December 16th, 2011
Christmas is one of the most dangerous times of year for our pets. With extra food, decorations, and hustle & bustle around the house, their health and well-being can be affected. Follow our tips for peace of mind about your pets’ safety this Christmas.
1. Food: Unfortunately, our holiday favourites are among the foods most dangerous for pets. Turkey is especially hazardous – the pointy bones can cause choking or a punctured digestive tract, while the fatty skin will give them an upset stomach. Avoid feeding them turkey meat that has come into contact with anything onion-y – onions are toxic to cats and dogs.
Chocolate is probably the biggest food risk for pets at Christmas. Depending on the type of chocolate, the size of the animal and the amount of sweets consumed, it could result in hyperactivity, seizures or even death in dogs. It will not take them long to sniff out a wrapped box of chocolates under the tree or to gobble every single edible hanging decoration.
Other festive ingredients that must never be given to pets include raisins, apricots, cherries, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, coffee, salt, garlic, and of course, alcohol.
2. Plants: As with festive foods, the plants we bring into our homes around Christmas are annoyingly the ones that put our pets at risk the most. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias can be extremely poisonous if eaten. If you feel your home just wouldn’t have the same Christmas feeling without this seasonal greenery, please do make sure that your pet can’t get their paws on it.
3. Tree: Your Christmas tree is actually one plant that is not toxic to pets if ingested. However, it does pose a threat in a number of other ways. First of all, it must be anchored very securely so that a climbing cat won’t knock it over. Place shatterable or sharp baubles high up on the tree or reconsider using them all together. Similarly, keep hot fairy lights out of reach of inquisitive kittens to avoid burns. Tape down or conceal the electrical cords of the lights – it could prove very dangerous if nibbled upon.
4. Decorations: Besides the tree, there will be other decorations around the house that are a risk for your pet. Tinsel, ribbons, wrapping paper and string are all favourite playthings of cats but could cause serious intestinal damage or choking if ingested. From artificial snow to candles to plastic cracker toys, Christmas accoutrements should be positioned around the home with care.
5. Guests: Although having much more people over than usual will probably not directly harm your pet, it could cause them undue stress and annoyance. Loud family gatherings can leave your pet overwhelmed and irritated by the fact that their territory has been taken over.
During particularly busy visiting times, you might want to set aside a secure room in the house to give your pet some peace and quiet. This will also ensure that they cannot slip out the front door, unnoticed amongst all the comings and goings. It is very important throughout the year, but at Christmas please do make sure that your pet has proper identification, just in case it gets lost outside.
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Dogs, Pet Care
July 22nd, 2011
No Comments
Pet Expo returns for its 5th year on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of October. Held in the RDS, it offers families and animal lovers the chance to meet with adorable pets, wonder at more exotic ones and chat to professionals about health and care.
Pick up a treat for your dog in the Barks and Spenders shopping mall, enter your furry fashionista into the Petchums.com ‘Best Dressed Dog’ Competition or bring along your well-socialised pooch just for a mingle.
The Pet Expo is not just for dog lovers however, and has all sorts of pets covered. Fans of other animals can get interactive with remarkable creatures in the Worlds of Cats, Fish, Birds and Reptiles. Kids will especially like the cuddly critters to be found in the Small Furry Friends Corner. The folks from Newbridge House & Farm will also be there with their flock of more traditional farm animals.
New for 2011 is the Pet Adoption Area. Here, visitors can meet potential new additions to their families and learn about what pet adoption entails. Pet Expo strives to promote responsible pet ownership and the health and welfare of all animals.
With a wealth of indoor and outdoor animal exhibits and special entertainment just for kids, Pet Expo 2011 makes for a great family day out.
Tickets are €10 per adult, €6 for children and seniors, while Family tickets start from €30. They are available at the door or can be pre-bought from the Pet Expo 2011 website shortly.
Check out how we got on at the Pet Expo in 2010 and 2009!
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Dogs, Events, News, Pet Care
July 8th, 2011
One Comment
1. Why is my cat marking its territory?
As feline-lovers will know, cats are extremely territorial creatures. Have you ever noticed your cat rubbing its cheek against you? This is them marking you with their scent to let other cats know that you are ‘taken’. Things get annoying for cat owners when they begin to take their territory marking too far. Defensive tomcats are especially prone to ‘spray’ urine around their environment – which is very different to normal urination.
Cats often spray if they are experiencing stress – has there been a change to their routine or a new addition to the household? Are they feeling threatened by other cats in what they see as their turf? The spraying should stop once they get used to the new circumstances or if the cause of their stress is removed.
Neutering of cats will usually stop their tendency to mark their territory.
2. Why does my cat have a runny nose?
Runny noses in cats are not uncommon and can occur for a number of reasons. Discharge from just one nostril could mean a blockage in the nasal cavity, caused by dust, pollen, or grass. This is usually not a cause for concern and will probably sort itself out.
Things get more serious when there is fluid coming from both nostrils – mites, infections, allergies and the cold can cause this and are all quite treatable. Owners should take immediate action if they notice a bloody discharge from the nose as it could be an indication of a nasal tumour.
3. Why does my cat vomit?
Although it is quite upsetting to see your cat vomiting, there is often nothing to worry about. It can oftenlook and sound like a graver problem than it actually is. In a lot of cases, a cat vomiting will be a good thing – it means that their body is getting rid of something that the naughty cat really shouldn’t have eaten or that they are just coughing up a fur ball.
If the vomiting lasts for more than 48 hours or if it contains blood, a trip to the vet is in order. It could be a sign of something much more serious such as a viral infection, a blockage in the digestive system, kidney disease or cancer.
4. Is my cat too fat?
There are a few ways in which you can check if your cat is too heavy. A cat of a healthy weight should have the following characteristics:
If your cat fails any of these quick checks, there could be a weight problem. Overfeeding is of course the main cause of feline obesity. You probably know yourself if you are guilty of over-indulging your pet and will know that you really should could down on treats and large portions. Obesity will greatly reduce your cat’s lifespan, so please do not spoil your cat with food.
Your vet will be able to give you more diet advice specific to your own cat.
5. Why has my cat stopped grooming?
Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits. They love to stay clean, but they also groom to stimulate circulation and regulate body heat. If you notice that your cat has changed its usual clean-freak tendencies, you will know that something is up.
Signs that your cat has stopped grooming can be spotted quite easily. Their coat will become greasy or coarse rather than silky. There might be knots and matted parts on their fur and their paws can become stained. Healthy cats will never smell bad or leave food particles on themselves.
Common causes of the cat’s lack of interest and ability to groom are old-age, obesity and illness. Arthritis, pain or simply too much body weight will make it difficult for them to get to those hard-to-reach parts of their body. Owners should help their cat out by combing and petting their fur – this will also help absent-minded cats to remember the grooming process.
If you can’t determine a reason for the cat’s less than pristine appearance, your vet should be able to pinpoint the cause, allowing you to properly deal with the problem. You should try to make lifestyle changes or have the cat treated for possible illness if their grooming is affected.
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Pet Care
July 4th, 2011
Comments (3)
Jaxs, an eight year old Jack Russell, has finally been given the chance to frolic in the park with other dogs – thanks to specially made boots. The UK terrier unfortunately suffers from a serious allergy to grass, which causes fur loss and skin sores if he comes into contact with just a single blade.
Owner Maria, had tried medication, bandages and socks to try to prevent allergic reactions, but has found that the canvas booties do the trick. Jaxs is so attached to his boots that he keeps them in his basket and picks them up in his mouth before his daily walk.
”As soon as I get the lead he runs off and gets his boots and if another dog comes round or anyone tries to pick them up he will run off and protect them,” says Maria.
These simply made boots have given a new lease of life to Jaxs. According to experts, grass allergies are more common than most would expect, and methods like this provide a simple solution to a serious problem for dogs.
By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, News, Pet Care
June 29th, 2011
No Comments
.jpg "Chaffinch")
A common misconception is that feeding birds during the summer months will make them too reliant on human help for the rest of the year. Although the birds in your garden will benefit most from winter feeding, food shortages can happen at any time of the year. Wet summers will cause a real lack of insects, while exceptionally dry summers will mean that birds won’t have access to worms in the dry soil.
The summer months are the best for bird-watchers – the longer days will allow you more time to enjoy the goings-on of your back garden residents. Birds will be in the process of rearing their new family at this time, giving bird fanciers the chance to spot the little ones getting to grips with the outside world. Your bird feeding table or area will be perfect for this.
Birds need high protein foods during this time, especially as they will be moulting. Foods such as sunflower seeds, sultanas, raisins, melon seeds and a mild grated cheese will really give birds a boost of energy. Cut a soft apple, pear or cooked potato in half and the birds will happily peck at it. If you leave out dry bread for the birds, moisten it first. Be sure to leave out plenty of water too.
Many commercial bird mixes contain peanuts. If you are using one of these mixes, make sure that it is enclosed in a mesh container that will only allow birds to get small chunks of the nuts. Whole peanuts are a choking hazard for baby birds. Please ensure that all the food you put out is suitable for chicks – it could do more harm than good if parent birds take it back to the nest with them.
To get to know the birds in your garden a little better, here is Bird Watch Ireland’s Top 20 Garden Birds.
By Sinéad. Posted in Pet Care
No Comments