Cats

Introducing your new cat to your resident cat or cats

Cats 8 - Introducing your new cat to your resident cat or cats width=

If you have a cat and if you are considering getting a new cat, it is very important to plan things ahead and to take some time to make all the necessary introductions. This approach will greatly contribute to reduce any tension that may arise between the two cats, avoid possible conflicts and to turn the process into a smooth and pleasant experience for both of them.

Initially the new cat should be confined to an area or a room with everything he or she needs: food, water, a litter box and a few spots where the cat can rest and hide. During this time it is important for the new cat to spend time with all the family members. This will help the cat to gradually adapt to its new home and become comfortable with its new family.

Once your new cat has adjusted and feels confident in its new environment you can start with scent introduction. Use a cloth (or several cloths) to collect the scent of your resident cat by gently rubbing it on its face and body. Then present it to your new cat, allowing him or her to smell it. The same should be done for all resident cats and the scent of the new cat should also be collected and presented to your resident cats. You can also rub these cloths on objects that your cats usually rubs against and switch their bedding to keep this process going.

When they are first presented with the other cat’s scent, your cat may freeze, back away from the cloth or even hiss. It is important to give your cat time to get used to the new smells and when your cats display positive reactions to each other’s scent you move to the next stage.

Allow your new cat to explore the rest of house without the others cats being present. Your new cat will then be able to get to know where to go if he or she feels insecure and needs to get away or hide. Once your new cat feels confident in that new space as well, you can introduce your cats.

At first, allow them to interact in a controlled environment where they can only see and smell each other (without any direct contact). A good idea is to use a mesh panel or to jam a door leaving it just slightly open so they can get to know each other, one on each side of the door. If there are any signs of aggression none of the cats will be able to harm the other. You can also offer both cats some food at this time so they associate this meeting to a positive experience.

When both cats are not showing any fearful or aggressive behaviour they can then be allowed to meet and get to know each other without any barriers between them. Always make sure you have enough important resources available for each individual cat such as litter boxes, feeding and drinking areas, resting and hiding spots.

This can take from just a couple of weeks to a couple of months as some cats will move through this process quicker than others. It is very important not to rush these introductions and you can also use commercially available pheromone diffusers for cats to help them feel more relaxed! Lack of social harmony among cats can lead to chronic stress, unwanted behaviours and health problems.

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Horses

Why do horses bolt?

Horse 28 - Why do horses bolt

Bolting is the word used to define a fear-based reaction of horses, where they run off, out of control, and their rider is unable to stop it.

The root of this behaviour is in the fact that horses are prey animals. In general, animals can be categorised as fight or flight animals, depending on how they respond to a threatening situation, such as dealing with predators for example. While some animals resort to fighting by biting, kicking or attacking using their natural weapons such as horns or antlers, others will flight and run from the situation.

Horses are flight animals and when they feel scared their natural response is to flee from the perceived threat. Domestic horses are usually trained to handle and to cope with less comfortable situations without resorting to this behaviour. However, sometimes their natural instincts will take over.

Some horses are more likely to bolt than others, as this also depends on their personality. Horses can be in such a state of panic that they will bolt and completely disregard the rider and all attempts to stop. Others might just take off and eventually the rider is able to calm them down.
In some cases, horses can take off not so much out of fear but due to lack of schooling, because their rider allows them to race with other horses, because they are not doing enough exercise and sometimes because they are high spirited and energetic. This tends to happen more often in open spaces where the horse can canter or gallop.

Bolting is a very dangerous behaviour as it can be extremely unpredictable. Horses have been known to run onto roads, straight into vehicles and fences, putting not only themselves but also the rider and everyone around them in danger. This can be very scary and have a huge impact on the riders’ confidence as their safety is compromised and they experience a frightening lack of control over the situation.

If your horse is showing this behaviour and if you are struggling to handle with it please take the time to approach all possible causes. Search for veterinary assistance and make sure your horse is physically well, as pain is often a strong motive for sudden changes in character.

Ensure the bit has the right size and that the tack fits. Please take the time to work on building your horse’s trust and to really get to know him or her. Some horses may need to be carefully schooled in order to better understand the rider’s commands, others may need to get rid of their excess energy before being ridden and many give off signs that they are feeling insecure and becoming stressed, which allows the rider to manage the situation before it turns into something more serious. It is very important for your horse to feel relaxed, secure and it is also very important for your horse to trust you.

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Cats

Tips for owners that have more than one cat

Cats 7 - Tips for owners that have more than one catCats are extremely popular pets and many owners will often have more than one feline companion in their household. However, not all cat owners are aware that their cats’ social behaviour is very different from a dog’s social behaviour and the impact these differences can have in their health and well-being.

Cat societies, weather we are talking about two cats or ten of them, are mainly composed of social groups. In the wild these groups are usually formed by females who are related to one another and that live together cooperating in protecting, feeding and caring for their kittens. Males will often be on the periphery of the group, breeding most of the females in their territory and rejecting other males in general. They keep their distance from other social groups and they do their best to avoid direct physical aggression.

This means that they don’t have a hierarchical structure since they don’t necessarily need to cooperate in order to survive. As a result, when owners try to keep more than one cat in the same home, social compatibility becomes an important issue.

Cats that belong to the same social group will gladly spend time together, sharing the same rooms, enjoying the same resting spots, and grooming each other. Cats that do not get along will do their best do avoid each other. An owner with two cats can have two separate social groups in its home.

While this avoidance behaviour often prevents more serious conflict it will lead to chronic stress and it can condition a cat’s access to important household resources such as food, water or the litter box. A cat will actually drink less water if going to the water bowl means having to deal with a cat he or she would much rather avoid. Many house soiling issues can also be due to the lack of social compatibility among the cats in that area.

A common misconception among cat owners is that their cats get along because they will get together when you are feeding them. However, many cats simply tolerate other cats during that time because food is too important to dismiss.

Keeping all of this in mind, here are a few tips for homes with more than one cat:

  • Provide your cats with multiple resources in different locations – provide different areas where your cats can eat, drink, rest and hide so that all cats are able to have individual access to these resources while trying to avoid another cat.
  • Keep several litter boxes available, ideally one for each cat and one more on top of the total number of cats. Cats that belong to the same social group will often share litter boxes, which means that in some cases, less litter boxes will be needed.
  • Please consider social compatibility when adopting more than one cat or bringing a new cat home. In general, young kittens, an adult cat and a kitten or two adult cats of opposite sexes are more likely to get along. Don’t rush introducing your new cat to the one/s you already have and if you need advice talk to your veterinary surgeon or to a qualified cat behaviourist.

Social harmony among all the cats in a household is key to prevent unwanted behaviours, chronic stress and future health problems.

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Cats, Dogs

Slug pellet poisoning

Dogs 33 - Slug pellet poisoning

During wet weather the number of slugs and snails increases dramatically as this type of weather provides an ideal environment for these animals. Slug pellets are commonly used to control their numbers in order to protect our gardens, orchards and vegetable farms.

Although they are meant for slugs and snails, unfortunately these bright blue or green-coloured pellets are the cause of several cases of poisoning in dogs and cats. The problem is that slug bait often contains metaldehyde, a substance that is toxic for our pets and for our wildlife.

This type of poisoning can affect dogs and cats but it is more commonly seen in dogs. The pellets are toxic even if ingested in small amounts. Severe clinical signs can occur about an hour after ingesting the pellets and it is very important for owners to be aware of this type of toxicity, since poisoned pets will need urgent veterinary treatment.

Affected animals will show incoordination, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, twitching, tremors and seizures (fits) and possibly respiratory failure. As with all types of poisoning the sooner your pet receives treatment the better are its chances of making a full recovery.

The safest way to protect your pets from this type of poisoning is to avoid using these dangerous chemicals in your garden. If you need to use slug and snail bait you can choose a pet friendly product (pellets that do not contain metaldehyde) or you can make sure you keep your pets away from the areas where these pellets are used.

It is also very important to always use the slug and snail bait following the instructions on the package to the letter. Avoid spreading excessive and unnecessary piles of pellets to minimise the risks.  Many cases of poisoning resulted from inquisitive dogs that swallowed entire boxes of pellets found in their homes so please make sure you keep the package stored safely!

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Cats

Socialisation is not just for dogs! The socialisation period is very important for kittens too!

Cats 6 - Socialisation is not just for dogs

In general, we hear a lot about puppy socialisation and how this process is extremely important for the character of the adult dog. However, this critical and sensitive period is important for all species and this includes our feline companions!

Just like as it is with dogs your kitten’s first experiences are crucial and will shape its behaviour and personality as an adult cat. Cats that are not properly socialised are far more likely to be nervous, anxious and scared which will then lead to behaviour problems. Adequate and early socialisation on the other hand, will lead to friendly, relaxed and well-adjusted adult cats!

Ideally the socialisation process starts when the kittens are still with the breeder or with the owner of the litter. A kitten’s socialisation period is between 2 and 14 weeks of age. During this period kittens are much more open to new experiences and will handle them better.

During this time it is recommended for kittens to spend time with their mother and with their litter mates, to contact with different people (adults and children) and with other animals. Kittens should be exposed new things such as smells, sounds, places and new environments. Ideally during this time they can get used to all the things that will probably be a part of their lives someday such as litter and litter boxes, cat flaps, cat carriers, being groomed, household appliances, car trips or going to the vet.

They should also be handled frequently and gently in order to become friendly and approachable. Handling should include being lifted and gently restrained by familiar an unfamiliar people. This must be done in frequent but short sessions as you don’t want to force the kitten but rather gradually allow him or her to handle and feel comfortable in new situations. These experiences should then be continuously reinforced throughout the kitten’s life.

Providing a wide variety of positive experiences during this time of a kitten’s life will provide him or her with necessary life-skills to cope with their future challenges, will contribute to a stronger bond between them and their owner and will have a tremendous impact on its lifelong welfare.

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Horses

According to a recent study electric fencing causes no more stress on a horse than normal fencing

Horse 27 - Electric fencing causes no more stress on a horse than normal fencing

The use of electric fences to keep horses from escaping their designated areas or fields has become very common all over the UK. However, there are some concerns regarding the negative effects these electric fencing systems can potentially have on horse behaviour, causing chronic stress and reducing the use of the accessible space.

According to anew Swiss study, the researchers have found no evidence of stress in horses as a result of being contained within electric fencing. However, the study concluded that horses in electrically fenced and small paddocks would use less available area and were less likely to roll.

Twenty horses between the ages of six and eight-teen years old participated in this study and researchers measured their stress responses while they were kept in four different grass outdoor enclosures. These areas had two different sizes and were equipped with either wooden fencing or electric fencing. The smaller areas had 12.25 square metres and the larger areas had 36 square metres.

The horses were systematically rotated between the four areas, spending 90 minutes in each one. The scientist focused on quantifying any stress responses of the horses kept in these paddocks and during the experiments they recorded their behaviour on video so they could later evaluate their behavioural patterns and the use of the available paddock area. While on the different enclosures the horse’s heart rates were measured and samples of saliva were obtained for cortisol analysis as well.

According to this study, there was no difference between the two fence types in the overall analysis of all the stress-indicating parameters and it did not matter whether the enclosed area was large or small. This means that based on the measured physiological parameters the horses did not display any more stress for being in an area with an electric fence than the ones that were on wooden-fenced areas.

However this study also showed that horses in the electrically fenced and small enclosures moved around less, using around 50 centimetres less of the available space (the border area). The horses in these paddocks were also less likely to roll.

This study shows the importance of the paddock’s size for these animals, since horses that have space to move around and exhibit their normal behaviour are much happier.

http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591(15)00094-5/abstract?cc=y

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Cats

Cats and milk

Cats 5 - Cats and milk

Many cats seem to love drinking milk and will react very enthusiastically when their owners offer them that treat. However, what many cat owners are not aware is that milk might not be the best thing for your cat.

Cats only really need milk when they are very young. To digest lactose, the sugar in milk, cats need an enzyme called lactase and this enzyme’s activity declines when cats grow up. After weaning, they gradually lose their ability to digest lactose, often becoming lactose intolerant.

For these cats this means that when they drink milk and the lactose in it reaches their intestines, it cannot pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. The lactose will remain on the intestines, drawing water from the intestinal walls and cause the gut flora to become unbalanced. By this time fermentation sets in and large amounts of gas are produced. All of this causes abdominal pain, occasionally vomiting and diarrhoea.

Some cat owners often try to offer their cats goat’s milk but it has just as much lactose as cow’s milk, so it is very unlikely to be any better. Our recommendation for all cat owners is to stop giving milk to your cat, if he or she feels abdominal discomfort or gets diarrhoea. The truth is that cats only really need water and good quality food to be healthy.

If your cat really loves milk and you are reluctant to deprive him or her of that treat you can always buy “Cat Milk” (lactose-free milk) from pet food stores, vets or supermarkets, which is basically milk that had most of its lactose removed and is less likely to cause these harmful reactions.

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Cats, Dogs

Health benefits of pet ownership

Dogs 32 - Health benefits of pet ownership
Most pet owners have probably already heard or read somewhere that there are many health benefits associated with pet ownership. Although there is still controversy over these results, many scientific studies have been suggesting that pets can bring advantages to their owner’s health.

Studies have shown that people with pets had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who did not have pets, even when matched for weight, diet and smoking habits. It has been proved that pet owners will exercise more on average (even if it is just mild exercise) than people that do not have pets. This makes perfect sense given that responsible pet owners will spend time and energy caring for their pets and dog owners in particular, will take their canine friends for walks.

It has also been proved that dogs can reduce stress. Stroking a pet or simply having them in the same room can temporarily lower a person’s blood pressure. Other studies suggest pet owners have a lower cardiovascular risk and among the humans that have suffered a heart attack, pet owners seem to have higher rates of survival.

There also seems to be lots of benefits for children. Studies have suggested that growing up with pets can decrease the chances of suffering from asthma, ear infections and reactions to airborne allergens.

The benefits for children don’t seem to stop there. Pets can not only be a playful companion but they also play a very important role in the development of a child’s personality. Pets teach children important life-skills such as taking responsibility, managing their time, sharing and caring for others. Some studies have reported that children who grow up with pets become more nurturing and empathetic adults.

More research is necessary to fully clarify these findings. One thing is certain. Pets can help their humans from a psychological perspective. Pets are excellent topics to start a conversation and pet owners find themselves sharing stories about their pets with other pet owners, without even making much effort for that to happen. Just the fact that pets can help us make friends can indirectly, help reduce our feelings of isolation, depression and enhance other positive feelings such as self-esteem and self-worth.

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Dogs

Heatstroke in dogs

Dogs 31 - Heatstroke in dogs

Warm weather means enjoying outdoor activities and for dogs and dog owners alike these are great news! It’s time for pleasant walks outside, outdoor sports and even going for a swim! However the summer heat can be a bit too much for our furry companions so this is an excellent time to remind owners how to recognise the signs of heat stroke and what they should do if they see a dog in distress.
A dog suffering from heat stroke will present excessive panting, drooling an abnormally high heart rate and an anxious behaviour. As the condition progresses the dog may seem confused, uncoordinated and their gums and tongue turn red. Some dogs will present vomiting and diarrhoea. In a small amount of time the dog can collapse, go into shock and ultimately die.

Many of these incidents happen because people are not aware that dogs can’t handle high temperatures very well. Unlike us, dogs can only sweat through their foot pads and they lose body heat mainly through panting. This means that they are unable to lower their body temperature as efficiently as a human would and it means that if the air around them is hot as well, panting becomes very ineffective.

If you notice any of the previously mentioned signs on a dog the first thing you need to do is to remove the dog from the heated area immediately. Then you must gradually bring the dog’s temperature down and take it straight to the vet. Offer the dog frequent but small amounts of cool water at a time and apply cold, wet towels directly to the dog’s skin in the abdominal area, groin, head and neck. You can also use cool fans and air conditioning to help dissipate the heat.If possible, take the dog’s rectal temperature every 10 minutes. As soon as it reaches 103°F (39°C) you can stop with the cooling efforts since from that point on the dog will be able to stabilise its temperature on its own.

Ideally you should proceed with the cooling measures on the way to the vet. Dogs suffering from heat stroke go through severe dehydration, which can cause internal organ damage. Even if a dog seems to have recovered after the cooling process, it is still recommend to be brought to the vet as soon as possible.
This information is very important for all dog owners. If owners are able to quickly recognise the first signs of heat stroke they will be able to act immediately and save that dog’s life!

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Horses

Equine castration

Horse 26 - Equine castration
Equine castration is a very common procedure in which the veterinary surgeon removes both testicles from a horse under the effect of anaesthesia. This procedure is usually carried out for management issues and to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Stallions often become very difficult to handle as they get older. They may try to establish herd dominance by fighting with other male horses and they will also try to mate with the females, leading to unexpected and unwanted pregnancies. This procedure removes the testicles, which are the primary source of hormones, decreasing the horse’s display of male sexual behaviour. After neutering horses become more docile and a lot more manageable. The procedure will also prevent other problems such as testicular tumours and inguinal hernias.

Colts can be castrated at any age but if owners want to avoid the appearance of sexual behaviour, horses should be castrated by the time they are two years old. Vets often prefer to castrate earlier as it this usually means less risks and complications.
The procedure can be done at your home or at a veterinary surgery. It is usually carried out during autumn to avoid the flies or during spring to avoid the wet winter weather.
Your veterinary surgeon will always do a complete physical examination on your horse to make sure he is fit for surgery. In addition, it is very important for the horse to be protected against tetanus. If the primary course of vaccinations is not complete, tetanus antitoxin will be administered at the time of castration to provide immediate protection against the disease.

There are different techniques to perform this procedure. The surgery might take place with the horse standing and under heavy sedation or more commonly with the horse lying down. In general this is a safe surgery and castrated horses experience very few postoperative complications, but as with any operation there are risks. Although the incidence of anaesthetic deaths is low it can occur in healthy horses and for no apparent reason. Other risks include post-operative bleeding, injury as a result of a poor recovery once the anaesthetic wears off, scrotal herniation and infection.

Some swelling around the area after the surgery is normal and it usually takes 3-5 days to disappear. The wound can take up to 3 weeks to heal and the horse is usually able to return to work after a month.

Most wounds heal without any complications but it is recommended to monitor the horse closely after surgery. If you notice that the swelling seems to be getting worse or lasting longer than expected, if you notice any material protruding from the incision site, excessive bleeding or if the horse seems depressed and with lack of appetite, contact your veterinary surgeon for advice.

It’s very important for horse owners to remember not to turn their colt out with mares for three months after the procedure as they will potentially remain fertile during this period.

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