HEART Animal Valentine tips
LOVE is in the air this week – but we’d rather be cuddling our pets than our partners this Valentine’s Day.
One in five people will also be buying soppy gifts to give to their cats and dogs on Friday, a study found.
Cat owners spend nearly four hours a week talking to their pets and squeeze in nine hours of cuddle time, the research by rover.com found.
So here are some ways to show your beloved how much you care.
1. Cuddles and tickles
An extra walk and some bonus cuddle and play time costs nothing. And additional exercise and snuggles are a healthy, happy choice for you as well.
2. Love chew
The way to a pet’s heart is often through their stomach – but your Valentine’s chocs are a no-no. Handily, pet bakeries are popping up across the country and online, serving up treats catered to their dietary restrictions.
You can even whip up a batch from home.
Remember not to leave your own Valentine’s gifts lying around. Not only is chocolate poisonous to pets but flowers can be too. Lilies in particular are very toxic to cats.
3. Good boy toys
Pet shops welcome most animals so take Fido along to choose a new toy.
If they already have plenty to play with, consider donating bedding, food or cash to an animal shelter or rescue group in your pet’s name.
4. Walkies date
If your pooch enjoys playing with others, invite his doggy pals over or organise a group dog walk.
5. Spread kindness
Valentine’s Day can be a lonely time for animals. So share the love by
OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 22 years of experience and is a freelancer working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/
Petplanuk. visiting an animal shelter and donate your time and attention to rescued pets. You could even adopt a pet yourself or take yours on a visit to see someone who could do with some special cuddles.
6. Make a playlist
Music streaming service Spotify launched a pet playlist last month, featuring anxiety-reducing songs to keep your dogs and cats calm.
The Pet Playlist cleverly allows owners to put together tracks based on their animal’s personality type.
Spotify found that music can help relieve stress in pets, as well as boost happiness and make them feel less lonely when they are home alone.
MY cat has stopped drinking water. There have been no changes to her lifestyle and her behaviour is normal. I’m sure there is nowhere else she could be finding water.
Cats evolved in arid climates so are excellent at retaining water and do not drink as much as dogs. Around 50ml per kilogram per day is normal. The amount she needs also depends on her type of food and the temperature of her environment. Some cats prefer filtered water or do not like where their dish is so that may play a part.
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