Fat Bear Week 2025: Backpack the Solitary Giant Crowned Alaska's Chubbiest Champion

Alaska's annual Fat Bear Week celebration has named a 20-year-old brown bear called Backpack as its champion, recognising his impressive pre-hibernation weight gain from gorging on river salmon. The event highlights how wild animals instinctively bulk up to survive winter, a fascinating contrast to the careful portion control UK pet owners must maintain for their own animals. It serves as a timely reminder of how different nutritional needs are across species, and why obesity in domestic pets remains a serious welfare concern.

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Nutrition

13 Oct

Omni Launches Three New Dog Foods Targeting Joints, Skin and Anxiety

UK plant-based pet food brand Omni has added three condition-specific recipes to its lineup, each designed to address a common health concern in adult dogs. Whether your dog struggles with stiff movement, a sensitive coat, or stress-related behaviour, there may now be a targeted daily food option worth considering. Dog owners whose pets are aged one and above are the intended audience for this expanded functional range.

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Products & Reviews

13 Oct

Jollyes Expands to Mansfield with Its 129th UK Pet Store

Pet supplies chain Jollyes continues its nationwide growth with a new branch in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, giving local pet owners another convenient option for food, accessories, and care products. The opening also brings seven new jobs to the area, reflecting the retailer's ongoing commitment to broadening its high-street presence across the UK.

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Law & Welfare

13 Oct

Is Your Dog's Groomer Properly Qualified? The Case for UK Industry Reform

Unlike vets or veterinary nurses, dog groomers in the UK currently face no mandatory licensing or standardised welfare requirements, leaving pets potentially vulnerable during routine appointments. For owners booking grooming sessions, understanding what credentials to look for has never been more important. Campaigners argue that formal regulation would protect dogs from injury and stress while giving responsible groomers the professional recognition they deserve.

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