Your Pets Daily - Pet welfare

Dog Expert Weighs In After Woman Reveals Dog Became Unwell After Inhaling Fumes From THIS Common Household Item

Tom Stone — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Oil diffusers can be incredibly toxic to dogs and cause a host of medical issues, resulting in large vet bills and potential illness. This is following a case of a dog in New Zealand falling victim to illness following inhalation from a diffuser, with the story going viral worldwide. Marianne Whyte from New Zealand posted to social media to issue an urgent warning to fellow dog owners after her dog was “poisoned” by an oil diffuser.

Posting in 2019, Marianne wrote: “Saturday night I got home late and my dog didn’t recognise me. Being a nanny, I thought I woke him up and he was having a night terror. “Sunday he was still acting weird. I realised that I had been running my new diffuser and decided to turn it off. Sunday afternoon he was feeling better.”

The following day however, the dog sitter informed Marianne that her dog was refusing to come out from under the bed. Marianne said: “I took him to the emergency vet. It turns out that the tea tree oil I was using in the diffuser is toxic for dogs."

Dog experts Kennel Store have written an expert comment detailing which oils are toxic to dogs, and the complications that can occur if inhaled.

“Whilst essential oils are a treat for humans, dogs can become incredibly unwell and decline rapidly.

Essential Oils Toxic To Dogs

Pine oil
Tea tree oil
Pennyroyal oil
Wintergreen oil
Citrus oils
Cinnamon oil
Ylang Ylang
Eucalyptus oil
Sweet birch oil

Symptoms of Essential Oil Poisoning

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Drooling
Depression
Tremors
Wobbliness
Changes in Behaviour
Lethargy

What To Do If You Suspect Essential Oil Ingestion

If there is any oil on the skin or fur, quickly wash off.
Do not induce vomiting as this can worsen your dog's condition
Put the product in a sealed container and take to your vet

Medical attention from your vet is essential and getting there quickly allows treatment to begin swiftly and can give your dog the best chance of making a full recovery.”

5 ways to combat and prevent SAD in pets

Katie Court — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

If you've noticed your pet seems a little down over the past month or so, you likely aren't the only one. This is because as the seasons change, so too can the moods of our beloved pets. While many assume that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is exclusive to humans, many believe that it can also affect our furry companions. While there has not been much research into this topic, surveys of pet owners have found that many find that their pet's mood dips in the winter months, including one by the PDSA which found that a third of dog owners believe their dogs experience SAD.

Looking for ways to cheer up your pet and keep low mood at bay this winter? The pet experts Webbox are here to share five effective ways to combat and prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder in pets, ensuring they stay happy and healthy throughout the year.

Get them outdoors

One of the most straightforward solutions to combatting SAD in pets is to get them outdoors regularly. Just like with us humans, natural sunlight and fresh air can work wonders for both the mental and physical wellbeing of our cats and dogs. Daylight can also be important when it comes to regulating our pet's sleep cycles, which in turn can have an impact on their mental health. But as we're limited for daylight in the shorter months and we're more likely to need to battle with the elements, this can make encouraging our pets to get out of the house a little trickier.

For dogs, it's best to try and walk them at least once a day, come rain or shine. If you aren't in the mood for a full walk, try taking them to a dog park with a café nearby so you can keep them active while staying warm with a takeaway coffee. If you're looking to provide extra stimulation, consider walking them somewhere new to lift their spirits. It can be a little trickier to encourage cats to get outside as they tend to have a mind of their own. The best way to do so is simply by ensuring they have access to go out when they wish by having a cat flap and ensuring their exit path isn't blocked. If they tend to gravitate around you when you're home, you could also try wrapping up and going out into the garden yourself and waiting for them to join you.

On the days when getting outdoors isn't possible, you can still find ways to increase the amount of natural sunlight your pets get, such as by keeping all of the curtains open and moving their beds and food bowls to an area which captures plenty of light.

Socialise them

Many pets, like many humans, thrive on social interactions, so combatting loneliness can be crucial when it comes to preventing SAD in cats and dogs. Positive social interaction can not only alleviate feelings of isolation but also boost your pet's confidence and self-esteem. So, try to make an effort to socialise your pets with both other animals and people.

It is relatively straightforward to socialise your dog with both other dogs and humans, such as by visiting a dog park or joining a dog walking group. Those who are especially struggling may also benefit from dog socialisation classes. It can be a little trickier when it comes to independent cats, but one idea you may want to try is setting up a cat playdate. If you know a fellow cat owner with a pet who has a similar temperament to your own cat, meet them in a neutral spot for a get-together.

Keep them entertained

Boredom can contribute to feelings of sadness and lethargy in pets. As your cat and dog may not be able to enjoy as much time outside as they would in the warmer months, finding ways to keep them entertained indoors is important for keeping this boredom at bay. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep your pet entertained in the home, even while you're out of the house.

Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to keep your cat or dog's mind engaged is to invest in a variety of toys and activities. For dogs, ball and rope toys are ideal for physical stimulation and great for helping you bond over playtime, while puzzle feeders can be beneficial for mental stimulation. For cats, interactive ball toys can keep them entertained, while puzzle and track toys can keep them mentally stimulated.

Give them extra love

During the colder months when your pet's mood may dip, it's a good idea to shower them with extra love and attention. Spending quality time together, offering comforting cuddles, and creating a warm and inviting environment will make your pet feel much more comfortable and be beneficial for relieving any stress or anxiety. You may want to find more ways to take your pet along with you in your daily routine if you think they'll benefit from having some extra time with you, such as bringing your dog out on your morning run or moving your cat's bed into your home office if you work remotely.

It's important to note that not every cat or dog loves cuddles and affection, so this may not always be beneficial. You know your own pet best, so consider ways you can comfort them without leaving them feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. Even something as simple as sitting on the same sofa as your cat or dog may be enough for them to feel comforted and relaxed.

Provide them with a balanced diet

While many of us think about the physical benefits when it comes to feeding our pets nutritious food, balanced diets can have a big impact on their mental wellbeing too. This is in part because a good diet can give them the energy they need to get outside and be active. This is especially important at this time of year, as many cat and dog owners find their energy dips in the winter months.

To help your pet keep healthy in mind and body in the cold seasons, ensure they receive a balanced and high-quality diet with essential nutrients, including fat, protein, and carbs, as well as vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. If your pet isn't as active as they are throughout the rest of the year, ensure you don't overfeed them as this may worsen both their mental and physical health. However, don't forget to give your pet treats every so often! Treats can be fitted in as part of a balanced diet and be a great way to lift their mood.

"It isn't uncommon for pets to seem a little more lethargic and low-energy at this time of year. Just like for us humans, the cold weather and long, dark nights can take a toll on our cats and dogs too, especially if it prevents them from getting outdoors as much as they like. As they aren't able to get stimulation from outdoors as much as usual, try to bring this into the home as much as possible, whether it's in the form of socialisation, toys, or simply extra love and cuddles.

"One positive change beneficial for any pet is a healthy diet. Make sure to opt for highly nutritional food that isn't just healthy but tasty too, to encourage your pet to finish their bowl. You should also pay close attention to how your pet responds to their food as they may have some sort of dietary intolerance, such as a grain intolerance. If you are struggling to figure out the perfect meal plan for your pet, take them to your vet who will be able to provide you with expert advice and help you tailor a diet for them."

- Lisa Melvin from Webbox

Calls for ban on snares after pet cat found with horrific injuries in Aberdeenshire village

Jessica Curtis — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000

An Aberdeenshire cat owner has joined Cats Protection's campaign for snares to be banned in Scotland after her pet cat Harry was found collapsed in a field with horrific injuries.

Marion Brownlie said Harry's injuries were so appalling that she at first believed he had been "cut in two" when he was discovered close to his home in St Cyrus.

It is thought the ginger-and-white moggy may have been trapped in the snare for five agonising days before he was able to drag himself to safety.

Having confirmed his injuries were caused by a snare, vets carried out surgery to repair a deep wound running from hip to hip across Harry's abdomen. He was later able to return home but needs to be confined to a cage for rest during his recovery.

Marion said: "Harry had been missing for five days when my daughter spotted him – she could see he was in a bad way and I rushed over. We found him collapsed in a field and it was like something from a nightmare – I was afraid to pick him up as it looked as though he'd been cut in two.

"He was still clinging to life and we got him to the vet who said his chances were 50/50. The vet could tell that Harry must have been trapped for some time, and he must have been in agony.

"There is no way he could have gotten out of the snare on his own, so we can only assume that whoever laid the snare had released him, but we'll never know. It's too horrific to think of him trapped like that – he's a family pet, adored by all of us including my young grandchildren.

"I can't quite believe he managed to survive the injuries – it was the most horrific thing I've ever seen. But so far he is doing well, and we're just keeping everything crossed that he continues to recover.

"I was absolutely staggered to find out that these snares are legal. Anyone who saw the state Harry was in would agree that snares are completely inhumane – no animal should be left to suffer such agony for so long. I can't see how snares can be justified at all – it's plain cruelty and must be banned."

After finding Harry injured, Marion had first contacted Dr Elspeth Stirling, a volunteer from Cats Protection's Arbroath & District Branch, for advice.

Dr Stirling said: "I've been a volunteer for Cats Protection for over 25 years and this is the worst case of needless suffering I've come across. What makes this even more distressing is that snares are still legal but Harry's case clearly shows how incredibly cruel and inhumane they are."

Cats Protection's Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: "Cats Protection is campaigning for an outright ban on snares like the one which Harry was caught in. As Harry's story shows, snares are cruel, inhumane and cause considerable pain and suffering to any animal they capture.

"It's hard to describe Harry as lucky, as he must have suffered unimaginable pain, but thankfully he did survive and get home. Many animals caught in snares – whether they're wildlife or pet cats – will instead suffer a long, lonely and painful death.

"Snares and similar devices have no place in a modern society and we will continue to campaign for them to be banned."

Snares are soon to be banned in Wales under the Agriculture (Wales) Bill which is awaiting its final stage and Cats Protection will continue to campaign for the rest of the UK to follow suit.

To find out more about Cats Protection's campaign for a ban on snares and similar devices, please visit www.cats.org.uk/campaigning

Your Pets Daily - Pet welfare

Dog Expert Weighs In After Woman Reveals Dog Became Unwell After Inhaling Fumes From THIS Common Household Item

Essential Oils Toxic To Dogs

Symptoms of Essential Oil Poisoning

What To Do If You Suspect Essential Oil Ingestion

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5 ways to combat and prevent SAD in pets

Get them outdoors

Socialise them

Keep them entertained

Give them extra love

Provide them with a balanced diet

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Calls for ban on snares after pet cat found with horrific injuries in Aberdeenshire village

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