It may not be the catchiest or most appealing of titles, and yes we all have them – even our pets – but this post is not about your moody moggy or your bad bunny or even your naughty newt! This is about our species, the human species, and our bad attitudes towards animals generally and their welfare.

A lot of people, a lot of the time, think about what they can get from their animals; not how enriching animals can be and how we can care for them. Animals are not given enough credit, and are often underestimated in their abilities. However, this is not my gripe; my gripe is how with certain species – we want them for our own reasons (not nice fluffy reasons).
Dogs for instance are used for fighting, for bait, as status symbols, as active guard dogs by people who cannot and do not attempt to control them, they have behavioural issues caused by us because we want them for selfish reasons.
Many wild species have been hunted to or near extinction because selfish humans thought their head would look better mounted on a wall than attached to their body, or that their tusks/horns/antlers would make a better walking stick or ornament than provide an actual function for the animal.

Then, when we’re done, we just dump them in a shelter (and that’s the lucky ones). Some are given free to a “good home”; how do you know that animal is going to a pleasant place where it’ll be cared for? Do you care?
Others are tied up, or “set free” in an unfamiliar place and left to fend for themselves, or die. Why do we do this? What did our pets ever do to us except love us and want love in return?
Others are put to sleep or left to die after we have taken what we want.
If you cannot take on the responsibility of a particular animal species or breed, then either choose a pet you can manage, or wait until you can take on the responsibility.
Wildlife needs just as much protecting from the bad attitudes of our species too.

Yesterday, in Southport (England – where I currently live) a beautiful German Shepherd male dog was tied to a fence and left. Skinny, but otherwise in good health. If he hadn’t been rescued he may have died; unless he had the strength to break loose of the metal check (choke) chain that was around his neck.

Dogs are not the only species to be mistreated or abandoned. But just think, this person won’t be punished for leaving this beautiful ‘bear’ to die at the side of a road, tied up to a fence. I wonder if they will even feel guilt for this? I hope so.

What of other animals that are abandoned and not found? What happens to them? They do not deserve to be mistreated or abandoned; we ought to care for them. Thankfully this German Shepherd was rescued by a friend of mine and he’s doing well – relaxed enough to snooze with a new roof over his head…

He’s one of the lucky ones. But he shouldn’t have to be deemed “lucky” it shouldn’t be a common thing this cruelty, lack of care, this selfishness towards these beautiful creatures. All animals deserve our care and respect. I think as a species, humans, we can do better for our furry, feathery, scaly (all our animal) friends!

What shocks me most is that animals suffer like this, and worse on a daily basis all over the world. The UK has the some best animal welfare and animal protection laws in the world! But even these are so shocking that we cannot keep our animals safe. That’s scarier than anything you’ll see this Halloween…

Love the animals in your life, your own or not. Keep them safe, and protect them and love them – this is our duty towards all animals, to love and not abuse.

I have come to the conclusion over the years that I do not in fact have the pleasure of having a dog. My dog does not exhibit many stereotypical dog behaviours – has no interest in chasing cats, never plays fetch (or anything except ‘chase me!’ really…), he HATES water – jumps over puddles, sulks if he has to go out in the rain, and won’t willingly stay in the bath! You get the picture! This time of year I am always reminded of another way in which my dog is not a dog – you see my little Barney jumps at almost everything! But fireworks… He LOVES them!
*BARK*BARK*BARK*
Yea, you tell those fireworks Barney… ??!
If we do fireworks in our garden the dog is not allowed outside, for his own safety, except on a short lead. He’s only allowed to bark at the one’s he can see/ hear from a distance.

Well, most dogs are not like that. Studies have shown that around 45% of dogs exhibit fear/ anxiety toward fireworks. So, I thought I’d cover some helpful tips to help your canine friend through the fireworks this bonfire night.

1. Ensure your pet has somewhere to hide; somewhere they feel safe. Dark/ covered areas, and enclosed spaces are good as they help calm your pet and make them feel secure. Under furniture, in (clear) cupboards, an enclosed/hooded pet bed, even a cardboard box with something soft and familiar smelling inside – just ensure your pet has access to it at all times so that they can escape the moment they feel the need to.

2. Walk your dog during daylight hours – there is no sense in attempting to walk a frightened dog when it is dark with fireworks going off left, right and centre! Walk them during the day so that they can enjoy the exercise, and you can care for them safely, indoors when the scary fireworks are lighting up the night sky. This reduces the possibility of fireworks being set off during ‘walkies’ and your dog becoming anxious/fearful.

3. By November I assume there are not many people who leave the windows and doors open around their house, due to the cold autumn evenings, however, this point still stands – ensure that windows and doors are shut, and blinds and curtains are also closed, this will help to muffle the sounds of the fireworks outside. Turning on the TV or radio (some noise) will also help to distract your pet from the noise of the fireworks.

4. One of the most important things you, as an owner, can do is to behave completely normal and ignore the fear/anxiety behaviour your dog is exhibiting in response to the fireworks. Unless your pet is self-harming due to the stress/anxiety or going to accidentally cause itself harm, do not give your pet attention (positive or negative) as ‘reward’ for the behaviour. If you are anxious about your pet becoming anxious, they will pick up on it and it will increase their anxiety.
This applies to any irrational fear/anxiety behaviour. If you comfort your pet every time they exhibit fear/anxiety, they feel that there is a reason they are being comforted, and that fear/anxiety is the correct response to the stimuli. Ignore your pets anxiousness; especially toward normal things that will not do them harm – such as the vacuum cleaner, recycling bins, furniture (yes, our pets can become anxious easily over mundane things).

5. Do not leave your pet alone, if you can help it, to ensure their safety. Ensuring your dog is microchipped (and wearing a collar and tag) will be beneficial if your dog somehow escapes.

6. Toys and chews are helpful for distracting your dog and keeping them occupied during the fireworks. A new toy, their favourite toy, a treat toy, a rawhide chew, their favourite chewy treat – whatever will be the best distraction for you.

7. Adaptil supply a great pheromone diffuser, spray,  and collar for dogs. There are also Adaptil non-pheromone tablets.
The diffuser is a plug in and emits the pheromone throughout your house and works to soothe and comfort your dog.
The collar needs to be in close contact with the skin at all times, the body heat from the animal stimulates the collar to work.
The spray should not be sprayed on the animal! The spray can be sprayed on bedding, in kennels, in the car… ensure you and your pet stay away from the sprayed area after it has been sprayed, for 15 minutes (spray it 15 minutes prior to your dog needing the affects) to allow the spray to take affect and not cause harm to anyone.
NB. Adaptil is specially designed for use with dogs only.

Fear of fireworks doesn’t just affect dogs; many pets are scared of fireworks – the noises and the colours. Most of these tips can be applied to your pet species.

If you are concerned about your pet, seek the advice of your vet and/ or an animal behaviourist.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like any more information or advice regarding this post; or if you have anything specific you would like me to cover in a future post, then either contact me through this site or leave a comment below, or contact me via one of my social media pages:-
. Google+ (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Facebook (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Twitter (@AnimalFreak24)
. LinkedIn (Ali Holloway)

Ali Holloway – BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare

There is plenty to consider when you think about getting a pet… I doubt I will cover anything but I hope to get across some of the main things in this post. So I’ll just dive right in…

What kind of pet is right for you?
Species, breed, age, lifespan, lifestyle requirements, environment – these are all important factors to consider when thinking about a pet.
– what sort of pet would fit in with your lifestyle?
– is your home suitable for the pet you want?
– what type of pet is your home suitable for?
– do you have time to give the pet the attention and care it needs?

Think about what pet you want. Think about whether or not you can commit. Can you commit to…
–  walking a dog daily, often multiple times daily?
–  ensuring a cat is exercised daily?
–  cleaning the glass, substrate, decor and filter of a fish tank?
–  cleaning a rodent cage multiple times a week?
–  the lifespan of the pet you desire?
If you cannot commit, either choose a different species or consider waiting until you are in a positions to commit fully to the pet you desire. If you do not have the time or the space for the kind of pet you want; then you may need to look into either waiting, or consider a different species/ breed.

There are many things to consider before adding a pet into your family.

Consider your finances – can you afford the pet you want? – Not just the one off payment for the pet and accessories; but the regular payments towards food, healthcare, replacement bedding, etc.

Space – Where will the pet live? Does it require specialised housing? Will it have free run of your home/ garden? Is your home suitable for the pet you want? Does this pet require large housing building/ buying? Do you know what housing type is best for the species you want?
Consider the positioning of any specialised housing – not near busy thoroughfares, or in direct sunlight/ under bright lights,  anywhere too dark, too cold, too hot, etc. Does the housing need to be outside? Do you have enough outside space to accommodate the animal?

Socialisation – Do yo need to buy more than one due to the animal being of a social species? Does the animal need socialising outside of the home? What is the best way to socialise the species?

There are many things to consider! So do some research, ask a professional (nb. not every person who works in a pet store, etc. is a professional!), check out a few different individuals of the species you want, and be as prepared as possible before diving in to pet ownership!

If you have any questions or comments, or would like any more information or advice regarding this post; or if you have anything specific you would like me to cover in a future post, then either leave a comment below, or contact me via one of my social media pages:-
. Google+ (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Facebook (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Twitter (@AnimalFreak24)
. LinkedIn (Ali Holloway)

People don’t think about safety during travel with regards to there pets, as much as they should; especially with dogs in cars. Travelling with our pets is something we almost all do at some point – even if it’s just a trip to the vets.

Safety is important when travelling – smaller pets ought to be in a safe, secure pet carrier; suitable for the size of your pet. Someone ought to securely hold the small pets in the carrier, or the carrier ought to be secured in your vehicle; so that the carrier does not move about too much or tip over.

Larger animals can be in larger pet carriers and crates/ cages, and secured in your vehicle. This can be a carrier that is mobile, or fitted in your vehicle.

Alternatives for larger pets, such as dogs and cats, are pet seat belts. These consist of harnesses and some way to fasten them into the seat belt buckle; some plug straight into the buckle plug, others have a loop in which the seatbelt goes through and plugs in as normal.

What is important to remember is that it’s not just your pet you put at risk by leaving them loose during travel. They could be a distraction and cause an accident without meaning to, and they are a weight that can be thrown into a person or out a window/windscreen if you get into a crash. Now my little Bedlington, in the image above, is 17″ to the shoulder and weighs upwards of 10kg – if he was lose in my car and there was an accident, 10kg slamming into a person could kill them; 10kg shooting out the window/windscreen could kill your pet too…

It is one of my biggest pet peeves (no pun intended) is seeing pets loose in a vehicle – the danger for the pet and people is greater than we tend to give credit to.

4th October 2014 – World Animal Day

Also known as International Animal Day or World Animal Lover Day. World Animal Day is a day for remembering all animals; by the people who love and respect them.

So enjoy the following animal images…

Leopard

Pug (wiki)

Spooks, Peggy, Maggie

Border Collie

African Grey Parrot

Bedlington Terrier

Bongo

Maui’s Dolphin

Old English Sheepdog

Herdwick Ewe

Lion

Mallard Duck (www.dyatripphoto.com)

Galah

Nosy Cows

American Bulldog X

Mother & Calf (Bottlenose)

Smooth Coated Collie

Rhea

Rolling Shetland

Ankole Cattle

Eland

Lurcher Type, Staffie X

Jerboa

Minkey Moggy

Tiger

Domestic Short-hair cat – own image

Mare and daughter

Staffie

Dairy Cow

Utonagan Short Haired

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Chileon Rose Tarantula

Peacock

Bunny

Speckled Bunny

Maggie

Friendly Ewes

Least Weasel

European Hedgehog

Red River Hog

Male Bearded Dragon

Keeping cool in the pool

Comet Goldfish

Pere David Deer

Chileon Rose Tarantula

Juvenile Sand Boa

Juvenile Senegal Parrot

Eld’s Deer

Floppy bunny

Hourglass Dolphin(s)

Kookaburra

Adult Chameleon

Forest Buffalo

Lesser Spotted Eagle

African Elephant

Lioness

Sloth

Grey Pony

Meerkat

Casper

Blackbuck

Rabbits

Squirrel

Baby Hog Nose

Guinea Piggies

Flamingo (www.daytripphoto.com)

Older Dog

Bee Humming Bird

Hungry Cow

Old English, running

Female (left), Male (right) – Brine Shrimp

Silverback Gorilla

Giraffe

Budgie

Rhino

Ocelot

Curious Beardy

Thoroughbred Gelding

Orca

Penguins

Cheeky Jenday Conure

Black Lab

Spinner Dolphin (pod)

Spraying – a form of communication, territorial marking, to signal mating status, indicator of health, and to show dominance. Spraying is a natural, normal behaviour. It becomes a problem when it becomes excessive, and often in inappropriate places.

Cats will back up to a vertical surface (wall, table/chair leg, couch, door, bed, television…) twitch tail, and spray urine against the vertical surface.

Potential Causes:-
(a) Territorial Behaviour:
– another cat brought into a single-cat household
– a multi-cat household
– moving house/ getting an extension
– redecorating
– new cat(s) in the neighbourhood/territory

(b) Anxiety
– lack of owner attention (for attention)
– jealousy of other pet(s)/children/etc.
– change in routine
– social stressors
– environmental stressors
– new/unusual, (fairly) consistent smells (even as simple as new air freshener)
– negative encounters
– not enough litter trays for amount of cats

(c) Underlying Medical Problem
– consult vet ASAP
– urine crystals
– cystitis
– urolithiasis; struvites (urinary tract stones)
– other…

Treatment Options:
Firstly, determine whether or not this is being caused by a medical issue, and your vet will be able to determine the best course of treatment. If there is no medical issue, then it is likely to be a behavioural issue. Successful treatment of this requires identification of the cause, and fixing of the cause or acceptance (from the animal) of the cause.

If you have a multi-cat household, to reduce the likelihood of unwanted spraying behaviour (and unwanted defecation), ensure that every cat has its own litter tray, and that there is a spare litter tray (or multiple spares for a larger group of cats). Ensure litter trays are in quiet places, not busy or open places; cats like privacy when going to the toilet.

Neutering is a big help, but will not eliminate the problem. Spraying is less common in neutered cats, but it will not prevent spraying. Males also spray more than females, but females do spray.

Feliway pheromone diffuser plug ins and sprays are also available. The release of pheromones helps to calm and reassure, especially in multi-cat households; it can relieve tension between cats.  The pheromone release relieves stress and can help stop your cat spraying; stop the behavioural issue.

Acceptance of the cause; teaching your cat(s) to accept a new addition – whether this is another cat, a dog, a rabbit (i.e. another pet), or a new baby or even just a new couch. You can help this by not comforting your cat when it initially freaks out. Do not berate your cat for this either. Just act normal, like the new addition is completely normal. If you comfort your cat, (s)he will believe (s)he’s being comforted because there is a reason to be freaked out and anxious about this new addition. Normal behaviour on your part will help your cat realise (s)he can behave normally despite this new addition too.

Cats that get along are less competitive, and far less likely to spray. You can encourage cats to get along by playing with your cats together; giving each one equal attention. Feed them together, and try to encourage them to sleep near to each other – not necessarily sharing the same bed, but within the same room. Provide differently levels for your cats within the home; the more dominant cat will sit higher up than the subordinate(s) – being able to show dominance/ hierarchy in this way is likely to reduce other dominant displays.

Try to keep routine, at least for your cat even if not for yourself – because, let’s face it, we quite often need to mix up our routine; but cats, no, cats like routine. They will patrol the same bit of their territory at (roughly) the same time, daily.  They will sleep, hunt, etc. at (roughly) the same times each day. Feeding, grooming/brushing, and other activities your cat requires you for should be kept in some kind of routine for your cat too.

Although spraying is a very obvious behaviour; know your cat(s) and learn to tell when (s)he is acting out of the ordinary so as to pick up on behavioural issues early.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like any more information regarding this post; or if you have anything specific you would like me to cover in a future post, then either leave a comment below, or contact me via one of my social media pages:-
. Google+ (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Facebook (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Twitter (@AnimalFreak24)
. LinkedIn (Ali Holloway)

Birds range from the little songbirds in your garden, to the powerful birds of prey, and various kinds of flightless birds – they certainly vary a lot between various species. They have been popular as pets as early as the 1700’s. Christopher Columbus brought 2 Cuban Amazon Parrots back from his travels in the 1490’s.

We all love our pets, no matter how they became introduced into our history, and our individual lives. The sad things about domestic life for our pets, is that sometimes it can result in behavioural problems; without always knowing the cause.

Grooming is a normal, natural behaviour – in birds known as ‘preening’. Feather plucking is when this normal, natural behaviour becomes obsessive, and done to excess. Birds may do this to themselves, or to others in their group.

Possible Causes:
– Nutritional deficiencies/ unbalanced nutrition
– Poor Diet
– Food sensitivity/ intolerances/ allergies
– Disease
– Itchy skin/ skin problems
– Frayed feathers
– Boredom (insufficient stimulation)
– Dirty environment
– Wrong environment

Possible Solutions:
–  Change in diet
–  Allergy tests (steering clear of the allergen)
– Food supplements
– Regular vet checks
– Stimulation: toys, interaction, treats/fruit/veg
– Plenty of light; not left in the dark
– Clean environment
– Sufficient space (but not too much) per bird
– Suitable type of environment; cage (tall or wide), paddock, by water, dirt bath, places to perch (at different levels)

Toys:

Ensure these are appropriate for your bird; for the species. Stimulating toys with bells and pieces that move are good for birds such as parrot types.
Mop/ rope toys (without loops!) are good for occupying birds with a pulling/ preening activity – keeping feather preening to a normal and safe amount.
Some birds like toys that look like birds, and this can be beneficial; others will be stressed by this kind of toy – know your bird and what they like, so as to best care for your pet.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like more information regarding this post; or if you have anything specific you would like me to cover in a future post, then either leave a comment below, or contact me via one of my social media pages:-
. Google+ (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Facebook (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Twitter (@AnimalFreak24)
. LinkedIn (Ali Holloway)

What is a behavioural problem?
(a) A natural behaviour that is undesirable to the owner, but very desirable to the animal.
(b) A natural behaviour that us undesirable to both owner and animal.
(c) An abnormal behaviour exhibited (and often done in repetition) that suggests the animal has an inability to cope with something in its environment (known as Stereotypical Behaviour).

Common Behavioural Problems:
– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.)
– Coprophagia (eating faeces – not abnormal for certain species)
– Aggression
– Excessive Vocalisation
– Scratching/ biting/ kicking/ rearing/ bucking
– Anxiety
– Tail Chasing
– Feather Plucking/ Fur Pulling
– Chewing (things that they are not meant to chew)
– Hyper-excitability
– Excessive Grooming
– Wind Sucking/ Cribbing

Stereotypical Behaviours:
– Pacing
– Weaving/ Swaying
– Head Bobbing
– Circling
– Neck Twisting
– Bar Biting
– Rocking
– Self-Mutilation
– Vomiting (and then eating it, and vomiting again)
– Coprophilia (playing with faeces)
– Coprophaga (repeated)

How can behavioural problems be approached?
(1) Educating the owner
(2) Modifying the environment
(3) Modifying the animal

I will be doing some follow up posts on some of these behavioural problems, and some ways to tackle them. If you have anything specific you would like me to cover then either leave a comment below, or contact me via one of my social media pages:-
. Google+ (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Facebook (Ali’s Animal Answers)
. Twitter (@AnimalFreak24)
. LinkedIn (Ali Holloway)

4th September 2014 – National Wildlife Day

Wildlife ranges from big to tiny, from fierce to gentle, from soft, fluffy, and smooth to spiky, scaly, and rough…

Wildlife can be the little Monarch butterfly fluttering around your Great British garden in the summer, the little hedgehogs that you spot in your garden whilst you’re keeping warm in the autumn, the migrating Orcas, the regal Silverback Gorilla watching over his family, the robin making his nest or the eagle making her nest… You get the picture!

Endangered or common, wildlife is all around us – whether you enjoy what’s in your back garden, or prefer to see what David Attenborough is talking about in the documentary on T.V. – enjoy some images of an array of wildlife species, for National Wildlife Day!

Red Fox

Blackbuck

Squirrel

Meerkat

Peahen (female peacock)

Buffalo (www.daytripphoto.com)

Bee

Swan (www.daytripphoto.com)

Silverback Gorilla

Ladybird/ Ladybug

Emu (www.daytripphoto.com)

Garden Snail

Caterpillar (Possibly Peacock Caterpillar)

Mallard Duck (www.dyatripphoto.com)

Cinnabar Catterpilla (www.daytripphoto.com)

Spider

Flamingo (www.daytripphoto.com)

Common Toad

Peacock

European Robin

Crow

Lesser Spotted Eagle

European Hedgehog

Orca

26th August 2014 – World Dog Day

Also known as International Dog Day.

We get dogs as companions; as pets.  They rely on us to live – they trust us with their lives, trust us to take care of them. They are loyal, loving, affectionate, and playful.  They are one of the most popular pets in Western culture; with 25% of UK households owning one, and 36.5% of US households owning one.

For International Dog Day, enjoy some images of this popular pet – various breeds, sizes, and ages!

Old English Sheepdog

Bedlington

Chocolate Labrador

Black Lab

Staffie X

Lurcher Type, Staffie X

Staffie

Black Retriever

Border Collie dog – own image

Border Collie

Smooth Coated Collie

Smooth Coated Collie

American Bulldog X

American Bulldog X

Bedlington Terrier

Old English, running

Sleeping Pup

Lounging Afghan Hound

Lhasa Apso

Whippet