Category Archives: Dogs

Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Firework Season

With the firework season fast approaching we’re getting excited about the festivities; however, many dogs are terrified of the zips, whizzes, bangs and other loud noises.
Noise phobia can manifest in different ways, and the signs usually progress over time unless action is taken. But how can you tell if your dog is stressed? As an owner and everyday companion, you’ll probably know even if you can’t explain precisely why.
For some dogs, it’s very easy to notice when they’re stressed as you’ll see them drooling, trembling, putting their tail between their legs, vocalising, pacing around, trying to hide, acting destructively (digging, chewing, breaking things) or attempting to escape. Other dogs show more subtle signs of stress such as panting and yawning that can sometimes be missed.
Even though they may be doing things that they shouldn’t like pawing at the doors or evacuating indoors, you should never reprimand your dogs for displaying fear, as this will cause them even more distress and have adverse long-term consequences.
With that in mind, we prepared this post with some tips to help you prepare for the upcoming days so you can try to minimise your dogs’ stress.
BEFORE THE EVENT
– Talk to your vet
There are medications and pheromone diffusers available that may help instil a feeling of calm for your dog. Your vet will be able to indicate what’s best suited to your dog’s case.
– Create a safe area for your dog
This should not be done on the day of the event. You can prepare a space for your dog in advance and let him or her get to know it before anything happens so that it feels familiar and safe when the fireworks start to pop. This can be in a separate, quiet room, or can just be a bed/crate, a place where you know your dog feels secure. Add some toys, a favourite blanket or even some of your clothes to reinforce this feeling and make it even cosier.
– Walk your dog earlier
Fireworks are usually let off in the evening or at night so make sure you’ve walked your dog earlier to avoid being outside when they start.
Also, a tired dog is a more relaxed dog, so make sure you allow lots of play time to get the desired effect!
Keep your dog on a lead while you’re walking and make sure the identification tag and microchip information are up to date in case he or she gets spooked and runs off.
– Bring your dog indoors before fireworks are let off
This will prevent your dog from escaping in fear and inadvertently getting lost.
The sounds produced by the fireworks will also be less audible inside. To further muffle the sounds or distract your dog from them, you can switch the tv/radio on. Closing the curtains can also block the flashing lights going on outside.
– Did someone say treats?
If your dog is food-motivated, having some treats to hand out before all the noise starts might be a good way to distract and keep your pet entertained throughout all of the commotion. Chews, activity feeders and toys stuffed with food make excellent, long-lasting treat options.
THROUGH THE EVENT
You should stay calm and act normally as dogs react strongly to our emotions and behaviours. If you are behaving differently, your dog will assume things are quite bad!
If your dog is relaxed, give lots of praise for calm behaviour. Petting and cuddling can be an option if you feel it might help your dog settle, but if he or she would rather hide in the safe area you prepared or under your bed, then let your dog do this instead and try to keep disturbances to a minimum.
It is very important that your dog has choices available during times of stress or fear as most dogs will naturally find their own safe place.
WELL IN ADVANCE
We’ve covered some short-term options for you to help your dog through the fireworks; however, prevention is always the best approach.
If you have a puppy, teach him or her to accept a wide range of noises from an early age. Just like socialisation, this will help your puppy grow into a balanced, happy, confident dog.
As for adult dogs, you can also train them to accept different noises, it will just take a bit more time and patience as they may already have fearful experiences associated with them. This type of training is known as desensitisation and counter-conditioning and should be done with the assistance of your vet or a qualified behaviourist. Just keep in mind that this is going to be a gradual process, so you should seek help at least 3 to 6 months in advance.
We hope you find this helpful and wish that you have a great time during the firework season!

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Cats, Dogs, Horses

Reward-based training

Training is an activity that can not only be useful in your daily life, but it can also be gratifying for both you and your dogs. By spending quality time together, you’ll strengthen the bond between you and your dog, keeping your pet mentally stimulated. It will take some time, patience, and lots of treats, but soon you’ll start seeing results!

In this post, we’ll focus on reward-based training though there are a number of different methods for training your dog.

To keep it simple, reward-based training consists of rewarding your dogs when they do something that you want them to do.

A reward doesn’t necessarily mean a treat (surprisingly, some dogs are not very food-motivated!). It can be anything from verbal praise to fuss or cuddles, whatever you feel your dogs will enjoy the most.

As for unwanted behaviours, just choose to ignore them! That way, they will not lead to the desired reward, and your dogs will soon learn that there is really no point in keeping up with them. They will be much more interested in performing the desired, rewarded behaviour instead.

Here is an example: when they sit on command, they get a reward. Soon, your dogs will start sitting more readily and voluntarily in anticipation, as they have learned that following the desired behaviour of sitting, there will be a reward.

This learning process happens by making positive associations between a behaviour and a reward. At the same time, your dogs will be making positive associations with training and you, the provider of rewards!

If you want everything to go smoothly, there are two things that you should keep in mind: timing and consistency. For your dogs to make the correct association between the behaviour you want them to do and the reward, your timing must be spot on. As for consistency, it will help your dogs learn much faster and with fewer mistakes, as you’ll be giving them clear directions on what you want them to do.

Even though dogs have been mentioned throughout this post, training is not only for them! The learning process is very similar across species so virtually every pet can be trained. You can even make training a family activity and get your children involved with pet care.

Why not take advantage of these last summer days, go outside and start training your dog today? If you need any help, we’re here for you!

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Cats, Dogs

Pet Passports

Taking our pets on holiday is a growing trend, and there is nothing like having your furry buddy with you on adventures abroad!

But did you know that your dog, cat or ferret will need a passport if they are going to travel with you outside of the UK?

Owners are responsible for ensuring that their pets are fully compliant with the rules of the EU pet travel scheme and, to do that, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your Vet so he or she can help you meet the requirements.

To have a passport issued, your pets will need to be microchipped, and before you’re allowed to exit the country with them, there are other requirements they’ll need to meet:

#1: They must be older than 15 weeks of age;

#2: They must have a valid rabies vaccination;

#3: Tapeworm treatment if needed.

While some EU countries will allow young unvaccinated pets to travel (subject to certain conditions), the UK does not permit this.

Tick treatment is no longer a legal requirement to travel; however, regular parasite treatments are usually advised whether your pet is travelling or not.

It is crucial to acknowledge that entry requirements vary according to the country you’ll be travelling to and failure to comply with them can mean your pet will be quarantined or sent back to the country it travelled from at your expense, so make sure that you have everything up to date!

If you have any more questions about travelling abroad with your pet, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

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Cats, Dogs

Taking your pet on holidays

Summer vacations are always fun but can be even better with the company of your furry friend! If you are planning to take your pet with you on holidays check out this list to help you prepare for the upcoming adventure.

1: Plan ahead.

If you want to have a stress-free holiday with your pet then this is the way to start.

2: Make sure your dog responds to basic commands.

It is important for dogs to be familiar with and respond to simple commands such as sit, stay, come and settle down. Dogs are friendly social animals by nature, but not all people love dogs like we do. It is important to respect other people’s personal space so that everyone can enjoy their relaxing time.

3: Schedule a check-up appointment with your vet.

If you want everything to go smoothly on your holiday, you should take your pet to the vet to ensure that he or she is healthy and able to go on this journey with you. This appointment will be important to check:

  • Your pet’s health status;
  • Electronic identification (microchip);
  • Passport and other documentation (if needed);
  • Vaccination status;
  • Worming treatments status;
  • Flea/tick treatments status;
  • Other treatments or tests that may be needed (this is especially important if you are travelling to a foreign country).

If your pet has motion sickness, your vet can prescribe some medication to make your pet more comfortable during your journey.

4: Booking.

When booking a place to stay you should always check if pets are allowed. If the answer is yes, there are still other things to verify:

  • How many pets are you allowed to take? This is important if you have more than one pet.
  • Is the pet allowed to stay in the room/bungalow/cottage by himself? If not, do they provide a pet sitter?
  • Is there enough space for your pet to run and exercise?
  • Are there any restricted areas where your pet is not allowed?

5: Itinerary planning.

If you want your furry companion to be part of your adventure, make sure you visit places that are pet-friendly. It is also recommended to get the contact information of a local vet just in case something happens (e.g. bee sting allergic reaction).

6: Packing!

Make a list of all the items you have to take with you so that nothing is left behind. The list should include: food and water bowls, your pet’s bed, your pet’s toys, poo-bags (or litter tray), your pet’s lead and collar with identification tags, your pet’s food and treats, medication and documentation. Many of these things can be bought later on but pay special attention to your pet’s food. Keep in mind that sudden changes in your pet’s diet can cause digestive upset.

7: Plan the journey

If your pets are not used to car rides, it’s a good idea to take them on short trips before the big one so they can get accustomed with the experience. It is also very important to keep your pet in a crate or secured with a dog harness for safety reasons. Make sure you make frequent stops along the way for bathroom breaks, for you and your pet to stretch your legs and to get some fresh air. Don’t forget to keep a bowl with you so you can offer your pet some water. Remember to never leave your pet locked inside your car alone, even if it is in a shaded area and with the windows open.

If you and your pet are flying, make sure to check all the airline’s recommendations.  For more information, you should also check https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

8: Get settled.

Try to make your room/cottage/bungalow feel like home. Find a place to put your pet’s bed, bowls and toys. A walk is the best way to explore the new environment and get acquainted with the new space. Dogs are creatures of habit so, if possible, stick to their feeding and walking routines.

9: Keep your pet safe.

Although you might love the idea of allowing your pet to explore freely and have some fun, you should always keep an eye out to see that he or she doesn’t get into trouble. Be especially careful with cliff edges, streams, wild animals, poisonous plants and other potentially dangerous things that your dog might chew and swallow.

Enjoy your holidays!

Dogs

Lungworm

What do you know about Lungworm? This parasitic disease can be found throughout the UK and owners should be aware of the signs as leaving it floating about in your dog’s body can have dire consequences.

First off, what causes Lungworm? This disease is caused by a parasite called Angiostrongylus vasorum that is carried by slugs and snails. Dogs come in contact with it by eating these snails and slugs, either by accident when they play around outside or on purpose, we know all too well that some dogs love seeking out exotic snacks!

Because snails and slugs thrive in damp and relatively warm weather, Spring is one of their high seasons and they will be lurking in a lot of places outside so do keep an eye out on what your dog is doing and eating outside.

Signs of a Lungworm infection include:

  • Breathing difficulties;
  • Coughing;
  • Trouble clotting blood;
  • Getting tired easily;
  • Weight loss;
  • Lethargy;

If you see any of these signs, take him or her to the vet for a check-up! If left untreated, these parasites can be fatal but fortunately treatment and prevention is possible and most dogs recover well if treated on time.

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Happy Easter!

We wish all our members and pets a very Happy Easter and we hope it is a very joyful time for you all!

But please don’t forget:

  • Chocolate is best out of reach of any pets as it contains theobromine which is toxic, particularly to dogs;

 

  • Sweets and cakes with raisins, sultanas, currants like hot cross buns or grapes can cause severe kidney damage in dogs if they are ingested;

 

  • Some beverages, sweets and even some brands of peanut butter have xylitol, a common sweetener that can be deadly to dogs;

 

With everyone having fun it is very easy to lose track of things that might be accidentally left at pet level. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that he or she shouldn’t have, or you realize something might be wrong, please don’t hesitate to take them to the vet!

Have a safe Easter!

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Dogs

Keep your dog’s flea and tick treatment up to date!

We know it’s still quite chilly out there at the moment, but that unfortunately does not stop all manner of bugs from gleefully jumping onto your dog!

It’s tempting to pay less attention to your pet’s external parasite treatment during the Winter months but they are still there, just waiting for a tasty host (and your pet or you might be on the list!)

Fleas and ticks are not only bothersome for dogs, causing itching and skin problems, but they also carry all manner of diseases that can sometimes pass onto other members of the household.

Fleas can be a big issue in sensitive dogs but they also carry a tapeworm called Dipylidium caninum which might even cause anaemia due to blood loss in large enough infestations, especially in young animals. This tapeworm causes anal discomfort and it can be infectious to children.

Ticks also carry the risk of causing anaemia if in large enough numbers but are host to bloodborne pathogens and cause Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis among others. While very different diseases, they mostly cause recurrent fever, weight loss, weakness, rashes and might even keep on causing problemns even after successful treatment. Take it from us, all of the above diseases are not something you or your dog want to contend with!

Fortunately, there are many easy ways to control external parasites in your dog and in your house. You can collect very effective treatments from your veterinary surgeon and if you have any questions or a particularly complicated case give your veterinarian a call or schedule an appointment.

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Dogs

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Some of us might be familiar with temporomandibular joint issues in humans, especially because they are particularly annoying and might even hinder our capacity to eat properly but did you know our dogs can also suffer from this problem?
Pretty much in the same way we can have pain, difficulty biting and closing or opening our mouth, our dogs can also have these same signs.

Depending on the cause, it can present in many different ways:
• Pain when eating;
• Difficulty opening or closing mouth;
• Excessive movement of the jaw, especially laterally;
• Crackling noises when yawning, eating or vocalizing.

Any dog regardless of age, sex or breed can have temporomandibular joint disorders, however specific causes of joint disorder are more frequent in certain groups of animals. One such form is called open-mouth mandibular locking, where a bone protrusion in the jaw locks in with the zygomatic arch, and we know this happens in more in Basset Hounds and Irish Setters.
Other risk factors that make animals more likely to suffer from this sort of joint disorders are young and free roaming animals because of injuries, animals that carry heavy objects in their mouth and animals that are at risk of an auto immune disease of the muscles responsible for chewing.
Think your pet might be suffering from issues in their Temporomandibular joint? Give your vet a call and they will be able to discuss your dog’s case as well as advise on the best treatment!

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Cats, Dogs

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We hope this was a productive and amazing year and we hope 2018 is even better! Wishes of all of the best this season has to offer from all of us here at The Pet Professionals.

While the New Year brings a lot of fun for us humans, don’t forget the challenges many pets face during these days.

Fireworks are everything but fun for our pets. The loud bags and whizzes are often terrifying to them and many cats and dogs get so scared they often run off in panic. Don’t forget to microchip your pet and/or update your details with the microchip company.

Creating a comfortable den for your pets to hide and feel safe when they are scared, is an easy and effective way to help them cope. This area should be away from any doors or windows, and should be covered with a duvet or a blanket to muffle out the loud sounds.

Taking your dog out for walks during the day and keeping your cat indoors is also a good idea if fireworks are expected. Closing doors and windows as well as turning the TV or the radio on can help muffle the sounds.

Other options include anxiety-support supplements, products and behaviour modifying techniques that make a huge difference in reducing your pet’s stress levels.

Talk to your vet to know what would be the best approach for you and your pet.

Help us spread the word about these issues and hopefully more pets will enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.

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Cats, Dogs

Merry Christmas to all!

 

A very Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Pet Professionals! We hope this season is filled with joy and warmth! We also want toremind all owners to keep their pets safe during Christmas and New Years’ celebrations.

Delicious foods and beautiful decorations seem to be everywhere right now. It’s important to keep in mind that our four-legged friends should not have access to many of these foods and that it is really worth keeping a close eye on them during this time of the year.

Chocolates and sweets are a big part of Christmas and these can be poisonous to pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that is toxic for them and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to a pet. Certain types of chocolate such as dry cocoa powder, dark chocolate and unsweetened (baking) chocolate should be kept out of their reach at all times.

Sweets not only have incredibly high levels of sugar but many often contain xylitol, an artificial sweetening agent that is also poisonous, even if ingested in very small amounts. Xylitol can be added to tea, to several other baked goods and it is even used in some brands of peanut butter.

Mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas puddings are not recommended since they are full of raisins and sultanas, which are also known to cause kidney problems in dogs.

Get some healthy treats ready for your furry companions and avoid feeding them with leftovers from Christmas meals. Although delicious, our Christmas feasts are high in fat which can lead to digestive issues and contribute to the onset of pancreatitis.

Pets usually love Christmas decorations, especially curious and playful cats. However, tinsel, string, ribbons and any other ornaments being chewed or swallowed are not only a choking hazard, but can also cause intestinal blockage. Cats and dogs nibbling on plants such as mistletoe, poinsettia and holly is also to be avoided as these are mildly toxic for them.

Help us spread the word about these issues and hopefully more pets will enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.

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