5 Things your Dog Loves

Our dogs always keep us entertained and we’ve noticed that they have some pretty strange habits, but what are the top 5 things that our dog loves to do?

1. Making his own bed:

How adorable is that? Your pet loves to feel comfort just like you and will try and make their resting area a place that they can completely relax. They also tend to walk round in circles prior to settling in their bed, which is said to be a habit that goes back thousands of years when dogs would make nests for themselves in grass. This would mean that their scent was on the area so other animals would know that they’d claimed this territory.

2. Listening to music:

You probably already know that your perfect pooch is faultless at sniffing things out with his fantastic sense of smell, but did you know that they have a fantastic sense of pitch, too? When they hear another dog speak, they purposely alter their pitch so that they are seen as being unique. Research also suggests that classical music calms down our furry friends, whereas metal music makes them feel nervous. Spoken lyrics are also identified as preventing dogs from feeling lonely; hence why some owners like to leave their television or the radio on for their pup to listen to. If you sense that your dog is feeling lonely, it may be worth getting in touch with your pet insurance provider who can put you in touch with a vet to give you some more tips on kerbing his loneliness.

3. Experiencing new places:

Your pet probably gets super excited when they hear the beloved word ‘walkies’ echo through your household, but it’s always fantastic to allow your dog to experience new surroundings. There’s so much to see and sniff in a new atmosphere and walking in different settings helps develop your dog’s strength and endurance, as well as keeping them stimulated.

4. Doing chores:

Dogs, like humans, love to have a sense of purpose. Whether they’re busy looking for food, or protecting their family, dogs are bred specifically to work. If you fail to acknowledge your dog’s natural inclination to help out, it can often mean the dog is not stimulated, which may lead to behavioural issues. You can train your dog to do simple tasks, such as fetching the newspaper, or your slippers if you don’t trust them with a mop and bucket just yet!

5. Saving things for later:

Well, we definitely don’t mean food when our dog’s concerned, but any type of jewellery is snatched by our pup! After doing some research, it would seem that dogs are highly attracted to sparkly objects and they stash it away for later, because prior to being domesticated, dogs buried any food that they had to preserve it. For other dogs, it may be a way of keeping active or a way to be near your scent when you’re away at work.

Does your dog have the same loves as our furry friends? We’d love to know more of the odd things that your dog loves to do over on our Twitter, or Facebook pages.

Is Catnip affecting my Dog?

If you’re like us, you’ll definitely have more than one pet; the more the merrier! There’s some items that our cats love, and some that our dogs love, but can they appreciate each other’s toys and is it safe for dogs?

Is Catnip safe for my dog?

The simple answer is YES. Catnip actually contains minerals such as magnesium, as well as Vitamins C & E. Some claim that essential oils found in catnip can actually help keep your dog’s digestive system healthy, but it’s always best to check with any vet recommended by your pet insurance provider if you’re planning on giving your dog catnip as medicine.

Does Catnip have the same effect on my dog as my cat?

We’ve all seen our feline friends become pretty excited when around catnip, and wondered if it can have the same euphoric effect on our dogs, but unfortunately dogs simply don’t respond to catnip in the same way. Your dog will probably have a play with anything containing catnip, purely due to curiosity. Some say that catnip actually makes their dogs rather lethargic and have used it as a nerve tonic for them before visiting the vets.

Are Catnip toys safe for my dog?

Whilst a little catnip may be okay for your dog, catnip toys aren’t designed for them and therefore try to avoid giving them to your dog. All dogs love to chew and the chance of your pup swallowing any filling, or rattles within the toy is where the hazard lies. Try to keep these toys out of reach of your dog to prevent any unnecessary danger.

If you need further advice, please feel free to contact us on Facebook, or Twitter, or your pet insurance provider will be happy to put you in touch with a vet for more information.

Does my cat have diabetes?

We’ve been seeing a lot of talk about diabetes diagnoses increasing for humans in the next few years, but do our cats suffer from the disease, and how can we be sure if they are?

What is feline diabetes?

The official name for cat diabetes is Mellitus, which is actually pretty common in older, overweight cats. It occurs when there isn’t a sufficient amount of insulin in your cat’s body to balance out any sugar in their diet – so it’s pretty similar to diabetes in humans.

If your cat isn’t suffering from the disease, their food will be broken down when they digest it and the remaining sugar will enter the bloodstream. Insulin is then released, which regulates glucose levels; in a diabetic cat, this process does not happen. If too much sugar builds up in your cat’s body, it can be very dangerous, and if you suspect that this is happening you should always contact your pet insurance provider for further advice.

How do I know if my cat is suffering?

Symptoms of diabetes in cats can be as simple as obesity and old age. If your cat is older and slightly overweight, it’s best to keep an eye out on them more closely; if their water bowl goes dry and food is being consumed much more rapidly than usual, this could be a sign that your cat has diabetes. Frequent urination is often linked to the disease and is often assign that your pet’s glucose levels are unregulated. Your pet insurance provider can always put you in touch with a vet who can run tests to check how much sugar is in your cat’s urine and blood and will be able to give you a diagnosis.

What if my cat does have diabetes?

If your cat is diagnosed with having diabetes, they may need to receive regular insulin injections or be prescribed pills which will keep their sugar levels regulated. You’ll also have to revisit your pet’s diet and feed smaller portions, which have been designed by your vet to help handle your pet’s sugar intake. There isn’t necessarily a sure cure for diabetes, but even after a few months, some cats stop needing insulin as their pancreas can successfully supply the correct amount of insulin that their bodies need.
If you need further advice, please feel free to contact us on Facebook, or Twitter, or your pet insurance provider will be happy to put you in touch with a vet for more information.

Face Fines if your Pet isn’t Microchipped from TODAY:

Microchipping technology isn’t actually something new and exciting, despite it being a predominant news story over the past few months. It’s been around for about 25 years, however it hasn’t previously been a necessity in England, Wales, or Scotland. 

We’ve all been hearing stories about the new microchip law for months now, but what does it mean for us and our pets, and why is it now a legal requirement?

According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, more than 1 million dogs have yet to be microchipped, despite the new law making it compulsory. It will not replace current requirements for dog’s to wear collars with their owners name and address, however will limit risks of your pet being unidentifiable.

Is there an age requirement?

Your dog must be microchipped by the time it is eight weeks old; if your local authority discover that you aren’t complying with this new regulation, you will have up to 21 days to fit one or risk being fined a maximum of £500.

 How is the microchip inserted?

The tiny chip is inserted in your pet’s neck and contains a unique code that helps your dog to be identified should they get lost on a regular walk, or unfortunately stolen. Any local authority, animal shelter, or vet can scan the chip and connect you to your pet instantly from details stored on a database.

 Where can I get my dog chipped?

We’ve seen over on Twitter that Dogs Trust are offering a free microchipping service which is fantastic news. Some vets and local councils will also be chipping dogs with no cost attached, but it’s best to check depending on your location.

 How do I know if my new pet is microchipped?

If you’re considering buying a new dog or puppy, you should ask for proof that the chip has been fitted prior to getting your new pet. The seller should have some paperwork to state that the dog has been microchipped to put your mind at ease.

Compulsory microchipping is already prevalent in countries including Northern Ireland, who have seen a steady decrease in the number of stray, lost & abandoned dogs. If you have yet to microchip your dog, be sure to make this a priority. We’ll be happy to answer any questions over on our Twitter, or Facebook pages. Alternatively, contact your pet insurance provider, who will provide answers to any further queries or questions that you may have.

Introducing a puppy to your kids

The two most wonderful things in life in our eyes: puppies & kids. Believe it or not, your child and your pet actually have quite a bit in common; they’re both inquisitive, impatient and are eager to try new and exciting things (and more often than not, it won’t be in the safest way)! With this in mind, ensure that their first meet is supervised so that the outcome can be as precious as you hope, and imagine it to be.

Be Mindful:

A child will often be incredibly excited when a little ball of fluff enters their life; they are likely to be eager to rush up to your new pet and start patting him, which could provoke a negative reaction from the puppy. Be mindful of this, and let the dog nose his way to the child, rather than letting your child approach the dog instantly. Your kids should also be prepped that dogs have zones of space which need to be respected. When a dog is within its intimate zone, the child shouldn’t approach them, unless the dog has explicitly indicated that it’s okay to do so. Explain that dogs get frightened too and they should remain calm and quiet, rather than shouting and using animated arm movements.

Know Limits:

If your new pet is showing signs of being uncomfortable with your child, don’t force it. The whole family should learn to know to stop play if signs of dominance are being shown from your pet. You should model the way you want your kids to approach their pet; once they learn this at home, they’ll learn the safest way to approach other animals outside of your family, too.

Encourage Patience:

Patience wouldn’t be the first thing that springs to mind when we’re talking puppies and kids, but it’s really important when introducing a new pet to the household. Between the age of eight and ten weeks, your puppy is still exploring the world. During this period, they can be a little over excited and may become defensive if your child echoes this sentiment, so remember that slow interactions help every member of the family to learn what feels fun to do, whilst knowing that they’re safe in one another’s company.

Include Everyone:

Your dog needs to be walked regularly to reduce the risk of fatigue and a possible pet insurance claim, which can also a fantastic excuse to exercise for the whole family. This will help the owner-dog relationship to naturally progress between your child and your pet, and in turn help both to mature together. Learning commands and looking after the puppy is another great way to grow the bond; have your child feed and clean up after your pet which will help teach responsibilities and create an inseparable tie between the family members.

If you need more tips on introducing a pet to the family, you can talk to us over on our Facebook, or Twitter pages. We’d love to see some pictures of your new pet, too!