Lords & Labradors Information Hub

Dog Owners’ Guide: Helping Our Dogs Cope With Stress And Anxiety

By Zac Girdlestone

Our Favourite Dog Accessories For A Café Date In Town

It has been rather a long time since most of us were able to go out for a coffee. Lockdown measures meant our excursions were limited to an hour a day and only for a walk, run or other form of exercise. But now lockdown measures are lifting in most places, cafés and restaurants have been starting to open with take-away offerings, and from this weekend we will see bars opening for the first time with strict social distancing measures. For us, just a simple coffee date in town with a friend will feel like such a treat! The next time we’re in town on a fine day, you’ll probably find us sitting outside our favourite coffee shop with our dogs.  With this in mind we’ve been thinking about some of our favourite dog accessories for a café date in town. Cute walking sets and leads designed to clip around a chair leg are the perfect update to your dog’s post-lockdown walking accessory collection.   The Hiro + Wolf Dog Walking Accessory Range We love everything by Hiro + Wolf! Their stunning range of hand designed prints are so eye catching and come in a style to suit everyone. In each print is a range of stylish, yet practical accessories so your dog can make a fashion statement on your next trip into town. One of our favourite pieces in the collection is the Café Dog Lead as it is so versatile. One of the problems when dining out with your dog is what to do with your dog’s lead. It’s a pain if the only option is to try tying a standard lead around something or even resort to standing on it. But the café lead is designed just for moments like this. It has a trigger hook attachment so the handle can be undone and looped around anything whether it’s a chair leg or the railing that you’re sitting next to. No more putting your foot through the loop of the handle when you’re sitting down for a drink! The leads are beautifully made too. The printed fabrics are handmade in Britain and trimmed with strong durable leather and pet-safe metal fittings. The best thing is that there are collars, bow ties, bandanas and harnesses all to match so you can coordinate your dog’s look from nose to tail! Don’t forget their leather poo bag pouches too; that simply clip on to the D-ring of the lead and look like a fashionable charm - they'd look just as good clipped to your keyring or bag!   Feeding your dog on the go If you’re going to be out for a while you will need to take some kind of food and water provisions with you. Take a small travel set with you so your pup can join in the coffee date with you. We love the Travel bags by Mobile Dog Gear, the small dine away set has everything you’d  need to give your dog a quick snack when you’re out. Pop in a water bottle by Dexas and you’re ready to go!   A Sweet Dog Treat by Barking Bakery Don’t let your dog miss out on a scrumptious snack whilst you’re eating a muffin with your coffee. The Barking Bakery Vanilla and Carob Cookie is a beautifully decorated “iced” cookies for dogs. Small enough to pop in your bag for any trip into town and a lovely treat for after lunch. Alternatively one of the treats on a chew stick by BonBon Pooch are ideal to take out with you. Again, they are easy to store in a travel bag and look super cute too. 

By Zac Girdlestone

Everything You Need For Your New Yorkipoo Puppy

Small bundles of cuteness, Yorkipoos will be a friendly, playful and intelligent addition to your family. If you’ve never had a Yorkipoo before, or any kind of dog for that matter, you might be wondering “What do I need to get”? Well we’re here to help! In this article we’ll discuss a little more about the breed and their history as well as give you a detailed list of all the things you should consider when putting your puppy shopping list together.   About the Yorkipoo Breed Yorkipoos were first cross bred in the 80’s/90’s with the idea of combining the best traits of both the Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier breeds. In effect, they can be friendly, people oriented puppies with a low shedding coat. As puppies, it’s hard to resist them with their tiny frame and cute sparkling eyes, but don’t let this fool you; they can be full of character too! It’s well worth remembering though, that the Yorkipoo is a cross-breed and therefore traits will almost certainly vary from puppy to puppy - no one trait is guaranteed. They tend to be tiny in frame, usually being bred from Toy or Miniature poodles. They make great companion pets and don’tt like to be left alone for long periods of time. If you work full time, you may want to find a friend or family member who can pop in every now and then. Overall they make great pets for both city and country dwellers and tend to be easy to train. So what do you need for a Yorkipoo? Here’s our list   For the Journey Home with Puppy Small Pet Carrier - A small yet sturdy pet carrier is a must. Whether you’re picking them up from only a short distance away or you’re travelling a hundred miles or more, a good quality dog carrier will ensure you get your new Yorkipoo home safely. We’d suggest a small size that can be belted into the back of a car, such as the Trixie Friends on Tour Killian Carrier. It has vented sides so your puppy can see out and you can see in and it’s the perfect compact size for your little puppy. It will be great for trips to the pet or general days out too.     Pet Blanket - You’ll want to keep your pup snug in the car and a blanket is perfect for that. We’d suggest giving your breeder a blanket a few weeks before you collect them so they can sleep with it before you pick them. This way they’ll have the smell of Mum with them after they leave. Our Luxury Velvet Scent Blankets are designed with this in mind and are ideal as a comforter for puppies. We also make velvet blankets in medium and large sizes which are great additions to your dog’s bed well into adulthood.     Pet Travel Bag & Accessories - Ensure you have all the things you’ll need for the journey home. Mobile Dog Gear make a great range of travel bags for dogs that include some essential travel feeding accessories. Available in a range of sizes from the Weekender Backpack to the oh-so-spacious Week Away Duffle Bag there is something here for every length of journey. We’d suggest the Week Away Backpack for the day you bring your puppy home. It is a compact size and will be just enough room for your travel essentials and any accessories your breeder might give you. It even has a handy pouch for some dry food or snacks for longer journeys.    Puppy Wipes - Puppy wipes are an essential for any puppy travel bag - you never know when pup might get into a mess! We love the Clean Sheets by Animology. They are completely pet safe and contain a rinse-free shampoo solution so that you can wipe your puppy clean and give their coat some conditioning love at the same time. For Settling Puppy in at Home     Once home it is important to settle your puppy into the dedicated space that you have planned out for them. You won’t want to give them the run of the house just yet; they need to settle into their new environment and routine first. Here are the things we’d suggest providing them. Small 24” Crate - Your Yorkipoo will still only be a small toy dog once fully grown so a small 24” crate will be perfect from puppy through to adulthood. Our deluxe L&L crate is ideal - it has two doors for easy access no matter the location and a removable tray to make cleaning really simple. We’d suggest first setting it up with a small crate bed in one half  and a puppy pad in the other along with a crate bowl for water. This is the perfect puppy crate set-up and will help with the nighttime routine. Add a crate cover so that puppy learns to know that “doors down” means bedtime. Puppy Crate Bed - Our new Puppy Crate bed is designed to fit in exactly half of your puppy’s crate (buy the small 24” to fill half the 24” crate). It is a super squishy padded bed with a reversible sherpa fleece topper for comfort and one of our signature cotton prints on the outer. This is ideal to use in the puppy crate set-up and can be swapped out for a full size cushion as your puppy grows up. When you do take it out of the crate it will make a great spare bed to pop in another room around the house. Dog Crate cover - A crate cover will not only make the unsightly crate look more attractive, but will offer privacy and comfort to nervous pups as well as help get them into their nighttime routine quickly and efficiently. The doors can be rolled up and down at nighttime and they're machine washable as often as you need. Our covers come in other fabrics too so do explore the rest of the range.    Puppy Pads - A puppy pad is a must for house and potty training puppies. Pop one in one side of the crate at nighttime “just-in-case” and leave one in your puppies playpen during the day too. This isn’t to encourage puppy to toilet in the house, but is just a precaution if you don’t get them outside quickly enough. Make sure you are taking puppy outside to toilet at regular intervals throughout the day, but have a puppy pad to hand for emergencies. Two Small Feeding Bowls - You’ll want a set of feeding bowls - at least two for food and water, maybe a third to pop down for dry and wet food. There are a whole variety to choose from in our Dog Bowls section so do have a browse. How about treating your new pup to their own personalised dog bowl by Purple Glaze? They come in a variety of designs such as the adorable pastel coloured ones with bone shaped name plaque.   Puppy Walking Set - Lead training might not be the first thing you attempt, but it won’t be long before you're getting your new pup used to their harness and lead. An XXS Hi & Light Harness is ideal for lead training along with a matching Front Range Lead. The harness will give good control whilst they’re still learning and won’t be uncomfortable if they pull a little too much at the start.    Full Crate Set with Bumper and Cover - When puppy is fully toilet trained and you no longer need to put puppy pads down as precaution, you can finally swap out your puppy bed for a full crate set. The same crate you used initially will be fine, but exchange the small bed for a full size small cushion and matching bumper to create the ultimate doggie den. You could swap the oilcloth cover for a more sumptuous cotton lined cover too, or why not explore our Balmoral Tweeds range? Whatever your taste there is a crate set to suit your home.  

By Zac Girdlestone

The Advantages of Microchipping Your Pet - National Microchipping Month

June is national microchipping month here in the UK, so what better time to talk about what microchipping is and the benefits? Microchipping is one of the most effective ways of protecting your dog or cat in the event that they are lost or stolen. Thousands of pets are reported missing every year and a large proportion of those are never reunited with their rightful owner. The main reason for them not making it back home is the inability to trace their family. It’s now a legal requirement that all dogs and cats in the UK are microchipped Here we take a look at all the benefits and explain why we think you should definitely get your pets, cat and dog alike, microchipped. In this article, we will explore the benefits of microchipping, the laws surrounding microchipping for different pets, the procedure itself, and how to register and update your pet's microchip details. So let's dive in and learn more about this valuable tool in ensuring the safety and well-being of our pets. Microchipping Overview A microchip is a tiny ID device which can be scanned to identify a pet They are used to identify lost or stolen pets and reunite them with their owners It’s a legal requirement for dogs over the age of 8 weeks and kittens over the age of 20 weeks to be microchipped It’s a quick procedure which is relatively painless
   What Is A Microchip? Microchips are tiny devices that are the size of a grain of rice, they are implanted just below the pet’s skin, usually by your Vet. It is a very simple procedure, similar to a vaccination that needs no anaesthesia or special treatment. The microchip carries all the important information needed to trace you, the owner, should your cat or dog lose their way. These microchips can then be read by a handheld device that will display the owners information. Most veterinarians and animal shelters will have one of these devices, so the chip can be read and the owner contacted if the pet is lost.   Does Getting A Microchip Hurt? Your vet will use a needle to insert the microchip so it may be a little uncomfortable for your pet, however it only take a few seconds. Many pets don’t even notice!   What Pets Can Be Microchipped? A lot of pets can be microchipped, the most common ones are dogs, cats, horses and rabbits. If you’re not sure your vet will be able to advise you on whether microchipping is suitable for your pet.   What Are The Microchip Laws Microchipping Your Dog Laws Microchipping your dog is compulsory in the UK, we’ve put everything you need to know about microchipping your dog below: All dogs over 8 weeks old must be microchipped As a breeder it’s your responsibility to microchip any puppies by 8 weeks old As a dog owner it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date As well as having up to date microchip details, your dog should wear a collar with an ID tag on. You’re required to put your surname and address on the tag, we also recommend putting a contact number and ‘I’m Microchipped’ on there just in case your dog does go missing it will hopefully make being reunited that little bit quicker. Microchipping Your Cat Laws As of March 2023, it’s now the law to get your kitten microchipped before they’re 20 weeks old. The government have given owners until 10th June 2024 to microchip their cats As an owner it your responsibility to make sure that your cat is microchipped and that your details are up to date We recommend microchipping your cat if they are either indoor or outdoor, this way if they go missing you can ensure they’re easy to identify and return home Microchipping Other Pets Laws It’s not a legal requirement in the UK to have any other pets microchipped, it’s a good thing to consider. You can microchip most pets, including rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises and other small family pets which are known for escaping.   What Happens If I Don’t Microchip My Pet? If you’re pet is found without a microchip you could be served with an order to microchip them within 21 days, if you don’t do it in that time frame you could be liable to pay a £500 fine.   How Do I Get My Pet Microchipped? To get your pet microchipped all you’ll need to do is make an appointment with your vet or another qualified person, some rescue centres have trained staff who can also microchip pets. The most important thing to make sure of is that whoever is microchipping your pet is trained to do so.   The Benefits of Microchipping your Pet A microchip can’t be lost - Whilst an ID tag on a collar is useful, these can be lost or break off quite easily. Some indoor pets may not even wear a collar, in which case a microchip is an ideal way of ensuring your pet is traceable. A microchip offers definitive proof -  If your cat or dog is stolen, the microchip offers definitive proof of ownership.  A collar can easily be swapped, but a microchip can’t be removed.    Microchips have been proven to increase the likelihood of your lost pet being returned - Whilst findings vary slightly from study to study, the overall findings are the same. Microchipped pets are much more likely to be returned to their owners than none-microchipped pets. Some studies find that the chances are increased by as much 50%. Some microchips now come with added capabilities - Some chips come with the ability to program them to a pet door flap so only your pets can come and go. This is really handy to stop other animals from accessing your house.   How Much Does It Cost To Microchip Your Pets? It usually cost between £10-£15 to microchip your pet, however this varies depending on where you get it done. Some charities, such as Blue Cross, actually offer microchipping for free so it’s definitely worth seeing if there’s a rescue centre local to you that has a microchipping scheme.   How Do I Register My Pet’s Microchip? When your pet gets microchipped they will give the microchipping database company your details. They will ask for your name, address, phone number, pet’s details and emergency contacts. If your puppy or kitten gets microchipped by the breeder they should give you a form or contact details for the microchipping company so you can update their chip with your details.   How Do I Update My Pet’s Microchip Details? If you’re moving house or change phone numbers you will need to update your pet’s microchip details. How to do this will depend on which microchip database company your pet’s microchip is registered to (you can check this on www.checkachip.com), but usually you will have an online account that you can log in to and update any details.   What Should I Do If I Rehome Or Sell My Pet Before you sell or rehome your dog we recommend updating the microchip database details to the new owners.   What Should I Do If My Pet Is Lost Or Stolen If your pet is lost or stolen, we recommend calling your pet’s microchip database company straight away to report them missing. They will be able to check your details are up to date and flag on the system that the pet associated with that microchip is missing. This way if their microchip is scanned by a vet or a dog warden it will alert to them they’re missing or stolen, and they will then be able to get in contact with you and reunite you with your pet.   How Long Do Microchips Last For
? Microchips are designed to last your pet’s lifetime. It’s very rare for them to become faulty or not scan, if this does happen the microchip company will usually replace it for free. So what are you waiting for?! If you haven’t already got your pet microchipped, then we’d strongly suggest doing so, you never know when you’ll need it!

By Zac Girdlestone

Our Favourite Dog Toys For The Park And The Beach

The lockdown rules and regulations have recently been relaxed in England which means some of us can now leave our homes for extended periods to exercise more. As long as we keep to strict social distancing measures we can now take a trip to the coast, or to other places of natural beauty which means longer dog walks and play dates with our four legged friends. This week we thought we’d talk about some of our favourite dog toys to take to the park or the beach, as well as some fabulous accessories. We’ve been indoors for a couple of months so why not treat your pup to a new throwing toy or harness?! The Best Dog Toys for the Beach If you find yourself on a quiet beach, these throwing toys are ideal for a great game of fetch. We’d suggest something bright so you don’t easily lose it, and something that can float so you can extend your games into the water. We have a great selection of choices that would be ideal. Chuckit Tennis Balls - These ultra tough tennis balls are designed specifically with dogs in mind, with the same shape as a regular tennis ball but being much more durable. The bright neon orange colour will be easy to spot from metres away and they even float so are great for playtime near the sea. If you have the beach to yourself why not combine with the Chuckit Ball Launcher to get even more distance out of your throw?! KONG Belly Flops Lobster - Designed to float in water, the KONG Belly Flops lobster is the perfect companion for the beach. It has a unique belly-spinning action which will help engage your pup and is made of a strong material for long-lasting play All For Paws Chill Out Range - These fruit themed toys are perfect for the beach, they soak up water and release in hot weather to cool your pup. They also crickle and squeak making them irresistible for your dog! Find some other things we think you should take to the beach with your dog in our Beachtime Collection here! The Best Dog Toys for the Park Now that many of our open spaces are opening back up again, afternoons in the park might be more common for many of us. Longer walks and more time outdoors mean more exercise for you and your pet. We suggest taking some fun toys with you so you can make the most of having the extra room again. It will be less crucial that you choose toys that can float, opening up the options here. Beco Ball on a Rope - Beco make winderful, eco-friendly dog toys. This ball on a rope comes in a few different colours and two sizes. The rope allows you to throw the toy greater distances than a regular ball, and could be used for games of tug too. The whole toy is made from naturally toxin free materials so it’s good for the environment not to mention loads of fun!! Nerf Trackshot Launcher Duck - This Nerf dog toy can be launched up to 75 feet making it ideal for playtime in the park. Made of a tear resistant woven nylon with PU rubber coating that will ensure it can withstand your dogs teeth. Your dog will get loads of exercise running and chasing after this! Nerf Tennis Ball Blaster -  It’s well known that dogs love tennis balls and Nerf have a great range of tough and durable tennis balls designed specifically for your canine friends. Take you games of fetch to the next level with this tennis ball blaster. This is great for places like the park where there is lots of open wide spaces. It’ll launch your tennis balls further than a regular throw making it even more fun for your dog.   Don’t forget your other Dog Travel Accessories too! The slight ease in the lockdown restrictions means you may be able to stay out for a whole afternoon. As long as you can socially isolate when you’re out and about, a picnic in the park may well be possible. Don’t forget to take your other travel things with you in case you're out of the house for an extended period of time. If its a day at the beach you might want to take your dog’s drying coat and some wipes to clean them off after a dip in the sea. If it’s a day at the park you might take along a travel bag with dog food and water so your dog can join in the picnic fun.

By Zac Girdlestone

How Old Should You Start Crate Training A Puppy?

We want nothing more than for our dogs to feel safe, comfortable and happy, and this is precisely what crate training is intended for. Dogs should view their crate as their haven and own personal den - a place they will voluntarily go to get some rest. You may be wondering how old you can start crate training, what the perfect puppy crate training schedule is, and if you can crate train an older dog. Our pet experts have put their top tips in this week's blog to help make your crate training journey as smooth as possible.     How Early Can You Start Crate Training A Puppy? It is important to start as you mean to go on and introduce your puppy to their crate as soon as you bring them home, at about 8 weeks or so. Getting your puppy used to the crate early on helps settle them in to their new home quickly and efficiently; helping nervous puppies feel safe and also helping them with their toilet training. We would suggest you have a crate set up ready for when you bring your puppy home. The crate should be big enough for them to grow into as an adult, but set-up slightly different whilst they are crate training.   How To Set Up A Cage For Crate Training We recommend using one of our Cosy & Calming puppy crate beds, which are designed to fill around half the crate and then popping a piece of vet bed or some puppy pads down on the other half of the crate. This will divide your crate into two areas to help keep the crate cosy & comforting for your puppy. You could also use one of our crate covers to help block out any light and get your puppy in a routine with sleeping.    Benefits Of Crate Training A Puppy Gives them a safe space of their own which can help them stay calm in new or stressful situations, or when they're tired  Can help to toilet train them A safe place for your dog or puppy to go when they're not being supervised It can make travelling with your dog easier as their safe space can come with you Can help with separation anxiety   How To Crate Train A Puppy Slowly but surely is a great attitude to take when crate training your pup, never force them to go in but simply encourage them with treats and toys to go in.  We recommend keeping the crate door open in their area during the day so they can go in and out at will. You want the puppy to see the crate as their den; their escape from the rest of the household when they need a rest. It’s important not to lock them inside for long periods of time – the crate should never be used for punishment either. The longest they will be inside the crate is probably at night time. You may wish to put the crate next to your bed, or just outside your bedroom at night time, so that they are near you and you can keep a close eye on them at intervals throughout the night. If they fall asleep at any point in the day, you could pop them in their bed inside the crate, to help reassure them that the crate is a safe, comfortable space just for them. Young puppies will get used to the crate really quite quickly if they are introduced to it in the first few weeks of puppyhood. By encouraging your pup to nap in their crate in the day it will make the transition to crate training them at night that little bit easier. We have a more indepth guide on how to crate train your puppy here, it has all of our pet experts top tips and tricks from crate training your puppy.   Puppy Crate Training Schedule 6am  or as early as possible - Puppy will be very excited to see you and desperate for the toilet - take your puppy out first thing for a toilet break. Then provide playtime in and around the crate. 8am - After breakfast, take out another toilet break and walk. Then take back to the crate for a little play and a nap (door open) 9.30am -Toilet training, then another little play. Another toilet break and encourage a nap in the crate. 12pm - Lunchtime with a toilet break and a little play. Another toilet break if needed and then encourage a nap in the crate. 2pm - Toilet break and playtime. Another toilet break and encourage another nap in the crate (door open) 5pm - Toilet break after dinner. 6pm - Toilet break. Playtime in and around the crate.     How Long Does It Take To Crate Train A Puppy? Some pups absolutely love their crate from day one, whereas for others it takes a little longer. Patience and reassurance are key in this process. Not all dogs learn at the same speed but with a little time, your puppy with learn to love their crate and view it as their own safe den!   Can I Crate Train An Older Dog? Dogs definitely have the capability to be crate trained at an older age. Whether you’ve rescued an older dog or simply never got round to it when your dog was younger, you can still achieve the successful results of crate training. There are several benefits of going through this process with an older dog. These include: Creating a personal safe space for your dog Establishing a routine for them Making transportation easier and more convenient Creating a place they can go to calm down in situations they find to be uncomfortable or stressful. It turns out that you can teach an old dog new tricks - it just requires time. Crate training an older dog is typically more difficult than crate training a puppy, as younger dogs don’t have formed routines that need to be broken. Older dogs, however, tend to be creatures of habit. Time needs to be taken for them to unlearn their old routine before going on to practise a new one. How Do You Crate Train An Older Dog? An older dog will soon appreciate the cosy interiors of their crate, more so than an excitable new pup. Place your crate in a quiet location so your dog has somewhere to escape for a daytime nap during louder times in your household. Follow the steps below on how to crate train your older dog. Prepare the crate - Choose a crate that’s big enough for your dog to stand up, lie down and move around in with ease. Pad it with blankets and, if applicable, their existing bed. Leave it in a busy location in the house and let your dog explore it naturally at first for a few days. Prepare yourself - If you have any negative preconceptions about crates, your dog will sense them and mirror your anxiety towards the crate. Begin training in a relaxed and positive manner. Prepare your pooch - It’s recommended that you should take your dog out for some exercise prior to training as a method of burning off some energy and make them more relaxed. A toilet break will also help to limit distractions and focus their concentration going into the training process. Create positive associations - Transforming a crate into a place where your dog feels happy is extremely important, so put treats and toys near the front of the crate. Every time your dog follows your command or goes in voluntarily to retrieve the items, be sure to give them lots of praise and positive reinforcement.  Entice your dog inside the crate - Once your dog is comfortable going near the opening of the crate, move the toys and treats inside, along with their water and food bowls. If your dog is reluctant, place these items at the opening of the crate until your dog is comfortable sticking their head in. Then begin to slowly move them towards the back of the crate until your dog enters it completely.  Close the door - Close the door when your dog enters the crate for a few seconds prior to opening it again. Repeat the process and keep the door closed for longer periods of time, as long as they remain comfortable. Increase time spent in the crate - Once your dog is happy being left in the crate with the door closed, leave it shut for a couple of minutes and gradually work this up to an hour before trying it for longer periods of time. Eventually, your dog will learn to like the crate and may even go in of their own accord.

By Megan Willis

Everything You Need For Your New Maine Coon Kitten

The Maine Coon is the largest breed of domestic cat. A beautiful, tiger-like cat with distinctive features and a semi-long coat. A hugely popular choice of pet both here and across the Atlantic, the Maine Coon is known for its intelligence and playful, yet gentle, personality. They are a really sociable cat and therefore make very popular companion pets. Here we take a closer look at the breed and discuss what you will need to buy if you're getting a Maine Coon kitten. The History of the Maine Coon The exact origin of the Maine Coon is unknown, as no records exist showing their introduction. There are many hypotheses, but the most likely is that they are closely related to the Norwegian Forest cat and the Siberian. The first mention of the Maine Coon was back in 1861 in a book entitled “The Book of the cat” by Frances Simpson. From then on there have been records of Maine Coons in shows around the United States. The popularity of the breed has risen and they are now the 3rd most popular breed in both the UK and the USA. The gentle giant of the feline world, they are known for their loyal, yet independent, nature. They can have any markings and colours that other cats have, but what stands them apart from their feline cousins is their large size, long fur with lion-like ruff and lynx-like tufted ears.   What Should I Get for My Maine Coon Kitten? So you’ve decided to get a Maine Coon? Perhaps you want to know what to get for them? Well we thought we'd bring you a Maine Coon Shopping List to help you prepare for their arrival. Here are our recommendations for this beautiful breed: Large Size Cat Litter Tray - A large size hooded litter tray is ideal to give them the room and privacy to toilet in comfort. Giving them a space to toilet in peace is a must and a hooded design will help keep the area around the tray clean when they dig and cover their waste. The large hooded tray from Catit is perfect with its wider than average dimensions. You could also opt for a basic litter tray inside one of our Cat Washrooms. The cat washroom is a furniture piece that will disguise your cat litter tray and look lovely in the home. You could use the little shelf for cat supplies or just pop a vase of flowers on top to make it look like an end table.  High Wall Bouclé Bed For Cats - All cats love a good snooze and Maine Coons are no different.  A cat bed that is soft and plump will ensure they have somewhere to sleep and nap when they please. Our Luxury cat bed are large and squishy and feature a cosy sherpa fleece top. A round shape with high sides will provide your cat the most comfortable nights slumber. The main body of the bed is made from our best selling Bouclé fabric, it comes in three colours specially selected to complement your home. Prescribed Kitten Diet - When planning your cat’s diet you should definitely read the instructions of whatever food you choose and also speak to your breeder or previous owner. Feeding a good quality cat food is always the best option. Try to choose a food with high quality ingredients and a high meat content! Of course, cats are all individuals, so it may come down to your cat’s personal taste too. Make sure to start with a kitten specific diet and then steadily move on to an adult cat food later. Always read the recommendations of the specific brand you choose as they will vary. Cat Bowls for Food and Water - You will need at least two bowls; one for water and one for food, a third if you’re going to feed both wet and dry food. There are a number of gorgeous bowls and saucers in our shop. Which you choose will come down to personal preference but we’re particularly fond of the Tarhong range which fuses style and practicality! Cat Scratch Tree - Offering your cat the best indoor environment should be priority. Even if your cat will spend time outdoors, giving them a great indoor home will only enhance their life. Cats love to scratch, it’s not only a habit, but a way to keep their claws healthy and for them to keep their muscles supple, so providing them with a cat scratch tree is important. A tall scratch post with platform is advisable so they have somewhere to sate their scratching needs as well as lounge. Maine Coons grow to be very large cats so invest in a large tree from the beginning so you don’t have to keep repurchasing. PetRebels have designed a range of  cat trees especially for Maine Coons, made to be big and strong to these trees make the perfect playground for your Maine Coon. Cat Grooming Kit - Getting the right grooming kit for your Maine Coon is a must. The catit longhair grooming kit is ideal as it has all the brushes and combs needed to ensure your kitten’s coat stays in tip top condition. There are many guides on how to groom cats and the Catit kit itself comes with some great information. We’d aim for a daily brush at least, but you’ll soon get to know your cat’s coat and be able to groom as often as you think necessary to keep the coat tangle-free. Cat Shampoo - You may find brushing isn’t quite enough and choose to bathe your cat as well. It shouldn’t need to be done more than once a month and if you begin bathing whilst they are a kitten they should soon get used to the routine. Animology make a great quality cat shampoo called ‘Feline Great’. This shampoo is 100% pet safe and will promote a healthy coat. Don’t forget to dry them off well so they don’t get cold. Bathing isn’t an absolute necessity for most cats as they tend to be able to keep themselves clean, but it can be a useful thing to get them used to. There may be times where they get themselves dirty to a point where a bath is the only practical way of cleaning them! Cat Toys -  Provide your cat with a variety of cat toys so they don’t get bored. A range of catnip toys such as mice and balls are a great choice as cats love to hunt! Whatever you choose, try to offer a number of different options so they don’t get bored and rotate the toys every few weeks, to keep them interested. Playtime is great bonding time so find a toy or too that will require some involvement form you too, such a wand teaser.

By Zac Girdlestone

Everything You Need For Your New Cavachon Puppy

The Cavachon, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles and a Bichon Frise, have become a very popular pet in recent years. Their friendly and playful nature mixed with their Teddy-like good looks make them a very popular choice of pet. The Bichon Frise genetics mean they have a low shedding coat and they’re great with children, making them a good choice for families. A small, toy breed they have been bred to try to bring together the best of both breeds. They do well in houses and apartments, either with or without a garden making them a popular choice for a wide range of people. Like the cockapoo, they are good options for allergy sufferers being hypoallergenic. Here we discuss all the things you will need for your puppy for the first few weeks and beyond. So whether you are getting a Cavachon in the future or have brought your Cavachon home already, read on for some or our Cavachon product recommendations…   Cavachon Puppy Shopping List Dog Crate for a Cavachon The best dog crate for a Cavachon in our opinion is a medium sized 30” crate. We’d suggest a 2 door crate such as the Lords & Labradors Crate or our exclusive Lords & Labradors Deluxe Gold Crate. This will be the best dog crate for a Cavachon, which will last from puppy to adulthood.   Cavachon Crate Set-up for Puppies When you first bring your puppy home we suggest setting up the medium sized crate with a puppy bed in one side and a puppy pad in the other. Pop one of our crate covers over the top to make the den snug and cosy and pop a water bowl inside. This is the ideal nighttime set-up for crate training puppies, when you might not get them outside every time they need to toilet. In a few weeks, as they become potty trained, you can swap out the puppy bed for a full size crate cushion and bumper set to match your crate cover. The puppy bed can be put somewhere else outside of the crate as a stand-alone bed.   Cavachon Puppy Bed The best puppy bed for a Cavachon is our Cosy & Calming Puppy Crate Bed in the medium size. We have designed these beds to fit in half of your crate whilst your puppy is crate training. Then when your puppy is toilet trained, you can take out the half bed and swap for a full size cushion and bumper set. The puppy bed is ideal for putting elsewhere in the house to use as a stand-alone bed and comes in a range of our signature fabrics to complement your home furnishings.   Dog Bowls We love the Mason Cash bowls, they're small enough for tiny puppies!  They come in three colours and have a cute paw print design embossed all the way round.    Puppy Pads Puppy pads are super important for toilet training puppies. Your pup won’t be able to hold themselves in the first week or so, so having a puppy pad down just in case you don’t get them outside quickly enough is a must.   Puppy Lead Training Accessories We always suggest a dog harness and lead for lead training. A harness gives plenty of comfort and control for puppies who are going to pull and tug whilst they are still learning.   Puppy Grooming Dog Brushes - A salon slicker brush is ideal for grooming puppies. The wire bristles are gentle enough for puppies and will ensure their coat is kept in good condition and cot free. As they get older, invest in a good all round brush which will take care of your Cavapoos curry locks. Dog Shampoos - We love the PetPlex Puppy Purifier shampoo as it's gentle and effective. You could try the clean sheets for quick clean-ups in-between bath times. They’re super handy to keep in the car or your travel bag for car journeys and day trips. Drying Robes, Mitts and Towels - Drying Mitts and towels aren’t just great for bath time but for day trips too - any time your puppy might get wet, such as a trip to the beach or a wet weather dog walk. We love the mitts for puppies as they are super versatile. Once they are fully grown, you can invest in a drying coat. Pop this on after you’ve rubbed them down with the mitts and they can stay cosy and warm whilst they’re still damp!   Puppy Toys! Don’t forget playtime! Playtime is just as important for your puppy’s development as crate lead training. Provide your puppy with a number of toys of different types. A cuddly toy for nap time, a chew toy for teething and a throw toy for throw-and-retrieve fun. One of our favourite puppy toys is the Heartbeat Sheep by All for Paws - this super soft puppy toy also mimics Mum’s heartbeat to help settle puppy - the ideal way to help settle nervous puppies when they first come to their new home. Our favourite teething toys are by KONG. Whether you choose the classic Puppy KONG or the Teething Stick, your puppy will have hours fun and also be able to sate their chewing desires at the same time!   Puppy Pen or Gate Another consideration when you first set-up your puppy’s area is how to keep them safe. Our wooden puppy pen and wooden gate are great options for sectioning off a dedicated puppy area. You don’t want to give your puppy the run-of-the house straight away - they should be given time to adjust to their new surroundings gradually. These wooden dog furniture pieces are a practical choice for most puppy owners and will look stylish in any home interior. We hope you find this shopping guide for puppies a handy resource. We've tried to highlight the best options and sixes for Cavachon's in particular. If you need any product advice or have any queries about the blog or anything else puppy related, do get in touch. We'll try our best to help!

By Zac Girdlestone