Frequently Asked Questions

We have Frequently Asked Questions on the following topics:

Dog foods from Symply Click on any of the links below to read frequently asked questions and answers on the appropriate topics.

Ingredients in our pet food
Feeding your dog
Looking after your dog

Feeding your cat

Nutrition

Miscellaneous

Ingredient FAQs

Does Symply contain artificial colours or flavourings?
No, they are of no benefit to the animal so are unnecessary.

Does Symply contain artificial preservatives?
No. Other manufacturers may add artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin but there are concerns over the use of these chemicals so we don’t use them. Our products are naturally preserved with mixed tocepherals and rosemary, the safest way to preserve pet food.

What are mixed tocopherals?
Tocopherals are a blend of vitamin E and are used to give Symply products a longer shelf life without the concerns of using artificial preservatives.

Where is Symply made?
All Symply products are proudly made in Great Britain.

Are all your ingredients sourced in Great Britain?
We try to source as many of our ingredients as we possibly can from Great Britain, although some ingredients such as rice are simply not available in the UK. Our lamb meat comes from Great British meadow-raised lambs, our salmon is sourced from the Highalnds of Scotland and our turkey is sourced from non-battery, non-caged birds reared here in Great Britain.

Does Symply contain genetically modified ingredients? (GMO)
No.

Does the meat used in Symply products contain growth hormones?
No.

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Dogs Feeding FAQs

Can I change my feed to Symply straight away?
We recommend changing to Symply over a week, although many of our breeders report no problems when switching straight over from one food to Symply.

At what age should I change from puppy food to adult food?
We recommend changing over at approximately 12 months for most dogs or up to 18 months for large breed dogs. Our puppy foods are formulated to fulfil all the extra nutritional needs your dog requires during its growing phase so we recommend staying on our puppy food until he has finished all his growing.

How many times a day should I feed my adult dog?
Our recommendation is to feed twice a day where possible, although it can be reduced to once a day.

How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
We recommend between 6 - 8 weeks to feed 3 or 4 times a day. After 8 weeks you can reduce this to twice a day.

Can I moisten Symply pet food?
We recommend that you feed it dry with plenty of fresh water available in a bowl close by. However you can add a little water which can help enhance the flavours for the fussiest of eaters or to help those with dental problems.

Can I feed table scraps to my dog?
We don’t recommend it as these can lead to obesity and can upset your pet’s stomach. A dog’s digestive system is very different to ours and foods that we can easily digest could be potentially dangerous to a dog. Chocolate, for example, can be dangerous as it contains theobromine which is poisonous and can be fatal when consumed by dogs. In particular, dogs have problems with the following foods: onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, dough, corn on the cob, cooked chicken bones, mushrooms, chocolate, beetroot and spinach.

My dog/cat has eaten something he shouldn’t have
We advise immediately phoning your local veterinarian for advice.

Feeding tips

Keep fresh drinking water available at all times
Keep water bowls clean
Store food in dry and cool conditions, sealing the bag up to keep fresh
Feed your pet at the same time (s) every day
Try avoiding feeding your dog before travelling in the car as this can contribute towards car sickness

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Dog general FAQs

Why does my dog scratch?
Your dog’s scratching may be caused by an allergy or intolerance. There are many causes of allergies and the easiest to eliminate are those caused by ingredients in your dogs feed. . Click here for some more information.

Does my dog have a food intolerance, food sensitivity or allergy?
Dogs can become sensitive or intolerant to particular ingredients or additives and these can appear as a variety of problems. Common symptoms include:

Hyperactivity and behavioural problems
Poor coat condition poor such as dullness or hair loss
Lethargy, lack of energy
Poor skin, possibly exhibited as excessive scratching, sores, dandruff
Digestive problems including diarrhoea (loose stools), constipation and flatulence
Weight problems – gain or loss

The best way to avoid food intolerances and allergies is to feed a limited ingredient diet, which decreases the chances of exposure. By having a fixed formula it is easier to determine which ingredient is the cause of the problem. Symply food contains only natural ingredients and each has been chosen for a very specific purpose beneficial to your pet's health.

Are Symply foods good for my pet’s teeth?
You will find no added sugar in any of our products. Sugar is only added to enhance flavours but can be damaging to your pet's teeth and has no distinct health benefits. Our kibble is designed to help clean your pet’s teeth, although we do also recommend regular brushing.

My dog is overweight, should I worry?
Over a quarter of the dogs in the UK suffer from overweight or obesity which can lead to many healthy problems and puts extra strain and pressure on joints. The main causes are over-feeding and lack of exercise. We recommend avoiding treats and table scraps whilst feeding measured portions at meal times.
We also recommend feeding a light diet such as Symply Light or Symply Senior which will both be available soon.

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Cat Feeding FAQs

Can I free-feed my cat?
Unlike wet foods, Symply dry cat foods can be left for several hours in the bowl which allows you to free-feed. This is where you ensure that there is always kibble in your cat’s bowl. However, you should not free-feed if your cat is overweight as it is hard to monitor the quantities being eaten. Also be aware if you have more than one cat as you may not notice if one of your cats isn’t eating due to illness.

Can I feed Symply dog food to my cat?
Although it won’t harm your cat in the short term, the dietary requirements of cats and dogs are significantly different. Cats require higher levels of protein and taurine in their diet and dog foods simply don’t provide these in large enough quantities. So no problems if your cat accidently consumes some but not as a cat food substitute.

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Nutritional FAQs

On your typical analysis, what is Ash?
This is the term you find on pet food labelling that describes the quantity of minerals found in the product.

What is linoleic acid?
Linoleic acid is an unsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid. It is classed as an “essential fatty acid” as it is an essential dietary requirement for your pet. A deficiency in linoleic acid can cause problems such a dry hair, hair loss, failure of wound healing and skin problems. The Symply range has been formulated with optimum levels of linoleic acid, simply compare our levels to other leading brands and you will see why Symply helps produce healthy skin and a glossy coat.

What are meat and animal derivatives?

Meat and animal derivatives are commonly used in many pet foods and consist of the by-products of any animal. These are commonly used as they are cheaper than single source meats.
At Symply, we believe that the meat used in pet foods should be named. That’s why you won’t find “meat and animal derivatives” on our labelling!