What makes a dog’s breath smell...

... and how to combat it

We’re sure to have all had bad breath once in our life and know it’s quite unpleasant, but for a dog that has bad breath, this could be a sign of poor health and can lead to larger medical problems in the mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract or organs. It may seem like an anecdotal problem, but the effects it could have on your dog’s health can be detrimental.

What is bad breath?

Bad breath is the build up of odorous bacteria that’s produced in your dog’s mouth, lungs or gut and is more often than not caused by dental or gum disease. Bad breath is especially common in small breeds as they’re prone to the build up of tartar and plaque.

What can I do?

In the circumstance of your dog having bad breath it’s recommended that you seek a vet’s advice. When you visit the vet a physical examination will be carried out and you’ll be asked questions concerning your dog’s diet, fitness, behaviour and oral health. If you notice a change in your dog’s breath and it has an unusual smell, a veterinary appointment must be made as soon as possible.

There are many smells to look out for that is connected to a wide range of medical problems:

•    Sweet or fruity smell – this could indicate diabetes
•    Foul odour followed by vomiting or lack of appetite and the appearance of yellow gums or corneas – this could indicate liver problems
•    Urine smell – this could indicate kidney disease

What treatment is available?

The type of treatment given to your dog depends highly on the cause. If your dog’s bad breath is caused by oral health then a professional clean might be required, but if it is caused by your dog’s diet you’ll need to change his food. If it’s a more serious case, then your vet will advise you on the steps you should take.

Prevention

•    Regular vet check-ups need to be incorporated into your dog’s routine
•    Ensure that you and a vet monitor your dog’s teeth, gums and breath
•    Examine the ingredients of your dog’s food – make sure it’s high quality and easy to digest
•    Brush your dog’s teeth regularly with a specially formulated dog tooth paste. (Have a look at Bonlays’ dog grooming collection)
•    Offer your dog chew toys to help naturally clean their teeth

Spending a weekend away

We have recently enjoyed our Easter break, but now that the sun is showing its face on a regular basis we have the taste for spending more time out enjoying the glorious sunshine. So if you’re getting tired of the park views and want to take your dog away for a weekend in another surrounding, you’re sure to be searching for portable items that will make your weekend hassle free.

At Bonlays our favourite places to take our dogs for a leisurely stroll while enjoying the sights of new surroundings include the Lake District, Thetford Forest and the Norfolk Boards. Sound like the perfect break away to you? Each destination is packed full of wondrous walks and what makes them even more attractive is, with the help of us here at Bonlays, you won’t have to pack too much.

Saving you space in the boot

We love this convenient Outward Hound Food n’ Water Port-A-Bowl as it comprises of two compartments that can be attached together, saving your arms from carrying too much at one time. However, our ultimate dog travel item has to be the Outward Hound Roll Along Pet Carrier and Backpack, perfect for those who love to take long walks and would like an arm free to hold the lead.

Travelling in the car

If you will be travelling a fair distance to get to your destination your dog’s comfort is sure to be playing on your mind. You want him to be comfortable, have enough room to stretch out if needs be and be safe. When travelling in a car we religiously put our seat belt on, but for your dog a car seat belt can be too restricting and cut into his neck. However, with a specialist Kyjen Outward Hound car Booster Seat your dog will feel a lot more comfortable and relaxed. For larger breeds why not try a Back Seat Hammock by Outward Hound? Acting like a bed your dog will be able to lie down and relax, perhaps even sleep while you drive. Knowing that your dog is perfectly happy sitting in the car will make your journey a lot more pleasant too.

If you will be taking on a mammoth of a journey your dog will need to be given a walk from time to time, so plan regular intervals where both of you can take a break from travelling and have a drink.

Games to play with your cat

Cats are independent creatures, but at the same time can be very playful. To entice your cat to stay inside and enjoy the company of the family, we’re sure you’ve tried many tactics including changing the type of food on offer, but all has failed. One tried and tested method, we here at Bonlays have employed, is playing a variety of games that keep cats entertained and challenged. Why on earth would you want to chase a bird outside when you can play with one in the comforts of your home?

When browsing our full range of cat toys you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how many games you can play with your cat. From catnip toys to mice toys and bird on a wire cat toys you’ll feel inspired to play every day.

We love seeing the effect catnip has on our cats and we think you’ll enjoy seeing it too. Catnip is a perennial herb and can be recognised by its clusters of small white purple-spotted flowers at the ends of its stems. The aromatic oils of catnip can cause the Flehmen response. This is when a cat will pull its lips back from its teeth to look like its almost smiling. Each cat’s response and behaviour towards the plant is unique, making these catnip toys an ideal toy to have in the house; your cat is sure to always come back for more.

Our favourite catnip toys include:

World Famous El Gato Muy Loco™ Catnip Cigar – Now £6.95

PetCandy® Kittles - premium catnip cushions - £3.69

Pawbreakers Catnip Candy Ball – £2.99

However, if you would prefer to have more interaction with your cat then we think you’ll love these bird on wire cat toys. Simply swirl it around on the floor and watch as your cat tries to frantically catch it. Our bird on wire cat toys includes a Parakeet, Goldfinch and Bluebird. You will also find a great deal of replacement heads to choose from.

In our incredible range of toys suitable for a variety of fun games to play with your cat you will see that the choice is vast. There are mice toys that will keep your cat entertained for hours on end without much input on your behalf, lattice balls for you to throw and interact with your cat as well as the bird on wire toys that will have you and your cat enjoying some quality time together.

What's In Style For Your Dog?

As the season is beginning to change we have started to put our winter coats back into the depths of our wardrobes and the same goes for our dogs’. So what should they be wearing mid season? It’s not cold enough to permit your dog to wear a coat, nor is it hot enough just to wear a t-shirt.

At Bonlays we have a great range of anoraks and jumpers for your dog to wear to keep those chills at bay. Perfect for those early morning walks, your dog is sure to feel warm and cosy wearing some of our dog clothing, but what’s fashionable?

A reliable indicator that we use when determining dog fashion trends is finding out what our favourite celebrity dogs are wearing. Our favourite celebrity dogs to follow include 50 Cent’s pup Oprah Winfrey who is sporting a pink cast at the moment and Paris Hilton’s Tinkerbell. 

For Tinkerbell anything goes so long as it’s pink and for Oprah she likes to keep things simple, but with a bit of bling. Looking across a whole spectrum of famous people’s dogs, it seems that the collar is the must have statement piece. The once practical item is now the must have fashion accessory for your dog to wear and it must be bigger and better than the rest.

You will find a fantastic range of dog collars at Bonlays that all boast an array of patterns and colours to choose from. Whether you want to bring a bit of Tinkerbell’s style to your dog’s wardrobe by opting for something pink or want to opt for something simplistic and classic like Oprah, you’re sure to find it here.

Why not complete your dog’s wardrobe by choosing special outfits out of Bonlays’ dog clothing collection?

Dog Or Cat | Who'sYour Favourite Companion?

It’s an old war that has been waged between cat and dog lovers across the world. Both animals have played a role in many religious traditions, in Ancient Egypt cats were seen as guardians of the underworld and in Christian popular folklore supernatural dogs, Hellhounds were known to guard entrances to the world of the dead or supernatural treasure and hunt lost souls. Dogs play a role in Hinduism and are also believed to guard the doors of Heaven and Hell.

However today both dogs and cats play a significant role in our lives, but as we get more attached to our pets and our loyalty grows it can overspill into conversations and we begin to defend which one makes for a better pet.

We here at Bonlays opt out of this argument as we love both equally and so remain neutral. However, we thought we’d find out what others believe and for once and for all see if we can end this battle of who is better.

The sheer volume of responses we received was overwhelming, all providing valid points of why you should have one or the other in a home, so quite clearly there is a rather large divide. For some, cats are the preferred companion as they require less time and effort yet they’re there for lap time, cuddles and dinner, perfect for working professionals. However, the counter argument tends to be on the lines of loyalty, company on walks, love even when an argument has arisen and a greeting smile every time you walk into the room. Both arguments are very strong, so perhaps we should weigh up the pros and cons?

A cat’s pros

•    Litter training – no need to clean up after
•    Fits into a working life
•    No need to walk or bath
•    Cuddles
•    Company
•    No smells
•    Affectionate
•    Intelligent

Total = 8

A Cat’s cons

•    Stubborn
•    Not very sociable
•    Have a tendency to bring treats home
•    Can up and move house without consent

Total = 4

A Dog’s pros

•    Loyal
•    Friendship
•    Exercise
•    Company
•    Loving
•    Smile
•    Can be considered to be another family member
•    Teach tricks
•    You can become sociable with other dog walkers
•    Can guard the house
•    Annoy neighbours – advantage?

Total = 10, possibly 11
 

A Dog’s cons

•    Training
•    Walking
•    Bathing
•    Loud barking
•    Organise a dog sitter when on holiday
•    Take up a lot of room in the home
•    Have to clean up after them
•    Expensive to feed, depending on the breed
•    Requires a lot of attention

Total = 9

The results are in and the clear winner is having a family cat. However, for both cat and dog the pros do outweigh the cons. To determine which one is better, it all depends on what you look for in a pet and what your circumstances are. If you’re a working professional and do not have the time to run home to feed the dog at lunch and take it for walks before and after the working day, a cat could be a better decision for you. However, if you live an active life and want someone to share your joy with then a dog could be your ideal companion.