It’s Time to Talk – Mental Health Matters for your Dog

Pets, Mental Health, Health, Care

Time to Talk Day – Thursday 7th February 2019

Mental health affects one in four of us yet people are still afraid to talk to each other about it; usually due to insecurities, experiencing embarrassment and feeling worried about what others will think of them. This subsequently means that many of us suffer in isolation, which can often have a detrimental effect on an individual’s mental health and well-being. Time to Talk Day is all about bringing people together so that they feel comfortable to have ‘that’ conversation. Whether it’s with a cup of tea, a chat with a close friend or meeting up with a family member, the aim is to break the stigma of talking about mental health and raising awareness in the process. Here at Scamps and Champs we recognise that it isn’t just humans that suffer with mental health issues, our beloved dogs can too! Therefore, we aim to prompt the conversation with our followers regarding mental health for dogs, in order to inform you with what problems can look like and signs to look out for. By raising awareness and promoting an informed discussion regarding your dog’s mental health, we also hope to arm you with the details you need to support your furry friend on the road to recovery.

So how can my Dog be affected by Mental Health?

As we know mental health is just as real as physical health and can be completely debilitating if it isn’t treated correctly. Believe it or not our dogs can be affected by many of the same mental health issues us humans can from anxiety, depression, social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, but how can mental health problems in our dogs be recognised and how can they be treated? People’s experiences impact who they are and how they choose to behave, it is the same with our four-legged friends. A positive experience can influence us to make excellent choices and model us into decent human beings, who have the ability to act and react in a well-rounded thought out way. However, a negative experience can cause stress and have a lasting detrimental impact on the way we chose to behave. Below we are going to cover the main mental health issues that can be experienced by dogs, explain how to identify each condition and then offer some advice on how to support your pawly pal back to health.

Anxiety

The most common form of anxiety identified within dogs is separation anxiety, this is where your dog absolutely hates being separated from its owner, particularly for extended periods of time. This could be due to spending too much time with the owner as a puppy and then circumstances altering, for example an owner obtaining a new job that takes them out of the home environment. However, separation anxiety can occur in dogs that have had a troubled start in life and therefore do not like to be left on their own, as they fear that something bad will happen to them.

Common signs that your dog has separation anxiety:

  • Your dog becoming erratic as you leave the house
  • Damage to your home being found on your return home
  • Dog mess accidents being found on your return home

The solution is to seek professional help from a dog behaviour expert who can assist you in identifying why your dog has separation anxiety. Then work with them to find a solution that suits your dog’s individual needs. If you have a new puppy it is important that you create them a space they feel safe in such as a crate, bed or small room, which is their personal safe space of comfort. Then work on settling your puppy into its safe space each time that you go out and leave your puppy for short bursts of time, such as ten minutes to begin with whilst you go to the shop. Then gradually increase the time you leave them up to four hours, once they are old enough to hold the toilet and wait to go outside. Often leaving a speech radio station on such as BBC Radio 4 in the safe space, can assist in keeping them company and mask outside noises that may be initially frightening for your dog.

Depression

Depression can be experienced in dogs when an alteration of routine occurs. This can be in the form of a change in home environment, an alteration in food or walking routine or following the death of a fellow canine companion. Whereas in humans a ‘change of scene’ may be beneficial for depression, any change can actually be the trigger of depression in dogs.

Common signs that your dog has depression:

  • Appetite decreases
  • Alteration in sleeping habits
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Excessive licking
  • Avoidance or hiding

You can improve this by creating and maintaining a daily routine for your dogs, keeping their life aspects as consistent as possible. Taking your dogs out and exercising them efficiently in fields where they can enjoy the grass, mud and fresh air. If you have just experienced the death of another loved pet and your dog is showing signs of depression, give them as much love and attention as you can, support them through the difficult phase. If symptoms of depression persist then seek advice from your veterinary health professional as they may have further advice or your dog may have an underlying condition that needs treating medically. 

Social Anxiety

Dogs are extremely sociable animals and enjoy lots of walks, cuddles and most importantly company. They require a lot of attention and tender loving care, just like we do! However, if dogs are not socialised properly as puppies or if they are bought up in isolation, they can develop social anxieties which are not usually associated with their breed. Thus, meaning that when you try and socialise your dog out in public and it is approached by another dog, your dog can become aggressive as it is frightened about what the other dog may do to it.

Common signs that your dog has social anxiety:

  • Physically trembling
  • Tail tucked in
  • Withdrawal and hiding
  • Reduction in activity
  • Aggression and excessive barking

The best way to eliminate social anxiety is to commence training whilst your dog is young, by socialising your dog with other humans and dogs on a regular basis. This can cause an issue if you have adopted a dog or you have obtained an adult dog from a rescue shelter, as it will already have established negative behaviours within previous years. In this case it is advisable to seek professional assistance from a dog behaviourist or dog trainer, who can tailor support to your individual dog’s needs. In addition, you need to establish trust with your new furry friend, by spending as much time with them as you can and positively rewarding good behaviour with treats. This needs to include gradually introducing other dogs to your dog, commencing on a one-on-one basis and taking it slowly, monitoring your dog’s reactions and rewarding positive experiences with treats.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic stress disorder occurs in dogs following a traumatic event, just as it does in humans. This can occur through mistreatment, physical violence or abuse, from humans or sometimes from other dogs. This can cause long-lasting mental health issues with crippling effects on a dog’s life, as triggers such as similar noises or places, can cause the dog to relive the trauma over and over again.

Common signs that a dog has post-traumatic stress disorder:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Hyper vigilance
  • Irritability
  • Distress
  • Avoiding familiar areas
  • Shaking
  • Displays of anxiety and depressive symptoms (as above)

As with anxiety and depression, canine post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) can cause your dog to act out more than usual or in un-characteristically for the individual dog. It is recommended that you seek immediate assistance from your veterinary doctor in order to see if medical assistance is required. Dog behaviour and training can assist you in addition moving forward and with the correct treatment for your dog CPTSD can subside within a couple of months.

Take a further look at our business Scamps and Champs and our full range of pet caring services available.

Top 3 Dog-Friendly UK Holiday Destinations

Let’s face it, as dog owners we are barking mad about our canine friends, with most of us viewing them firmly as one of the family. Therefore, with the February half-term holidays approaching you are likely to be seeking a well deserved break, with the entire family included. However, searching for accommodation and restaurants where your fur baby, and human children, are welcome in all areas can turn into a ruff ordeal! It will therefore come as no great surprise that some of the most dog welcoming destinations in the United Kingdom fall within our beautiful national parks, offering rolling countryside, stunning scenery and ample dog walking opportunities. Within these leash-worthy locations they don’t shy away from dog walkers, muddy paws or excited children, they embrace the outdoors and invite you inside with open arms. Here are our top three pawsome friendly holiday destinations and why we know they will be perfect for the whole family, fur sure!

1.    The Lake District

The stunning Lake District welcomes your four-legged friend with open arms, offering endless outdoor opportunities and dining options for the whole family! The Lake District is renowned for being one of the most welcoming holiday destinations for our dogs, not only due to the endless Wainwrights that can be explored up on the fells, but within the tourist attractions too. From the Windermere Lake Cruises, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, the Ullswater Steamers and the Ravenglass Railway in Eskdale, you are not short of thrilling day trips where your pup-pal can be fully involved in your adventures. In addition, you are spoilt for choice with dog friendly restaurants and bars, that won’t blink an eye at your muddy walking boots or mucky mutt. Fancy a fabulous forest walk? Then look no further than the gorgeous deep green forests of Whinlatter and Grizedale where the trees appear to reach the sky. There are ample adventure playground opportunities for children and most importantly your dog can run freely around the forest footpaths.

For more information see Lake District dog friendly; accommodation, places to eat, pet etiquette and a dogs in Cumbria guide.

2.    The Yorkshire Dales

Every year millions of canine visitors flock to the Yorkshire Dales with their owners in the hope of finding hound friendly hotels, pup-tastic pubs and glorious countryside walks. Dogs in the Dales are embraced and greeted by many shops and pubs, who have bowls of water outside their establishments ready for your thirsty pals. Indeed some restaurants go even further in their attempt to satisfy the needs of your furry friend by offering a delicious doggy menu in addition to their standard menu, meaning you can all eat together at the end of a long days walking. You are also spoilt for choice with dog friendly attractions around the Dales including; Richmond Castle, Parcevall Gardens, Markenfield Hall, Ingleborough Cave, Harrogate Paintball Centre, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Skipton Boat Trips, to name just a few!   

For further essential information take a look at dogs in the Dales.

3.    The Peak District

Dog friendly Derbyshire is packed full of places to stay and things to do with your pawsome pups. Dogs are well and truly welcome in the Peak District with numerous café’s, bars and restaurants classifying themselves as dog friendly. You can’t walk far without noticing the array of signs above shop doors proudly informing you that ‘dogs are welcome.’ Ensuring there are no awkward moments where you stand outside with the dog, whilst the rest of the family enter the shop for a browse. You can explore the Monsal Trail or perhaps Monsal Head and walk down into Mondal Dale, with the whole family, letting your dog run freely in the beautiful countryside. Grinlow Woods and Bakewell also offer numerous outdoor opportunities for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of the Peak District. You can end the day perfectly in one of the many dog friendly hotels where you can all enjoy relaxing together, at the end of a wonderful day in one of the most beautiful national parks in England, with your dog by your side.

Check out this useful overview of dog friendly accommodation in the pet friendly Peak District.

Are we fur’ real? Well, yes we are! Our dogs are part of our family and therefore finding the perfect accommodation, eating establishments and attractions, where everyone can enjoy the entire holiday together is pawsible. It is all down to location and all available on our doorstep, if you just know where to look. You and your precious pups never need to be separated again and you can look forward to many hound-friendly holidays together in the future. Happy February Half-Term!

Unable to take your dog away this time? View Scamps and Champs full range of pet care services, availability and booking details.

Legal requirements for owning a dog

As a dog owner there are laws we have to follow – do you know what they are?

Poop

As a dog owner you are required to clean up after you dog.

The Dog Fouling Act of 2016 places responsibility on the ‘person in charge of the dog at the time of the fouling’ and all Scamps and Champs dog walkers take this very seriously.

Under the Clean Neighborhoods and Environment Act 2005, local authorities have the power to make Dog Control Orders in relation to public land.

Which means that, not cleaning up after your dog is an offence, punishable by a fine at level 3, which is £1000.

The Dog Control Order may also relate to; keeping dogs on leads, exclusion of dogs from land and also the number of dogs which a person may take on to any land.

Control

We are talking about leads, collars and muzzles.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is a criminal offence for a dog to be on a designated road (i.e. public road) without being help on a lead. The exceptions are for dogs proved to be kept for driving or tending sheep or cattle.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires every dog while on a public highway or in a public place to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on it or on a ID badge attached to the collar.

Exceptions to that legislation are:

  • packs of hounds;
  • dogs used for sporting purposes;
  • dogs being used for the capture or destruction of vermin;
  • dogs being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep;
  • dogs being used on official duties by a member of the Armed Forces or Customs and Excise or a police force;
  • dogs being used in emergency rescue work, and;
  • dogs registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The Countryside Code for dog owners

The Protection of Livestock Act 1953 states that it is legal for a farmer to shoot a dog that is worrying his livestock.

The livestock act covers cows, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, geese and goats. The Act does not cover domestic pets such as cats or wild game birds. The Act applies to any person who is walking or in control of a dog whether they are the owner or not.

The public right of way applies only to the footpath through the field, not to the whole field and so does not give people the right to wander the wider area.

Third party liability insurance is not a legal requirement but should advisable in case your dog causes damage or runs out in the road and cause a road traffic accident.

Third party liability is usually covered in all basic pet insurance policies.

Microchipping

Since April 2016 dog owners in UK are legally required to microchip their dog by 8 weeks old. The exception is that dogs bred for working purposes, eg gun dogs, which must be chipped by the time they are 12 weeks old.

It is important to keep your contact details and address up to date on the microchip database so that if you dog goes missing or stolen he can be traced back to you.

If you move home or change your number, be sure to update your details.

Restraining your dog to travel in the car

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states:

    ‘When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly: A seat belt, harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars’.

A dog guard separating the dog in the boot of the car to passengers in the front and back seat is an fairly simple solution to restraining your dog while traveling.

Using a dog harness which attaches to the cars existing seatbelt fittings or a dog crate are other possible solutions.

Pet Care in Dartford now provided by Scamps and Champs

Our Scamps and Champs Dartford branch of has just opened and is now ready to provide a range of pet care services in Dartford. Once council approved, they will also be providing dog home boarding. Keep up to date with the branch news via their Facebook page which you can follow HERE.

“I am looking forward to running the branch alongside my soppy staffie Kenny.

I have spent my career to date working in accountancy but my passion has always been for animals and I am now looking to turn to this passion and provide a much needed pet care service to Dartford and the surrounding area.

I have always been an animal lover. From a very young age I have been around animals of all sizes and shapes. Our very first pet was a hamster and from that point there was always a variety of animals around the house including fish, lizards, gerbils, rabbits, cats and dogs. We would often go out with no intention of adding to the household pets, however we would come across a deserving animal and wouldn’t be able to walk away, instead ending up coming home with a new addition.

I am very excited to bring quality pet care to Dartford and the surrounding area so your pets can get the same amount of love and attention in your absence as they would usually get.

As a pet owner I completely understand the dilemma you face when you are unable to be around for your pet. It is very difficult to find someone you can trust to look after your best friend.

We are fully insured, police checked and members of NARPS UK, The National Association for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers, which is the UK’s most respected organisation. We will be offering a number of pet care services including dog walking, pet sitting, cat sitting, dog home boarding, pet visits and dog wedding chaperone services covering Dartford, Crayford, Greenhithe, Gravesend, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Welling, Belvedere, Erith, Swanley and Orpington.

You can be sure that if you chose to use our services your pet will be well looked after by a professional and reliable team with plenty of experience of animals big or small.

We will get to know your pet before offering any service to ensure a stress free and tailored experience.

Your pet will be treated as if they were our own with lots of love. For additional peace of mind we will also provide you with regular updates and photos to keep you updated on your pet.

If you are interested in using any of our services please do get in touch HERE!”

Dog Walking Reigate – it’s a walk in the park!

Reigate must be one of the most dog populated towns in the UK if visiting Priory Park is anything to go by.  As the nights lighten, evening dog walking in Reigate will start to increase. Priory Park is just outside the main town of Reigate and is great for dog walking and you can walk straight into it from Morrison’s Supermarket car park. Once there you can’t help but notice the sense of family, community and Reigate dog lovers!!

This walk starts by the very dog friendly, “pistachios in the park” café , you can’t miss the big glass round building, but more about this later!

This great dog walking in Reigate starts at the front of the café, if you look straight ahead you can see the beacon. This is lit on special occasions, the last one being to commemorate 100 years since the end of WW1 a few months back. Slightly to the left of the beacon you will see a big opening, head to this. Once here you will see a handy dog poo bin if needed. Now go straight up and you will notice the ground becoming sandy, in a while you will be joining the Greensand Way!

At the top of this hill you will see a bench where you  and your dog can take a rest as you will soon be heading up again! From here, with your back to the park, you have 2 options going right, you will see an opening between the trees this is the Greensand Way which can get muddy or you can walk just a few feet more and take a more stable path but both will take you to the top of the park and you will see a monument explaining how some posh folk bequeathed the park to the common folk!

From here keep walking along and to your left you will see fantastic views over towards Gatwick Airport and Sussex beyond to the South Downs and, after a nice walk for a few hundred yards, you will come to a big opening on the right with views over Reigate onto the North Downs way, there are a couple of benches and again some handy poo bins (see how catered they are for the hounds), why not take in the scenery!

From here keep walking straight on and you will see another poo bin, you should bear right here and down the hill. Once at the bottom turn left and after a few yards you will see a set of steep steps down. Put the dog(s) on their leads and head down and cross over down the road opposite. If you look to your right you will see a windmill in the distance, you are heading to that. I would keep the dogs on the lead for now as you head down the road and past some stables * (see below)  and once you have walked past some houses on your right and one on your left, head on.

 You will cross over a stream where your dogs can have a welcome cool off it its hot! After this keep walking you will come to a bit of an opening and there are 3 paths you want to take the one straight up the hill and you will be going along an old drovers way watch out for horses! Keep walking up and then down this path and you will soon see the back of a building which is the Skimmington Castle Pub, probably the most dog friendly pub in the world if you want stop off, but, there will be more about this with Rob and his team in another article!

Walk round the front of this pub and past the front door you will see a path which goes between the pub and a cottage this again is the greensand way. Keep walking up here, it is well covered by trees, a few yards up you may hear a parrot, this is the old nursery, which has been sold now but, the parrot in its cage was still there a couple of weeks ago! It is said that Sir Winston’s Churchill’s parrot resided here on its last years. To your left you will see a walled garden this used to be the country home of the Film Mogul Arthur Rank (remember the big Gong?) Lots of movie stars from time gone by would spend time here. Keep walking and at the end you will see a lovely cottage, turn right here down the greensand way. Once at the bottom put the dogs on leads then head up the drive and cross the road.

You can now head up the sandy path and this will take you to the back of the Golf Club. Walk round the front and you will be afforded some of the best views in Surrey, you can walk round and have a look at the old windmill I told you about earlier which is now used as a church. Basically you can spend some time walking around this heathland but, beware of golfers. I will be talking more about other walks around here another time.

 By now you should think about heading back just retrace your steps above.

At the stables, I mentioned earlier (*) you can go up again if you are feeling fit or take the flatter route to your left. You will have to open the big five bar gate but, remember to close it! You will now be walking between fields with horses in so be aware. At the end of this path is an allotment. Put your dogs on leads again and head over the road back into Priory Park.

 Be aware you are now coming into the back of the park where there is a big pond just in case your dogs are prone to chase ducks! Walk around the paths or over the fields back towards Pistachios café where you started. Once here Gabby and the team will be able to tempt you with all sorts of delights, your hounds can go inside if it’s a wet day or plenty of spaces to sit outside if nice. It is a wonderful café and spot and Gabby is great! I have said I will put a link to her café here https://pistachiosinthepark.org.uk/priory-park/ .

 I hope you enjoy this read and Reigate dog walking. Come back for more dog and pet friendly articles coming soon.

Best wishes Simon and the Team of Reigate Scamps and Champs.

4 Reasons To Hire A Pet Chaperone On Your Wedding Day

Have you got your big day this year? If so, firstly, congratulations! And secondly, being a pet lover have you thought about having your pet at your wedding too? Maybe it crossed your mind, but you didn’t think it was possible. Well we are here to tell you…it is. You CAN have your beloved pet with you on your special day.

This service is increasingly popular for British ceremonies and we are here to tell you more.

So there’s no need to cock your ears at the mention of a ‘pet chaperone’, because we’re going to share four key benefits of booking with Scamps & Champs. Again, we’re taking aim at weddings here, where we throw dogs a bone instead of a bouquet…

1. Your pooch doesn’t miss out!

Yes, the first and most important ability of a pet chaperone is to get your dog ready for a role in the wedding. We can take it to a salon for a makeover, or dress it in an outfit you’ll adore when it’s trotting down the aisle.

Whether that’s a mini tuxedo, a skirt or something more unique, our pet experts know how to prep and calm your dog for their performance. So, not only will you ensure they don’t miss out on your special day; they’ll become a highlight of the occasion!

2. Constant play and entertainment

Dogs are like toddlers – shunt them to the sidelines, and they’re bound to pine for a bit of company. That’s why a pet chaperone is on-hand to wear your canine out when it’s seeking attention.

Weddings can be sleek, formal affairs; the last thing you want is for Fido to cause a fuss through the day. Rest easy, though, because we’re able to bring an arsenal of toys and games with us, stealing away somewhere to give your dog the focus it needs.

3. Complementary travel arrangements

Weddings are a madcap time for getting people in one place, at the hour you’ve chosen, without any issues. If a pet is also due for an appearance, then you shouldn’t be fretting over whether they’ll make it with blankets, biscuits etc. in tow. 

Scamps & Champs will ensure there’s no hitch in the travel plan. Just tell us where to go: we’ll pick the dog up from your house or a neighbour’s, take them to the venue, and bring them back to any pre-agreed location. If necessary, we’ll also facilitate dog boarding to give you a few days’ peace as the newly-married couple.

4. Unlimited contact before the wedding date…

Is there anything we should be aware of? Dietary requirements, allergies, the best way to find the second front-door key? Our pet chaperone will be available via text, email or voice call to learn what your furry pal likes and requires.

Take this opportunity to let us know what the themes, structure, room layout etc. of the wedding will be. The more you give us, the better we can adapt our services!

Phew – it’s exciting to even think of what a pet-friendly ceremony is like, never mind explaining how we go about it… To discover the Scamps & Champs difference for yourself, and land an excellent pet chaperone, contact our team with your ideas. 

Tips to toilet train your new puppy

Getting a new puppy can be such an exciting time.  

Your puppy will normally be around 8 to 12 weeks old when they leave their Mum and litter mates. Puppies should never leave their Mums under the age of 8 weeks. Your puppy will be very curious and excited.

Introduce the pup to his new home gradually so allocate them a small space to start with, like your kitchen for example to help them feel more comfortable.  

A puppy crate can be a safe space for your pup and help tremendously with toilet training.

Put in their favourite toys and blankets.   

Always remove their collar when in the crate for safety reasons. 

Keep the door to the crate open when you are in the house and he can go in and out when he pleases.

Creating a daily routine for your pup straight away will be really beneficial as dogs like routine.  Feeding them and nap/bedtime at the same time each day will make toilet training so much easier for both of you.

Be patient and consistent and never scold your puppy.  

Keep some treats near the back door and always praise and reward when your puppy gets it right.   

Clean up any accidents but don’t acknowledge them.

In the beginning take the puppy outside every hour or so and encourage sniffing and running around.  Take the pup in the garden immediately after waking, after every meal time and before bed.  

Make puppy’s last meal at least three hours before bedtime.

If you see you pup start to sniff and crouch then immediately take them outside.

Give lots of praise and rewards and toilet training will become easy.

Good luck!

If you have a pup and would like it letting out and stimulating while you are out at work, our team can help. We offer puppy visits to help break up their day while you are out at work. This can help with toilet training, socialization and also use up some of their energy so they may sleep better through the night. Get in touch with your local branch HERE to discuss your puppies need further.

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

With snow on the way, some tips for looking after our fur babies this winter

Dogs cold weather advice

  • Put a dog coat or jumper on them when you go out for a walk, especially if you have a fine coated dog, such as a Greyhound or a Staffie
  • Check their paws and defrost snow – and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired dogs are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Clean their paws at the end of your walk as salt and grit from roads and pavements can get between your dog’s paws
  • Dry off wet and muddy dogs after walks
  • Provide them with lots of toys for them to play with indoors and do not force your dog out in the cold weather
  • Make sure your dog has good recall if you’re letting them off the lead when out dog walking so they do not get lost when visibility is reduced in foggy or snowy weather conditions
  • Attach a small light to your dog’s collar so other pedestrians can see them when out on walks in weather which reduces visibility
  • Keep contact details on your pet’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray.

Cats cold weather advice

  • Avoid using antifreeze and products containing products. Cats are attracted to the taste of the chemical which is severely dangerous causing many cats to die every year. If this does occur, seek veterinary advice immediately
  • Provide a litter tray for your cat so they do not have to go outside if they choose not to
  • Provide lots of interesting toys for your cat to play with if they are spending more time indoors
  • Dry off your cat if they get wet outside
  • Check their paws and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired cats are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Leave somewhere warm and snuggly for them to curl up in if your cat is home alone during the day, especially for older cats
  • Keep your cat indoors in the colder evenings so they are safe from the traffic in conditions with reduced visibility
  • Keep contact details on your cat’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray
  • Tap the hood of your car before starting the engine to disturb any sleeping stowaways – cats have a habit of crawling under car bonnets to soak up the warmth from the engine

         Outdoor pets cold weather advice

  • Check your pets water in cold weather the water can freeze leaving your pet with no water to drink
  • Top up bedding extra bedding will help keep your outdoor pet warm
  • Popping a cover over the front of cages through the night, will help to keep some heat in the cage as the temperature drops.
  • Outdoors pets may need more calories in the cold weather to generate energy and keep warm.
  • Consider moving inside in extremely cold weather you may want to move your pets indoors. Perhaps in shed or garage. Or for field kept pets like horses or donkeys, providing a shelter or stable.

Post Christmas Weight Gain – For Pets Too

Gaining a few extra pounds at Christmas is almost a compulsory part of the festivities for us humans, but how many of us include our pets into this tradition…perhaps without even realizing it.

An extra slice of Christmas turkey for me and a slice for Scamp too…

A couple of extra pigs in blankets for me and one for Champ too….

Sound familiar?!

As we love our pets so much its only natural that we want to include them in the Christmas festivities, but how much notice do we pay to the extra pounds they might be gaining?

Overweight pets is a growing concern in the UK, with 1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 3 cats now being overweight.

Like us humans, pets become overweight when they consume more calories than their body can use and sadly the food and treats we provide often exceed the amount of calories they can burn off through activity, causing them to gain weight.

Even pets that get lots of exercise can soon become overweight if they are getting too many calories.

Our domestic pets cannot regulate their food intake and exercise like wild animals because they have to rely on us as their owners to provide food and exercise for them.

Unfortunately because we see so many overweight pets out and about or on social media, it is normalising obesity and owners are getting the wrong impression of what a healthy dog, cat or rabbit of the ideal bodyweight, should look like.

How do the below animals look to you? Overweight or normal?

All of the above images are of animals that have some weight to lose. Does that surprise you?

Click the links to check out Royal Canin weight chart for cats, dogs and rabbits. How is your pets weight post xmas?

Being overweight can also make it more likely that your pet could suffer from serious health problems and conditions such as:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Breathing difficulties
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Arthritis, Joint Problems and Injuries
  • Skin Problems
  • Anal Gland Problems
  • Cystitis
  • Incontinence (mainly seen in bitches)
  • Ulcers / pressure sores
  • Fly Strike (Maggot infestation) – This occurs when animals cannot reach their bottoms and clean themselves
  • Irritability
  • Matted Fur
  • Overweight and obese pets usually have shorter lives than fitter pets.
  • Overweight pets also tend to interact less with their families and are less energetic and playful

So if your pet has been part of the festivities, now is a good time to start working off the extra pounds and keep them fit and healthy for longer.

If your pet has some pounds to lose and you would like some help uping the exercise regime, Scamps and Champs can help. Whether its an extra dog walk during the day or spending time with your cat and rabbit using enrichment games and exercise tactics to get them moving a bit more through the day. Get in touch with your local branch HERE and we will be happy to get your pets fit this year.

Scamps and Champs Tameside Rated in Top 3 for 4th Year Running

Kayleigh and her team have been rated top 3 dog walker providers in the Tameside area for the 4th year running.

Following a 50 point inspection, which looks all parts of the business from, customer satisfaction, ratings, reviews, pricing, trading standards and many more, Scamps and Champs Tameside were hand-picked by Three Best Rated  as the “bees knees” for dog walkers and rated them as one of the TOP 3 in the area.

Three Best Rated are an independent company that carries out their own research and inspection of local businesses.

Kayleigh says “I am really pleased with getting this rating again. My team are great and I am really proud of them.

Kayleigh has been a part of Scamps and Champs since 2009 and has consistently provided a reliable and professional service to pet owners around Tameside. The branch has grown considerably and now has plans to extend into Glossop in 2019.

With the growing demand for pet care, Kayleigh is currently recruiting for more team members. If you would like to know more about the opportunities with Kayleigh, you can email her at tameside@scampsandchamps.co.uk

Scamps and Champs Tameside offer pet care to all shapes and sizes and tailor make their services to suit the requirements of you and your pet, from one off pet visits to daily dog walks. Kayleigh and her team will do their upmost to make your pet feel part of the family.