Summer Sun Safety

As the temperature rises we start to feel the heat, so spare a thought for our perfect pets this time of year. It isn’t just an abundance of fur that makes the summer months uncomfortable for our cats and canines, other dangers include sunburn, dehydration and burnt paws. We have pulled together our top tips to keep your pets protected and enjoying the sun whilst it shines.

Sunburn

It’s not just us humans that can feel the burn from the sun’s rays, dogs and cats, especially those with light fur can suffer from sunburn too. White cats are particularly susceptible on their ears and noses, with a rise in cats having parts of their ears removed due to burns and skin cancer.

To prevent the burn, use a total sun block on ears and noses, ensuring it is non-toxic and ok for use on animals.

Dehydration

We all get thirsty in the sun, so it is essential that there is plenty of water available in your home and outside for them and other pets on their walkies to enjoy. Place the water bowels in shaded areas and remember to keep an eye on water levels, topping up regularly. You can even pop an ice cube or two in there to cool them down.

Burnt paws

A lesser known hazard is hot pavements and roads. When the sun hits the tarmac, it heats up to high levels and can burn your pet’s paws. To avoid this, try and walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening to allow the pavements to cool down. Sticking to grassy areas where they can avoid tarmac all together is best if you must have a day time walk.

Hot cars and rooms

It is a given that you should never leave dogs in hot cars, but the same is true for hot rooms in your house such as conservatories. If your pet needs to stay inside, ensure the room is well ventilated and shaded to ensure they won’t overheat.

How do your pets stay cool in the summer? Share your tips on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community.  Plus, if you’d like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, full of news and competitions, just click here.

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Energetic puppies - how to keep them entertained

This month marks the beginning of puppy and kitten season, and we couldn’t be more excited to talk all things tiny!

If you are considering becoming an owner to a new puppy or kitten, you’ll already be aware of the responsibilities that come with the new role. That being said, it’s a truly rewarding and pleasurable experience, too. With care, attention and training your new pet will quickly become a well-balanced part of the family.

Training

All puppies big and small are known to be excitable, happy and cheeky by nature, but it’s important to set ground rules and a structure right from the beginning to avoid naughtiness. First of all, make sure you set aside quality time for training. Puppy classes are a great way to not only learn obedience and skills, but also to socialise with other dogs. On the other hand, training your own dog at home can be a great way to build a happy connection. Keep in mind that common commands like sit, down, wait, come and off are largely the most important, and it’s vital that puppies learn the meaning of a stern ‘no’! Getting kids on board with the learning experience is a great idea for both pet and family, and will ensure you’re all on the same page.

Mental stimulation

Energetic puppies get bored easily, and that could see them getting up to mischief! Instead of worrying about your favourite pair of shoes, keep your pup busy with plenty of exercise, chews and ‘smart toys’. These toys are developed to keep dogs occupied for longer; some require attention, some are interactive, and others are simply stuffed with treats! If you are planning on leaving the house, make sure you leave plenty of fun things to play with. For prolonged trips away, ask a friend or member of the family to pay frequent visits in order to break up their day. Did you know that dogs have no sense of time, and miss you when you’re gone?

Rewards

Pups are so adorable, how could we ever stay mad at them?! Try to avoid rewarding your dog for excitable behaviour, opting instead to praise calmer moments and ignoring bad behaviours. Having fun at play time should be encouraged, but your bundle of fluff should also understand when it’s time to wind down. Make sure your pup has a bed somewhere safe and quiet in the house, where they can be taken in order to calm down. They will soon learn that this area is ‘the quiet zone’.

So, are you ready to bring your puppy home? Congratulations! Don’t forget it’s now law to microchip your pet – read our advice here – and if you need pet insurance simply head over to our website.

Have you got any stories or tips to help other dog owners? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community. Plus, if you’d like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, full of news and competitions, just click here.

Puppy and dog care essentials - 12 must haves

Getting ready to welcome a new puppy or dog into your family is an extremely exciting time. We’ve put together a handy list of essential items that you will most definitely need before bringing your new family member home.

1. A comfortable bed: All dogs need a comfy place to snuggle. Make sure you buy a bed that’s big enough for your pup to grow into and stretch out in. Synthetic faux sheepskin beds, otherwise known as ‘vetbeds’, are a great addition to baskets as they are machine washable, non-allergenic and pretty resistant to chewing. 
2. Leads and anti-pull devices: Keep your dog safe and comfortable on walks with various types of extendable leads and anti-pull devices, such as harnesses. These come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and designs helping you to train your dog from the start.
3. Bowls for food and water: Always ensure clean, fresh water is available for your pup; non-slip bowls are best for messy, excitable eaters! If you’ve chosen a large breed of dog, raise bowls off the floor using a stand.
4. Travel equipment: This can include car-only blankets, seat belts, portable water bottles and crates. Pups shouldn’t be allowed to move around the car while you are driving, and should always be given a safe place to lie down. Make sure your pup is accustomed to travel, by taking them on plenty of short trips.
5. Collar and identity tag: All dogs, by law, are required to be micro chipped and to wear an identity disc inscribed with your name and address. Choose a collar that is comfortable and suitable for the size of dog. They grow incredibly quickly, so make sure you regularly check the collar’s condition – they should not be so loose that they can slip straight off of your dog’s neck, or so tight that you are unable to fit two fingers underneath.
6. Grooming equipment: Dogs with longer hair will need to be groomed regularly, often by a qualified groomer. Make sure you have combs, brushes, scissors, ear cleaning solution and nail clippers at home. There are also plenty of dog shampoos out there, suitable for all skin types.
7. Jumpers and coats: Short-haired dogs really feel the cold, so for winter it’s a good idea to have a snuggly jumper and waterproof jacket to keep them warm.
8. Poo bags/poop scoop: It’s part of the job! Cleaning up after your dog is imperative, so make sure you are prepared with plenty of bags and a handy scoop, both for home and on walkies.
9. Toys: We all know how much puppies like to play! Make sure they have an assortment of different toys and chews to keep them entertained and stimulated, especially when you are out of the house.
10. Food and treats: There are many different types of dog food on the market. Make sure the food you choose is right for your dog’s size, breed and dietary requirements. Treats are a great way to help with reward-based training, plus dental sticks can help to keep their gnashers in good nick.
11. Vaccinations: New pups will require vaccinations, so make sure you book in with your vet as soon as possible.
12. Pet insurance: Help protect your pooch from any nasty surprises with Paws & Claws pet insurance!

Have you got any stories or tips to help other dog owners? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community. Plus, if you’d like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, full of news and competitions, just click here.

Essentials for kitten’s – a useful checklist

Before you collect your new furry bundle of joy there are a few ways to prepare. Kittens can be playful and adventurous, so ensuring you have all the equipment you need to help nurture them into adulthood and beyond can be really useful.

Firstly you need to allocate a sensible space that your kitten can eat, sleep and play in – we found that a utility room works especially well! Your kitten’s basic needs will need to be met, this means making sure you have good quality kitten food, adequate bowls for water and food and a litter tray (and poop scoop!) before you collect your new feline friend. Shopping for new pets can be a minefield, with many product varieties and brands available so here’s the know-how on what to buy:

• Good quality kitten food – there are many cat food brands out there and many different options for kittens that include specially formulated levels of protein, which is essential for their growth. Deciding on whether to give your kitten wet or dry food is your choice, however you’ll soon find out which one your kitten prefers!

• Uncovered litter box (with low sides for easy entry) - these are available in most pet shops or online and come in many different colours – we suggest getting a larger tray so that it can be used as your kitten grows into an adult (and less litter will end up on the floor!) When first introducing a kitten into your home is it recommended to keep them in for a while so they get to know their surroundings (speak to your vet if you have further questions or concerns about this).

• Scoopable litter – there are different options available, both scented and unscented and come in many forms, such as wood pellets, clumping clay, silica gel crystals, corn and pine to name a few! We suggest using the same litter they have been used to in their previous home, to avoid any accidents as they will be able to find the tray easily, then you can try out other varieties.

• Scratching post - to help keep your kitten entertained and to prevent the little darlings scratching your furniture, walls and curtains! Not only do scratching posts help to keep your kittens claws sharp, they also provide them with a platform for exercise and stretching their muscles.

• Soft grooming brush – this is only a necessity if you are planning on purchasing a long haired cat and is required to maintain their fur and prevent knots.

• Interactive play toys – such as wands, mouse toys, balls, laser pens and many more!

• A soft and cozy bed - that your new feline friend can call their own, this should provide them with a safe, comforting place to sleep.

• Cat carrier – an essential for the transportation of your new kitten to your home and to as well as to and from the vets for their jabs and check-ups.

• Cat treats – these can be used for training your kitten and rewarding any good behaviour. Some treats are even designed to help reduce fur balls!

We hope this checklist helps you to be as prepared as possible before bringing your new kitten into your home, and they settle in easily and quickly to your family life!

Did you find this checklist useful or have any other items that you would recommend to new kitten owners? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community.

Energetic kittens - how to keep them entertained

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and add a furry friend to your family, but the question is how can you keep these cute and cuddly kittens entertained, so they don’t behave like such cheeky monkeys?!

Naturally kittens will be inquisitive, fearless and playful, it’s all part of their learning process and is derived from their hunting instinct. This learning also aids brain development (in the same way a human child develops). Kittens are born with the desire to chase moving objects and pounce on anything that catches their eye, whilst you can never eliminate this completely (as they are hard wired to hunt) you will be able to entertain your kitten for short bursts of time.

We’ve compiled a list of our top items to help your new furry friend from bouncing off the walls (and curtains!)

Scratching posts – we found that there are many different types available to buy online and in the shops, from basic to luxury there is a scratching post to suit all! However our favourite are the ‘play and scratch’ types as these not only encourage your kitten to entertain themselves, but also help to preserve your furniture too!

Laser pen – it is advised not to have pro-longed use of a laser pen and to stimulate your cats play with other toys, however in short bursts a laser pen can provide fun entertainment for your kitten as long as this is done in a safe manner (don’t point the laser beam directly in your cats eyes, bear in mind the time span of each session and keep your kitty entertained with other, more physical toys too).

Toys – there are a huge variety of toys available for kittens and cats to play with. These range from cat feeding exercise balls (which help to increase feline activity and decrease excessive eating), wand toys (which mean you can engage your cats natural instinct to chase and hunt), squeaky cat toys (provide extra stimulus for your kitten to play with) and the classic mouse and jingley toys.

Technology – with the ever advancing world of technology there are now apps that you can use to amuse your kitty, from your classic catch-the-mouse type game to laser pen stimulus and fishing, there’s a few to choose from! We found that our kittens liked the ‘GoCat Cat Fishing’ app best (available to download for free on the iTunes store).

However you choose to entertain your feline friend, we hope they settle in quickly and become part of the family!

Have you got any hints or tips to help other cat owners keep their new kittens happy and entertained 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. Also, if you’re not already signed up to our Paws & Claws newsletter, click here to receive the latest edition to your inbox!

Why should you choose to rescue a pet?

Adoption myths exposed.

If you’ve decided you want to bring a new fluffy bundle of joy into your household, we couldn’t be more excited for you! No matter what pet you choose, you’ll be blown away by how rewarding and enjoyable the experience is.

Before you make your final decision, have you considered rescuing a pet?

Dogs and cats end up in shelters and rescue homes for a variety of reasons; sometimes owners become too old or unwell to care for their animals, and often others just don’t have the time to provide animals with the life they truly deserve. Shelters can be full of beautiful, healthy, well-tempered cats and dogs, perfect for all sorts of lifestyles.

So, if you’re ready for a new pet, why not consider providing one of these animals a forever home?

Adoption myths debunked

The stigmas surrounding animal shelters simply aren’t true! Here are some common beliefs:

#1: Shelter animals are unpredictable – you don’t know what you’re getting.

Not all pets are rescued from abandonment or mistreatment. Lots of pets that come into rescue homes come from private, loving owners or foster homes. Their temperaments, health and behaviour can be confirmed by staff, thus all pets can be easily matched to your lifestyle. If the pet has come to the shelter from a loving home, they will often be well trained and socialised, meaning they can easily adapt to you and your family.

#2: You can’t get purebreds or kittens/puppies from shelters.

You’d be incredibly surprised how many purebreds are currently sitting in rescue homes, and sometimes whole litters of puppies/kittens come in last minute. You may even find a breed-specific shelter in your area, if you take some time to research. Mixed breed dogs can be just as lovely as purebreds, too, and shelters are a great place to take some time to meet all sorts of different personalities. 

#3: Animals in shelters have something wrong with them.

Pets are given up for all sorts of reasons, none of which are the pet’s fault:

• Owners are moving house
• Owners can no longer afford the pet
• Owners no longer have time to train or care for the pet
• Owners didn’t neuter or spay their pets, and can’t look after any offspring

Shelter pets are healthy and ready to go, often with just a small donation. Make sure your pet insurance policy is in order, and you’re set!

You’ll never know what could be waiting for you unless you take the time to look.

Do you know someone who is considering getting a new pet? Do you have any stories or tips of your own? Let us know! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community!