Your Pets Daily - dog

One in ten dog owners forced into debt to cover cost of caring for their dog

Your Pets Daily Editor — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:21:30 +0000

An online poll carried out for Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Ilfracombe, has revealed that more than one in ten dog owners (13%) has been forced into debt in order to care for their dog, a situation that is set to get worse as pet owners face an increase in the costs associated with caring for dogs.

The survey, carried out last week by YouGov on behalf of the charity, also revealed that a third (33%) would be forced to borrow money to pay for an unexpected vet bill of £100.

The UK’s largest canine welfare charity is the most stretched it’s ever been, dealing with an influx of dogs whose owners can’t afford to look after them as bills continue to skyrocket. It has voiced grave concerns that a further 350,000 dogs may need to find new homes if the cost of living continues to rise*.

The survey revealed just how badly the crisis is impacting our dog loving nation over the last 6 months:

Eight in ten (84%) dog owners have experienced a rise in the costs associated with keeping their dog.
77% of those surveyed told the charity they had seen their pet food increase in price
43% said the cost of routine vet appointments, such as vaccinations, have increased in cost.
41% reported that their pet insurance has increased.

Many of the Dogs Trust rehoming centres across the country are already at capacity, with waiting lists for kennel spaces. But it’s not just the number of dogs waiting to be rehomed that is cause for concern; the charity is also worried about the canine essentials that owners are being forced to cut back on.

One in five respondents (22%) said they had switched to cheaper dog food and, worryingly, one in ten (10%) said they had delayed seeking veterinary treatment for non-routine procedures due to cost. A similarnumber (9%) had delayed or missed appointments for routine treatments, such as vaccinations and flea/worming treatments.

Dogs Trust rehoming centres are seeing a rise in the number of dogs arriving with untreated health conditions, which it believes is due to owners simply not being able to afford the treatment needed.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:

“It’s hugely worrying that dog owners are falling into debt with the cost of looking after their dogs, and a stark indicator of how seriously the cost of living crisis is impacting on our dog-loving nation.

“We’re not laying the blame at the door of vets, who are themselves impacted by rising costs, leading to higher fees. But we have a situation in which many of the UK’s dog owners are having to make cost-cutting decisions that could be harmful to their dog’s health, such as skipping vaccines and worming treatments, and some dogs are missing emergency treatment because their owners can’t afford it.

“I’m really worried that, despite our best efforts, the sector will reach a point where we’ve reached the limit of what we can do, and we’ll be forced to turn away dogs in need.”

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Do dogs need boots for the snow? Vet uncovers the truth…

Your Pets Daily Editor — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:16:24 +0000

Dog owners may be wondering whether their dog needs boots to protect their paws from snow and ice, as well as other hazards such as road salt during the chiller winter months.

Head Vet at tails.com Sean McCormack is advising dog owners to use alternative methods of protecting their pets paw pads, as this trending product can cause discomfort.

Please find the comments from Sean McCormack below;

"Generally, dog boots will not cause your dog any pain, however, they might feel uncomfortable, which is why I advise against purchasing them. Dogs find it extremely difficult to adapt to wearing boots, as they make their paws heavier and restrict movement.

One of the most common problems with dog boots, is that pet parents find it difficult to recognise when they don't fit their dog correctly. This can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet and make walking very challenging for them.

Though considered fashionable to some, most dogs don't need any form of footwear.

A dog's paw pads are tough enough to withstand the snow, ice and frozen ground. They have adapted to the cold and are designed to survive the outside. Body temperature plays a big part in this, as the pads draw warm blood to the skin to keep them warm. The tissue on a dog's paw pad is built to protect them from temperatures as low as -35 degrees.

The tissue on the dog's paw is the toughest skin on the entire body and the gripping texture allows them to maintain traction and balance. When boots are worn, dogs lose grip and the surface becomes slippy, making it harder to walk for your pup - it's a similar experience when a human wears socks on a slippery floor."

"But while paw pads are tough, they're not indestructible. When walking in winter dogs are more susceptible to cuts and cracks on their feed, which is why dog owners need to be most cautious. If your dog keeps picking up their paws when walking, or if they are excessively licking their pads then this could be a telltale sign that your dog's paws are sore.

Paw balm or petroleum jelly-based products can help to keep your dog's paws safe in winter. Before you head out on a walk, coat the balm on your dog's paws to create a barrier that will help to prevent snow, ice and other road chemicals from getting in their paw cracks.

Additionally, this will help to keep their pads hydrated, which is particularly important during winter when the air becomes dry. When you return from your walk, wipe it off!"

"Grooming plays a huge role in protecting your pup's paws during the colder period. Trimming the long hairs on your dog's paws will make it harder for ice, snow and de-icing products to cling and dry on their skin causing irritation. Be extra careful when trimming these areas, or take your pet to a professional grooming service.

When walking during winter, dogs are exposed to road salt, which can be extremely dangerous, as it can irritate the skin, causing dryness, cracking and even burns to the pads. Even more dangerous for dogs, if they lick it from their paws or fur, they can ingest the chemicals, which can be toxic. These harmful products sit on their fur and paws, so it's important that when you return from walking your dog that you clean their paw pads to remove any chemicals.

Many car owners will use antifreeze to clear the ice from their vehicles. As the ice melts from your car, the antifreeze will mix with the water, which can be harmful if your dog likes to drink from puddles. The dangerous chemical in antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which has a sweet taste that dogs enjoy.

Antifreeze can cause damage to your dog's kidneys, even after a small amount has been ingested. So it's important that if you see any liquids leaking from your car, keep your dog away and clean them up straight away.

Frostbite and hypothermia are risks dogs face when the temperature drops. When it's cold outside, avoid taking your long walks, break these down into short walks more frequently, as exposing your dog to cold temperatures for a long period can be dangerous."

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New offence to tackle dog theft moves step closer

Your Pets Daily Editor — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 08:40:03 +0000

Government announces plans to bring forward a new criminal offence for pet abduction in Kept Animals Bill
People who abduct dogs will face up to five years in prison, reflecting the emotional distress caused to both the owner and the dog
Today's announcement makes up part of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Pet Theft Taskforce

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government's Kept Animals Bill today (Thursday 18th November).

The dog abduction offence, announced in September by Defra, will be added by the Government to the Kept Animals Bill, bolstering the raft of measures it already includes to further protect pets, livestock and kept wild animals.

Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a loss of property to the owner. This new offence will take into account the emotional distress caused to both the owner and the dog and will help judges' ability to hand down more targeted penalties and sentences for pet thieves. A provision will also be made in the Bill to extend the offence to other pets in the future, should evidence support this.

By introducing this offence, the Government is following the recommendation of the Pet Theft Taskforce, launched in May 2021 to tackle a reported rise in pet thefts during the pandemic. Evidence shows that more than 2,000 incidents of pet theft were reported to the police last year, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. For crimes recorded by police in which animals are stolen, around seven in 10 involve dogs.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

"The loss of a much-loved pet causes unique distress. I am pleased that we are legislating to recognise this specific crime.

"The new dog abduction offence will reflect the impact on animals in penalties for criminals, and deliver justice for victims."

Welcoming the introduction of the new offence, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

"The recognition of the distress caused to animals by pet theft is an important step forward, treating them as sentient beings rather than merely property.

"The new offence should build greater awareness of the significant impacts of dog theft on people and animals, and reassure pet owners that these crimes are being taken seriously."

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said:

"The theft of a pet is devastating and we're pleased the Government has announced these amendments which we hope will act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime. While the current proposed law applies to dogs, we are really pleased to see the Government has also recognised how much other animals mean to people as well, and put in provision to extend it to other pets. We hope this new law, which will see sentences up to five years, will help crackdown on the heart-breaking issue of pet theft."

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, said:

"Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, often heart-breaking experience. For years, Dogs Trust has called for harsher penalties to deter those who profit from this despicable crime. We wholeheartedly welcome the measures the Government has taken today to tackle pet theft and prioritise the welfare of our pets as sentient beings, and very much hope that the increased sentencing will make pet thieves think twice."

The RSPCA has warned the public about the risk of thieves stealing beloved pets. Victims of this awful crime include French bulldog, Minnie, who was found badly injured and abandoned late at night in Burnley. RSPCA officers scanned her microchip and discovered she belonged to a family who lived 170 miles away in Gloucestershire. Minnie was reported as missing back in March 2020 after being taken from her owner's garden. She is now back at home with her family.

The police advises that dog owners should avoid leaving their pet unattended while out in public, vary their routines when walking their dogs and take basic security steps at home such as checking locks on doors and garden gates.

The new measures form part of the commitment to strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in animal welfare standards. Since 2010, the Government has brought in mandatory microchipping for dogs to help reunite lost dogs with their owners, introduced additional protection for service animals through 'Finn's Law', and introduced Lucy's Law to tackle puppy farming by banning the commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens.

The Kept Animals Bill can be found here.

Today's announcement builds on the UK Government's commitment to revolutionise the treatment of animals in the UK and introduce measures to protect the welfare of animals abroad, as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare.

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The five best Twixmassy dog walks in the UK

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 11:20:12 +0000

After Christmas is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a good old-fashioned dog walk with the family to walk off some of the Christmas dinners, just remember to wrap up warm and bring some delicious hot chocolate.

There are so many amazing dog walks available right on our doorstep, and below, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, reveals the five best dog walks in the UK to enjoy with your pooch this Christmas.

1. Cheddar Gorge cliff walk, Somerset

England's largest gorge, Cheddar Gorge is one of the UK's finest natural landscapes – and our best dog walking location in the country. Cheddar Gorge Cliff walk is the perfect place to walk your four-legged friend. This four-mile cliff trail allows you to take in all the stunning sights of the gorge, as well as encounter some of the area's unique wildlife. Your dog is sure to love it too!

2. Llyn Padarn Circular, Llanberis, Wales

Llyn Padarn is a glacially formed lake set against some of Snowdonia's most spectacular scenery and is a fantastic place to walk your pooch, even in wintertime. The five-mile circular trail is relatively easy and suitable for all the family, allowing you to walk through the Country park, Coed Dinorwig (an ancient woodland of rare oak trees), Vivian Quarry and the lake itself. You're sure to spot lots of birds and rare flora too – what's not to love?

3. Staithes and Port Mulgrave, North Yorkshire

Staithes is a quaint fishing village near Whitby, and this walk that takes you around Cleveland Way National Trail and across the cliffs to Port Mulgrave harbour is one of the best in the UK. With stunning views of the sea, quiet lanes, paths, and fields for your pooch and the opportunity to amble through the village too, this is a great walk for a full day out. Just make sure to check the forecast before venturing towards the sea!

4. Hastings Country Park, East Sussex

Hastings Country park covers 600 acres of nature trails, wooded valleys, cliffs, and glens, and is a great place for your dog to explore all day long. The views from the clifftop are second to none, reaching across the English Channel – you can even see France on a clear winter day! It's a great wildlife spotting route too, with Peregrines and Yellowhammers roaming the park. There's no shortage of things to explore at Hastings Country Park.

5. Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire

There are plenty of trails to explore in the grounds of this fairy-tale castle in Aberdeenshire. There are marked trails, but feel free to go off the path and explore the area for yourself. The one-and-a-half-mile Alton Brae Trail is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes, allowing you to take in the stunning views of the castle and beyond.

Commenting, Shannon says: "With Christmas coming up and people spending some extra time with friends and family over Twixmas, now is the perfect time to enjoy the wintery scenes and walk the UK has to offer, whether it's exploring the British woodlands, or ambling along the sea on a beach! We only ask that you and your pooch wrap up warm!"

"Our list of the best dog walks in the UK will hopefully help inspire you to take a trip to one of these amazing areas with your dog on a wintery day, or if you're local to the area to go out and explore the beauty that's right on your doorstep!"

To find out more top dog walks in the UK, please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/guides/uks-best-dog-walks

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New guide to enjoying countryside dog walks launched for Heath Week

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:13:12 +0000

A new online film [https://youtu.be/PpWoG0NrDQ4] has been launched for East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust’s Heath Week (this week), designed to help dog owners and walkers enjoy the great British countryside safely this summer.

The first film featuring dog behaviourist Natalie Light, is the first in a series of five bite-size films featuring top tips to be released over the summer. In each film Natalie shares some valuable advice on how to get a better recall, new games to make walks more fun and some great ideas for working on your dog’s behaviour to cope with distractions when out walking.

These films are the result of a new UK-wide partnership of dog and wildlife organisations including Devon Loves Dogs [https://www.devonlovesdogs.co.uk/], Heathland Hounds, New Forest National Park, Dorset Dogs, South Downs National Park and Bird Aware Solent. The groups have joined forces to work closely on a dog-related projects to form SCCAMP – the Southern Counties Canine Access Management Partnership.

Julie Owen, Devon Loves Dogs Coordinator, said:

Walking is great for our mental and physical health and it is even more enjoyable when we have our four-legged friends with us. I was first inspired by Natalie’s dog training tips a couple of years ago and so working on this series of films has been a great opportunity. Although we cover a large geographical area between us, Natalie’s top tips are really useful wherever you like to walk with your dog. The countryside is getting busier and dog ownership is increasing which means it’s more important than ever that dogs can continue to sniff and explore the countryside in harmony with wildlife and other users.”

With ground-nesting birds on heathland, livestock grazing and a variety of other path users such as horse riders, children and cyclists, there are many times when your dog can be distracted. Getting them to engage with you will help to achieve a happy, safe and stress free walk. At times, you may need your dog to stick to the path or be on the lead for their own and other’s safety. There are a number of hazards that can be harmful to you and your dog. These can include ticks and adders, which will very often hide away in the scrub and vegetation, away from the pathway areas. This new short film gives some great advice on why it is important to do these things for you and your dog’s safety, as well as protecting the beautiful countryside we all love.

Natalie Light said:

I am so pleased to be involved in the work of SCCAMP mostly because it involves so many things I am passionate about. Collaborative working, responsible use of the countryside, and of course, dogs!

With many people enjoying the countryside, especially with more people taking staycations as a result of Covid-19, this new found love for nature with their pet dog can cause increased pressure on our lovely green and pleasant land. Each of the SCCAMP organisations champion positive management of dogs in the countryside by raising awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership. By joining together they hope more people will take this on board .

Julie added:

This collaborative approach of working in partnership means we can share best practice and work together on joint initiatives that promote consistent and memorable messages.

The members of the group have a wealth of experience and share skills in ecology, conservation, dog behaviour and tourism as well as being enthusiastic dog owners. As a result, we all fully understand the pressures that disturbance by people and dogs can cause on wildlife, within the countryside setting.

Everyone has a responsibility to keep themselves, others and your dog safe, while enjoying the great outdoors and we hope that these new films will highlight the positive activities that you can have with your dog and the countryside. They will give you some great tips to assist you along the way. Watch and share these new films, by following Devon Loves Dogs.

Follow Devon Loves Dogs on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @DevonLovesDogs

Contact Information

Anne Mountjoy
Marketing and Communications Officer
East Devon District Council
07816 220499
amountjoy@eastdevon.gov.uk

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Campaign calls for dogs to raise £1 million for UK dog charities

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 07:09:14 +0000

This August, the UK’s very first Wagathon™, the marathon for dogs raising money for other dogs, is taking place. In a unique twist, the dogs taking part will be the ones signing up and being sponsored, rather than the owner. The fundraising platform Give as you Live Donate is behind the campaign and asking owners to register their furry friends in order to give dog charities in the UK a much-needed fundraising boost.

The goal of the Wagathon™ campaign is to collectively raise a whopping £1 million for dog charities, and to reach this target, Give as you Live is calling for canine contenders to get involved. Although dog-owners will be the ones choosing a charity to support and registering their furry companion, the dogs themselves will be the ones being sponsored and completing the Walk 9K for K9s challenge.

Whether the chosen charity supports vulnerable dogs living in shelters, dog welfare, or training assistance dogs, Give as you Live Donate wants to ensure that vital funds are raised to support the ongoing work of all the much-needed charities. Fundraising is even more important this year due to the limited opportunities there have been recently as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Annabelle Risdon, Director and Head of Partnerships at Give as you Live, commented:

‘The pandemic has impacted hundreds of dog-related charities resulting in thousands of lost donations to help support vital canine welfare. Our Wagathon™ initiative provides an opportunity for these charities to boost their donation drives this summer. The mission is to ensure all dog charities are supported in their quest to increase donations after such a difficult period.’

To be involved in Give as you Live Donate’s Wagathon™ mission to raise a million, dog owners can sign up their pooches for a national Walk 9K for K9s challenge. Participants need to complete the 9k walk on the bank holiday weekend, Saturday 28th August to Monday 30th August. For dogs who might struggle with the distance, the walk can be spread across the weekend.

Alongside the Wagathon™ campaign and in celebration of National Dog Day, which takes place on Thursday 26th August 2021, Give as you Live Donate will also be running an online competition. Dog owners could be in with a chance of winning a £100 donation for a dog charity of their choice and a £100 hamper full of treats and goodies for their dog!

If you are a dog owner who would like to join the Wagathon™ mission and help raise much-needed funds for a chosen charity, sign your pooch up here.

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Reasons to consider feeding your pet raw dog food

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 06:52:41 +0000

We know you love your dog, but have you ever thought about what you’re feeding it with?

In the past few years the interest in alternative diets such as the keto or the paleo diet has risen. With heart and circulatory disease being in the top 5 causes of death in the UK and obesity being a worldwide health concern, the trend is to seek new and more natural ways of nurturing our bodies. But whilst we humans seem very worried about what we eat, we don’t seem to pay that much attention to what we put on our furry friends’ plates.

Are we feeding our pets the right food or are we just making lazy choices? How does the type of food our dogs eat affect their quality of life?

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider feeding your pup raw dog food.

Better digestion

The idea behind the BARF diet (which means both Bones And Raw Food and Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is similar to the paleo diet, and it takes us back to the first dogs that walked over Earth, or further back: to actual wolves.

We all know that wolves are the nearest evolutionary ancestor of our dogs, and we are also aware that early dogs wouldn’t have eaten grains or highly processed foods (who would have, back then?). So logically, their digestive system has evolved to digest some types of foods, and not others.

BARF diets include the types of foods that dogs would have been eating naturally in the past (muscle, organs, fish sometimes, even some vegetables and fruit), which would improve their digestion.

Of course, this has great benefits which are easy to see. For instance, in the consistency of their poo and less flatulences.

Increased vitality

A dog’s diet can have a great effect on their mood and vitality. Owners who have been feeding their seniors dogs a raw food diet have seen their pets become more active within just weeks of starting their new diet. The reason? Their digestions are easier, therefore their bodies don’t need to put so much energy in processing the food, so they can use it in something more fun.

At the same time, owners have reported less hyperactivity in younger dogs. This is probably because of two things: on one hand, dogs don’t produce serotonin (the hormone that works as a mood stabiliser) but they find it in raw food more than in processed foods; and the other, they release endorphins (hormones of happiness) when they chew, so when they are chewing muscle and bone they are calming themselves down naturally.

Each dog is a world

There are many benefits to changing your dog to a BARF diet, but it is worth consulting professionals first. Each dog has their own needs, and they all are different: their age, their breed and even their lifestyle are things to consider when changing their diet. Raw food is a great alternative for your dog, but even though there are many people who feed their pets homemade raw food, raw diets consist of more than just putting some raw chicken in a bowl - they are supplemented with other ingredients, so that your dog will get all the nutrients they need. Hence, if you are not an expert animal nutritionist, it’s best to leave the preparation of your dog’s meals to experts who will balance the meals out. Click here to find out more about Bella & Duke’s options and how their food can help your dog live a healthier and a happier life.

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Your Pets Daily - dog

One in ten dog owners forced into debt to cover cost of caring for their dog

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Do dogs need boots for the snow? Vet uncovers the truth…

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New offence to tackle dog theft moves step closer

Government announces plans to bring forward a new criminal offence for pet abduction in Kept Animals Bill

People who abduct dogs will face up to five years in prison, reflecting the emotional distress caused to both the owner and the dog

Today's announcement makes up part of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Pet Theft Taskforce

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The five best Twixmassy dog walks in the UK

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New guide to enjoying countryside dog walks launched for Heath Week

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Campaign calls for dogs to raise £1 million for UK dog charities

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Reasons to consider feeding your pet raw dog food

Better digestion

Increased vitality

Each dog is a world

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