Latest Offer - 25% off selected Royal Canin diets
Here at the practice we see how a good diet can benefit a pets health, which is why we keep the cost of our Royal Canin Veterinary diets as low as we possibly can, ensuring we are competitive with internet prices. We want our clients to be able to feed their pet a veterinary quality food for not much more (or sometimes less!) than commercially available food. Quite often, feeding a better quality food can mean you actually need to feed your pet less per meal, and therefore can work out cheaper per day!
3.5kg Neutered Adult Medium Dog:
RRP £20.35 Our Price £16.56 with 25% off offer - £12.42
= 71p per day for a 15kg dog
We also have our Royal Canin loyalty scheme, currently buy 8 bags get the 9th FREE!
Royal Canin diets are tailor made to best meet your pet’s nutritional requirements. Each product is based on extensive studies, carried out in partnership with leading veterinary schools and universities. Every diet takes into account age, breed, size and lifestyle because one food doesn’t suit all.
Worried about changing your pet’s food? We recommend gradually introducing a new food over 5-7 days, increasing the new food day by day.
If they don't like it? Royal Canin are so confident that your pet will enjoy the food, they offer a no quibble guarantee simply return 80% of the bag for a full refund!
Offer applies to bags with a red 25% off sticker. While stocks last.
Firework Phobias and your Pet
The end of the year brings many reasons to celebrate and unfortunately this also brings many reasons for your pet to be nervous. If you have a pet suffering from a noise phobia, fireworks on Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve can make the party season stressful. Preparation is the key when trying to address the problem; the sooner you start the better.
What is noise phobia?
It is an over-exaggerated fear of loud sounds. Whilst some form of response is natural, if it becomes terrifying and distressing for your pet it is essential that something is done.
Short-term management
It is helpful to know when to expect a firework display, so make sure you’re up to date on the timings of all the local shows.
- Keep your pets indoors – don’t let them bolt out of the house in panic.
- Provide shelter – create a nest in a sound-proof and light-proof room. Use pillows and cushions to make it cosy, play loud rhythmic music to mask the bangs and put the lights on to counter the flashes. View this link on den building, to help you prepare your pet for the firework season.
- Act upbeat – don’t punish or reward fearful behaviour, try and behave as normally as possible.
- Play games – maybe bring a non-fearful dog round to play, or practise commands to distract your pet.
- Use earplugs correctly – damp cylinders of cotton wool can be used but don’t push them in too far and remember to remove them immediately afterwards.
What can my vet do?
For short-term control or extreme situations, vets can prescribe sedatives for your pet. These should not be seen as an easy alternative, but should be used in combination with the advice above. Most need to be given some time before any noise starts so pay close attention to the vet’s instructions on use.
Zylkene and Dog Appeasing Pheromone – DAP diffusers are both natural treatments that help bring about relaxation and calmness. Why not complete the Sounds Sensitivity Questionnaire, brought to you by Adaptil, to assess your dogs firework fear.
In the meantime, please come along to the talk, or contact your vet for further information on both these products. Email us here to reserve your place.
Long-term management
A long-term control programme should be instigated as soon as possible to stop your pet from reinforcing his phobia. Contact your vet for information about desensitisation packages that slowly introduce your pet to various loud sounds over time. Your vet will also be able to put you in contact with appropriate behaviourists if you feel you need further help with this process.
Noise phobias are painful for everyone in the household and with some forward-planning and preparation they can be greatly reduced. Start looking into what you can do now, before Bonfire Night is upon us.
Keep Fleas in Check
Fleas are a very common external parasite in cats and dogs. During warming weather, the flea population can explode; a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day and 1,500 in a lifetime. Left untreated, they can cause excessive itching, skin irritation and damage and even anaemia. They can also affect you and your family too! Fleas don't just live on your pet - it is estimated that 95% of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment – on beds, rugs, carpets and sofas.
Regular checking and preventative treatment is key to avoiding an infestation. However, there is a confusing array of different products available and some are more effective than others.
Here at St Boniface Vets you can make an appointment to discuss your pets lifestyle and risk of infection. Following this appointment, we can produce a tailored parasite control program for your pet including control of ticks, mites and internal parasites (worms) as well as fleas. This means we can avoid using excessive treatment if your pet's risk is low and we can advise on the most suitable products to use, to treat your pet and your home.
Some common flea treatment questions we get asked are.... Which product is best for my pet? Do I need to treat my cat as well as the dog? Is it necessary to treat all the time or just during summer? Is it true that fleas carry worms? Do I need to treat my home? We can answer these and many more questions in your consultation.
Please call the surgery on 772860 to make your appointment, or send us an email. Make sure your pet enjoys being flea free!