The UK'S Only West Highland White Terrier Magazine
ISSUE 32, VOL 1
April 2023
ISSN 2634-4130
NUTRITION THE PROS & CONS of GOAT’S MILK WITH MEALS
News
ASDA LAUNCHES ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PET PARENTS
DOG FOOD COMPANY LAUNCHES MICROWAVE MEALS
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LOTTIE’S Life THE JOURNEY OF A WESTIE WITH SEVERE SKIN ISSUES
SPRING DOG DANGERS To WATCH OUT FOR!
WESTIE WALKIES
A FUN GATHERING In www.westiesandbestiesmagazine.com
Join Dr Conor Brady with Dr Judy Morgan, Dr Lise Hansen Dr Anna Hielm-Bjorkman & Dr Paul Boland for the
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A DAY WITH YOUR FAVOURITE NATURAL DOG EXPERTS Discover the natural choices of veterinary care that truly work, plus the research behind them. Support your dog to be the healthiest & happiest they can be. Nutrition specialists to speak to on the day Like-minded canine guardians Delegate & VIP Ticket options Vendor fair Goodie bags Refreshments Parking
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EDITOR’S NOTE
A SPRING IN OUR STEP Welcome to our April edition. Walking in the pouring down rain will hopefully soon be in the past as we head into the season of spring. I love spring. New beginnings, an uplifted spirit, and most importantly, fewer walks where me and our Westie get soaked to the bone. As spring approaches, however, we need to remind everyone that the season of light brings with it some dangers for our beloved dogs. Our Feature this month looks at the flowers, plants, and seasonal items to watch out for in order to keep our Westies healthy and safe.
Kim Latham Editor
Back in January, Sue Makepeace, writer of our Nutrition column introduced us to the story of Lottie, a beautiful Westie with severe skin problems. Sue is back this month with an update from Lottie’s parents who reveal what they have been through to get Lottie back to the happy little dog that she once was. The change in season also brings back the little critters that we all dread. Yes, ticks and fleas. If you haven’t been preparing your Westie (naturally) for the last few months then you’ll want to see our Health column where the Founder of Herbal Dog Co, Gemma Stocks, tells us how to get rid of these irritating little creatures. Our Community column this month looks at the wonderful Westies that took part in the Edinburgh Westie Walk a few months ago. If you run a Westie Walk group, please feel free to email your images to info@westiesandbesties.com – we’d love to see them! Wishing you all a peaceful and refreshing spring season! Buffy, Chief Cuddles Officer Image supplied by Kim Latham
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Publisher Westies & Besties Ltd Fidlas Road, Cardiff, CF14 5LZ Editor Kim Latham Tel: +44 7496 310169 Email: Info@westiesandbesties.com Commercial Director Alex Griffin Tel: +44 7496 310173 Email: alex@westiesandbesties.com Front Cover Image Image supplied by shutterstock_468751253 Design Jayden Ali Printing WPG Group Westies & Besties Magazine is published by Westies & Besties Ltd (the Publisher) and printed on behalf of the publisher by WPG Group. Westies & Besties Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Westies & Besties Magazine and the Westies & Besties Masthead/logo is trademarked and are marks of Westies & Besties Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Westies & Besties Magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher or those of its contributors. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the Publishers cannot/will not be held accountable for the accuracy of the information here therein, or any consequences arising from it. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited articles or manuscripts in the case of all product reviews. Judgements have been made in the context of the product tested. (All photographs have been supplied unless otherwise mentioned.) Advertisers in this publication must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Advertising Standards Authority. Westies & Besties Ltd is not responsible or liable for a company or individual’s advert. Readers are advised to see a fully qualified veterinarian before attempting to try any of the suggestions made by a contributor.
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22 6 INNOVATIVE NEW
PRODUCTS The Easy Raw Dog Food Co Ltd, based in Buckinghamshire is launching a new Variety Pack of complete raw dog food.
8 ONE-STOP SHOP
Supermarket giant, ASDA, has launched ‘pet zones’ in certain stores to create a one-stop shop for pet parents.
10 MICROWAVE MEALS
HugMyDog have created frozen meals which can be microwaved helping those dogs which prefer their food that little bit warmer.
12 THE BENEFITS OF RAW
Thinking about transitioning your Westie to raw food? Read on to find out all the health benefits of doing so.
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IS YOUR WESTIE MILKING IT? Read all about the benefits of giving your Westie goat’s milk as an added treat at mealtimes and how it helps your dog slurp up plenty of yummy goodness.
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22 LOTTIE’S LIFE
We catch up on how Lottie, a Westie with severe skin issues is doing, and find out how her parents have struggled to help her overcome her skin condition.
28 HOPPING INTO
SPRING With the warm weather comes the fleas and ticks. Gemma Stocks, Founder of Herbal Dog Co, tells us how to cope with the annoying little critters.
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32 A REFRESHING
CHANGE With spring on its way, why not indulge in some bright and flowery items to brighten your home and your mood.
36 A GATHERING OF
WESTIES Check out these wonderful photographs from a Westie walk in Edinburgh.
42 SPRING DANGERS
A reminder to pet parents of the dangers that the season of spring brings with it.
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News
Launches Innovative New Product for
Image supplied by Easy Raw Dog Food Co
We are delighted to be working with The Easy Raw Dog Food Co. who have created this innovative product which makes feeding smaller dogs a raw diet so easy.
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he Easy Raw Dog Food Co Ltd, based in Hanslope, Buckinghamshire are launching a new Variety Pack of complete raw dog food in Jollyes stores nationwide.
With a successful launch last year of their Supercharged range of complete meals, The Easy Raw Dog Food Co have now made it even easier to feed smaller breeds a complete raw diet. The meals in the Variety Pack are small 50g portions and all made from high quality, locally sourced meats and enhanced with herbs, seeds
Westies & Besties - April 2023
News
and superfoods. These are 100% natural food with no grains, fillers, or synthetic additives.
Jollyes we are now making it easier than ever to provide the highest quality foods in the most convenient way for the owner.’
Ideal for smaller breeds and those with limited freezer space. Co-founder of Easy Raw, Lynda Cafferty says, ‘It’s a really exciting time here at Easy Raw HQ. We thrive on making it easy for everyone to feed their dog the healthiest diet possible. Feeding a smaller breed a raw diet has always involved storing excess meats and can at times be wasteful. Now with the Variety pack, one pouch contains a range of complete meals all perfectly pre-portioned and ready to feed. In partnership with
The Buying Team at Jollyes, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with The Easy Raw Dog Food Co. who have created this innovative product which makes feeding smaller dogs a raw diet so easy. At Jollyes we see the benefits of raw feeding so want to make it widely accessible and available nationwide through our stores for our customers and their pets’ The Variety Pack is launching in Jollyes stores and on the Easy Raw Dog Food Co website from the beginning of March 2023.
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News
Asda
Launches
Pet
Parents
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sda has launched a ‘pet zone’ in selected stores to help pet parents pick up everything from insurance to accessories as part of their regular shop. The retailer will trial a number of exciting partnerships with six brands within its Gateshead, Eastlands, Minworth, West Bridgford and Caerphilly stores, giving customers more choice and access to refrigerated fresh pet food, premium treats, accessories, toys, leads, collars and grooming products.
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The dedicated zone will cater for both dogs and cats at all life stages and include a wider range from familiar brands such as Lily’s Kitchen, Freshpet and Denzel’s, alongside an extensive range of accessories and toys from Petface – including eco-toys from Petface Planet, and UK-produced dog fragrances and grooming products from Bugalugs. The selection of brands will offer something for every budget and will enable Asda customers to pick up ‘specialist’ and harder to
Westies & Besties - April 2023
find products more conveniently, such as Denzel’s Brunch Bites and Bugalugs ‘One in a Million’ dog cologne. Pet parents will also be able to sign up for insurance through Asda Money partner, Joii, whilst in the aisle, giving the option to access to a 24-hour online vet service for emergencies via the Joii app. Matt Harrison, Senior Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Asda,
News Image supplied by Asda
We’re partnering with some brilliant brands to bring a wide range of pet products to these stores – including items that would usually only be found in specialist retailers. said: “We’re partnering with some brilliant brands to bring a wide range of pet products to these stores – including items that would usually only be found in specialist retailers. “A rise in the number of pandemic pets has led to demand from customers for greater choice in this particular category. We’re pleased that through partnerships with innovative brands we’re able to offer products for pets of all ages and satisfy the needs of our customers in these five stores.”
“A rise in the number of pandemic pets has led to demand from customers for greater choice in this particular category. We’re pleased that through partnerships with innovative brands we’re able to offer products for pets of all ages and satisfy the needs of our customers in these five stores.” Matt Harrison, Senior Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Asda
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News
Microwave Meals Hit the Shelves The UK’s first ever range of microwaveable ready meals for dogs, HugMyDog, have been launched by Hug Pet Food.
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he premium frozen ready meals, made using the finest cuts of prime British beef, chicken, pork, and venison, all combined with seasonal vegetables and sprinklings of nutritional vitamins and minerals can be cooked straight from the freezer and served (once cooled). Scientific evidence proves the correlation between the food you feed your dog can affect their temperament, day to day health, and quality and longevity of your dog’s life… enter HugMyDog Premium Ready Meals for dogs and cats. With health at the forefront, the expert team of nutritionists at HugMyDog have developed recipes to meet the specific daily needs of puppies, adults and senior dogs, these include Beef with Sweet Potato, Chicken with Carrots, and Pork with Apple.
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Prices start from £3.31 per 300g and are available from hugpetfood.
All images supplied by Hug Pet Food
Westies & Besties - April 2023
News
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Nutrition
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Benefits of a and
Raw Food (BARF) Diet
BY ANNA BAIN & ALISON FROST
As owners, giving our dogs the very best diet is incredibly important; this informs their wider health and, naturally, we want them to be as healthy and happy as they can possibly be. According to many experts, this necessitates a BARF (Bones and Raw Food) diet, which they believe is the optimal food for man’s best friend.
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Nutrition Image supplied by shutterstock_1851880852
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A
Nutrition
side from vast amounts of anecdotal reports from dog owners, detailing the benefits of switching to a raw food diet, the positive impact of this dietary choice to dogs’ health and vitality is also backed by science, with countless published nutritional studies available. So, would a BARF diet suit the needs of your West Highland White Terrier? Our names are Anna Bain and Alison Frost and we are passionate dog nutrition experts from ProDog Raw. We are dedicated to enriching dogs’ health and, as part of the wider ProDog team, support the development of products that do just that. Now, to help fellow dog owners give their dogs the right diets and truly understand the realities behind BARF, we’re here to discuss all-things raw. The advantages of raw feeding for dogs are truly insurmountable and for West Highland White Terriers, it’s an ideal diet choice. At their very core, dogs have evolved to eat the way their ancestors did in the wild; raw and natural. Dogs are carnivores and their optimum diet is one nature intended. West Highland White Terriers often have intolerances to wheat and grains. As a result, many owners opt for hypoallergenic processed foods without realising that raw foods are naturally hypoallergenic (containing none of the most common ingredients that trigger allergy symptoms). West Highland White Terriers as a breed, also tend to suffer badly with yeast imbalance; This can affect their skin, ears, microbiome and makes them extremely itchy, smelly, and miserable. Kibble and processed foods which are high in starches and sugars exasperate this. Quite simply, a raw diet is optimal for West Highland White Terriers.
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Raw diets carry a range of breed non-specific advantages. These include:
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
Cleaner teeth Firstly, raw diets encourage cleaner teeth. More than three in four dogs suffer from some degree of dental disease by the time they reach three years old. Of course, brushing dogs’ teeth can be difficult, but fortunately the process of chewing, biting, and tearing raw meats and bones has been found to help keep dental disease at bay. Meanwhile, the lack of sugars and starches in a natural raw diet means bacteria in the mouth is minimised and the build-up of plaque reduced.
Healthier skin and shinier coats A diet consisting of raw foods, including raw fish, will give your dog the essential fatty acids and amino acids that they need to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat. Dogs’ skin and fur is built predominantly from proteins, and up to 30% of the protein consumed in food is used to maintain their skin and coat condition. If your dog is suffering from skin irritations or sensitivity, you’ll see this greatly improve their quality of life.
Image supplied by shutterstock_1480856987
The digestive system ensures that the nutrients necessary for organs, systems, and functions to operate effectively are absorbed. It’s imperative that this system is supported and nourished.
Nutrition
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Improved digestion
A raw dog food diet compliments the canine digestive system. The PH levels, gut flora and short digestive tract of the canine stomach are designed to break down and digest the proteins and bone in a raw dog food diet - not the carbohydrates and intensively refined ingredients in processed foods. Ingredients in kibble, for example, can cause fermentation in the gastro-intestines, causing bloating, inflammation, putting strain on vital organs, and more. A raw diet is exactly what dogs have evolved to eat; it fulfils their bodies’ needs and minimises any internal discomfort.
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Nutrition
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Relief from food sensitivities and allergies In addition to helping dogs’ digestive systems function more smoothly, raw diets help to alleviate food sensitivity and allergy symptoms. As mentioned, West Highland White Terriers often have intolerances to wheat and grains and raw food diets are, by nature, grain-free and gluten-free. As such, this diet helps to maintain a healthy gut environment and effective immune responses. As any imbalances in the gut can cause many unwanted symptoms, this can clear up quickly with a raw food diet, which relieves any irritation.
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
Boosts immune system Around 70% of the immune system is located in the gut; as a raw dog food diet is so good for gut health, it naturally boosts dogs’ immune function. When combined with the many vitamins and minerals found in raw food, these dishes become ideal options for man’s best friend.
Nutrition Image supplied by shutterstock_1187108371
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Weight management Processed dog foods are almost always packed with calorie-loaded carbohydrate fillers, enhanced with additives to make dogs crave more with little real nutritional value. These carbohydrates also trigger insulin release in the body, which results in fat storage; essentially, dogs gain weight! Thankfully, meat is the lowest GL (glycaemic load) food that’s available for dogs. Raw meat won’t spike their sugar levels and is an effective way of managing dogs’ weight. Overweight dogs struggle with activity and this also puts them at risk of other illnesses; maintaining a healthy weight with a raw food diet will undoubtedly enhance your dog’s quality of life.
If you’re new to the world of raw feeding, this might feel somewhat daunting. To simplify the process and help get you started, we’ve created a calculator to show exactly how much raw food your dog needs. As a rough rule of thumb, you should be feeding your adult dog between 2-3% of its ideal body weight per day. Although, every dog’s metabolism and individual needs will be unique. Overall, raw feeding is a fantastic diet for West Highland White Terriers, enriching their health from tail to toe. Furthermore, it needn’t be complicated; at ProDog Raw, we’ve formulated pre-prepared meals that contain everything your dog needs. If you’re looking to create a rounded meal plan, turn to the experts, look to the research, and speak to our advisors. Raw is natural, and natural is almost always the answer for your Westie to thrive.
For more information, visit www.prodograw.com and check out our raw feeding guide.
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Nutrition
Milking Your Westie needs to lap up all the goodness we can give them BY SUE MAKEPEACE
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
Nutrition
Image supplied by shutterstock_1257227449 www.westiesandbestiesmagazine.com
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L
Nutrition
ots of people ask whether it’s a good thing to add goat’s milk to a dog’s diet.
I actually love goat’s milk as a healthy addition to a Westie’s meal as it adds lots of yummy goodness, my dogs slurp it up and ask for more. Believe it or not goat’s milk is the number one milk (after cow’s milk) that is consumed the world over. When not to feed goat’s milk We will start with the negative aspects of goat’s milk. Firstly, you need to ascertain whether or not your dog can deal with lactose. Occasionally dogs just cannot tolerate it, they can really struggle to digest the milk sugars. Some dogs have low digestive enzymes, especially older dogs, and they struggle to digest lactose. This can lead to sensitivity and maybe allergies to dairy products. Lactose intolerance is generally easy to spot, if your dog is suffering from a bloated tummy, very loose stools, stinky gas, painful tummy, sickness and refusing to eat are generally clear signs. Goat’s milk has a higher fat content than cow’s milk, so if your dog has a history of pancreatitis it’s best to avoid it. I wouldn’t recommend the low-fat versions as it’s highly processed to remove the fat content. Goat’s milk is calorific and if fed on a regular basis can cause weight gain. You can adjust the dog’s food intake to avoid feeding too many calories.
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Goat’s milk is also best avoided if your dog is suffering from skin issues as there is a chance it can cause inflammation. So to sum up, goat’s milk is best avoided if you have a dog that’s suffering from cancer, skin issues, pancreatitis, is overweight, has digestive problems, or is sensitive to lactose. Positive reasons to feed goat’s milk There are plenty of positives for feeding goat’s milk to your dog. It contains many beneficial fatty acids, enzymes, minerals, and protein, and is absolutely delicious to your Westie. In a healthy dog, goat’s milk is actively easier to digest and very gentle on the stomach. It contains plenty of proteins that make it easier for the body to process, which is very beneficial for your Westies. It can also help your dog absorb beneficial nutrients. Goat’s milk contains plenty of good bacteria that can improve your Westie’s gut health and its immune system. The immune system is around 85% in the gut. This bacterium travels through the gut and then ends up colonising in the dog’s colon. It also has a larger proportion of natural probiotics. If you have a healthy Westie and you want to add a delicious additive to their diet, then goat’s milk is wonderful. I would suggest 3-4 times a week and just a small bowl full.
Westies & Besties - April 2023
Sue Makepeace is the Founder of the Westie Advice Group (WAG) on Facebook. Sue is also a qualified raw dog food nutrition specialist.
Nutrition Image supplied by shutterstock_1617259198
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HEALTH
The journey of a Westie with severe skin issues continues BY SUE MAKEPEACE
We had to re-educate ourselves and Lottie in a short amount of time if this was going to work. She couldn’t have any of her favourite treats packed full of derivatives and cereals, or she could go back to square one. Lottie was spoilt, she had toast, the odd sausage here and there but this had to stop, her health really depended on us being strict”.
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HEALTH
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HEALTH
When we started this journey back in October I really did not know or understand what was in store for us and Lottie. She was so poorly we just knew that we needed to do something outside of the veterinary route, we needed to think outside of the box and go for it, or we just knew we would lose our precious Westie”.
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n the January edition I wrote about Lottie and her journey back to health. I explained that Linda, Lottie’s owner, joined the Facebook group - Westie Advice Group in early October 2022 desperately looking for help in getting her nine-year old Westie back to the healthy vibrant fun little dog she knew and loved. After a long telephone conversation and lots of research and reading recommended to them, Linda and Nick (Linda’s husband) were ready to start the healing process for Lottie. On the 19th of October 2022 Lottie started her journey. This was a complete change of diet to a bioavailable and healthy raw dog food. We opted for Jack Wolf Raw Dog Food, a well-balanced and easy to feed food that is delivered frozen. This is easier on the gut and contains no hidden starches/ sugars which could feed Lottie’s yeast overgrowth and make it worse. Treats were to be kept to a minimum and where possible one ingredient only and natural, exactly as Mother Nature intended. We spoke about what had happened to Lottie and why toxins and inflammation build up in the body
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over time and eventually in most cases they manifest themselves in some form of disease. Lottie was practically furless back in October, just a few tufts covered her body. She was very smelly, lethargic, depressed, and incredibly sad, a shadow of her former 10kg fit, muscular and healthy self. Linda and Nick were clearly very distraught and didn’t know what to try next, what on earth had happened to their little Lottie? Linda said to me she felt her dog was broken inside and out. Veterinary intervention had clearly failed their little Lottie. It has not been plain sailing and I always say to owners, no dog gets like this overnight, it’s years of toxins building up from processed foods, unnecessary vaccinations, flea and worm pesticides, drugs that strip the gut of good bacteria. It’s a tough road to follow and the healing cycle can be brutal at times, and this is where many owners break and go seeking veterinarian intervention. The main thing you have to do as an owner is hold your nerve big time. I asked Linda to write a diary of the toughest parts of Lottie’s journey - how rough it has been, and was it all worth it?
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HEALTH
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Lottie’s Diary Update HEALTH
written by Linda
Have the last 14 weeks been easy? Absolutely not! Have there been tears and tantrums? Oh, most definitely yes! From us and Lottie. Did we ever feel like giving in? 100% yes, many times. Did Lottie ever try and break us down? You bet she did! When we started this journey back in October I really did not know or understand what was in store for us and Lottie. She was so poorly we just knew that we needed to do something outside of the veterinary route, we needed to think outside of the box and go for it, or we just knew we would lose our precious Westie. Raw food, easy! Supplements, no problem, but what came with it was not what we were expecting at all. The bathing, the moisturising of her skin, the cleaning of her ears, watching her like a hawk, making sure she didn’t snaffle any food on a walk. Checking everything she ate. The learning curve of feeding a raw diet? What else could she have for extras? Eggs, cottage cheese, oily fish, green veggies. We needed to think of ideas to keep it fun, interesting, and sustaining her through her ravenous detox. Luckily enough Lottie ate voraciously from day one. Lottie’s detox was something we never want to experience again,
and hopefully we never will. The shakes, the hot and cold clammy skin, the constant demand for food and treats. Begging for food from our plates, it was endless. She had an uncontrollable urge to pee and poop in places, something she had never done before. Her bladder control has always been good especially on rainy and windy days. We had to re-educate ourselves and Lottie in short amount of time if this was going to work. She couldn’t have any of her favourite treats packed full of derivatives and cereals, or she could go back to square one. Lottie was spoilt, she had toast, the odd sausage here and there but this had to stop, her health really depended on us being strict. Did we have sleepless nights with her howling? Oh yes, we did! Did she stand in the kitchen barking at the counters? Absolutely! Was it hell on earth not to give in? Absolutely yes. Our girl has gained weight, she is now 9.7kg which is something we never thought we would see. She has settled down, she is enjoying walks, her eyes are sparkling, she’s mischievous again. I never thought Lottie would recover, she would never feel well again, she would always be depressed and lethargic, her eyes would always be dull, she would always have no fur and be itchy and smelly. We know we aren’t out of the woods yet, but we are close. Our girl is alive and loving life again. Were the last 14 weeks’ worth the pain? 1,000,000% wholeheartedly YES!
Big thanks to Linda and Nick for listening, for holding their nerve and for giving Lottie a chance at a healthy life again. Thank you, Linda, for keeping a diary of her journey. I will update you all again, in another couple of months and by then we all hope Lottie is well and truly fully coated and yeast free. All images supplied by Linda and Nick
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HEALTH
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HEALTH
By herbalist and founder of Herbal Dog Co, Gemma Stocks
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
HEALTH Image supplied by shutterstock_1669437541
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HEALTH
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
Signs your dog may have fleas • Your pet is scratching • Areas of hair loss, bald or sore patches • Red spots and irritation • Thickened skin in areas (e.g., around ear edges) • Tiny dark specks in its fur, or small brownblack insects scurrying about • Insect bites on yourself
For just around the corner is the start of the tick and flea season and accordingly, we have put together all the things that you need to know about prevention and cure from these critters. Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites that can carry a whole host of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to pets and humans. Prevention is the best way to protect your pets and yourself against tickborne diseases such as Lyme disease. Ticks are active and looking for something to feed on (you and your pet) as soon as the temperature hits 4C. As well as Lyme disease, ticks also carry many other serious and deadly illnesses and are often so small that they are difficult to spot. They live in wooded areas, tall grass, bushes, or leaves just waiting to attach onto your pet. It is important that during the warmer months you check your dog’s coat for ticks and if you find one, remove very carefully with a pair of tweezers making sure that no part of the body or legs is left burrowing into the skin. Treat any infected area with something antiseptic, calming and soothing that is suitable for dogs and consult your vet if the infection spreads or does not clear up. Fleas are a type of external parasite that sucks blood from their hosts as adults. A flea can live from between 14 days to a year, and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day! It’s estimated that 95 per cent of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment, not on your pet so it’s important to treat your home and dog’s bedding should you suspect fleas in your house. There are many flea treatment sprays out there on the market.
HEALTH
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s the weather gets warmer and you start to look forward to those long walks with your faithful Westie, it is important to remember that lurking out there are some unwanted visitors just waiting to hop onto your four-legged friend.
Combing and regular grooming of your dog is the best way to check for fleas and ticks. Herbal Dog Co has created the natural antidote to fleas, tick and parasites. From non-toxic spot-on treatments to flea shampoos, the flea and tick range is supercharged with effective essential oils that are safe for YOU and your pooches. Herbal Dog Co’s Herbal Dog Co’s Natural Flea and Tick Spot On Tonic is a safe and natural spot on product that is applied weekly to the back of the dog’s neck. It is made from ingredients which are natural such as Quassia Bark, Neem Leaf and Lemongrass essential oil. It is so safe that you can use it with confidence around pregnant and breastfeeding mums. RRP £12.95. To treat your home and your pet when fleas strike, use Herbal Dog Co’s Flea Protect Natural Spray. It is easy to use and ideal for family life when you don’t want harsh chemicals in the home. The spray contains Aqua, Aqueous extracts of Quassia Bark, Lemongrass, SLS parabin free surfactant and fragrance. RRP £12.95. To see the full range of tick and flea prevention products, sprays and flea shampoos, visit www.herbaldogco.com.
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accessories
Indulge in
Get ready for warmer weather and evenings of light…
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accessories
Linden Gardens Spring Bulbs Available from Radley London This beautiful new collection from Radley London is sure to have you swooning all through spring with its vibrant, dreamy colours and wonderful design. www.radley.co.uk Image supplied by Radley London
Floral egg cups Available from TK Maxx These pretty floral egg cups from TK Maxx are the perfect excuse to treat yourself to breakfast in bed during a long holiday weekend. £5.99 www.tkmaxx.com Image supplied by TK Maxx
Floral blue cushion Available from TK Maxx Sit back and relax with this stylish, beautiful pale blue cushion that features stunning butterflies and spring flowers. £19.99 www.tkmaxx.com Image supplied by TK Maxx
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accessories
Alexa Blue Jacquard Mini Dress Blue Available from F & F This stunning blue dress from F & F will have you looking and feeling like the belle of the ball as we head into the magical season of spring in all its glory. £27.50 www.tesco.com/clothing Image supplied by F & F
Easter Wreath Making Workshop Available from Hobbycraft Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a creative day out learning how to create your own Easter wreaths? £30 www.hobbycraft.co.uk Image supplied by Hobbycraft
Mojave Glaze Green Bud Vase Available from the National Trust Simple and elegant is just the way we like it and this unusual glaze green vase is the perfect accessory in which to show off the spring flowers from your garden. £8. www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Image supplied by The National Trust
Sea Blue/Cream Illusion Available from the National Trust This stunning item can be used as a throw or a blanket and is a beautiful accompaniment to any home with its soft material and stylish design. £42. www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
Delos Spring Garden Boxed Candle Cotton & Hydrange Available from the National Trust There’s something about candles on a breezy evening and what a lovely way to end the day with these cotton and hydrangea garden-themed candles. £18. www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
Delos fishbone stripe multi colour Available from the National Trust These stunning colours are sure to vamp up your living space and will have you feeling spring-ready in no time. £45 www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
Delos Spring Garden Reed Diffuser Cotton & Hydrange Available from the National Trust Bring the wonderful smells of spring straight into your home with these garden reed diffusers from the National Trust. £22. www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
Spring Harvest Tea Towels Set of 3 Available from Dunelm Getting into the seasonal mood with these cheerful tea towels which are sure to brighten any kitchen! £6 www.dunelm.com Image supplied by Dunelm
accessories
Picnic Polo Blanket Spring Stripe Available from Tweedmill Make the most of the sunshine and head into the great outdoors for a relaxing picnic with friends with this stunning picnic blanket. £78 www.tweedmill.com Image supplied by Tweedmill
Spring Vases Available from The Range A wonderful array of vases which come in all shapes and sizes from The Range are the perfect home accessory to show off your flower arranging skills. £2.49 www.therange.co.uk Image supplied by The Range
Cambridge Polo Shirt, Spring Rose Available from Cotton Traders This stylish and light polo shirt is the perfect casual fashion statement as we head into the warmer months. Available from the 3rd of June. £26 www.cottontraders.com Image supplied by Cotton Traders
Spring Floral Egg Pick 36cm Available from Hobbycraft Weave in between real spring flowers or simply decorate your Easter table with this pretty decorative floral egg pick from Hobbycraft. £4.00 www.hobbycraft.co.uk Image supplied by Hobbycraft
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Westie Walk Images supplied by Robyn Smith & Molly Boughey-Moore
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Back in January, 15 Westies and their owners turned up at Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh to embark on their group Westie Walkies! The group’s largest turnout was last July when around 35 Westies turned up for a lovely day out with their pet parents. Robyn Smith, founder of the Edinburgh Westie Walks says she realised there wasn’t a group for Westie owners in Edinburgh and they enjoyed the Fife Westie Walks so much she set up this group in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Westie Walks Facebook group is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1053062558782959
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feature
Dangers to Watch Out For Sunny days and breezy evenings also come with risks for our precious Westies
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
feature Image supplied by shutterstock_583583269
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From flowers to farm animals to garden plants, our Westies are in danger when it comes to some of the pleasures enjoyed by us humans. Help keep them safe by adhering to these 10 warnings.
1 Daffodils These beautiful golden plants are always a sign that spring is on its way but unfortunately, they are no friend to our furry pals. Daffodils, especially bulbs, are toxic to our dogs and while we can admire them from a distance it’s best to keep Westies well clear of them to avoid a trip to the vet.
2 Chocolate With Easter around the corner, most of us will indulge in a fair amount of chocolate and sweets – both of which are dangerous to dogs. In severe cases chocolate can cause panting, diarrhoea, sickness, shaking and a high body temperature and high blood pressure. Dark chocolate is even more of a no-go and if you’re dog consumes a lot of it you’d be wise to keep the chocolate wrapper to show your vet so he/she can help your dog as quickly as possible.
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Warm weather
Fields and farming
We’ve got used to walking our Westies in the wintertime. Now, with the warm weather on its way, it’s important to remember to take your Westie’s water bottle with you when you’re off on your walking adventures. Your dog can become dehydrated quickly and could suffer from heatstroke.
It’s spring and farm animals such as sheep are getting ready to give birth. Your unknowing Westie could quite easily stumble across a protective farm animal and bear the brunt of some aggression by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you’re near a farm, put your Westie on a lead.
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Tulips
Sweets
Another beauty, another danger. These brightly coloured gifts from nature can cause health problems for our canine friends and it’s best to keep your Westie away from them at all costs. The last thing you want is for your Bestie to be munching away on these friendly foes which could make your Westie unwell resulting in an unwanted visit to the vet.
Easter is a time of sweet treats and chocolate eggs come laden with goodies hidden inside (including little toys) and unfortunately this isn’t a good thing for our Westie companions. While sweets could obviously cause choking there’s also the problem of sugar as well as fat and some dogs can develop pancreatitis as a result causing them to be sick and, in some cases, even go into organ failure.
Westies & Besties - April 2023
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7 Fleas and ticks The spring season brings with it irritating fleas and annoying ticks so if you haven’t been preparing your Westie for this already by building up his immunity to them naturally then you’d best start now!
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Gardening
Adventures
We’ve mentioned daffodils and tulips but don’t forget about your garden fertilisers too! Lawn weed for example can be poisonous to dogs so bear this in mind when you’re busy prepping your garden for the summer months.
Don’t forget we’ve only just about got past the winter months and your Westie has been taking it easy during the hibernation season too. Ease them in gradually during the springtime and give their muscles and joints a chance to get active again by giving your pal the opportunity to ease into doing more exercise as the months go on.
10 Allergies Pollen and dust can trigger seasonal allergies and we all know our Westies are prone to them. Some symptoms include licking their paws, sneezing, coughing, and chewing. There are plenty of amazing natural products to help during this season and in the first instance you should have a chat with your vet.
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RECIPE
PHOTO CREDIT: Image supplied by Chefs and Dogs
Image supplied by Chefs and Dogs
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Westies & Besties - April 2023
RECIPE
HOT CROSS IMAGE & RECIPE SUPPLIED BY DANIEL TOMAS OF CHEFS & DOGS
E
aster is here, and it’s important to avoid feeding hot cross buns to your dog, as they can contain harmful ingredients. Instead, here’s a super simple recipe made with fresh raw turkey mince that your Westie will love.
Ingredients: 500 grams turkey mince 3/4 cup ground flaxseed meal 10 carob buttons 2 teaspoons turmeric 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
Instructions: In a small bowl, mix together the turkey mince, ground flaxseed meal, and turmeric.
Using a small piping bag, bottle, or spoon, drizzle a small amount of Greek yogurt over the top of each bun.
Break each carob button into around six small pieces and add to the bowl. Mix everything together. Take about 50 grams of the mixture and form it into a hot cross bun shape. If the mixture is too soft to shape, put it in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up.
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Once these hot cross buns are made, they can be frozen and defrosted when needed. However, it’s important to talk to a dog nutritionist or holistic vet to determine your dog’s individual daily nutritional needs.
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COMMUNITY
PUPS IN THE PRESS!
Daisy, Poppy, and Auntie Bella - owners of Susan MacGregor
Daisy and Poppy are half sisters and Bella is actually their Auntie. Bella is my sister’s Westie, and we didn’t’ know until we got the paperwork that she is actually their Auntie!” 50
Westies & Besties - April 2023
Put your Pup in the press! Send your Westie pics to info@westiesandbesties.com
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Tackle food sensitivities the right way with Burns. Using a single novel protein source, Burns Sensitive simple recipes are easily digestible and bursting with natural goodness.
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Expert health & nutrition team freephone: 0800 083 6696 (UK) 1800 83 66 96 (ROI) Or Webchat: burnspet.co.uk
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