Animal Fun

5 Top tips for keeping your pet safe and happy this Halloween

Halloween can be great fun for families with dogs, particularly if you like to get your dog involved in the trick or treating. However there are some very important safety tips that can help ensure you and your dog have as much fun as possible.

1. Ensure you keep your dog on a short leash when out trick or treating to make sure you can keep an eye on your dog at all times. Otherwise you may turn round to see Fido helping himself to a young trick or treater’s supplies.

2. Even though your dog may look fantastically cute in a costume, it’s extremely important to ensure they are comfortable, safe and can see properly when.

3. If you are staying home with your dog and handing out candy, it’s normally a good idea to keep the dog in a separate room with the TV or radio on to help keep the dog calm.

4. If you intend to give out treats for any trick or treating dogs, mini dog chews are the best option. 

5. Once all the Halloween festivities are over with, it’s particularly important to keep your dogs, and any other pets, away from the sweets because it can be very bad for a pets’ health(especially when they tend to eat the entire bag). 

Puppy Awareness Week: Things to think about

As Puppy Awareness Week has just come to a close, I've decided to round up some of the important things I had to consider when getting a puppy - who is now a large 5 year old dog.

In fact, that's probably the first lesson that can be learned - size matters when it comes to choosing a dog. All puppies are small and cute and cuddly, but they get bigger, and if you don't research what size they will grow to you could end up with a rather cramped house, which isn't good for the dog and isn't good for you. You'll also need tothink about exercise. Do you really have two hours a day to give a dalmation all the exercise it needs? Dogs with pent up energy are unhappy and can be aggresive - so think about your lifestyle carefully before you get a dog who needs a lot of walks.

Insurance is important too, and if you're not convinced on this one just try taking your pup for his or her initial checkups and jags. These are expensive, and emergency treatment is even more expensive. Puppies are known to be clumsy, so keep your new family member protected by insuring them from the get go. I got a good deal when I bought RSPCA pet health insurance, and found my vet was excellent in helping me choose a package that was right for my golden retriever. Remember, it's in everyones interest that you have insurnance, so use your vets knowledge to the best of your ability.

Another thing I had to think carefully about was the breed and breeder of choice. Firstly, choosing a retriever was the right choice for me, as they are friendly, happy dogs that like the company of people - which is important when you have a big family. All breeds have known 'typical' natures though, so have a think about what is important to you. Do you want a relaxed dog who likes to sleep a lot? Or would you prefer a high energy dog to accompany your runs? There will be a breed that fits the bill. And knowing the breeder's background was a must - check they are registered with the Kennel club, have all the correct paperwork and can provide a full history of both parents of your pup.

There's lots more advice on the Kennel club website of course, but that's my personal most important points. What things did you consider before getting a pet?

Baboons....and their pet dogs

 

So, you've all heard the evolution theories - and read the studies that say animals are just like us. In fact we're all probably gulity of being a little too amazed by the monkeys at the zoo, when we notice how similar their actions are to us. But despite being aware of the human-like qualities of monkeys and baboons - there is still room for awe and wonder as we discover new things about them. Two things I thought when I saw this video of babboons keeping feral dogs as pets. This is from the documentary 'Pets Like Us' which I'll need to hunt down and watch now. What are your thoughts on baboons rasing feral dogs as pets?

Hello Sunshine... 5 Idea's For Summer Fun With Your Dog

Summer has arrived, kind of, now why not try to make the most of it and get some quality outdoors time with your favourite furry friend. Here are some of our suggestions for fun summer activities.

1.  Snap Snap. Time to capture some memories. Wait for a nice day and head out to the park or somewhere scenic, with your pooch some toys and a camera. Keep it playful and you’ll both have a great time with plenty pictures to remind you.

2.  Getting away from it all. Choose a nice dog friendly place (other than home) and set off. It’s worth doing a bit of research if you’re actually planning a trip, ensure any accommodation and facilities are dog friendly.

3.  The great outdoors. Grab your pooch, a tent, and some supplies then head off for a camping trip. Be sure that if you’re going to any camping parks or anywhere similar that they are dog friendly. Also read up on any conduct and rules etc.

4.  Make a splash. Get a paddling/pooch pool for the garden. Yeah it’ll probably cause some serious mess, but your furry friend will definitely thank you, for helping them stay cool and you can have some great fun watching them splash about.

5. Be sociable. Why not try organising a pet picnic for you and any fellow dog walkers, that way everybody’s got some company. Just don’t forget the dog treats.

There’s so much outdoorsy stuff for you to enjoy with your dog and most of it doesn’t cost much if any money, so take advantage of the weather when you can. But remember to keep your pet safe. Keep their pet insurance up to date in-case of bites, cut paws etc, don’t let them out in peak sun for too long (yes dogs can get sunburnt) and ensure your dog is well hydrated at all times.   

Giant Rabbits: Not Your Average Pet Bunny

When thinking of buying a rabbit, most people think about a cute little creature they can easily pick up and cuddle....most people don't imagine they will end up with a pet that will grow to be the size of a dog.

But take a look at this Darius - at a massive 3 stone he is rumoured to be the world's biggest. There has been a lot of talk about the world's biggest rabbit over the last few years, but no one seem to be able to actually work out which one takes the title. And lets face it, who cares - they're all heroes for being so cool and calm about being constantly featured in newspapers, weighed and photographed like that. No one likes a fuss to be made when they're carrying a few extra pounds.

Getting a Giant Rabbit?

If this blog post has inspired you, or you are thinking about getting a giant rabbit, please take extra care. They're care slightly differs from ordinary rabbits and most prefer to be kept indoors. Although they're diet and lifestyle is mostly the same they will need much more exercise and probably a little bit of training to keep in check - we wouldn't like to see one of these on the rampage. Households with children must also take care because like all rabbits - they can get irritable at times and scratch, kick or even bite. Although this isn't the typical behaviour of all rabbits it can happen from time to time, and will obviously these things may cause much more of an issue due to the size of giant rabbits.

From vet bills to pet insurance quotes: Pet price shockers

Many people don’t realise the true costs of having a pet until they have one.

Some pets are low maintenance, but if you have a dog, cat or rabbit you are sure to have a few cost shockers until you get over it and realise that pets are expensive. The good news is that they are worth it – and no amount of money can really measure up to the friendship of a really good pet. But if you are getting a fluffy companion and aren’t quite sure of what to expect this guide on the top pet price shockers should prepare you:

Pet prices to prepare for:

The cost of your actual pet: Many just choose pet breeds depending on how cute they are, but this could be a pricey decision: a Labrador puppy can cost between six and seven hundred pounds. If you want to save money from the get go I would suggest the local pet rescue centre, as most of these places only take a small donation.

Vet bills: Vet bills are probably going to be the biggest shocker, and can be up to £50 for a checkup and/or small treatment. The cost of more complicated treatments can skyrocket – but these expenses can be avoided by choosing a good pet insurance plan.

Pet insurance quotes: Let’s be honest here, after reading that section on the cost of vet bills, you are probably already getting pet insurance quotes. When comparing pet insurance quote you should make sure the plan is specifically chosen to cover the health characteristics of the breed and age of the pet.

Food: At up to £40 a bag – pet food is not cheap. However, if you ask your vet for advice on the right brand for your pet, don’t over feed and look out for pet store bargains you can save money and keep your pet healthy. Just don’t choose the wrong type of food to save money – this could lead to more expense in vet bills or insurance excess charges – another thing that should be asked about when comparing pet insurance quotes.

 

Pet monkey!

Awwww...

The Pet Health Insurance Advantages You May Have Overlooked

Nobody wants to dwell on the reasons we might need pet health insurance – I know I never want to think too much about the reasons my cat may need an emergency trip to the vet.

Most of us owners have been told that pet health insurance can save us thousands of pounds in vet bills, and could even determine the long term health of our pets if it pays for advanced medication or procedures after an accident.

However, it is not just emergency vet fees that need to be taken into consideration when pet health insurance is concerned – there are a number of reasons why many owners feel it is essential that they take out a policy. This is why I have decided to highlight the costs that many of us often fail to predict when researching the pros and cons of pet health insurance:

Unexpected Costs That Pet Health Insurance Can Help You Avoid

• Emergency pet-sitting: Some pet health insurance plans will offer money towards kennel or cattery fees if you happen to be taken ill and there is no one around to care for your pet. This is a case that many owners don’t consider when deciding whether or not to go ahead with pet health insurance, but it is one that could cost you real peace of mind should you ever find yourself too poorly to care for your feline friend.
• Accidents caused by your animal: The first assumption we all jump to when thinking about pet health insurance is the health of our dogs and cats – but what if your animal isn’t the one that is injured. Some pet health insurance plans cover third party injury, which may be required if the animal involved inadvertently harms another: what if it runs in front of a car and causes it to swerve?
• Longstanding illness: Most pet health insurance plans will not allow you take out cover after your animal becomes ill. So if your dog, cat or rabbit gets health issues that aren’t caused by an accident you could have years of very expensive vet bills in the years to come without the safety offered by pet health insurance.

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Pets blogs

Animals and families

 

Some families just aren't complete without an animal - whether it's a cat or a dog, or a goldfish or even a *cough* tigeradoodle, animals bring colour, fun and enjoyment to many homes.

What kind of pet you decide on will dpend on a lot of factors:

Space - if space in your place is at a premium, large breeds of dog won't make for a practical type of pet

Money - again, if you don't have a lot of cashflow bandwidth, then any pet that eats large amounts or needs a lot of care isn't going to be a possibility - 

Then of course there are other more specific concerns - allergies withing the family itself or within close relatives who visit often could pose a problem with certain types of pet. Another concern might be noise - if you live in modern housing with thin walls, a loud dog might not be a hit with the neighbours.

One concern with animals is injusy or sickness and given that vet fees aren't cheap that's no wonder. But the cost of animal treatment can be brought down by taking out a pet insurance policy which helps to give peace of mind as well.