As bonfire night is behind us, you are probably well-versed in how your pet responds to fireworks.
Unfortunately, those who have nervous pets are likely well aware that New Year celebrations are looming. Whilst at present, the fireworks happening around us are out of our control, there is still plenty we can do to make it bearable for our four-legged friends.
Here is a reminder of our top tips!
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #Fireworks
We hope you are all having a wonderful day with your pets ❤️🎄
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We would like to wish all our clients and their pets a wonderful festive season.
We hope it’s filled with long dog walks and pet cuddles!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Your Thameswood Team
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #MerryChristmas
With Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking for some cost-effective ideas to treat your pets over the festive season.
Here are some ideas for homemade pet Christmas gifts which they’ll love!
🎄 Hiding spaces: Simple and cheap. Keep hold of old cardboard packaging and you could have a great tunnel or hiding den for a cat to play! Pop a blanket inside and it could even become a cosy new safe space for New Year's Eve.
🎄 Puzzle feeders: Another easy one for both cats and dogs. If you have a toilet or kitchen roll tube, fold over one end, pour in some treats and fold over the other end to enclose them. You can then cut small holes in the side for the treats to fall out! Of course, there are other more complicated puzzle toys on the market if you would like to spend a little more.
🎄 Snuffle feeders: Keep hold of those old egg boxes. You can hide treats in them for your dog or cat to investigate. An old folded towel with treats inside works just as well!
🎄 Get baking: Pet treats are really easy to make, so if you are already cooking up a storm over the holidays, why not find a pet-friendly recipe and make some homemade treats to wrap up for your pet? Just remember - avoid anything containing xylitol, also known as birch sugar. This is an artificial sweetener (found in things like peanut butter) that’s highly toxic to our pets.
And always supervise your pet when playing with toys, or even join in on the fun and spend some extra time with them.
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #ChristmasGifts
What a party we had last week 🎉🎄
Our puppy party attendees brought their full festive cheer and arrived dressed in their Christmas outfits. We enjoyed it as much as they did!
It was wonderful to have such a wide range of breeds and sizes. They all played and socialised together so nicely. They experienced plenty of new sights, smells, and a new environment in a positive way to help them get off to the best start in life.
☎️ If you have recently welcomed a new puppy into your family, get in touch with our team to book your place at our next puppy party session!
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #PuppyParty
If you have a pet 8 years of age or older, our Senior Health Clinics are for you!
As our pets grow older, their bodies and needs change, just like us! Identifying these early helps them to live a long and comfortable life.
Our Senior Health Clinics provide a comprehensive health check for your older pet so we can find any potential underlying issues and support you to help them.
Get in touch with our team for more information!
#ThameswoodVets #ThameswoodCatClinic #SeniorPets #SwindonVets
During the winter or colder months, cats may spend more time indoors avoiding the weather.
Enrichment activities can help pass the time and also provide a space for them to express natural behaviours. This will mean their mental, emotional and physical needs are met, helping them to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Here are our top ideas!
🐈Interactive toys: These help to strengthen the bond between you and your cat as you get to enjoy playing with them too. Think wand toys or laser pointers and remember, the key is there is a reward at the end! Use the laser to point to a treat, or allow them to catch the end of the wand so they don’t become frustrated.
🐈Self-play: The most cost-effective of them all, self-play can involve anything from a paper bag to a cardboard box. Toys that encourage pouncing and chasing will leave your pet feeling satisfied (and tired!). There are also a number of ‘cat games’ available on iPad which can keep them engaged for some time!
🐈Food puzzles: Foraging toys are useful to keep pets engaged and to tire their minds. It also encourages a cat's natural instinct to forage for food. You can make your own or purchase puzzle toys. Something as simple as a toilet roll holder stuffed with treats and the ends folded will work perfectly.
🐈Outdoors whilst indoors: Cats will love to watch the wildlife in the garden. So perhaps clear a windowsill or somewhere up high where they can see out and leave nature do the work for you!
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #SwindonCatClinic #ThameswoodCatClinic #CatEnrichment
On Sunday, we celebrated National Black Cat Day 🐈🖤
Our team snapped some gorgeous photos of their feline family members and aren't they just beautiful?
If you have a black cat, be sure to pop a photo in the comments or tag us in your pictures!
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #NationalBlackCatDay #Cats #Swindon #ThameswoodCatClinic
All pets can find fireworks frightening, even your small furries!
Cats, however, tend to be the pets most commonly outside, in unfamiliar territory and unsupervised during fireworks season, so here are our top 4 tips to keep them safe!
#ThameswoodVets #ThameswoodCatClinic #PetSafety #SwindonVets #Fireworks
🍁 Does anyone else love the crunch of the leaves under your feet at this time of year?
Whilst our pets embrace the change in season with us, here are the top considerations for your pets this autumn…
> Autumnal toxins
Conkers, acorns and mushrooms are the most common hazards to dogs as we enter the autumn season. As well as causing blockages, they can cause internal damage, kidney disease and upset stomachs.
> Preventative care
Fleas and ticks are resilient. In the colder seasons, they tend to seek warmer locations, hitching a ride on your pet and arriving in your home. Our Pet Health Plan is the most cost-effective way to keep on top of your pet's preventative care.
> Antifreeze
It may not be cold enough for antifreeze yet, but if you are digging out your winter supplies, be sure to clean up any spillages as it is highly toxic to pets.
> Microchipping
Autumn means we are approaching fireworks season. This can frighten pets and they can run away - not only is microchipping now the law, it gives your pet the best opportunity of being reunited with you, so ensure your details are up to date.
#ThameswoodVets #PetSafety
It's Vet Nurse Day 🎉
Our nursing team (with many more not pictured) is essential in the smooth running of our clinics. They are full of empathy, and knowledge and work incredibly hard to care for animals in need.
Vet nurses do far more than what meets the eye, in fact! They help prepare pets for procedures, perform wound care and dressing changes, fill and administer medications, run tests, assist the vet during examinations, and even run their own clinics...and lots more! They are often the ones behind the scenes giving your beloved pet that extra little bit of TLC whilst they are away from home.
Today we celebrate these wonderful people who are vital to helping our clinics provide the best care for your pets.
❤️ Thank you to our amazing nurses who dedicate their lives to the care of our pets and their families, who work incredibly hard and who share the good the sad and the often funny lives of our pets with us 🐾
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Cat owners, are you having a late getaway this year? ✈️
Did you know that separation anxiety exists in cats too? It isn’t something we commonly associate with our feline friends, after all, they tend to enjoy their own company! Even though they are more solitary than dogs, they are also creatures of habit.
If your pet is used to having you around or their routine suddenly changes, they may experience separation-related frustration. This may show as:
🐱Restlessness
🐱Excessive vocalisation
🐱Going off their food
🐱Hiding
🐱Changes in appetite
🐱Toileting changes
🐱Scratching
To help ease this for your pet, you can:
✅Introduce a change in routine slowly - be prepared!
✅Introduce ways for them to play alone (e.g. puzzle feeders which will also provide enrichment)
✅Try ‘play-time’ before you leave so they are mentally tired and happy to relax whilst you are out
✅Provide a safe space up high for them to retreat to
✅Try a pheromone diffuser
Our team at our cat clinic are on hand for advice should you need some help.
#ThameswoodVets #SwindonVets #ThameswoodCatClinic #SeparationAnxiety
