Snow Joke!

With Christmas almost here and more than a nip in the air, the big freeze has certainly begun. A lot of places throughout England/Wales/Scotland/NI have been affected by the sudden snow already and I don't doubt there's more to come. With that in mind, I wanted to take few minutes out to make 5 essential points that I hope you'll keep in mind when the white stuff hits!

1. Many people enjoy taking their dogs for a walk and nothing beats an early morning ramble in a winter wonderland but be aware of the dangers that may lie in your path. Everything from sharp black or broken ice, to unforeseen dangers such as broken bottles concealed in the snow drifts, are all too common. Ice and broken bottles (etc) can cut paws and may lead to a trip to the vets. Fore warned is fore armed!

2. When the salt grit trucks are out in force, a route change may be for the best. If that's not possible, then you should be sure to wash your dogs paws thoroughly in warm soapy water after your walk. Salt grit will irritate pads and can upset tummies if ingested during a cleaning session. For your dogs comfort it's best to gently dry their paws after, no one likes cold feet! If your dogs paws do become sore, irritated or even cracked, there are several 'paw treatments' out there that will help soothe them. (Always consult your vet first!)

3. This is probably the most important piece of advice any dog owner/walker will ever receive... Stay away from frozen ponds/lakes. Even if it's 'not that deep'. Even if the ice 'seems thick'. Never ever risk it, because it could be your dogs life, and your own, that will be lost. Sadly this is something we hear about year after year and only today another dog and owner were lost to icy waters. If your route involves/comes close to any frozen water, a river, stream, lake or pond, please keep your dog on a lead and stay well away. The risk is simply too great.

4. I've mentioned sharp/broken/cracked ice being a problem, but even seemingly harmless smooth ice can be an issue for young puppies, golden oldies or otherwise fragile dogs. Avoid ice as much as possible, no doggy wants a sprained or broken leg for Christmas! Games of 'fetch' will be best played indoors or on soft snow :)

5. Finally, keep your doggies warm! They have their fur of course, (well, most do) but with bitter cold winds and possible snow on the ground, a nice thick coat will surely be appreciated, as will an extra blanket in their beds and a warm lap to lie on! (Few can deny the winter snuggles being a 'win' for both doggie and human).

The festive season is full of fun and being in the know is the best way to stay safe :) Between this post, our 'Christmas Safety' post and the upcoming New Years post, hopefully you'll be clued up and ready to enjoy the holidays with your whole family.

One last thing I feel I should mention, don't eat the yellow snow! ;)

Be safe and enjoy the festive season with your furries,
Love and licks,
Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe, Lily and Lola.
xo

P.S As an extra but important precaution, it's wise to check your vets opening times and out of hours service arrangements over the Christmas/New Year period. It's always best to avoid being caught out or put in a tricky situation. Be safe and be prepared.

Remember remember...

the 5th of November, gun powder, treason and plot...

Well there's no treason or plot here, although there's been a fair amount of gun powder around already tonight, in the form of fireworks! I love fireworks, the girls however are not so keen and we've had to take some of our own advice to keep them settled.

Hopefully this years Bonfire Night will pass without any major upset, so we can start looking forwards to the next holiday, the big one, Christmas!

We'll be back soon with 2 recipe posts, a post about our giveaway winners, another giveaway and closer to the 'big day' we'll have some fabulous festive themed posts for you, including some sneak previews of our presents to the girls! :)

We hope your night goes smoothly and your dogs stay safe,

Love & licks,
Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe, Lily and Lola.
xo

Keeping your pet safe from things that go bump in the night...

With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, we thought it'd be a good idea to share some tips and ideas on how to make sure your dog has as much fun as you do! This time of year can be incredibly stressful for a lot of pets, with loud noises, strangers calling and a general senses overload. We've lined up a list of things you can do to take the pressure off your pet...

1. Keep your pet indoors. If all is quiet your dog may go out to pee, but be prepared with newspaper or puppy pads on hand just in case. Cats should be kept in overnight.

2. Make a den for your pup to go hide in. It might be a good idea to make the hide out close to you, so your presence can reassure them but they'll still have their own space. A crate or carrier with the sides covered will work, as will a bed with a roof or anything similar.

3. Resist the urge to baby your pet. The more you worry, the more they'll pick up on it. Be calm and in control and they'll follow your lead.

4. If you dog is prone to anxiety then using a thundershirt is a great option, alternatively a close fitting t shirt is a good option.

5. Keeping some low level noise going through the worst of the bangs can help mask the noise, but watch your dogs reaction closely.

6. Keep to your routine, walks aside you should try and keep things as normal as possible.

7. If you're likely to get 'trick or treaters' and you know your dog isn't 100% okay with knocks on the door, it might be worth moving to your back room or even a bedroom.

8. If your dog starts to howl at the noises then correct them using a gentle positive reinforcement technique, shouting will add to their stress and letting them continue doesn't help anybody.

9. If you want to let off fireworks at your home, or go to a show, ask a family member to dog-sit for the night away from all the action.

10. There's always a lot more treats and sweets around at this time of year, so be sure to keep them out of the reach of little paws, chocolate is especially dangerous.

And finally,

11. If your pup is really not coping then don't let them suffer, a bad experience will only make next year harder. Know when to call in the professionals and contact your vet - some cases will need a sedative. Don't see it as a failure, just that extra steps need to be taken ready for next year, such as exposure therapy via a CD.

To read more from some people who are definitely in the doggy know, check out the Kennel Clubs press release!

The 'Holiday Season' should be a fun and festive time for every member of your family, including those with 4 legs. It can be easy to over look the little things, but they can make the biggest of differences. We hope you and your pet stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night and we'll be back soon to share what we did to celebrate :)

Love & licks,

Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe, Lily and Lola.
xo

A word on dealing with a Pet Emergency (Guest Post)

10 Signs you’re Dealing with a Pet Emergency 

Most pet owners are aware that their beloved furry companions don’t always get sick or injured during the vet’s regular office hours. Accidents or illness can sometimes occur at an inconvenient time, which leaves owners with the tough decision of whether the situation requires emergency veterinary care or not.

To be best prepared for emergency situations, it’s a good idea to have a well-equipped pet first-aid kit in your home. The kit should include bandages, hydrogen peroxide, a thermometer and possibly some OTC pet meds like aspirin for dogs (do not give your pet human medications). 

Some minor injuries or illnesses may be able to be cared for and monitored at home until your regular vet’s office is open, but the following symptoms warrant a trip to an emergency veterinary clinic:

1. Your pet is experiencing severe pain
2. Your pet is having difficulty breathing
3. Your pet is profusely vomiting- This is of particular concern if the vomit contains blood, water can’t be kept down or the animal is severely depressed or obviously in a great deal of pain.
4. Your pet has had repeated unsuccessful attempts at vomiting- This is especially alarming if accompanied be an enlarged abdomen, which can be a sign of “bloat” (gastric dilatation and volvulus). This is a life-threatening condition common in large breed dogs. 
5. There is a large amount of blood present in the stool
6. Your pet is experiencing profuse, watery diarrhoea- This is of particular concerns in puppies.
7. Your pet is experiencing a seizure for the first time- If seizures are a regular episode for your pet, veterinary advice is still necessary if the seizure seems especially severe.
8. Your pet is severely depressed or there is a lack of response when you try to touch or talk to your pet
9. Your pet is experiencing extreme weakness or is unsteady when standing or walking
10. Your pet is bleeding severely  enough that there is a trail of drops when the animal is moving or a pool of blood when the animal is resting

It’s better to play it safe if you’re unsure about your pet’s condition. Always contact a veterinarian when in doubt.

Thanks to the people at vetdepot.com for the great tips!