Dogs

• How do I get my puppy used to car travel?

  Many breeders get their puppies used to travelling in a car very early on, for example to take them to the vets. This training should be continued in their new home, as needed. What's interesting is that every pet reacts differently to riding in a car: some dogs think it's great, others are afraid or highly agitated.

  With some dogs, you need a lot of patience. In the first instance, for example, you can just practice getting in and out of the car, praising and rewarding your dog all the time. The exercises can then be stepped up with short drives which gradually get longer. What's important is that the dog should always be well secured in the car, for example using a special harness.

• Why does the information on the packaging sometimes differ to that given on the website?

  We may occasionally change the recipe of our products for example, to comply with legally prescribed changes, or to make the food even more tasty for the animals. Such changes in composition naturally mean that the packaging in question needs to be revised. It can also be the case that new provisions in the laws governing pet food apply only to the food declaration, while the recipe remains unchanged. The product packaging will be changed in this case too.

  While we are able to update online information very quickly, including changing pictures where necessary, it takes longer with retail stores, and for a time, you will often find both the old and new recipes, as well as the old and new packaging, available in stores.

• Why does the food contain plant-based ingredients? After all, dogs are meat eaters.

  Yes, dogs are carnivorous, but that doesn't mean that they only eat meat! Wild dogs, for example, also seek out grass, herbs and fruit. In addition, they also eat parts of the stomach of the animals they prey on, or even purposely seek out the faeces of plant eaters. As a dog owner, you may have noticed the enthusiasm your pet has for horse droppings. Wild dogs use this to provide themselves with plant-based food.

  In modern, balanced dog food, therefore, easily digestible vegetable ingredients are added from the start. These provide a range of vitamins, carbohydrates and plant fibre, among other things.

• How do I make the right use of snacks and treats?

  Snacks are best used as a reward. If the dog does something right – for example, follows an instruction correctly when being trained – then you should praise it and give it a treat. This positive feedback ensures that the dog learns its lesson more quickly and permanently. Snacks are therefore an excellent training aid! Feeding the snack from the hand strengthens the bond between dog and owner even further.

  Snacks and treats can also provide a beneficial supplement to your pet’s main food. For example, some dog snacks are specially designed to benefit the dog by supporting its dental health for instance.

  Whatever your reason for treating your four-legged friend, however, remember to reduce the quantity of main food you provide accordingly!

• How can I tell if my dog is allergic to food?

  Pets increasingly suffer from allergies. These can lead to digestion or skin problems.

  As a first remedy, you can try feeding a special food containing just a few, selected ingredients that are known to have a particularly low risk of causing allergy. In many cases, this is all you need to do.

  Should no improvement be noted or the condition worsen, we recommend you seek the advice of a vet. Together with the dog owner, a so-called exclusion diet can then be introduced. Initially, such a diet will contain just two ingredients, for example chicken and rice. The list can gradually be expanded to see what influence the new foods have on the allergy. At the end of the exclusion diet, the dog owner will know what food their pet can tolerate and which should be avoided.

• My dog is overweight, what should I do?

  Obesity in dogs is often caused by overeating (consuming too many calories) or a lack of exercise. In some cases, however, illness may be the cause and we therefore advise you, if in doubt, to first consult your vet.

  In most cases, giving your dog longer daily walks or keeping it fit and active by playing ball, hunting and running games will be enough. Low-calorie foods are also a good option.

  If your dog cannot do any more exercise due to illness or age, ask your vet to suggest a tailored combination of diet and gentle exercise for it.