Deanshanger Dog Walking Services

20/11/2024

20/11/2024

As the nights draw in please see some useful tips behalf on how to keep both you and your dog safe when walking in the dark 🐾🐕‍🦺

20/11/2024

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.]

17/11/2024

12/11/2024

Darker nights mean cats are more at risk of being involved in a road traffic accident during autumn and winter. Here are five tips from our vets to help your cat to stay safe 🐱

[Visual description: Infographic detailing five dark evening safety tips for cats. 1. Be prepared - make sure your cat is microchipped and is covered by pet insurance should anything happen. 2 - Neuter - By neutering your cat they’ll be much less likely to roam in search of a mate or get into fights. 3. Daylight - Keep your cat indoors at night and let them out during daylight hours. To help with this, you can try feeding your cat when it starts to get dark so they’ll come back for the night. 4. The secure outdoors - If you live in a busy area with lots of traffic, consider only letting your cat out into a secure garden or safe outdoor area. 5. Visibility - Reflective collars can help drivers see cats in the dark or in poor light. Choose a break-away style collar which will open if your cat catches it on a fence, branch or other object while they’re out exploring.]

12/11/2024

06/11/2024

Does your pet get stressed at the vets? The strange and unfamiliar surroundings, people, smells and sounds can make it a scary experience for some. But, there are things you can do to help 👇

✋ Examine them at home - softly looking over their body and rewarding your pet with treats can make it a positive experience. With practice, this will help them remain confident and comfortable.
🕓 Quieter appointments - if you have a nervous pet who would benefit from a less busy waiting room, it's worth asking your vet if there is a quieter time of the day for appointments.
🐇 Pets in carriers - keep them in their carrier with all sides covered by a blanket or towel to help make it a calmer environment. Hold the carrier on your knee, facing you, away from curious sniffing dogs.
🚘 Wait in the car - if your pet really struggles in the waiting room or has had a bad experience, if the weather is cool enough, wait in the car with your pet and call reception to check in and let them know.
💆 Stay calm - pets can sense our feelings. Try to stay calm and relax to reassure them that there is nothing to be worried about.

More tips for cats and dogs: http://pdsa.me/gZVI

[Visual description: Brown and white Cocker Spaniel puppy, Coco, sits on her owners lap in a PDSA Pet Hospital waiting room.]

06/11/2024

Lucky for some, certain dog breeds have naturally long and well insulated coats that help keep them warm when the weather gets tough. Unfortunately, lots of other types of dog are more vulnerable. During winter, small breeds with short coats and toy breeds will struggle to keep warm. However, larger breeds can also get chilly despite their size due to their thin coats.

🐾 Small and short coated dog breeds 🐾
Jack Russels
Poodles
Whippets
Dachshunds
Chihuahuas
Basset Hounds
Yorkshire Terriers

🐾 Large and short coated dog breeds 🐾
Dalmations
Staffies
Greyhounds
Doberman Pinschers

All these breeds are more susceptible to the cold however, any dog will get cold if left in the cold or wet for too long

02/11/2024

Great fun at the Halloween dog show & Party 1st prize for each of these two spooky pups

31/10/2024

As is on a Tuesday this year, firework displays are spread across this weekend and next. We know this is a stressful time for many pet owners, so our vets have put together their top tips on helping anxious pets keep calm 🎆

Our free Firework Guide will help you make sure you've got everything covered for your pet: http://pdsa.me/pFGd

[Visual description: Infographic which has seven tips to help pets cope with fireworks. Each tip is next to a small picture related to the point. Tips include: make a den, play music and sounds, keep pets inside, pheromone plug-in, close doors, curtains and door flaps, cats feel safer up high, and if your pet seeks reassurance, comfort them normally.]

26/10/2024

Thought I was taking a photo of these three lovelies