Tag Archives: christmas

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Winter cat care

Winter is now definitely with us! With the colder days and dreary weather, it’s time to take a close look at our feline friends and the ways the lower temperatures might impact them at this time.

Cats are better suited to warmer days than cold, which means you need to remember a couple of things to ensure that your pets will be comfortable during the winter months.

Read our blog for the best tips on how to make your home into a cosy cat corner!

Will my cat feel the cold?

Just like us, cats can feel the cold and will be bothered by low temperatures. In fact, as warm-weather animals, our domestic felines are more at ease during a warm day than during the dreary season.

Barring some exceptions, most breeds don’t have thick coats and they take a long time to dry if they have been out in the rain or the snow, putting them at a significant risk of hypothermia and frostbite. This means that it’s best to provide a warm, dry place for your cats to rest that is always available to them.

This is especially important for pets that spend a lot of time outdoors, as they risk being stuck in dangerously low temperatures without shelter or losing access to their water supply if it freezes.

To help with this, always make sure that cat flaps are not blocked by snow, that there is a comfortable resting place waiting for him or her and that fresh, non-frozen water is always available.

My cat doesn’t go outside, do I need to do anything for him or her?

Many owners prefer to keep their furry friends exclusively indoors, with access to a fenced-in ‘catio’ or going out for walks with a harness. Even though they are less exposed to the elements, indoor-only cats can also suffer from the cold!

Help your cat spend a comfortable winter by:

  • Limiting the time that they have to spend in the rain, wind or snow;
  • If you go out with him or her, always make sure to dry off coat and paws;
  • Checking if his or her microchip is up to date, in case they escape and get lost;
  • Moving pet beds away from draughty rooms and providing warm covers or clothes, in particular if your cat is elderly or has thin fur.

I’ve heard about antifreeze, is it dangerous for my cat?

As the temperatures drop, it’s also critical to ensure vehicles have the right concentration of antifreeze in the radiator so you can avoid any mechanical failures.

Unfortunately, this might put dangerous fluids in contact with curious pets, either via spilt bottles or due to pipe leaks. Antifreeze is severely toxic, but it does not taste bad, which might tempt furry friends to try to drink it or accidentally ingest it via grooming.

Even small amounts of antifreeze can cause fatal kidney problems if not treated in time, so if you think your cat might have ingested it, talk to your veterinarian as soon as you can!

 

In summary, don’t forget to:

  • Make sure that outdoor cats have a safe place to rest when the temperatures drop as well as permanent access to fresh, non-frozen water;
  • Increase the comfort of your indoor-only cats with a warm bed away from cold draughts;
  • Keep an eye on any antifreeze spills and talk to your vet immediately if your pet might have ingested any.

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Preparing your pets for Christmas

Have you ever considered what the hustle and bustle of the holidays feels like for your pets? This is especially important during Christmas, when things at home are usually the most chaotic.

While Christmas might still seem a little time away, knowing how to prepare adequately can help spare your pets a lot of stress. The most important thing is to ensure the least stress possible for them, including managing safe resting spaces away from guests, preparing any stays in the boarding kennel or cattery ahead of time, or being careful to maintain their routines while everyone is on holiday.

Continue reading to know how to make the upcoming winter season even better for your furry friends!

Altering routines can be a source of stress for pets

As we’ve mentioned before, routines are essential for the well-being of companion animals, including feeding times, exercise, walks, and knowing who to expect at home.

For the most part, your pet will appreciate knowing what his or her days will be like and when we change that abruptly, it can cause a fair amount of stress. Putting up lots of decorations, having the kids in the house all day, or hosting many family members or friends during this season can all cause significant disruption.

To help manage that, consider:

  • Keeping food and exercise times as stable and predictable as possible;
  • Limiting the frequency and number of guests your pets are forced to be around;
  • Creating a quiet and comfortable room that is just for him or her to rest away from stressful parties or people.

Some animals are more sensitive than others and will demonstrate their stress in different ways. As such, if you notice your four-legged best friend is struggling during this time, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

Finding a reputable boarding kennel, cattery or sitter can take time and research

While travelling with pets is becoming much more popular, with a wealth of pet-friendly destinations that let you have a great time without worries, many owners still prefer to arrange for their furry friends to stay at home or in a local boarding kennel or cattery.

However, finding the perfect solution can take time to research and many reputable places or sitters are usually booked up well in advance! As soon as you know you’ll be away for a while, start arranging for pet care, as this will enable you to choose somewhere that your pets will find as comfortable as possible.

If you’re unsure where to start, your vet will often have some good recommendations for you!

Pets with special needs are likely to need a bit more attention

There are many ways that pets may need a little more attention during the festive season!

Pets who are older, who are suffering from chronic pain, or who are not used to being around a lot of people are likely to feel stressed or uncomfortable more easily.

If you’re able, consider what you can do to better meet their needs during this busy time of the year and try to provide as many solutions as possible to ensure a great Christmas season!

 

In summary, you can prepare for a great winter season with your furry friends by:

  • Making an effort to keep feeding and exercise routines as stable as possible, plus creating comfortable resting spaces for them away from disruptions
  • Preparing ahead of time for when you will be absent, as good boarding kennels, catteries or sitters can get booked up quickly
  • Ensuring that your pet has all of their needs met, especially if they are older or have chronic conditions that need special attention
  • Speaking to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about preparing for the holidays

 

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Christmas and pets

Christmas and pets

For most of us, Christmas is a magical season, full of wonder and opportunities to reunite and spend time with those we love the most.

But when it comes to our pets, things can rapidly turn sour if we’re not careful so please do take some precautions!

Read our blog post to learn more about avoiding Christmas accidents and keeping your pets safe and stress-free during this season.

Toxic food and plants

How can something so delicious be harmful to our pets?

When it comes to seasonal delicacies, sharing is not caring. Chocolate, raisins, sultanas, onion, garlic, alcohol, and xylitol, to name a few, can be toxic to our pets, so make sure to keep traditional foods to yourself.

Some seasonal plants, such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, poinsettia and lilies, are also potentially dangerous if ingested, so keep these out of your pets’ reach!

Dangerous decorations

Presents, tinsel, ribbons, baubles, fairy lights, even the Christmas tree itself… The possibilities for mischief are endless during the holiday season!

If your pet’s curiosity is sparking, ensure that they don’t have access to decorated areas, because if inadvertently swallowed, Christmas ornaments can lead to choking, gastrointestinal obstruction or worse, perforation of the bowel.

Altered routines

Pets are creatures of habit and are likely to benefit from having set routines regarding feeding, going out, playing and sleeping.

If the timing of any of these elements is disrupted, it can lead to stress and even behaviour issues that we don’t want to occur.

Try to keep your pets’ routine unchanged even as the holiday season gets more stressful and if any accident happens, avoid scolding them, as this can aggravate the situation.

Pets as presents

Lastly, we’d like to raise awareness of the issues regarding offering pets as a gift to children or friends.

Though a wonderful experience, pet ownership is a long-term commitment of both time and resources and is not a decision that can be taken lightly.

Before you consider adopting a pet for your family or offering one to someone else, make sure you research and are able to sustain this commitment.

Nobody wants to spend the holidays at the vet, so don’t forget to keep a close eye on your pets during this season and ensure that they have a lovely time with the Christmas festivities!

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Keep lilies away from your cats!

Keep lilies away from your cats!

As the festive season fast approaches, we will likely start decorating our houses and receiving gifts from family and friends!

Flower arrangements are a beautiful way to kick off the Christmas season, but unfortunately, pet owners need to be careful when bringing some plant species into close contact with their cats. Lilies are common flowers in arrangements and can easily find their way to your house via a well-intentioned loved one, but these lovely plants can be deadly for your feline friends.

Keep reading to know more about lily toxicity and kidney damage in cats.

Why are lilies dangerous for cats?

Species of lilies in the Lilium and Hemerocallis genus produce extremely toxic substances for cats, attacking the kidneys and may cause irreversible kidney failure, especially if ingestion has occurred over 18 hours before receiving treatment.

All parts of these lilies are highly toxic, as well as anything they are in close contact with, for instance, the water in the pot.

Some of the most dangerous lilies are:

  • Easter Lily;
  • Rubrum Lily;
  • Stargazer Lily;
  • Japanese Show Lily;
  • Tiger Lily;
  • Daylilies;

This list is not exhaustive! If you are looking to buy flowers or received any as a gift, always ensure it is not a dangerous species.

It’s important to note that some species have ‘lily’ in their common name, but they are not part of the groups of lilies that cause deadly toxicity in cats. While these other lilies might not cause fatal kidney failure, some can cause cardiac or digestive problems, so always check before you bring them in to your house.

If you’re unsure, double-check with your vet or keep these away from your home altogether to avoid any accidents.

My cat might have ingested a part of a lily, what can I do?

If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of the plant, including pollen that might have landed on his or her fur, or drank water from a pot with a lily in it, please contact your vet immediately! Even a tiny amount can lead to fatal poisoning.

Prompt medical assistance is vital to give your pet the best chance to recover with the least amount of permanent kidney damage. Even though some cats might go on to make a full recovery, this is not guaranteed, even when treated quickly.

The best way to avoid this situation is to keep any lilies away from your cats, both inside the house or in the garden!

Key takeaways:

  • Lilies of the Lilium genus and Hemerocallis genus are highly toxic for cats and can cause irreversible or even fatal kidney damage when ingested; 
  • All parts of the plant are toxic and even a small amount can be deadly; 
  • If you suspect your cat has ingested a dangerous lily, this is a medical emergency! Do not delay in contacting your vet; 
  • When bringing new plants into your home, always check the species to ensure that they are not toxic for your pets.

Would you like to know more about cats? Check our Feline Courses:

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Christmas safety and pets

Finally, it is the week of Christmas, and we can’t help but feel excited! It is true that this is not going to be the Christmas that we wished for, but we hope you still get to enjoy the holidays as best you can, and the warmth that characterises this season.

There are things that do not change, however, which is why we have dedicated this blog post to raising awareness of some common seasonal hazards for our pets!

Decorations

Sparkling baubles and dangling tinsel – what pet would not be intrigued by all this shine and movement?

Make sure your pets cannot access any kind of Christmas ornaments as these can cause severe gastrointestinal problems if accidentally ingested. The same applies to ribbons and wrapping paper, and make sure that your pets are also not interested in chewing on fairy lights.

Also, be mindful of snow globes as these often contain antifreeze inside, which is highly toxic to our four-legged companions, even if ingested in small amounts.

Ornamental plants such as poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly, for example, are also toxic to pets, so keep these safely out of their reach!

Delicious, festive food

We’re the first to admit that it is hard to resist the puppy eyes, especially during this time of the year. We’ve all heard the expression ‘Sharing is caring’, right? On this particular matter, wrong!

The rich food we usually enjoy during the holidays is too fatty for our pets and can lead to gastrointestinal problems and even life-threatening pancreatitis.

A number of festive foods that we also enjoy have toxic ingredients in them as well, including chocolate, xylitol, raisins and sultanas.

What about just a piece of meat with the bone? The answer is still no as bones represent a significant choking hazard and, if ingested, can perforate the digestive tract.

 

Even if you’re careful, accidents can happen. Make sure you familiarise yourself with your vet’s opening times and phone numbers during the holidays in case you need to make an emergency visit, and, if you have any concerns, the best thing to do is seek veterinary advice.

 

Happy Christmas from the team at The Pet Professionals!

Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Are you planning for a puppy under the Christmas tree?

If you have children, we are sure Santa’s letter has been written, posted and already at the North Pole ready for the elves to process, and many of those letters will have the wish for a puppy this Christmas.

You may also be planning to gift a puppy to a friend, as pet ownership is such an amazing and rewarding experience.

Despite your best intentions, getting a puppy for Christmas, or giving a puppy as a gift is a decision that can go wrong if the recipient is not ready to take on the responsibility.

We’ve written down some things for you to ponder before giving a puppy this Christmas.

 

#1: Does the gift receiver want a puppy?

Do you know for a fact that the person you’re planning to give a puppy to wants a puppy? Or is a puppy something you think that person might enjoy? Even if a person does share the wish to have a puppy, he or she might have no knowledge of what it takes to take care of one, so it might not be a good idea to give one as a Christmas gift.

 

#2: Commitment: time and money

Let’s take a moment to name just some basic puppy needs: space (including a sleeping area, feeding area, and puppy-proofing the house), toys and walking items (collar, harness, leash, poo bags), health care (including regular worming, flea and tick treatments, microchipping, vaccination, neutering and health insurance), nutrition and training.

Can the recipient provide for all these needs? Does he or she have the time to toilet train the puppy, walk it multiple times a day or afford veterinary care?

And if you’re getting a puppy for your child, keep in mind that children lose interest! When that happens, you’re going to be the one responsible for caring for that puppy. Also, even though children should be encouraged to participate in taking care of their puppy, there are particular needs that they will not be able to meet, such as training for example, as they are not mature enough to take on certain responsibilities.

 

#3: Puppies grow!

They may all start out as 100 g of adorableness but, depending on the breed, puppies can grow up to 70 kg adult dogs!

If you’re set on getting a puppy this Christmas, make sure you get a suit breed to the receiver’s lifestyle. Do not give a Bernese Mountain dog to your friend that lives in a one bedroom flat!

 

#4: Preparation comes first

Even though you may want to plan the puppy’s arrival for the morning of the 25th to make it a magical surprise at Christmas, please make sure you have prepared everything that the puppy might need in advance (its space, items, food, etc.).

It might be wiser to offer a hint instead, such as a food bowl, a dog toy or dog treats, and pick up the puppy later if he or she is willing (and able) to take the responsibility.

 

#5: Where are the puppies coming from?

You basically have two options: you either adopt/rehome a puppy or buy one from a breeder.

If you are considering buying a puppy, please do thorough research and only buy from responsible breeders as puppy smuggling and illegal puppy trade tend to increase during this time of the year.

 

#6: Alarming numbers

Keep in mind that a boom of unwanted animals being carted off to pounds and sanctuaries always happens shortly after the holiday season. More than 600 pets were abandoned around the festivities in 2015. In 2016, it was reported that the Dogs Trust saw a 54% increase in the number of dogs abandoned at their shelters around Christmas.

If you are considering offering a puppy this Christmas, make sure you won’t be contributing to the rise of these numbers.

 

#7: Timing

Are you expecting to have a lot of fuss this Christmas? With children running around in excitement, playing and singing, wishing for Santa to arrive?

If you are, this might not be the best time to introduce a puppy to his or her new home. Depending on previous socialisation experiences, he or she might not feel comfortable suddenly being around such festive chaos.

 

For puppies and for every other pet, please make sure they will be wanted, and they will have a home not only for Christmas but for the rest of their life.

The Pet Professionals team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy new year!

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