Happy Halloween to all of our dog lovers! As much some of us may love this time of year, it is easy to forget the extra stress and health risks that it can pose on our furry friends. Here are some friendly tips and tricks on how to keep our cuddly companions safe during the Halloween season.

Hang your Halloween decorations out of reach

Throughout the Halloween season, it is easy to get distracted by all the decorations and party planning. With that said, it is important to keep in mind where you place your spooky decorations. As fun as these decorations are, they can often become a very dangerous choking hazard for our pets which could lead to suffocation or an avoidable trip to the vets. Whilst decorating your home remember to place your decorations high and out of reach from those curious paws.

Loud bangs and whistles of fireworks may be thrilling for us on Halloween, but for our dogs, it can be stressful and confusing

Many dogs show signs of distress when exposed to the sound of fireworks, these signs may be subtle, such as lip licking, yawning and panting but as they become frightened they might pace around the house, tremble, go to the toilet indoors and become destructive. In the weeks following Halloween, and with Bonfire Night, Christmas and NYE around the corner fireworks are more prevalent so it is important to recognise that all of these signs are stress induced. It is much easier to be prepared and prevent your dog from becoming stressed than it is to calm a dog already showing signs of extreme mental anxiety. You can read our vet's tips to help prevent your dog becoming stressed by fireworks here. 

Human treats are not safe for our pets 

While it might be tempting to share some of those treats you have ready for the trick-or-treaters, be aware that they may not be safe for our pets. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is often found in our favourite Halloween goodies. Whilst this ingredient is perfectly safe for humans it can cause insulin release, low blood glucose and liver toxicity in dogs when eaten in large amounts.

The substances contained in chocolate affect the central nervous system, cardiac and skeletal muscle. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate but all are best avoided.

Fancy dress is fun but it’s not for everyone

One of the best parts of Halloween is being able to dress up for the night. As fun as it is to have our dogs join in on the fun, it is important to remember they most likely have no idea why they are dressed as a pumpkin. Although some of our dogs may love their new look, make sure to notice any signs of stress or anxiety.

In good company

On Halloween night, try to ensure that your dog has a safe place to stay in case of late night visitors. A dog's hearing is much superior to our own, and so those loud bangs from anxious trick-or-treaters are all the more distressing to our pets. If you want to go out to celebrate try to get your dog a babysitter or even better drop them off for a Halloween play date.

Spooky pumpkin carvings may become even spookier for our dogs

As fun as it is to light a candle in our carved pumpkins, be wary of how this may become a risk for your dog. Your dog may become curious and accidentally burn their paws, nose or even knock the candle over creating a fire. This could pose a serious safety risk for you, your dog and your home. If you want to decorate your house with candlelit pumpkins be mindful of where you place your spooky creations.

The team at Protect My Pet wish you and your pets a very happy Halloween! 

We all want our pets to live a long and happy life.  As with us, the older they get the more vulnerable they become to age-related diseases. Cats are considered middle-aged at 7 years old and geriatric by the time they have reached 13, however it is not uncommon for cats to live to 18 years old or more. Dogs have a more variable lifespan due to the variation in size. Generally larger dogs age faster than little dogs, a five-year-old Great Dane could be considered an older gentleman, whilst a five-year-old Springer Spaniel is still in his prime.

Healthy Lifestyle

Watching our pets age can be difficult, the good news is there are lots of steps we can take to keep them an active member of the family for as long as possible. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle becomes increasingly important in a pet's later years.

It can be tempting to give our darling pets too many treats, after all, who can resist those big loving eyes. Whilst there is nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, we should not allow our pets to become overweight. Studies have shown that feeding too much shortens the lifespan of dogs.  In addition, carrying too much fat puts extra strain on ageing joints and organs.

Keeping active is beneficial to maintaining muscles and stimulating the mind. Walks may need to be shorter and activities less strenuous than in younger years, but continuing to move is important. A sedentary lifestyle can cause older joints to tighten and freeze up. Keeping an older cat moving can be a challenge, but try a gentle game of chasing a feather on a stick to get them motivated.

A Helping Hand

A few simple adaptions to your pet care routine can make the elder years more comfortable.  Arthritis is very common in dogs and is being increasingly recognised in cats.  Painful joints can make jumping up on furniture or into the car impossible, ramps can be used to help your pet remain involved in family trips away or cuddles on the sofa.

Older animals can become unsure of slippery floors and slips and falls can make arthritic joints more painful. Non-slip flooring, toe grips or rubber coated booties can help. A well-padded bed in a warm area of the house can help tired joints.  Having a comfortable bed close to the kitchen or living room will help your older pet enjoy spending time with the family whilst resting.

Reduced flexibility can make self-grooming more difficult, you can help by regularly brushing your pet's coat.  This is also a good chance to feel for lumps and bumps under the skin.

As cats and dogs get older their immune system becomes less robust, ensuring their parasite prevention is up to date will protect them against worms, fleas, and ticks. 

Consider using a diet formulated for the older pet. Geriatric diets are formulated with easy to digest ingredients and the corrected calorie intake requirements, many are also supplemented with nutrients for increased joint and brain care.

Health Care

Advancements in veterinary care and an increased understanding of dietary requirements mean our pets are now living longer than ever.  Older pets develop many of the same health problems as older people.  With increasing age, the rates of cancers, organ failure, diabetes, arthritis, cognitive degeneration all increase. Being observant and knowing the signs of common diseases may help you to spot any problems early and start treatment sooner.

Weight loss is a major symptom of many diseases. Weight loss can occur gradually and may be difficult to spot, particularly in a long-haired pet. Regular weight checks will help you to spot many disease processes early.

At your regular vet check you will always be asked about your pet's eating and drinking habits. Changes in appetite and thirst will make vets suspicious about a variety of disease processes.  Knowing what is normal and monitoring for change means you can seek veterinary advice early when a problem occurs.  Are you filling the water bowl more often? Is there more food going to waste at the end of the day? If several family members are involved with feeding, regular routines and good communication will ensure changes are not missed.

Increased urination can be caused by a variety of conditions. If you spot a change in urinating habits inform your vet. Diarrhoea and vomiting are obvious outward signs of a problem, in particular if they last for more than a few days.

Exercise tolerance will often reduce as your pet gets older, but a sudden change is a reason to book a visit to the vet. Painful joints, anaemia, heart or lung problems can all cause a reduced ability to exercise.

The good news is that there are lots of ways we can maintain a high quality of life for our pets as they age. Being mindful of their changing needs will help keep them a happy, healthy member of our family for as long as possible.

We all want to protect our pets against fleas and worms, and the distress and ill health they cause but we understand what a hassle it is to stay on top of their treatments. Our vet team makes parasite control as easy and effective as possible so you can spend more time bonding and having fun with your cat or dog.

While we make it easier to keep your pet healthy, wouldn’t it be even better if you could protect your pet for free?

When you refer a friend to our service, and they sign up using your unique link, you will receive your next month’s box on us!

No gimmicks, no catch.

You can earn this reward as many times as you wish as there is no limit on the number of people you can refer! The more you refer the more free boxes you’ll receive so if 10 of your friends or family members sign up for our service, you will get 10 monthly boxes completely free!

Of course, you will always know when someone signs up to our service using your unique refer a friend code. We will email you every time your box is free, making it easy for you to keep track of your savings.

For those of you who love sharing photos and stories of your pets on social media, you can share your unique link on all your social media platforms to reach even more pet owners.

So, start saving and refer a friend by clicking here and receive FREE Protect My Pet Health boxes! The more you refer the more you save and the longer your pet will be protected.