World Elephant Day

Hi PetPals!

Today is World Elephant Day. It's a day to celebrate and raise awareness of these majestic, huge mammals. 

To mark this day I thought today I would share 10 fun facts about Elephants that you might not know:

1. There are two types of Elephants- the African Elephant and Asian Elephant

2. Elephants are the biggest and largest land mammals

3. Both female and male African elephants have tusks but only the male Asian elephants have tusks.      They use their tusks for digging and finding food.

4. Female elephants are called cows. They start to have calves when they are about 12 years old and they are pregnant for 22 months.

5. An elephant can use its tusks to dig for ground water. An adult elephant needs to drink around 210 litres of water a day.

6. Elephants have no natural predators. However, lions will sometimes prey on young or weak elephants in the wild. The main risk to elephants is from humans through poaching and changes to their habitat.

7. The elephant’s trunk is able to sense the size, shape and temperature of an object. An elephant uses its trunk to lift food and suck up water then pour it into its mouth.

8. An elephant’s trunk can grow to be about 2 metres long and can weigh up to 140 kg. Some scientists believe that an elephant’s trunk is made up of 100,000 muscles, but no bones.  

9.Female elephants spend their entire lives living in large groups called herds. Male elephant leave their herds at about 13 years old and live fairly solitary lives from this point.

10. Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breathe like a snorkel in deep water. 

Just to reiterate fact number 6, Elephants are at risk of extinction. They are hunted and killed for their tusks which some cultures believe have medicine inside them. This is strictly not true, elephant tusks are simply made up of Keratin, the same stuff that our hair and nails are made from. Keratin has no medicinal property at all!! In other words, these elephants are dying for no purpose whatsoever!

Humans are the biggest threat to these animals. We can change that. Share a photo of an elephant and let others know the struggles they are facing. Every 15 minutes, 8 elephants are poached. We can stop that. Make others aware and/or donate to the WWF/ an Elephant charity and help save them.

Happy World Lion Day!

Hi PetPals!

Today is World Lion Day. It's a day to celebrate and raise awareness of there magnificent animals.

Lions are iconic species and their picture or structure are often found guarding our temples, adorning our flags, decorating our coins and capturing our hearts. On almost every continent, and in thousands of cultures, the lion can be found demonstrating man’s fascination with this magnificent beast.

Despite the lions’ symbolic importance throughout the ages, today they are suffering from a silent extinction across Africa and India.  Knowledge of the King of Beasts’ plight is little known.

The lion population in Africa has been reduced by half since the early 1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa. It's estimated that Lions could be extinct by 2020- that's in just 5 years time! Crazy! The reason for their decline is habitat loss, prey loss and poaching. Poaching and Trophy Hunting of Lions is a huge problem at the moment. Just over 2 weeks ago, the world was shocked by the unlawful hunting of Cecil who was lured away from the safety of his reserve park, shot and left to suffer for 40 hours before having his head cut off. Absolutely disgusting. Sickening. 

That is why it is so important to support World Lion Day. We don't want a repeat of Cecil. 

World Lion Day is the first global campaign to celebrate the importance of the lion worldwide. Since the dawn of man the lion has played an integral role in our lives: symbolically, religiously, culturally, economically and biologically. To lose the lion from our world would be to lose part of our global heritage. 

To support lions and their conservation, share a picture of a lion and let everyone know the struggle they are facing. Donate if you can, any amount can help save their lives. 

Also read this interesting article:

http://www.defenders.org/magazine/fall-2010/can-we-save-lions

Hope

Hi PetPals! 

How cute is this baby Rhino?! 

Not only is he the cutest thing I have ever seen but he's a fighter and a survivor! Unfortunately, his mother was cruelly attacked by poachers whilst she was pregnant with him but thanks to the amazing work of the 'Rhino Angels' (the nickname the rangers are given) they were BOTH saved! 

Even though, she went through a horrific ordeal and lost her horn, it is so heartwarming to see her look after her baby. Just look how happy they both are! 

For me, this baby Rhino represents Hope. Hope that in the future poaching and trophy hunting of these beautiful animals will stop and they will rise into a new world. A world without cruelty to animals. 

The time to act is now. Save these animals so that we can see more cute photos like the ones above. You can help either by donating or just sharing a post to raise awareness of endangered animals. 

What Beauty Brands are not Cruelty Free?

Hi PetPals!

It can be really mind boggling trying to find makeup that is cruelty free and not tested on animals. I often find myself going into stores such as Superdrug and Boots and wandering around trying to find products that are cruelty free by looking for these symbols:

It's quite surprising how many products in stores are not cruelty free. I know for a fact Superdrugs own brand products are cruelty free as they always have the bunny logo on the back. I understand that sometimes cruelty free products are a little more expensive especially if you're on a budget however for me personally, I would much rather pay that little bit extra knowing full well that the product I am using hasn't caused an animal to suffer. I'm sure you would all agree too?

The following brands STILL test on Animals and therefore are NOT cruelty free:

There are a few on that list that I'm surprised at such as Avon and Clinique. Avon is a well known brand that is affordable for everyone which means a lot of people are buying it and almost funding the animal testing. Clinique is supposed to be great at looking after your skin yet I feel it defeats it motive if it's testing these products on animals. 

If like me you're still unsure what brands are cruelty free, PETA have an app called 'Bunny Free' which lets you check. You can download it by going on the PETA website. 

I hope this has helped some of you. I will be doing a post on alternative brands so stay tuned for that! 

International Tiger Day!

Hi PetPals!

Did you know today is International Tiger Day?

International Tiger Day is an annual event and is both an awareness day as a celebration. It was founded at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010. This was done because at that moment wild tigers were too close to extinction. Many animal welfare organisations pledged to help these wonderful creatures and are still helping to raise funds to reach this goal. The goal of Tiger Day is to promote the protection and expansion of the wild tigers habitats and to gain support through awareness for tiger conservation.

We have lost 97% of our Wild Tigers in just 100 years!  Instead of 100,000, as few as 3000 live in the wild today, last year it was 3200! The figures show that in just 1 year, we have lost 200 Wild Tigers. It's horrifying to think that if we carry on at that rate, we will loose these beautiful creatures in just 1 year! 

It's so important that we make an effort to conserve these animals. We must change our attitude towards animals and understand that they have a right to live too. Our actions and behaviour has an impact on them.

It's not about donations but raising awareness. If we all share a picture or a post about International Tiger Day then we can make a difference. By sharing a post, you could be informing and educating someone who perhaps didn't realise just how critically endangered these animals are.

For more information, please Click here.

Don't forget to follow us on Bloglovin to stay up to date!

Swimming Guineapigs- Cute or Cruel?

Hi PetPals!

Over the weekend, a video of two Guineapigs swimming in a swimming pool went viral over social media.

The video (Click here) shows an owner placing his Guineapigs into a very big and deep swimming pool and letting them swim. Whilst the majority of people who have shared this video think it's ''cute'', in reality and when you think of Animal Welfare, it's not.

Guineapigs are not designed to swim. They are land animals and in the wild would live in groups on grassy plains. They would never choose to go swimming and often avoid rivers and lakes. They are not adapted for the water and nor do they have the strength to swim.

Guineapigs hold most of their weight in the bottom half of their body which means if you place them in water, they will just sink. The only reason they start ''swimming'' is because they have no choice. It's either sink or swim, death or life.

Placing your Guineapig in unnatural surroundings such as water will also cause them considerable stress. Their heart and lungs are small and located just under their front legs. Making them swim is putting major pressure on their breathing system.

Another thing that is significantly bad about making your guinea-pigs swim is the temperature of the water. What might feel warm to you will actually be freezing for your Guineapig. Again, it's not good to mess with your Guineapigs temperature as this can cause all kinds of illnesses.

I know a lot of you will be shouting at the screen ''What about baths?''. Well, Guineapigs should only be bathed when necessary AND the water should be very shallow and warm enough for your Guineapig.

The video make look ''cute'' but in actual fact, both Guineapigs are very stressed out. One is circling and the other is desperately looking for a way out but the sides are far too high for him to climb. In short, the water is way too deep, the sides are far too high and the Guineapigs are extremely stressed by it all.

And so is it Cute or Cruel? the verdict is...... Cruel.

Guineapigs are not designed to swim and should never be put in a situation where they are forced to. If you see this video on any social media, please do not share. Instead, share this post. The worst thing about the video going viral is the amount of owners who will try make their Guineapigs swim. Lets try and prevent that.

Meet the Penguins

Hi PetPals!

With August just around the corner, it's time for yet another cute animal series to start on ITV. This year, ITV have brought us 'Meet the Penguins'.

The documentary follows the Penguins at London Zoo and their keeper, Adrian. Adrian who has worked with the Penguins at London Zoo for over a decade takes a once in a lifetime trip to Peru to see where his beloved Humboldt Penguins originated from.

The series is sure to be a fantastic and heart warming.

It starts tonight on ITV1 at 7pm! You'll be silly to miss it

Review || Natures Aid Coconut Oil - Guinea pig Grease Gland

Hi PetPals!

Some of you may know this but male guineapigs (boars) have grease glands near their bottoms that need cleaning frequently. 

For those that don't know what I am on about, here is a picture that will help:

The grease gland in a guinea pig is located just above where a tail would be (if cavies had a tail). Some sows and some boars have active grease glands that can be a challenge to clean. 

You will know if your guineapig has an active grease gland as it will be quite smelly, greasy and look black. 

Owning 3 boars myself, I know how hard it is to keep this area clean. I have tried everything from using washing up liquid to pet shampoo much to my avail. 

Recently, I stumbled across a website that told me to use pure coconut oil. Now I know what you're thinking, 'the grease glands are oily so why use oil to treat it'. Well much to my surprise, it works!

I purchased this 'Natures aid Coconut Oil' from Amazon for £3.45 which is a bargain! The tub is 100ml which is more than enough. It arrived very quickly and I have been very impressed by it.

It's not a pure oil as it's name might suggest but more a waxy kind of cream that turns quite wet when you get a little bit on your fingers.

   

To apply it, I sit my guineapig on a towel and stick my fingers into the pot and get quite a generous layer out. I then literally rub it all over my guineapigs grease gland. As I do this, I can feel the wax becoming loose and wet which is obviously the coconut oil itself. Now you have two options, you can either leave the coconut oil on your guineapig or wipe it off 10-15 minutes later. I've tried both and they work both the same.

Since using this, my guineapigs grease glands have improved and I find myself not having to do this as often as what I was. My guineapigs are also not getting stressed out having baths and their grease glands scrubbed. It's definitely a lot more gentle and calming for your guineapig. 

I really would recommend this to all guineapig owners. Not only does it do a good job of cleaning out the grease glands but coconut oil also has anti-fungal properties too. 

You can purchase this particular pot here: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Natures-Aid-Coconut-Oil-100g/dp/B009M3VOSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=Coconut+oil+nature+aid

Guinea-Pigs Bedding and Enrichment

Hi PetPals!

Guinea-pigs are not as tough as what they were 10-15 years ago. There are a number of reasons why this is and these include breeding, genetics and owner knowledge.

Some breeders are not choosing wisely which guineapigs they mate. To get the 'perfect' guineapig, both the male and female need to be healthy and have good genetics so that their offspring will be as healthy too. Breeding a guineapig that has health problems is only passing on those genes to the offspring which means they too will get sick. Now of course, every animal will become ill at some point in their life but what you don't want is an animal that's constantly sick. This is not good for the animal or you as it's distressing on both parts. 

Owner knowledge is also something that could be a reason for them not being as hardy as they used to be. Not everyone knows their needs and signs/symptoms of illness etc. This is purely why I decided to set up this blog.

Anyway..

Bedding

The best bedding for guinea-pigs is a layer of newspaper with LOTS of HAY. 

You should never give a guinea-pig straw as it does not provide them any nutritional value. It can also irritate your guinea-pig too. Hay like vitamin C is essential in keeping guineapigs healthy.

Another thing you should never give guinea-pigs is sawdust. A lot of owners use sawdust to soak up the urine and the smell (especially if the guineapigs are kept indoors). Whilst, it does a good job at soaking up the urine and masking the smell, it's SUPER BAD for your guineapig. Sawdust gets stuck in their ears, eyes and paws which can cause infections and illnesses. It's also not very nice to lay on, just imagine sleeping on a bed of sawdust - sharp, smelly and rough. Vets do not recommend sawdust and blame most eye and ear infections on sawdust. 

If you want something to soak up the urine and the smell, I recommend you use carefresh. It's a little expensive but the benefits for both you and your guinea-pig are far greater than sawdust. You can get it at pets@home, amazon, ebay and most pet shops. 

Carefresh is soft and enables guineapigs  to make little nests and feel safe and comfortable. It soaks up urine and you wouldn't even notice the smell. For more info on carefresh, check out their website: http://www.carefresh.com/products/happy-habitat-system

Of course, if you use carefresh, make sure you add hay on top too. 

Enrichment

For those that don't know, enrichment means to make your animals life fuller and happier. Guineapigs are very sociable animals and so you should always keep them in pairs or small groups (preferably the same sex). 

Guineapigs love exploring and 'tunnelling' - it's something they would do in the wild. Add tunnels to your guineapigs enclosure, even stuff the tunnels with hay, they will love exploring them. 

Guineapigs need things to chew to keep their teeth trim and in good health. Lots of pet shops have toys your guineapig can chew but most guineapigs are happy with one of these:

Yep, toilet roll tubes are guineapigs favourite toys. They love to pick them up, chew them and are lots more fun when you hide fruit in. They're also extremely cheap for you too, everyone has toilet roll so there's no reason why you can't give your guineapig the toilet roll tube when it's empty.

Recently, I noticed my guineapigs love the sound of bells and chimes. So, off I went to Asda for some kitten bell balls. They were super cheap and strong enough that I knew they wouldn't break and cause a choking hazard. As soon as I put them in their cage, they were intrigued and were soon picking the me up by their teeth and shaking them. Guineapigs LOVE them and they're super cute to watch them playing with them. 

It's extremely important you provide your guineapig with something to do. How would you feel being stuck in an empty room ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Make sure you let them out of their cage too, guineapigs need exericise every day. Just because the weather is bad outside does not mean you cannot bring them inside and let them on the floor (Make sure you get rid of wires, block holes, no dogs/cats around and it's safe to let them out). 

Perhaps even buy your guineapig a play run so that you can feel reassured your guineapigs are safe during floor time in your house.

Well, I hope this has helped some of you. Please check out the following links for places to buy enrichment, bedding and for more information

http://www.carefresh.com/petcare/guinea-pigs

http://www.cavyhaven.org.uk/bedding.html

http://www.northeastguineapigrescue.co.uk/Bedding/

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/small-pet/guinea-pig

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toys-Guinea-Pig-Small-Animals/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A471575031%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A1452929031

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/category.asp?dept_id=396

Buying a Puppy

Hi PetPals!

Hope you've had a wonderful Easter and Bank Holiday Weekend. Today's post is all about buying a puppy :)

When buying a puppy it's important to think about it long term. Puppies are a huge commitment and require a lot of time, love and care. Just like any other animal, puppies come with a financial commitment too. Potential owners need to make sure they can afford the vet bills, food, toys and grooming costs as otherwise owners may have to rehome their dog which can be stressful on both parts.

These are a few things that every potential owner should do/consider

1. Research your breed thoroughly - whatever breed you choose, make sure you do your homework first. Talk to owners of the breed, go to the library, research on the internet. Whatever source you choose, make sure you know what the breed is like, how it behaves?, how much food it eats? How much exercise does it need?,  Can it be trained easily?, do they suffer with any health problems?. It's extremely important to know what dog your buying before you bring it home.

2. Your lifestyle - it's important to look at your lifestyle also. Do you work long hours?, Do you have time to care for your pet?, Are you fit and healthy enough to walk the dog? Can you afford to care for the dog? Do you live in the right area/house?

3. Research your breeder - it's okay to check out your breeder before buying, ask to see certificates and check them out on the assured breeder scheme (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeding/assured-breeder-scheme/). Also ask them questions like when can I take my puppy home? If they say at 7 weeks, do not buy from them and report them to the police. Good Breeders will sell their puppies at 12 weeks. Always ask to see receipts for vaccinations and worming products, even ask for their vet details so you can check the puppy has had their vaccinations.

4. Prepare early - So you have decided to get a puppy and have put your deposit down. Now it's time to prepare for the arrival. Get your house puppy proof and purchase all the necesseties. Always follow the breeders guidelines when it come to feeding as for so many weeks they will need a particular diet. 

5. Viewing your puppy - when viewing your puppy make sure the mother dog is present too. If the breeder makes up any excuses, do not buy from them and report to the police. Good breeders will allow you to see the mother and sometimes the father depending on if the studs owner has agreed to it. Also check the mother, does she look healthy? Is she friendly? Is she young herself? (Bitches should not be bred until they are at least 18 months old and should not be bred more than 6 times in her lifetime) Does the mum look like she's had more than one litter this year?. Don't be afraid to question the breeder, it shows you are a serious and dedicated dog owner. If the puppy is still suckling then they are too young to be sold. Make sure the puppies look healthy, have clear eyes and nose, clean bums and are alert to their surroundings. Check the dogs environment, is it clean? Is it safe? Are they being provided with food, water, toys? 

And there you have it, 5 key points to buying a puppy. 

If you ever have any doubt about a puppy or a breeder, do NOT buy. It's tempting to purchase a puppy just to save them but the best thing you can do is to report the breeders to the police and RSPCA. If you need to, revisit the puppies and take pictures/videos. The more evidence the police/RSPCA have, the better chance they have at taking the breeders to court and getting them convicted. 

If you are looking to buy a puppy, please remember all the dogs in rehoming centres who are looking for a second chance.

Don't miss the last episode of The Zoo

Hi PetPals!

Quick reminder that The Zoo is on tonight at 8pm on ITV. It's the last episode in the series :(

In tonight's episode we find out if the Rhinos from Whipsnade Zoo make up and start a family.

Mak sure you don't miss it! 

The Zoo- ITV1 8pm tonight

Hi PetPals!

Now, if you live in the UK you will know the popular documentary 'The Zoo' has returned to our screens once again.

The Zoo documents the life behind the zoo at Whipsnade and London. It features all of their animals and the time and hard work that goes into keeping these animals healthy and happy.

I only live about 20 minutes from Whipsnade Zoo and love watching the programme and getting to see all the behind scenes. It's a fantastic insight into life at the zoo.

Anyway, make sure you don't miss tonight's episode. It's on ITV1 at 8pm. 

Operation Wild: Thandi

Hi PetPals,

Operation Wild is a documentary on BBC1 that's being shown every Wednesday at 9pm. I'm currently watching an episode and I'm literally infuriated by what I am seeing. If you are watching or have watched this episode (number 2) then you will know what I am on about it.

Now I'm well aware poaching goes on. I'm also dead AGAINST it. But having seen Thandi the Rhinocerous have to endure the pain and suffering of her horn horn being removed by absolute, evil humans, I feel more needs to be done to help her and all the other animals in the wild facing poachers.

Rhinos and most wild animals are killed by poachers because they believe their horns,body parts, blood etc have medicine inside them which can treat/cure human illnesses. No matter how many times, scientists say it, these poachers and these witch doctors still believe they have medial properties. 

You can blame it on lack of education, but personally I just think they're stupid and selfish. Yep, that's right. What gives them the right to cause suffering to an animal? They are no better than any animal. We're technically all the same, we should all be treated the same. 

There would be uproar if someone went around mutilating people for medical purposes yet there's none when it comes to the poaching of animals. We're extremely lucky that we have the gift of speech, animals can't communicate their feelings but it doesn't mean they don't have rights. 

Every animal has a right to live a happy and healthy life. Sometimes, I hate the human race and feel quite ashamed that I am a human really especially when our kind do such selfish, evil things. 

So Thandi the Rhinocerous had her horn removed by poachers, she was lucky to be found when she did otherwise she would most definitely have died. The rangers in the reserve park she lives in watch her 24/7 and are trying to heal the wound she still has 2 years after her ordeal. At the end of the programme, the rangers announced that Thandi was pregnant with her first baby. The future is looking bright for Thandi.

To finish this rant (sorry), I thought this picture summed up Thandi's ordeal and why it should NEVER have happened: 

Staffie Saturday || 2

Hi PetPals,

Woodgreen Animal Shelter are running a campaign on changing the perception of staffies. On their website (link below) they have explained why staffies make good pets and what they need from their owners. 

Please check the website out and make sure you share to your friends so together we can change the perspective of these friendly dogs. 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/what_we_do/animal_welfare/give_staffies_a_chance

Help Find Tess

Hi PetPals,

You may have heard through the media about Tess, the guide dog who has gone missing.

The six-year-old black curly coated retriever disappeared while walking off-lead with her owner in Nairn, a seaside town about 16 miles east of Inverness. 
The Guide Dog society are doing everything they can to locate Tess and reunite her with her owner. We can all do our bit by sharing this poster and putting it in shop windows/on lamposts. 

Although she went missing in Scotland, Tess could now be in any part of the UK, so we really do need everyone’s help to find her. If you see a dog who looks like Tess for sale in your local area, or notice that someone has recently acquired a black curly coated retriever, or if you have any other concrete information which may help us, please get in touch with us immediately on 0800 688 8409. 
The more people that are aware of missing Tess, the more likely we are to find her.


PLEASE SHARE THIS POSTER ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA AND AROUND YOUR LOCAL AREA. BRING TESS HOME. 
You can download the poster here: http://emails-guidedogs.org.uk/LDK-2OXMJ-651EON-17EY6U-1/c.aspx

Rain + Dog Walking = Frizzy Hair and Smelling Like a Wet Dog

Hi PetPals!

After months of lovely, hot weather, the rain has returned to the UK and boy is it making up for its absence. As I write this it's pouring it down and there are lots of people running into their houses having just gone out for a walk with their dogs.

It got me thinking, what do you wear to walk the dog that makes you feel good and keeps you dry? 

Well....

Firstly, it's important you're wearing sensible shoes. There's nothing worst than getting wet feet! These Chelsea boot Wellies from Asda are the perfect thing to wear. They're a lot more stylish than ordinary wellies, cut just above the ankle too so you don't have to struggle getting them on/off. They're a patent black which means they're not too in your face and can be paired with pretty much anything. These are £12, so are super affordable. 

Pair these with skinny jeans, leggings, shorts and dresses and you'll look super stylish walking your pooch.

Another important thing to wear is a coat or jacket of some sort. Asos have this super cute Daisy Print Mac which  can be worn anytime really. It's quite pricy at £45 but it's a great investment as it's high quality, thicker than most macs and will never go out of fashion. It's a great way to jazz up your outfit.

If you don't really want to pay that much for a mac, Asda do their own. This one is £20 and is a plain dark grey which you can dress up or down. It's great quality and the reviews speak for themselves.

Finally, we can't forget your beloved pet pal! As much as they love walks, they don't like getting caught in the rain either.

This coat is from Pets at Home and comes in a range of sizes. It costs between £20-£25 pounds depending on the size you get. It's waterproof which means your dog won't get soaked and keeps them warm in the colder months. It's called Repels-It Nano Proof and comes in blue or red. 

If you would prefer your dog to be bone dry and not muddy, I recommend you purchase this. It's from PetPlanet and it like a tracksuit for your dog. It's got 5 star reviews and starting at £15 it's a bargain! It's called Cosipet Trouser/ Tracksuit and comes in a range of sizes. The coat covers your dogs body and legs leaving only it's head and tail exposed. The fact it covers your dogs legs means your dog won't come home with muddy legs. 

So there you have it, items for you to look stylish and keep dry in the UKs wet summers and so,etching for your pet pal too! 

Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this post or have any tips on how to look stylish yet stay dry when walking your dog in the rain.

Staffie Saturday

Hi PetPals,

Staffies are always getting bad press. Everyday in the newspaper or online, there are stories about these 'Monster' 'Killer' dogs. The truth is, Staffies are good, soppy, gentle dogs if the owner trains them correctly. Of course, every dog poses a threat/risk but with the right training and common sense, all dogs can live side by side with humans. If we educate ourselves on better care for our dogs than the dogs will be a lot better. 

Anyway,  I found these pictures which I totally agree with and I'm sure you will too.

If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, I would love to feature your pet on my blog. Please leave a comment below detailing life with your Staffie. Let's change peoples perception of this lovely breed together. 

Save an Animal Sunday || 7

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal Sunday is Prince from the Woodgreen Animal Shelter.

Prince is a 4 year old American Bulldog who would love a home with children above 11 years old and the company of a female companion. He doesn't like cats but is a kind-hearted obedient soppy dog.

If you would like to give Prince a loving new home, please contact the Woodgreen Animal Shelter on tel:084420248208181 and state Prince's reference number 16569-Dog. 

Alternatively, you can donate to the shelter to help them care for the animals they have in care. You can do this by going on their website: 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/how_to_help/donate/make_a_donation

Updates and Animal Friendly Make-up!

Hi PetPals! 

I thought I would add another feature that includes you, the owner. I wanted to show you Superdrugs very own makeup brand that is animal cruelty free! It's called ' I Love Makeup'. 

They have recently just released all their products and I have to say they are absolutely lush! Their products cover a range of makeup needs including, primer, foundation, concealer, eye liner. You name it they've got it!

The best thing about it is that it's super affordable and high quality. Times are tough and not everyone can afford to go into The Body Shop and purchase their animal cruelty free products, so the fact Superdrug have brought out their own is super exciting! 'I Love Makeup' ranges from £2.99 to £4.99 which is a bargain! 

You can now look beautiful whilst looking after your pets with this incredible new brand and feel reassured that it's cruelty free too.

To check out the brand and purchase a few, go to : http://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/c/makeup-face?q=%3Aname-asc%3Abrand%3A303&text=&minSel=1.0&maxSel=130.0&minSlider=1.0&maxSlider=130.0&resultsForPage=20&brand303=on#

Nervous Cats

Hi PetPals!

Do you have a nervous cat? Does your cat scratch or spray at things? Do they hide? Well don't panic as there are things you can do to help your feline pal.

It seems strange to think of a cat being nervous or anxious considering they're related to Lions and Tigers. However, cats can be nervous creatures and sometimes but not always it can be related to past experiences. Most of the time though, it's their natural mechanism of fight or flight. 

The first thing to think about if you have a nervous or anxious cat is to work out why they feel like that? There are lots of things that can make cats anxious/scared such as a new environment, new toys, new people or even an unwanted play mate. Finding out why is the most important step in helping your cat. 

It can be hard to pinpoint exactly what is making your cat nervous but making subtle changes can help. The following would be good ideas:

1. Hideouts/Dens - cats are solitary in the wild, they live on their own and depend on themselves for everything. Placing a few hideouts or dens around the house may help your cat to feel more safe in their environment. You can purchase a variety of cat dens and hideouts from most pet stores and online at Amazon or Ebay. I recommend using a cat carrier, it's secure, easily cleanable and will make getting your cat into a carrier for the vets 10x easier if they're already used to it. You can put blankets in  to make it more comfy. The good thing about dens and hideouts is that the cat can see what's going on in their environment without being fully exposed. Soon they'll get used to the sounds, smells and movements and will feel much more relaxed about coming out.

2. Don't pester your cat - as tempting as it is to give a nervous cat lots of extra love and attention, it's not really going to make them feel at ease. It's best to slowly build up your relationship with the cat as charging up to it, forcing it to have cuddles is only going to make them feel threatened and resent you! If your cat is in their den, leave them, let them come out when they're ready. Building up a relationship and trust with your cat will take a long time so be patient. 

3. Favourite toy/food - oh yes, the old bribery trick. Using a cats favourite toy or food can help reduce anxiety and also build up a relationship. 

4. Act Normal - too many owners tiptoe around their nervous cats. They can sense this and it will only make them worst as they will be worried about what you're worrying about. Hoover and clean as normal but obviously don't do it right under the cats nose.

5. Feliway - If after trying all of the above has not worked (it may take time so be very, very patient) it may be time to invest in Feliway. I personally think this should be a last resort. Feliway is a scent diffuser (that only animals can detect) that makes your cat feel at ease. The scent is a replica of the pheromone that cats produce when marking their territory and is a similar smell to their mother. It makes the cat feel comfortable in their environment and comes in different applications such as a spray and plug in diffuser. 

To find out more about Feliway, visit their website at www.feliway.com 

There you have it, 5 ideas to try if you have a nervous or anxious cat. Please bare in mind though, that all of the ideas above will take time to work. Your cat will not suddenly stop being nervous overnight, just be patient and soon your cat will come around. 

I hope this has helped! For more information on nervous cats please check out:

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/1957-2766/nervous-and-aggressive-cats.html

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/problem-behaviour/anxious-cats

http://www.battersea.org.uk/help_advice/publications/cat_behaviour_advice/