoes or grapes cut up, or a few sultanas.

Lastly, if the problem persists or becomes excessive, do not hesitate to consult your vet for their professional advice.

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Better For Your Pet
Automatic pet feeders give you the freedom to feed your pet while your out or while your work from home. Your pet can be fed in regular quantities throughout the day, this can be especially useful if your pet is diabetic or has any special dietary requirement which need to be meet at regular timings.

The food is released slowly to prevent bloating for your pet.

• For small pets up to 5lb a small feeder of 15lb is recommended.
• For medium size pets up to 10lb a medium feeder of 15lb-40lb is more suitable.
• For large size pets of 20lb or over a large feeder over 40lb is best.

All automatic pet feeders can be dismantled for easy cleaning which is durable and dishwasher safe. As these feeders are electric and have a stainless steel sheathing which protects the cord from chewing.

There is a battery back up, a manual overide switch along with an 8 program settings with a day/night saving feature.

At  Home
Many people work from home now so your dog is not left on its own, but it can be difficult to work from home while being constantly distracted! Having an automatic pet feeder allows your dog to have some regular tasty treats while not disturbing you! It keeps them inquisitive which keeps them from chewing on slippers or table legs.

Dogs Like Routine
All dogs like a routine so owning any one of the automatic pet feeders available,  set at the same time intervals each day, gives your dog something to look forward to.

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Choosing the right dog bed is essential for the comfort and safety for your puppy. The first night your puppy is away from its dog pack and natural surroundings, it can become insecure resulting in a restless night’s sleep for you and and your puppy!

Large Breeds of Puppy
Depending on the breed of your dog it is wise to choose the size carefully. If your puppy belongs to a large breed then a sturdy cardboard box would suffice if lined with papers or plastic sheeting, then covered with plenty of blankets for your puppy to snuggle into. Provide a soft toy for them and maybe one of your old jumpers so they can start to get used to your smell as you will be their new dog pack. A ticking clock nearby can help replicating its mother’s heartbeat. As your puppy grows older and bigger, the cardboard box can be replaced with a larger basket.

Small Breeds of Puppy
If your puppy belongs to a small breed then buying a new soft dog bed would be adequate as your puppy would not outgrow its new bed as it gets older.

Plenty of Choice
There are plenty of choices of dog beds from soft furry type to firm plastic. Fixed mattresses to removable ones. Open top beds or covered up furry houses, the list is endless. If you invest in a decent bed it should last your puppy for many years ahead.

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It is important to regularly groom your puppy as this not only keeps its hair neat but it allows you to also check for any lumps, bumps or anything unusual that could otherwise be missed.

Grooming your puppy from an early age allows it to get used to being handled. This will help any future vet visits for you and your puppy.

Always check for fleas, ticks or sores and check with your vet if you think something needs attention. It is better to take advise and be safe rather than sorry.

Check the eyes, ears, paws, nails and bottom to make sure they are clean.

There are many puppy grooming kits available which can help you to keep your puppy in tip top condition.

Remember a happy puppy is a healthy puppy.

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