Creative Dog Grooming

October 2, 2013 By Claire

Creative Dog Grooming

As part of our dog kennelling business at Pet Central Hotel, we offer a dog grooming service, and having caught up with the new TV series of Ronnie Corbett’s Animal Crackers on Friday night on BBC1 a couple of weeks ago, their feature on creative dog grooming really did catch the eye for us.

Creative grooming is a really big thing in the USA and appears to be something that is starting to catch on here in the UK. Never mind a wash and brush up and a nice cut for your pooch, this is extreme styling for your poodle. With such designs as Disney’s Mickey Mouse or even more daring the opportunities are endless and only limited by your imagination.

Most of the transformation is done through careful cutting, shearing and shaping to achieve that desired look, before careful colouring is applied to give that perfect finish. The great news is the poodle’s, which appear to be the main breed used for this kind of work, seem to thoroughly enjoy the attention lavished upon them.

Here at Pet Central, we can definitely confirm our grooming services never quite run to anything as grand as this. We can, however, promise a great service for bathing, nail care, clipping and ear care with a professional hands on service if you’re looking to give your dog a pamper.

Images courtesy of the BBC

Autumn Breaks with Pet Central Hotel

September 17, 2013 By Claire

Autumn Breaks with Pet Central Hotel

Summer seems almost just a distant memory and with autumn upon us it’s still full steam ahead for us here at the kennels and cattery.

Autumn Breaks with Pet Central Hotel

If you have children at school, you maybe forgiven for thinking they’ve just gone back after the school holidays, but the half term break will soon be coming around, and if you’re planning a break away for mid-autumn, don’t forget to book early with us.

Half term is traditionally a busy time for us, so it’s one less thing for you (and us) to worry about if you are planning a trip away.

If you don’t have kids, maybe your thoughts are turning towards planning for a weekend get away to beat the autumn blues or maybe even a Christmas weekend shopping experience somewhere romantic.

Our weekend service offers the perfect opportunity to drop your pets off on a Friday and pick up on a Monday after a relaxing weekend away – whether that’s here in the UK or overseas.

And don’t forget whilst you are away we can keep you updated with pictures of your pets if you’re connected to us through our Facebook or Twitter social media channels.

Our wide range of accommodation for cats and dogs include luxury suites for dogs if you’re looking for a home-from-home experience for your dog, whilst our modern cattery provides all mod cons including piped music and heated igloos, which maybe just what your cat wants on these cooler autumnal nights.

With autumn setting in, the festive evenings of Halloween and Bonfire night will soon be with us. If you’re planning a party or are off out for the night, why not let us take the pressure off and book your pets in for an overnight stay.

You can drop them with us here at Pet Central Hotel during the day and pick them up the following morning, leaving plenty of time to get yourself glammed up, pet hair free and enjoy your evening, without the worry of having to get back to your left animals.

For more information on our short break weekends and overnight stays, why not email us or call the office on 01527 892 164.

Looking after your Cat through the Summer months

May 23, 2013 By Claire

Looking after your Cat through the Summer months

Hopefully with summer not too far away, we thought we’d offer a few pointers for looking after your cat through the summer months. After all, as a cattery owner we see lots of cats over the summer period and love being able to pass on the information we have to make sure you keep your cat looked after for the warmer months ahead

Cats love warm weather and for the most part they’re very good at keeping themselves cool. However, if the weather becomes very hot it’s always a good idea to try and keep them out of direct sunlight and heat between 10am and 3.00pm.

Keeping curtains and blinds closed in the house will often make your home a cooler environment for your cat and if your house stays cooler with windows closed then it’s a good idea to keep those closed too.

When your cat does go outside apply a good quality pet sunscreen to nose and ears. Buy one which can’t be licked off. This is particularly useful if your cat is a light coloured variety.

If your cat grooms itself more through the warm summer months don’t be too alarmed about this. They will spend more time grooming as a cooling measure as the saliva acts a cooling agent by evaporating from the fur helping to cool them.

A sleepy cat through the warm summer months is usual. They will by nature take it easy to save themselves from getting too hot and bothered. A nice cool place to lie down and relax such as in front of a fan or a nice cool floor is another favourite trick!

Attention to your cats feet and paws is worth consideration. Their sweat glands will often leave wet paw prints as a give away of sweating meaning they need to replenish their fluids. Always make sure a plentiful supply of water is around for your cat in different areas of the house. A good tip to remember is that cats often prefer their food and water to be in different areas.

Cats will often pant through warmer months, although this is not so obvious as for a dog for example. They will do this to take on cool air if they are hotter than normal. This is not to be concerned about unless the panting is particularly heavy.

As with humans, cats enjoy the warmer weather but common sense and a little attention to their needs will ensure your cat stays in good health throughout the summer months. If you are at all concerned regarding your cats health over the summer period, then you should consult your local vet for further help.

Boarding your Dog – Luxury style!

May 15, 2013 By Claire

If you’re looking for kennels for your dog this summer why not take a closer look at the luxury supreme apartments we have available for your dog. We have 2 exclusive apartment style kennels available if you really want to push the boat out this year and kennel your dog in a real home from home environment.

Each supreme kennel features its own bed, sofa and even a TV for them to relax in real comfort and style. All have been recently redecorated with accent walls to offer a cozy warm feel to them.

Our 16 square metre floor space also features an outside run, giving them plenty of space to get all the exercise they could want. They’re also perfect if you have more than one dog with plenty of space for them to relax and enjoy their stay with us.

As you would imagine these apartment kennels are always popular, so it’s best to book early to avoid yours and your dogs disappointment!

At Pet Central Hotel, our philosophy is always about putting your pet first, and with these luxury kennel apartments we feel these are a great way for your dog to spend their summer holidays in the style they are already accustomed to at home.

If you want more information on our kennelling services, why not call or email us. We’re always happy to show you around if you want to get a feel for what we can offer, and for you to bring your dog along with you too.

Grooming Tips for your Dog

May 7, 2013 By Claire

Grooming Tips for your Dog

Whilst our main activity is dog boarding along with the cattery, we do offer limited dog grooming services for our guests, and so thought it would be an interesting topic for anyone looking for hints and tips on grooming your dog. These are not necessarily all the steps we take when we’re grooming, but a general insight into keeping your dog nice and clean and tidy on a week to week basis.

1. If you have a long haired dog, we’d suggest a daily brushing to keep knots and tangles to a minimum. With a good quality dog brush and a gentle approach this can offer an enjoyable and relaxing playtime for you and the dog.

2. Medium length haired dogs can often suffer from matting particularly if they’re out and about in the woods and fields regularly. However, a quick daily brush over will keep them looking at their best. Short haired dogs can be left to once a week, dependent on their lifestyle and activity.

3. When your dog is shedding it’s hair, it pays to brush them more often. This helps to stop the build up of hair throughout the house. If you need any help on the kind of brush you want, we’re more than happy to make suggestions as there are lots of different types out there.

4. Try and get into a regular routine of bathing your dog. Once a month is ideal for most breeds, but more regularly than that won’t hurt. When you choose a shampoo for them, figure out what kind of skin type they are (dry, normal or oily). Don’t ever be tempted to use human shampoo or washing up liquid. These are both unsuitable for your dogs skin.

5. When bathing, a good idea is to do the body first followed by the legs and finally the head.

6. Rinse off shampoo thoroughly. Take extra care to get into all the areas which are not easy to get to. Dried soap can cause itchiness if not rinsed off, so it’s worth paying particular attention to.

7. Clean your Dog’s ears very carefully using an ear bud to remove any wax or dirt. Be careful how you use an earbud and never insert the ear bud into the ear. If you have a long eared breed check regularly for ear problems. Due to them having less air exposure they can suffer with yeast and bacteria build up in the ear area and these sometimes become infected.

8. Keep an eye on your dogs nails. If their nails grow too long this can cause pain, particularly when exercising. Keep them short on a week to week basis by using an emery board or nail file and clipping them every month or so if you’re not exercising them on a path which will help to naturally keep them short. If you’re unsure about clipping, a professional dog groomer can clip them for you.

9. Check your dog’s paws making sure the pads are clean with no build up of hair between them. Too much and this can cause matting which can lead to painful drying out and hardening, particularly in colder weather.

10. Always make a fuss of your dog when carrying out your grooming. A little fuss will make it more stress free for both you and them. Don’t forget when you’ve finished to reward them with a treat or two!

If you’re looking for hints and tips on our dog grooming services, why not get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Top 10 Tips for Kennelling your Dog

April 18, 2013 By Claire

We’ve been offering dog kennelling facilities in the Redditch and surrounding Worcestershire area for over 10 years now.

During that time, we’ve picked up quite a lot of information about the best ways to prepare for dog kennelling, so here’s a few points to consider when you’re next looking for a kennels for your dog.

1. Do your research.
Make a shortlist of the kennels you’d like your dog to go to. This can be based on recommendations through word of mouth from other dog owners you know, or from your own online findings. If you can, always visit the kennels prior to leaving your dog. Here at Petcentralhotel, we’re more than happy to show people around to see the kind of facilities we have available.

2. What’s Important for your Dog?
Important considerations when you leave your pet anywhere are how they’re going to be treated. How often are they exercised? Can the kennels take care of any special requirements such as medication or dietary needs? How many staff are on hand to look after your dog, and how often are the kennels cleaned.

3. Book Early!
All things considered, all kennels will be busy during traditional holiday periods. Don’t leave it too late to book your dog into your favourite kennels.

4. Vaccinations
It’s always worth ensuring your dogs vaccinations are up to date. Mixing with other dogs as they will it always pays to be careful. Consider talking to your vet about your dog having the kennel cough vaccine too for complete peace of mind.

5. First Night Nerves
If your dog has never been to a kennels before, consider a trial run beforehand to make sure he’s comfortable there. We are more than happy to offer a day visit to make sure both you and your dog are happy with the arrangements for a longer term.

6. Worm and De-Flea!
Before you leave your dog with any boarding kennels make sure you worm him and give him a flea treatment. This will reduce any opportunities for small irritations whilst he’s on his holiday whilst you’re away enjoying yours.

7. Bedding
Most dog kennels will have bedding available, but it’s always worth checking. In addition to any bedding supplied, it’s always a great idea to bring along a blanket or sheet with a familiar scent on it. This helps to reassure him and offer some comfort.

8. Nice and Early
To help your dog settle into the kennels we always suggest to drop him off as early as possible. This gives your dog an opportunity to acclimatise himself to his new surroundings. Leave quietly and quickly with as little fuss as you can, in order that you don’t transfer your nerves or excitement to him.

9. Collection
When it’s time to collect him, try not to allow your dog to get too excited. Of course, he’ll be over-excited to see you, but if you can remain calm, it helps us with the other boarders.

10. Re-adjustment
After a stay in the kennels, it sometimes takes a dog a couple of days to re-adjust to being home and back around you. Simply easing him into his normal routine will help, but be aware that unexplained behaviour does occasionally happen. It is nothing to worry about.

At Petcentralhotel, we pride ourselves on the customer service we offer to the boarders who come to stay with us – some of them time and time again.

If you are looking for dog kennelling and have any questions or concerns we are more than happy to offer any help or assistance, why not give us a call on 01527 892 164 or email us at info@petcentralhotel.co.uk

Happy New Year!

January 8, 2013 By Nigel

Here at Pet Central Hotel, Christmas and the New Year maybe just out of the way, but we’re already thinking ahead for Parents considering their school half term pet boarding needs, as before we know it half term for school children Parents will be upon us.

If you are thinking about going away at half term this year, then why not consider our dog kennel luxury accomodation, or cattery facilities for your beloved pet.

Based in the lovely rolling countryside of Warwickshire, at Pet Central we accomodate all types of cats and dogs, as well as other small animals.