Category: News & Press

Win a selection of ORIJEN Freeze Dried Treats – 3 prizes to give away!

GENTLY FREEZE-DRIED, THESE DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS TREATS ARE BURSTING WITH A NATURAL TASTE AND SAVOURY AROMA YOUR DOG WILL LOVE.

100% meat, 100% natural. Our meats are delivered daily FRESH (refrigerated, without preservatives) or RAW (flash-frozen, without preservatives), then gently freeze-dried.< Nutrient-dense WholePrey ratios of fresh meats, organs and cartilage provide a natural source of virtually every nutrient your dog needs to thrive. Gently freeze-dried in our own kitchens without cooking or preservatives, to lock in natural, delicious goodness for a pure and tasty treat. Visit our Instagram page to enter this competition;

*Follow us on Instagram

*Tell us your ideal destination for a dog friendly holiday

*Tag a friend in the post

Entries from the UK only please. Each prize consists of a selection of 5 bags of treats. 3 prizes to give away. Delivery of prize must be to a UK address. Competition closes midnight Sunday 9th August. Winners will be announced on OrijenPetFoods.co.uk and ORIJEN UK & Ireland Instagram account within 7 days of the close of the competition.

Obesity at any age can cause serious health issues. While all of our foods have feeding guidelines printed on the package, every cat is different and these guides really are just a starting point. Keep a close eye on your cat’s body condition. If he or she looks too thin, feed a little more. If he looks like he is carrying too much weight, scale back a little at a time.

These tools from the PFMA can help to assess your pet’s body condition:

Cat Body Score Chart

Dog Body Score Chart

To promote peak body conditioning, overweight cats need a protein-rich diet with moderate fat and limited carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are empty calories, which means they have no essential function in the body and provide only sugar for energy, which converts quickly to glucose in the blood. If carbohydrates are provided in excess (as they often are), they convert easily into body fat.

Protein supplies the same amount of energy as carbohydrates but has a very different effect on the body. Unlike carbohydrate, protein is essential for life, and is a Biologically Appropriate source of energy.

By providing more calories from protein and fat (and fewer from carbohydrates), ORIJEN Fit & Trim distributes calories to mirror the natural diet, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

With 44% richly nourishing protein, 15% low-glycemic carbohydrates, and a unique blend of fibres to nourish overweight cats according to their evolutionary and biological needs.

Unmatched by any other food, 2/3 of the meats are fresh (refrigerated, without preservatives) or raw (flash-frozen, without preservatives), including the top 10 meat ingredients.

1/3 of the meats are prepared at 90°c from fresh chicken, turkey and fish to create a concentrated source of richly nourishing protein that cannot be supplied by fresh meats alone.

Nutrient-dense wholeprey™ ratios of fresh meats, organs, and cartilage plus fresh whole fish and fresh whole eggs provide a natural source of virtually every nutrient your cat needs.

Infusions of gently freeze-dried liver enhance flavour and palatability naturally, making ORIJEN deliciously tasty, even for selective eaters.

It is important to remember that your cat or kitten is unique and her feeding requirements will vary with her environment, age, and activity. That’s why we suggest starting with amounts given in the guides which can be found on our website or on the packaging, and then monitoring her weight and adjusting portions as needed. Feed twice daily and remember to always keep fresh, clean water available.

Hungry all the time? While your cat may act hungry, their body condition is the best gauge of how much to feed. If you’re having problems, just call us on 01737 767679, email sales@bernpetfoods.co.uk. or join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter

Find out more about Fit & Trim Cat Food

Visit our library to find out more about high protein diets and weight loss for cats

Search for your local ORIJEN stockist

ORIJEN and brand ambassador Elsa have teamed up with Stay in a Pub to offer an exclusive prize to visitors to Crufts. To enter simply visit Hall 3, Stand 52. Stay in a Pub is a collection of 1700 + boutique pubs, traditional coaching inns and affordable pub accommodation across the UK. Book your stay online and enjoy delicious locally sourced food, cracking beers, open fires, warm local hospitality and of course a comfortable bed for the night. Many of the venues in the Stay in a Pub network are dog-friendly.

Visit the website to find out more: stayinapub.co.uk/

Eileen Jones, Founder & Rescue Coordinator of Friends of Animals Wales, will also be on the stand each day. Eileen has dedicated much of her life to rescuing animals who desperately need a second chance in life. Friends of Animals Wales is run solely by volunteers and they work around the clock to make a difference to the animals who may not have had a good start in life.

Thursday 5th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 3pm: ORIJEN brand ambassadors Elsa & Buffy travel the length and breadth of Great Britain visiting dog-friendly places and sharing ORIJEN treats along the way. Come and meet these wonderful Lhasa Apsos and their owner Kelly to find out how to keep your dog nourished on journeys and holidays.

Friday 6th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 3pm: Laura Hill, of Stauntonvale Labradors, will be on stand with Field Trial Champion Moose. Laura has qualified for the IGL Retriever Championships more than ten times since 2009, with six different dogs. In 2019, the Kennel Club awarded Laura the Hanlye Trophy for breeding the highest scoring Retriever in Field Trials and also the Gavosie Trophy for the top female handler 2018/19 across all Gundog sub-groups.

3pm – 4pm: Springer Spaniel Max, along with partners in crime Paddy and Harry, plus owner Kerry will be joining us on the stand to kick-off the launch of Kerry’s first book ‘Max the Miracle Dog: The Heart-warming Tale of a Life-saving Friendship’. With over 100,000 followers on Facebook, these boys have fans all over the world!

Saturday 7th March

10am – 11am: Get your own ‘pawtographed’ copy of ‘Max the Miracle Dog; The Heart-warming Tale of a Life-saving Friendship’.
In 2006, Kerry Irving’s life changed forever when a traumatic car accident left him with serious neck and back injuries. After his accident, Kerry developed severe depression, suffering from panic attacks and even thoughts of suicide until he met Max the Springer Spaniel. Max, along with fellow spaniels Paddy and Harry, have now gained over 100,000 followers on Facebook, a commendation from the PDSA, raised over £127,000 for various charities and, in 2019, Max received an invitation to Buckingham Palace.

2pm – 3pm: Max, Paddy, Harry and owner Kerry will be back on the stand to catch up with their fans

Sunday 10th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 3pm: Meet Cara, a Belgian Mallinois who is part of the UK International Search & Rescue Team. She’ll be on the stand along with her handler Mick, from The West Midland Fire Service, to showcase just what it takes to help in the rescue of people involved in major natural and man-made emergencies.

We are very excited to once again be sponsoring the world’s most famous dog show. If you are attending, please do come and find us in Hall 3, Stand 52. We will be running some great competitions to win a stay in the Lake District AND vouchers for a dog-friendly break away with ‘Stay in a Pub’ . We also have some exciting guests for you to meet on the stand – please see the full line-up below.

Eileen Jones, Founder & Rescue Coordinator of Friends of Animals Wales, will also be on the stand each day. Eileen has dedicated much of her life to rescuing animals who desperately need a second chance in life. Friends of Animals Wales is run solely by volunteers and they work around the clock to make a difference to the animals who may not have had a good start in life.

ORIJEN at Crufts 2019: Star-studded programme of canine ambassadors and owners announced

Facebook superstars Max and Paddy join a number of award-winning working and family dogs in Hall 3, stand 52

Bern Pet Foods, the exclusive importers and distributors of ORIJEN and ACANA pet foods, today announces an illustrious line-up of canine guests on its stand at Crufts 2019:

Thursday 7^th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm: Laura Hill, of Stauntonvale Gundogs, will be on stand with her Labrador Kitty to demonstrate why they were selected to compete in the England Gun Dog Team last summer. Laura Hill has been competing in and winning field trials since 2005.

Friday 8^th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm: Meet Cara, the first-ever Belgium Malinois to qualify as an Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) canine in the UK. She’ll be on the stand along with her handler Mick, from The West Midland Fire Service, to showcase just what it takes to help in the rescue of people involved in major natural and man-made emergencies.

10am onwards: Both Eileen Jones, of Friends of Animals Wales, and CARIAD’s (Care And Respect Includes All Dogs) Linda Goodman will be on the stand to talk about their experience in animal rescue and welfare as well as their involvement in campaigning to end puppy farming and puppy dealing in the UK. Linda can also talk about Foster First, an initiative recently launched by CARIAD to connect dogs in rescue centres with pet lovers who may consider fostering.

Saturday 9th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm: Springer Spaniels Max and Paddy, who recently featured on ITV’s Top One Hundred Dogs and regularly keep their 74,000 Facebook fans entertained, are back this year.  Come and find out how owner Kerry keeps this lively pair in the best possible condition to explore their beloved Lake District each day.

Sunday 10th March

10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm: Elsa, who was crowned ORIJEN brand ambassador at Crufts last year, travels the length and breadth of Great Britain visiting dog-friendly places and sharing ORIJEN treats along the way. Come and meet this wonderful Lhasa Apso and her owner Kelly to find out how to keep your dog nourished on journeys and holidays.

All of ORIJEN and ACANA’s ambassadors and guests will be available for media interviews or to have photographs taken with visitors on the stand.

Protein-rich and carbohydrate-limited, ORIJEN features the highest fresh meat inclusions of any dry dog or cat food. Distributed by Bern Pet Foods in the UK and Ireland, ORIJEN and ACANA pet foods are prepared by Champion Pet Foods in its award-winning NorthStar® kitchens, produced to Biologically Appropriate™ and Fresh Regional Ingredients standards.

For more information, further images or to arrange an interview with any of the guests or an ORIJEN / ACANA spokesperson, please contact: marketing@bernpetfoods.co.uk

Stay in a Pub is a collection 1700 + boutique pubs, traditional coaching inns and affordable pub accommodation across the UK. Book your stay online and enjoy delicious locally sourced food, cracking beers, open fires, warm local hospitality and of course a comfortable bed for the night. Many of the venues in the Stay in a Pub network are now dog friendly.

Visit the website to find out more: https://www.stayinapub.co.uk/

Prize draw terms and conditions

The promoter is Bern Pet Foods Ltd, whose registered office is Bancroft House, 10 Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP.

• These competitions are free-to-enter prize draws and winners will be chosen at random after Crufts 2019 from all valid entries submitted.
• Entry to the prize draw is restricted to one entry per person per competition, multiple entries will be disqualified.
• No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
• The prize draws are strictly open only to those in attendance at Crufts between 7^th and 10^th March 2019 and will run exclusively on the ORIJEN stand in Hall 3, Stand 52.
• All entrants must be over the age of 18.
• The draws will take place on Wednesday 13^th March, and winners will be notified by Friday 15th
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
• Winners will be contacted via email or phone.
• Prizes can only be sent to a valid UK address unless otherwise stated.
• No cash alternative or other alternative prize will be available on entrants’ request.
• Bern Pet Foods Ltd reserve the right to amend these rules at any time. Entry in this free prize draw implies acceptance of these rules.
• Bern Pet Foods Ltd, will not pass your details to any third party without your prior consent.
• By entering these competitions, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
• This prize is for £150 of vouchers from Stay in a Pub only. No cash alternative is available.
• The winners will need to book their accommodation directly through Stay in a Pub themselves.
• The winners will need to make their own travel arrangements to and from their chosen destination at their own expense.
• The winners will need to pay for any food and drink during not included in their accommodation

It’s been a busy year for our brand ambassador, Elsa the Lhasa Apso, who joined the ORIJEN family in March this year.  Elsa and owner Kelly have been travelling the length and breadth of Great Britain visiting dog-friendly places from as far up as Uig Sands on the Isle of Lewis all the way down to Kynance Cove in Cornwall!  Elsa has made many friends on her travels, sharing ORIJEN treats with many of them that she’s met along the way.   Kelly says “We are so very proud to be ambassadors for ORIJEN and Elsa has really enjoyed being able to try different varieties of the food.  She particularly loves ORIJEN Freeze Dried Food, which we started taking with us when we travel because it’s so easy to pack and measure”.

Now with Christmas and 2019 fast approaching, we asked Kelly and Elsa to tell us what the highlights of their travels have been this year, and if they’ll be taking some time out to enjoy the festive season.

What have been your travel highlights this year?

We have visited so many wonderful places, it’s hard to name them all.  Some particular highlights were our trip to Cambridge, which was very special as Elsa got to ride in The Gonville Hotel’s Bentley with us.  We also really enjoyed taking her to explore the countryside in Yorkshire where we stayed at The Timble Inn and The Oak Tree Inn near Harrogate.  Another memorable trip was when we travelled to London to stay at Hotel Indigo in Kensington.  I was anxious about taking Elsa to a big city, but we found London to be much more dog-friendly than we had expected.

How is Elsa planning to spend Christmas?

We’ve had such a busy year travelling to so many wonderful places, that we have decided to spend Christmas at home with friends and family. We’re planning on getting a real tree, so we’ll be taking Elsa with us to find one together.   We’re also hoping to go for lots of nice wintery walks followed by some cosy evenings on the sofa watching movies together.

Will Elsa be getting a stocking and presents this year?

Elsa usually gets more presents then we do! She absolutely loves ripping the paper off gifts and it’s so much fun to watch her.   We’ll definitely be wrapping up a few surprise toys for her to play with on Christmas Day and I’m sure there will be some ORIJEN treats in her stocking too.

Thank you for being such a wonderful brand ambassador this year. Have you noticed anything about Elsa’s health since she’s been eating ORIJEN?

Elsa is a fussy eater and she was also prone to gaining weight before we started her on ORIJEN.  After some meticulous research, I realised that many dog foods are full of unnecessary fillers like potato starch and grains that can cause weight gain as well as poor general health.  I eventually came across ORIJEN Fit & Trim and was impressed that it contains 85% meat, fish and egg ingredients.  It was an instant hit with Elsa and, since then, we have never looked back.  Elsa’s weight has now stabilised and she is healthy, with lots of energy and a very shiny coat!

We’ll be catching up with Elsa again early next year and are looking forward to hearing all about her travel plans for 2019.

Our brand ambassador, Buggy, certainly knows how to draw a crowd, entertaining fans with his weekly musings on topics like the latest fashion trends, entertaining the ladies and his dislike of Monday mornings. We caught up with this superstar #InstaCat, who now has over 35,000 followers on Instagram, and his owner Claire to find out what family life is like away from the selfie stick.

Buggy lives with six other siblings – three sisters Polly, Penelope and Paige, and three brothers Casper, Ted and Stuart Little.   Each has their own unique personality with Claire describing her multi-cat household as hectic and fun, yet well-balanced.  Penelope is the affectionate cat and loves to curl up on the sofa with Claire, Casper is the gentle-giant, Paige has all the attitude, Polly is the oldest, Ted is the most chilled out and the youngest, Stuart Little, is the crazy cat who can’t sit still.  Then, of course, there’s Buggy who is everyone’s friend, funny and affectionate, Buggy will try and bring all his brothers and sisters together whenever he can, even though they may not always be as enthusiastic.

Even though all the brothers and sisters are all very different, the one thing they have in common is that they’re all rescue cats.  Claire adopted all of them, except for Penelope who was rescued from outside a bar, from Cats Protection Belfast.   Claire says, “As a child we adopted our cats from Cats Protection and I always support them because their objective for every cat that they look after is to find them a good home”.  Claire soon began volunteering and, one by one, fell in love with and adopted each of her cats.

Sadly, all of the cats have ongoing health issues as a result of their challenging early lives, but Claire’s focus has always been to give them a stable home and to keep them as healthy as possible.  Looking after cats with health issues isn’t easy, but Claire’s dedication to providing them with all the care and love they need is clear to see.   Claire explains how she’s learnt to juggle the often-complex needs of all her cats, “I’ve taught myself for the most part, but obviously have the support of Cat’s Protection, my vet and some very good cat friends that I’ve met along the way.  I ask lots of questions and take each day and each challenge as it comes.  I’m very lucky to have the support that I do”.

The whole feline family are fed ORIJEN and Claire says: “It’s a pleasure to see them tucking into their food.  Buggy loves ORIJEN Cat & Kitten and Ted is a fish fiend who loves ORIJEN Six Fish – it’s great because there is something for all the cats”.  Since feeding the cats ORIJEN, Claire has noticed a big difference in their coats, which are now shiny and glossy, as well as an improvement in their muscle tone, which is particularly important for some of the cats who have issues with their joints. “ORIJEN is the most tailored food for their needs as it’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates, giving them a diet that they are supposed to eat”, says Claire.

Back in front of the camera, Buggy is now busy preparing himself for Christmas.  He’s currently designing and writing cards to send out to all his Instagram fans and is planning which flavour of ORIJEN treats he’ll be putting in each sibling’s stocking.  Watch this space for the re-appearance of Buggy’s Christmas jumper too, which is sure to be a hit with all the ladies!

To keep up to date with Buggy over Christmas, follow his Instagram and Facebook pages.