Seasonal Care Advice

Summer

In summer we love inviting friends and family round to barbecues or to spend time relaxing in our gardens, but always bear in mind that your family pet may not be used to being around strangers or large groups of people.

Your home is your pet's personal domain and visitors can make a pet extremely anxious or nervous, after all he or she may not understand that your guests are friendly! A pet that is threatened may snarl, growl, bark or even bite.

If your pet is uncomfortable with strangers, reassure them by holding them or if necessary settle them down in a quiet room with their own bed and a bowl of water.

Garden Dangers

To help keep your pet safe in the garden, remember the following safety tips:

• Keep garden tools out of paws way - an upturned rake or fork could cause your pet serious harm.
• Buy a circuit breaker for garden electricals. If your pet bites through a cable it could prove fatal.
• Try to ensure that you buy 'pet friendly' pest control products, or make sure your pet is safely fastened indoors when such products are applied.
•  Ensure gates and fences are tightly secured so that when your dog is out playing in the garden there is no chance of them escaping out onto a busy road.
• Never leave burning candles unattended - a tiny paw swat or an exuberant wag of the tail and hot wax could cause some serious injury.

Out and About

It's great to be able to get out for long summer walks with your four legged friend but please think about the environment!

To help you clean up after your pets, take a look at our comprehensive range of poop scoops and doggy do bags! (link to product)

Choosing a Cattery or Boarding Kennel.

Some of you may be fortunate enough to have your pet looked after by neighbours or family. However, this is not an option for everyone and it can be an anxious time leaving your much loved pet behind whilst you go on holiday. A cattery or boarding kennel can be a suitable alternative, the most important question is which one.

The checklist provided should help you make an informed decision:

• Visit the premises yourself to ensure that they are clean, tidy and secure with sturdy gates and dividers between each pet's area.
• The kennels should be maintained at a suitable temperature for your pet. Check that there is electric lighting and heating.
•  Ask how often the pets are exercised and whether there is a separate area protected from sun, wind and rain but with fresh air and daylight.
• You should be asked to provide your pet's vaccination certificates. If not there is a risk of your pet becoming into contact with infections. Leave the telephone number of your vet in case of emergencies.

Fun!

Yes, most importantly have fun with your pets over the summer. We've got a fantastic range of toys and treats in store which will ensure there's no chance of your pet getting bored over the holiday period.

Why not bring them shopping with you and let them choose their own treat!

Winter

Bonfire Night - Top safety tips for your pet.

Bonfire night is a chance to celebrate with friends and family but the festivities can bring fear and anxiety to even the most placid and calm of pets.

Pets at Home want to help take the trauma out of bonfire night for your pet and we're sure if you adhere to the following safety guidelines, you'll enjoy yourselves and your pets will feel safe and secure.

Dogs

Fire works seem to be an acceptable way of celebrating every special event. However, they are certainly not a treat for those owners whose pets are frightened by noise. Inspired by pets for pets, Crash-Bang-Wallop (link to product) is a desensitisation CD with 40 carefully produced sound effects and a training booklet. The guide outlines how the controlled exposure of a pet to the source of its fear can, over time, improve its reaction and behaviour.

Wildlife

Small animals, particularly hedgehogs, seek refuge beneath piles of leaves to keep warm and hibernate. Unfortunately, these animals do not realise that such garden rubbish is used to make bonfires, Pets at Home suggest that adults turn over the leaves gently with gloved hands (buried animals could get killed if a garden fork is used). This will ensure any animals present will be disturbed from their sleep and have the opportunity to move to a safe area.

Horses

Horse owners need to be extra vigilant during the firework season. Pets at Home recommend that all horse owners check where displays are going to be held and move their horses to a safer environment.

Fireworks can obviously cause horses to panic risking injury on such things as broken fencing, barbed wire and sharp edged water troughs.

Sedatives

If you have a particularly sensitive pet which is easily upset, a sedative could help. Sedatives are prescription drugs, so your vet will need to give your pet a full health check before issuing any. Your vet will be happy to explain how to administer the tablet.

As fireworks are let off some evenings before and after the 5th November, Companion Care suggests visiting your vet well in advance. Pets at Home stock Serene-UM tablets - a palatable tablet made of completely natural ingredients for a calming effect on dogs, cats, rabbits and birds. It isn't a sedative and can be given quite safely to your pet over a period of one day. It should certainly help keep stress to an absolute minimum. Click hear to find product.

Microchipping

Most vets can microchip your pet for you. In the unlikely event that they get scared and escape, all vets and rescue homes have microchip readers so you will be able to be reunited with your pet straight away. A collar and name tag is a legal requirement for dogs and Pets at Home have quick tag machines in all stores, where you can choose the design and message you wish to print and have your tag ready to take away within two minutes.

If you are choosing a collar for a cat, our store staff can offer advice, as some collars are not suitable for cats that are prone to climbing trees.

Injuries

In the unlikely event your pet is injured by a firework or by the bonfire, keep it calm and call your vet straight away. All vets provide a 24 hour emergency service.

MAIN POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Never let off fireworks near animals.

Ensure all pets are kept indoors after dark.

If a pet dog is particularly sensitive to loud noises, ask your vet for a sedative or seek advice from your veterinary surgeon about how to help reduce your pet's fear over a period of time.

Take rabbits and other outdoor pets into a garage or outbuilding.

Close your curtains and leave the television or radio onto camouflage the noise of the fireworks.

Make sure pets are properly identified by means of a collar, tag and microchip in case they take fright and run off.

Caged birds will feel more secure in a dark and secluded area.

THE FIREWORK SAFETY CODE:

We're obviously concerned about your safety as well as that of your pet, please remember to always follow the firework code. Better still, go to an organised event and let the experts dazzle you with their displays.

• Buy fireworks that meet BS7114 from a shop you know and keep them in a closed tin box..
• Follow the specific instructions on each firework..
• Light fireworks at arms length using a taper, never a naked flame..
• Never put fireworks in a pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves to hold them.

Never give sparklers to a child under five.