Features

Sep- 2018 -

3 September

Reptile: impaction explained

Over the past 18 months we have been looking at the intricacies of ‘nutrition’ within captive reptiles. By reptiles we refer, of course, to the wider trade term used for those that retail ‘reptiles, amphibians and insects’. Yes, it’s a very loose term but each of these groups have roughly…

Aug- 2018 -

31 August

Avian: Kakarikis as pets and aviary birds

During this series we have been looking at some of the species of cage and aviary birds that are available to us to keep, breed and trade. The good news is that the UK bird trade is going through a welcome revival with sales of birds and the required accessories…

17 August

Humanisation in the pet food industry

As more owners consider their small companions as to be their direct equals and impose their own lifestyles and preferences onto them, this change in ideology has trickled into the pet trade and led to a ‘humanisation’ process of the manufacturing industry. Pet owners now aim to give them a…

14 August

Playtime regulation

Constantly, pet manufacturing and retail professionals are reminded of how owners are beginning to think of their pets as more than just a pet, reinforcing the special bond between them and their owners. Research by Natures Menu found that half of the nation views a dog as their best friend,…

10 August

Business advice: Home Office errors grounds for retailers to challenge illegal working fines

UK employers have a legal duty to carry out document checks on all employees, confirming their right to work in the UK. If the Home Office alleges an employer has failed to perform these checks properly, they can issue a civil penalty for illegal employment to the business for up…

9 August

An interview with Vet on the Hill TV star, Dr Scott Miller

How did you join the veterinary profession? I’ve always had a love of animals from a child which made the choice very easy. Why did you decide to pursue your career in the UK and Europe? My parents are English and although I was born in Australia I was lucky…

8 August

Reptile: Shade dwellers

Reptiles and amphibians, like all animals are highly adapted to life in the wild state. Vast periods of time have passed within this long process of slow adaptation, leaving us with each species as we currently see it. I do not refer to the evolutionary process of species change at…

Jul- 2018 -

30 July

Anti-vaxxing, pets and the community’s fears

The idea and concept that preventative vaccinations may be doing more harm than good is not a thought which is too uncommon amongst humans. More recently, some of those reservations and fears have crept into the animal community – namely in the pet world – with some claiming that vaccinations…

10 July

The impact of ‘star pets’ on animal welfare

Casey Cooper-Fiske looks at whether pets with famous owners and iconic pets of film and TV such as the Dulux dog make good ambassadors for their fellow pets or whether you should never work with animals – as the saying goes As wedding bells chimed at Windsor Castle, over two…

10 July

Is the pet food market experiencing a powershift?

As the top three pet food manufacturers lose market share, we ask are independent manufacturers the future of the industry? Casey Cooper-Fiske investigates Hill’s, Purina and Royal Canin are the big three household names for any pet owner. Founded in Missouri in 1894, Purina is the oldest of the three,…