Pleasing 4 Pets

With Guy Fawkes Night fast approaching many UK pet owners are thinking of ways to keep their beloved pets safe and calm.

But what exactly can you do to keep your pets as stress free as possible on November 5th?

Some pets will opt for the most unusual hiding places in their efforts to seek comport and escape the noise of fireworks. It is not unusual for pet owners to find their animals hiding behind wardrobes, under desks or even in the bath.

There are some practical efforts that will help keep a cat or dog happy during a period which is often as distressing for owners as it is for their animals.

Primarily, an anxious cat or dog should be kept indoors where possible on Guy Fawkes Night, with windows and doors left closed as they may often attempt to escape in panic.

Keep the TV switched on or play some music to mask some of the firework noises and distract your pet and keep the curtains closed to blank out flashes.

If you have a cat, feed him at least an hour before the event and try to make sure that he has been outside before the barrage of fireworks begins. You should still ensure that a litter tray is available for the remainder of the evening.

If you have dog make sure that he is fed as early as is possible on bonfire night and that he gets plenty of exercise before it gets dark and the fireworks start.

Leaving your pet alone when fireworks are being used will probably distress them further - they will likely feel safer in your presence. You should remain calm and act exhibit ordinary behaviour. If your pet becomes anxious or distressed and wants to hide in a corner let them.

A recent study has revealed that a massive 79% of the owners of all cats and dogs in the UK believe that noisy fireworks ought to be banned, with 80% of UK vets supporting similar beliefs.

One vet commented:-

“Injuries to pets due to fireworks are usually caused as a result of them fleeing in fear of the loud bangs and flashes. I once treated a Staffordshire bull terrier that bolted across a road when a firework exploded and was hit by a car. Luckily he survived the collision, although he did suffer a dislocated hip and a shattered leg.
It is not uncommon for cats to go missing at this time of year also as they try to get away from the noise.”

The research also revealed that some pets are so disturbed and upset by fireworks that almost half of their owners claimed that they would support a complete nationwide ban.

One dog owner, Margaret Littlewood gave her backing to a complete ban, after re-counting the experiences of her late and much loved pet dog, Tramp. She said:-

“Unfortunately, Tramp is no longer with us but I used to absolutely dread this time of year. One year there were a lot of fireworks nearby and in a panic, Tramp sought refuge behind the toilet. For a while I thought he might be stuck but when we eventually coaxed him out he was shaking horribly. To make matters worse, another firework went off and he ran and hid in my wardrobe – it was terribly upsetting.”

The nations animals could become the next costly item on the agenda in the divorce courts, after a court in the UK awarded the wife of a wealthy banker a divorce settlement which included £50,000 per year for the maintenance of her horses.

Her city-worker husband who declared annual earning of £60,000 with additional bonuses claimed that the horses were unnecessary extravagance and that without them his ex-wife could purchase a property without extra land for less than £600,000.

But the court awarded the bankers ex-wife with a £1.5million overall divorce settlement, £900,000 of which was to purchase a property which housed sufficient grounds for her animals to graze.

Although the couple had no children, the court was advised that the horses had become child-substitutes throughout the course of the 11 year marriage

The case was heard by the most senior family judge in the UK, who said of the case:-

“During the marriage the horses played a major part in the wife’s life with the consent and encouragement of the husband. The animals took on this role all the more so after she lost a baby in 2001 and the husband gave her a third horse to celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2004, to add to her own two horses which she had bought herself for £20,000 out of a personal inheritance in order to justify her eventing”.

Hens, which have come to the closing stages of their industrious egg producing lives, are being rescued by the Scotland’s division of the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. They will be saved from the many battery farms throughout Scotland and put on the market as family pets, in the hope of finding new owners.

Farmers typically dispatch the hens for slaughter once they discontinue producing eggs. The hens, which are usually only about 18 months of age when they leave the battery farms, but can often survive for up to eight years if they are not slaughtered.

The Battery Hen Welfare Trust which was founded 2003 provides support for farmers and works along side them to help bring down the numbers of battery hens. Since it began it has re-housed many thousands of battery hens and since hens only require a small amount or garden to run around in and are very easy to keep, it is hoped that they will continue to find homes for many more.

A recent study claimed that an estimated 66% of eggs consumed in the UK continue to originate from battery hens, with most of the eggs used to make in processed foodstuffs such as pasta, cakes and mayonnaise.. The Battery Hen Welfare Trust intends to help reduce that amount by 2012 to around 30%.

Believe it or not, in the same way that humans leave an environmental foot print, their pets can also leave an environmental paw print. But as the more green savvy amongst today’s pet lovers know, there are a variety of ways that you can ease your animal companions’ impact on the environment.

For a start, canine faeces poses more of an environmental issue than many pet owners appreciate, particularly for those living in urban areas. The copious amounts of concrete found in our towns and cities acts as a run-off for animal waste, transporting it into ponds and water courses. The micro-organisms that flourish on animal faeces devour oxygen in ponds, which in turn has a detrimental effect on many forms of pond life, this makes the need for pond pumps and filters even more important than ever before.

Faeces left by our feline friends also offers a first-rate residence for a number of unpleasant parasites including toxoplasmosis which is now acknowledged as being able to endure standard sewage treatment, and can find its way into our oceans, damaging marine life.

The obvious answer is not to allow cats or dogs to relieve themselves anywhere there is the possibility that the waste might have access to drains. Dog owners are already familiar with ‘bag it ‘n’ bin it’ practices, but the advanced green option would be to use eco-friendly bags that will biodegrade within in a matter of weeks.

There are also environmentally friendly choices available for cat litter these days. It is worth bearing in mind that Sodium Bentonite or clay-based cat litters carry a coating of silica which is known for its carcinogenic properties and is a recognised factor in some respiratory disorders. You can reduce your kitty’s carbon paw print by using one of the many 100% biodegradable cat litters that are currently on the market.

You can also lessen the ecological impact that your pet has on the planet by controlling what you feed them. Substitute commercial pet food, which frequently includes unhealthy and unnatural additives and preservatives, with organic pet food. In today’s society there is a much greater range of organic pet provisions than you might think.

A lot of us pay a great deal towards the upkeep of a family pet and would consider it worth every penny, but unfortunately some pet owners are not as caring when it comes to their animal companions.

The expense of owning a pet can mount up unexpectedly in a variety of ways. The most obvious costs include food, medical bills and routine care. After that, you can incorporate extras such as playthings and treats. On occasion you may be required to pay for your pet to travel with you or encounter a number of other pet-related bills.

Regrettably, when a situation becomes financially difficult, some pet owners assume that their pet should be the first expense that they cut. All of a sudden, a pet’s fundamental needs can appear too expensive. Its upsetting to think that in these conditions people will disown their pets but unfortunately this can happen all too often and is perhaps more common than you may think.

There are several ways to avoid ever being in the situation where you might consider deserting your pet. Where possible you should consider neutering your animal. The cost is usually very inexpensive, and your actions could help contain the future population of homeless animals.

If you are considering taking on a new pet, you should avoid pet shops and breeders and contemplate adopting one which may have been previously abandoned by visiting one of the many animal charities in the UK.

You can also make donations to the charities that house and protect abandoned animals such as the RSPCA. There are a vast number of additional local organisations or breed-specific charities that might also appreciate your aid. Of course financial contributions are always welcomed but remember that such organisations will also be grateful for care essentials such as blankets and will be grateful for any time that you can volunteer as an unpaid assistant.

Lastly, you can assist in making it completely unacceptable for animals in society to be regarded so improperly. Bring it to the attention of the local animal welfare authorities when you see an animal in a damaging situation or being treated poorly. Taking action shows a far greater consideration and respect to your animal companions than any toy or treat that you can buy.