Pet Safety and Care On Firework Night

"Remember, remember the 5th of November"

Although bonfire night is an exciting evening for all the family, it is not something that your pet enjoys or understands. Naturally, your dog, cat or other pets will go through fear and stress because of the loud noises and bright lights. Remember their safety and comfort is of upmost importance on any firework night.

They will suffer from different reactions depending on their age and characteristics. There are all sorts of behavioural signs to keep an eye out for. They may become withdrawn and quiet, often seeking a hiding place, suffer from uncontrollable shaking, vocalisation and even fouling in the house. Although these symptoms can be very alarming for the pet owner to witness and for the pet to experience, even the most fearful of pets can be helped with a combination of behavioural and medical treatments.

Firstly make sure all pets are safely inside the house well before dark. Fit all dog walks and outside activities in during daylight hours, ensuring they are all in and settled by mid afternoon. It sounds stupid to point out, but don't walk your dog when the fireworks have started and certainly do not take your dog to a firework display. Some people still need to be told the obvious. If they bark at the noise don't think it means they're enjoying it and joining in, it means they are stressed!

Even if your pet is deaf they will still find the vibrations and flashing colours alarming. Close the curtains early in the evening before any fireworks begin. Block up cat flaps and put a television or radio on at a high volume to block sounds from outside the house. Don't pay any attention if he paces around or whines, and do not reassure him as this will only make him think there is something to worry about. Stay calm and act normally even if you want to comfort them. It will be reassuring enough for them that you are at home.

If your pet finds a hiding place during fireworks, don't disturb them let them come out of their own free will when they feel safe to do so. You can pre-empt this by making a den for your pet in a safe place in case they wish to hide later on. Under the stairs, in a wardrobe, or under a table make good hiding areas.

If your pet accidentally fouls in the home don't tell them off this is just a stressful reaction to the noise. There are herbal, pheromone and dietary supplement options available to help reduce fear and anxiety. Feliway for cats in spray and diffuser form can assist in calming your cat down. Dog appeasing pheromone products are available on our website too.

Smaller animals like guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits and birds all need to be treated with extra care on firework night. These animals can easily die of heart attacks as a result of the loud noises and flashes of colours. If you can bring hutches and enclosures into a cool, quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed. Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so he feels secure. If you cannot bring your pet's hutch inside, you should turn it around so that it faces a wall or fence instead of open space.

So remember and enjoy the 5th of November" … but please don't forget your pets.

Moving Home Advise For Your Pet

One of life's biggest stresses is moving home. This applies to your pet as well. The different sounds, sights and smells of the new house can be very upsetting for them. It may take up to a few weeks for them to settle in to their new surroundings. The journey, however short or long, can also be very traumatic for animals. Obviously we know what's going on and that the trip will end with us being settled into a new home. Your pet however doesn't know this, so be patient with them and try to follow the tips listed below.

• Keep your pet secure in one room while you are doing all the packing and unpacking. Put their food and water bowls in the same room along with their bedding, toys etc. With the upheaval they'll sense that something is changing which might make them want to go and hide in the garden or at a neighbour's, so keeping them in one area is strongly advised.

• Don't clean your pet's favourite toys and bedding before you move, so that it keeps the familiar smells for them when they're in the new home.

• Don't feed your pet too soon before leaving your home on the day you move, three hours before should be fine. If your pet suffers from travel sickness this will only add to their distress. Consult your vet if travel sickness medication is required.

• Before and after the move use a calming pet spray or diffuser like Feliway

for cats.

• All pets like routine as this makes them feel secure. Try to stick to your normal patterns leading up to the move and as soon as possible after you're in your new home.

• Give your pet lots of attention before, during and after your move as while you're packing he might think that he's being left behind and not coming with you.

• If you're really worried about your pet during all the disruption of packing up your home, you could consider using a kennel or cattery for a few days, especially if they've been there before and enjoyed it. Keep in mind that you'll have to book your pet in some time in advance and you'll need to make sure that all their vaccinations are up to date, as decent establishments will request to see a vaccination certificate. Another idea is to ask a family member or friend that your pet is comfortable with to house them for a week or so, just whilst you're moving and unpacking the other end. Your pet will then only have to cope with one trip to their new home after you have dealt with the dreaded moving in day and unpacked.

• It's strongly advisable for a few weeks after you have moved to keep your pet indoors, because their natural instinct may be to try to find their way back to their original home. For dogs going outside, make sure you go with them and that they are wearing an up-to-date identity collar. Microchipping is also a good idea for any pets that go outside. Don't let dogs off the lead until they have had time to get used to their local parks and landmarks. Cats are best kept indoors again for a few weeks until they have also gotten used to their surroundings and scents.

• Don't forget you will need to find the best vet in your area. Ask around at local pet shops, your neighbours or dog walkers/carers in the area. Also ensure your pet records are sent from your old vet to the new one.

Furminator Equine, The Grooming Tool to Keep Your Horse Looking in Top Condition

Horses need lots of care and maintenance in order to keep their manes and tails in top quality condition, this is to avoid their hair becoming dull, lifeless and brittle and finally to prevent the horses health suffering in the near future.

The Furminator Equine ensures that your horse hair is always in tip top condition and after using this new invention, your horses hair will be short and glossy. The Furminator for horses, works by gently removing the horses' winter coat or any loose hair throughout the year, it helps to replace the horses' natural oils, which in turn provides healthier skin and a shiner & smoother coat for your horse.

Being efficient, is what this horse tool is good at, it also makes grooming time for your horse and you much more of a walk in the park and a time to actually put aside and enjoy, rather than just a grooming ritual that needs carrying out every so often. The Furminator deshedding tool is completely different from a regular brush or comb; mainly by the way it works, in which it is pain free for your horse, very efficient when in use and effective in the results it achieves.

An added benefit is that the shedding period of the horses hair is drastically decreased with this new brush and of course another important benefit is that it is completely safe and has no adverse effects on your horse. Grooming time should be a relaxing and calming experience between your horse and you and this Furminator grooming tool ensures that it is just that.

The results after using this regularly, really do speak for themselves - this in turn ensures that not only your horse is happy but you are too!

When using this deluxe Furminator I could really notice the big difference, it did not look like much when it came though in the post, but the actual results were very noticeable and my horse seemed happier with the whole experience of me trying this product out on him one afternoon too. I was very happy with the time it took to comb his entire body, after a short while I had loads of hair collected and put to one side already.

This is a great product that has worked successfully with my horse and me and it has definitely sped up his shedding process which has made his coat in better condition and also made our lives much easier all round.

It is very comfortable to hold in the hand and while I was using it I found it to be very strong and it will definitely last for a long time. It also seemed that other customers rated this product well when I looked on the review, almost all of them giving this a five out of five, which is also what I would rate this Equine Furminator for horses.