Your Pets Daily - Pet safety

Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:19:59 +0000

With Christmas being justsix weeks away, GTSE.co.uk wanted to discover the best ways to have a safe and damage-free Christmas when putting up your decorations, eating Christmas dinner and hanging lights both indoors and outdoors.

Using their expert knowledge on cable ties, widespread research and speaking with Lindsay Arliss, Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist at Wood Green, GTSE.co.uk compiled six tips to avoid damage when decking the halls this Christmas.

1. Regularly water your tree(s) sat near Christmas lights

One of the main reasons for Christmas fires is people using high-voltage bulbs for their Christmas lights next to dried leaves from their Christmas tree(s). So, make sure you give your tree(s) a nice drink of water over the festive period and spray the leaves using a water spritzer.

2. Use cable ties and clips to avoid damaging your walls

Over the festive period, you’ll likely be hanging seasonal decorations around the home. But it’s important to use tools that don’t damage your walls in the process. So, use the following:

Self-adhesive cable clips: These help you to hook hanging decorations up really easily.
Self-adhesive cable ties: For hanging bulky decorations on your walls, being sturdy enough to hold them in place.

As well as…

Double-sided tape: This is an effective solution for lighter items, but remember it’ll struggle to hold up heavier decorations.
Washi tape: This peels off very easily, and doesn’t damage your decorations (or walls).

3. Attach ribbons to your staircase

Part of decorating for Christmas involves sticking your Christmas cards up on the walls. But, this involves using a lot of tack, which can leave marks on your walls and surfaces. Instead, use ribbons to hang up your Christmas cards against your hallway banister. This avoids washing down tack in the new year! Simply:

Use craft glue and apply this to the ribbon itself.
Place your Christmas cards in a vertical position against the glue, all the way down to the length of the ribbon.
Lay this newly created ‘bunting’ on a surface and allow it to cool.
Next, wrap the ribbon around your hallway banister and tie it together. Viola!

4.Avoid using decorations that are harmful to your dog

If you have a dog, consider the types of decorations you choose carefully, as most plastic or metal items can pose a danger if consumed. So, avoid the following Christmas decorations:

Decorative glitter or ribbons – Instead, opt for plain brown paper or cardboard. They’ll have just as much fun tearing open the package, and it’s much safer!
Berries from sprigs of holly or mistletoe – These can be toxic for dogs, so we recommend you decorate with artificial versions.

5. Use extra materials under the base of your tree

Placing your tree on top of a sturdy piece of plywood.
If you have hardwood flooring, place a non-skid mat underneath your Christmas tree stand (to avoid scratching).

6.Use this magic concoction to remove gravy spills

Christmas dinner spills are likely to happen, especially with gravy. If this happens, once you’ve mopped up as much gravy as you can, attend to the remaining staining by:

Sprinkling baking soda or corn-starch over the affected area.
Leave this to stand for around 15 minutes, before vacuuming the area.
If there’s any marking left over, mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid with one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water.
Then, blot the stain with a white cloth. Voila!

To conclude, Kirstie Batty, Head of Merchandising at GTSE says: “Although the festive season can bring a lot of joy, it can also be a busy period and manic for many. Avoiding any damages or safety issues gives families peace of mind when enjoying Christmas and we hope our advice inspires people to keep themselves and their pets happy throughout. “

For further tips on how to keep your home damage-free this Christmas, visit: https://gtse.co.uk/blog/how-to-guarantee-a-damagefree-christmas

Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 12:07:18 +0000

With fireworks season fast approaching, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning millions of animal owners to start preparing now if they suspect their pet may become distressed. At up to 150 decibels, fireworks can be as loud as a jet engine and, with many animals particularly sensitive to noise, this can be a traumatic and distressing time of year for dogs, cats and other pets.

If your pet is severely distressed by fireworks or other noises, an early visit to your vet to discuss treatment options can help to keep them calm and reduce their stress in the period around Diwali (24 October) and Bonfire Night (5 November). It is particularly important this year as many vet practices are experiencing staff shortages, meaning owners may need to allow more time to secure an appointment.

A phobia of fireworks can be effectively treated with behaviour-modification techniques, administered with professional input, and owner commitment and patience. For less-severely affected animals BVA is offering simple evidence-based advice to help owners make informed decisions about their pets’ health and welfare this fireworks season.

Five top tips to help keep your pets calm during fireworks:

Prepare a den for your pet around two weeks before fireworks season and give them praise when they are relaxed there, so they come to view it as a safe retreat.
Use pheromone products next to the den and around the home. These are scents that we can’t smell but can help to reduce a pet’s stress.
Provide background noise and close curtains and windows on nights when fireworks are expected.
Remain calm yourself. Never punish your pet – remember, if they toilet in the house it’s not their fault.
Move small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, to a quiet place indoors when fireworks are expected, and provide lots of bedding to mask the sounds.

British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley, said:

“The loud noises and bright flashes that delight crowds during fireworks season can prove extremely frightening for our pets. We encourage all owners to make themselves aware of the specific symptoms of noise phobia in their animal and to contact their veterinary practice now to discuss any potential issues.

“Veterinary services across the country continue to experience unprecedented pressures and we know that this is making it harder for some clients to get appointments. But the fear responses we see among some pets can be extreme and distressing so if you suspect your pet may be affected, we recommend seeking advice early rather than risking an emergency visit with a traumatised or injured pet.”

Signs of distress can vary among different animals. While some pets show obvious signs such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness, toileting in the house, changes to facial expression, reluctance to be on their own or other changes in behaviour. Cats often hide while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet.

The Cleaning Products You Should Never Use Around Your Pets

Your Pets Daily Editor — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 14:27:35 +0000

Dog-owners know just how hard it can be to keep a clean home when you've got one or two mucky pups living under your roof.

Sadly, not all cleaning products are safe to use when our four-legged friends are around, as they are hypersensitive to the strong odours and fragrances, which could lead to various health issues including irritation, sickness and breathing difficulties.

Head Vet, Sean McCormack at tails.com has shared some of the most harmful, household cleaning products which may be affecting the long-term health of your pet.

The full content is available below or in a Google Document format on request.

The Cleaning Products You Should Never Use Around Your Pets

Bleach

Bleach is one of those cleaning products that even folks with a more laid back attitude to cleaning tend to keep in the house. However, the high chlorine content in bleach means that it can be incredibly harmful to your dog if they get too close to it or ingest it.

Your pup's extremely sensitive sense of smell also means that they will find the potent scent of bleach incredibly irritating on their nose and throat, and it could even lead to breathing problems if they are exposed to it for too long.

To keep your dog safe, Sean McCormack recommends that "if you have used bleach for cleaning in the house, make sure to rinse the area down thoroughly with water, then allow the area to completely dry before letting your pet near it.

"Not every household stain will require bleach to clean it. As well as looking into what pet-friendly cleaning products there are on the market, you may also consider using natural cleaning situations such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice to tackle stains whilst limiting the presence of potentially unsafe chemicals in your home".

Air Fresheners

Products such as air and carpet fresheners can be harmful to your dog, as most of them contain a chemical called phthalates. While this chemical does help to eliminate odours from your home, it can make your pet fall ill if they inhale it.

"If your home is in need of a freshening up, make sure that your pet is out of the room when you spray things like air fresheners and allow five minutes to let the air settle before letting your pet back in. Alternatively, see if any household odours can be naturally eliminated simply by leaving a window open for a couple of hours. This will ensure that your pet is not breathing in anything that they shouldn't be".

Disinfectants

Be wary of a chemical called benzalkonium chloride, which is a common ingredient in several disinfectants including household bathroom and kitchen surface sprays.

In small amounts, this chemical is relatively safe, but repeated use of any disinfectants containing benzalkonium chloride can cause this strong chemical to linger, which can potentially cause irritation on your dog's paws, eyes and nose.

"Naturally disinfectants do more good than harm as they help to eliminate nasty bacteria and viruses from our home. Just bear in mind that some disinfectants are designed to be diluted with water to make them less harmful and longer-lasting, so follow any labelled instructions accordingly. Also make sure that any cleaned areas have completely dried before allowing your dog near it, as this will reduce the likelihood of irritation".

Ammonia

A surprisingly large number of cleaning products including oven and floor cleaners and multi-surface sprays all contain ammonia.

While ammonia is very effective at removing tough stains, it is also an extremely toxic chemical to our furry friends and can cause severe levels of irritation to their skin, eyes and nose if they get too close to it.

"It is worth considering what other all-natural cleaning products there are on the market. While these products can be slightly more expensive, the peace of mind in knowing that your dog is safe from harm while you're cleaning will be worth the extra pennies.

"Ulcers or sores on either your dog's skin, paws, mouth or tongue can be a tell-tale sign that your dog has licked or stepped on a cleaning product that they should not have. If you spot an ulcer, or if your dog's skin looks generally sore, seek immediate help from your vet".

Laundry detergents

Laundry detergents, or washing powder, can be harmful to our pooches as many of them contain ionic surfactants. When this substance combines with water it is perfect for cleaning our clothes, but should even a small amount of it be ingested by a dog, it can cause them to become seriously ill.

You may also find ionic and anionic surfactants in products like hand soap, shampoo and dishwasher tablets, so be sure to read the labels of whatever cleaning products you bring into your home.

"Dogs are naturally curious and like to use their mouth to explore things. Therefore, you should always keep your detergents and any other cleaning products, in a securely locked cupboard or in a high place that your dog cannot reach.

"If your dog has ingested any of these products, perhaps while your back was turned, the first sign you should look out for is an upset stomach, which your dog may express through vomiting, diarrhoea, frequent drooling and being put off their food. If they display any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately".

Your Pets Daily - Pet safety

Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

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Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

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The Cleaning Products You Should Never Use Around Your Pets

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