Category: News & Press

Hello I’m Hayley, a qualified Veterinary Nurse and registered Galen Canine Myotherapist. My love for agility started with my dog Barney, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After his retirement I continued competing with my other dog Teal, a Shetland Sheepdog. We have participated in top events such as Crufts, the London Olympia Horse Show, discover dogs and the World Agility Open Championships.

Teal’s favourite thing is agility, and he has had some incredible achievements including winning the ABC event at Crufts twice, the British Open event at Crufts twice, the championship event at Crufts and gaining the title ‘Agility Champion’ after only three months at that level. He has won 8 championship tickets in total. He has competed as part of Team GB for three years at both the European Open (Italy, Austria and Netherlands) and the FCI World Championships (Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland). In 2018 he won the qualifying agility round at the European Open championships which was a huge achievement that we will both remember forever!

Here are my top five tips for starting agility training with your dog! 

1. Make sure that your dog is physically fit enough to take part in training for agility, as agility is very physically demanding! The dog should be an ideal body condition score, should have no underlying musculoskeletal conditions or underlying pain. Your veterinary surgeon and canine therapist can help confirm that your dog is signed off for training or competing in a high impact sport. Diet plays an important role, choose a high-quality diet such as ORIJEN. With 85%* quality animal ingredients, it is protein rich, nutrient dense to help support their energy.
2. Make sure your dog is fully grown/developed– different breeds of dogs will be considered fully grown at different ages, larger breeds take longer to reach musculoskeletal maturity and so should not take part in any high impact activities until they are fully developed. Good nutrition ensures your puppy has the best start in life – ORIJEN has developed three puppy formulas that are perfect for your pup depending on their breed and size.
3. Build a bond with your dog: your dog should find it rewarding to spend time with you and should want to interact with you even when the environment is distracting.
4. Ensure that your dog has the basic foundations– a good recall and is able to respond to basic commands. Trick training can really help with developing body awareness but can also help building the bond with your dog! We use our daily meals of Orijen for our trick training sessions. Foundations should also include figuring out what a dog finds rewarding, you want agility training to be a positive experience and therefore you need to be able to provide a positive reward! For some dogs that is toys and for others its certain types of high value treats. These foundations can be built from when you first get your puppy as they are low impact, so you don’t need to wait to start agility classes; the foundations are the most important, and start long before your dog sees any equipment!
5. Find a positive trainer/ class to join: always ensure that a trainer is using positive reinforcement techniques in their classes. Classes should ALWAYS be fun for both handler and dog! 😊

Are you a proud new puppy parent looking for some guidance on how to ensure your furry friend grows up healthy and happy? Follow these five essential tips for puppy development to give your little one the start in life they deserve.

1. Nutrition is Key

One of the most crucial aspects of puppy development is ensuring they receive proper nutrition. A balanced diet is essential for their growth and overall health. Choose a high-quality puppy food that is formulated to meet the specific needs of growing puppies and provides them with all the necessary nutrients they need to thrive. ORIJEN biologically appropriate food mirrors the rich, fresh variety of WholePrey meats that dogs have evolved to eat. ORIJEN™ Puppy diet is packed with 85%* quality animal ingredients like fresh or raw** free-run*** chicken and turkey, and wild-caught or sustainably farmed fish. Packed with WholePrey animal ingredients like muscle meat organs and bone, ORIJEN food is made with the most nutrient-dense, succulent parts of the prey to deliver the nutrition puppies need. Discover the full range of ORIJEN Puppy food.

2. Socialisation is Vital

Socialisation plays a significant role in a puppy’s development and starts before you bring your new puppy home with your breeder or rescue. Exposure to different environments, people, and animals from a young age helps them become well-adjusted and confident adults. Socialisation continues when you bring them in to your own home, attending puppy classes and out on walks. Find out more about puppy socialisation including the key development milestones.

3. Consistent Training

Consistent training is essential for a well-behaved and obedient puppy. Start with basic commands like sit, loose lead walking , and come, and gradually introduce more advanced training as they grow older. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, are effective ways to encourage good behaviour and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy. Visit bluecross.org.uk for further advice and puppy training videos.

4. Regular Exercise

Puppies are bundles of energy that require exercise to stay healthy and happy. Regular exercise not only helps them stay physically fit but also helps with mental stimulation and prevents boredom. That said, it’s important to avoid over-exercising them while their bones are still forming so be mindful to adjust their exercise according to their age, size and breed (Learn more). Play, short walks and training are all great activities to build your puppy’s fitness, strength and confidence.

5. Regular Vet Check-ups

Regular vet check-ups are crucial for monitoring your puppy’s health and development. Schedule regular visits to the vet for vaccinations, deworming, and overall health assessments. Your vet can provide valuable guidance on your puppy’s diet, exercise routine, and any health concerns that may arise.

Remember, patience, consistency, and love are key ingredients in raising a happy and well-rounded puppy.

*Approximate and derived from the unprocessed state of the ingredients.
**Our fresh ingredients use refrigeration as the sole method of preservation and our raw ingredients are frozen at their peak freshness.
***Our free-run chickens and turkeys are not housed in cages and are able to move in a barn without outdoor access.

Do you remember the first day you brought your small puppy home? How they tripped over their toys, wagged their tiny tails, and gave you those adorable puppy dog eyes? Now, as they rapidly grow and develop, an important question arises: when and how should you transition your small breed dog from puppy food to adult dog food?

Understanding Your Pup’s Nutritional Needs

Like human babies, puppies require a diet that’s rich in both fats and calories to support their rapid growth. This is especially true for small breed dogs, whose growth spurts can be incredibly swift. As your puppy matures and their growth slows, these nutritional needs change.

When is the Right Time for Transition?

The question of timing is pivotal. Small breed dogs, typically weighing under 9 kg, reach maturity around 10-12 months of age. That’s when you should consider transitioning them to adult dog food.

The Transition Process: Step-by-Step

Transitioning your puppy to a new diet shouldn’t be done abruptly. Start by mixing 25% of the new adult dog food with 75% of their current puppy food. Gradually increase the amount of new food over a period of 10-14 days until you’re feeding them 100% adult food. Keep in mind, your dog’s individual needs may require adjustments to these ratios. A good indicator of your dog’s digestion is their stools. If you notice any irregularities, consider slowing down the transition process.

All-life Stages Diet: An Alternative Path

There’s another way! Many ORIJEN® diets are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all life stages. These foods are suitable for both puppies and adult dogs, making them a flexible option. If you have an adult dog and a new puppy, or if your puppy has specific dietary needs, these diets can be a great choice.

For puppies aged 1 ½ to 3 months, feed twice the active adult amount for their current weight. Between 3 to 6 months, reduce this to 1.5 times the active adult amount. From 6 months until they reach maturity, feed them 1.25 times the active adult amount.

Recommended Transition Diets

Choosing the right dog food is crucial, as not all recipes are suitable for all dogs. Small breed dogs, for example, have unique nutritional needs. Transitioning from ORIJEN® Small Breed Puppy to ORIJEN® Small Breed or ORIJEN® Small Breed Marine Fish can be an excellent choice for these pups.

Once you’ve made the transition, remember to follow the feeding chart  We recommend splitting the suggested daily amount into two meals. Our charts are based on an “average dog”, but feel free to adjust by up to 10% to cater to your dog’s unique needs. Remember, an active dog may require more calories, while a less active one will need fewer to maintain a healthy weight.

Your Dog’s Health, Our Priority

We understand that making dietary changes for your dog can be daunting, but it’s an important part of ensuring their long-term health. Choosing the right food and making the transition at the right time is key. Take a look at ORIJEN’s selection of specially-formulated puppy and adult dog foods to find the best choice for your beloved pet. Your dog’s nutritional needs may change, but ORIJEN’s commitment to their health and happiness remains constant.

Cats Drinking Water in Summer: 5 Essential Tips to Stay Hydrated and Happy

As the summer heat intensifies, you may find your cat becoming less active or even losing a touch of weight. This is perfectly normal. Similar to humans, cats need additional care during the warmer months to ensure they stay vibrant and healthy.

So, here are our top 5 tips to make sure your cat is drinking enough water and remaining healthy and happy all through the summer season!

Water: The Unsung Hero for Your Cat’s Health

At the top of the list is water, an integral factor to our cats’ well-being. It’s instrumental in temperature regulation, aiding digestion, lubricating joints, and transporting nutrients throughout your cat’s body. A typical cat, weighing around 4.5 kilograms, needs approximately half a litre of water every day.

Select the Best Diet for your Cat

In the scorching summer sun, ensuring your cat is drinking enough water is even more important. Continue to offer them their favourite diet of dry food, which not only caters to their natural grazing instincts but also contributes to maintaining their dental health. Remember, cats consuming dry food may need to consume more water. If you’re concerned your pet isn’t drinking enough, consider occasionally complementing their diet with some wet food.

Recognise the Signs of Dehydration

Being aware of your cat’s hydration levels is the first step to preventing dehydration. Watch out for signs like lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, dry gums, and in extreme cases, sunken-looking eyes.

Encourage Your Cat to Drink More Water

To promote more water intake, ensure fresh water is always readily available in easily accessible spots. Some cats may be attracted to water fountains, which can lead to increased drinking. Consider adding a little water to their food, or for those with particularly discerning palates, try enhancing the water’s flavour with a hint of tuna water or low-sodium chicken broth. It might be too tempting for them to resist!

Consult a Vet When Necessary

If you suspect your cat isn’t drinking enough water and is showing signs of dehydration, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local vet. They can help address the issue and administer necessary fluids. Ensuring adequate water intake is often a top priority when dealing with various feline health conditions.

Remember, while summer is a time for fun in the sun, it’s also a time when we need to ensure our cats are drinking enough water. Stay hydrated and happy, dear feline friends!

Range Expands with New Recipes for Puppies and Dogs with Poultry Sensitivities

 Bern Pet Foods is pleased to announce the availability of two new ORIJEN Small Breed recipes for dogs weighing up to 10kg. Formulated by an in-house veterinarian and pet nutrition experts, new ORIJEN Small Breed Biologically Appropriate diets include nutrient dense recipes specifically designed for puppies and a recipe for small dogs with sensitivity to poultry.

The whole Small Breed range comes in a smaller kibble size designed for small mouths and boasts 85% high quality animal ingredients for muscle development and optimal nourishment.

ORIJEN Small Breed Puppy includes EPA and DHA from a combination of salmon, hake and herring which helps support healthy development of cognitive function. ORIJEN Small Breed Marine Fish includes green mussels and herring oil for joint support and is lower in fat* to help maintain healthy weight.

The range is grain free to support healthy digestion and has antioxidants from cranberries, blueberries and botanicals to support a healthy immune system. It is also loaded with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.

With small breed dog populations experiencing double digit growth according to Euromonitor 2021, Champion Petfoods was keen to develop specific menus to suit their needs. Small breed dogs have a high metabolism which helps them burn calories quickly so they should eat smaller, nutrient-dense meals with high quality proteins and fats for optimal health.

Reducing the kibble size enhances palatability and digestibility and ensure maximum enjoyment of each meal.

ORIJEN Small Breed Marine Fish is designed for dogs with poultry sensitivities with all the benefits of an oily fish packed kibble.

The range comes in 1.8kg and 4.5kg and prices start at £24.99.

Dear Valued Pet Lover,

I am pleased to be able to report that, in order to improve our service offering to you, we will be moving our entire warehousing and logistics processing to a new warehouse later this month.

In order to simplify the transition we will with immediate effect be reducing the range of products and bag sizes that are available from our website until Early August (when the transfer to our new warehouse should be complete).

The following is a complete list of the ORIJEN products that we will continue to stock during the transition period:

• ORIJEN Puppy 11.4kg
• ORIJEN Puppy 6kg
• ORIJEN Puppy Large 11.4kg
• ORIJEN Puppy Large 6kg
• ORIJEN Original 11.4kg
• ORIJEN Original 6kg
• ORIJEN 6 Fish 11.4kg
• ORIJEN Regional Red 11.4kg
• ORIJEN Senior 11.4kg

Following completion of the transfer to our new warehouse in early August we will be then re-enable the products that had temporarily been removed.

In the meantime should you need to purchase any of the products that we have temporarily suspended for sale on our website, then they can still be purchased from any of our stockists or internet retailers, see https://www.orijenpetfoods.co.uk/stockists/ for details.

Thank you for your patience and support during the transition. We believe that we will be able to provide you with a much improved service offering, following the completion of the transfer to our new warehouse.

Best regards,

The Bern Pet Foods Team

We loved seeing all of your fantastic pictures and videos of your pets in our online pet show! Judging was incredibly hard as we liked every entry, but we hope everyone enjoyed taking part. Congratulations to the winners of each class below, each of whom won a bag of tasty ORIJEN Freeze-Dried Treats!

Class 1: Best Trick Hannah Leach

Hannah’s handsome German Shepherd charmed us with his slow motion trick – he looks so pleased to show off his trick skills!

Class 2: Golden Oldie: Katheryn Eve Hodgson with Cynder, Margot Hollingsworth with Zeta and Fay Mccullum with Blissy

We were so impressed with the amount of entries in the golden oldie class, we couldn’t help but increase the number of prizes we handed out! It is wonderful to see so many senior pets living their best life with owners who obviously adore them.

Class 3: Most Appealing Eyes: Charlaine Moreno-Chamorro with Murphy

The judges agreed that we would not be able to resist this look from the handsome Murphy.

Class 4: Pet That Looks Most Like Their Owner: Paula Doonan Freeman with Jasper

We loved the creativity in this class. The winning entry shows the ‘matching beards’ grown by these two, although we think Jasper may be winning on the length!

Class 5: Shiniest Coat: Liz Baker with Lolly

A shiny coat is a good sign of a healthy, happy pet. Beautiful Labrador Lolly took the title in this class with her super glossy, chocolate coloured coat.

Class 5: Best Pair: Kathryn Parkinson with Chutney and Willow

This was a very hard class to judge with so many excellent entries. These two just looked so relaxed in each other’s company – sunbathing and snuggling!

Class 6: Best Junior Artist: Alex Harvey with a picture of Shadow by Chloe, age 8

We loved the detail Chloe put into colouring this picture of Shadow. Alex told us they are the best of friends!

Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to hear the latest news and competitions from ORIJEN Pet Foods.

You may not be able to get out and about but that doesn’t mean we can’t share our love of our pets. ORIJEN will be holding a virtual fun pet show you can enter from home. Get everyone in your home involved – the more the merrier!

Look out for the first class starting, Saturday 13th February, on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Classes to include:

• Best Trick
• Golden Oldie
• Most Appealing Eyes
• Pet That Looks Most Like Owner
• Shiniest Coat
• Best Pair
• Best Junior Artist (draw a picture of your pet)

We will be posting a class every few days. To enter simply add a photo or video to the comments section of the post. Winners will be drawn a few days later and will be posted on our social media channels. Each winner will also receive a pack of ORIJEN Freeze Dried Treats for their cat or dog. Entries from the UK only please.

Class 1: Best Trick

Show us your pet’s best trick. To enter you will need to take a photo or video of your pet performing their special skill and add it to the comments section of the post when you see it on the ORIJEN Facebook page. Open to cats or dogs (or teams of both!).

Class 2: Golden Oldie

Do you share your home with a senior pet? Well this class is for you! To enter you will need to take a photo or video of your veteran pet and tell us why they deserve to win when you see the post on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Class 3: Most Appealing Eyes

Some pets have perfected the look that just says ‘I will be your best friend (but also I would quite like a snack!)’ To enter you will need to take a photo of video or your pet pulling their best appealing face and add it to the comments when you see this class posted on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Class 4: Pet That Looks Most Like Their Owner

We have all heard the old adage that pets look like their owners. If you think you could win this round, take a photo of you and your pet to enter and add it to the comments when you see this class posted on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Class 5: Shiniest Coat

A shiny coat is a good sign of a healthy, happy pet. To enter you will need to take a photo of your pet in all their gleaming glory and add it to the comments section when you see the post on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Class 5: Best Pair

Whether they are like matching bookends or little and large we want to see your pets with their best friend. To enter you will need a picture of them together and a little information about what makes them firm friends. To enter you can post the picture and text to the comments section when you see this class on the ORIJEN Facebook page.

Class 6: Best Junior Artist

Get the younger members of your household involved in this one! You will need to ask them draw a picture of your pet and post it in the comments section for this class when you see it on the ORIJEN Facebook page, along with their name and age.

COMPETITION RULES:

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

• The Judge’s decision is final
• Prizes can only be dispatched to a UK postal addresses
• You may enter as many of your pets as you like into each class
• This is a fun competition – we encourage your creativity when creating your entry but please only enter pictures you have permission to use.
• All classes in the ORIJEN Fun Pet Show are free to enter
• No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason
• 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 competition implies acceptance of these rules
• Images submitted for the show may be shared to our social media channels and websites. By entering the show you are giving permission for these images to be used.

To look at Jem today, with her bright eyes and bouncy personality, you would never know what she went through as a young puppy. Little Jem was born into a life where her only job was to produce more puppies to sell, as quickly and as cheaply as possible. She was destined to become a breeding bitch as soon as she reached her first season at around five months old. Luckily for Jem, she was surrendered to, Friends Of Animals Wales (registered charity 1182414), by an illegal, unlicensed breeder.

The dog with the broken heart

When she arrived at her new foster home, Jem was in an emaciated state. Her coat was in poor condition and she was nothing more than skin and bone, with her spine clearly visible. It was discovered Jem had a heart condition called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with a grade four heart murmur, which was life-threatening.

Because Jem weighed just 1.4kg, the vet advised she needed to gain 2.5kg before she could undergo the medical procedure she desperately needed. Sharon, Jem’s foster carer, knew that she would need to provide a nutritious diet to help Jem gain strength and to reach a healthy weight.

 What to feed this rescue puppy?

When Bern Pet Foods heard about Jem’s case they were keen to help. Coming from a low-quality diet, the nutritionists at Bern Pet Foods advised the importance of slowly transitioning Jem to her new food. Initially she started with ACANA Puppy & Junior, containing 70% quality animal ingredients along with fruits, vegetables and botanicals. Jem later transitioned to ORIJEN Puppy, a recipe which contains 85% animal ingredients, rich in fresh meat in WholePrey ratios of meat, organs, cartilage and bone.

While being nursed back to health, Jem was doing a little rescuing of her own.  Already fostered by Sharon was another little dog, Poe, who had also been surrendered by a breeder.  Poe was an older puppy, unsold due to his absolute terror of humans after suffering  abuse. Jem being a lively youngster didn’t understand why Poe was being so shy. She invited him to play often and, to Sharon’s delight, her persistence paid off and Poe eventually reciprocated in play. Poe is learning from Jem to trust again.

What does the future hold for Jem?

By the time she was four and half months old Jem reached her target weight. In this short time her condition had advanced from grade four to a grade six heart murmur. Luckily, Jem was able to have her life-saving surgery. At nine months old Jem will have a follow-up scan at her vets and the hope is that she will be able to live a full and happy life without the need for any further treatment.

When ORIJEN Small Breed was first launched to the UK market, Jem was first in line to be a taste tester and gave it her full approval!

Jem is one of the lucky ones, a true success story in finding her forever home with three doggy friends and Sharon, who couldn’t bear to part with her.

Delivering big taste in small bites!

 ORIJEN launches Small Breed, a dog food designed especially for smaller breeds that is loaded with 85% quality animal ingredients in a small, freeze-dried infused, tasty kibble.

Formulated to entirely nourish small dogs, ORIJEN Small Breed:

• Meets high-energy needs: protein-rich to support higher energy needs and nutritionally balanced to help maintain a healthy weight.
• Provides total system support: specially formulated to support your dog’s immune system and joint mobility for active living and healthy ageing
• Promotes healthy skin and coat: nutrient-rich with properly balanced Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

ORIJEN Small Breed is loaded with 85% quality animal ingredients: free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and quail, in WholePrey ratios. The top 10 ingredients on the bag are fresh or raw, comprising 2/3 of the animal ingredients.

Colin Rodger, Managing Director of Bern Pets Foods, the exclusive importers and distributors of ORIJEN into UK and Ireland, says: “ORIJEN Small Breed contains all the quality you would expect from ORIJEN, formulated to nourish small breeds completely. The freeze-dried infused kibble is smaller, making it easy to eat for little mouths, with a taste that dogs love”

ORIJEN Small Breed is suitable for all life stages and available in two sizes: 1.8kg and 4.5kg.

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