Anything For Animals

posted by admin on Apr 15

This new Act was introduced to make sure that all pets in England and Wales had a basic standard of care.

Whether you are the owner or the keeper of a pet, whether it is large or small or indoors or outside; you are responsible for adhering to the ‘rules’ of this Act, and violation of them could result in the confiscation of your pets and possible criminal prosecution (up to 51 weeks in prison and up to a £20,000 fine).

The guidelines are very easy to understand (and many would say; obvious), and so abiding by them should be easy for any animal lover.

As a pet owner or keeper, you have a legal duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in your care, and you must ensure that the following ‘needs’ are considered at all times:

A Suitable Environment:
This means that it needs to be suitable for that particular animal; for example a horse and a gerbil will have very different ’suitable’ environments!

A Suitable Diet:
This means that it needs to be a suitable diet for that particular animals; for example a dog and a canary would need very different ’suitable’ diets.

Suitable Housing:
This means that they need housing that is suitable for each particular animal.  This is on 2 levels; firstly it must be suitable for each particular animal in the sense that a cat and a tarantula cannot both be kept in the same size cage; and secondly on a compatability level, that a cat and a tarantula should never be kept in the same cage, whatever it’s size! 

To Exhibit Normal Behaviour:
This means that the housing you keep it in and the food you feed it allows the animal to grow and develop normally for it’s breed or species without deformity.  It also means that the animal can move about with ease and isn’t mentally stressed or seen to be suffering in any way. 

Be Protected from Pain and Suffering, Injury and Disease:
This means that the animals must not be kept in conditions that will affect their growth, completely restrict their movement or in a dangerous or hazardous environments.  It also means that if they do become injured, sick or diseased that they will need to be seen by a qualified vet and medical treatment and pain relief (if necessary) sought.

If you are in any doubt about to how to properly care for your pet, ask your local vet or pet store, or contact an animal charity like Dogs Trust or PDSA for advice.

posted by admin on Apr 10

The weather is getting warmer - so you might as well go out and enjoy it!

So why not consider re-homing a dog or puppy over the next few weeks so that you have got a friend to take with you!

There are thousands of dogs out there that just need a loving home.  You don’t need to go to the ‘big’ rescue centres to find them, there are plenty of private or small scale re-homing centres that have a few pets out there for you to choose from.

There are a few things you need to do before they will consider you, but all their ‘adoption rules’ are there for a reason - they follow their own principals.  So some centres will want you to just be a stable home for their dogs, others will want you to prove that you are right for the dog (including no kids if the dog doesn’t like kids, no cats if it doesn’t like cats, and so on) and yet others want you to fence in your entire garden, not be too old and sometimes to never have a job again so you can be at home with it for ever!

Obviously, you need to do your research to find out which policies suit your needs - and of course to find a dog that you actually like in the first place! However - if you are re-homing a dog for the ‘good deed’ of finding a dog a home, then shouldn’t you take the one that noone else wants?

If you only want the cute pretty little ones that everyone else wants, then who is going to love the old or ugly looking ones?

Things To Consider Before Starting Out:
So, if you are considering re-homing a new pet, then just check out the following list to make sure you have everything covered:

1) If you want a specific pedigree dog breed, then be prepared to wait.  Hoping that someone wants to give up their Rhodesian Ridgeback or Japanese Akita is a long shot, so do you want a dog now, or do you just want that breed and you will wait up to 5 years or more until it arrives?

2) If you want a pretty, cute or young dog, then join the queue!  Most people want their dog to look a certain way, and for it to be young, so you will be added to a long list of people who are already waiting!  If you want to give an older or less fluffy dog a home, then you could well get your new pet a lot quicker!

3) If you want to use the ‘big charities’ then be prepared to make some changes to your home or lifestyle.  They will require proper fencing in your yard, several meetings and ‘checks’ before you even choose a dog, and there could be ongoing visits after you have taken your new dog home.

4) If you have young children, other dogs or cats, a full time job, or live in a flat - you could well not get the dog you choose anyway!  Many re-homing centers these days find the right home for the dog’s needs - not yours.  So if that cute dog you like has been deemed ‘unsuitable for families’ or that giant mastiff ‘chases cats’, then you won’t even get a look in!  They might offer you a tiny teacup dog instead!

5) If you want your dog quick - then start now!  Even with the simplest procedures, there could still be a few checks and changes to be made to your home!  The sooner you get going - the sooner you can be out there enjoying the sunshine with your new ‘Fido’!

posted by admin on Jan 25

You would think this shouldn’t need to be written - but there is evidence to suggest it does!

There are plenty of dog owners out there who think that letting a dog run loose in a woodland is acceptable as well as those who think that they only need to pick up their dogs poop if it is on the pavement!

Think about the effects of your actions not about that 10 seconds in your life and the whole community could benefit.

It’s only 2 simple things - do you think you can do it?

1) Keep Your Dog Under Control!
Keeping your dog within earshot of your shouting isn’t having your dog under control! 

Having your dog under control involves not only being able to see your dog - but also being virtually 100% sure that if you call your dog to you they will come without fail!

I recently went into a woods to find a large dog chasing a roe deer - with not an owner in sight and after it got bored of that it came and found us again and followed us (dangerously) to the car park.  Still no owner in sight - or in ear shot!  They weren’t even trying to get their dog to come back!

It could have killed the deer, been stolen, been injured somewhere - or been run over right outside the car park.  Totally irresponsible!

2) Pick Up Their Poop!
There are very very very few instances where it is acceptable to leave a dog poop on the floor!  And percentage wise in respect of all the dog poos done in a day it would be about 1%.

If your dog poops anywhere that another person might walk - then you need to pick it up.  It doesn’t matter whether you are on a footpath in the middle of nowhere - it’s a footpath and other people have a right to use it and a right to have a poop free walk!

There’s no excuse that you didn’t see your dog do it, it was in the woods, you didn’t have a bag, it was a bit squidgy or whatever.  You need to be watching your dog when out on a walk and you need to be prepared.

Maybe stay around the carpark or poo bin for the first 15 minutes of your walk - as this is when your dog is most likely to ‘go’ and then you will see it and are right next to the poo bin or your car to leave the poo there and head out for your great walk.

I don’t know why some people think that it is the landowners responsibility to clear away the mess - because it isn’t.  And why should it be!

You wouldn’t leave a filled nappy on someones land or in your local park - so why would you do it with a dog poo?  Carnivore stools are not as welcome in the natural world as those of cows, horses and sheep.  Dogs poo isn’t plant fibre so decomposes in a different way - and can spread diseases to other animals and sometimes to people.

Train & Scoop - it’s easy!

posted by admin on Aug 11

Don’t neglect your dogs teeth.

They need to be looked after just as much as a humans - especially if you are feeding moist foods - or you have a breed prone to dental problems like sight hounds or toy dogs.

Dental problem can cost a lot of money at the vets - and can be really painful for your pet. And it is all virtually avoidable. Don’t wait until your dog gets into trouble - and never assume your dog is too old to make a difference!

What Is The Problem?
Most dog food and treats contain sugar - need I explain!

I can virtually guarantee that if you are feeding a moist or dry commercial pet food - one that is available in your local food store - it contains sugar (or sometimes listed in the ingredients as caramel, glucose).

These sticky, moist food might taste nice with all it’s additives, but it will stick to the teeth and do damage.

As it is wet - it also has no abrasive action so there is no general scraping of the teeth during eating. Some people sometimes add biscuits to the wet food - but this can only do so much!

What’s The Solution?
Well, dry food can help to increase the abrasion of teeth while eating and therefore keep your dogs teeth free of dental build-up - however, do make sure that your dry food doesn’t contain colors or sugars - other wise you may as well be cleaning their teeth with icing!

Dogs teeth are natually strong and they can eat most whole animals products (like actual animal flesh, jerky and bones) without too much trouble - but as with humans, if you add sugars or highly-processed foods to your diet - you are asking for dental decay!

Therefore you have one of 2 solutions that are very easy to add to your pets routine:

1) Feed your dog anything you want to but clean it’s teeth regularly with pet-friendly toothpaste, or;
2) Feed your dog premium dry foods (that don’t contain sugars) and only feed healthy treats and let the teeth keep themselves clean.

There are, of course, breeds of dog like Yorkshire Terriers and many sight hounds that are genetically prone to ‘bad teeth’, so these dogs may need extra attention which ever method you choose.

posted by admin on Jul 9

A Black & Tan Long-Haired Large Dog that tops the polls!

German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most-registered breeds of dog across the US and Europe due to their loyalty, intelligence and ease of training - as well as their unique appearance.

And for this exact same reason - they are a favourite breed for the armed forces and security trades to use for protection and defence.

The History Of The Breed:
Quite a recent herding breed, the German Shepherd (or GSD) grew in popularity in Germany and throughout Europe around the turn of the 20th century.

Although sometimes called the German Shepard, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schaferhund or Alsatian - they are one and the same breed and the history of the latter no longer applies so is not a preferred term of breeders and show people alike!

Hekto Linksrhein was a working dog that was found at a show by a dog enthusiast looking for the perfect working dog.  This man was Max von Stephanitz, and he went on to intensively breed from this dogs progeny and started the genetic base for the German Shepherd we know today - and all today’s Shepherds can draw a genetic link to his puppies!

The prefix of ‘German’ has hampered the breed in the past due to the 2 World Wars, however, this goes to show the popularity of the breed has remained.  By registrations is is the 3rd most popular breed in the US at the moment, 3rd in Canada, 4th in the UK and 2nd in Australia - beating the Australian Shepherd on home turf!

Problems With The Breed:
Unfortunately, the breed was originally designed to be a working dog - as were many herding dogs we have as pets today.

This leads to a whole host of problems, as looks and temperament start to dominate breeding rather than health and internal structure.  Breed judges might say that they need to have a longer nose or a more sloping back - purely for human satisfaction - rather than for the benefit of the dog!

As a result of all the human demands - German Shepherds now suffer from a huge list of genetic problems - in reality these sometimes painful and life-shortening traits are being bred into the puppies so that the adults can ‘win’ in shows.

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, chronic digestive conditions, liver shunt, monorchidism and many more common ailments are well known across the breed - but afflicted animals are still bred from - as these problems are not always visible in young dogs - so can still be entered into shows!

Problems With The Owners:
There are tests available for the discerning buyer who wants a healthy - disease free pet - but many buyers just buy their dogs because they are a German Shepherd rather than a healthy German Shepherd. 

Unfortunately, it is more common for the latter of the 2 buyers to not neuter their pets therefore passing on these ‘bad genes’ to the next generation of casual buyers.

If people stopped buying German Shepherd puppies that had these illnesses (or no proof that their parents didn’t have these illnesses), then breeders would have to stop breeding them - and focus on healthier individuals to make a living.  It’s like selling faulty household goods or furniture.

Why buy a dog for several hundred dollars that is going to be in pain, get ill or have to have an operation and cost you hundreds more in vets bills - when you could buy the exact same dog and have it live it’s whole life healthy and pain-free?

Do your research before you buy - and have yourself a happy German Shepherd for the next 10 years…..

posted by admin on Jul 1

Do you want your cute puppy to be the star of the show?

Now you have the chance! You could have your little pooch seen around the world in National Geographic’s photographic competition in just a few seconds. Just upload your best shots and see your pet on the Internet!

It really is that simple.

What Do I Do?
Well, all you need to do is register with National Geographic with their easy form and get up-loading. It really couldn’t be any simpler!

It’s easy to have a look at the current gallery of snaps to see what everyone else is adding - some are soo cute! - and maybe it can inspire you to take more shots yourself!  But if you can see their pictures - then everyone will be able to see yours!

International dog-loving viewers could be downloading a picture of your retriever swimming in a lake for their home laptop or a shot of your chihuahua sleeping on the couch for their computers wallpaper.

Your poodle sitting in a flower pot or your Great Dane squashing your uncle in the car could be turned into a puzzle that thousands of people can play each day!

There is every chance that your dog shots could inspire people to either take up photography or get themselves a life-long companion! Or just make them laugh.

So, Do You Want to be a part of it?

Then get snapping - and get snappy! The sooner you register, the sooner the world can get to meet your dog!

posted by admin on Jun 24

Many people have trouble taking their dog in a car - and it’s usually distressing to watch or dangerous for the driver!

Basically, if a dog is in any way stressed by a journey (the rocking of the car) or by the reason for the journey (you only go in the car to the vets!) then it can show all sorts of signs - the most obvious is being sick.

Symptoms Of A Travel Sick Dog:
It isn’t just about being sick though, as there are many other signs that your dog is unhappy or upset by the journey. These include:

Anxiety- Your dog will no doubt actually look worries by the whole occasion.  It may well have refused or been reluctant to get in the car in the first place.  And even once inside the car, it still seems to be a bit ‘on edge’ and not quite relaxed.

Restlessness - Your dog will no doubt be unable to sit still at all for the journey - or before you even leave your drive!  It will be moving about in the same way that people do before an interview or speech.  Your mind is so full of stress that you cannot think about anything else and this creates energy that acts as a distraction.

If the dog is not secure in a dog harness, a crate or dog car seats then this could be a major hazard for the driver of the car.  The dog could obscure the view, create a diversion to take the drivers eyes off the road or maybe even move towards or climb on the drivers lap!

Trembling - Some dogs may well sit still, but they are curled up all defensive and are actually trembling with fear!  They may have fast-moving eyes - looking out for any way to end this panic and fear.  Rather than try to out-pace the stress they just stay put and suffer.

Drooling - Many dogs (and cats) will start to create excess saliva when stressed, and will drool all over themselves and your car.

Drooling is usually created by nausea - the feeling of sickness.  Just as humans start to create extra moisture in their mouths before they are going to be sick - dogs create drool.  It is unpleasant for the dog and will just make it’s stress levels become higher.

Sickness - this is normally the highest level a travel sick dog will reach as this is the result of all the other types of stress added together.

A dog will not just ‘be sick’ without having suffered stress in one or more of the ways listed above.

Other Causes?
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to say that travel sickness is the result of stress alone, but it is the main trigger.

For example - if you are feeling full up with a tummy full of dinner and then we set you out on a bouncy journey in the back of a car, I’m not sure even your tummy could stay normal.  You would know something wasn’t right and then that is all you think about.  And it is the stress of thinking about this that can make it worse.

Needing to go to toilet can also create these ‘distracting thoughts’ too - where you are not enjoying the journey - you are just thinking about one thing!

Imbalance can also create nausea - just like sea-sickness - but if you have an empty tummy, don’t need the loo and are completely relaxed then these things shouldn’t be an issue.

The Solution?
There are many ’solutions’ that people have tried and are still trying - but it all depends on the situation you are in, the reason for the fear and what you have already tried to ‘cure’ it.

I will discuss these options in the following article.

posted by admin on Jun 12

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Even though they may still look active and healthy - you must treat your elderly pets differently.

I don’t mean to ignore them or give them more treats - I mean an aging animal has very different requirements to a normal adult dog or cat, in terms of energy needs, general health, amount of exercise and heat tolerance to name a few.

Bearing in mind you may well have had them for 10 years or more since they were a kitten or puppy - surely you want to make the latter years of their life just as enjoyable but not quite so fast-paced or energetic.

What’s Different?
Well, commonly the whole body will be aging, so not only will the bones and joints be a bit worn out - but so could things on the inside.  And of course you can necessarily see these so think that they are ok.

As with humans, they need different levels of vitamins or minerals as they age - as their internal systems start reacting to changing hormones and a general slowing down.  Their mind should still be sharp but their body might not be doing to well to keep up!

The Signs Of Aging:
Dogs and cats don’t get wrinkles and sagging skin, but there are many signs that your beloved oldie needs some special attention.  These include:

Sore Or Damaged Teeth & Gums: This may show up as reduced interest in certain foods or ‘not eating’ their premium dry foods. 

Owners may think that he ‘doesn’t like the taste of them anymore’ and so fall into the trick of commercial wet foods - they don’t prefer the flavour of the wet foods - it’s just that they are soft and don’t hurt their teeth and gums!  Why not just soak his premium dry food in warm water and voila - wet (but good for you) food!

Painful Joints Or Arthritis:  This may show up as reluctance to go for long walks in dogs, not jumping up on the sofa or bed as often, not climbing the stairs or possibly not getting up to greet you in the morning after evening runs.

Basically the dog still wants to enjoy walks and playing with you but either gives up half way as it is too uncomfortable - or continues to chase ball after ball and walking for miles to be with you - but really suffering all night with the pain of it all.  Remember your aching limbs after that one-off mountain climbing session!

Lack of correct nutrients or organ failure: This may well start to show up as loose stools, poor coat or a change in character.  You may notice that your cat has started to soil closer to the house or not to cover it up.  Dogs may well lose weight or get dandruff or excessive molting.

Basically you could be feeding your dog the best food in the world, but if it isn’t scientifically designed for older animals or your pets internal digestive system or heart is not working properly these symptoms may be the first signs that you get to show that there could be something wrong.

Heart Disease:  This may show up as panting a lot, especially when hot.  Now I know that all dogs pant when they are very hot or after heavy exercise - but older dogs are more likely to suffer from some types of heart failure - and particularly certain breeds.

Many owners think that it is always best to take their dogs out with them wherever they go than to leave them at home, but that is not always so.  I would rather leave my dog at home on a sunny day than have her sit in a boiling hot car for the 30 minute journey to the park. 

Unless you have air-conditioning in your vehicle, it just gets too hot for elderly (or very young or hairy) animals to cool off.  Excess panting ensues because the heart cannot pump the blood around the body fast enough to cool it down.  The end result will only be making the heart worse, and we know where that leads!

Mental Boredom:  This may well show up a chewing their feet, over-grooming, destroying furniture or their beds and possibly soiling the house.

As you reduce their exercise due to age or injury they will need something to replace that stimulation - and it needs to be mental stimulation.  Rather than just throwing a ball around for less time or over shorter distances, you need to be stimulating their mind with tricks or new skills.

Why not invest in a Clicker (and a tiny torch for cats) and encourage them to learn a new skill that doesn’t involve too much strenuous activity. Maybe learning to turn in a circle or select a certain toy from the pile will keep them happy inside rather than let them waste away the rest of their lives.  Lack of mobility does not have to mean the end of their fun in life - or yours.

Treat them as you would elderly people.  Be patient, be encouraging and don’t expect them to do what they used to do.  Help them find new things to entertain and amuse them and keep your favorite pet happy!

posted by admin on Jun 2

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Teacup chihuahuas are so popular at the moment - and have starred in many recent Hollywood movies! One film was even just about chihuahuas - nothing else!

These tiny little dogs are very similar to standard chihuahuas as there is no actual ‘breed’ that defines the teacup variety other than their size - being that they are smaller than the standard show type.

What Is A Toy Dog?
Well, the definition of a ‘toy dog’ is just a small dog really!  It isn’t a certain group of breeds or even a certain breed of dog so to speak, although there are several breeds sizes used in shows that use the ‘Toy’ prefix - such a ‘toy poodles’. 

However, there are also very small dogs that are classed in other working groups like the Australian terrier.

Toy dogs span many different dog types including spaniels and terriers - although not all toy dogs are lap dogs - many are (or were) working dogs, usually ‘ratters’ and ‘hunters’.

Some toy breeds were designed to be small for pleasure and to ’sit on a lady’s lap’, but others were made smaller for a specific purpose - like a ‘fox catching dog’ may have been bred over time to be smaller to fit in underground tunnels and dens etc.

Chihuahuas obviously fit into the general ‘Toy Dog Group’ of the US and UK Kennel Clubs, which also include both lapdogs (like pekingese and papillon) and miniature versions of working dogs (yorkies and toy poodles).

Teacup Chihuahuas:
Standard Chihuahuas come in a variety of sizes and colors and with either long or short hair.  The breed standard in each country varies slightly in what size or weight is acceptable in showing (the height isn’t a problem) - but of course your teacup chihuahua can be as tiny as you like if it is just a pet. 

Even if it does literally fit into a tea cup, it is still a chihuahua if both it’s parents were - it just won’t win and awards with the Kennel Club - however, it will still win everyone’s heart!

Teacup chihuahuas are one of my favorite breeds (along with teacup poodles and teacup pugs of course!) and chihuahua puppies are just the cutest thing ever!

I traveled all the way to Mexico several times to get a glimpse of some native chihuahuas - as the breed originated in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico.  It was definitely worth it for me!

posted by admin on May 25

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Dogs don’t need to get fit - so why make them run?

I am seeing a growing trend in people who are going out cycling and making their dog run beside them.  It’s not safe for several reasons - but it really isn’t in the dogs best interest anyway.

Reason 1:
Usually, a dog running like this will not have a lead on - and that could be an issue by itself!  What if you were not watching your dog as you peddled around some trees or whatever - and your dog chased a rabbit/cat/jogger/anything.  What if it got injured?  It may well continue to run along with you anyway - trying to keep up with you while ignoring the pain! 

And even if it did have a lead - that is even worse!  There is obviously the risk of the lead affecting your steering on the bike - which could cause a nasty fall; you could go either side of a tree causing an accident - and worst of all, the lead will make the dog feel compelled to keep running beyond it’s ability because it is attached to it’s owner - you! 

Reason 2:
Domestic Dogs are not endurance runners!  Why would any sensible owner think that this was a good idea?

If your dog is running along with it’s whole tongue hanging out the side of it’s gaping wide mouth - it is out of breath and needs to rest!  Especially if it is a sunny day.  If you are hot just rolling along on your bike - imagine how hot your dog is running by your side!

Many heart problems in dogs are identified during hot weather periods.  This is not because hot weather makes canine hearts go ‘bad’, it is because dog owners put their pets hearts under extra pressure in warm weather by taking them out in the midday sun, having them in hot cars (even when you are driving the car it can still be too hot for dogs) and making them run around for hours!

Reason 3:
It’s plain selfish.  You get a dog as a companion, and you take it for walks so it can enjoy itself.  Don’t you?

How can it enjoy itself (in doggy terms) if it has to just run and run and run?  When can it stop to say ‘hello’ to other dogs?  When can it scent mark and have a sniff of everything else?  When can it roll in the cool grass and splash through puddles if it has to run?

To be honest - your dog is better off being left at home than made to run alongside a bike.  It would be far healthier for your hound to have a few quiet strolls around the block than an epic marathon in the countryside.  If your dog doesn’t ‘train’ for these long runs, it can pull a muscle just like humans.  The few days after the run could leave your dog aching all over like we do after a ‘once in a blue moon’ game of tennis!

But, dogs want to please, so will get up and do it all over again if you ‘asked’ it to - whether it hurt or not!

So, give your dog a day off when you want to mountain-bike across a national park or anywhere at all for more than 10 minutes to be honest.  And if you are too hot in tee-shirt and shorts yourself - don’t even take you dog out for a long walk - it’s just not really fair.