Wagg

How do I deal with dog behavioural issues? For advice on behaviour related problems, our 'Dog Listener' (trained by Jan Fennell, The Dog Listener), would be pleased to offer help.

Please contact Georgina Bowe directly by email at georgiebowe@aol.com or visit www.hillsidedoglistener.co.uk

For example, if you need some help understanding why your dog:

• Pulls on the lead
• Jumps up
• Is afraid of loud noises
• Is aggressive
• Is nervous
• Follows you around the house
• Barks continuously
• Does not return on request
• Barks whilst travelling
• Is destructive in the house
• Is a fussy eater
• Or has any other behaviour related issue

Whatever the problem you are experiencing with your dog, by using a simple, calm, consistent, force and gadget-free method, Georgina can offer help to improve your dog’s behaviour.

Can I add water to Wagg Food? You can feed Wagg food either with or without water depending on what your pet prefers. Although keeping the food dry and crunchy will help keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.

Do I need to add any other food to Wagg? No, Wagg is a complete diet, specially formulated with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals to meet the requirements of your dog. In fact adding extra food could upset the nutritional balance of your dog’s diet. You should ensure however, that fresh water is always available.

How much Wagg should I feed my dog? The feeding table on the pack is to be used as a guide only. Remember every dog is different and the amount they need depends on their breed, activity, age and lifestyle. Use your own experience of your pet to determine exactly how much should be fed.

Do any of your dog foods contain soya? No, we do not add soya to any of our dog foods.

Do you produce any hypoallergenic diets? We produce a wheat gluten free diet which is made up of rice, maize, chicken meat meal and meat meal.

Why does my dog eat grass? There are several explanations as to why dogs eat grass. Some say it’s a hereditary behaviour from the wolf who will ingest the stomach contents of their prey, which invariably contains grass. Others say that some dogs eat grass in an attempt to ease an upset stomach, alternatively it’s possible that dogs just like grass. In any case it is a natural behaviour and should not cause concern unless eaten in excessive amounts.

How much water does my dog need? Your dog should have a constant supply of clean fresh water at all times.

Why is my dog eating its stool? Eating the stool is called coprophagy, most people are of the opinion that this is a natural behaviour, but it can be difficult to stop. Sometimes the cause is boredom or stress. Ensuring you clean up immediately after your dog, exercising regularly and diverting your pet’s attention with toys can help get your dog out of the habit.

Why is chocolate bad for my dog? Chocolate contains a stimulant called threobromine, and if ingested in large amounts can cause illness in your dog. If your dog has eaten a large amount of chocolate you may want to consult your vet for advice.

How can I tell if my pet is over or under weight? To determine how fat or thin your dog is please refer to our body condition chart on the website.

How can I help my overweight dog lose weight? We recommend that you contact your vet to discuss your dog’s body condition score. You may need to reduce the portion size of your dogs daily feed and remember to avoid giving treats and most importantly provide your dog with plenty of exercise.

What is the calorific value of Wagg Complete Original Beef and Wagg Chicken & Vegetables? We aim to produce a medium energy diet the target calorific value is around 300kcals/100g

What is Glucosamine and Chondroitin found in your Wagg Senior? Glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in the body they help to promote healthy cartilage and joint lubrication. For additional information see our canine nutrition section.

Why do you add fish oil to Wagg Complete Senior? Fish oil is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids which have many health benefits, including helping to maintain a healthy heart, supple joints and a glossy coat. For additional information see our canine nutrition section.

Why do you add beet pulp to your diets? Beet pulp is a good source of fibre which is necessary for a healthy intestine, gut motility and helps maintain a healthy population of gut microflora. For additional information see our canine nutrition section.

How do antioxidants help my dog? Natural Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, and antioxidants from plant sources can help mop up free radicals which are by-products of normal chemical interactions within the body. It is believed that they can accelerate the progression of ageing and other diseases. For additional information see our canine nutrition section.

How do I introduce my dog on to one of the Wagg Complete diets? It is important when changing your dog’s diet to do it gradually over a period of approximately 5-7 days. This is to ensure your dog’s digestive system has the chance to become accustomed to the new diet. We would advise that you introduce Wagg food by mixing a small quantity with your dog’s current diet, increasing the quantity of Wagg over the 5-7 days until you are feeding your dog entirely on Wagg. This way your dog should avoid digestive upset and take to their new food more easily.

How much sodium is in Wagg Food? The majority of salt in our food comes in naturally from ingredients such as meat. We add a small amount to ensure balanced levels are achieved. Tests suggest our dog foods have a sodium level of 0.3%.

Why is Wagg so cheap?

We can’t comment on our competitors’ price structure, but we can give you a better understanding of why Wagg represents such good value.

Wagg is a family business. We like to think we share the same values as many of our customers. We watch the pennies and this helps the £’s look after themselves. We don’t subscribe to wasteful marketing budgets or expensive packaging or complex product ranges. Our aim is to produce the highest quality pet food using quality ingredients purchased at the best possible value. To do this we have invested in state of the art manufacturing facility. Each year we continue to invest to make ourselves more and more efficient. We also purchase local and UK produce where possible (helping to reduce our inbound costs). This means we have greater control over quality and ensures only the best product goes into your pet’s food.

Should I worry about negative press regarding the inclusion of wheat in 'value' dog food? In a nutshell, no, you should not be concerned. The formulation of petfood is a complex subject and one which attracts a lot of views, some of which are simply false and ill informed. Petfood formulation (or pet nutrition as we call it at Wagg) is something that Wagg has a deep understanding of, having been a petfood manufacturer for some 20 years and in the 50 years prior to that, an animal feed manufacturer. Unless your dog has a wheat gluten allergy (in which case we would recommend feeding Wagg Sensitive), in a balanced diet wheat provides an important source of carbohydrate. This carbohydrate is converted to energy through the digestion process. For instance we all know today’s sportsmen are encouraged to eat a diet of carbohydrate and protein: often pasta and chicken. Well, pasta is a variety of wheat and wheat is Wagg’s main source of carbohydrate. Dogs clearly have different nutritional requirements to humans; however cooked wheat can provide a useful source of energy, when formulated carefully within a balanced, complete food – like Wagg Original or Wagg Chicken & Veg. Wheat also provides an important function as a fibre, aiding digestion.

I read a lot about 'Carbon Initiatives'. What is Wagg’s stance towards the environment?

Wagg takes the environmental agenda very seriously. The Green agenda requires responsible action that can demonstrate clear improvements in CO2 footprint, while, hopefully also saving our customers money. We don’t think it represents an excuse to pile on the £’s onto our prices.

Some of the initiatives we have taken (or are about to undertake) include:

1. We purchase ingredients from the fields of Yorkshire where ever possible, particularly wheat.
2. We have backhaul arrangement with nearly all of our main customers. This means we make use of the lorries that would otherwise pass by empty every day (we are located near to two main arterial routes, namely A19 and A1).
3. We have developed and patented a compostable bag. All our big bags are made from a single LDPE (plastic) which is recyclable.
4. Our manufacturing processes have delivered a 15-20% reduction in CO2 emissions since 2007, as measured on a tonne of product produced.
5. We are actively exploring the installation of a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant to further reduce our energy requirements and CO2 footprint.

Why the sudden change in ingredients disclosures? Are you changing your formulations?

No, we are not about to change our formulations. Any change to Wagg’s formulations are evolutionary and only ever arise if we can improve what we manufacture. If we take a step back and look at the different approaches taken by manufacturers, you will find that at Wagg we are open about what we put in our food and as a result we disclose all ingredients by name. Some manufacturers prefer to use the derivative categories such as 'meat and animal derivatives'. This means they are able to switch ingredients without altering their packaging. With Wagg you know exactly what goes into your pet’s food.

You may notice, in the coming months that the ingredients listing on our packaging will look different. This is due to new EU legislation which is being implemented over the next 12 months and is applicable to all pet food manufacturers across the UK and Europe. The changes will include the addition of new names and (sometimes) E numbers against listed trace elements and vitamins. These have always been there and are simply reflect a new way of identifying certain ingredients. Please be assured our recipes remain as tasty and healthy as ever.