Pets Magazine July

July 2018, FREE

FORMER OLYMPIC SPRINTER IWAN THOMAS & HIS ADORABLE FRENCH BULLDOG FRANK

Pet Horoscopes

by celebrity astrologer Russell Grant!

INSIGHTS INTO AQUARIUM CARE FROM OUR EXPERT/ PLUS OUR TOP PET PRODUCT REVIEWS

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Cavaliers’ Choices...

Premium pet products, destinations & activities for you & your pet chosen by Sophie Nell and Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, assisted by Marie.

Chuck it!

The best-selling Ultra Grip Launcher promises play that covers maximum distance with minimal effort, while the Ultra Ball guarantees satisfaction for even the most fetch-fanatic dogs. With its famous high bounce and tough rubber exterior, the Ultra Ball is the pawfect accompaniment for the Ultra Launcher, which launches balls three times further − giving dogs and owners a way to enjoy even more far flung play. Provides lots of fun for even the most active dogs. The set is available in medium (RRP £14.99) while stocks last.

ChuckItToys

Hoovering Up The Hoover Optimum Power Pet Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner is a decent all round vacuum cleaner, as you’d expect from Hoover. It combines multi cyclonic cleaning power and performance with an a+ energy rating. This Hoover comes with a pets turbo brush to loosen and lift stubborn pet hair.

This is a great tool to leave your stairs, carpets and upholstery clean and hair-free. It has good suction and is a generally effective cleaner for pet hair. It has a nifty auto- cord rewind, and is small and compact - perfect for storage. All in all, we’d recommend this vacuum cleaner particularly for small living spaces. Available from selected retailers including Argos at £129.99.

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Cavaliers’ Choices...

Two's Company The Double Dog Extension Lead by Mountain Paws is constructed from durable nylon and designed to stand up to the daily exertion of walking even the most energetic of dogs. Easy to clip on to your normal lead, the double dog extension lead features two separate elasticated sections that offer increased freedom for your dogs and a reduced risk of shock from dogs pulling. Robust clips at each end of the lead can be securely attached to your pet’s collar.

The lead also features a camlock that allows you to adjust the length between the two dogs, ideal when walking two breeds of different sizes.

Each of the individual lead sections has an integrated grab handle, ideal for keeping dogs close when required. www.mountainpaws.co.uk

PS/ We’re always looking for premium products & services to review for both pets and people! Please get in touch with the boss at editor@petsmag.co.uk.

Love,

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Sophie, Nell & Rufus

xxx

Olympic Sprinter IWAN THOMAS &

FRANK OUR COVER stars this month are notable TV appearances include being a former Olympic sprinter IWAN THOMAS finalist on Celebrity Masterchef, and Frank, his French Bulldog. Best competing on Total Wipeout, quizzing known as a 400m runner, Iwan is a on Eggheads, Pointless Celebrities, A former European and Commonwealth Question of Sport, performing on Stars champion and remains the British In Their Eyes as Chris Martin, and record holder in the 400m. Iwan was competing on Strictly Come Dancing. awarded an MBE in the 1998 Queen's He has just started a new Breakfast Birthday Honours List for his services Show for Love Sport Radio. to Athletics. Since hanging up his spikes, Iwan has become a TV star. His

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What breed is Frank and why did you Does Frank come with you to work? choose him?

He has done, but it depends what I’m doing. Obviously, if I am in a TV studio, it Frank is a French Bulldog; having worked at would be a bit boring for him but he has Crufts for C4 for 3 years I did a lot of come on outdoor photoshoots and even to research a meeting at the and spoke charity Movember. to a lot of different breeders What difference to make does Frank sure I found a make to your breed that life? would work with My life feels fuller my knowing that he lifestyle. around and it’s hard to describe I was also the feeling when really you come home adamant and he is always that it had happy to see me. to be a Dogs are amazing, reputable there don’t judge breeder you and love you, and stuck even when you to the aren’t giving them correct treats! guidelines, even down to colour.

Do you take take doggie-friendly

How long have you had Frank?

holidays with Frank?

He was born 24th October 2016 and we picked him up in between Christmas and New Year 2016.

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Not yet, but I’m always on the lookout for dog friendly hotels. He has come to a few hotels with me, but only for the odd night or two.

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Do you take Frank with you to restaurants and pubs?

Frank comes with me whenever possible, definitely to pubs but I haven’t found a dogfriendly restaurant yet.

What are Frank’s favourite things in the world?

Food, food and food, oh sleeping on my lap. He just seems like being with me, so loves coming out in my car and even coming for a run.

Does Frank have any tricks or special character traits?

No tricks but when he runs he sometimes does a cheeky roly poly and then carries on running.

make any sense to me, animals depend on us and to betray their trust is the lowest of the low.

Follow Iwan on Twitter at @iwanrunner

Is there anything you feel strongly about regarding pet welfare?

I hate hearing that people either neglect or are intentially mean to animals, it doesn’t

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Here’s Looking at You Kid...

New to fish-keeping? Expert ALEXANDER S. HOWSON shares his top tips on caring for an indoor aquarium.

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An indoor aquarium can be beautiful

By Pets Magazine fish

that their own aquarium

think of your filter as a house

expert ALEXANDER S.

looks nothing like them, here are 10 reasons your tank just isn’t up to

for bacteria and this bacteria helps the fish by turning

HOWSON

standard, and how to fix Millions of people around it. the world keep fish, from vibrant reef tanks to bustling planted aquariums; there are a massive variety of styles to choose from and the internet is literally filled with millions of aquariums, but one thing many people discover is

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No filters Some things in life are optional, having a filter in your aquarium is not. It is an essential piece of equipment for keeping any fish and without it they won’t be alive for very long. You have to Pets Magazine

chemicals in the water into less harmful chemicals. Quite simply, when fish breathe and poop it all goes into a chemical called ammonia and this is really harmful to fish but the bacteria that lives inside your filter turns it into lesser products which aren’t as harmful as the ammonia.

They turn it into nitrite and then into nitrate which you take out when you do your water change (see number

with a chemical

Unsuitable: Your pet will not live long in a home like this

called nitrate in your tank which is only harmful in large doses. To get this out of the water you need to take some water out of your tank, around 25% is sufficient and then you need to fill it back up again with

three) making the water clean

went wrong. To fix this only

and healthy so your fish can

buy fish that grow small

carry on breathing.

enough to live in your tank size; a good rule is one

Too small a tank Not to burst anybody’s bubble but fish don’t grow to the size of their tank, instead what happens is that in too small a space they release a hormone to slow down their

sure to use an aquarium dechlorintor though as the bacteria killing chemicals, that water companies put into our

centimetre of fish per litre but tap water will kill all the good the tank should always be five bacteria that lives inside the times the length of your

biggest fish so they have plenty of swimming room.

Water changes

growth but this hormone only This one almost everyone stops the outside of your fish

gets wrong and yet it’s so

from growing and all its

simple once you’ve mastered

organs and inners keep on

the basics of it.

getting bigger.

When the bacteria in your If fish are kept in too small a

filters convert the harmful

tank for too long eventually

chemical that the fish

they’ll die of organ failure,

produce, ammonia into nitrite

leaving you wondering what

and nitrate you’re finally left

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fresh water, be

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filters.

Not keeping enough fish Some fish need to be kept alone, because they are big or aggressive while others need company because they are social animals. Many types of tetra, guppies, mollies, platies and even certain catfish need to be kept in groups of six or more and without sufficient numbers your fish could become shy, colourless and

Ditch the tacky tank! become shy, colourless and

get to them is during the dry

worse of all aggressive. Many

season, when the waters have begin to show off more.

barbs have a reputation of

receded and the fish are

being aggressive fin nippers

reduced to living in shallow

but it’s mainly due to them

pools.

numbers, so increase the

As the fish are being

amount of fish in your shoals

collected, the temperature of

and notice them perk up and

the water is often took to

liven your aquarium.

indicate at what temperature they should be kept at in

Even if your fish were bred in aquariums, at some point

captivity but this has a knock

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point, usually when you’re buying your first tank, you pick the most colourful gravel and the first ‘no fishing’ ornament you can see, but this often isn’t the best choice

for our fish. It’s important to on effect that our information recognise and research our is slightly skewed and we may fish’s natural environment

their ancestors were collected often be keeping our aquarium inhabitants far too from the wild and often the only time that collectors can

Tacky Tanks We’ve all done it at some

being kept in insufficient

Too Hot

watch your tired, lifeless fish

warm, so lower the

temperature slightly and Pets Magazine

and to try and replicate it in the closest way possible.

Dirty filters Ever notice that your filter doesn’t work half as well as it did a few months ago? You’re not the only one and this is often a result of the sponges

there two bigger reasons that right, you can plan the lights mean you should avoid flake

to turn on when you get

food, the first being that it’s a

home from work but if you

lot less nutritional, because

leave the lights on for much

flake food is cooked at a

longer than eight hours, it can

higher temperature than

add to and promote algae problems, which

(also known as

Don’t leave the lights on too long in your aquarium!

makes the tank unsightly and adds to your stress levels.

media) inside the

Keeping

filter

hybrids

getting

Real fish geeks hate

clogged

hybrid fish, and here’s

up. To stop this every few months, you should squeeze them out and give them a quick swill in a bucket of the old aquarium water, it’s best to do it when you’re doing a water change and using the old water you’re taking out. Avoid using tap water as the bacteria killing chemicals that water companies use will kill all of your beneficial bacteria that lives on the sponge.

Feeding flake food

why you should too: pellets or granules which means that a lot of the

to breed with different

food than the alternatives

they can sometimes be

In total this means that you’re species of fish and if they look similar to a certain species actually getting less quality and also because flake food doesn’t sink, bottom dwelling fish don’t get any food and the fish that do, end up gulping in air as they eat, which can lead to bloating

unknowingly bred with them and they can then pollute the gene pool to such a degree that a species can become extinct because they have ‘hybrid blood’ in them, also

and swimming problems.

hybrids are usually wrecked

Leaving the lights on

struggling to eat, swim and

Flake food is messy and leftovers often clog up the

Eight hours of light is perfect

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of fish, hybrids are often able

nutrient content is burnt off.

for too long

filter and look unsightly but

they ruin other species

for fish, and if you time it Pets Magazine

with medical problems, often breathe due to poor breeding and odd, designer characteristics.

www.sweetpeepets.co.uk

Pet Horoscopes

by Russell Grant

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

your human companion

The moon in your sign as the

attempts to make

month begins adds a potent

themselves more clear, they

energy to your emotional life.

need to backtrack or revert

Though you feel content about

to former methods.

many things, you struggle with where you stand in a primary

relationship. It's possible those

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st) like to explore new tastes, a

who are responsible for you

You could get quite a

few you encounter in this

have been sending mixed

disagreeable surprise if you

manner are likely to leave you

signals and you're uncertain of

roam around infrequently used more than a little disgusted.

what's expected of you or if

areas of your home with your

Your best course of action is to

anything's expected of you. As

tongue hanging out. While you

proceed with caution.

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The unpleasant flavours you

beautiful; what happens from

you go. At least for the present

experience are a signal that a

that will be delightfully

time, you're quite irresistible

clean up is called for; do you

surprising. It shouldn't be too

and likely to be pursued by

part and then involve your

difficult to maintain an aura of

various sorts of admirers,

housemate in getting this

calm, as the general

some human and some

attended to.

atmosphere in which you

animal. You'll literally be

currently find yourself is

followed around and possibly

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

supportive of quiet elegance!

even receive a gift from one of

Stepping down from your

Show whoever is watching that these followers, most likely

throne, where you usually get

you were born to be regal!

something edible. Enjoy the

waited on hand and foot,

attention while it lasts, but

you're currently in a mode to

don't take it too seriously. You

be the one providing whatever

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

know how these infatuations

little services you can to those

Adopting an all-or-nothing

go.

you live with. This is a good

attitude with your owner is a

role-reversal! Whether you're

dangerous game. And while it's

carrying items to the trash,

understandable that you're

LIBRA (September 24th-

picking up toys and bringing

quite frustrated, that's no

October 23rd)

them to their correct storage

excuse for acting out. If your

You possess a personal pet

places, fetching items your

owner is sensitive, they'll take

grace and elegance that makes

human friend needs or keeping the time to find the source of

everyone like you; you're even

watch over youngsters so they

your frustration. Chances are

able to charm irritable friends

don't get themselves in

you resent too much

out of their nasty moods. This

trouble, you're showing

smothering. Take care not to

talent keeps you in a circle of

everyone how helpful and

hurt your friend's feelings,

loving relationships, which is

selfless you can be.

though. Their constant cuddles your favourite place to be! One and kisses are proof of their

special friend notices how you

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) undying devotion. Count your

extend yourself in acts of

You won't want to be exhibiting blessings!

kindness and wants to be there

any overexcited behaviours

to tend to your emotional and

now; someone with more than

VIRGO (August 24th-

physical needs as much as

a mild interest in you is looking

September 23rd)

they're able to. As a dynamic

and making judgements

It wouldn't be surprising if

duo the two of you gain quite a

regarding your future. Put on

you're feeling on top of the

reputation!

your best manners and keep

world and causing people to sit

yourself looking your most

up and take notice wherever

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SCORPIO

as a bell, free of the

(October24th-

cloudy befuddlement

November22nd)

that sometimes descends

The stars are

over you. You could,

bringing out your

however, have one or

deepest feelings and

two distractions as you

a heightened sense

navigate the spiritual

of romance. You'll

terrain you like to call

find yourself on the

home; dip in to your

prowl for a spiritual partner or playmate if you don't already have one. You're drawn to make a love match that isn't just physical. Make the most of this opportunity, it feeds your soul. Someone new on the scene could get your interest.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

CAPRICORN (December 22ndJanuary 20th)

overcome any momentary

want to curl up there. It's not

companionship and guidance

Is there a secluded, out of sight disturbances. You're in a place to provide comforting spot in sight; if yes, you might that you don't like getting

Though you'd rather have the spotlight all to yourself, you share it with a creature who's equally as hungry for it. The act the two of you perform is sure to evoke laughter from some and amazement from others while inspiring at least one viewer to call for the local TV station to put it on the news!

One way or another, you seem destined for fame!

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to all the people you hold dear.

involved in what could turn into dramatic situations, because there's enough

PISCES (February 20th-March

that in the moment things are

being in your element and

mischief in you to want to keep 20th) Few things are more fun than your nose in trouble, it's just

Whoever you live with will be at just too bright and blaring for a loss for words after seeing your sensibilities. Besides that what you're up to this month.

reserve of stillness to

a drama queen or king is afoot and you know it's best for everyone if you opt not to

finding your days delightfully filled with good friends and good food. You'll be especially pleased when you discover a particular friend is planning a

participate.

visit. Before you go scouting

AQUARIUS (January 21st-

stop and recall what makes this

February 19th) You're still in the early stages of a lovely cycle of weeks; you could even feel somewhat infallible during this period!

Your intuition is working clear

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about for a welcoming gift, guest happy! Enjoy this time with your human and animal friends. Everyone who drops by now brings tasty food treats and introduces interesting new influences you find fascinating.