What will you get your dog for Christmas?

Let's not pretend it doesn't happen - a recent poll has exposed the Christmas shopping habits of over half of USA dog owners, who pamper their pooch with presents under the tree.

And there's no doubt that British owners do it too - my dog even has a Christmas hat.....which I have to admit serves as a chew toy on the day. But since we all do it, and since our pets are one of the family who deserve an extra treat on Christmas day - here is our rundown of the best dog presents, so you can get a head start on Rover's gift this year.

1. Cuddly toy - It might not be an interesting choice, but it tops the charts when it comes to presents. What dog doesn't love a cuddly toy? Perfect for chewing, cuddling and even playing tug of war with - this present tops the charts easily.

2. Dogvent calendar - It's not exactly one for the day, but your dog will get to benefit throughout the whole month of November with cool 'dogvent' calendars available at most good pet stores. We all know dogs can't have chocolate - it's toxic for them - but don't make them drool as you open your advent calendar each day, get them their own, complete with a dog friendly treat each day. Or why not get an empty advent calendar and fill it with a personalised mix of treats?

3. Pet Insurance- Okay, your dog might not be as excited on the day - but this is a sure way to show your dogs you care. And if you haven't done it already, you will probably be looking to - as it's so important should your pet ever fall ill, which could leave you with thousand of pounds in vets bills or unable to give your dog the best treatment as it's too expensive. Start browsing dog insurance quotes now so you can secure a good price before Christmas.

4. Jumbone - The ultimate dog treat. My dog lips his licks at the mention of these. Seriously.

5. Wrapping paper - Skint this Christmas? Don't worry, dogs are easily pleased - and will be just as happy with some wrapping paper to rip up as they would with any other gift. Maybe not the best choice if your visiting guest this Christmas with your pooch.

The world's 10 best hotels…..For pets

I came across this article on CNN GO, and thought it was fantastic to see the lengths that some hotels are willing to go to these days to ensure that your furry friend is as happy as you are. The list ranges from Mexico to Ireland and includes everything from Evian water on arrival to gourmet pet meals at night.  And I’ll admit that I’m more than a little envious about some of the perks….. 

World's Top 10 Pet Friendly Hotels  

Getting puppies too early can make them aggresive

Puppies taken from their mothers earlier than two months old have a higher chance of being aggresive than those who are taken after the recommended weaning period, a new study claims.



Taking puppies early has long been known to cause dogs distress, and could be linked to problems with physical health - but this is the first study that confirms that it can negatively impact the future behaviour of the dog. Researchers are now raising concerns this could lead to growing numbers of abandoned dogs, after their owners discover them to be agressive, or harmful.

Behaviours such as destructiveness, excessive barking, possessiveness, attention seeking and play fighting were also identified as being linked to dogs who had been taken from their mothers too early.


Weaning puppies is time consuming and expensive, so some breeders may feel inclined to offer to part with them early - but would-be dog owners should not accept this, and be wary of such behaviour.

Tips on choosing a vet...

There are approximately 13,500 vets working across nearly 4,000 premises throughout the UK. Many people don’t know that it’s possible to shop around to get the best deal every time you need to visit a vet, however the majority of people are comforted by having a familiar face who knows their pet and their medical records deal with any issues.

Checklist

Key Point - Only 33% of the vets contacted offered consistent pricing for their services.

Finding a quality vet 

It is advisable to select a practice that is a member of the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) Practice Standards Scheme. You can go to www.findavet.org.uk to find  a registered practice near you.

Costs of visiting the vet 

It is thoroughly recommended to investigate the costs for routine treatments and medicines before deciding on a vet. It can also be extremely beneficial to consider taking out pet insurance.

Convenience of your local practice

Be sure to check that the opening hours and the appointment system are suitable for you. Is it possible to get an appointment at short notice?

Emergency care 

It is essential to find out about emergency measures and contacts. If it is based at a different location, will that be suitable in an emergency?

Consistent fees

Once you have selected a vet, you should agree a price up front for any treatment your pet needs. Prices are shown to vary greatly across the country, so be sure to shop around






Specialist care requirements
If you have to visit an animal hospital for treatment, choose one that is recognised by the RCVS. 

Best practice

All vets should have the initials MRCVS or FRCVS after their name, this shows their qualifications are recognised by the RCVS and that they are licensed to practise.
In addition to this, since January 2005, practices have been able to apply for RCVS Practice Standards Scheme accreditation. This means practices need to meet pre set standards in surgical equipment, hygiene, training and emergency cover and they must also provide accurate cost estimates for treatments. For the scheme, the college will inspect the registered premises every four years and carry out random spot checks.

By following these tips you will be sure to get the best service for both you and your pet.

Give Animals a Voice - RSPCA campaign

Just a quick note for those of you that are unaware - the RSPCA 'Give Animals a Voice' campaign is well worth your support. See the website for more details - http://www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk/why/

National Microchipping Month

There are some essential costs that few pet insurance plans cover - and mircrochipping is often one of them.

But while it may seem costly and inconvenient, microchipping can offer the same peace of mind that pet insurance can - because you know you are doing your best to prepare for the unknown.

This month is National Microchipping Month - so a good time to think about the benefits of the procedure.
We all know that microchipping can help re-unite you with your pet should it go missing, and this is done by inserting a rice sized grain under the skin that can be scanned to reveal your details.

You might think that your pet would never run away - but by nature pets can be unpredictable. Cats can be swayed to distant neighbourhoods by a better assortment of woodland animals, dogs can be tempted out of the garden to chase cats. You just don't know what will happen next. A collar with your details can help, but ink can run and tags can easily fall off. With microchipping you know that you can be located if your pet is turned into a vet or pet centre after being found. Just remember to keep your details updated.

Want to get your pet microchipped?

If you haven't got around to getting your pet microchipped then now is the time! As part of National Microchipping Month, vet centres up and down the country are offering cut price microchipping, so get in touch now to find out if they can offer you a discount.

Why Rabbits Need Pet Insurance Too

Poor rabbits are often overlooked when it comes to pet insurance. And this isn't the only area of life they are forgotten about in - with a new study reporting that up to three quarters of rabbits aren't receiving the care they need to keep happy and healthy.

The report highlights the poor treatment many rabbits are subjected too, after their owners (often unwittingly) fail to provide them with adequate housing or diets.

It is believed that on many occasisons pet rabbits are brought home as a simple alternative to a cat or dog - but lots of people fail to realise that rabbits have a range of health care needs and are extremely sociable animals.

Considering Vet Bills

As well as needing lots of daily attention, rabbits need regular visits to the vet - usually regarding growth problems with their teeth and claws or stomach problems after their sensitive digestive systems become irritated. This can be costly, and because rabbits are thought to be 'easy' to care for, lots of people fail to arrange pet insurance for their rabbits and are faced with huge bills when their rabbit does develop problems.

This is an unwise attitude to have, because rabbits require veterinary from the start due to their initial injections needed to ward off common illnesses. After this, many owners find that they need to return often to get the rabbits nails or teeth clipped, or to get their stomachs checked when they eat something that diasgrees with them (as rabbits do so often). A trip to the vet is almost ineveitable if you want to ensure your rabbit stays healthy, but a pet insurance plan means that the massive costs associated with the vet are not.

Looking After a Family Friend

Rabbits are just as likely to become ill as cats or dogs - and anyone caring for a rabbit properly will know that they can easily become a friendly member of the family. So don't take the risk, get your rabbit insured.