Vet Approved Tips For Active Dog Month

Vet approved tips for active dog month

We’re getting into the April groove, and continuing the Active Dog Month celebrations! Not sure what Active Dog Month is? Check out our previous article.

This week our resident vet Rachel, from FirstVet, shared some tips with us for walks and playtime with our doggos. From avoiding sticks to hydrotherapy pools…read on to find out how to make the most of this month and more moving forward.

Use A Dog Walking Service

Try as we might to keep to a schedule or plan but sometimes things just don’t go as we imagined. Can’t make your daily walk? Ask another family member or a neighbour or try a local dog walking service!

When Playing Fetch Opt For A Ball Not A Stick

We typically tend to play fetch with our dogs using sticks, however, it might be safer to opt for dog toys and balls instead as large sticks run the risk of splintering and lodging in our pets’ throats.

Opt For Low Impact

If your dog has any injuries or joint issues opt for low-impact surfaces for your walks. For example grass over concrete. Look out for any potential dangers in the grass and steer your dogs clear.

After an even more joint-friendly exercise option? Try finding a dog-friendly hydrotherapy pool near you.

Suncream On Pink Areas

It might sound odd to stress the importance of suncream in early Spring but the sun can be stronger than you expect. If there are areas on your furry friends that aren’t well…so furry we recommend applying a dog-friendly suncream before stepping out.

How are you and your dog celebrating Active Dog Month? Let us know. Follow along with us on our socials to hear from our special guest Heart Radio’s own Pandora, and stay tuned to our blog for weekly pet tips throughout the rest of April.

P.S. Have you entered our Active Dog Month Giveaway yet? Track your daily dog walks together with this wonderful prize – Enter here, to be in a chance to WIN a FitBit Luxe for you plus a Tractive GPS, including a 1-year FREE premium subscription, for your dog!

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Our top tips to make sure you and your pet have a great 2023!

Our top tips to make sure you and your pet have a great 2023!

With 2023 just around the corner it’s that time of year when we all start choosing our new year resolutions…but has your four-legged friend decided theirs? 

We’ve compiled our top tips to make sure you and your pet can get the new year off to the best start and stay fit and healthy throughout 2023.

1. Keeping Active

 

It’s important to keep our pets fit and active all year round. For dogs this means regular walks and exercise and for cats that means letting them roam and giving them plenty of stimulating toys. 

Keeping your pet’s active can help prevent disease, build muscle, and keep their bones strong.  

A great way of tracking how active your pets are is by using a Tractive GPS wellness device. Simply attach the device to your dog/ cat’s collar and get information on their location, their activity levels and even their sleep at your fingertips, on the app.

 

2. Healthy Treats

A lot of pet treats are full of ‘nasties’, so finding good quality treats can help improve your dog’s health. It’s important to make sure that when giving your pets treats they include healthy ingredients and vitamins. We recommend Sazzy Treats who specialise in natural dog treats and chews with higher nutritional value and without any chemicals or preservatives.

All Pets in a Pickle policy holders get access to our Pickle Perks where there are loads of exclusive, pet-friendly offers. Sazzy Treats is currently offering our policy holders 15% off treats, toys and more. So, get a quote, choose a policy and get access to loads of great discounts today!

3. pet Insurance

No matter how well you take care of your four- legged friends, dogs and cats can get sick just like us and it’s hard to anticipate just how much veterinary treatment can cost. That’s why it’s important to insure your pet to make sure they’re covered all year round, so you can enjoy all the best parts of being a pet parent, knowing that they’re covered. 

Our simple and easy-to-understand policy options make it easy to find the right cover for your pet so get a free quote now. 

Read our blog post about why insuring your pet is so important. 

4. Speak to a vet if you're worried about anything

 

Our pets can get themselves into lots of different pickles, even if you think it’s something minor, it’s often worth checking with a vet just so you can have peace of mind. 

All Pets in a Pickle policy holders get unlimited access to video consultations with experienced, locally registered vets, through FirstVet. So, you can reach a vet from the comfort of your home, whenever your pet is unwell, without it affecting your policy. 

They can help with issues from coughing and sneezing to minor injuries and accidents.

Pets in a Pickle understands how important your pets are, they are part of the family, so should be treated like one, all year round. So get a quote now so you can relax, knowing they’re covered throughout 2023. 

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Christmas – Food Guide

Keeping your pets healthy this Christmas - Food Guide

Christmas is the time to have fun, spend quality time with our families and eat our weight in turkey dinner! And since our pets are a big part of our family, they will be wanting to join in on the festive fun too. 

However, the holiday season can present a lot of dangers to our furry friends, especially when it comes to food. So, to make sure your pet stays healthy this Christmas, we have created a guide on what is safe for your fur-baby to eat. 

Although there are lots of things that we are advised not to feed our pets, we have narrowed down the main things at Christmas they can and can’t eat. 

What our pets can’t eat?

Chocolate – The chemical theobromine, which in a way is like caffeine, is found in chocolate and is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause agitation, hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions and problems with the heart. The darker the chocolate, the more potent levels of theobromine become – with baker’s chocolate one of the most dangerous.

Nutmeg – Nutmeg is also a very toxic food for dogs, containing a toxin called myristicin which is extremely poisonous.

Grapes and raisins – Grapes and their dried products (currants, sultanas and raisins) are toxic to dogs. Ingestion of even a small quantity can cause severe kidney failure. Don’t forget this will include food items that contain dried fruits such as Christmas pudding and mince pies. Be aware that chocolate-coated raisins run the additional risk of chocolate toxicity.

Macadamia nuts – Macadamia nuts can cause lethargy, increased body temperature, tremor, lameness and stiffness in dogs.

Onions and garlic – Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives all belong to the Allium species of plants and can cause toxicity, whether uncooked or cooked. Initially there can be vomiting and diarrhoea, but the main effect is damage to red blood cells, resulting in anaemia. This may not be apparent for several days after ingestion.

Turkey skin, pork crackling, sausages and fatty meats – Unfortunately, these dog foods can be able to cause inflammation of the pancreas because of their high-fat content.

Alcohol – Dogs can exhibit severe central nervous system symptoms, hypothermia, vomiting, coma, and diarrhea from consuming alcohol or absorbing alcohol through their skin. As even small amounts of alcohol can trigger life threatening levels of toxicity, including a dangerous condition called metabolic acidosis.

 

What your pet can eat?

 Turkey meat (no skin or bones), Salmon (fillets or cooked in spring water are preferable to smoked salmon) and Lamb meat (no bones). 

 Scrambled egg – Eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals and are good for our pet’s health.

Potatoes – A tasty festive treat but make sure you only feed your pet plain mashed or boiled potatoes with nothing else added (e.g. salt, butter). Again, moderation is important. Potatoes, no matter how they are prepared or cooked are very starchy, which pets can struggle to digest.

Vegetables – Take it easy with veggies but you can feed your pet some carrot, parsnip, green beans, courgette, Brussel sprouts, broccoli florets (very small amount only), peas, spinach, cauliflower etc… 

Most green or mixed veg is fine for pets. If you do a mashed carrot and swede with your Christmas dinner your pet is sure to love that but don’t add butter or seasoning to their portion. 

Avoid corn on the cob and bulb vegetables such as onions and leeks.

We hope this helps you keep your fur-babies safe around all the festive food this year. We have loads more tips for keeping your pet safe – read the rest of our pet tips! 

Why not take out a free quote and find out how we can keep your furry friends safe all year round! ❤️ 

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Additional Sources:

* Information sourced from https://www.dfordog.co.uk/blog/dog-christmas-food-safe-avoid.html

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/dogs-at-christmas 

Tips For Looking After Your Pets This Christmas

Tips For looking after your Pets This christmas

Now that it’s officially winter, we’re well and truly embracing the festive season at Pets in a Pickle HQ. The Christmas tree is up, the presents are being purr-chased and the Christmas music is on max volume! 

Christmas is all about spending time with those you love, and that includes your furry friends. We want you and your pets to enjoy the good times together – happy and healthy! 

Here are some of our tips for looking after your pets at Christmas time.

Keep Aware Of Hidden Dangers ⚠️

Be aware of hidden dangers for your pets around Christmas. Lilies are poisonous for cats so if you get bought flowers for Christmas, check that bouquet!

Chocolate should also be kept away from dogs and cats as it is toxic if eaten.

Finally, watch your tinsel carefully; it will likely get chewed by your cats and as we know, anything that’s eaten will come out the other end…  

Cosy Sleeping Spot ☁️

Be aware of hidden dangers for your pets around Christmas. Lilies are poisonous for cats so if you get bought flowers for Christmas, check that bouquet!

Chocolate should also be kept away from dogs and cats as it is toxic if eaten.

Finally, watch your tinsel carefully; it will likely get chewed by your cats and as we know, anything that’s eaten will come out the other end…  

Litter Tray Inside For Cats 🐱

Give an option for cats to use the toilet inside, even if they normally go outside. It may be too cold for them, especially if there’s snow on the ground.

Make sure to check catflaps aren’t blocked by snow, so your cat can get out – and back in – freely if they choose to. 

Jackets 🧥

Dogs with short coats like Greyhounds, Dobermans or Chihuahuas struggle to keep warm in the cold weather. 

Get them a cute winter doggy jacket to help keep them warm on walks! 

Wash Dog Paws After Walks 🐾

Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to protect them from lumps of ice (‘ice balls’) forming between the pads and toes of the feet. Salt and grit can also irritate their paws, so make sure you wash your dog’s paws after winter walks. 

Human Food 🍽

It’s not just people who are tempted by Christmas food! Human food can be harmful to your cat or dog’s tummy, so although those pleading eyes might tell you otherwise, try not to feed your pet the remains of your Christmas dinner. 

Don’t Leave Pets Unattended Outside 👀

In the cold and wet weather, it’s important to make sure your cats and dogs can get back inside freely if they’ve been out. If they’re in the garden and you don’t have a cat flap or doggy door, make sure you are always aware of when they want to come in and warm up. Cold pets are susceptible to hypothermia, so make sure this isn’t a risk by not leaving them outside unattended. 

Make sure They're chipped 📍

If left alone outside, cats or dogs are likely to wander off in search of a warm place. Keep them microchipped so they can be traced back to you. 

 

Give Them Lots Of Love… And Space ❤️

Pets are loads of fun to have around at Christmas and often get involved with family festivities. 

Whilst it can be fun to play with your cat or dog, remember that new visitors, flashing lights, tinsel and decorations can be a tiring sensory experience for them to endure. 

Allow them to balance this out with a nap or a solitary snooze… if they’re asleep, try not to wake them and give them space for some alone time if they need it.

They’ll come and see you when they’re ready! 

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed our top tips for safe and happy pets at Christmas. Let the festivities begin! 

For more news, blogs and top tips, check out the Pets in a Pickle pet tips page. 

Want extra security this winter? Why not take out a policy with us and we’ll look after their health so you can focus on the fun stuff. 

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Additional Sources:

* Information sourced from https://www.dfordog.co.uk/blog/dog-christmas-food-safe-avoid.html

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/dogs-at-christmas