Ensuring your dog has healthy gums and teeth is the most important step toward making sure they get the most benefit out of their food. As well as the associated pain which can make them hesitant to eat, it also affects their metabolism. Bacteria resulting from poor dental condition, can enter the bloodstream causing more issues with various organs.
Problems that can occur:
Plaque builds up on the outside of the teeth usually focussed in the area at the base of the tooth adjacent to the gums. Plaque is caused by bacteria living in food remnants combining with saliva.
Tartar/calculus is when the existing plaque combines with minerals in the saliva and hardens. This can irritate the gums, making them red (gingivitis) and noticeable as it causes bad breath (halitosis).
Periodontal disease is irreversible and occurs when the tartar builds up under the gum line causing pockets and abscesses to form when the bony structures of the jaw are separated from the teeth. This can lead to tooth loss, bleeding and eating difficulties.
Check your dog’s teeth regularly for signs:
- Bad Breath
- Red, Bleeding or swollen gums
- Crusted yellow-brown tartar build-up
- Drooling
- If severe, the dog may drop food when eating and lose weight
Dental Care:
If starting with a puppy, you can get the puppy used to having his/her teeth brushed. Start gently by parting the lips and rubbing the teeth and gums with your finger wrapped in a cloth. Practise often and praise afterward. When your puppy learns to accept this attention, progress to a soft toothbrush using warm water, paying particular attention to where the teeth and gums meet. Never use human toothpaste, canine suitable toothpaste is available.
Regular provision of chew toys, bones and dry dog food all help to keep teeth clean and healthy. A product called ‘Plaque Off’ can assist in keeping your dog’s teeth plaque free.
Refer to a vet if concerned about your dog’s teeth.
You may have heard of Elf on a shelf, we have Cat on a shelf
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Easter hours
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Have a great Easter guys and enjoy your long weekend.
Barastoc Horse COMPLETE PERFORMER
special price at nearly $10 off !!!
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Our Cobber range is expanding and Caleb had the job of fitting it all into the shelving.
20kg varieties now include
Healthy weight adult
Large breed adult
Adult 7+
Puppy
Adult with chicken
Adult with beef
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📢 Know Your Starch – Know What’s Safe!
When feeding a horse or pony prone to laminitis, EMS or insulin resistance, understanding maximum starch content is crucial. Not all brands disclose this the way HYGAIN® does – so be sure to ask your feed company whether they are listing the maximum or minimum starch content when considering feeds for metabolic horses.
✅ HYGAIN® META SAFE® is a low-feeding-rate, grain-free balancer with a maximum of 1.5% starch and 35% fibre. It’s designed to help maintain weight in good-doing horses and ponies. A 500kg horse only needs 500g per day to meet its nutritional requirements—meaning a 20kg bag provides 40 feeds! Plus, it contains BONAFIDE® our Vitamin K1 & K2 supplement, which supports bone density in horses and ponies restricted from grazing on green grass.
✅ HYGAIN® ZERO® is a complete feed designed for horses that require a higher feeding rate for energy and muscle support, including those in work, recovering from illness or needing additional conditioning. It contains a maximum of 1.5% starch and 35% fibre, making it a safe option for starch-sensitive horses while supporting their overall health and performance.
Both feeds are fully fortified and also include biotin for hoof health and prebiotics for digestive support.
At HYGAIN®, we provide scientifically backed nutrition you can trust. Plus, our qualified nutritionists are always available to discuss your horse’s diet and provide free, personalised advice—no matter what brands you’re feeding or what challenges you’re facing.
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