Dog Health & Care

Lots of dog owners treat their pets with presents, snacks, and maybe even their own turkey meal at Christmas. But it’s important to remember that some popular festive foods are not dog friendly and can make pets very sick. Some traditional Christmas foods can even be poisonous. Other things like decorations and popular seasonal plants can also be dangerous.  

Dog owners should already know some of the information covered in this article, like not giving dogs chocolate, but Christmas exposes dog’s to lots of guests who might not know what’s harmful. It’s important to let them know what’s safe and what’s poisonous.

Below we offer tips and advice on how to keep your dog safe and happy through the festive period.

Harmful and poisonous Christmas food for dogs  

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine which is very toxic for dogs. The amount of chocolate a dog can eat before it is fatal depends on the size of the dog.

Swimming is a great activity for dogs and most breeds love being in the water. Swimming is also fantastic exercise for canines.  It helps improve their cardiovascular health, strengthen their muscles, and boosts circulation.

On warmer days, letting your dog off lead to jump into a pond or lake is a nice treat and is an excellent way for them to expel energy. But there are a few things you should keep in mind for your dog’s safety.

There also might be restrictions in place for certain bodies of water or wildlife conservation areas you should be aware of.

See our tips below to safely and legally let your dog swim in the wild in the UK.

General safety tips and advice

• Strong currents and tides. You should only let your dog swim in calm waters. Even a small current can cause strong swimmers to struggle.
• Supervise your dog at all times. Never leave your dog

There is a lot to consider when planning a hiking route with your dog. Even if you take your four legged companion everywhere with you, going on a long walk and trekking off the beaten path has its own unique challenges that you should plan carefully for. 

Although hiking in Britain with a dog may seem tame compared to backpacking aboard, you still need to be prepared and plan carefully to ensure your dog’s wellbeing. Plus you need to be aware of laws and restrictions on certain trails.

In this article we provide an overview of what you should know about hiking with your dog in the UK.

Is your dog suitable for hiking?

The first question you need to ask yourself is if your dog is up to the task. Long walks, lots of time outdoors, and being constantly surrounded by wildlife and new experiences all mean your dog needs to be physically up to the task and have the right temperament.

Breeds

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Dog Liability Insurance is a policy that provides financial protection to dog owners if their pet causes accidental injury or damage to a third-party and their property. It can be included in regular pet insurance policies, or it may be an additional add-on for an extra fee.

But what does Dog Liability Insurance actually cover and do you actually need it if you’re a regular pet owner?

What does third party dog insurance cover?

As the dog owner you are legally responsible for their behaviour. If your dog injures someone or damages property you can have Civil Action taken against you and be taken to court to pay for any costs your dog has caused.

Common reasons why a civil action might be brought against you:

• Your dog injured someone
• Your dog injured harmed someone’s pet
• Your dog damaged a third-party’s property

Dog Liability Insurance, also called third-party dog insurance,

Walking your dog daily is an important part of their routine and keeps them fit, healthy and helps reduce stress. But in freezing conditions it can be easy to make excuses not to take them out. So when is it actually too cold to take your dog for a walk? And what should you do to help them keep warm in sub-zero temperatures? Below we have a brief guide on helping you decide.

How cold is too cold to take your dog out?

The breed of your dog will be the main determiner for when it’s safe for it to go outdoors in very cold weather. Small and medium breeds with thinner coats will struggle in -4°C conditions. Bigger dog breeds with thicker coats can withstand temperatures of -6°C.

At -7°C dogs are at a risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite and going in these conditions is not recommended for most breeds.

If you need to stay inside with your dog to avoid extreme weather, see our How

A rehabilitation or a lift support dog harness are aids that can be used to help dogs with short or long term mobility issues. They are designed to make it safer for owners to move dogs with disabilities, injuries or paralysis while also keeping the dog comfortable. Using a support harness improves a dog’s, and owner’s, quality of life by making everyday actives easier like getting in and out of cars, going up stairs, and going outdoors.

Why your dog might need a support harness

Common reasons people use support harnesses include:

Post-surgery

Even minor surgeries can leave dogs struggling to move comfortably. Using a support and lift harness can help your dog keep their weight off the operated area when you need to get your dog out of the car, or onto the sofa.

Minor Injuries

Just like their owners, dogs can injure themselves through accidents or over excursion.

Dog saddle bags are pouches that are fitted to the side of your dog’s harness. They are useful in storing gear and other accessories while out on walks.

What can you put in your dog’s saddle bag?

Many dog owners like to store practical items while they are out for short or long walks like:

• poo bags
• collapsible water bowls
• attachable safety lights
• dog first aid kit if out on longer hikes
• treats
• toys like balls and tugs
• other accessories like keys and wallet if you don’t want to bring your own separate bag

How much weight can you add to bags?

Commonly, dog’s can comfortably carry 10% to 12% of their body weight in saddle bags. This does vary between the size of your dog and their breed, with larger, bulker, breeds able to handle more weight.

However,

Having an extra way to control your dog is never a bad thing and harness handles can help prevent your dog getting into trouble. As well as adding another level of security they’re also practical, allowing you to carry your dog when needed or aid them over obstacles.

An important safety feature for any harness

Even calm dogs with an excellent temperament can get spooked. When a dog becomes frightened they can act out of character, either by fleeing or lashing out at other dogs or people. Having an easily accessible handle at the top of the harness allows you to quickly gain a firm but safe grip of them.

Having this level of close control is important for also protecting your dog from other dogs. A harness handle allows far better control than a leash can in keeping them out of harm’s way.

When in busy public places, a dog’s lead can get under people’s feet and potentially cause harm. A handle allows you to keep them close without

Here at JULIUS-K9® UK we’d like to clear up some misinformation regarding no pull harnesses – there is no such thing as a completely no pull dog harness or collar.

What no pull equipment does do is limit a dog’s ability to yank on the leash and allow you to stop their pulling safely. When used correctly they can be an effective training tool and allow you to walk with your dog in a more controlled and disciplined manner.

JULIUS-K9® no pull harnesses

We do not sell no pull harnesses here on the JULIUS-K9® UK website.

No pull harnesses are designed to restrict a dog’s natural movement in order to train them into walking without yanking on the leash and trying to run ahead of you. JULIUS-K9® harnesses do not restrict your dog’s movement.

We take great pride in our harnesses with dog safety and comfort being our number one priority. See our scientific studies for details on how our harnesses

Jogging with your dog can be extremely rewarding. It allows your dog to have a variety of exercise and gives you extra motivation to keep to your running routine.

We outlined how to jog with your dog safely and responsibly in our Running With Your Dog article, but we thought we’d go into more detail about how to choose the right equipment before you head off for a run with your pet pal.

It’s important to remember that not all dogs are cut out for high intensity exercise. This is especially true for short-nosed and short legged breeds like bulldogs or corgis. You also shouldn’t just take out more senior dogs out for a run or force more lethargic dogs to go from next to no exercise to trying to get them to keep up with you on a 5k.

It is strongly recommended that you check with your vet to see if your pet is up for the challenge before taking them out running.