PARK

VETERINARY GROUP
FULL 24 HOUR CARE
FOR COMPANION ANIMALs,
CAts, dOgs RAbbIts EtC.
ANd FARM ANIMALs NOt EqUIRE.
Tel: 029 20382211
Also, Surgeries at
Albert Road, Penarth Tel: 029 20703952
and Pontypridd Tel: 01443 403535
Brian & Mike
Hughes Farriers
Brian & Mike Brian & Mike ian & M Brian & Mike
Hughes Farriers Hughes Farriers Hu Farriers Hughes Farriers
Call Pencoed (01656) 865012
The Horsepower Specialists!
Fully registered
Established 37 years
We now have 3 Registered Farriers
SPECIAL CARE FOR
LAMINITIS CASES
Arthur John & Co
Farm Shop, North Road, Cowbridge
01446 772229
Competitive prices for wood shavings
PLUS Fencing, gates and general maintenance
LOCAL DELIVERY
Horse Feeds, Dog and Cat Food,
Horse/Pet Wormers and
Frontline Pet Flea Control
NOW IN STOCK
DODSON
&
HORREL
PETHERTON
VETERINARY CLINIC LTD
ANDREWTHOMAS B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S
VETERINARY SURGEON
26 Broad Street, Barry, CF62 7AD
Tel: 01446 700472
Mon - Fri 9.00 - 10.00 am (Open Surgery)
Mon - Fri 3:00 - 4:00 pm (Cat only Clinic)
Mon - Fri 4.30 - 6.30 pm (Appointment Only)
Sat 2.00 - 3.30 pm (Open Surgery)
Muttleys
Pet Services
Dog Grooming Bathing Nails Walking Day Care
Isobel Thomas
Qualiied Dog Groomer
2a Lynmouth Drive, Sully,
Penarth CF64 5TP
E: Info@muttleyspetservices.co.uk
T: 07732 636 136
National Pet Month
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Stain Removing Facial, Hand Dried (NO CAGES), Clipping/
Trimming/Hand Scissoring, Nails, Ears, Glands, Finished With
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Small From 20.00, Medium From 25.00
Large From 30.00, XLarge From 40.00
Spring Offer Bath & Blow Dry
Small From 9.99
Medium From 14.99
Large From 19.99
Pamper Package Full Groom
29 Park Road, Barry, CF62 6NX 01446 420383
www.pawfectionpetboutique.co.uk
AS SEEN ON
Thursday, April 10, 2014 14
barryanddistrictnews.co.uk
Tips on getting your
furry friends healthy
for national pet month
ITS National Pet Month and Burns Pet
Nutrition is urging pet owners to ensure
their pets are in tip top health.
About 13 million households in the UK
have pets, with dogs, cats and rabbits
being the most popular choices of furry
companions.
However, the Burns annual pet cen-
sus recently revealed we dont have
great knowledge of our pets nutritional
needs or how to spot their most com-
mon ailments.
Fiona Firth, Burns head nutritionist, is
advising pet owners on the most com-
mon symptoms to look out for in our
pets and how we should be treating and
feeding them.
Cats
The Burns pet census demonstrated 76
per cent of cat owners in Wales dont
believe their pet suffers from excessive
moulting, tooth tartar, itchy skin or cys-
titis. But could this suggest they havent
spotted the signs?
Fiona Firth explains: Some of these
ailments are harder to spot and may
be overlooked. Cystitis and tooth tartar
may not be as obvious to cat owners
but both are common. If your cat is be-
ing caught short or there are traces of
blood in its urine, it is possible they may
have cystitis.
Tooth tartar and dental disease
is also prevalent in cats. Plaque is
the main cause and the best stage to
spot dental health problems to prevent
the problem progressing. Initially the
plaque layer is not readily visible, but it
can be revealed by using a disclosing
solution. As plaque develops it may be
noticeable as a soft, grey or white film
on the tooth.
Also look out for loss of appetite. This
often affects older cats but they dont
show discomfort, even when dental
problems are quite severe. Cats rarely
show they are in pain but signs to be
aware of are: salivation, reduced groom-
ing and less exertion.
Dogs
Dogs are our most popular choice of
companion in but we could be loving
them too much when it comes to treats.
Only seven per cent of dog owners
surveyed in Wales treat their dogs with
walks, whereas 47 per cent feed their
pets doggy delicacies.
Fiona explains: it is wise to be mindful
of pet obesity. Many pet owners over-
feed when their dogs ribs are easily felt
and they have an abdominal tuck after
their rib cage. But this is in fact an ideal
weight. Incorporating a walk as a doggy
treat, where possible, is ideal for over-
weight dogs.
Another surprising statistic is that 42
per cent of welsh dog owners choose
their dogs diet based on price. Cheap-
er foods have been closely examined
recently in The Truth about Your Dogs
Food documentary. In particular, un-
clear labelling and the exact ingredients
have been under scrutiny.
Fiona advises the chemical preserva-
tives in dry foods have been thought
to be carcinogenic and are often la-
belled as antioxidants. Meaning many
pet owners feed their pets a diet with
chemical preservatives and dont even
realise. She adds cheap foods are
generally made with cheap ingredients.
Unsurprisingly, they are poorer qual-
ity and often actually have higher daily
feeding amounts than better quality di-
ets. So arent as economical to feed as
expected.
Rabbits
Twenty per cent of rabbit owners, sur-
veyed didnt realise rabbits need fresh
hay every day. Furthermore, 11 per cent
didnt know the nutritional values to look
for when selecting their rabbits diet.
Fibre is crucial and the best sources
are grass and hay Fiona says. This
should form 80 per cent of your rabbits
diet and hay should be available all the
time. Some vegetables such as Brus-
sels sprouts or broccoli are more gas
forming and should be fed in modera-
tion to avoid causing bloat.
Feed plenty of grass, safe wild plants
and fresh or dry herbs. Dried rabbit
food is generally high in starch and low
in fibre. If your rabbit eats too much it
can cause digestive problems. The dry
food should only form five per cent of an
adult rabbits diet.
For anyone needing assistance, there
are friendly pet nutrition advisors who
can help select the best diet for their pet
contactable via the free-phone number
0800 083 6696.
For more information on Burns prod-
ucts visit burnspet.co.uk