Happy Hounds

28/01/2025

Thank you PDSA for this reminder.

The new year is a great reminder to make sure everything is up-to-date with your pet, including their health. It's a good idea to give your pet a regular 'MOT' which you can do at home ✅

Not all pets will be used to you checking them over, or touching them in certain areas. Always make sure your pet is relaxed and comfortable with you giving them a health check. Make the health check a positive experience, using treats and praise during, and afterwards.

These checkpoints apply to both cats and dogs 🐱🐶

[Visual description: Infographic reads: how to give your pet a new year 'MOT'. Ears - Ears should be free from build-up of wax or excessive hair and nasty smells. Ear flaps shouldn’t have any swelling. Eyes - Should look bright, clear and open as normal. Be free from tears or discharge, no tear staining. The fleshy area around the eyeball should be salmon pink. Nose - Your pet’s nose should be moist and soft and clear of any snot or discharge. Your pet should be able to breathe freely. Teeth - Teeth should be clean and white, free of cracks or breaks and free of staining. Also check for any missing teeth. Gums - Gums should be a fleshy salmon colour, moist and free of lumps and bumps. Some pets have pigment in their mouths so gums will look darker. Skin - Free of any rashes, lumps and bumps. No bald patches or fur missing. No bad smells, wounds, discharge or infections. Coat - Coat should be free of knots and matts. Free of ticks, fleas, flea dirt, or other parasites. Free of dandruff. Legs - Free from wounds, lumps and bumps. Able to comfortably get up and down. Nails should be strong, not too long, and no risk of growing into paw pads. Tail - Tail should be in a normal position for your pet, able to move freely, be clean and free of poo underneath and have no sores on or around it.]

28/01/2025

Every sniff tells a story. It’s essential for their wellbeing.

Even if it’s cold, wet and windy a short ‘sniff’ walk can be really beneficial to your 🐶. I often let Freddie choose where he wants to go for his walk.

25/01/2025

Consideration is free. Let’s spread it around to all we come across.

*Update 28/01/2025 - Thank you to all who have signed this petition and supported our Pavement Parking campaign. This petition is now closed for signatures but you can find out more about our Pavement Parking campaign via our website https://bit.ly/3XMyOZU *

Last chance - closing 27th January! Please sign our open letter to party leaders and ask them to make tackling pavement parking a priority 👉 https://bit.ly/46Ez0gv

Cars blocking pavements are a problem for everyone, but are particularly dangerous for people with sight loss, wheelchair users and older people 🚗

[Visual description: Ambassador dog Luna (golden retriever) wearing a high-visibility Guide Dogs vest sits beside a white car parked across the pavement. In front of Luna is a sign that reads "Don't make me go into the road!" Another sign in the background reads "cars parked on pavements force people with sight loss into the road"]

08/01/2025

Help the RSPCA!

Near Me

08/01/2025

When checking the app for temperature, remember always to check what it feels like too.

Wednesday Wisdom:
If it’s cold and they’re uncomfortable then yes! ❄

31/12/2024

Have you ever thought about teaching dog body language to your children? It’s worth every penny. Do you know how to read dog language? If not, go on a course yourself or just look it up. Not every waggy tail means they are happy. Well worth making that resolution for a happier and safe 2025.

Many thanks to KAD Kids Around Dogs for this informative graphic.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10170597739230503&set=gm.1572514743376965&idorvanity=316529508975501

21/12/2024

Please be aware of these DANGERS for our dogs. Be careful of crumbs falling Don’t be tempted to give them just a little bit of these foods. Let’s keep our family member safe.
Merry Christmas everyone!

So much of the food we love at Christmas contains toxic ingredients. Perhaps we’re a little more distracted/less vigilant? Maybe our dogs are a little more excited or anxious and therefore more likely to ‘steal’?

Please stay safe, keep such food out of reach. Don’t spoil your Christmas with a poorly dog, or a trip to the emergency vet.

20/12/2024

A merry Christmas to all my furry friends
And their owners who use Happyhounds.

It’s been a pleasure looking after your fur babies.

07/12/2024

Helpful advice.

❄ WHAT IS FROSTBITE? ❄
Frostbite is damage caused to the skin and other tissues as a result of prolonged exposure to extreme cold.

❄ WHO IS AT RISK OF FROSTBITE? ❄
Any pet who spends a prolonged period exposed to extremely cold weather has the potential to be affected by frostbite. However, there are some factors which may heighten the risk of your dog getting frostbite:
• Medical conditions that affect blood flow
• Wet fur
• Short hair
• Small in size
• Illness
• Old age

❄ HOW DOES FROSTBITE OCCUR? ❄
Prolonged contact with cold temperatures causes the body to close blood vessels that are near the skin to preserve a stable core body temperature.
Blood vessels start to narrow or constrict. Sometimes, this protective mechanism can reduce blood flow to critically low levels in some areas of the body (particularly the extremities). The combination of cold temperatures and reduced blood flow can allow the tissues to freeze, causing severe tissue injury.

You should immediately contact your vet so that they can give the correct advice for your particular situation.

05/12/2024

Thank you Guide dogs for this advice.

Understand the causes of canine arthritis, signs to look out for, treatment for managing it and tips for helping a dog with arthritis to be comfortable at home.

05/12/2024

04/12/2024

They might look nice but for our fury friends they are NOT!

Toxic plants:
Also ivy, yew, cyclamen and flower bulbs such as daffodil, tulip and hyacinth. 🌷

30/11/2024

Next weekend is our last training of 2024! Gosh, where has the year gone? It’s not (quite) too late to book:

Chichester November 30th 10am-2.30pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1835

Heathfield December 1st 1.30-6pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1892

Sevenoaks December 1st 2-6.30pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1884

Then we’ll be taking a much needed break to catch up on admin and make plans for 2025.

29/11/2024

This guy talks a lot of sense. Gives you the understanding from the dog’s point of view.

29/11/2024

All children need to be taught how to love and respect their dog. Everybody needs to learn danger signs. We, as parents can only give our children the advice we have learned.
Happy reading!

23/11/2024

Please check regularly.

Antifreeze spills and leaky engines are a lethal threat to our pets. Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze, is extremely toxic. Unfortunately, it is naturally sweet, which is why pets are tempted to drink it. As the weather continues to drop colder, please be extremely cautious of spills and leaks ❄️

Ethylene glycol is also found in car screen wash, brake fluid, radiator fluid and some garden water features. Even small amounts, if swallowed, is deadly as it causes permanent damage to the kidneys.

Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats:
- Wobbliness and weakness
- Vomiting
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Drinking and weeing more to begin, and then less than normal
- Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
- Seizures (fits)
- Collapse

Sadly, antifreeze poisoning is usually fatal unless it’s treated extremely quickly. Call your vet immediately if you think your pet has come into contact with antifreeze - don't wait for symptoms to appear!⚠️

[Visual description: A ginger and white tabby cat walks by a car in the snow, looking to the ground. Text on the image reads: antifreeze warning.]

22/11/2024

When walking your dog, check your weather app first if you have one. Remember to always check what the weather FEELS like to know the real temperature. Keep an eye on them too. A shorter walk might be better for them.

Does your pet’s fur protect them from the cold? ❄️

In most cases, yes! But in really wet and cold weather, if your pet isn't able to keep active or get themselves somewhere warm, their fur coat may not be enough. Like us humans, our pets, though thankfully rarely, can develop a dangerous and potentially deadly condition called hypothermia.

Any pet can become seriously ill if the temperature of their body drops too low, and acting quickly and doing the right thing could save your pet’s life.

Here are some key symptoms to look out for during the winter months! And if you suspect your pet may have hypothermia, it’s important to call your vet straight away and follow their advice ⚠️

[Visual description: Infographic about hypothermia in pets. Signs and symptoms include; shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums and loss of consciousness/collapse. What you should do; 1. Call your vet straight away and follow their advice. 2. Get your pet out of the cold. Take them somewhere warm (not hot) and sheltered. 3. If your pet is awake, try to get them to drink some lukewarm (not hot) water. 4. If your pet is wet, use towels to dry them by rubbing them over. Change the towels when they become damp. 5. Be careful not to heat your pet up too quickly, this can be dangerous. Use blankets and towels under and over them to keep them warm. Using hot water bottles and heat pads will heat them too quickly and may cause burns.]