Pets as Christmas Presents

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With Christmas approaching fast and letters to Santa in the process of being sent, there will always be the controversial issue of whether Christmas is a responsible time to give the gift of a pet. Many people feel that it is not. However we at PetCompare believe that under the right circumstances this should not be the case.

Lee Hodgson MD PetCompare wrote
"Last year i bought my son a hamster for Christmas. Believe me it took a fair few months to persuade me that this was not just a phase and that his enthusiasm wasn't just to be short lived. Once convinced, I maintained my opinion that in order for him to be a responsible pet owner he had to know exactly how to look after his hamster. Therefore rather than going straight out to the nearest Pet Shop to buy the first hamster we saw, I decided to buy him a 'handling and care' booklet and some information leaflets on the types of breed and their characteristics."

"Amazingly he read through this collection several times and still continued to pester me on the subject. It was mid-December by this time and I came to the conclusion that as he hadn't asked me specifically for anything else, that this would be the ideal gift for him. After several conversations about what he had found out and armed with research I had carried out myself and his 'favourite colour' I set out on my mission to find his hamster and all the necessary amenities that come with it. (Believe me it wasn't cheap!)"

"I must admit that after the initial struggle of trying to keep this secret from a very inquisitive little boy until Christmas morning was over, the look of absolute joy and adoration was worth every moment. From the very start, he appreciated the fragility of these little creatures and thanks to my paper purchases knew exactly how to handle and play with his new pet. To this day 'Hammy' and my son are still very good friends and we are looking forward to his first birthday on the 25th December!"

We at PetCompare believe, any pet purchased at any time of year, be it a tiny mouse or a horse, should only be bought after a carefully thought out process. This includes understanding the impact and responsibility of taking them into your care. It is very much a decision that needs to be made and agreed by the entire family. I think the following factors are the most important to take into account:

1. Does the person you are buying for really want a pet and the responsibility that pet ownership includes?

2. Does every member of the household want and accept responsibility for the pet?

3. Does this person have the time and lifestyle to adequately care for the pet?

4. Are they knowledgeable about the type of pet that they want; about its needs, its handling, its temperament and the time needed to be spent with it?

5. Finally and very importantly, do they have the finances to support the pet? Vets bills, insurance, adequate housing, food, bedding, pet sitters to name just a few of the costs.

Unfortunately a large amount of pets end up in rescue centres every year because the owners are just not properly prepared for their arrival and the impact on their lifestyle that their new pet entails. Pets can be a fantastic addition to any family; they are lots of fun and can be great companions in many circumstances.

However, please remember that they cannot care for themselves. If you are thinking about buying a friend or relative a pet this Christmas please do so with great caution. If you feel that the answer to any of the above questions is no then I advise you strongly to reconsider. Check with the person first, and make a considered decision. Please don't surprise them, they may feel obliged to accept the gift only for them to later have to re-home the pet. This is not only stressful for the owner but can have a huge impact on the pet.

Without trying to sound too cliché, "a pet IS for life, not just for Christmas". I implore you to keep this in mind.

The Training Series: Training your pet bird

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Teaching your pet new tricks is enormous fun for both of you and since birds get bored very easily, they need something to occupy their time. This is particularity important for birdies, who can start to peck themselves when bored. To prevent her from doing so, we’ve sourced the ultimate training guide for your chirper.

a) If your bird does something good, be sure to give her a treat. If this is in the form of food, beware not to over-feed her. A limited number for treats will help to keep your sessions short, so your bird won’t lose interest. If you finish your sessions on a high, she’ll be excited to play again soon.

b) Never punish your bird. Not only will punishment confuse her, she may just be acting up for attention and your reaction would be exactly what she is looking for. It goes without saying that you must never hit your bird, as she is incredibly fragile. If she is acting up, ignore her. This will be punishment enough, as she craves your attention.

c) Pick training times carefully. Your bird should not be distracted by anything else when you are working together as this will make your sessions far less effective. Make sure she has eaten, isn’t preoccupied with preening, and there is nothing exciting going on in the vicinity.

d) Once you have mastered a trick, wean your bird off rewards. You should still be rewarding her, but don’t get her into a habit of only performing when she knows you have a treat for her. Continue to praise, and treat sparingly, she’ll soon be happy to do tricks for just your praise.

e) The most important trick to teach your tweeter is how to hop on and off your hand, her perch, the windowsill, the fridge…. It’s a nice easy trick to learn, but the benefits are spectacular. It’s also a good exercise to go back to if you want to finish your training sessions on a high note. Although your bird will soon be using this trick every day, sometimes at the end of an unproductive session it’s ok to treat her for doing the hopping trick to keep up morale.

f) If your bird is not responding well to learning a new trick, consider changing location. Sometimes being near her cage is distracting for her, and an unfamiliar environment may improve learning.

View the other posts in our training series here:

Training a new rabbit

Training a new kitten

Training a new puppy

The training series: Training a new rabbit

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Gone are the days when rabbits sit in hutches, munching solitarily on a carrot and wishing they could play inside with us in the warmth of our homes. Now our ‘bugs bunnies’ are just as welcome inside as they are out and, what’s more, they’re mighty intelligent and love to learn new tricks.

To get you started, here’s the third in our training series, providing you with a

few pointers on how to train your new rabbit:

1. Time: For effective training results, you need to devote at least one hour each day to training your rabbit. Results won’t happen immediately, but if you stick to your training regime, it will only take a few weeks for you to achieve results. Just because your bunny is highly intelligent doesn’t mean he or she will learn how to do a roly-poly in day one. Remember to have fun with your training; if it becomes a chore for you, just imagine how it must feel for the rabbit. Make sure you are both enjoying yourselves and the time will fly by.

2. Teaching skills: When teaching your rabbit, always be consistent. Make sure you use the same commands each time such as ‘sit’ or ‘up’ – your rabbit will soon recognise what each request means and don’t forget to accompany each command with a treat. Your rabbit will soon associate these words with a reward. Once your rabbit understands the skills and effort required, gradually start to wean it off the treats. Eventually your rabbit will obey all commands without expecting anything.

3. Potty training: Surprisingly, an older rabbit is easier to ‘potty train’ than a younger one because they have already established personal grooming habits. Remember, be patient with your bunny. While it is living in a hutch, your pet will usually find a favourite ‘bathroom’ spot. Once you’ve worked out where this is, place the litter tray there and bunny should start using it. When you let your rabbit loose in the house, it should return to where the litter tray is placed.

4. Incentives: Rabbits don’t understand yelling, but are very intelligent and will respond to treats. Try to figure out your rabbit’s favourite treat and don’t stop dishing out the treats too soon. You need to establish consistency, so if you stop treating your pet before it completely understands what you expect, it will lose interest fast. Always check with your vet if you are unsure about what your rabbit can eat.

5. A misbehaving rabbit: Do not, under any circumstances, hit your rabbit for not co-operating with you. Your rabbit will not understand what is happening. Consider a ‘time out’ zone back in its hutch to highlight any wrongdoing.

The training series: Training a new kitten

Tweet New kittens are a delight to have in your home and bring bundles of joy. But the furry little balls of fluff do require training to help them settle into their new environment and to ensure they don’t claw your lounge suite.

The second in our training series provides you with tips and advice on training your new kitten:

1. Establish your kitten’s “den” – Show your kitten where it can sleep. Set up its bed, food and water bowls in a dry, secure and safe area. Cats and kittens like to hide, so make sure there are suitable nooks and crannies for your new kitten to snuggle into. A soft cat bed is ideal or a cat sleeping bag.

2. Toilet training – Even if you intend your kitten to be an indoor cat, kittens must stay inside until they have received their inoculations at your chosen vet. Therefore, you will need to teach your kitten to be toilet trained; don’t expect they already know what to do. The first step is to introduce your kitten to its new litter tray. The tray should be big enough for the kitten to move around in. If you’ve ever watched a kitten or cat use its litter tray, they circle around inside and establish a spot before going to the toilet. After your kitten eats, let it have a rest or play and then 15 minutes later encourage your kitten over to the tray and entice it to step onto the litter. You want to make sure your kitten knows the tray is a safe, clean and comfortable place.

Use a litter scooper to dispose of the ‘presents’ you will find in the tray and kitty litter freshening powder is an option to keep the tray smelling of roses. Cats are known for being very fastidious animals, so if the tray is not cleaned out on a regular basis they will find somewhere else to soil. Never put the litter tray near your kitten’s food or sleeping area, this can put them off their food and sleeping den.

3. Scratching post or couch? Kittens have little claws that aren’t that sharp but as your kitten grows, so do its claws. If you have a kitten that goes outside, its claws will become blunt while climbing trees and playing outdoors. However, an indoor cat needs somewhere to scratch and a scratching post is the best option. You can get scratching posts in all shapes and sizes; some even have hiding holes and toys attached to keep your kitten entertained. Encourage your kitten to scratch on it daily, lend a hand and show your kitten how to scratch. Don’t forget to praise your kitten for getting it right.

4. Praise your kitten – Praising your kitten for using its litter tray and scratching post is an important way for it to learn when it has done something right. Just like you would with a child, make a fuss over your kitten by talking to it, giving it a cuddle and stroking it. Occasionally you can reward your pet with special kitten treats.

But what do you do when your kitten behaves badly?

5. Kitten disciple: NEVER hit your kitten or cat if it is naughty. The best thing to remember is don’t reward bad behaviour. Do the opposite of praising your kitten. Don’t make a fuss of it, don’t talk to it, ignore your kitten and walk away from it. Your kitten needs to associate the differences between negative and positive attitudes and rewards.

Most importantly, have fun with your kitten. Play time with toys and evening cuddles are so rewarding.

Let bonfire night go off without a bang

Tweet According to vets, each year, hundreds of pets are harmed by fireworks on bonfire night each year, and many more run away in fear. It is a scary world out there for a petrified pooch, and combined with a dark, cold, November night being lost often results in getting in harm’s way, sometimes fatally.

However, with these 10 easy-to-follow steps you can ensure your feline is feelin’ fine this Guy Fawkes night. We have talked to numerous vets from all over the country, from inner-city bunny buffs, to rural equestrian experts, and here are our essential bonfire steps:

1. Bring your pets indoors and draw the curtains to keep them as safe as possible during Bonfire Night.

2. Don’t forget small pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs. They can become very stressed by loud noises. If they live outside, bring them indoors for the Bonfire period so they feel as safe and relaxed as possible.

3. If your pet has a favourite den, encourage them to stay there during the fireworks. The more comfortable and secure they feel, the less scared they will be. If they don’t have a favourite spot, try to create one in the days running up to Bonfire Night by coaxing your pet there with healthy treats, toys and blankets.

4. If your dog or cat hides during the fireworks you should try to leave it alone. They have clearly found a space that works for them and want to be left in peace. Fussing over them can cause more stress.

5. Play music or turn up the television to drown out noise from fireworks. Your pet’s ears are generally two to three times as sensitive as yours, so anything to disguise the noise contributes to their well being.

6. From most vets you can purchase a simple plug-in diffuser that disperses a dog/cat appeasing pheromone into the room. The pheromone reassures the animal and naturally calms it down. You should aim to plug in the diffuser a week before Bonfire Night, so the pheromone has time to build up to significant levels and ensures your pets are as relaxed as possible.

7. If there’s a chance your pet will run away, make sure it is wearing a collar and is micro chipped. You should try to secure your home as best you can so your pet cannot escape if it becomes particularly terrified.

8. Make sure you walk your dog during daylight hours, and try to tire your pet so it sleeps through the firework hours.

9. In rural areas, advise neighbours that you are planning a fireworks display so that they can make provision for their pets. Horses, in particular, have a tendency to bolt at loud noises, but are often the forgotten victims on Bonfire Night.

10. Even better, have a firework-free Guy Fawkes’ that both your pets and kids can enjoy! Have a fear-free bonfire where you can toast marshmallows; dress up a Guy to burn; wave around sparklers and go wild with the glitter. If you are having a bonfire though, be sure to check bonfires for hibernating animals such as hedgehogs and frogs before lighting.

Tips and advice for exercising your pet

Tweet What type of pet do you own and how much exercise and training does it require each day?

Humans require daily exercise to help maintain healthy bones, weight and for general wellbeing to make us feel good and to have the energy required to live day to day. Pets are no different. Daily exercise will contribute to keeping your pet happy and healthy and, in most instances, help towards extending your pet’s life.

However, your pet is not capable of planning its own exercise regime so as a responsible pet owner you can make sure it has a regular exercise programme.

No question, lifestyle and work commitments can sometimes get in the way of exercise – many of us have been culprits of joining the local gym, paying monthly fees in excess of £50 and then never attending. When you’re looking after yourself you can let it pass but not when you’re accountable for another living creature.

When you cannot take your dog for a run, why not find a trustworthy dog walker to call on when you aren’t available? Perhaps your horse is kept in working stables where someone can exercise it on the days you cannot. You may have a willing neighbour or friend that can help out occasionally? Whatever your circumstances, make sure you have a back-up plan.

Just as humans can’t instantly run a marathon, pets also need to start slowly and require easing into exercise. Simple games with balls and toys count as exercise and are huge fun for both you and your pet.

If you have a rabbit, make sure you have a safe secure rabbit run. Exercise balls for gerbils and hamsters are a great way for them to safely stretch their legs around your house while in a secure enclosed environment. Indoor birds in small cages must stretch their wings, so close all the windows and doors to a room and let them fly around. If you’re a mouse lover, a wheel inside its cage is a must; you’ll find that because rodents are nocturnal animals they will play and make tunnels while you’re asleep!

Whatever your pet, there are numerous ways for it to enjoy exercise. Remember, different pets require varying levels of exercise so it is advisable to discuss the best exercise regime with your local vet.

The training series: Training a new puppy

Tweet We all love to dote on our purrfect pets but it's important to establish a clear training regime to keep your best fur-friends calm and content. This is the first in our training series giving you the tools and advice to become an expert trainer.

To get started, we've put together some easy to follow tips for training new puppies:

Training your puppy

1. The first few days are critical to establish a routine. Don't let your puppy get into bad habits by jumping up, sleeping on your bed or going into rooms that are out of bounds.
2. Make sure your puppy feels safe and secure and you'll be rewarded with a quick response to your training efforts. Set up a small area that she can call her own, with all the home comforts to stop her missing her mum.
3. Give your puppy some breathing space. If she needs to sleep, make sure you give her the time to do so. A grumpy puppy is far more difficult to manage.
4. Set your own schedule and designate tasks to family members. Consistency in training is essential and will help your puppy become accustomed to her surroundings and avoid teething problems.
5. Be patient. Don't expect the house training process to be completed until your puppy is at least six months old. Accidents happen and over reacting will be detrimental to the process.
6. Use the paper trick. Paper your puppy's room so she gets used to toileting on a papery surface. She will gradually start to ‘go’ in only one area. At that point, reduce the paper to cover just that area. Once your puppy gets used to ‘going’ on paper you can move the paper to the location of your choice and eventually outside.
7. Avoid accidents by using the lead. Keep your puppy on a lead when she is allowed to explore the rest of the house. This close contact means your puppy can be quickly returned to her room whenever required.
8. The more time you spend with your puppy, the quicker she will be toilet trained. Take the puppy to her toilet area every time she needs to go and she will soon catch on.
9. Give rewards when they are due. When your puppy makes it to the toilet area, reward her with a treat so she associates it with good behaviour. Never punish your puppy - she is too young to understand.
10. Don’t forget to have fun! Although accidents can be frustrating, it’s important to take the time to enjoy your new family member. Give her love and she will become the heart of the family.

Socializing your pet: some advice and tips

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Welcoming your pet

If you're thinking of purchasing a new pet, it's important to spend time welcoming it in to the family. There are some dogs do not take kindly to small children, an elderly cat may object to a spritely puppy and a bird may not welcome an inquisitive kitten.

No matter which pet you choose, you'll need to spend time helping the new addition to feel at home and learn how to behave amongst their new human housemates.

Most animals can be socialized to some extent but the larger the animal, the greater the need to ensure they understand their place in the family.

Settling in

Before you start to train your pet, set some bonding time aside so they feel comfortable with you. Once your new pet is settled in to your home, invite some of your friends to the house to visit. This will help the pet to become more comfortable around loud noises and fast movements, which is very important to training. Of course, small children should always be supervised around a new pet to keep them both safe and happy.

Younger pets are by nature easier to socialize, as they are more likely to feel comfortable in a crowded environment. Older animals will have formed their own routines which can be challenging to break.

Finding the balance

Balance is the key to a happy introduction. Too much independence and your dog, cat, rabbit or bird will believe they control you. This can cause them to act out. Everything your pet does is an instinct, which cannot be taken away but it is possible for animals to learn the difference between good and bad.

Equally, good behaviour should be rewarded with attention. Sometimes attention feels better to a pet than a treat because they want to please you.

Where to get started

There are detailed advice guides on offer which will help you integrate your chosen pet in to your family. Whether you choose an online guide or splash out on a trainer, your pet will benefit from the process as will your family. Make socializing your pet fun and you will find your animal will quickly behave better in social situations. Never opt for striking your pet as this will have the opposite effect.

To help you get started, we've pulled together some top resources from across the web, broken down by breed. If you have any specific questions, feel free to share them in the comments box below or contact us through Twitter via @petcompare.

Some advice resources

How to socialize a puppy
How to socialize a cat
How to socialize a bird
How to socialize a rabbit

Cost of owning pets

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It is no secret, the cost of owning pets can escalate. Before you know it “Fluffy” has a fake fur sleeping blanket, diamante collar and gold plated food bowl, all because you want to make sure she is the happiest cat on earth. With the vast array of accessible pet products on the market, the options are endless for pet lovers like us to spoil our beloved animals.

Before you pick your perfect pet it’s important to consider the cost implications. Like any passion, the start-up costs are always going to be high – initial cost of your pet: purchase the pet, vet appointments, vaccinations, neutering, toys, food, the list goes on.

While you’re paying off your “pet debt” have you considered what happens if your beloved animal were to fall ill or be injured? Do you have a high disposable income to pay for those expensive vet bills, which can equate to thousands? A far more cost effective solution is pet insurance - with minimum payments as low as £5.00 per month, it is a no brainer.

Do you have any stories to share about the benefits of taking out pet insurance?

Lifestyle and environment

Tweet Would you have a child without preparing yourself and reading the ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’ books first?

Would you spend thousands of pounds on a brand new car without test driving it first to see which model and brand suits your lifestyle and budget?
Neither would we!

Equipping yourself with knowledge and insight before leaping into the purchase of a pet is vital to ensure you choose the pet best suited to your lifestyle.

Top tip: Test drive your pets!
Visit pet shelters, breeders and pet events such as Discover Dogs, Earls Court, London November 2010 or Supreme Cat Show, Birmingham, November 2010, to see if the pet of your dreams is right for you.

Your lifestyle and environment will help you determine the perfect pet. If you’re someone who enjoys late nights at the pub and finds it hard to get out of bed in the morning, then a dog that requires walking both morning and night may not be ideal. However, if you’re a stay at home parent with children or you work from home, you will most likely have more time to care for a puppy or kitten and give it all the attention and training it requires.

Consider the environment you live in:

- Flat, terraced, semi detached or detached house? Remember, larger animals need plenty of space and may become frustrated and bored in a flat or small house
- Garden or no garden? Dogs and cats prefer having space to stretch their legs, so those without a garden may be wise to consider smaller pets such as rodents or fish
- Is there a common or large park near your house? Those with a smaller property can head to the local park to extend the exercise area for their pets
- Do you live on a busy main road? Roaming cats and flighty dogs do not mix well with motorways – a smaller animal, like a rabbit, might be best for you
- Do you live in a draughty, damp, hot, poorly ventilated or dirty environment? All animals need plenty of space, which is light and warm and their designated areas must be cleaned-out on a regular basis
- Does your landlord allow pets? Make sure you check your tenancy agreement and ask for email confirmation

The most important thing is that your pet is happy and healthy in the environment you provide.

Please tell us what pets you have and how you fit them into your lifestyle and environment…