Ros Bath Pet Care

10/03/2026

26/02/2026

Last week we have seen two products advertised on a major pet retailer website.

Quoting:

'Maintains good health and circulation; Traditional repellent against flea and worm infestation; Natural herbal conditioner.' and 'Help repel pests naturally with brewer’s yeast, garlic, coconut and flaxseed oils—supporting skin and coat health. UK-made, grain-free and vet-reviewed.'

If you make, advertise, sell or supply products intended for use in, on, or near animals in the UK — you must follow strict advertising and regulatory rules.

Yet every day online, we see adverts that:

❌ Use fear-based language
❌ Guilt owners into purchasing
❌ Promote anti-veterinary or anti-medicine rhetoric
❌ Make bold, medicinal-style claims
❌ Blur the line between supplements and licensed medicines

This includes products such as:

✅ Feeds and supplements
✅ Topical hygiene products
✅ Bedding and housing products
✅ Behavioural “calmers”

And no — being “natural” or herbal does not provide exemption from the rules.

In the UK, veterinary medicines must obtain a Marketing Authorisation (MA) from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). This involves rigorous assessment for:

• Safety
• Quality
• Efficacy
• Risk–benefit balance

Licensed medicines undergo strict regulatory scrutiny. Supplements, herbal products and nutraceuticals do not. That means they cannot legally make medicinal claims, either by presentation or function.

Even phrases like:

❌ “Used for centuries to treat…”
❌ “Helps protect against illness…”
❌ “Traditional repellent against fleas and worms…”
❌ “Prevention is better than cure…”

…can cross into medicinal territory if they imply disease treatment, prevention, or physiological alteration.

Example: Garlic & Health Claims.
Garlic is frequently marketed as:

-A natural dewormer
-A flea repellent
-An immune booster
-A circulation enhancer

However, there is no strong scientific evidence supporting garlic as an effective de-wormer or flea preventative in dogs. Research has also shown that garlic extract can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells. While not every case leads to clinical signs, garlic has documented potential to:

• Heinz body formation
• Eccentrocytes
• Reduced red cell counts
• Induce haemolysis

That means marketing it as a routine “internal cleanser” or parasite repellent is not only misleading — it may pose risk.

These regulations are not bureaucratic red tape.

They exist to:

✅ Prevent misinformation
✅ Protect animals from delayed treatment
✅ Protect owners from false hope
✅ Maintain trust in veterinary advice
✅ Ensure disease claims are evidence-based

Marketing is powerful.
Persuasive language works.
Fear works even better.

But when owners are led to believe that an unlicensed product can prevent, treat, or cure disease — animals may suffer. Many companies work responsibly and stay within their remit. And we fully support the use of evidence based supplementation. Multimodal management absolutely has a place in veterinary medicine:

✔ Evidence-based supplements
✔ Nutrition
✔ Environmental changes
✔ Behavioural support
✔ Lifestyle adaptations

The issue isn’t the existence of products, the issue is misleading claims. If a product claims to:

-Treat disease
-Prevent disease
-Cure illness
-Alter bodily systems
-Replace licensed medicine

It must be properly licensed.

Natural does not mean regulated, 'traditional' does not mean safe or evidence based. When it comes to animal health — evidence and regulation matter.

Read more:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marketing-authorisations-for-veterinary-medicines

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/advertising-non-medicinal-veterinary-products

The Effect of the Type and Concentration of Garlic (Allium sativum) on Heinz Body Concentrations in Canine Erythrocytes—An In Vitro Study

Garlic is a popular food ingredient and natural remedy for people, but its use in dogs may not be safe. Many owners believe that garlic can protect their pets against parasites or improve their health, yet garlic also contains substances that may damage red blood cells. When red blood cells are harmed, they lose their ability to carry oxygen, which can lead to anemia. In this study, we wanted to find out whether fresh, dried, and granulated garlic can cause different levels of damage to dog red blood cells. We mixed garlic extracts with blood samples taken from healthy dogs during routine veterinary procedures. We then measured the amount of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen, and looked at the cells under a microscope to check for signs of damage. We found that all forms of garlic caused some harm to the red blood cells, but dried and granulated garlic were more damaging than fresh garlic. These results suggest that processing garlic may make it more harmful for dogs. Our findings highlight the need for caution when using garlic in pet diets and show that more research is needed to identify what level, if any, of garlic is safe in dog food and supplements.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/21/3188

Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs

Results: Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs. However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocyte membranes and hemoglobin, inducing hemolysis associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes in dogs. Thus, foods containing garlic should not be fed to dogs. Eccentrocytosis appears to be a major diagnostic feature of garlic-induced hemolysis in dogs.

Lee KW, Yamato O, Tajima M, Kuraoka M, Omae S, Maede Y. Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2000 Nov;61(11):1446-50. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1446. PMID: 11108195.

Is Garlic Safe for Dogs? Separating Fact from Fiction

Given the scientific evidence, the risks of feeding garlic to dogs outweigh any potential benefits. While some holistic approaches advocate for small amounts, research suggests even low doses can lead to cumulative oxidative damage, increasing the risk of anemia.

Safer alternatives exist for immune support, flea prevention, and parasite control. Instead of garlic, consider veterinary-approved flea preventatives, probiotics, and a balanced diet tailored to your dog’s needs.

https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk/blog/is-garlic-safe-for-dogs-fact-vs-fiction

Can Dogs Eat Garlic? The Science Behind the Debate

Given the availability of safer alternatives for these benefits, most veterinary professionals do not recommend garlic for dogs. Even small amounts over time could lead to toxicity, making it an unnecessary risk.

https://www.thecaninecode.co.uk/blog/can-dogs-eat-garlic-the-science-behind-the-debate?

17/02/2026

Millie is one of the lovely cats I am looking after this week. I love this of her in the morning sunshine 🌟❤️🐾

17/02/2026

“Dogs don’t bite without warning — we just don’t always know how to listen.”

Humans often show affection to dogs in very human ways — hugging, kissing, restraining, touching their faces.

But dogs don’t always experience these interactions as loving… and sometimes they find them stressful or frightening.

What the research shows:

Studies reviewing the most popular “cute” dog videos online found high levels of stress behaviours in dogs during play, hugging and petting interactions. These behaviours are often missed or misunderstood by humans, especially when dogs are trying to communicate discomfort in subtle ways.

When these signals go unnoticed, dogs may experience:
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Distress
• Confusion

And if communication continues to fail, this can damage the human–dog bond, compromise welfare, and increase the risk of defensive behaviour — including biting.

The knowledge gap is real, according to The (Now Royal) Kennel Club:

• 72% of owners believe they can read their dog’s body language
• Yet up to 9 in 10 cannot identify key signs of anxiety

Alarmingly:
• 88% didn’t know yawning can be an early sign of stress
• 82% didn’t recognise lip-licking
• 65% missed signs like wide eyes or staring

Among dog-owning parents, many children are also not taught how to recognise stress signals, creating a dangerous knowledge gap.

Dog Bite Awareness:

➡️ Social media videos can look cute, but veterinary and behaviour professionals often see clear stress signals that are being misread
➡️ Dogs usually warn us many times before they bite — but the signs can be subtle
➡️ Every dog is different: some escalate quickly, others communicate discomfort for a long time before reacting
➡️ We often hear “the dog bit without warning” — but in many cases, the warning signs were there and simply not recognised

🗣️ The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) reminds us:
“Any dog can bite, regardless of how well you know them. Most bites occur in the owner’s home. Dogs do not want to bite — it is a last-resort response.”

✔️ Give dogs safe spaces
✔️ Provide exercise and mental stimulation
✔️ Supervise children closely
✔️ When a dog wants to be left alone — leave them alone

Some common stress signals to watch for:
➡️ Lip licking
➡️ Yawning
➡️ Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)
➡️ Freezing
➡️ Turning away
➡️ Ears pinned back
➡️ Tense body
➡️ Panting
➡️ Crouching
➡️ Rolling onto the back

Learning to listen to dogs can save a relationship, prevent injury, and may even save a life — a child’s or a dog’s.

Citation: Elizabeth Ann Walsh, Lieve Lucia Meers, William Ellery Samuels, Dorien Boonen, Anita Claus, Carolina Duarte-Gan, Vicky Stevens, Laura Contalbrigo, Simona Normando, Human-dog communication: How body language and non-verbal cues are key to clarity in dog directed play, petting and hugging behaviour by humans, Applied Animal Behaviour Science

23/01/2026

Edit**
We are no longer going away this year as saving for an amazing opportunity for my daughter, so I will be around all summer now. **
Hi everyone
I, like some of you, have already started thinking of the summer. I have booked my family holiday from the 9th August for 6 nights.
I can still take bookings for this time period, but it will not be me. I will organise cover from one of my lovely colleagues.
Please reach out of you would like to book in.
Thanks 🐾

Picture from my holiday last year.

16/01/2026

Would anyone like a nail clip done on Saturday afternoon between 2 and 4pm?

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas to you all.
Thank to everyone for trusting me with your pets.
I have had a busy, but lovely morning looking after some of them this Christmas day. 🎄🐾❤️

07/12/2025

I hope you all find the following summery helpful with the new law re livestock. (Copied from another post)

The law has changed regarding livestock worrying:
Farmers, dog owners & walkers: livestock worrying law important update (copied from another post)

The law on dogs and livestock worrying has recently been updated in Britain. These changes matter and they apply even on public footpaths and rights of way.

This post explains:
• what has changed
• what counts as evidence
• what “under proper control” actually means
• whether seized dogs are killed

What has changed in the law
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) legislation has been modernised. Key points:

Unlimited fines
The old £1,000 cap has gone. Courts can now impose unlimited fines reflecting the real harm caused.

More animals protected
'Livestock' now clearly includes alpacas and llamas, as well as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and others.

More places covered
The law applies:
– in fields and enclosures
– on public footpaths
– on roads
– while livestock are being moved

Stronger police powers
Police can now:
– seize and detain dogs
– enter premises with a warrant
– collect forensic evidence

Worrying vs attacking livestock

This is crucial.

'Worrying livestock' includes:
• chasing
• running at
• harassing
• causing fear or panic
• being loose among livestock and not under proper control

No injury or physical contact is needed.

Stress alone is legally recognised harm. It can cause:
• miscarriages
• mis-mothering
• exhaustion
• broken limbs from fleeing
• long-term fear responses

Attacking livestock involves:
• biting
• grabbing
• injuring
• killing

Both worrying and attacking are criminal offences.

What counts as evidence now

Livestock worrying often happens out of sight. The law now reflects that.

Evidence may include:

• Injuries to livestock (including stress-related harm)
• Bite marks, wounds, post-mortems
• Blood, tissue, or DNA
• Evidence from the dog (blood, saliva, bite patterns)
• Collars, leads, towels or other items
• Disturbed ground, damaged fencing
• Witness statements
• Livestock behaviour (panic, scattering, distress)
• The dog itself, which may be seized for examination

A case does not need someone to witness the moment of chasing if evidence supports what happened.

What “under proper control” REALLY means

This is the most misunderstood part of the law.

A dog is under proper control only if the handler can prevent it from worrying livestock at all times

That means the handler must be able to:
• stop the dog before it approaches livestock
• prevent any chasing or rushing
• act instantly not “afterwards”
• maintain control even if animals move or run

If the dog is stopped after it has approached or chased livestock, control was already lost.

On a lead

A dog on a lead is usually under control only if
• the lead is short enough
• the handler can physically restrain the dog
• the handler is paying attention

Flexi leads, long lines, or dragging leads in livestock areas are often not considered proper control.

Off lead

A dog can be under proper control off lead but the bar is very high.

If a dog:
• runs towards livestock
• hesitates before recall
• “only chases for a bit”
• comes back after animals flee
.......it is not under proper control.

“Friendly”, “well trained”, or “never done it before” makes no difference in law.

NB Presence alone can be an offence

A loose dog among livestock, fence-running, or stalking can already count as worrying, even without a chase.

The law is about risk and stress, not intent.

A practical rule used in policing: If a reasonable livestock keeper would feel at risk with that dog there, it is not under proper control.

Are seized dogs killed?

No not usually, dogs are not automatically destroyed under livestock worrying law.

Dogs may be seized:
• to prevent repeat incidents
• to gather evidence
• during investigation

Courts usually focus on owner responsibility, not punishing the dog. Destruction orders are rare and would only arise under other legislation if a dog posed an unmanaged, serious risk.

In short

• Livestock do not need to be bitten for an offence
• Stress and chasing are recognised harm
• Evidence can be physical and forensic
• “Proper control” means preventing risk, not recalling afterwards
• Responsibility rests with the handler

This law exists to protect animals who cannot escape or speak for themselves and to make expectations clear for everyone who shares the countryside.

This post is a general summary of current UK livestock-worrying law and practice, based on publicly available legislation and guidance. It is not legal advice and cannot account for individual circumstances.

The Bill has completed its parliamentary stages, with Royal Assent expected shortly. This post reflects the law as passed and the enforcement framework that is coming into force. Importantly, the core offences of livestock worrying, the definition of proper control, and the recognition of stress-based harm already apply. This is about clarity and prevention, not technical timing.

15/11/2025

RE UNITED

This lovely girl was handed in by a member of the public today. She is a female neutered 6 year old domestic long hair, found near Oriel way. She is microchipped but the owners unfortunately remain uncontactable. She is receiving medical treatment so we would urgently like to get in contact with the owners and are hoping they may recognise her in this post

Please contact the practice ASAP if she belongs to you. Thank you 🐾

11/11/2025

07/11/2025

Please reach out if you are not sure of your pets body condition. I will happily help you.
Pets will live longer, have less health problems ans a better quality of life, if they are in a good body condition. 💚🐾

Pet Obesity: We’re Talking About It — But Are We Being Heard?

We all want our pets to live long, happy, healthy lives — and keeping them at an ideal weight is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to make that happen.

A study from the University of Liverpool found that overweight dogs can live up to 2.5 years less than those at a healthy body weight. This research looked at more than 50,000 dogs across different breeds — and showed that extra weight has a real impact on health and lifespan.

➡The reality

✅Around 30–50% of pets are overweight
✅74% of vets say pet obesity is increasing
✅Yet 77% of owners think their pet is the right weight
✅Only 4% believe their pet needs to lose weight

Interestingly, an recent online comment suggest that “vets rarely mention it,” yet a Veterinary Voices UK poll of over 1,000 veterinary professionals found that almost everyone does raise concerns about weight — only 3 said they wouldn’t.

➡Why there’s a disconnect

✅Obese pets are normalised – when so many pets are overweight, it can look 'normal'. Indeed, those with good Body Condition Scores are often called ‘too skinny’!

✅The words we use matter. “Obese” sounds harsh, so we may soften it — “a bit cuddly,” “good coverage on the ribs.” The message can lose urgency. We take responsibility for this, if this is the case, should we be more direct with you?

✅Owners care deeply about their pets and may feel blamed or judged, even when we’re just trying to help. This can become defensive and is not conducive to a good conversation.

✅Knowing what to do can be tricky — how much food to cut, what to feed, what treats count, how to keep exercise safe. That is why we want to help.

❤️Would the help instead?

✅ Focus on health, not looks.
Carrying extra weight increases the risk of many chronic diseases — but the great news is that weight loss is treatment.
Pets that lose weight often move more comfortably, need less medication, and enjoy a better quality of life.

✅ Use visuals.
Your vet team can show you a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart — it’s a simple way to see where your pet is now and what we’re aiming for.

✅ Get a plan.
Ask your practice for a personalised feeding and activity plan — including exact food amounts, treat swaps, and recheck schedules.

✅ Join a nurse-led weight clinic.
Registered Veterinary Nurses are amazing at helping families set small goals, check progress, and celebrate success.

✅ Make it a team effort.
Everyone in the household plays a part — who feeds, who gives treats, how walks fit in. The more consistent you are, the faster you’ll see change.

✅ Return for the clinics regularly to ensure you are on track
We can often slip back into old habits, having regular check ins can help keep us on the right track

✅ Tackle Begging Behaviour
Begging behaviour is very challenging for owners, we understand - it makes us feel guilty! But there is SO much we can do without adding more calories. For example, we can engage in enrichment and puzzle feeding to lengthen feeding times or we can weigh out our diet of choice daily and save a percentage of this behind as ‘treats’ when in fact it is part of their daily calories.

❤️The good news
❤️Weight loss isn’t punishment — it’s care.
❤️If you’re not sure where your pet stands, ask to see an RVN for an appointment. We can show you their BCS score and help you set simple, achievable steps.

Sources:
➡Salt et al., “Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs,” J Vet Intern Med, 2019
➡UK Pet Food – Pet Obesity Data & Statistics
➡German, A.J., Holden, S.L., Wiseman-Orr, M.L., Reid, J., Nolan, A.M., Biourge, V., Morris, P.J. and Scott, E.M. (2012) ‘Quality of life is reduced in obese dogs but improves after successful weight loss’, The Veterinary Journal, 192(3), pp. 428–434. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.015