Category: News & Press

This time of year is normally the ‘summer holidays’. This year many of us are considering a ‘staycation’ rather than a ‘vacation’ or perhaps taking the time to catch up with friends that live further away that we haven’t seen for a while. The bonus of staying in the UK is that is makes it easier for our pets to come on holiday with us!

Carnilove Ambassador Balto often travels all over the UK for his PATS duties, taking part in fun shows and supporting the Siberian Husky Welfare Association.

We asked Balto to share his top tips for travelling a longer distance in the car:

1 Safe and secure

Mum says it’s the law that I am safe in Kermit [our vehicle] when on my adventures so I must be secured in my travelling mancave or wear my harness and attached to the seat belt point.

2 Keep hydrated

Mum always carries fresh water for me.

3 Bring a blind

If it’s hot and sunny she uses a blind to keep the heat directly hitting me.

4 Never leave me unattended

I’m never left alone in the car, but especially not on warm days. Even leaving windows open does not keep me cool when it’s hot and she doesn’t want me to die 😢.

5 Take breaks

On long journeys mum stops for comfort breaks for us both. It’s nice to stretch my legs too.

6 Bring toys

Mr Croc O’dial, 🐊 my cuddley fwiend is always taken on my adventures.

7 Bring a blanket that smells familiar

I take a familiar blanket with me for stays in hotels so I can settle quickly, knowing it’s my ‘bed’.

8 Bring your normal food

And obviously I take my Carnilove food and treats. Mum knows they are tried and tested and I lub them.

Shop Carnilove Dog Food

Summer is a great time to get out and about with your canine friend when the mornings and evenings are lighter and the weather is generally better. Many of us will venture further afield with our pets, exploring new areas and activities.

One activity that many dogs enjoy in the warmer summer months is swimming. Although some dogs prefer to paddle than throw themselves in the deep end, swimming can have fantastic health benefits for your dog. It provides a great form of exercise without putting as much strain on joints. It also offers a form of exercise that can be enjoyed when the weather might be too warm to be running around in the sun.

Check It Is Safe

The first rule of any swimming outing with your dog is to make sure the water is safe. Check that there are easy entry and exit points for your dog and that there are no strong currents or hazards under the water level or floating debris. If you are not sure, it is best not to take the risk. For more information about finding a suitable place to swim with your dog, have a look at this article from the PDSA: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/water-safety

Never Leave your Dog Unattended

Even if you feel your dog is a strong, confident swimmer, you should never leave them alone to swim. It is also a good idea to ensure that you dog has good recall in case you spot a hazard.

Check That Dogs Are Allowed

Especially during the summer months, beaches and other bodies of water can have restrictions on where dogs are allowed or if they are allowed off the lead. It is always worth checking ahead before making the journey to make sure you will all be able to enjoy yourselves.

Be Realistic About Your Dog’s Swimming Abilities

Just because his breed is well known for their swimming prowess, it does not mean that your dog will instinctively swim better than Michael Phelps! Equally dogs that are not well known for liking the water may enjoy a good doggy paddle. You may also find that even a super fit dog is exhausted after a relatively short time swimming if this is not something they do regularly. Fitting your swimming plans around your dog’s abilities will make it much more enjoyable for everyone.

Check for Blue Green Algae

Blue green algae is more common during warm, dry summer months in non-flowing bodies of water such as lakes or ponds and it is toxic. It is a term used to describe a type of bacteria that lives in water and when clumped together looks like algae or a blue-green sheen on the water. You can find out more on this page from the Blue Cross – https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/blue-green-algae-and-its-dangers-dogs

Keep Up To Date With Vaccinations

Leptospirosis is spread through rat wee and contaminated water. You can take steps to avoid this risk to your dog by vaccinating and also making sure you avoid letting your dog swim in places like canals or areas of stagnant water.

Look Out For Nesting Birds & Wildlife

Look out at certain times of year to avoid disturbing nesting birds or other wildlife along the waterways. Organisations such as the National Trust and Wildlife Trusts do helpfully put up signs on the land they manage if they are aware of nesting birds in the area.

Avoid Fishing Lines

Although the majority of those fishing are enthusiastic about preserving the pristine conditions of the lakes or rivers they visit, there is sometimes an exception to the rule! Debris left behind such as fishing lines and hooks can be dangerous for any dog (or human!) swimming and the area is best avoided until you can be sure it is clear.

Keep Cool And Hydrated

You may think that because your dog is in the water, they will manage this one themselves! Always keep a bottle of fresh water handy for your dog and try to make sure that they are not drinking salt water if you are at the beach. To avoid upset tummies it is best for your dog only to drink the water you have bought with you. For young and energetic dogs it is also a good idea to make sure they are taking regular breaks, especially if they are not used to swimming, to ensure they are not over exerting themselves.

Think About Bringing A Picnic!

You could find that your local beauty spot or swimming hole is very busy, especially on warmer days. Be prepared to visit earlier or later in the day to find a quieter time, or bring a picnic and something to create some shade if the sun is beating down. Relax and take your time, venturing into the water when it is a little calmer. Make sure to pack some Carnilove treats for an after swim treat for your favourite pooch.

Satisfy your dog’s instinctive love of meat with the new Carnilove pouches made with pieces of wild-origin meat and organs in pate. Each pouch contains 85% meat, including unique flavours such as ostrich, venison and quail. Each meat flavour is paired with beneficial herbs, forest fruits and veggies. You won’t find grains, potatoes or soy in any of our Carnilove dog foods and we also don’t use any GMO products, artificial colorants or preservatives.

The wide spectrum of carefully selected wild-origin meats found in Carnilove dog food corresponds to the composition of natural prey and ensures intake of important amino acids. Forest fruits, vegetables, wild berries, and herbs are natural sources of important vitamins, antioxidants and other essential nutrients.

The handy pouches are perfect for providing your dog with a variety of tastes and protein sources. They can be feed as a complete meal, topper or as part of their enrichment routine such as using a suitable food or treat dispensing toy.

Find out more about the benefits for your dog of each of the wild-origin meats and forest fruits, veggies and herbs below.

Ostrich

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible to promote digestive tract health. Low content of fat and cholesterol supports optimal condition, heart health, and the circulatory system.

Pheasant

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible pheasant meat with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids to protect the heart and circulatory system. High levels of selenium shield cells from oxidative stress, which helps improve the quality of the skin, joints, and brain.

Venison

Highly digestible venison to support muscle development. The meat is low in calories, which promotes digestive tract health, and thanks to the low content of cholesterol, it also protects the heart.

Quail

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible quail rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids to protect the heart and circulatory system. High levels of selenium shield cells from oxidative stress, which helps improve the quality of the skin, joints, and brain.

Carp

Highly nutritious and easily digestible carp has a positive effect on the overall physical condition. The high content of omega-3 fatty acids supports healthy skin, heart, and joints.

Wild Boar

Highly digestible wild boar supports muscle development. Because the meat is very low in fat and cholesterol, it promotes optimal condition, including a healthy heart and circulatory system.

Buffalo

Highly digestible buffalo supports muscle development. The high content of omega-3 fatty acids supports immunity, and optimal condition is ensured thanks to the high content of conjugated linoleic acid.

Duck

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible duck is gentle on the digestive tract and promotes optimal physical condition. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the heart and circulatory system.

Salmon

Highly digestible and nutritious salmon supports digestive tract health and optimal condition. Omega-3 fatty acids support the skin, heart, brain, and joints and promote healthy physical development.

Turkey

Turkey is rich in digestible proteins and has high levels of trace elements, such as zinc, and also contains vitamins B 3 and B 6, which are critical for proper brain function and good muscle tone.

Blackberries

Blackberries are rich in antioxidants and help maintain skin and urinary system health.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaf is rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes a healthy urinary system, gums, liver, and joints and also reduces joint pain.

Strawberry Leaf

Strawberry leaf shields cells from oxidative stress, resulting in improved skin and heart health. It also reduces cholesterol levels, which benefits the heart and circulatory system.

Yellow Carrot

Yellow carrot reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, which provides beneficial protection of the heart and circulatory system. Rich in antioxidants, it also supports healthy immunity, skin, and vision.

Black Carrot

Black carrot reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, which provides beneficial protection of the heart and circulatory system. Rich in antioxidants, it also supports healthy immunity, skin, and vision.

Rosehip

Rosehip reduces blood glucose levels and also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help maintain healthy digestion and skin. The antioxidative properties support heart and circulatory health.

Rose Petals

Rose petals are rich in antioxidants, which have a positive effect on digestive tract health and also promote healthy skin and immunity.

Timothy Grass

Timothy grass is a source of crude fibre and also has a positive effect on digestive tract health.

Blueberries

The properties of blueberries protect against urinary tract infections and also support brain development and function.

Find your local Carnilove Stockist

Shop online for Carnilove Pouches for Dogs

Your cat is a natural hunter and their instinctive love of meat must be satisfied! Carnilove pouches containing wild-origin meats in gravy reward your feline friend with high meat content and tempting wild-origin flavours.

You won’t find any fillers in our Carnilove recipes – no potato, grains, soy or sugar. We also say no to GMO, artificial colours and preservatives. Each pouch contains 85% meat paired with beneficial forest fruits, veggies and herbs to provide your cat with a healthy, balanced diet and a taste they will love.

Pouches can be purchased individually from your local Carnilove stockist or in a multiple pack containing four flavours to tempt even the fussiest feline.

Find out more about the benefits of each of the wild-origin meats, herbs, veggies and fruits for your cat.

Turkey

Hypoallergenic turkey meat to support optimal physical condition and muscle development. The high content of tryptophan helps reduce stress levels.

Quail

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible quail meat. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the heart and circulatory system. High levels of selenium shield cells from oxidative stress, which helps improve the quality of the skin, joints, and brain.

Duck

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible duck meat is gentle on the digestive system and supports optimal physical condition. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the heart and circulatory system.

Pheasant

Hypoallergenic and highly digestible pheasant meat. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the heart and circulatory system. High levels of selenium shield cells from oxidative stress, which helps improve the quality of the skin, joints, and brain.

Wild Boar

Highly digestible wild boar supports muscle development. Because the meat is very low in fat and cholesterol, it promotes optimal condition, including a healthy heart and circulatory system.

Trout

Highly nutritious trout meat to promote digestive tract health and optimal condition. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, heart, and joints.

Rabbit

Highly digestible and nutritious rabbit meat to support digestive tract health. The very low content of fat helps maintain overall condition.

Chicken

Chicken is a great source of essential amino acids and minerals. Its high protein content ensures proper development of all tissues.

Valarian

Valerian helps prevent stress and calms the nervous system. It also soothes sensitive digestion.

Dandelion

Because dandelion is rich in antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory properties and supports healthy skin, heart, urinary system, and gums. It reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, which helps protect the heart and circulatory system, and it also reduces blood glucose levels.

Catnip

Catnip has antibacterial properties, promotes digestive tract health, reduces occurrence of diarrheal illness, and also has a sedative effect, calms the nervous system, and protects against stress. It also protects against ectoparasites and is a strong attractant for cats that enhances flavour.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaf is rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes a healthy urinary system, gums, liver, and joints and also reduces joint pain.

Chamomile

Chamomile is rich in antioxidants that support healthy skin and coat, have antibacterial and antiviral properties, and help maintain digestive tract health. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties it also supports healthy gums.

Echinacea

Echinacea supports both nonspecific and specific immunity and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It also promotes healthy skin and digestion and helps boost overall health.

Marigold

Marigold has anti-inflammatory properties and has a beneficial effect on the skin, coat, joints, and heart. It promotes healthy joints and suppresses allergic reactions.

Find your local Carnilove stockist

Shop online for Carnilove Cat Pouches               

We all start out with the best of intentions when we take on a puppy or a new dog. Most of us will attend puppy classes and dog training, even going on to take part in agility, heelwork training or learning to be an assistance dog. We teach our dogs skills that will stay with them. Now is a great time for revisiting those skills and polishing up our basics using positive training techniques and remembering the importance of a good relationship with your dog

Leave it!

This is a useful command to teach your dog, whether it is leaving your sandwich which you have just placed on the coffee table or something your dog is showing interest in outdoors that could be harmful. It is always useful to be able to call your dog away.

Greeting visitors

This might be a little trickier if you live alone but it would be great to rope in an assistant if you have others in your household! Practising appropriate behaviour when someone arrives at your home will make life easier in the long run, although if your dog does find this very exciting we would advise not to practice ringing the doorbell too regularly for the sanity of others in your house!

Stay

This is another useful skill for everyday life. Perhaps you may have spotted a danger that your dog has not and you would like him to stay where he is until you are safely able to reach them.

Drop it!

Dogs are brilliant at searching out all sorts of things left by others on a walk, or occasionally stealing things they shouldn’t. Making sure you can take these items back from your dog is very helpful.

Crossing the road

With current restrictions on movement in the UK, most people will be walking their dogs from home where possible. This means that you might be following the same or similar routes more often. It is great to practice safely crossing the road, especially if your dog is likely to get excited at the prospect of good sniffs on the other side! There are different ways that people like to train their dog to ensure they are safe, one of which is to ask your dog to sit and wait whilst you assess the traffic situation before moving to cross the road.

Toilet on command

Your dog may have mastered toilet training when they were a puppy, but another useful skill is to be able to ask your dog to toilet on command. If you are in a situation where you only have access to a suitable toilet area at certain times of day, or you ever need to collect a urine or stool sample from your pup, you will be grateful you spent the time teaching this command.

Carnilove treats provide a great high-reward incentive when training your dog. They come in a variety of different tempting flavours, in both crunchy and semi-moist formats which easily break up into smaller pieces if required.

SHOP NOW: Carnilove Dog Treats or Carnilove Cat Treats

READ MORE: Games to play with your dog

READ MORE: Check out these great resources for further information on dog training:

Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme

Association Of Pet Dog Trainers

Here are some home grooming ideas to ensure that your pet remains in tip top condition while your usual dog groomer is closed. Grooming your dog is also a great for bonding with your furry pal!

If you have a long haired or fluffy dog, make sure that you brush them daily to keep them comfortable. Pay special attention to areas that are more likely to create friction such as under their collar or between their legs to make sure you do not miss any knots or tangles.

Even very short haired dogs will benefit from a good groom with an appropriate brush which will act like a massage and leave them nice and shiny! It is a great opportunity to check your dog for ticks or any lumps or bumps they may have acquired.

You might normally leave bathing your dog up to the professionals and indeed bathing a fluffy dog too often can increase the formation of matts and knots in their coat. If you do need to bathe your dog before you can get to the groomers again, here is some advice for those with fluffy dogs:

• Remove knots before bathing – the process of bathing the dog can often make these knots harder to remove.
• Do not dry your dog by rubbing them with a towel. This friction will create knots and matts in their fluffy coat. Instead pat dry, or even blow dry (on a cool setting) to keep the coat as straight as possible.
• Use conditioner on fluffy or wool type coats to help reduce matting.

Of course, every groomer will tell you good diet is essential to maintaining a great coat. Upgrade your groom to a full pampering package by using Carnilove wet dog food smeared on a Lickit mat as a treat during the grooming process!

If you are looking for more information about grooming your dog, this article from the Blue Cross is a good place to start: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-groom-dog. Alternatively there are many breed specific online forums where you might find ideas for dealing with your dog’s coat.

SHOP NOW: Carnilove Wet Dog Food

During this time it is important to keep an eye on your pet’s weight to ensure that they stay healthy. Multiple factors could affect their weight, from reduced exercise to owners being more available for pets to badger for treats! Having more of you at home may also mean that sneaky pets could be fed more often (as we all know, some pets have perfected the ‘I haven’t eaten for weeks’ look to fool owners into serving a second breakfast!).

The first place to check is the feeding guide provided by the manufacturer of your pet’s food. It is worth bearing in mind that this is only a guide and your pet’s requirements may vary slightly. You will need to take into consideration your pet’s age, activity levels and ideal weight when making these calculations. It’s easy to slip into bad habits, so referring back to the feeding guide is a good reminder.

You may also be tempted to feed your pet more treats than usual, especially if you are going through a stressful time. It is wise to keep in mind that treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie allowance. If you would like to treat your pet more often, or you are looking for a training reward, you can take a portion of food out of their daily allowance for this purpose.

This body score tool from the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) can help you to identify if your pets body score is ideal:

Dog – https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Body-Condition-Score-Dog.pdf

Cat – https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Cat-Body-Condition-Scoring-2017.pdf

If you have any queries or want to discuss your pets feeding, you should be able to contact the seller to ask. For Carnilove nutritional queries in the UK, please contact 01737 488 400, email sales@bsbproducts.co.uk or contact us via our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Learning fun new games with your pooch could be a great way to pass the time.

Hide and seek

This is a fantastic game to play if you have young, or even grown-up children at home. One person asks the dog to sit and wait in a location away from the other players (either in another room if playing inside or perhaps round the corner if you are playing in the garden or outside). The other players then hide in positions the dog will not be able to see them. The dog is sent in with a command such as ‘find them’. Much fuss and reward should be given to the dog for each player that is found and they will pick up the idea very quickly!

Hunting at home

Hide a number of treats or toys around an area in your house, out of sight from your dog. Let the dog into the room and ask them to sniff out the treats you have hidden. It is best to make sure you count how many treats you have hidden to make sure you know when this game is over!

Create your own agility course

You may not have access to the latest agility equipment but that does not mean you can’t have some fun building your own obstacle course for your dog. You can use a large box with two open ends to teach him to crawl through a tunnel or set up some empty plant pots upside down in a row and teach your dog to weave in and out of them.

Make your own snuffle mat

Snuffle mats are perfect to get your dog to use their brain and nose to find the tasty treats. They can also be used to slow down greedy eaters, making their portion of dry food last a bit longer! This blog from the Dog’s Trust explains how you can make one at home: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/blog/2019/how-to-make-your-own-snuffle-mat

The muffin tin game

If you have a muffin tin and some tennis balls this game is great fun. Choose some high reward treats and place them in the muffin cups. Cover the treats by placing a tennis ball on top of each cup. Place the tin on the floor and encourage your dog to work out how to get to the treats.

Teach your dog to tidy up their toys

Now this might take a bit more practice than our other ideas! The game is based on the retrieve and drop commands to get your pooch to round up all their toys and drop them into a specified container.

• 1st Prize – 6 months of Carnilove food
• 2nd Prize – 3 months of Carnilove food
• 3rd Prize – Treat bundle

Come along to find out about our grain and potato-free dog foods that contain up to 80% wild-origin meat, along with forest fruits, vegetables and herbs. As requested, we have also packed lots of our ever-popular soft and crunchy treats!

When we began the search for our first-ever Carnilove dog ambassador earlier this year, we were looking for an animal and owner that truly captured what a ‘Carnilove Dog’ is. All dogs need love, warmth, exercise, stimulation, routine and, of course, an exceptional diet. As owners it’s our responsibility to provide all of this. A ‘Carnilove Dog’ responds to this care, bringing something special to the people around them.

When Balto’s owner, Sandra, entered our brand ambassador competition we realised that the love and time she dedicates to her beloved Husky would resonate with dog lovers up and down the country.

Sandra first met Balto when he was eight months old. He had been rescued by The Siberian Husky Welfare Association (SHWA-UK) from a dog shelter where he was just two days away from being be euthanised. SHWA-UK had found him a fosterer and Sandra had volunteered to be one of the drivers to transport Balto to his new foster home at the other end of the country.

The minute she met Balto Sandra was charmed by his sweet nature and surprised by just how calm and quiet he was in the car. Sandra already had an older husky, Keira, and wasn’t looking for another dog but she couldn’t help but connect with Balto. Unable to say goodbye permanently, Sandra applied and was soon approved to adopt Balto.

Sadly, Keira died a year or so after Balto arrived. Now, with more time on her hands, Sandra began entering Balto into various dog shows for fun, which he loved. He’s shown real potential in agility and participates in trick training classes (which is unusual for a Husky!). He also enjoys disobedience classes (as Sandra calls them, because Huskies are notoriously stubborn!) and has tried his paws at fly ball and long line scent work. He loves a challenge and trying different things.

Not one to rest on his laurels, five-year old Balto has also gone onto become a therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Nationwide (TDN). In this role he visits old people’s homes, day centres, schools, elderly psychiatric wards and gets involved with mental health awareness training days. In his (limited!) spare time, he works to promote both rescue dogs and the Siberian Husky breed at events such as Discover Dogs.

This life helps to keep Balto happy and healthy and is clearly very fulfilling for Sandra as well. Sandra has to keep Balto motivated through training, shows and in his role as a therapy dog so treats are essential. Carnilove semi-moist treats are perfect; they’re not greasy or flaky so can be kept in pockets or hands without leaving crumbs, oil or smell. Even though the treats are very small, they can be easily broken into three. This is just as well because everyone that Balto meets or helps likes to reward him, and he thoroughly enjoys it too!

Sandra is very careful to make sure that Balto’s not overfed and he maintains a healthy weight so any treats he is fed throughout the day are offset with a smaller evening meal. For his main meals Balto loves all of the Carnilove recipes, both kibble and wet food, but his particular favourite is Salmon.

When he’s not out meeting people, training or competing in dog shows, Balto’s favourite thing to do is to retreat to what Sandra calls his ‘man caves’; a selection of soft crates in his bedroom. The doors are always open but it takes quite a lot to prize Balto out! We think that this wonderful Siberian Husky richly deserves his downtime…