Pets

For many in the 50 plus age group, bantams are the chickens of their youth. Now, these sweet little birds are growing in popularity again, both as egg layers, and as the most delightful pets!

There are many benefits to keeping a pet - they provide company, reduce anxiety, encourage us to use our brains, and boost our mood. Parrots are highly affectionate animals, and the interaction they command makes them great company.

90% of cats over the age of four suffer from a form of dental disease, and with dogs, it’s more than 80%

Let’s face it – with a reputation for sleeping between 12 to 16 hours a day, cats aren’t exactly the most active of animals. That, in itself, doesn’t equate to a symptom of moggie depression.

With the emphasis on protecting wildlife in urban areas, cat owners are always looking for ways their fur babies can access the big outdoors without causing harm. One solution is to train your cat to walk outdoors on a leash.

Few escape the odd twinge or a decrease in energy levels, and even those with the sharpest minds may eventually find their memory is not quite as reliable as it once was. It’s the same with our pets as they enter their senior years, and fortunately, there are many ways we can help them to adjust.

Loving your pooch or moggy is not the same as watching out for its safety – and safety is paramount, especially over the months of autumn, the traditional time for seniors to be on the road, visiting friends and rellies. Then there’s Easter!

Yes, cats can be taught to follow instructions – performing isn’t just for dogs! What’s more, it’s actually good for your cat to learn tricks. It’s stimulating, enriching, and it ensures you and your pet have some one on one, bonding time.

They’re our ‘babies’ and our besties –  welcome to the first in a new series of articles on pets, the buddies we wouldn’t be without! Whether it’s transporting your cat to the vet, a cattery or the bach, here are some tips to make their journey safer and much less daunting.

As research into the nature of animals advances, we also continue discovering that some pets do, in fact, feel certain emotions. Although little research has been carried out with cats in particular, cat owners generally believe their pets recognise those they know well, and relate to them.