Autumn

As the nights draw in and it starts to get cooler, we've got some products that can benefit your pooch.


Fireworks and other fearful situations
Many pets are terrified of fireworks and there are 8 ways that you can help to prepare them...but start this well in advance of the firework season. Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are widely used as a treatment for noise phobias and fears associated with fireworks, thunderstorms etc. It calms and relaxes dogs or cats without causing drowsiness or sedation and can be used on an ongoing basis, starting before the firework season.
Valerian Compound is fast acting and the herbal extracts used in this liquid ensure that within just 30 minutes of administration, a noticeable change in behaviour occurs without causing drowsiness. The effects are quite short lived, so is perfect for evenings when you suspect fireworks will happen nearby.
Our Woof & Brew Anxiety Tea bags and CSJ's Calm Down herbs are great alternatives to help with longer term anxiety.

Mental stimulation & boredom
With darker mornings, earlier nights and the worsening weather, walks may become less frequent or shorter and dogs may be less likely to get the same level of exercise and access to the outdoors that they had during the summer.

This can lead to behavioural problems if your dog does not have enough activity and mental stimulation.

The Buster Food Cube & Mini Cube helps combat boredom and mentally challenges your dog as they have to figure out how to get treats from the cube. Equally, the Buster Maze Bowl and Mini Maze Bowl can be used for mental stimulation as your dog must push each treat through the maze to be able to retrieve and eat it!
Kongs are a great idea, particularly when filled with goodies and frozen. We will start to publish Kong recipe ideas together, so do check our blog.

Undergrowth Menaces
Dogs love running through piles of leaves, but these can hide a number of hazards such as spiky conker shells which can easily pierce pad paws. For minor abrasions and cuts, Dorwest Garlic Juice is a natural purifier which has great antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It comes in a spray bottle so can be applied easily to a cotton wool ball or toilet tissue and then applied to the wound.

Central Heating and Fleas/Ticks
Problems with fleas and ticks both increase over the autumn period, with a peak when people start turning on their central heating. If you're keen to keep away from chemical cures, there are a number of available options. Billy No Mates Tincture & Billy No Mates Herbs are a preventative and work as a repellent because the parasites don't like the natural ingredients such as Mint, Fenugreek and Neem, so choose another animal to bother. Dorwest Garlic Juice is also great as a repellent because parasites, like fleas and ticks, dont like the pungent odour of garlic and a top tip is to comb this spray through the coat to discourage those nasty pests.

Berry Foraging & Fallen Leaves
Dogs love to forage and eat what they fallen fruit they can from. Dorwest have written a very insightful blog post about which berries are safe and which are to be avoided at all costs.
Even safe berries can loosen motion, cause temporary diarrhoea and can also tinge poo a purple colour if too many are eaten. Dorwest Tree Barks Powder can help during periods of, and recovery from, acute diarrhoea.

Piles of leaves can develop bacteria and mould.  If your dog ingests these it can lead to gastrointestinal upsets. Dorwest Tree Barks Powder can have a soothing effect on the digestive tract, providing relief from intestinal discomfort.

**If you're unsure or worried about what your dog has eaten by foraging and/or if he/she has had any reaction to foraging or from playing in piles of leaves, do seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Harvest Mites
Harvest mites are tiny red mites that appear at the end of summer and the start of autumn in long grass and in forests, and which can easily be picked up by your dog when out walking.
They can latch on to the skin and soon prove very irritating, causing your dog to scratch themselves to distraction to try to relieve the associated itching. The mites and the incessant scratching can make themselves raw, leading to lesions appearing on the skin that are at risk of infection.
Dorwest Garlic & Fenugreek tablets can be used for the symptomatic relief of minor infections and skin conditions as well as having antibiotic, antiseptic and anti-viral properties. It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds. 


*Please remember that we are not vets or can give veterinary advice so you must always consult your vet if you are worried about your pets health or if you are concerned about your dog encountering any of the above.