Seasonal Safety – Part Three

Are you excited yet?  Not long to go until Christmas!  Suki has been sniffing her doggie stocking since we unpacked it in our new house back in October.  Over Halloween and Bonfire night you may remember my posts on Seasonal Safety, this is the third and final instalment and I hope you find it interesting reading and a source of help to you and your pets over Christmas.

Top Tips for a Carefree Christmas

Now, I don’t mean to be a kill joy but cute Christmas costumes come in the same category as Halloween costumes I’m afraid, they are simply not suitable for most pets.  They look utterly adorable and unquestionably cute but they can really frighten and annoy animals.  It is unsafe if animals are unable to see, hear or breathe and if the costume is too tight it can cut off circulation.  Basically, costumes can be a recipe for disaster and it isn’t fair to assume that your pet wants to join in with the festivities.

Keep the mince pies, Christmas pudding and mulled wine for human consumption only, do not under any circumstances let your pet have any sweets, chocolate or alcohol and make sure that this doesn't happen accidentally either.  Sweets and their wrappers can cause choking and obstruction so ensure that you dispose or wrappers safely.  Chocolate is poisonous and can cause nerve damage and potentially death.  If your pet has eaten anything they shouldn’t have and you notice a problem, consult your vet immediately.  Ensure that you explain this to all members of your household – especially children and your guests.

You might be lucky enough to receive a lot of guests over Christmas, make sure that they are sensitive towards your pets and if you are holding any Christmas parties ensure that your animals are able to escape to somewhere safe and quiet where they can relax if they want to.


I don't know about your pet but Suki loves to chew and eat anything and everything, so keep out of reach things that may cause harm (this goes for every day, not just Christmas time)  Some things worth considering keeping your pet clear of would be, Christmas trees(!), batteries, toys, pot pourri, spray on snow.


And the final tip....

Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourselves and have a lovely time together!


Take care.

Be aware this winter

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Winter is almost here and has the potential to bring with it freezing temperatures, ice and maybe even snow.  Some of you in the US have already experienced some very heavy snow so if anything this post is a little late in coming...


Although us humans can turn the heating up and put on our woollies, animals can’t and depend on us to keep them warm and safe.  Some animals are kept outside and left to face the brunt of the weather.  

Last year I was dismayed to come across a young Staffie who was forever kept outside despite the bad weather, I was alerted to her plight by the heart rendering whimpering I would hear as I walked past.  I kept a diary of the times she was left outside and for how long and reported all of this to the RSPCA so they could take the necessary actions.

If you come across an animal suffering this winter (or any other time for that matter) here are some tips of how to respond to the situation:

• Be aware, when you are out and about this winter pay attention to your surroundings and actively look for animals who may need your help.
If you notice any animals outside, make a mental note of approximately how long they have been out there.  Keep the number of the RSPCA or equivalent on your mobile phone just in case. 

• Observe, take notes of the type of animal, the behaviour of the animal (i.e. whether he or she is unwell, crying or displaying any distressed behaviour) and the conditions he or she is subjected to.  It is a good idea to keep a diary including time, date, location and describe as much as you can.

• Evidence, gather evidence such as photographs or even recorded evidence.  When I telephoned the RSPCA on one occasion they could hear the dog crying in the background.  If you do hear a dog repeatedly barking then make a complaint, barking can indicate a lonely or neglected dog.

• Perseverance, sometimes animal organisations can’t take action straight away.  This could be due to being short staffed or not having enough evidence to act.  Keep gathering evidence and telephoning and updating them on the situation as this is likely to assist in making it a higher priority for them.  Don’t give up.

• Do everything you can, within the law.  Although it might be tempting to break into someone’s garden and rescue the animal yourself it is not the best thing to do for you or the animal.  If you get caught you will be in serious trouble and then who will be there to help the animal?  Also, you don’t know how the animal is going to react to you entering their territory – when I tried to get close to the dog we were trying to help she got very upset and began to bark which could have got us both into trouble.  I did give her some food, visited her when I could and took Suki to visit her as well.  We also gave her a raw hide bone to chew for something to do.  I did consider paying a visit to the owners or even writing them a letter but this could have also back fired and enraged them enough to take it out on the animal so I left it to the RSPCA.

If you are in the UK then RSPCA's Cruelty Line is 0300 1234 999

If you are in the US then Contact ASPCA

For some further advice on how to help animals this winter consider signing up for PETA’s pledge to help companion animals this winter.  Upon signing this you will receive tips on how to help animals in your community during the cold weather season.


Check out blog 4 The Love of Animals for 5 Sure-Fire Ways to Protect Your Pet from the Ice this Winter.

Seasonal Safety ~ Part II

Bonfire Night is fast approaching and I have already been listening to the crackling of Fireworks.  Time for Part Two of Seasonal Safety.  

Each animal is different, I have known animals who are terrified of Fireworks and others that obliviously sleep through the whole thing.  Whether your pet(s) are scared of Fireworks or not it is a good idea to have safety measures in place just in case.  Remember that although Bonfire Night is November 5^th, the days surrounding this date are likely to involve Fireworks so keep in mind the advice below for this period.

Walk your dog before it gets dark and the Fireworks start.  This will hopefully tire him or her out a little.  

Keep animals indoors during the Bonfire Night period.

Make sure your pet has somewhere to hide if they want to.

Close windows and curtains and put on soothing music to mask the sound of Fireworks,

If your pet does show signs of being afraid, the best thing to do is ignore their behaviour.  Only step in if your pet is likely to cause harm to his or herself and don’t punish or praise your pet for their behaviour.

Advice for Dogs

If your dog is particularly frightened on Bonfire Night, have a chat with your vet about pheromone diffusers which disperse calming chemicals into the room.

Don’t leave your pet alone, allocate one or more family members to stay home.  Choose a quiet room in the house and distract your pet by playing with toys, if this is what they want to do.

If your dog has a friend that is not phased by Fireworks, it is an idea to keep them both together in the hope that your dog will realise there is no reason to be afraid.

Advice for Cats

Make sure your cat has somewhere to hide and once safely hidden, do not try to tempt him or her out as this may cause further stress.

Advice for Small Animals

If your pet lives outside permanently then soundproof their home with blankets but ensure your pet can still see out of their home.

For animals that like to burrow, provide plenty of bedding so they are able to do this.

If it is possible, bring your pet indoors during the Bonfire Night period.

This advice has been adapted from RSPCA.

  

Check back for Part Three in a few weeks time.

Seasonal Safety ~ Part I

It’s my favourite time of year!  We are in the thick of a beautiful and so far, mild autumn.  The shops are full of Halloween novelties and already I can hear the distant sounds of Christmas Bells coming nearer.  Now is a good time to start planning on how your pets are going to cope over the coming seasonal festivities.  

Although the most traumatic time for animals will be Bonfire Night with the loud bangs and crackles, Halloween is also a time to be vigilant.  Paw-rescue.org reports that every Halloween, vets see pet injuries that could have been avoided.  Here are some top tips to ensure your pets are happy this Halloween.

Top Tips for a Happy Howl-Free Halloween

Walk your dog before it gets dark and the Trick or Treaters begin to call.  This will hopefully tire him or her out a little.  This is to avoid lots of strangers wearing costumes which could possibly frighten your pets.

Keep all animals indoors during the Halloween period.

Before opening the door to Trick or Treaters make sure your pets are safely secured inside, in a quiet room with their bed and favourite toys.  The further away from the front door, the better.  In case your pet makes a break for it, always make sure that your pet is micro-chipped and wearing an up to date I.D. tag.  Ensure that everyone in your household is aware not to let your pet outside. 

 Keep the sweets for Trick or Treaters only, do not under any circumstances let your pet have any sweets or chocolate and make sure that this doesn’t happen accidentally either.  Sweets and their wrappers can cause choking and obstruction so ensure that you dispose or wrappers safely.  Chocolate is poisonous and can cause nerve damage and potentially death.  If your pet has eaten any sweets or chocolate and you notice a problem, consult your vet immediately.  Ensure that you explain this to all members of your household – especially children.

Halloween costumes are not suitable for pets.  Yes, I know they look adorable but they can really frighten and annoy animals.  It is unsafe if animals are unable to see, hear or breathe and if the costume is too tight it can cut off circulation.  Basically, costumes can be a recipe for disaster and it isn’t fair to assume that your pet wants to join in with the festivities.

When walking your dog around the Halloween period, be careful to avoid any left over sweets, chocolate and wrappers.  It is a good idea to pick up and dispose of any you do find in order to help out other pet owners.

Check out The Animal News in a few days time for Part 2 of Seasonal Safety.

In the meantime, 

What a glorious day!

It is 20 Degrees here, the sunbathers are out in force, the ice cream van is playing a tune and the daffodils and daisies are littering the lush green grash in the park with buttery yellow and white.  This all means it is Spring!  Suki has been thoroughly enjoying skipping (yes, she does skip) through the long grass and chasing the ice cream van but one thing I always try and remember is to keep her cool.  

I have got so used to being freezing cold and snuggling up with a hot water bottle (and even bought Suki a mac the other week, see Fluffy Friday) it is strange to suddenly be too warm.  The RSPCA have some very good advice about keeping your pooch cool in this glorious weather, which is set to last the weekend and beyond.

Have a lovely weekend all.