Lords & Labradors Information Hub

How to Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture

Do you have a kitten with a habit for scratching your furniture? Perhaps they’ve taken a liking to scratching your door frames or wallpaper? First of all, it’s important to understand that your cat’s love of scratching is a natural instinct and actually good for their health and wellbeing. Rather than stopping them from scratching entirely you should try to encourage them to scratch in the correct places, like a scratch post for example; and deter them from scratching the wrong things, like your furniture!   Why Do Cats Scratch? Whilst it may seem like bad behaviour, your cat’s desire to scratch is actually something to encourage. It has a number of health and wellbeing benefits: Scratching keeps your cat’s claws in tip top condition - Helping to keep them sharp and shedding the outside layer as they grow. We all know cats love to climb, whether it’s a tree outside or their indoor scratch tree, and they need their claws to be healthy in order to do so. Scratching provides a workout - When your cat scratches, you may notice how they stretch out their body. Scratching is your cat’s version of a full body workout, allowing them to stretch out their muscles and keep their body in top condition for climbing and chasing their prey! Scratching is also a way for your cat to mark their territory - Your cat’s paws contain scent glands which leave behind an odour around their home. Scratching, especially when they are settling in, will make them feel at home and more secure in their surroundings. It can also relieve stress if they’re feeling anxious. Scratching can be a sign of boredom -. It’s essential to provide your cat with plenty of mental stimulation, especially if you have a house cat. Even older cats who may never have scratched your furniture can develop a bad habit out of stress or boredom.   How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture The best way to prevent your cat from scratching in the wrong places is to encourage them in the right places! Providing your cat with plenty of scratching opportunities around the home will allow them to sate their desire without ruining your furniture. Good quality, strong scratch posts in a size suitable for your breed are a must. Make sure you provide enough height for your cat to be able to stretch out as they scratch. If you have an indoor cat, we’d highly recommend a series of posts and platforms in the form of a large cat tree so they can exercise in the way an outdoor cat would when outside. If your cat has already begun scratching your furniture, place a scratch post in that area; near doorways or sofas for example. It is also a good idea to place near sleeping spots as many cats enjoy a good scratch and stretch after waking. If your cat seems to enjoy horizontal scratching (your carpet for example), then a scratching mat is a good option. If your cat doesn’t seem interested in the post at first, don’t give in, persevere and make the post enticing. You could spray catnip on it or try playing near it. Some posts come with a dangly toy attachment - the perfect addition to encourage your cat to investigate! If your cat has already scratched somewhere they shouldn’t, make sure you wash down the area to remove any scent your cat may have released. You could even try spraying the area with pet safe Get Off spray to repel your cat from the area. If you think the scratching is down to boredom or anxiety, provide your cat with lots of toys and plenty of opportunity for interaction. Indoor cats especially, will need a variety of activities to keep them mentally stimulated. Catit makes the brilliant Senses range of cat toys that appeal to all of your cat's senses and there are a plethora of playground-like cat trees out there to ensure they get plenty of indoor exercise.    Don’t Consider Your Cat Naughty For Scratching Just remember that scratching is natural and has great benefits for your kitten and cats. Do discourage them from scratching in the wrong areas, but don’t chastise them too much, but rather encourage them in the right spots. It’s a good idea to plan ahead before you bring your kitten home and have areas for them to scratch in preparation. We hope this article is helpful, to both new kitten owners and those with an older cat who has started to scratch later in life. If you have any more questions, please do get in touch as we're always happy to help as much as we can.  

By Megan Willis

Benefits Of Natural Treats For Dogs

Natural dog treats popularity is quickly growing, and there are so many health benefits it’s easy to understand why. A hairy rabbit’s ear or duck foot may not sound the most appetising but your dogs will love them. In this blog, we’re going to explore the benefits of natural treats.   10 Benefits of natural treats One of the main benefits of our natural treats is that they’re 100% animal, there are no additives or preservatives in there – they’re all exactly what they say on the tin. This makes them great for keeping your dogs healthy and you can ensure you’re only giving them the best.   1. Stronger Immunity Just like us, dogs require a well-balanced diet to stay fit and healthy, natural treats help to give your dogs the range of nutrients that their bodies need. Protein is super important for boosting your dog's immunity and natural treats are rich in protein making them the perfect treats for your pooches.   2. Better Digestion Dog's stomachs haven’t developed to handle artificial chemicals that are found in a lot of processed dog food. This is one of the key benefits of natural treats – the lack of additives and artificial chemicals means it’s easier for your dog to digest and they’re able to absorb all the important nutrients that their bodies need.   3. Dental and oral health support Four out of five dogs over the age of three suffer from dental problems. Natural treats are great for keeping your dog's teeth clean, when your dog is chewing on these natural crunch teeth it will help to clean their teeth and get rid of any dirt that’s built up.   4. Natural Dewormers [product]Treats with hair on, such as hairy rabbits ears, are actually natural dewormers. The hair helps to cleanse their digestive system and flush out any nasties.   5. Healthier Skin and Coats Give your dogs the glossy coats you’ve always dreamed of with natural treats, the healthy fats in them will help give their coats that special shine. The blend of nutrients in natural treats can help with skin allergies in dogs, healing and moisturising any outbreaks as well as preventing any future ones. Natural treats are rich in vitamin A which is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and teeth.   6. Fewer Allergies Many mainstream dog treats have additives such as grain to help bulk them out, many dogs are actually allergic to grain and often suffer from upset stomachs because of this. Our Natural treats don’t contain any of these hidden allergens and the high levels of vitamin C in many natural dog treats help the white blood cells to fight off any potential reactions or illnesses.   7. Naturally calming [product]Studies have shown that when dogs chew it is a natural anxiety reliever, it releases endorphins in your dogs brain so helps to calm them down. Dried Natural Treats are perfect for your dogs to chew on, they are often long-lasting so also act as a great boredom buster.   8.  Air Dried Our natural treats are air dried which means the treats are protein and nutrients rich. Once the moisture has been dried out of the natural treat, it means the proteins and nutrients are much more concentrated. This makes natural treats so much more rewarding and tastier for your dogs.   9. Single Protein Source Some mainstream dog treats will combine different proteins together, however, if your dog has an allergy to certain proteins this can make finding treats for them difficult. Natural treats are an easy way to make sure your dog is only getting the proteins that agree with them and that they love. The Wild Deli treats are perfect for picking the proteins your dogs know and love.   10.  Rawhide Free All of our natural dog treats are rawhide-free! Rawhide is bad for your dog, they are ladened with chemicals and are difficult for your dogs to digest. Natural treats are a great alternative, they are long-lasting and are great for your dog inside and out.  Looking to start feeding your dogs with natural treats? Our Natural Graze boxes are the perfect way for your dog to try lots of different treats and figure out which ones they like. They come in three sizes, Essential, Luxury, and Ultimate – all of which are packed with delicious natural treats your dog is sure to enjoy. Or if you know which treats your dog likes why not buy your dog a whole bag of them from our Wild Deli range? If you have any questions about natural treats why not ask our Customer Care team? They are available on 01790 720 900 or sales@lordsandlabradors.co.uk, Monday-Friday 9-5 to answer any questions or queries you may have

By Megan Willis

What Fruits Can Cats Eat?

Feeding our cats a healthy and balanced diet that provides them with all the healthy nutrients they need is an important consideration for all cat owners. It’s also nice to offer them treats to give variety to their diets as well as a reward. Your cat may show interest in your human food, or maybe you’ve wondered what fruits they can and even those they can’t eat. In this article we will answer a couple of frequently asked questions including what fruits cats can eat and what signs to look out for if they eat something they shouldn’t.   Can Cats Eat Bananas?  Bananas are safe for your cat and are generally a safe and healthy treat. They need to be given in small amounts, such as a slice not a whole or even half a banana. Bananas are high in sugar which can lead to diabetes and weight problems in your feline. Be careful of the peel however as banana peel cannot be properly digested by cats - so make sure this is kept out of sight and reach your inquisitive feline!     Can Cats Eat Apples? Apples are great treats to give your cat on a cool day if cut up into digestible chunks and cooled. Apples are considered to be safe for cats to eat, but they aren’t a necessary part of your cat’s diet. It’s good to know apple steams, leaves and seeds contain cyanide which are poisonous to your cat. If your cat consumes any of these call your veterinarian as soon as possible.    Can Cats Eat Grapes?  You should never feed your cat grapes as they are very toxic and may cause kidney failure. There is no known reason why grapes are so unsafe for cats, and the way their toxicity affects the animals’ body remains unknown - so it’s best to keep all grapes out of their reach and interest.   Can Cats Eat Strawberries? Strawberries aren’t considered toxic to your cat and they’re generally safe for your cat to eat. They do however contain a high volume of sugar which your cat shouldn’t need in their carefully balanced diet. The stem of strawberry however can cause gastrointestinal obstruction, so ensure you are only offering up the strawberry flesh to your cat and give them a strawberry snack as a treat in moderation.    Can Cats Eat Raisins?  Much like grapes, raisins are also extremely toxic - whilst it would be unlikely that one raisin can kill your cat, it is better to be safe than sorry and treat all raisins as toxic. Ingestion of any raisins can cause anything from an upset stomach to poisoning. Symptoms such as lethargy, dehydration and weakness are all signs your cat may have ingested a raisin and it’s best to call your veterinarian immediately.    Can Cats Eat Oranges?  Like all citrus fruits, oranges are toxic to cats and should be avoided within their diets and treats. If you find your cat eating an orange (or any citrus fruits) or you begin to notice signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, weakness, depression, allergic dermatitis or trembling, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.  If you do plan on treating your feline to a fruity snack, make sure you stick to the 10% rule - treats should only make up to 10% off your cats diet. Follow your veterinarians advise when making changes in your cats diet and be aware of over feeding treats as this could lead to health implications, such as weight gain. 

By Laura Rudd

How To Measure For Your Lords & Labradors Sofa Topper

Our most stylish sofa protection comes in three different sizes or they can be made to fit your sofa. The sofa toppers are perfect for pets who like to dig or circle to get comfortable when making themselves at home on your sofa. The sofa toppers feature a gorgeous comfy, soft inner (so great for you to sit on too!), as well as being machine washable at 30 degrees. The cover is easily removed for washing so it’ll fit within your washing machine and dries quickly when left to dry flat. If you do require a custom sized sofa topper, just get in touch with our team on +44 (0) 1790 720900 or email us at sales@lordsandlabradors.co.uk if you'd like a custom quote.   How To Measure For Your Luxury L&L Sofa Topper

By Laura Rudd

Prince Hairy and Meghan Bark-le: See What British Royal Family Members Look Like as Dogs

By Megan Willis

Everything You Need For Your New Golden Retriever Puppy

Are you getting a new golden retriever puppy? Getting a puppy is oh-so exciting, but it can also stir a few butterflies when you think about preparing and making sure everything is ready. It’s perfectly normal to have a few nerves and, besides, we’re here to help! We know exactly what every new puppy owner feels, and we know exactly what new puppies need. Every breed is a little different and, in this article, we’re going to look at the beautiful Golden Retriever. We’ll take a little look at the history of the breed and then take you through everything you’ll need for them.   The History of the Golden Retriever Breed The Golden Retriever is a large gun dog that was originally bred to retrieve game, hence their name. They tend to have a friendly and gentle nature which has led them to be an extremely popular family pet; they're the third most popular breed in the US and 8th most popular in the UK. They have a natural love of water, need a fair amount of exercise with at least two lengthy walks a day and are fond of playing. Their gun dog heritage also means they take to training well and they excel in obedience trials. They tend to be great with children so make popular family pets and they’re also good with strangers. You might need to think about what space you have as they’re not the smallest breeds, and their long coats tend to shed a lot so will benefit from regular grooming.   Golden Retriever Shopping List So, you’ve made the decision to get a new Golden Retriever puppy! Here are all of the things you’ll need for them and the sizes we suggest getting. 42” XL Metal Dog Crate - It’s best to buy a dog crate that your puppy will be able to use as an adult too. Puppies grow extremely quickly, and you don’t want to have to repurchase items such as this. A 42” is perfect for an adult, and whilst you might think it seems huge at first, once you have set up the crate for puppy it will be just perfect. We suggest using a puppy bed that fills one half of the crate and then use the other half for a water bowl and a puppy pad. This is the ideal set-up for puppies and can be swapped out for a full-size bed once they have grown up and are fully toilet trained. XL Cosy & Calm Puppy Bed - This is a brilliant bed for your puppy and is designed to use in one of the 42” crates. It is super practical and can be used outside of the crate as a standalone bed too. It has a cosy inner cushion that can be turned over with a Sherpa reverse and a waterproof liner in case of any accidents.  42” XL Crate Cover - A crate cover is a good addition to your crate for both practical and aesthetic reasons. A cover really does help to settle your new puppy, giving them a feeling of security in their crate. It is also a great way to help get your puppy into their night-time routine as they will soon learn that it’s time to sleep when the doors are let down. From a style point of view, it just makes your cage-like crate look nice, turning it into a lovely little den! We have loads of fabric options to choose from, all of which are designed to match our puppy beds.  Puppy Pads - Puppy pads are essential for any new puppy parent. Useful for crate training and for leaving in any area of the house where your puppy lives. You’ll of course try to get them outside at regular intervals to encourage them to the toilet outside, but there will definitely be the odd time that they just can’t hold themselves and a puppy pad will save your floors from being soiled! Lords & Labradors Velvet Blanket - A pet blanket will offer snuggles and a feeling of security to little puppies. They are brilliant for travelling to make their travel crate comfortable and also for adding extra warmth to their bed or crate at home. This version is made from luxury velvet and cosy Sherpa/Teddy Fleece and can be personalised with their name to make it extra special. The large size will be ideal as it will last through to adulthood. Dog Bowls - Your puppy will of course need to eat and drink. Whilst the metal bowls are great for water in the crate, they will need bowls somewhere outside of the crate for proper mealtimes. PetPlex Dirt Defeater Collection- The PetPlex Dirt Defeater shampoo is perfect for your new arrival, as your pup grows up, and establishes their coat, the dirt defeater is great for cutting through grime and removing sheen from long & double coats. Golden Retrievers shed throughout the year but go through two phases where they shed a lot. This will help to keep it to a minimum and keep their coats in good condition. Slicker Brush - Choose a good first brush for your pup, something that is soft enough for sensitive skin with bristles that will smooth the coat and keep tangles at bay. You’ll need to get your pup used to grooming from a young age as they’ll need regular brushing as adults to keep their thick long coats in good condition. KONG Classic - Golden Retrievers naturally like to chew and teething puppies need to soothe sore gums. A premium quality chew toy is essential. The last thing you want is for your puppy to start chewing their bed or your home furnishings. Some of the best chew toys are those by KONG and you can’t go wrong with one of their Classic toys. It can even be stuffed with your pup’s favourite treat or a bit of peanut butter to tempt them to use it. KONG Floppy Knots Elephant - This soft toy is ideal for cuddling up to when your retriever is a puppy but will also make a great toy for gentle games of throw and retrieve as they grow up. The internal knotted skeleton of the toy makes it ideal for carrying around in the mouth making it great for different kinds of play. Did we mention that it looks adorable too?! Who could resist the fun purple velour and blue check design?! Ruffwear Front Range Harness - Lead training is a really important part of your puppy’s development and having the right accessories is a must. We don’t think you can beat the Front Range harness by Ruffwear. The small is probably best for a puppy whilst they’ll likely need the medium as an adult. The harness is robust and offers all the comfort and support they need. They come in a fabulous range of colours too and there are plenty of matching accessories. Don’t forget to choose a matching collar and lead to complete the set!    Upgrade to an L&L Crate Set - Once your puppy is fully toilet trained and there is less risk of any accidents, then you can think about swapping out your puppy’s crate bedding for a full crate set that they can use into adulthood. You can use the same XL crate and then swap the puppy bed for a crate cushion with matching cover and bumper. Our sets come in all kinds of fabric designs; we have printed cottons that are designed in-house, and we also offer premium tweeds that are hard-wearing, durable and look stunning. They’re a really practical choice for big dogs as they withstand plenty of wear and tear. A great option for any adult Golden Retriever!    For Golden Retriever Parents As a new puppy parent, we’re sure you’ll be rather obsessed with your new family member. If you have any further questions about the products mentioned in this article, please do get in touch. We’re always happy to answer any queries you may have. We want you to be happy with your choices and ensure you get all the right things. We're be happy to discuss your needs to achieve that.

By Zac Girdlestone

How To Groom A Dog

Whether you’d like to support your dog’s hygiene, cut down the cost of visiting your professional groomer, or if you’d like to learn something new - it’s really useful to know how to groom your dog, even if you do take them to a professional groomers for a regular groom.  In this article, we explore how to groom your dog at home and what are the basics of grooming you should know to support your dogs hygiene. How To Groom A Dog At Home Grooming your dog at home can provide positive benefits for your pooch, the bonding and time spent together will be invaluable to your dog. Firstly on your list of ‘grooming your dog from home’ should be the correct equipment. A comb or brush A safe place to groom where you can secure your dog Grooming clippers/scissors Nail Clippers Eye and ear wash First Aid Kit/ Spray (incase of any accidents) Dog Shampoo   PetPlex Looking for a new shampoo? Why not try our grooming range which has been formulated to meet your dogs needs, whether theyre playful puppies, have sensitive skin or curly hair which needs a detangle.    How To Groom A Dog A good method to follow generally is: To begin with, try brushing your dog, removing the dead hair and clearing out all of the mud/grease build up. (It’s better to brush the dirt out before bathing your dog) Bathe and wash your dog in warm water with the correct shampoo for their coat. Dry your dog off with a towel or drying coat. (This might be a good time to give your dog a break from the grooming) Our drying mitts are also great for dogs who aren't a fan of putting a drying coat on Once your dog is fully dry and clean, if needed you can move onto cutting their fur. Be very careful when using scissors, and make sure you’re using the correct scissors - it’s not advisable to use your old kitchen scissors. You can then move onto trimming your dog’s nails with a clipper. Always close the clippers quickly; clipping slowly or using dull clippers can cause chipping and splitting. Don’t forget to check your dogs paws and wash their eyes, ears and teeth - you can use ear cleaner and  You may want to finish with some gorgeous-smelling cologne.   How To Groom A Dog’s Legs It’s important to make sure you have brushed/combed their legs before cutting any fur. If your dog is used to being groomed, you may find they’re happy for you to use clippers on them. If they’re not used to being groomed, it’s best to gently place the clippers against your dog’s skin so he can hear and feel the vibration. Only use the tips of the sharp shears to trim your dogs feet and legs, which will prevent you from cutting your dog if he moves suddenly. Start slow with clippers and move in opposite directions, except in sensitive areas such as kneecaps and ankles or elbows.   How To Groom A Dog’s Head Firstly, spend time letting your dog get used to the tools you’re going to use on his face. Use only sharp scissors as blunt scissors will painfully rip your pup’s fur out. It’s important to only cut your dogs fur whilst it’s dry as wet fur will damage and jam up the scissors. Stay calm throughout cutting your dogs head so he stays calm and relaxed throughout.   How To Comb Your Dog’s Hair It’s important to brush down and out, away from your dog’s skin, and only whilst the coat is dry. Always brush in the direction the coat grows; your dog won’t like to be brushed backwards. Be gentle whilst brushing or you may damage your dog’s coat by pulling and stretching hairs until they break.   How To Comb Out Matted Hair On Dogs If your dog has a knot/matt in their fur, try combing the matt out by holding the fur below the tangle and gently separate into smaller pieces. Use short, fast strokes with a comb and then with a brush. This way there is less pulling on their skin (which can be painful!).

By Megan Willis

How To Exchange An Item Or Create A Refund

  Whilst we hope that in every instance you are more than pleased with your purchase, should you wish to return anything bought from us, we will be happy to refund the cost of the item, or offer an exchange; whichever you prefer. We accept returns at any time within 14 days - beginning on the day you receive the goods. You must notify us of the return on the returns portal within 14 days, you then have 14 days to get it back to us for a refund.   How to return an item: Click here and enter your email and order number Order items will be listed. Select item/s you would like to return Returns are priced at £5.75 for small items. For larger items to return, you can contact us at sales@lordsandlabradors.co.uk, where we can arrange a collection via DPD charged at £15. Alternatively, you are not obliged to use the label provided and are free to send your items back with your chosen courier at your own cost and risk.  Once completed you should receive an email with details on how to send back your goods. You will be given a label to print and attach to your parcel. Make sure to include your returns paperwork or order number in your parcel. Refund or credit will be actioned once the item is received back to us and checked over by our warehouse, please note this can take up to 10 working days. You will receive a notification once this has been processed. In the case of faulty goods, we can either send out a brand new item as a replacement or offer a full refund (including any postage costs). We try our utmost to ensure all our products are of the highest quality, but on the rare occasion that something does go wrong we’ll do all we can to rectify the problem and make sure your pets tail is left wagging with their L&L goodies.   Do remember - Outlet and discontinued items are non returnable as they are reduced due to not meeting our strict quality control standards. Personalised items are also non-returnable. Should you need to, you can read our full returns policy here.

By Megan Willis