Shout About Pets

Losing one of your pet can be terribly upsetting and stressful but with dogs and especially cats there is always that possibility.  The press has also been full of stories about distraught dog owners who have experienced dog theft.  Following a week’s holiday my cat Tabitha went missing.  I had registered her with the Petlog database and when I returned there was a message for me.  Sadly Tabitha had been knocked down and a kindly passerby had noticed her tag and contacted the Petlog number to let them know.  Although it was a very sad outcome for me at least I knew what had happened to her.

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Lately I’ve come across a few friends and acquaintances that have recently got all romantic and giddy about the idea of having a dog as they now work from home.  They look at my Shih Tzu, Tashi, and my Basset Hound, Harvey, all misty eyed and sigh longingly.  ‘It would be so perfect!’ they declare, ‘I can take them out for a walk at lunch and after I’ve finished working.  It’ll get me out of the house and I’ll be there to keep them company!’

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The idea of an exotic pet may be something that really appeals to you but you’ll need to take some time to consider whether that pet is really suitable for your lifestyle.  Many exotic pets are illegal in the UK because they pose potential threats to people or they are a protected species.  Here are some things to consider before you buy:

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I’ve never experienced this myself.  My ginger Tom, Tikka has an never abating appetite and will stalk me incessantly in the morning if I haven’t filled his dish with breakfast by 6.30am! 

However when your pet does decide he doesn’t want to eat and is otherwise healthy it can be very distressing and frustrating indeed.  A simple change to routine can send your feline friend off kilter and this may put them off their food temporarily.  Minor changes like moving their food bowl to a different location, placing it too near the litter tray or simply washing the bowl with a different washing up liquid can put your cat off its dinner. 

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I’m currently looking after my neighbour’s pet rabbit and guinea pig while they go on holiday for a week.  It occurred to me as my neighbour handed over the food and gave me vague instructions on how to care for them what a huge responsibility it is taking on board the care of some one else’s beloved pet.  I felt the urge to stick post it note all around the house to remind me of my daily duty should I for one terrible moment forget!

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I was watching TV this morning and was intrigued to hear that dog owners are much more unlikely to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD syndrome.  All animals react to changes in the seasons and the level of light that they are able to absorb throughout the day.  According to a report on GMTV, with our atrocious weather in the summer, more and more people are starting to suffer the effects of SAD even in the summer months. 

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One of the main reasons I chose a Shih Tzu as my pet dog was his portability.  By that I mean he’s really easy to travel with and from an early age I got him used to traveling in the car not just locally but on long distances too.  Most dogs will love traveling with you in the car. After all it can only mean that you are both off on a adventure can’t it?  However if a dog doesn’t get used to traveling early enough he can become frightened of traveling or suffer from travel sickness.

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If you have a pet rabbit that turns into a ferocious snapping bunny when someone tries to pick it up it’s a clear sign the rabbit has not been used to being handled.  Alternatively the person picking it up may not be handling your rabbit properly so it feels threatened. 

If you have a severe case of biting, then build up trust slowly.  Try to get the rabbit used to touch initially by stoking it with a brush on a pole.  This will keep you safe fro any attack from the rabbit and allow the rabbit to adjust to being touched.  After some time when your rabbit has got used to the brush you should be able to start stroking him without get a nasty nip! 

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There have been several reports released claiming that taking your pet dog to work can help you reduce stress levels and create a calmer working environment.  Its believed having a dog around can help to reduce blood pressure levels and get feel-good hormones pumping around your body!

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My dog Tashi, has a strong guarding instinct despite his cute and cuddly Shih Tzu appearance!  He is constantly alert to any noises or sound of oncoming cars or people and will puff his little body up into a menacing stance huffing and grumbling before he erupts into a throaty warning bark.  As much as I feel reassured that he would make any burglar think twice about breaking in when I’m away or at night, it can be a bit irritating when he persists.

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