All posts by petprofessionals

Cats

Could you please stop that?!

Cats are loving animals that utterly captivate us and, let’s face it, we couldn’t live without them! But have you ever thought about the number of things they seem to come up with just to annoy us? We’ve put together a list of the ‘Top 4 Most Annoying Cat Behaviours’, and are going to take a moment to try to figure out if our cats are deliberately trying to make us crazy.

#1: Scratching

If you have a cat and a sofa, you know what we’re talking about. Usually, we scold them and shoo them away to stop. But we shouldn’t be reprimanding them for doing something that comes naturally to them.

Scratching is used for claw maintenance and communication. Cats have special scent glands in their paws, so besides creating a visual mark that identifies the scratched object as their own, they’ll also leave their distinctive scent that reinforces this message.

The best approach to scratching is not to stop them from doing it, but to provide appropriate alternative structures that they can scratch.

#2: Running around at 3 am

Sleeping all day, running around all night; this is the one that might actually make us go insane.!

Again, cats are naturally more active at night. It’s just how they’re biologically designed. But you can teach your cats to be active at different, more convenient hours by feeding them and encouraging them to play during the morning and earlier evening hours.

#3: Dead – or worse, dying – presents

Cats are brilliant hunters. Even when they are properly fed, they still hunt out of instinct. In the wild, cat mothers bring home dead, injured and even live prey to progressively teach kittens how to eat, kill and hunt themselves. Male cats do this too, and it has been theorised that there might also be an element of bonding in this behaviour as well.

The ideal outcome in this situation is if the ‘teaching experience’ doesn’t get dropped on our face!

#4: Always on top…

… Of our heads, if we’re sleeping and miss breakfast time. Well, this one is on us, we can’t blame the cats.

… Of whatever we’re trying to do: this one has a simple explanation. Even though they might not overtly admit it, our cats love us and are just trying to get our attention. Either that or the laptop is feeling warm and cosy, and it is obviously the best place for our fluffy sovereigns to sit on.

… Of the kitchen counters: cats like vertical territory and the kitchen counters/table/bookcase/refrigerator just happen to be higher than the floor. This also comes out of instinct, since cats are both predator and prey and being on higher ground will give them access to a wider visual field.

… Of wherever, knocking things over – specialists haven’t gotten to a consensus on this one, so we guess this is the one that has got to be on purpose! (Or well, maybe they just want our attention and don’t realise how pricey that vase was…)

The bottom line is: no, our cats are not trying to annoy us, these behaviours are deeply rooted in cats’ natural survival instincts and come out naturally for them. We just have to find alternative ways for our cats to express them. If we’re being honest, this is what makes us love them so much anyway.

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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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Horses

Equine Therapy

Animal-assisted activities and therapies have benefits that have been recognised for a long time, and equine therapy is no exception.

As the name indicates, this type of therapy makes use of horses to help people who are dealing with physical, emotional and mental problems, such as attention deficit disorder, autism, Down syndrome, depression, motor skill problems, and many others.

Even though horses are very large animals, it is their gentle nature that makes equine therapy so successful. Horses are great at reflecting people’s emotions, as they are very perceptive and pick up and respond to minimal sensory information. This and the fact that horses have some response and social behaviours that are like our own make it natural for people to establish a connection with them.

With the assistance of certified professionals and through interaction with horses, people learn to cope with their disabilities and associated hurdles. They learn how to deal with specific situations, overcome difficulties and achieve emotional growth, as well as developing their communication and socialisation skills.

This is accomplished through activities that fit each individual’s character and preferences such as horseback riding, horse care, horse grooming, saddling and basic equestrian lessons.

If you have a horse, you’re probably familiar with the sense of calm and freedom that they can instill in us, but it is great to know that they can also help people who are struggling as well. As Churchill once put it “There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man”, and horses have been proving him right.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Cats

‘Purr’fect Summer Body

Even though your cats won’t be self-conscious about exposing their chubby bodies on the beach this summer, you should be concerned because overweight and obesity, for people and for pets, shouldn’t be seen only as an aesthetic problem. Those extra pounds are harmful to your cats’ health and well-being, as overweight cats are more likely to develop heart problems, joint complaints, respiratory issues, and diabetes among others.

So, what can you do to help your feline friends shed those extra pounds?

There are many approaches to weight loss, and you should always seek veterinary assistance before you start your cat on a weight loss journey. One of these approaches is through taking advantage of a cat’s natural behaviour. If you try to create an environment as close as possible to a cat’s life in the wild, not only will they start to lose weight but they will also be happier.

The first thing you’ll need to address is their food intake. Are your cats eating the right amount of food? How many times a day are they being fed? Is the food you’re feeding them appropriate to their life stage? Are you giving them extra treats? A cat’s natural instinct is to eat small amounts of food, several times a day so try distributing their allowed food into several small portions throughout the day.

The other significant component of virtually every weight loss strategy is an increased activity level.

If your cats are severely overweight, a gentle, gradual start in increasing their activity level is needed. You can do this by making their feeding area a little more difficult to access (e.g. placing their eating bowl in a higher platform), or using a puzzle feeder, adding an extra challenge to an every-day routine.

You can engage in playful activities with your cats by tapping into their predatorial instincts simulating moving prey with different kinds of toys, which will encourage chasing and pouncing and will increase their activity overall.

Having a cat tree or a tall structure that your cats can climb onto is another great way to encourage them to play and stay active, as cats are naturally drawn to higher places which enhance their field of vision significantly.

As cat owners, you’ve probably been awoken several times by strenuous running around at 5 a.m. This is because cats are naturally more active at dusk and dawn and that’s when they’ll be more motivated to play. But don’t let this stop you! You can teach your cats to be more active at more convenient hours.

You’re probably also used to seeing your cat run like crazy for five minutes and then lose complete interest in playing with you or even moving at all. Cats have evolved to move around a lot for short periods of time and then rest for a good while, so don’t be surprised if they don’t care much for playing with you for longer than 10 minutes.

The bottom line is really to get your cat moving, so if you find an effective way of doing so, you’re doing it right!

Keep in mind that weight loss is a challenging, sometimes frustrating journey, but if you keep at it and be patient, you’ll soon see results!

<a href=”https://www.thepetprofessionals.co.uk/courses/feline-courses.php”>Would you like to know more about cats? Check our Feline Courses:
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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.

Would you like to know more about dogs? Check our Canine Courses:

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Horses

Navicular Syndrome

 

Horses have very particular anatomy and physiology. They are very large animals, and their weight is all supported by 4 hoof-covered phalanges or fingers.

Yes, you read that correctly! Horses only have one complete finger in each limb, and the last distal phalanx (the coffin bone) is covered with the hoof, and it’s the only structure that makes contact with the floor. This is one of the reasons horses are so prone to developing lameness problems.

One of these problems is navicular syndrome. This syndrome affects a tiny bone named navicular bone that moves with the two last phalanges. Navicular syndrome usually affects the front limbs of the horse, and one foot is often in worse shape than the other. This syndrome can have many causes and can result in different clinical signs, the most common one being lameness. Overweight horses are more prone to developing this condition.

If you have a horse with navicular issues, you may notice him or her appear lame in one (initially) or both front limbs. While lunging, you may notice lameness on the inside limb in both directions. You may also notice he or she sets their feet toes first. Lameness is usually more evident after work/exercise and gets better with rest.

Unfortunately, navicular syndrome is a degenerative condition, and the navicular bone suffers alterations over time with inflammation and density loss. The soft tissues around it may also be consequently affected.

Since this is known to be a progressive degenerative condition which is usually painful and can cause disabling lameness, navicular syndrome always needs to be addressed and managed so your horse can maintain a good and active life.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Cats

Cats and allergies

Cats can have allergies just like we do.

There are three large groups of allergic reactions that can affect cats: flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), atopy and food allergy. If a cat has one type of allergy, he or she is more prone to have the others as well.

Allergies are caused by an inappropriate inflammatory reaction to allergens that are naturally present in the environment. Cases of FAD and atopy appear when the allergen comes in contact with a susceptible pet’s skin or inner lining of the mouth/nose. In food allergy cases the allergen is ingested.

Allergies are all typically associated with moderate to severe itching and excessive grooming, which often results in skin lesions.

Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by the allergens present in the flea’s saliva and in such cases the skin lesions are more frequently distributed along the cat’s back and base of the tail. Sensitive cats require very little exposure to show clinical signs. It can occur in cats of any age, sex, or breed.

Atopy can be caused by a number of different allergens found in the environment, like in grass, dust mites or pollens. Sometimes, it has a seasonal occurrence. You will generally find skin lesions on the face, abdomen, hands and feet. The disease usually occurs in cats aged between six months and five years, and purebred cats seem to have a higher risk of suffering from this condition than domestic shorthaired cats.

Food allergy can be caused by different ingredients in your pet’s diet such as chicken, rice, lamb, amongst others. You may notice an increase in the number of times your cat uses the litter box or that he or she doesn’t produce nicely formed stools. Food allergy can affect cats of any age or sex, although Siamese and Burmese cats seem to be more predisposed to suffer from this condition.

Allergies are not very easy to diagnose because they cause clinical signs that are commonly seen in other skin conditions. Allergen testing and elimination diets can help reach a diagnosis.

Managing these allergic conditions depend on each particular case. For some pets it can be as simple as keeping your cat’s flea treatment up-to-date, while others may require lifelong therapy.

If you notice your cat is itching more than usual or showing any other signs that something is not as it should be, take your pet to the vet.

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!

Uncategorized

Can Cats Get Sunburns?

Can cats get sunburns?

When it comes to our feline friends it is very easy to either not consider or dismiss the possible harmful effects of the sun on their skin.

The truth is, their skin is very similar to ours, (give or take some fur!), and, as such, is just as prone to sunburns as ours. Of course, not all cats have the same risks of getting sunburned and we need to be a little more careful with some that are more at risk.

Cats who have light, short hair are at most risk but even cats with abundant dark fur can still get burned in places with less hair density such as ears and around the nose. Why is this important? It means their skin can be damaged by solar radiation, which can be both immediately painful if it gets burnt and also have long-term consequences due to increasing the chances of certain types of cancers developing.

Sunburns are a big risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that can be quite hard to manage as it invades surrounding tissues very easily. So, please keep an eye out for injuries or burn on your cat’s ears and face, if you see red and tender skin that’s a good indication that something might be wrong. You can help prevent this by applying pet-safe sunscreen, keeping your cats away from the sun during the noon hours and providing them with a lot of shady places they can hide in.

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

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Uncategorized

Insect Hypersensitivity

Insect Hypersensitivity

With summer just around the corner it is a good time to remember some of the seasonal issues that affect horses.

Some horses may suffer from insect hypersensitivity which is caused by the bite of several insects such as flies and mosquitos. Insect hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction caused by insect bites, the severity of which can depend on the sort of environment that your horse is in.

The good news is that in the UK, there is a low incidence of insect hypersensitivity and it is mostly an issue during Spring and Summer due to the rise of the number of insects. If animals travel to places where flies and mosquitos are more abundant, such as countries where the temperature and humidity are higher, they might encounter these issues more frequently.

Horses present with an intense itch and skin papules with the possibility of self-inflicted trauma due to scratching. This situation can progress to severe erosions, skin crusts, hair loss and even bacterial infections.

Some breeds such as German Shire horses, Icelandic horses imported from Iceland, Arabians and Quarter horses seem to have a genetic predisposition insect hypersensitivity but if you think your horse might be suffering from this condition, please speak to your vet and they will do the necessary tests and assessments to manage it.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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