Top six summer reads for dog lovers

With summer in full swing and the temperatures rising both at home and away, what better way to relax than with a good book. At Paws & Claws we have compiled our six best reads for all you dog lovers!

Huck - Janet Elder

The true story of how one lost puppy taught a family and a whole town about hope and happy endings. Huck is a page-turning, unforgettable true story of the tenacity of one small dog, the unexpected, extraordinary kindness of strangers, and a family's devotion to each other. 

Sophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog - Emma Pearse

After falling overboard from her family's boat, Sophie navigates the treacherous waters of the Great Barrier Reef, washing up on shore of a wildlife reserve. This is the story of her life waiting for her family to rescue her and never giving up hope.

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog - John Grogan

This No.1 Sunday Times bestseller tells the heart-warming tale of how a wiggly yellow fur ball of a puppy could grow into a barrelling, ninety-seven pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever who would prove that unconditional love comes in many forms.

A Dog's Purpose: A novel for humans - W. Bruce Cameron

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog's Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness - Julie Klam

Julie Klam was thirty, single, and working as a part-time clerk in an insurance company, unable to meet a man she could spend her life with. And then it happened: she had a dream about a Boston terrier- a dream that practically hit her over the head. The companion she needed was not necessarily the one she'd had in mind.

Dog Years - Mark Doty

When Mark Doty decides to adopt a dog as a companion for his dying partner, he finds himself bringing home Beau, a large golden retriever, malnourished and in need of loving care, to join Arden, the black retriever. As Beau bounds back to life, the two dogs become Mark Doty's companions, his solace, and eventually the very life force that keeps him from abandoning all hope during the darkest days - their tenacity, loyalty and love inspiring him when all else fails.

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5 ways to keep your dog active this summer!

We love our dogs because of their playful nature and boundless energy and as such we need to keep them active and entertained to keep them happy. At Paws & Claws we love a happy hound so have collected five of our favourite ways to keep your pooch active this summer.

1. Mix up their toys

Dogs love to play and they often have favourite toys. If you are like us, you will have a box full of toys that are no longer used. To keep your dog interested and get your money's worth, try rotating the toys every few weeks, bringing out old ones and putting away the current ones for a later date. Mix up the variety to include a soft toy, something hardy to chew on and a ball or similar to fetch.

2. Embrace their wild side

Dogs love to scavenge, it is in their nature! So, whilst we discourage it from the dinner table, we should encourage it out in the garden or around the house. By hiding food and treats around, you will be making your dog work for their food, rewarding them for being active and sniffing out that snack.

3. Socialise

Dogs are social creatures, used to being in packs, they love the company of their fellow canines. By arranging play dates for your dog you will be keeping them active and building on their all important socialisation which makes for a happy and content pup.

4. Training

They say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" but we don't agree! Training and teaching our dogs new things can be great for keeping both their bodies and minds active and agile. If you have a new puppy you will have plenty to teach them and with older dogs why not practise what they already know, with a few treats of course. Training can be fun and rewarding for you both.

5. Get agile

Agility isn't just for Crufts. Why not set up your own homemade agility course, using buckets, chairs and your washing line as obstacles to weave around. Once you start looking you will be amazed at what household items can be used in your course and your dog will love it too.

Have you got any top tips for how to keep your dog active this summer? Like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter and share your tips with our Paws & Claws community today!

How to say 'Cat' in other languages!

Here at Paws & Claws we were so inspired by the Rio Olympics and loved seeing the world come together to celebrate staying active. In honour of all of the great countries that took part, we decided to share a few of our favourite ways to say Cat in other languages.

Chinese - 'miu' or 'mau'

Dutch - 'kat' or 'poes'

Ethiopian - 'domadh'

Finnish - 'kissa'

French - 'chat'

German - 'katti' 'katze' or 'ket'

Indian - 'biladi gujarati'

Italian - 'gatto'

Japanese - 'neko'

Pakistani - 'shimii'

Russian - 'kot'

Spanish - 'gato'

Turkish - 'kedi'

*There are too many countries to name them all, so we picked a variety!

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Images courtesy of Hidekaz Himaruya named Nekotalia series, in which he has created a series of web comic cats which share similar personalities and features to their nation. Further web comics can be found on his blog here.

Fat Cats – How to keep your feline fit and healthy

We’ve absolutely loved watching the Olympics and have been truly inspired to get moving and keep physically fit. It’s not just us humans that need to keep active, it’s your favourite felines that need to live a healthy and active lifestyle too.

Is my cat overweight?

Cat obesity is rising but it’s not always seen by cat owners, due to our unconditional love for our furry friends!

You need to be aware of your cat’s weight and whether or not it is overweight (or in some cases even obese!)

Whilst there are many factors that can cause weight gain e.g. type of breed, neutering or age, if your cat is medically well then the main reason why it may be overweight is because it is eating more calories than it is using (and this is usually down to us!)

We want the best for our pets right? An overweight cat can be at risk from numerous physical and health problems, that’s why it’s important to spot any signs of dramatic weight gain so you can eliminate the problem early, and if necessary get them checked out at the vets!

You can see if your cat is close to its ideal weight if you can see the waist behind the ribs (which should create an hour glass shape), you should also be able to gently feel the ribs with a minimal fat covering. If you are the owner of a long-haired cat take care that you do not underestimate your cat’s weight. 

Some examples of the health problems an overweight cat may experience are –

• Hepatic Lipidosis or ‘Fatty liver syndrome’, where large amounts of fat build up around the liver.
• Urinary Tract Diseases .
• Diabetes.
• Skin conditions and rashes.
• Lameness - an overweight cat is very likely to become lame and arthritic.

Apart from any medical conditions, the largest cause of cat obesity is humans, if like us you are a feeder and use food as a reward as well as feeding them meals throughout the day, your cat could be overeating!

There are a number of other reasons why your cat may be overweight or obese. Some of these reasons are -

• If your cat is neutered it does not need food for growth and needs 20-25% less calories.
• You should not be giving constant food throughout the day, but should be providing 3 or 4 separate meal.
• If they are mixed breed rather than a pedigree cat and are middle-aged you could be feeding them too many treats.
• House cats and lazy cats might not be getting enough exercise.

Encouraging your cat to play and run around will mean it burns off food efficiently and will not store the food as fat, this can be encouraged with toys including feather toys, electronic balls and cat teasers.

To ensure your cat has a long and healthy life, make sure you do all you can to feed it in the most appropriate way and spend time ensuring it has the as much exercise as possible.

Pet food packs often advise portion size, so try and stick to this. Be careful how you impose a new dietary programme as too rapid a weight loss can be life threatening. Speak to your vet or a vet nurse for advice. They will also be able to clarify whether or not the weight gain is due to a medical condition.

Do you have any tips for keeping a fit and healthy feline? Upload them on our Facebook page, or visit our Twitter and Instagram  to be a part of our Paws & Claws community! 

Moving house with your pets

Recently we’ve moved house with our furry friends, so thought we would share our top tips to make your next move go without a hitch.

Before the move:

Firstly, you need to decide if you want to put your doggie or moggie into a cattery or kennel for the day – this is really up to you and whatever you feel is best for your pet. If you do, we suggest using one that you’ve used before, as familiarity will reduce your pet’s stress levels.

If your pet will be there on move day, make sure you have a carry case for cats or a crate for dogs. In the weeks leading up to the move, get them used to it by leaving it around the house and use treats to reward them when they go in and out.

Make sure your pooch has new ID tags, with your new address and phone number in case they go walkies. Also, let your vet and microchip provider know of your change of address, so they have the correct details for your furry feline or playful pup!

On the day of the move:

Keep your beloved pet in a quiet and secure room to reduce stress, and don’t forget to let any removal staff, family and friends know not to let them out!

You could avoid feeding your pet that morning to prevent any accidents on the journey – but it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality!

When you get to your new house keep them in their carry case until they can be left in one room with minimum disruption. Placing familiar toys, their bed and water in the room will help them settle in.

Once the house is a little more peaceful it is time to explore – bear in mind that the unfamiliar surroundings and new smells can make your pets feel insecure. To help them feel at home you can gently rub a clean cloth on your pets face and then dab this around the house at their height, so they pick up their own scent.

After the move:

Routine is key, so try to keep any feeding and walking times the same as before.

Before letting your pets roam around your new garden, secure any holes in fences to keep Houdini in and block off any escape routes until they are familiar with their new surroundings. Cats should be kept in at least two weeks, so they don’t try and return to your old home and additional time is recommended if you have moved within a mile. It helps to walk around your property and garden together so they feel comfortable and safe and if possible, let them out before feeding time to ensure they return when they are hungry.

Remember that moving house is just as big a deal for your pet as it is for you. And, just like you they need time to adjust, so patience is key!

Do you have any handy tips or moving house stories of your own that you’d like to share? Upload them on our Facebook page, or visit our Twitter and Instagram  to be a part of our Paws & Claws community! 

5 ways to prevent your cat from hunting

Summer season can only mean one thing for cat lovers – an abundance of creatures that have sadly been hunted by our furry friends and brought into our homes as a ‘gift’. 

Here at Paws & Claws we’ve seen it all, from the usual voles, mice, rats and birds to squirrels, bats and moles!

We all know the infamous story of Tom & Jerry – the continuous struggle between the hunter and the hunted, but why do cats behave like this, after nearly 10,000 years of being domesticated?!

Cats are hunters by nature, and it’s their survival instinct and predatory behaviour, along with their playful nature that encourages this activity.

Throughout history cats were praised for their hunting techniques and were often used to keep the rodent populations down. Cats have retained the hunting instincts of their wild ancestors, this comes down to their bodies not producing much of an essential amino-acid called taurine (a building block of protein). Animals cannot survive without taurine for long and so cats make up for their deficiency through their diet, cats are ‘obligatory carnivores’ meaning they have to kill to live.

The question is, can we stop our beloved feline friends from bringing in dead animals!? Here’s our top tips and advice for deterring their primal instinct:

1. The most obvious of preventatives is a bell attached to a collar, this is a good way of warning any prey that your cat is on its way! (A quick release collar is the safest kind and they are recommended by most animal welfare organisations).
2. If you have bird feeders, spread them out in your garden so that flocks can easily spot a preying cat.
3. Keep your cats inside during the hours of dawn and dusk, when smaller rodents are most active.
4. Make sure your cat is well fed (for its size and age), as this could mean your feline friend is less likely to go looking for an extra snack to catch.
5. Provide a diversion, a cats daily activity consist of short bursts of energy and (lots!) of sleeping, so if you stimulate your pet by encouraging them to chase toys, balls and other equipment this will reduce their natural tendency to go after live prey.

Have you got any tips to help fellow cat owners prevent any nasty surprises on their door step that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community.

  

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