Welcome

Welcome to the August edition of the 4Legs Newsletter with our brand new layout! As usual, we’ve got plenty of news for you including Feature Walk, Star Gazing with Basil, Q & A and Did you Know?

4Legs with Gravy

New 4legs Home Cooked varieties are finally here! Check out the two great new additions to the range including: Lamb & Rosemary with Gravy and Turkey & Thyme with Gravy!
Packed full of vitamins and nutrients and covered in a delicious gravy sauce, these new flavours have everything to keep your dog healthy and happy!
Grab the new gravy range from the pet food fridge of your local Coles store from Tuesday, August 21!

Q & A

Q: “Some days my dog loves his food and can’t seem to get enough, but other days he simply refuses to eat it and just seems to lose interest. What can I do?”

A: Many of us are probably familiar with this scenario; a dog refusing to eat his food. But if you have a pet who is a problem eater, then chances are you have helped this habit to develop. While a refusal to eat can sometimes be a sign of illness, in the majority of cases it is simply a bad habit that needs to be broken. There are a number of factors that contribute to creating a problem eater and here are some things to avoid:

• Some people believe that problem eating comes from a pet being offered too much variety in their diet. Whilst this may be true in some cases, variety is important in your pet's diet. Feeding a high quality pet food like 4Legs will ensure your dog receives the right balance of nutrients and it's always good to try different flavours. So why not sample one of our new 4Legs with Gravy varieties? Dogs enjoy experiencing new tastes and textures!
  
• Feeding your dog human treats or food from the table also leads to food refusal. Your dog will probably get satisfied from the treats offered and therefore won’t eat the food he is supposed to. This can lead to health problems because your dog is not getting the essential nutrients he needs, plus food scraps can that are rich or high in fat can upset your dog’s digestive system.
• Sometimes a dog will eagerly munch down on a particular food for several days and then suddenly refuse to eat any more. Don’t be too concerned, this is often the result of the dog’s own attempt to control their calorie intake.
• Food refusal is sometimes the result of overeating or dietary indiscretion, if your dog raids the garbage bin between meals, then there’s a good chance he won’t be hungry come dinner time! Eating from the trash can be dangerous, as your dog may consume something he shouldn’t and this can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea or more serious issues.

A great way to prevent or solve problem eating is to use praise during feeding time. When your dog learns that eating pleases you, he will eat to please. Start by praising your dog when you offer food and while he is eating, thus reinforcing is positive behaviour. It can take a while to break the problem eating habit, but plenty of patience and feeding a nutritious, balanced and palatable food will help.

Star Gazing with Basil

Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Virgo dogs are homebodies who relish their four-legged status and strive to be the perfect pet and ideal companion. Never bossy, nevertheless Virgo pooches like to be kept looking and smelling fresh, flea free and perfectly groomed. A lover of comfort and the good things in life, you will often find your Virgo dog napping on the couch or sneaking onto the bed for a bit of shut-eye. A great helper who is not adverse to the great outdoors, the Virgo dog will always be happy to lend a hand in the garden, digging up some weeds or relocating pot plants. These dogs enjoy routine and structure and are rumoured to get along very well with cats.

Featured Walks

Underwood Park
Underwood Rd, Priestdale, QLD 4127. Map Reference: UBD 222 P9
Features: Playground, Toilets, BBQ, Picnic, Off-lead

This gorgeous park features wetlands, picnic grounds and bikeways. There are plenty of barbeques with views of the tranquil lagoon and a boardwalk through the surrounding melaleuca forest. A large off-leash area means there’s plenty of room for your pooch to run around. Don’t forget plastic bags and a water bottle!

Source: www.logan.qld.gov.au

Waterfall Gully
Waterfall Gully Rd, Burnside, SA 5966. Map Ref: UBD 132 C11

Waterfall Gully is situated between Mt Osmond and Cleland Conservation Park. The gully features a beautiful waterfall that flows throughout the year but is most spectacular during the wetter winter months. There are a number of clearly marked walking trails in the area and the Cleland Conservation Park features picnic areas and free gas barbeques. So pack a lunch, round up the family and your four-legged buddy and head off on a trek to see the waterfall, which will be magnificent at this time of the year!

Source: www.burnside.sa.gov.au