Tilly’s Treat Cupboard
NATIONAL PET FIRST AID AWARENESS MOTNH
All you need to know on pet first aid
CANINE FITNESS
Canine fitness month is here and were helping you get a fitter dog A article from our in house
NATIONAL RAW FEEDING WEEK FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION
Welcome to our exciting monthly magazine! At Tilly’s, we are dedicated to bringing you solutions for all your pet-related needs. This magazine is packed with valuable insights and thrilling events happening right here, along with adorable snapshots of your beloved pups enjoying their time in our shop.
�� Naturally Nourish Your Dog: Holistic Care for Lasting Wellbeing
�� Find us at 171 Moorwell Road, Scunthorpe, DN17 2SX �� Open Mon-Fri 9-6; Saturdays 10-6; Sundays and Bank Holidays 10-4 �� www.tillystreatcupboard.co.uk
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month:
This month serves as a reminder for pet owners to familiarize themselves with essential first aid skills.
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Keeping Our Furry Friends Safe
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of knowing how to respond in emergencies when it comes to our beloved pets. Just like humans, pets can face unexpected health issues or accidents, and being prepared can make all the difference in keeping them safe and healthy.
Whether it’s dealing with a choking incident, managing an injury, or recognizing signs of illness, knowing what to do in critical situations can save precious time and potentially save your pet’s life.
Key topics to focus on during Pet First Aid Awareness Month include:
CPR and Rescue Breathing: Learn how to perform CPR on your pet in case of cardiac arrest or if they stop breathing.
Wound Care: Understand how to clean and bandage wounds to prevent infection and further damage.
Poisoning: Know which common household items or foods are toxic to pets and what steps to take if your pet ingests something harmful.
Choking Hazards:
Recognize the signs of choking and learn how to safely dislodge an object from your pet's airway.
Emergency Preparedness: Always have a first aid kit stocked and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
By educating yourself on pet first aid, you’ll be better equipped to handle any situation that arises. Many organizations offer courses and certifications to ensure you’re fully prepared to keep your pets safe. This month is a great time to invest in your pet’s safety and well-being, making sure you’re ready to act quickly and effectively if an emergency strikes.
Remember, when it comes to your pet, prevention is always the best medicine. Keep them healthy, happy, and safe by being prepared!
April National pet first aid awareness
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Canine Fitness Month: A Holistic Approach to Your Dog’s Health
April is Canine Fitness Month, a time to focus on keeping our four-legged friends in peak condition! But fitness isn’t just about physical exercise —a truly healthy dog needs to thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically. By taking a holistic approach, you can ensure your pup stays happy, engaged, and full of energy all year round.
Physical
Fitness: Move More, Live Longer
Keeping your dog active is essential for weight management, joint health, and cardiovascular fitness. But daily walks aren’t the only way to get moving!
Try Something New! Why not switch up your routine with activities like:
Agility training – Strengthens muscles and improves coordination.
Hiking – Engages different muscle groups and provides mental stimulation.
Swimming – A low-impact workout perfect for senior or arthritic dogs.
Canicross – Jogging with your dog using a special harness for shared endurance training.
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CMental Stimulation: Keep Their Mind Sharp
Just like humans, dogs need mental exercise to stay sharp and prevent boredom-related behaviour issues.
Training Games:
Teach new tricks – Even old dogs can learn new tricks! Try tricks like spin, bow, or high-five for fun training time.
Scent work – Hide treats or toys for your dog to find using their nose.
Name recognition – Train your dog to recognize and retrieve specific toys by name.
Enrichment Activities:
Rotate toys regularly to keep interest high.
Provide chew items like antlers, yak chews, or natural wood chews.
Puzzle feeders – Encourage problem-solving and slow down fast eaters.
Snuffle mats – Stimulate natural foraging instincts.
Sniffaris – Go on a walk with the sole aim to let your dog sniff!
Emotional Well-being: A Happy Dog is a Healthy Dog Dogs are social creatures who thrive on connection. Ensuring their emotional health is just as important as physical exercise!
Reduce Stress & Anxiety:
Establish a consistent daily routine for meals, walks, and bedtime.
Use calming aids like lavender essential oils or a Thundershirt for anxious pups.
Practice calm, positive reinforcement training to build confidence.
Socialisation Matters:
Arrange doggy playdates with friendly pups.
Expose your dog to different environments gradually to build confidence.
Quality time with you and other favourite humans.
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CNutrition: Fuelling a Fit Dog
A balanced diet is the foundation of your dog’s overall fitness. Feed a highquality, species-appropriate food, offer plenty of water, and add supportive foods where needed such as bone broth or green-lipped mussel to support mobility.
Take the Canine Fitness Challenge!
This Canine Fitness Month, set a goal to boost your dog’s health in every way.
Why not take part in the Tilly’s Fitness Challenge:
✅ A new activity every week.
✅ Teaching a new trick or training game.
✅ Adding one new enrichment toy to their routine.
Post on social media using #tillysfitnesschallenge so we can see all the fun you’re having with your dogs.
April Canine Fitness Month
N a t i o n a l R a w F e e d i n
Week: A Fresh Approach to Canine Nutrition
Every year, National Raw Feeding Week (April 1st7th) shines a spotlight on one of the most debated topics in pet nutrition: raw feeding. Advocates of raw diets believe that feeding dogs the way nature intended can lead to healthier, happier, and longer lives. But what exactly is raw feeding, and why are so many pet owners making the switch?
What Is Raw Feeding?
Raw feeding is based on the principle that dogs thrive on a diet similar to what their wild ancestors ate uncooked meat, bones, organs, and a small amount of fresh vegetables or fruits.
The Benefits of a Raw Diet
Improved Digestion & Gut
Health – Raw food is free from fillers and artificial additives, making it easier for dogs to digest and absorb nutrients.
Healthier Skin & Shinier Coat –Essential fatty acids from fresh meat and fish contribute to shiny coats and reduced skin irritation.
Stronger Immune System – A diet rich in natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps strengthen immunity and reduce inflammation.
Better Dental Health – Chewing raw meaty bones naturally cleans teeth, reducing tartar buildup and bad breath.
Increased Energy & Vitality –Without artificial preservatives, sugars, and fillers, dogs often experience more sustained energy and fewer energy crashes.
Balanced Weight & Lean Muscle – High-protein raw diets help maintain an ideal weight and build strong, lean muscles
N a t i o n a l R a w F e e d i n g
Debunking Raw Feeding
Myths
Raw diets aren’t safe because of bacteria.
Dogs have a short, highly acidic digestive tract designed to handle raw meat safely. Proper handling and sourcing high-quality ingredients minimise any risks.
Dogs need grains and kibble for a balanced diet.
Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning they thrive primarily on meat but can digest small amounts of plant matter. Kibble often contains unnecessary carbohydrates that can contribute to obesity and health problems. Raw feeding is expensive and complicated.
While premium raw diets can be costly, many pet owners DIY their dog’s meals using a well-balanced mix of meats, organs, bones, and supplements often at a similar cost or cheaper than a high-quality kibble!
Join the Raw Revolution!
National Raw Feeding Week is the perfect time to learn, explore, and make informed choices about your dog’s diet. Whether you’re ready to switch completely or just want to incorporate more fresh food into their meals, taking small steps toward natural, speciesappropriate nutrition can make a world of difference.
April 1st - 7th
Natural Flea & Tick
Protection: Get Ready for the Season!
As the weather warms up, fleas and ticks become a bigger threat to our beloved pets. Many pet owners automatically reach for conventional flea, tick, and worm medications—but have you considered the risks these chemical treatments pose to your dog’s health and the environment?
The Hidden Dangers of Chemical Treatments
Most chemical flea, tick, and worm treatments work by poisoning parasites, but in doing so, they also introduce toxins into your dog's body. Over time, these substances accumulate in the liver and immune system, potentially leading to health issues.
Common side effects of chemical treatments include excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea, restlessness, skin rashes and intense itching, neurological symptoms like seizures and tremors and even death
Environmental Risks: More Than Just Your Dog
The impact of these treatments goes beyond your pet. Studies have found that chemicals commonly found in flea medications—such as fipronil and imidacloprid are contaminating UK rivers at levels harmful to aquatic life. One study found fipronil in 99% of samples from 20 English rivers, sometimes at levels 38 times higher than chronic toxicity limits. Even birds are affected contaminated pet fur used in nest-building has been linked to increased mortality in songbird chicks.
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Natural Options: A Safer, Effective
Alternative
Luckily, natural flea and tick prevention is not only safer but can be just as effective when used consistently. The best approach is layered protection, combining dietary support with topical treatments.
Dietary Support: Herbs to Repel Fleas
Fleas are highly sensitive to certain scents, and specific herbs can make your dog less attractive to these pests. Adding a small pinch of the following herbs to your dog’s food can help naturally repel fleas:
✔ Garlic (in small, safe amounts)
✔ Rosemary
✔ Mint
✔ Lemon balm
✔ Seaweed
✔ Neem leaves
✔ Fenugreek
Topical Protection: Natural Flea & Tick Repellents
✔ Diatomaceous Earth (Food-Grade) – A fine powder that dehydrates fleas on contact. Sprinkle on your dog’s coat (avoiding the nose and mouth) and around your home.
✔ Essential Oils –Lavender, cedarwood, lemon, and neem oil are natural flea repellents.
Use a natural flea spray, herbal collar, or spot-on treatment containing these oils.
✔ Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – Sprayed onto the coat, ACV helps balance skin pH, making it less appealing to fleas. You can also add a teaspoon to their water bowl (always provide fresh water as well).
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Boosting Skin & Coat Health:
Creating a Natural Barrier
A healthy skin barrier makes it harder for fleas to take hold. Adding antioxidant-rich herbs to your dog’s diet can improve skin health and resilience:
✔ Nettle – Packed with vitamins that strengthen the skin.
✔ Dandelion – Supports liver detoxification and reduces inflammation.
✔ Chamomile – Soothes irritated skin and promotes healing.
�� Tick Removal – Use a tick remover tool to ensure the entire tick, including the head, is removed.
�� Flea Comb & Bathing –A fine-toothed flea comb and natural flea shampoo help remove fleas and soothe irritated skin.
�� Clean Your Home –Wash bedding regularly and vacuum thoroughly to break the flea life cycle. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in carpets and pet areas for extra protection. Strengthening the Immune System: Preventing Infestations
A strong immune system helps keep flea infestations at bay. Support your dog’s immunity with:
✔ A species-appropriate diet (raw or high-quality fresh food)
✔ Prebiotics & probiotics for gut health
✔ Leafy green vegetables & berries for antioxidant support
Daily
Checks & Flea Removal
Even with natural protection, it’s important to check your dog daily for fleas and ticks. If you find any, take action immediately:
Final Thoughts
Protecting your dog from fleas and ticks doesn’t have to mean exposing them to harmful chemicals. A natural, holistic approach can keep your pet flea-free while also protecting their long-term health and the environment. With a little planning and consistency, you can enjoy the flea and tick season worry-free!
Prepare for Flea & Tick Season with Tilly’s
Join us for our in shop easter egg hunt!
Friday 18th -
Monday 21st
Find a egg hidden in the shop and inside it could be a treat, 5%, 10% or even 15% off your shop!
