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Forest East 0116 238 8100
London Road 0116 254 3255
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Pet Advice

Download a fact sheet, to help you support your pet

Dogs

It is always a great event when a puppy arrives in its host family. After often several weeks of waiting, the newcomer is the centre of care and attention. But, if these good relations are to last, you will have to make sure that the situation of the puppy you have just acquired is one which eases integration.

“While your dog is still a puppy, if it does something it shouldn´t, then respond as its mother would: lift it up firmly by the scruff of its neck and hold it hanging there until it calms down. When it does, put it down and stroke its shoulder (pacification signal). This sequence, far more than anything else, will teach it that you consider yourself to be the dominant animal in the relationship.”
Claude Beata, Veterinary Surgeon

Cats

You have just adopted a kitten, and are looking forward to many years of shared tenderness, providing it with everything it needs. Perhaps you are already well aware, or perhaps you only somehow feel, that this little ball of fluff is replete with mystery – and you are quite right. Most of all, a cat is not a little dog! Our two most familiar pets may have the fact of being carnivorous in common, but their behaviours are very different from one another´s. And if you want to make a cat happy, you need to respect its peculiarities.

“Cats are fascinating animals, with behaviour which is both familiar and wild. It is a daily joy to share one´s home with a happy cat. Recent knowledge concerning a means of communication greatly used by cats- pheromones- lets us better understand them and provide them with a suitable habitat. The quality of the affective bond we can form with a cat is a source of peace and well-being. The sight of its games and postural mimicry will delight you. And, if even so your cat has strange or unwelcome behaviour, be sure not to wait until things get critical before talking about it to your Vet.”
Claude Beata, Veterinary Surgeon

For information on caring for your cat or kitten download our fact sheet here.

Small Pets

For information on:

  • Chinchilla
  • Gerbil
  • Guinea Pig
  • Hamster
  • Rats and mice

For information on caring for your small pet download our fact sheet here.

Rabbits

Rabbits can make very good pets, they do not take up a lot a space and can become friendly with humans. They will though need to be given some attention every day and require regular handling to keep them tame. You will need a safe environment for your rabbit so they can come out of their hutch for exercise, grooming and feeding.

For information on caring for your Rabbit download our fact sheet here.

Birds

Parakeet / Budgerigar

These are friendly birds which are relatively easy to tame and look after. Budgies are generally around 7 inches long and come in a variety of colours. They can live for up to 10 years and are an excellent choice for a ‘first bird’ pet.

Canary

The male canary is a very popular choice of pet as it has a beautiful song. Canaries are small birds (between 4 – 8 inches long) and can live for up to 9 years. They are normally, predominantly yellow.

Cockatiel

The cockatiel is a very friendly and intelligent and popular bird. They need a lot of companionship and can suffer from boredom if they are not paid enough attention. Cockatiels can grow up to 14 inches long and can live for up to 25 years.

Macaws

Macaws are incredibly beautiful and intelligent birds who easily learn to mimic speech. They require a lifelong and intense commitment from the owner and can be temperamental and aggressive – potential owners should think long and hard before committing to purchase these birds. Macaws can grow to 40 inches long and can live for up to 50 years.

For information on caring for your pet bird download our fact sheet here.

Exotic Pets

Probably more than for any other pet, before you buy an exotic animal, you should do a lot of preparation. Begin by finding out as much as you can about the animal – read books, talk to other owners. Whilst time consuming, this preparatory work will help both you and the animal in the long run.

For information on caring for your exotic pet download our fact sheet here.

Ferrets

It is not too far in the past that “ferreting” was a popular country occupation. In rabbit infested areas the use of nets and working ferrets gave the younger generation hours of harmless fun and often a tasty meal for the family afterwards. As habits and trends change the pet ferret population has diminished significantly. So of course has the rabbit population since Myxamatosis swept the UK.

For information on caring for your ferret download our fact sheet here.

Fish

Aquarium owners often talk of spending hours on end being mesmerised by their pet fish. Certainly, keeping fish as pets can be fascinating and aquariums can add an interesting centre-piece to your room.

For information on caring for your fish download our fact sheet here.