Vaccinations

Vaccinating your pet against preventable disease is a vital part of responsible
pet care.

In doing so, you protect your pet against a range of diseases that can be costly
to treat and even threaten your pet’s life.

Puppies and kittens should be kept inside away from other animals until they
are protected by their vaccinations. Your vet will tell you when it’s safe for them
to venture out.

Every animal needs a different course of vaccinations at different stages of their
life. Booster injections, for instance, are usually given every six months or once
a year.

We would advise that your dog is vaccinated against Kennel cough even if you’re not planning to leave them in dog kennels. A lot of dog owners assume this infection only affects dogs staying in dog kennels but in fact this is spread through the air by infected dogs sneezing and coughing. So your dog could catch this infection by interacting with an infected dog playing in the park.

If your dog is staying in dog kennels, your dog must have kennel cough vaccine. This is an annual vaccination so you’ll need to visit your vets for a booster every year.

Children and dogs

Children and dogs

Children and their puppies will end up best friends if they understand each other and follow a few simple rules.

Don’t disturb when sleeping

Tell your children not to disturb a puppy when resting – it doesn’t want to be hugged, kissed or picked up when sleeping or it may become grumpy and snappy. Give the puppy some peace and quiet when it needs it.

Don’t disturb dogs whilst eating

Tell your children not to disturb a puppy when eating – they might think your children are going to take away their food and react in an aggrieve manner. Leave them alone to eat their food and only when they have moved away for their food should you start interacting with the dog.

Playing

Children and puppies need to be gentle with one another. You and your children shouldn’t force yourselves on the puppy or play aggressive games as this encourages the puppy to be aggressive back. Puppies also don’t like face-to-face contact so tell your children to keep their face away from the puppy. Your children and puppy should never be left playing alone together. Having a dog is a great way for children to learn responsibility and get some exercise!

Other people’s dogs

Your children must ask a dog owner’s permission before stroking their dog.

Diet and Nutrition

A balanced diet throughout your pet’s life will promote good health, long life and
help prevent many diseases.

Dogs
Dogs can fed once or twice a day depending on the size of the breed. Older dogs have a reduced appetite so it’s better to
feed them smaller amounts more frequently.

Cats
Cats are carnivores and require certain fats and protein components that are only
obtained from eating meat. Dog food doesn’t contain a high enough protein count
so should not be fed to cats. Food is best left out (providing it doesn’t spoil) as
cats usually regulate their eating with 8-16 small feeds a day.

Small Animals
Rabbits need a diet with a high level of fibre, protein and fat, together with the
correct levels of calcium and phosphate. The good news is this precise mixture is
found in everyday grass and hay! Guinea Pigs are one of the few animals unable
to make their own vitamin C, so they need a diet rich with this vitamin.
For dietary advice for other animals not listed here, just ask.
Each pet is different – just like we are – so you should only carry out any change in
their diet and exercise programme gradually and as recommended by your vet.