Cattle

A feline friend can be a wonderful pleasure. Every cat has his or her own personality, which incorporates all of those little idiosyncrasies just like ourselves. It is a fact that cats like to think that they are the boss; they often have us running around after them and some of us are well and truly wrapped around their little paws!

Throughout their lives – which are now anywhere between eight and twenty years – they need constant love and affection as well as nutrition and general care. It is in their latter years when the care becomes more involved, just as you would expect with any of our elder relatives and friends. These senior years start from about eight years: with that bit of extra care and attention they can live contentedly for a good few more to come.

Above all, it is your cats’ general comfort and well-being that is the priority. They need reassurance, a regular pattern that they are happy with and lots of attention. Vet visits may also need to become more frequent, just to ensure that their health is still good as they age. They must be wormed and flea treated regularly to keep them in tip-top condition. Any medication should always been dispensed on the advice or prescription of the vet. Advances in veterinary science and technology, along with our increasing devotion to our pets in general has meant that the lifespan of the average household pet is a lot longer than in previous decades. This means that more of us will experience what it is like to live with an elderly pet, and should prepare ourselves accordingly.

One of the first signs of ageing signs is the loss of certain senses – specifically sight and hearing. This can sometimes of course be mistaken for a cat’s natural snootiness! This then brings about the fact that they become more susceptible to dangers that were not so much of a worry a couple of years before. They may be unable to hear or see vehicles and other animals, for instance. It may therefore be advisable to confine your cat to more suitable areas, either solely within the house or in restricted areas outdoors where they can be safe and still content.

If you, like me, have owned cats that turn their noses up at food on a regular basis, it will be of no surprise that this may well increase as they get older! Mine for one has to have a least 3-4 brands or food types on the go otherwise she will get fed up and just refuse whatever is there until you change it accordingly! Needless to say, that her selective hearing never stops her from noticing a tuna can being opened or cheese being cut! So far, her sense of smell and taste is still there, without question. But it could be that these senses are deteriorating; regularly changing foods and adding extra moisture will keep your old timer interested as well as suitably nourished. It is also important that water is always available for them. As age creeps on, cats can occasionally become dehydrated as they often don’t seem overly bothered about drinking. Again, by adding moisture to their food, you will know that they are receiving adequate fluids.

As we grow older, we become less flexible and supple. This is true also of our moggies. Common ailments include arthritis, and because it can be more of an effort to get about, they do sleep more – if that is at all possible! The lack of movement also can mean that they plump up a bit. This in turn can be a double edged sword as more weight can not only make it more uncomfortable to move but brings on other health issues further along the line.

You will need to ensure that some playtime is incorporated into their day and that the diet is well controlled. After all, you as a discerning owner wants a cat that is still active in mind and body – don’t you? Regular exercise will also help them to retain some muscle strength and tone. As with humans, if muscle groups are not used, they will atrophy. By keeping your cat relatively active you will also help to keep at bay the more serious health issues of heart disease, digestive disorders and diabetes.

In this respect, I am very fortunate. My 16 year-old lady still enjoys her mad ten minutes racing about the house, up and down the stairs, behind the sofa, chasing toys and wrestling with her catnip cushion. Needless to say, she sleeps pretty much for the rest of the day after that, but hey, that’s because she can! She is still known to jump out of windows, to peruse the neighbourhood over the conservatory and garage roof when it is hot enough. But it is rare for her to venture out far anytime between November and March, as it is just far too cold for those poor old bones!

As cats get older, it can be difficult for them to groom themselves, especially in some of the more contorted positions they used to achieve as kittens. Daily grooming of your cat can keep those nasty hairballs at bay and also maintain your loving bond with each other. Their hair can also become dryer and more knotted as they are unable to reach it. Sometimes the coat can thin or lose its shine; grooming will help to stimulate those all important natural oils again, enabling a glossy shine and healthy coat. It’s like them having a little massage and we all understand the benefits of that! Grooming and massage increases blood flow, nerve stimulation, aids relaxation, releases tension and pain, and aids the respiratory and digestive systems.

It’s fair to say that one of the things that cats are really great at is sleeping. Therefore as they get older, they do indeed tend to sleep more & their comfort is imperative. If yours is like mine, she will slowly move around the house, following the sun so she can slowly cook throughout the day! It is very rare for her to stick with one particular place, maybe moving several times in just one room. During the night, I regularly have a constant heat source at my side. Wherever they sleep will always be determined by them. You must however ensure that any area or bedding is kept clean and free from any mites or fleas. If your cat prefers a more up-market bed and isn’t satisfied with any old cushion, there are various beds available to buy including ones that hang from the radiators & most will encircle your cat in the utmost comfort.

Another fact of getting older is the deterioration of teeth and gums. Unfortunately cats can’t clean their own teeth, so it’s up to you. Poor teeth can be a major cause of bad health. With the build up of plaque, gums can become problematic. They in turn can produce infections which affect a cats internal organs. Always try to check their teeth if they let you, otherwise those regular visits to the vet will keep an eye on them. If you’ve introduced your cat from a young kitten to having teeth brushed, good for you, as this is the best way to ensure your cat’s oral hygiene. There are many cat toothpaste and toothbrush products on the market if you’re brave enough! Otherwise certain food brands which claim to have have teeth-cleaning properties in them – especially dry foods that break up in a certain way – may be effective.

Unfortunately there are some more serious conditions that cats develop as they age. These include constipation, a decrease in organ function and diabetes. An older cat also finds it harder to fight off disease as their immune system lessens in its ability. Ensure that if you see a change in their toilet routines that you see your vet at the earliest opportunity just to rule out any underlying problems. You may also find that their behaviour may change in relation to their health or maybe just because they find it harder to cope with their environment. It is best to avoid any undue stress to your older puss-cat as their tolerance levels and coping stategies are not what they were. So it’s probably not a good idea to expose her to uninvited attention, such as visiting children she is unfamiliar with.

An important point to note here that it is a good idea to make sure that you have adequate pet insurance in place before your cat reaches her twilight years – that way you will be better protected should
your feline friend develop any of the common ailments associated with old age. It is never too late to buy pet insurance – at Animal Friends Insurance they insure cats of any age; they don’t have to be kittens to be elegilble.

At the end of the day, we care so significantly for our cats that we will do pretty much anything for them. Letting them grow older gracefully and healthily in their twilight years is all they ask of us.

When learning to ride a horse you want to make sure that you pick out a good one that works best for you.  In many cases you may try to select a beautiful horse but you want to make sure that its temperament is okay to ride.  This is very important because if you get more than you can handle it will be hard to learn properly.  It is always advisable that you learn from an instructor how to ride a horse so that you know what to do in case you are in a situation where the horse is out of control.

How to: Ride a Horse

There are many techniques that you can learn when you first are trying to ride a horse.  Always take lessons before you get on yours and take the reins and try to control them.  They can be very unpredictable and if they get spooked you need to be able to handle the situation so you and the horse do not become injured.you want to check in your town and see if there is a local stable that offers is riding lessons.  This can be a great place for you to start so that you can learn to ride and be safe while doing so.

Advice for: Horse Riding Tips

Remember when you’re learning to ride a horse you always want to find a horse that has a good disposition.  If you choose a horse only by the way it looks,  then you can be disappointed when the horse is un-ridable. always make sure that you find an instructor that can teach you how to control horse so that you are a safe rider.

If you have a dog then it makes common sense to take out dog insurance, UK dog owners can end up paying an absolute fortune in vet bills if their pet has an accident or develops a chronic condition of some kind. Most pet insurance policies will not cover any existing conditions, and as a general rule the insurance will not cover you for the necessary vaccination jabs and annual boosters that your dog will need.

As with any kind of insurance it is always a good idea to shop around and get several quotations before you sign up. You should be sure to check with insurers what exclusions, i.e., what things may not be covered by the policy before you sign a contract. Most pet owners are perceived as caring people, something that the insurance companies will have noticed and so there are probably almost as many different dog insurance schemes in the country as there are dogs.

Supermarket giants such as Sainsbury’s now sell insurance for dogs, but again it is not a good idea to get the first insurance policy you look at, there is a lot of choice around and you should look until you find something that fits both your budget and your dog’s needs. There are some things that you need to look out for when you are buying dog insurance, UK insurers that do offer pet insurance may do so on a yearly basis, which means that if your dog contracts an illness while on the first policy, when you come to the renewal, you may not be covered for that condition.

Pet insurance in the UK varies by the type of animal you want to insure, for example cat insurance in the UK is usually cheaper than an insurance policy for dogs. You want as much cover as you can get for your money, just like everything else in a credit crunch, vet bills are rising all the time and unless you have dog insurance, UK costs soon mount up. If your dog is involved in a road accident and you have not taken out insurance then it could cost you hundreds of pounds to get things put right, X-rays and other specialist vet treatments are very expensive.

It is worth undertaking some research online and perhaps to look at one of the insurance comparison sites that are so popular now. These sites bring together a number of different companies and will give you an idea of what a policy might cost and what kinds of things you can expect for your money. As a general rule you should probably expect to pay somewhere between ?6 and ?10 a month for your dog insurance.

Shop around to see if you can find an insurance company that will cover your dog on an ongoing basis rather than your having to renew the policy every year. Your dog is probably in very good health and you may not see the need to take out a policy, but think hard before you decide not to insure. When you do take out a policy you’ll find it’s a lot cheaper to pay for dog insurance, UK vet bills can be ridiculously high.

This time of year can be a worrying and confusing one for your dog, occurrences like bonfire night don’t happen very often and that’s what makes it a lot scarier for your dog or puppy.

Dogs do not like unfamiliarity’s and all the flashes and sudden bangs can make your dog extremely scared and afraid of what is happening. Unfortunately there have been many cases of dog deaths on bonfire night over the last ten years so it’s a must to keep an eye on your dog at this time of the year and any other similar time such as New Years Eve.

Accidents and injuries happen on bonfire night because of dogs or puppies being loose outside and the unfamiliar sounds and flashes causing them to go into a panic and running away from home, running into roads, or getting stuck in tight spaces trying to hide from the noises.

Fortunately, there are rules and advice that can be followed to prevent times like these and keep your dog in safe hands. To begin you will need to stop your dog being out at night and keep them reassured indoors and away from their outdoor home if they have one. This should be done from one week before the event to one week after the event so no fireworks before or after will scare them into trouble.

Make sure all the doors are locked and shut, if your dog sees an opening they will go for it if they become scared. Try to make a small sheltered area for your dog where they feel protected and in control, and cuddles and calmly playing with your dog may help your dog be less nervous and take their mind off the situation.

If your dog does escape, be calm and positive with them wile trying to get them back inside as quickly as possible, if all these rules are followed then everything should go to plan and you will be able to relax on bonfire night and not have to worry about your pet.

There are some dog owners who frequently purchase clothing for their pets, while other dog owners think that buying clothing for a dog is unnecessary. Most people assume that dog clothing has no specific function and is only used to ‘decorate’ the animal. Actually, animal clothing, such as wraps, boots, coats, and collars, has very important and specific functions, not the least of which is to protect animals from dangers in the environment.

Protective Wraps

Protective wraps are similar to blankets, and they help to calm animals in the event of inclement weather, such as thunder or lightning. Also, protective wraps help alleviate tension, fear, or excitement in animals. A protective wrap provides warmth and a slight degree of pressure, which helps an anxious dog switch focus off of an intimidating environment to a sense of security. A dog might have to be trained to wear a protective wrap. An owner can introduce the wrap for short periods of time along with praise and treats. As the dog becomes accustomed to the wrap, extending the ‘wearing time’ will result in a greater degree of the intended, calming effect.

Foot Protection

Dog boots are manufactured for use by animals that live in severe-weather environments or who work in a service capacity that involves exposure to hazardous environments. Dogs that live in northern states, such as Minnesota, Maine, or New York, spend months living with winter weather. Temperatures fall well below zero, and snow blizzards aren’t uncommon in the north and east. Dog boots are made to protect canine feet from environmental dangers such as snow, ice, heat, and chemicals. Dog clothing, such as protective boots, is used most effectively by animals that are in a service capacity. This footwear protects feet from both weather dangers and dangers encountered while searching for lost hikers, people buried in collapsed buildings, and hidden drugs.

Coats and Raincoats

Inclement weather and hazardous environments can affect much more than a dog’s feet. Service dogs were used by rescue workers to locate trapped people on 9/11, and they are frequently used after tornados or hurricanes to search for victims. Dogs in these environments need to wear clothing such as protective coats or raincoats. Protective coats help protect all dogs from distress or injury, and they enable service dogs to continue working in adverse environments, without injury.

Reflective Collars

Dog clothing, such as a collar, can help owners control their pet’s movements. In addition, collars can be used as a tracking device for service dogs or dogs living in rural areas. Service animals, such as police dogs, may be required to chase criminals, search for missing persons, or sniff vehicles for drugs. A collar that contains an electronic tracking chip or reflective material enables the dog’s owner to track the animal’s movements and find its location at any time. Reflective collars provide accountability for an animal that is a valued animal in a service capacity.

Dog clothing is generally viewed as a luxury, and dog owners are often seen as eccentric when they put clothing on their dogs. Dog clothing, such as protective wraps, foot protection, coats and raincoats, and reflective collars provide necessary protection for animals that live in inclement weather or are in potentially hazardous service capacities. Dog owners should look into available products that may be of benefit to their pet or service animal.