Archives for August 2020

Win a custom soft toy of your pet

The bond between a child and their pet is a special one, so we’ve teamed up with Cuddlies to offer 3 lucky children a chance to win a custom soft toy based on a drawing of their pet!

Pets are our first love here at Animed, but children’s drawings of pets is a close second. So when we came across Cuddlies, which makes custom soft toys based on children’s drawings of their pets, we knew we had to team up for a competition.

Take a look at some of her incredible creations to see how she’ll translate your child’s art into a soft toy!

Win a cuddly toyMonty

What could you win?

We’re offering 3 lucky children the chance to see their art come to life as a custom soft toy created by Cuddlies.

How to enter

All your child needs to do to enter is draw a picture of their pet. Then they’ll need to ask a grown-up to send us the drawing, along with a photo of their pet.

(Tell us a little bit about their pet, too. What’s their name, what’s their favourite food or favourite thing to do? We’d love to know all about them!)

Then all you’ll need to do is email your entries to marketing@animeddirect.co.uk by 6th September to be in with a chance of winning.

You can also enter by sharing your entry on Instagram and Facebook; just be sure to tag us in your post and use the #animedartchallenge hashtag!

What happens next?

All entries sent to us by 6th September will be judged by everyone here at Animed as well as our special guest judges: Rodney and Mabel the Cavapoos! They’ll be helping us to pick 3 of our favourites to receive their custom soft toy! Check back on our blog for a roundup of the best entries, too.

So get your kids drawing for their chance to win a custom soft toy of their pet. We can’t wait to see your pictures!

 

T&Cs

Entrants may send one drawing. 3 winners will be selected from eligible entries. The competition is not open to employees of Animed Direct or CVS Group. We reserve the right to cancel or suspend the competition at any point, without liability to the winner. Entrants and winners have to be happy with their pictures and winning prize to be shown on our website and social media channels.Allow up to 1 month for the prize to be delivered. Winners will be announced 1 week after competition closing date. By entering, you agree to be bound by these rules in relation to this prize.

 

 

Breed Spotlight: Meet the English Cocker Spaniel

Our Breed Spotlight continues with the English Cocker Spaniel. Often referred to as just ‘Cocker’ which comes from their use to hunt Woodcock, this energetic and friendly breed is one of the smallest members of the Gundog group.

The Cocker Spaniel can be found throughout history, dating back to the time of Chaucer in the 14th Century and Shakespeare during the 16th and 17th Century. The Spaniel gained breed status in 1883 and it wasn’t until much later that English Cocker Spaniel and the American were separated in 1946.

The breed is still frequently used as a hunting companion, but is also happy at home being part of the family.

See below for more facts, including common health issues, personality traits and diet:

Animed Cocker Spaniel history

Animed Cocker Spanial Infographic_Socials2

English Cocker Spaniel personality

English Cocker Spaniel health

English Cocker Spaniel health products

English Cocker Spaniel toys

English Cocker Spaniel food

Don’t forget to check out our other Breed Spotlights, including the Labrador, Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier.

Animed Direct’s Favourites: Top 10 UK Pet Influencers

Influencers have well and truly become part of our lives. From product reviews, style advice and makeup tips to DIY advice, home decor tips and computer game walkthroughs, there’s an influencer for everything – including pets! Yes, Instagram has turned our furry friends into celebrities, and here at Animed Direct we couldn’t be happier about it!

We’ve rounded up some of our absolute favourite UK pet influencers that we can’t get enough of right now. From kitties to pooches and everything in between, check out our best loved accounts. In no particular order…

  1. Rodney & Mabel  @rodneyandmabel_the_cavapoos   

Nothing fills your heart quite like a photo of a pooch, apart from maybe two adorable pups! Based in Essex, Rodney and Mabel are Cavapoos with bundles of energy. This adorable twosome are sure to brighten up your Instagram feed with cute doggy poses. 

Plus, don’t miss the treat race challenge. We think Mabel might have won this one by a mile…

2. Bob & Boris @bob_boris_cavapoos  

Another double act! Bob & Boris, with their curly fur and cheeky pup grins, are also Cavapoos. From grubby wilderness walks and soggy swims to basking in the sun and posing for the camera, they’re definitely on an adventure that we want to join!

We can’t get enough of seeing these fluffy friends on our feed…

3. Dante @danteduke_thecat

Dante is definitely not a camera shy kitty, and we definitely can’t blame him – he’s simply gorgeous. Based in London, this classy cat isn’t like his feline friends. His owner, @karen.duke1, takes this little chap out for walks on a lead, and he loves a good shower!

We don’t know about you, but we’re mesmerised by Dante’s eyes here…

4. Reggie @reggiethecockapoo

This adventurous pup simply loves paddle boarding and hiking throughout the UK, and has probably seen better views than we have! If you’re looking for a combination of ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ this is definitely an account for you! 

We can’t get enough of looking at this view, and neither can Reggie!

 

  5. The Barking Bugle @the_barking_bugle  

These adorable pups are doggy repawters (reporters) from Norfolk! Not only do they post the cutest photos on Instagram they’re also busy creating a dogs’ holiday guide to Norfolk. We’ll take 10 copies please!

 

  6. Teddy the Shetland @teddytheshetland

It’s not all cats and dogs here! The very handsome boy is Teddy, the Shetland pony. When he’s not frollicking around in fields, he’s playing with his Cocker Spaniel brother Rusty (who is also something of an Instagram celebrity).

 

 7. Errol the cat @errol.the.cat

Nope, this gorgeous creature isn’t a fox! Meet Errol, the foxy kitty. If you love to indulge in high quality cat photography, this little supermodel is definitely worth a follow.

 

 8. 1 Bike 1 World @1bike1world

Ok, so this one isn’t strictly in the UK, but we can’t resist following Nala’s adventures around the world with her human, Dean. This beautiful puss loves having the wind in her fur as they travel from the UK to China, and everywhere in between.

9. Rome the Mini @rome_the_mini 

Rome is a miniature horse with a big personality, and the most breathtakingly beautiful blue eyes! This clever pony is also CEO of their very own company, Ponyo Horsewear.

10. The K9 Tricksters @the_k9_tricksters 

And, we finish off our list with another puppy duo. This cheeky twosome are border collies and known as “Talented Tricksters”. Not only do they take the most adorable photos together, they’re also always working to find the best dog friendly places in the UK as explorers for Dog Furiendly, an account dedicated to finding dog friendly places and events across the UK. 

There you have it! Some of our favourite pet Instagram accounts. It was so hard to pick just 10, with so many cute pet accounts out there. Did we list your favourites? Let us know who your favourite animal influencers are in the comments below.

Top 10 dog cooling products

Top 10 cooling products

Summer has arrived! We love the warm weather and spending time outside with family and friends. But if you’re covered in fur, the hot temperatures are not so pleasant.

We’ve put together our top 10 cooling products to help your pooch stay cool:

  1. Animate Cooling Dog Coat & Bag Specially developed for warmer months, this coat keeps your dog 6-12 degrees cooler during high temperatures. It’s easily adjustable with chest and stomach straps and comes in a handy moisture-retaining bag, perfect for travelling.
  2. All For Paws Chill Out Orange Flyer Is a fun and refreshing toy for your dog to play with indoors or outside in the garden. Simply soak the toy in water and watch as the sponge absorbs it and gentle releases as your dog plays.
  3. Coco Jojo Cooling Mat Filled with a safe, non-toxic gel that starts 5 to 10 degrees cooler than room temperature, this mat helps cool your pet down. The mat can be used on its own or in your dog’s bed or even in a carrier for summer trips to the beach.
  4. All For Paws Chill Out Ice Ball Is perfect for dogs that love to play games. To use soak the ball in water and place in the freezer, once frozen the ball will give your dog hours of cool play.
  5. All For Paws Chill Out Splash and Fun Dog Pool Your dog can enjoy splashing around for hours in this pool. Made from extra tough PVC and with an anti-slip bottom, you won’t have to worry about accidents or leaks.
  6. Coco Jojo Cooling Dog Bandana Is a great addition to your dog’s summer wardrobe. Made from cotton, simply soak in water and put around your dog’s neck to keep them cool on walks or just around the home.
  7. All For Paws Chill Out Garden Water Fountain Designed to keep your dog hydrated and entertained, providing fresh water at the push of paw. It’s easy to set up, simply connect it to your garden house. The built in pressure regulator will manage the water flow so it makes it suitable for dogs of all sizes.
  8. All For Paws Chill Out Ice Track and Thirst Cruncher A fun and interactive game and perfect for indoor play on a hot day. It comes with a track and two silicon balls, simply fill the balls with water and place in the freezer. Once frozen, open and take out the ice balls. Place the balls on the track and watch your dog chase them around.
  9. Coco Jojo Cooling Towel Made of a fabric-like material that’s soft and comfortable when wet, keeping pets cool for hours.
  10. Coco JoJo Cooling Vest Lightweight and designed to keep your pet cool and comfortable on hot days or when on the go. It also helps protect them against UV and heat related illness. Features a reflective tape to keep your pooch safe.

With these cooling products, you and your dog can enjoy the warmer weather together.

Shop more of the range at Animed Direct