Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice

31/10/2025

🎃👻 Happy Halloween ! 🐾👻

27/10/2025

🎃 Help your dog have a calmer Halloween!🐶

If your dog gets worried by knocks on the door or trick-or-treaters, we’ve got you covered 👻

You can screenshot/save this post to save our “Please do not knock” sign, or send us a message and we’ll happily send you the PDF version to print.

A few simple steps can make Halloween fun and safe🎃

24/10/2025

🎃 Halloween Tips 🐾

👻 Halloween can be a spooky time for our pets too! Here are a few tips to help keep your dog’s safe and calm this Halloween:

🔕 1. Minimise door knocks:
If your dog finds visitors stressful, pop a sign on your door asking people not to knock or ring the bell. We’ll be sharing a handy poster you can print and use!

🎭 2. Costumes and decorations:
Many dogs can find costumes and strange decorations scary or confusing. If your dog seems comfortable, you can let them watch from a safe distance while scattering some tasty treats to build positive associations.
If they’re worried, don’t force them to interact, take them somewhere quiet or even for a car ride away from the commotion. Always let them have a clear escape route.

🐶 3. Dressing up your dog:
While it might look cute, most dogs don’t enjoy being dressed up. Costumes can cause stress or discomfort.
If you do decide to dress your dog up, watch for signs that they’re not happy:
• Freezing or refusing to move
• Lying down and going quiet
• Rolling or trying to remove the costume
• Seeming more reactive or agitated than usual
• Ears held back
If you notice these, take the costume off straight away. Remember—other dogs may also react fearfully to dogs in costumes.

🍬 4. Keep sweets and chocolate out of reach:
Many Halloween treats are toxic for dogs, especially chocolate and sweets containing xylitol. Keep them safely stored away!

Let’s make Halloween fun and safe for everyone!🎃🐾

23/10/2025

🎆 Fireworks & Your Dog: Stay Calm and Prepared! 🎆

Fireworks can be stressful for our furry friends, but there are ways to help them feel safe and relaxed:

🎧 Background Noise: Use a fan, white noise, TV, or radio to help muffle outside sounds. Make sure your dog is familiar with these noises. For some dogs, music with a steady rhythm, like reggae, can also help. Classical or calming music can be helpful for some dogs, though those sensitive to noise may find it upsetting. Pay attention to your dog’s reactions to see what works best.

⚽️ Interaction & Distractions: Gentle, low-arousal training exercises can help redirect your dog’s focus. If appropriate offer Kongs, chews, or treat-dispensing toys to keep them occupied, but always supervise. If your dog is too anxious to engage, stay calm and patient.

💊 Medication: Situational medication can help reduce anxiety during fireworks. Different types are available, and medication isn’t suitable for every dog. Discuss options with your vet.

🙈 Visual Barriers: Some dogs find seeing fireworks distressing, so closing curtains or doors can help. Others may prefer to see where the noise is coming from, if closing the curtains seems to increase distress trial leaving a small section open.

🖐 Interaction: Avoid over-cuddling, kissing, or excessive attention during fireworks, as this can signal uncertainty and increase anxiety. If your dog seeks comfort, respond calmly with soft verbal reassurance or gentle stroking. Respect their need to retreat to a safe space. If they have found a hiding spot for themselves, so long as they are safe there, allow them to remain there.

🔉 Noise Desensitisation: For dogs not currently anxious about noise, specially created firework audio can help them gradually get used to the sound in advance of firework season. Always use in a safe space and at a low volume. Free audio files and a guide are available from the Dogs Trust website.
Link: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/.../sound-therapy-for-pets

Helping your dog through fireworks is all about calmness, patience, and understanding! 🐶❤

22/10/2025

Fireworks can be stressful for pets, but there are ways to help them feel safe and relaxed 🐶🐾

🎶Classical or calming music can be soothing for some dogs, but every pet is different, so watch their reactions to see what works best.

We’ll also be sharing more tips soon to help your pets stay calm and comfortable during fireworks🐾

Pet Classics is back for the 2025 fireworks season! 🐾

Dan Walker TV and Charlotte Hawkins will keep the nation and its pets calm through the whizzes and bangs of Bonfire Night, with two shows of relaxing music perfectly designed to soothe your furry, scaly or feathered friend.

📻 Pet Classics | 5pm–9pm on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5) and Saturday 8 November. https://clssicfm.co/4753wRi

20/08/2025

🐾✨ Bank Holiday Office Opening Hours ✨🐾

Please note our adjusted hours for the upcoming Bank Holiday:

🗓️Monday 25th August
⏰Closed

We’ll be back to our normal hours on Tuesday 26th August.

💊 If your pet is under the care of BRVP and requires medication or repeat prescriptions, please place your order before the weekend to ensure you don’t run out.

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy Bank Holiday! 🐶🐱💛

08/08/2025

🐱 Happy International Cat Day! 🐱
What a great opportunity to celebrate our feline companions and patients! To celebrate we would love to see photos of your feline companions😍