The Pet Pad

25/03/2025

⚡️NEW PRODUCTS⚡️

More to come tomorrow 🐾

25/03/2025

⚡️NEW PRODUCTS⚡️

Just a few new things in, more to come tomorrow 🐾☺️

24/03/2025

Get your raffle ticket in The Bunker, loads of stuff up for grabs from Victoria Road Traders. Including a Natural Dog treat box from from us 🐾

Community raffle raising money for Little Owls Woodland Preschool! Now selling tickets at Urban Cuppa 50p for 1 or £2 a strip. Top prizes include vouchers to spend on Woolston high street at cafes and shops! Thank you to the Woolston traders for all your support! Monster Collectibles Toytopia Wearabouts Southern Aquatics & Pets Southampton Quayside The Pet Pad Paul Dumper Creations Kookies Crafts Williamsons Haberdashery Beamans Sweet Treats Beamans Wonderberrys

22/03/2025

💛Where others see competitors, I see colleagues.

🐾We all have the same common ground, the same passion and diverse opinions are healthy!!!
Every pet, every customer having different needs.

I don’t involve myself in bun fights and I’m not interested in what is said by others, that says more about them. There are so many great animal businesses locally, share that love.

💜 So, I’m here to support ALL local animal businesses, ALL Veterinary colleagues but most importantly ALL patients, ALL customers, ALL owners…..

20/03/2025

❗️APPEAL FOR HELP❗️

🚨 URGENT APPEAL – HELP REBUILD LITTLE OWLS PRESCHOOL 🚨

We are absolutely heartbroken. Last night, a devastating fire destroyed our beloved Little Owls Woodland Preschool at Itchen Valley Country Park. 💔

The fire, caused by arson, has taken everything - our classroom, toys, and all the special tools that made outdoor learning so magical for your children.

As you know, Little Owls is more than just a preschool - it’s a home for adventure, discovery, and growth. Seeing it in ruins is devastating, but we are determined to rebuild and give your children their special space back.

We need our Little Owls community now more than ever. If you can, please donate - every contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference. Donate here: https://youthoptions.org.uk/support-us/donate/

📢 Please share this post to help us reach as many people as possible.

Thank you for your love and support. Together, we can bring back the magic of Little Owls. 💚🦉

Youth Options

19/03/2025

How cute are these 😍

They just slip over your normal lead for convenience 🙂

14/03/2025

Never thought about it before, good to know 💛

We thought this was important information to share from - please note - this post is credited to her.

The chemicals used in standard flea treatments are polluting waterways and having a drastic effect on wildlife like killing songbird chicks🪺.

“Research at the University of Sussex has found that pesticides used in regular flea treatments are in 98% of English rivers, often at levels far higher than those deemed safe.

Some of this is from treated dogs swimming, but much goes down the drain from households, (eg from shampooing dogs, washing bedding, stroking and washing hands) and then enters rivers, according to Dave Goulson, professor of biology at Sussex, who co-authored the study and supervised the research.

Recent research also found that 100% of blue tit🐦 and great tit nests🪹 are contaminated with pesticides💦 from pet flea treatment, as the birds collect fur from dogs and cats to insulate their nests. The study, funded by the charity Songbird Survival, found that nestling mortality is associated with higher levels of the pesticides.

[...] If spot-on products are considered the only appropriate form of treatment, you should brush your pet indoors or in a sheltered area where you can gather the hair afterwards and dispose of it in a sealed bag.

‘What we don’t want is the hair blowing away and birds collecting it up as nesting material. I think a lot of us have probably thought that was kind of quite a nice thing for birds to do but clearly it really isn’t if the hair is contaminated with chemicals,’ said Millineaux.

It is also important to take care of packaging material, particularly from spot-on products. ‘I’ve heard horror stories of people washing out the little containers, which obviously do contaminate water,’ added Millineaux.

‘What we want to be doing is not washing them out but disposing them of them in something like a seal bag and following any manufacturers guidelines.’

Washing is discouraged for several days after treatments, owing to the risk of product getting into waterways. “ - Guardian

12/03/2025

Did you know we now have over 50 natural treats to choose from?

All rawhide free and starting from 50p! Why not pop in and spoil your furbaby today 🐾

08/03/2025

100%! My rainbow babies 🌈 🐾

08/03/2025

Who fancies an Easter Box 🎁

All your dogs favourite natural treats, plus some cheeky Dog Chocolate as its Easter 🐣

£10 each. Available from Monday, limited supply 🐾

05/03/2025

FYI

‼️SAVE THE DATES‼️

5th March - Closing 3.45
6th March - CLOSED

Unfortunately, I have to have my tooth out 😩
Apologies in advance, but I'm guessing I won't be feeling work 💛

03/03/2025

Thank you to each and every one of you who has donated, £75.11 raised ❤️
I'm feeling another raffle coming on next?! 🤔

03/03/2025

Hay is for food 🌱
Straw for bedding 💤

Many people confuse straw and hay, but these two materials serve entirely different purposes in farming and animal care. While they may appear similar at first glance, understanding their distinctions is crucial for their proper use.

What Is Straw?

Straw is the dry, yellow stalk left behind after crops such as wheat, barley, or oats have been harvested. These stalks are hollow and lightweight, making them an excellent material for insulation and bedding. Farmers and pet owners often use straw in barns, doghouses, and outdoor animal shelters to provide warmth and comfort. Since straw does not absorb moisture well, it remains dry and helps keep animals warm in colder months.

What Is Hay?

Hay, on the other hand, is a green, nutritious plant material harvested and dried specifically to feed animals. It is made from grasses or legumes such as alfalfa and timothy grass, providing essential nutrients to livestock like cows, goats, horses, and rabbits. Unlike straw, hay is designed to retain moisture, which helps animals stay hydrated and nourished. However, this moisture-retaining quality makes hay unsuitable for bedding, as it can become damp, leading to mold and freezing conditions in cold weather.

What Is More Nutrient-Rich?

When it comes to nutritional value, hay is significantly more nutrient-rich than straw. Hay is grown and harvested specifically for animal consumption, containing essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that help maintain livestock health. Straw, on the other hand, is a byproduct of harvested crops and has minimal nutritional content, making it unsuitable as a primary food source for animals.

Key Differences

Color & Composition

Straw: Yellow, hollow, and dry.

Hay: Green, leafy, and moisture-retaining.

Purpose

Straw: Used for bedding and insulation.

Hay: Used as food for livestock.

Absorption

Straw: Does not absorb moisture, keeping animals warm and dry.

Hay: Absorbs moisture, making it unsuitable for bedding.

Practical Uses

Straw is best used in barns, outdoor shelters, and pet enclosures as bedding material.

Hay is essential for feeding animals and should be stored properly to prevent mold growth.

Conclusion

While straw and hay may look alike, their uses are vastly different. Straw is an excellent bedding material due to its insulating properties, while hay provides essential nutrition to livestock. Understanding their differences ensures that animals receive the proper care, whether through comfortable bedding or a nutritious diet.

For any questions related to dairy farming, feel free to reach out to our team on Call/WhatsApp:- 0743 699 774.
For any questions related to dairy farming, feel free to contact our team on Call/WhatsApp:- 0743 699 774.ealthyHerds

27/02/2025

Day 6 🩶

Need some name ideas 💡

Mum's Rihanna 💎 Dad is Prince 👑

26/02/2025

‼️SAVE THE DATES‼️

5th March - Closing 3.45
6th March - CLOSED

Unfortunately, I have to have my tooth out 😩
Apologies in advance, but I'm guessing I won't be feeling work 💛

26/02/2025

Productive day trying to make more space for treats 😊

25/02/2025

Just a few deals whilst stock lasts as I desperately need more space AND another freezer 😆

50p off Dibo 1kg OR 3 for £12
50p off Dougies Rabbit 801010
60p off Dougies Wagyu Beef
Dougies Beef Tripe 1kg now £4
Duck wings now £4.50

There's still some other bits, and bob still on sale, too, so I will do an updated post with them soon 💛