Professional Membership

Micro chipping your pet dog, cat or rabbit can mean you are more likely to be reunited if they become lost. Dogs have to be microchipped now as it is part of UK law. Wearing collars can also be useful in re-uniting animals with their owners. If cats wear collars with bells to protect wildlife make sure these are quick release safety collars and are purchased from reputable manufacturers. If your feline friend is a hunter and brings wildlife in to prevent this ensure they wear their bell collar when out and avoid them going out between dusk and dawn. This greatly reduces the problem. If your pet does unfortunately catch and or harm wildlife seek the support of your nearest wildlife centre/sanctuary who are experts in nursing them back to health and giving them the best chance of survival.

Some owners have asked me if there are pet services for lost companion animals and there is. You can register your pet dog or cat with national organizations. There are several missing pet services that you can register with/report missing pets through and these can be sought via the internet. If you find a lost pet inform  your local vets and local animals charities and contact the local dog warden if it is a dog.

Vets and most animal charities suggest neutering and castrating domestic dogs and cats before their first season for health reasons and to prevent unwanted litters or pregnancies (This can be a significant problem if they stray or become lost).  

Regular or annual health checks can prevent problems and help to detect early signs of disease, these can be more easily treated if found early. A health check will usually include their annual vaccination to keep them well and prevent the spread of disease.

Where possible think about pet care insurance. Several of my own animals have in the past required urgent treatment - at these times I was so relieved to have insured each of them. If you decide not to or are unable to then consider setting up a savings account just for your animals - I did this for my cat, Megan who could not be insured, it has proved invaluable!

Monthly flea treatments and regular worming can keep their coats, skin and digestion in top condition. In summer check regularly for tics, mites or parasites. Tics can be gently removed with a special tick remover so that the whole tick is removed and nothing is left embedded in the skin which can lead to secondary infections.

If your cat is white or has white ears they may be more likely to be at risk of sun burn and the risk of skin cancer. White cats lack the protective pigment that other cats have. Skin cancer (usually squamous cell carcinoma (cancer)) most frequently occurs on the tips of the ears, sparsely haired areas around the ear base and eyelids, and the tip of the nose. The only preventative measure is to keep the cat out of direct sun, particularly during the peak sun hours -typically 10am to 2pm.

Invest in a daily or at least a weekly groom with your companion animal, it improves bonding and it’s the perfect time to carry out a mini home health check. Many owners when grooming, find conditions they would have missed had they not been patting, stroking and brushing their animals coat. Professional groomers can keep your dog and cats fur and claws/nails in regular good condition. This is a great time to check harnesses and leads and collars to be sure they are safe, secure and not fraying. Medium and long haired cats and older cats can be prone to matted hair which can lead to pain and infections so seek professional help if you see signs of this occuring.

If finances become strained due to circumstances changing, illness, redundancy, people worry about their animals and how they will cope. Be pro-active. Contact organizations like Citizens Advice Bureau for help and check local charities like the Blue Cross or the PDSA (people's Dispensary for Sick Animals). If difficulties arise and benefit support is granted many of these charities will treat pets at a reduced cost/charge where people are in receipt of certain national Department of Work and Pensions or other employment benefit allowances.

Check food and water and their feeding bowls are clean and refreshed daily, particular in summer when it is hot and water can evaporate more quickly, the same is true in winter, when we have our central heating on.

Check your conservatory doors are always open so that if dogs or cats wander in, they can also get out (hot days can turn these glass houses into ovens). Similarly avoid leaving any pets in vehicles alone in warm and hot weather heat exhaustion can lead to death within minutes. I fitted a cat flap to the lower conservatory window so that my cats can get in and out to the garden if the door to the conservatory gets shut by mistake.

Puppy and dog training classes can be a great way to socialize your young pup and the perfect way to network and meet other dog friendly people. It's also good for swapping ideas and working out pet problems. When walking your dog along or anywhere near a road keep them on the lead at all times. Even trained and well behaved dogs have been known to take chase after seeing a cat, squirrel or rabbit.

Take time to learn some basic animal first aid - this could save your companions life in an emergency. There are lots of places and ways of accessing first aid for pets.

When playing with your dog, be cautious if throwing sticks and small balls. Vets across the UK see hundreds of cases of sticks impaled in dogs throats or small balls lodged in their throats and this can be fatal. After play times check ears for grass seeds that can get lodged and lead to infection, pain, irritation and head shaking. If suspected do not touch the ear but see a vet for treatment. In certain areas, tics have been known to carry diseases in dogs so avoid walking your dog in these areas where known. Some parts of Hampshire/New Forest has had an outbreak of these tics. Check for currency and updates when you choose your walks. 

Also when feeding your dog make sure they are not exercised for at least an hour before or after feeding as this can sometimes lead to an emergency life threatening condition called Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (also known as twisted stomach, gastric torsion and GDV). The stomach becomes overstretched and rotated/twisted by excessive gas content and is life threatening that requires prompt treatment. It is more common in domesticated animals, especially certain deep-chested dog breeds.

If you keep small animals, particularly rabbits and guinea pigs etc, they are highly susceptible to fly-strike in summer and in warm/hot weather. Fly strike is rapid and fatal. Flies land and lay eggs which turn into maggots on the tail and rumps of small animals. Check their bedding and their fur every day. Remove all traces of excrement and refresh with new bedding. If in doubt see the vet without delay. Rabbits living alone experience high levels of stress. They should not be kept alone in isolation rabbits are social animals and need company talk to your vet about how to safely keep rabbits together. Contact RWAF - Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund. They have excellent advice about all things rabbit.

Toys can help prevent boredom when owners are at work or away. Some products have been designed to encourage dogs and cats to play and work for their food treats. These and other toys should be checked for wear, tear or damage that could cause injury to the teeth, mouth and gums. When purchasing check that they meet safety standards and are manufactured by reputable pet suppliers. Like pet bedding, wash and rinse toys regularly to prevent infections and infestations. 

If you have a hamster or are considering a small animal, these creatures can jump suddenly from little hands (and big hands too). They can move very quickly and jump without warning. Sadly many break limbs and some also die from broken backs/necks. So to keep your small animal/hamster safe be as close to the ground as possible when you handle them and keep handling to a minimum.