Living with Pets Resources

Many of us were told that “dogs need to go for walks”. While it is true that exercise and spending time together are very important for dogs (and people), some dogs simply find going for a walk too scary, overwhelming or painful.

Dogs naturally walk faster than people and they like (and need) to stop and sniff.  Many dogs pull on the lead. With time and gentle training, most can learn to walk calmly on a loose lead, making walks safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It takes time and practice. Learning at home first works best.

Dogs naturally walk faster than people and they like (and need) to stop and sniff. Many dogs pull on the lead. With time and gentle training, most can learn to walk calmly on a loose lead, making walks safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It takes time and practice. Learning at home first works best.

Panleukopenia (or Cat Parvo) is a very serious and contagious disease in cats. It is preventable with vaccination!

Cats make wonderful pets, offering love and companionship. However, undesexed cats can also create challenges in the community, including unplanned litters, urine spraying and noise from mating or fighting.

Learn how to understand if your cat wants to be touched

Fights can happen for lots of reasons, including between dogs that, feel afraid or unsafe. Are forced to interact when they don’t want to. Feel trapped (on their lead or in an environment that does not offer an option to escape). Are resource guarding something that is important to them (like food, toys or favourite people). Have poor social skills. Are too excited (and are not making good decisions). Are in pain (as this makes them uncomfortable and less tolerant).

Every cat needs access to scratching posts or surfaces they can scratch on. If you do not give your cat scratching posts and pads and put these in places that your cat wants to scratch, your cat will scratch something else – like your furniture!

Moving house can be stressful for the whole family, including your pets. With some planning, you can keep your pets safe and help them settle into their new home.

Ticks can make dogs and cats really sick. They feed on your dogs’ and cats’ blood and can make them anaemic. This means they lose so much blood that they don’t have enough left to be healthy.

Cats can feel pain. Pain makes a cat’s body hurt. It also makes them feel scared, irritated or unhappy. Each cat feels and reacts to pain differently. Any change to your cat’s behaviour might mean they are feeling pain. There are ways you can help.

Every cat needs certain things to feel safe, happy, and healthy. When these needs are met, and your cat is free from illness, your cat feels good. Feeling good is good welfare.

Veterinary visits can be scary for your pet. You might be worried too. Your pet’s emotional needs are an important part of their care. When you share information and work together, it helps appointments go more smoothly for everyone.

Looking after your pet’s teeth and seeing your vet regularly helps keep them healthy and comfortable. Learn more about common problems that can affect the mouth and how to care for your pet’s teeth and gums.

Dogs need our help to learn how to cope with the world. One great life skill you can teach your dog is how to “chill”. That is, to relax and settle calmly in different situations.

Teaching your cat to go into their carrier by choice can make travelling less stressful for everyone.

Most cats need medication at some point. When cats are forced, medication time can be stressful and unsafe for both cats and carers. Giving cats choice and positive experiences during medication time not only means that they are more likely to take their medication, but it also helps reduce stress for everyone and protects your bond.

Animals have feelings (‘Animal sentience’) is the ability of an animal to feel positive and negative emotions and to think, learn, and experience the world around them.