Blog

It's Easter again and there are Chocolate eggs and Hot cross buns everywhere! While we are looking forward to indulging in sweet treats,  it's really important for pet owners to keep chocolate treats safely out of reach of inquisitive pets this Easter. Findings released by British Veterinary Association reveal that six in ten (62%) vets treating small animals saw at least one case of chocolate poisoning over Easter holidays last year. Worryingly, despite information shared by com...

Posted On: 29/03/2018

December is here and Christmas is on the way! Amongst the excitement of decorating, wrapping presents and preparing food,It is important to consider the needs of our four legged friends. The festive season is one of the most precarious for dog owners, there are dangers hidden everywhere from plants to common festive foods. To keep your dog safe this Christmas, we have a few helpful suggestions on what to avoid! Festive food and drink Chocolate : The number one poison that dogs come a...

Posted On: 07/12/2017

Arthritis is extremely common in dogs, as much as it is in humans. It is a painful condition that affects the joints and can stop them from doing the things like they used to. With a little help though, we can help our canine friends enjoy life even while living with the condition. As the temperature drops, the cold weather can exacerbate painful joints. It is something you will notice more when they stand up after a sleep and they appear stiff, or get up in the morning, or are more reluctant to...

Posted On: 07/11/2017

It is one of the main weekend for fireworks again this week (Aside from New Year). Whether people attend organised displays or are hosting parties in their own back gardens, it will be hard for your dog to escape from the noise. For some dogs, it is just a run of the mill day like any other, but some dogs can become highly distressed and panic. Unlike one off noises, fireworks last a long time and are erractic, loud and high pitched, causing up to 45% of the UK's pets to become worried. ...

Posted On: 02/11/2017

Puppies are an incredibly amount of fun! They are full of energy and love but you may not think it is so much fun when you’re trying to get them to walk on a lead, although they may think it is playtime! We need our dogs to be able to walk on a lead so we can take them out safely, but puppies don’t quite understand that. Safety and security are a vital consideration for dog owners, not to mention it is illegal to have your dog out of control in a public area. Here are a few tips on h...

Posted On: 23/10/2017

“Doggie Daycare” where you bring your dogs to play for the day is rising in popularity - it has seen a huge rise in availability in the past couple of years, perhaps as a combination of us working longer hours and acknowledgement that our dogs do not like to be left alone for long periods.. For anyone who doesn't know, it gives your pooch a chance to make pals with others at a home or centr just for them. For years, we have been leaving our dogs at home while we go out, so is thi...

Posted On: 15/10/2017

You've got your first puppy, and you want to make sure you give him or her the very best start in life. It's really important to remember that every dog has their own unique requirements and you will get to know what your puppy likes and dislikes, but this may be a learning curve. Just like any baby, your puppy needs balanced, carefully monitored nutrition to help them develop and grow. This means giving them the best start in life possible with the right food that fulfils their nutritio...

Posted On: 15/10/2017

Canine pancreatitis is a difficult condition to manage. It can be found in any breed at any time, but it can be treated by your Veterinary Surgeon. It's a good idea to know what symptoms to look out for. While it doesn’t affect the masses, it is still common enough that it helps to be aware of what to look out for before it turns deadly. Canine pancreatitis is essentially the inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that produces hormones like insulin. It can occur out of nowhere or ...

Posted On: 02/10/2017

As our canine friends get older, their needs start to change. They start to slow down a little bit, their diet may need adjusting, and you may find that they sleep for just that little bit longer. You will probably also notice them moving slower, but all of this doesn’t mean that they don’t need as much exercise anymore. Older dogs still need to get up and move, but with a little adjustment, you can make it easy and comfortable for them. Both physical and mental stimulation is key...

Posted On: 27/09/2017

We would love to be able to take our dogs with us wherever we went, but unfortunately that is not the case! Sometimes we will have to leave our friends at home while we go out and unfortunately some dogs will experience separation anxiety when we do. Separation anxiety can vary in the levels at which a dog will experience distress, some dogs are happy to be left alone for short periods, whereas others may not wish to be left for any period of time and will howl and cry. As owners, we do our very...

Posted On: 31/08/2017

There it is! A huge hole in your newly mown lawn! It is so frustrating! Digging is unfortunatly a typical dog behaviour, but it can be incredibly annoying, especially if it’s destroying your garden! We know dogs dig, but why do they do it, and can this behaviour be stopped? Reasons dogs dig There are a few reasons why your dog is clawing away at mad at the soil, one of these being to keep cooler or warmer. Holes are made in the shade or in sunny spots, creating a den-like spot to bas...

Posted On: 27/08/2017

Most Popular Dog Breeds in the UK The UK is a nation of dog lovers. We love all types of dogs, big and small and all between. But which are the UK’s most loved? You may be surprised at some of the entries on the list that make the grade. No matter what breed, what age of dog, and the lifestyle. they can all enjoy our Barker & Barker natural dog treats (unless you have a Dalmatian who must be extra cautious with liver content of course!) 10 – German Shepherd Highly intell...

Posted On: 10/08/2017

There are an increasing number of older pets within the UK. Dogs are living much longer through to improvements in veterinary science, nutrition and home comforts, Many of our older dogs still have plenty of life in them, but they may have special considerations that are required to keep their senior years happy and healthy ones. Signs of getting older One of the factors that affect the rate at which our dogs age is their size. Giant breeds, like Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes, tend to g...

Posted On: 07/08/2017

Body condition scoring is a way that vets, owners and animal care professionals can assess a dog’s health.Taking into account the dog’s weight and its body shape, it is a visual representation of your dog's physical condition. A body condition score quickly determines that a dog is healthy, and it is often required by pet insurers nowadays. It is important to keep a record of how body condition score changes over time as this can show you quickly if you dog is gaining , or losing...

Posted On: 07/08/2017

Over the last couple of weeks, we have noticed the temperature has been up and down. This week is forecast to reach highs that we, with mod cons such as air conditioning, could find unpleasantly hot in the UK, so imagine what it must be like for our four legged friends. As responsible dog owners, we know Barker & Barker dog lovers are considerate and caring when it comes to managing their dog's health and hydration during spells of hot weather, but it is always a good idea to refresh our...

Posted On: 11/06/2017