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.

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.

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…