Essential Spring Pond Maintenance.

It is now officially Spring and your ponds are starting to wake from their winter dormancy. The aquatic plants are showing signs of growth - some even flowering. The wildlife is beginning to stir with frog spawn appearing in suitable ponds a real feeling that there is better weather to come!

Pond fish are much more active now for longer periods of the day while the water temperature is higher and the sun is dancing on the water surface.

Spring is the best time to give your pond its annual service – checking all stages of pond filters are working fully, replacing UV bulbs for the coming season (most are only really effective for 9 months and then only if the quartz sleeves they are housed in are cleaned of dirt), aquatic plants need trimming and dividing with the new growth keen to root and re-establish quickly, lilies and marginal’s need feeding with a pond plant fertiliser to encourage healthy growth and flowers, check for any leaks in liners or a build up of dirt in the pond that will need removing.

It is not only the pond that needs scrutinising; your fish too need to be observed for early signs of damage or disease from the hardships of winter. The fish may only just be moving around but all those nasty disease causing bacteria are active at much lower temperatures meaning they may already have infected your fish. If your fish are looking as if they need a boost but have no obvious symptoms then a general pond tonic may be worth using, but if there are specific symptoms such as ulcers, finrot, fungus or parasites then the correct pond treatment needs to be chosen.

Any maintenance on pond filters at this time of year will need to be combined with a filter enhancer to rejuvenate the beneficial waste reducing bacteria which will have been lost during maintenance. These bacteria are an essential part of an efficient filtration process and reapplying then will mean no drop in water quality.

These newly active fish will need feeding! A good quality food will help to boost their immune systems and increase their general vitality. Make sure that the food is fresh – food left open for too long will have gone off and lost its vitamin content or worse. The food needs to be the right size and type for your fish, floating types are generally better as you can easily monitor how much your fish are eating without the wasted food polluting the pond water. There is a great range of Pond Foods available to choose from now so your fish can be spoilt for choice!

But most of all make time to sit back, relax and enjoy your ponds and water features – after all that is why they are there!

Choosing Your Dog Collars.

There is such a variety of dog collars available now that sometimes it can be difficult to choose which is best for your dog.

Nylon dog collars are the first choice for durability, strength and value all of which are provided by this synthetic material. Available in a wide range of colours and styles there is something for most dogs. The quality can vary so much between different manufacturers both in the weave strength of the nylon itself and in the construction o the collars where quite often the stitching can let the collar down so choose a good manufacturer. Softweave collars are fabulous for your puppy’s first collars where these comfortable collars can get them used to wearing a collar and the fine adjustments which can be made in the open weave is great as you are not restricted to pre-made eyelets. The versatility of adjustable nylon collars can be great for getting a snug fit and a quick release collar which snaps on while absolute strength will always be provided by the traditional metal buckle nylon collar with metal riveted eyelets.

Chain dog collars can add a touch of class and offer superior strength. Traditionally dog choke chains have been amazingly popular to reduce or control pulling on the lead though now they have been superseded by other products such as head collars and training harnesses which are kinder to the dog. Half check collars which are a mixture of chain and nylon or leather still have their place and are great for a collar which you can slip on and off the dog quickly. Chain and leather collars with buckles are amazingly strong for very powerful dogs and have a touch of elegance about them.

Leather dog collars are still the most popular collars by far and the traditional leather collar with buckles will out sell other types of collar for years to come! For a strong durable classic collar you cannot beat a traditional leather dog collar. The quality of these collars can vary greatly though with cheaper grades of leather prone to stretching and weakening, low grade stitching can fail and even worse than this some leathers are treated with toxic chemicals which can irritate you and your dogs skin. Even humble leather collars have moved on to a superb level with the premium collars in the Ancol Vintage range offering highest grade bridle leather with a soft leather lining, high quality strong metal fittings and a high gloss fully stitched finish. Timberwolf leather dog collars even come in a classy blue finish with a 3M waterproofing treatment.

Specialist dog collars are still popular for dogs with particular breed requirements. Breeds such as Greyhounds, Whippets and Bull terriers all have collars created to fit. The range of Bull Terrier collars and harnesses is quite amazing now highlighting the popularity of this breed.

The demand for fashion and designer dog collars is higher than ever. From classically styled canvas and soft leather combinations, colourful printed nylon collars with amazing designs, crystal encrusted designs offer some real bling to your pampered pooch and not forgetting the puppy ranges for young dogs with style!

There is a collar to suit every dog for every occasion! Don’t restrict your dog to one outfit, they need a comfy collar for lounging at home, casual walking collar, dressy going out in town collar, maybe one for pup parties..............

The Benefit of Hay For Fibrevores.

Hay comes in range of Tasty Varieties!

As we know Hay is an essential part of any Fibrevore’s diet. Fibravore's are small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, degus or chinchillas who require hay as a large proportion of the diet., this hay provides them with all of the beneficial fibre that they need for healthy digestion. There are so many types of small animal hay to choose from on the market today that it can be difficult to know which you should buy. Hay can easily divided into two main types - grass hays and legume hays. 


Now you can purchase hays which has tasty added extras such as dandelions, birch bark, chamomile or Jerusalem artichoke to name but a few.  These are great as a treat and when mixed with their usual hay and will encourage them to forage, encourage natural behaviour and naturally reduce boredom.


A few varieties are: 

Timothy hay is grass based and is ideal for older rabbits.  With its mix of leaves and stems it creates a great mix of taste and high fibre content which is essential to ensure a healthy digestive system.

Alfalfa is legume hay and is very tasty making it popular with Rabbits and other small animals.  It has a high fibre and nutritional content but should only be fed as a treat as it is high in calcium which can eventually lead to high calcium build up in the bladder.  It is however a fantastic, tasty food that will encourage recovering animals, following an illness or surgery, to eat.

Burns Green Oat Hay is a great natural alternative to the 'traditional' hays.  This mix of stem, leaf and 'green' oat husks is great at keeping your small animal’s digestive system’s healthy and as an aide to dental wears.

Dried Meadow Grass is another really popular product which although not strictly a hay, it is a dried grass, packed full of more nutrients than hay and with a wonderful 'fresh grass' smell as soon as you open the bag!


More For Pets Limited stock a great range of small animal hay and bedding which are always in stock at cheap prices to buy online.

Natural Treats For Your Dog.

As with their own diets, pet owners are becoming increasingly aware of the nutritional needs of their pets and the ingredients contained in the foods themselves. More and more they appreciate the benefits of giving their animals treats made only from natural ingredients.

Natural dog treats are just that and have absolutely nothing added to them. So there are no cheap fillers, no artificial preservatives and most importantly no chemicals leaving just pure dog nutrition. The majority of them are gluten free and perfect for dogs with allergies.

Natural pork dog chews are probably the most popular and widely known dog treats. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the ubiquitous pig’s ears to pig snouts and trotters. Pig’s ears are much loved by dogs and contain an acceptable quantity of fat with a flavour that dogs find irresistible! Available now are the Pork Bites , these are the pigs inner ear and just as tasty as the traditional pigs ears but at a much lower price.

Natural fish dog chews have loads of protein and different varieties may contain omega-3 and omega-6 which are fatty acids which promote a good healthy skin and fur.

Dog chews made from natural poultry are low in fat and are suitable for dogs with allergies. Dog chews made from natural lamb are perfect for sensitive dogs and dogs which are allergic to certain types of food.

Other favourites include the best training treat ever – dried liver strips which your dogs will do anything for and are a completely healthy treat. Black pudding sticks and salami sticks are mouth watering chewy treats which can be given whole or cut in to smaller pieces making them great value too. For good dental care you still cannot beat a good quality smoked bone for your pet to chew on, sterilised first before going through the smoking process leaving you with a tasty and safe bone for your dogs to chew on.

All these natural treats should ideally be oven baked, dried and contain no artificial colorants, preservatives or flavourings – most are also gluten free.

If you take a look around your kitchen, check in your fridge  or even look in the garden and you will be surprised at just how many natural treats are available right on your doorstep. Sliced apples, sticks of celery as well as carrots all make very good natural treats. Each and every one provides a range of proteins and vitamins. A carrot by itself contains five different vitamins, protein, iron, fibre and potassium. They are all natural ingredients with no added chemicals.

Whether or not you purchase commercial dog treats or use treats direct from your garden or your kitchen, natural dog treats are a fantastic way of providing your companion with a supplement of extra nutrition without the worry about which chemicals have been administered without your knowledge.

The number one reason dogs want to chew on bones or dog chews is a natural instinct which has been passed on for thousands of years. Dogs have an innate desire to chew and giving your dog a healthy and natural dog chew will benefit them in many ways. Puppies especially love to chew, this chewing facilitates teething and it is also their way of exploring objects in their world. In adult dogs chewing aids the dental care of your dog removing plaque, tartar and keeping gums in great condition.

As dog owners, we want to make sure that we choose the right dog chew for our dog. With so many choices of dog chews and treats available finding the right chew can be difficult. Different ages and sizes of dog will benefit from different strengths and sizes of treat – if in doubt feel free to ask us for any advice.

info@moreforpets.ltd.uk

Intershred Comfibed

Comfibed is an amazing product which is suitable to use for all sorts of animal bedding.  Most people know it as a hamster bedding in its fine shredded form,  but it is also produced in a wider shred size for use as a bedding for rabbits, guinea pigs and for use in kennels and catteries.

At a quick glance it can easily be passed over as just another paper bedding which will go mushy when wet, block up your hamster pouches and be dusty enough to irritate your pets.  BUT Comfibed is a very different product being produced form the same hemp-based material that your household tea-bags are made from!  So if it's safe enough for your cup then it's safe enough for your pets!  Comfibed is absorbent without losing it's structure so it will not go mushy, it is totally safe for hamsters and small rodents (will not block up pouches like paper and fluffy bedding can) and is dust free.  At the same time it is totally breathable creating an ideal nesting material.

Comfibed is hypo-allergenic bedding and suitable for pets with other bedding allergies when using hay, straw and shavings. It is a god send for sensitive rats and guinea pigs where it can be used as a bedding material and as a complete floor covering.  Because of it's  hygienic properties it is also amazing for re-cooperating animals after injuries or operations and during treatment for mites etc helping to keep the animals clean and infection free.  The coarse grade 15/20mm Comfibed is a fantastic product to use as kennel bedding for dogs, cats or any animal requiring a soft absorbent warm bedding which will not disintegrate when it gets wet and it is very economical to use.

Comfibed comes veterinary recommended and Hamster Society approved.  Because it is a natural hemp based product it is also biodegradable making it environmentally friendly.

More For Pets Limited are a main supplier for Comfibed products and have regular deliveries from the manufacturer.  We sell various quantities from 100g bags up to 5.5kg bags and will deliver it straight to your door.

If you have an animal this is a must try product. 

Feeding Your Garden Birds

Are you getting value for money with you wild bird seed? 

Are your garden birds getting the food they need?

At More For Pets we have a range of wild bird seeds and treats to attract a wide range of bird species without the cheap bulking seeds such as wheat which the majority of birds just won’t eat.  These bulking seeds are put in by some companies to give the appearance of value for money, when in actual fact a large quantity of the seed is wasted – therefore wasting your money. 

We provide premium wild bird mixes that the birds in your garden will love whilst still offering you great prices.  With specific seed mixes for a wide range of birds including robins, songbirds and British finches there’s something for them all to enjoy and return for more.  

Robin Mix

Robin and Songbird mix with insects

This a special mix for soft billed insect eating birds like Robins, Blackbirds etc. It's a high energy food which can be used all year round and contains oatmeal to provide essential carbohydrates as well as sunflower hearts, peanut nibs, millet, dried meal worms and vegetable oil. Take a look

British Finch Mix

British Finch mix

This is a seed mix specifically for all small seed eating birds such as Chaffinches, Gold Finches, Siskins etc and is a very special blend including canary seed, niger seed, rape seed and naturally occurring wild seeds. Take a look

Spring and Summer Mix

Spring and Summer mix

Specially formulated for birds at this time of year who are nest building and feeding babies combining high energy seeds with the right nutrients for quality egg production, skeletal growth in fledglings and building immune systems.  Containing a mixture of seeds, oyster shell grit, dried meal worms, suet pellets, vegetable oil and aniseed oil. Take a look

With many birds still nesting and producing chicks this time of year they need any extra help they can get, so why not give them the best start?  We even stock a specific food for squirrels helping to take them away from the usual tempting bird feeders, leaving the birds to eat in peace! Squirrel Food

Our range of boxed fat and suet bird treats will be a great addition to your garden with their high energy levels and great taste will prove to be very popular.  Have you tried insect fat balls, suet pellets, suet feasts, insect logs or dried meal worms?  The birds love them and with a variety of feeders available for each product there’s really no excuse not to give them a try! Suet Treats Galore

Bath Time Fun!

So you are enjoying a lovely walk with your four legged friend when you see it, that large muddy puddle up ahead. But you are not the only one to see it oh no, your four legged friend has not only spotted it, already they are heading straight towards it - at pace! No amount of calling their name will help as they suddenly develop selective hearing and they are on mission. All you can do is watch helplessly as they bound right through it, lie down in it, stick their head in it and sometimes even roll in it! Only then are they happy to come back to you looking very pleased with themselves and dripping muddy water which they inevitably shake all over you!

You know you can't put it off.........you need to give that dog a bath. Now even if your dog loves having a bath- which I'm not altogether sure many do, though most resign themselves to it and sit there with big sad eyes looking a bit sorry for themselves. Plus to add insult to injury we cover them in bubbles (normally with a big dollop of bubbles on their head just for good measure!). Getting them in the bath in the first instance can be quite difficult, especially if they are a larger breed of dog. They are not going to help you to get themselves in. Stopping them from getting out mid-bath can be a bit of a problem too. All in all the process of giving your dog a bath can be a messy one, leaving not only you drenched but the bathroom a swamp too. Desperately trying to towel them dry while they have got other plans and head towards the nearest exit with you in hot pursuit! It's always tempting to get the hair dryer out to get the job done quicker and I've known many a dog to be quite partial to the luxury of a brush and blow dry - pampered pooches indeed!

With different shampoos for all types for dogs and coats it can be a difficult choice.  There are special gentle shampoos for puppies, shampoos specifically for white coated dogs and dark coated dogs, sensitive shampoos for dogs with easily irritated skin and coats, flea and insect control treatments, tea tree and coal tar products just to name but a few.  Finishing sprays are great for that extra shine making your dog stand out in the crowd and all with fresh fragrances essential for pre-show care.  Oh and don't forget the dry shampoos for a quick fix when a bath is just not possible or wanted! For more information take a look

One thing is for certain that although giving your dog a bath can be a bit of a headache at times it is completely necessary to keep your dogs skin and coat healthy. There is no denying it that once they have been washed and dried with their coats shining they look and smell great (especially if you try the new K9 Cologne for that extra finish!) and they undoubtedly feel better for it too!