Wednesday 27 October 2010

Let bonfire night go off without a bang

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.

Monday 25 October 2010

Tips and advice for exercising your pet

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.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

The training series: Training a new puppy

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.

Thursday 14 October 2010

Socializing your pet: some advice and tips



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

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Cost of owning pets


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

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…