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You must be over 16 years old to buy an animal./Rhaid i chi fod dros 16 oed i brynu anifail.

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There is currently no funding for getting a emotional support animal but we will update this when it is available. Ar hyn o bryd nid oes cyllid ar gyfer cael anifail cymorth emosiynol ond byddwn yn diweddaru hwn pan fydd ar gael.

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There is currently no funding for getting a emotional support animal but we will update this when it is available. Ar hyn o bryd nid oes cyllid ar gyfer cael anifail cymorth emosiynol ond byddwn yn diweddaru hwn pan fydd ar gael.

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Dogs currently banned under the law

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) bans the ownership of four different types of dogs including some traditionally bred for fighting:

Pit bull terrier

Japanese Tosa

Dogo Argentino

Fila Braziliero

The XL Bully will become illegal to own from the 1st February 2024 without a certificate of exemption

There's no robust research to demonstrate that dogs bred for fighting are naturally aggressive towards people or that they are unique in the way they can bite.

What happens to banned types?

Dogs suspected of being a banned type are typically seized by the police who unfortunately have no choice but to implement the law.

These dogs will be held in kennels away from their owner, whilst being assessed to determine if they're a banned type. They'll be examined by an expert using a set of standards which are mainly based on appearance; genetics or parentage aren't taken into consideration. Applying the law means that many dogs are unnecessarily subjected to stressful processes. Many dogs find these processes very difficult to cope with and can result in undesirable changes in health and behaviour.

Some dogs can return home under strict conditions

Banned types who are owned can be lawfully kept and exempt from euthanasia if they don't pose any risk to public safety and the owner is considered fit and proper. However, conditions must be met for the rest of the dog's life which can negatively impact its welfare. For example, being muzzled and on-lead whenever in public.

Sadly, not all dogs get to return home to their owners.

Banned types can't be rehomed

The following information does not apply to the XL Bully. We are currently in a transition period which intends to help owners adapt to the new law. Owners of XL Bullies have until the end of January 2024 to apply for a certificate of exemption. As of the 1st of February 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without one.

Why the Dangerous Dogs Act doesn't work

Despite the prohibition of certain types of dogs, in the past 20 years (1999 to 2019), bites have increased by 154% from 3454-8775.

Dog bites numbers continue to rise

A better approach than BSL

Effective legislation and enforcement to tackle dog-related issues regardless of breed or type and based on their behaviour

Interventions including education that focus on safe behaviour around dogs

A better understanding of why dogs bite

Other countries have already proven effective alternatives

Exempt dogs from euthanasia restrictions

neutered

permanently identified with microchip

muzzled and kept on a lead when in a public place

kept securely at home (i.e ensure gardens are secure)

registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs and a certificate issued to the owner

the dog cannot be taken out in public by anyone under 16 years of age

the owner must take out (and renew annually) third-party insurance for their dog

Changing ownership restrictions

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Banned Dog Types | Breed Specific Legislation | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Types of banned dogs under Breed Specific Legisation and what it means for owners. Why the law doesn't currently work.

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Assistance dog owners and their rights/ Perchnogion cŵn cymorth a'u hawliau

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Assistance dog owners and their rights/ Perchnogion cŵn cymorth a'u hawliau

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Assistance dogs are not pets and businesses are encouraged to amend any

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Summary

How can a pet help my mental health?

Is having a pet right for me?

What if I can't have a pet?

A pet can be a great source of comfort and motivation. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives.

How can a pet help my mental health?

Caring for a pet can help our mental health in many ways, including:

increasing your physical activity. Dog owners are likely to take their pets for a walk or run every day. This can be a fun way to fit exercise into your routine

providing companionship. Pets can give you a sense of security and someone to share the day with. Caring for them can help you feel wanted and needed. This can be especially valuable for older people or those who live alone

reducing anxiety. The companionship of a pet can help to ease your anxiety

boosting self-confidence. Pets can be great listeners, offer unconditional love and won't criticise you. This can help your self-confidence, especially if you feel isolated or misunderstood

helping you meet new people. Dog owners often stop and chat with each other on walks. But other pets can be a way to meet people too: in pet shops, training classes or online groups, for example

adding structure to your day. Feeding, exercising and caring for a pet can help you keep to a daily routine, which can help you feel more grounded and focused. It can give your day purpose and a sense of achievement.

Pets may also help with specific conditions. For example, people with ADHD may benefit from the structure and routine that a pet needs. Managing their pet's responsibilities and keeping track of time - to feed or walk them on time, for example - may help them in other areas of their lives. Some people with ADHD are hyperactive - especially children - and playing with a pet can be a great way to release excess energy, whether that's walking a dog or running around with a kitten.

Autistic people can benefit from having a pet. Pets provide the kind of unconditional relationship that can help someone build social skills and confidence. They can provide a sense of calm and reassurance if their owner feels overwhelmed. Autistic children with sensory issues can involve their pets in sensory integration activities to help them get used to how something feels against their skin or how it smells or sounds.

Is having a pet right for me?

Having a pet is a serious commitment and not something to do on a whim. You'll need to have the time, money and energy for a pet, as well as a calm home environment with routine and consistency. Fostering a pet or helping a friend with theirs can help you see whether having your own is right for you.

When you're ready to think about getting a pet, consider:

how much outdoor space do you have

how active you are

how much time do you have to spend with your pet

how much money do you have for vet's bills, insurance, food, toys, etc.? Some charities offer low-cost vet care, but they are limited to certain areas and have financial criteria

Animal charity PDSA has other key things to think about before you get a pet.

What if I can't have a pet?

If you can't afford a pet, live somewhere you're not allowed one, or you're worried about having times where you're too unwell to care for a pet, there are other options.

The simplest option may be spending time with friends' pets, whether that's walking their dogs, stroking their cats or cuddling their guinea pigs. They might be glad to have someone to pet sit for them while they're on holiday. You can also consider signing up as a house-sitter: you look after someone's home, garden and pets in return for free accommodation.

If you miss having a dog in your life, you could sign up with BorrowMyDoggy. They connect dog owners to local people who would love to walk or play with a dog. The Cinnamon Trust also needs volunteer dog walkers to help out older people or those with a health condition or disability that means they can't walk their dog as easily anymore. They also need people to foster pets while their owners are in hospital.

Contact a rescue centre near you to see what volunteering opportunities they may have. They may need volunteers to exercise, care for and socialise their pets. You could consider fostering an animal if you can have a pet on a short-term basis but can't commit to one long-term. Some shy or scared animals need the peace and quiet of a home while waiting to be adopted.

Cats Protection and Dogs Trust both need people to provide temporary foster care for pets belonging to people fleeing domestic violence who may not be able to take their pets into a refuge with them.

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How a pet can help your mental health, is having a pet right for you, and what if you can't have a pet.

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How to get a special license/Sut i gael trwydded arbennig

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How to get a special license/Sut i gael trwydded arbennig

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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

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The rules you must follow if you own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales.

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Cat adoption in North Wales

Could you provide a loving new home for a cat in North Wales? During the process of adopting a cat from us, we'll consider everything from your potential pet's personality and how this fits with your lifestyle, to your home environment - creating the perfect match for both cat and owner and the start of a wonderful feline friendship.

Cats available for adoption from North Wales Cat Centre are featured below. The adoption fee is £85 for an adult cat and £105 for a kitten.

You do not need an appointment to visit the centre, you can visit daily from 11am till 2.30pm (the centre is closed on a Tuesday only). Please note that the cat you are interested in may not be suitable to be adopted by yourself. Checks are carried out on site and, as we offer a first come first serve basis on cat adoptions, the cat may already be reserved when you visit. We cannot reserve a cat/kitten over the phone or via email, you have to visit the centre and meet the cat/kitten in person before an adoption process can take place.

Ready to adopt? Simply visit the centre between 11am and 2.30pm daily (Tuesday we are closed) and bring along proof of address with you.

Have another cat or dog at home?
Please bring a blanket or cloth with the scent of your pet with you to the centre.

Living in rented accommodation?
You will need to have a letter from your landlord, that they consent to you having a cat in the home. If you rent through a housing association or council, we will need to see a copy of your tenancy agreement to confirm you are allowed a cat in the home. Please bring this paperwork along with you when visiting the cat centre and ensure you have this in place before you express an interest in adopting a cat. You can find out more about how to go about this with our Purrfect Landlords campaign.

Not ready to adopt just yet but still wish to visit?
You may visit the centre and can enjoy a stroll through our wonderful gardens. You will be able to see the cats in their pens but you will not be permitted into a cat pen.

Before you go through to the cats/kittens, we ask that you read through our guidance to ensure 'we put cats first'.

Support Cats Protection North Wales Cat Centre

None of our vital work would be possible without you. There are many ways you can be there for cats and kittens in North Wales.

Fundraising events for cats in North Wales

Want to fundraise for cats in North Wales by taking part in one of our events? From summer fêtes to epic sporting challenges, we'd love to see you at one of our fundraising events soon.

You can also check out the national Cats Protection events calendar here.

Volunteer at Cats Protection North Wales Cat Centre

Without volunteers, Cats Protection North Wales Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.

We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of North Wales, you'll enjoy practical benefits such as discounted pet insurance. You can find out more about volunteering for Cats Protection here.

Lost and found cats in North Wales

Have you lost or found a cat in North Wales, Chester or Shropshire? We're here to help you. To report a lost cat, or if you have found a cat in the North Wales area, please call us on 03000 12 02 69 or email us

Lost, found and feral cats

North Wales Cat Centre - Contact Details

Our address:

Cats Protection North Wales Cat Centre
Bradley Road
Wrexham
LL13 7TG

Opening times:

Six days a week, 11am - 3pm (closed on Tuesdays).

Help us improve our services:

We're all ears - we'd value your feedback about your experience to help us reflect and strive for better in all that we do for our customers.

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Looking to adopt a cat in North Wales? Want to fundraise or volunteer? We'd love to hear from you. Find out more about North Wales Cat Centre.

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No pet should have to go hungry. And no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. Hard times can happen to anyone, and with pets in the family there are more bowls to fill when money is tight.

If you're struggling to afford food for your dog, cat, or small pet, we're here for you and will be happy to welcome you to our Blue Cross pet food banks, without judgement.

We can help you with pet food and other items including bedding and litter.

We welcome donations of food or money for our pet food banks. Each and every one will help keep pets with their loving families.

As well as running our own pet food banks, we have partnered with other organisations around the UK to provide pet food at human food banks across the country.

We've partnered with Pets at Home to place pet food donation stations in every store. All donations collected by your local Pets at Home store go to food banks in your local community.

Who can use a Blue Cross pet food bank?

Anyone struggling to feed their pets can visit our pet food banks and collect the food they need. We understand that coming to a food bank can be difficult. We won't ask you for a voucher or proof of need, and our team will welcome you without judgement.

As well as running our own Blue Cross pet food banks, we provide pet food to our partners to give out through their own food banks. Food banks run by our partners each have their own ways of working and to use them you may need a referral from a frontline professional or Citizens Advice, or to show them a voucher.

How to get pet food

We run Blue Cross pet food banks at some of our animal hospitals and rehoming centres. We also collect pet food and give these donations to local food bank partners to give out.
Find a pet food bank near you
Blue Cross pet food banks currently support dogs, cats and small pets chinchillas, degus, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rats. Because we rely on donations, we can't guarantee we'll have stock for all pets at all times. Please call us before you visit to check what we have in stock.

Our partners operate differently from the pet food banks we run at our own Blue Cross rehoming centres and animal hospitals. You may need to call ahead or provide a referral to get support. Visit their websites to find the latest information on how to get help.

Frequently asked questions
Is there a charge for using Blue Cross pet food banks? I'm not able to travel to you, can you deliver to me? Can I request my pet's usual brand of food? My pet needs a special diet, can you help me? Is supermarket own brand and other cheap pet food ok to give my pet? Will changing the type or brand of food make my pet ill? What if I'm running low on dog food? What if I'm running low on cat food? My pet's new food has upset their stomach. What should I do? My pet won't eat their new food
Is it OK to feed dog food to my cat?
Is it OK to feed cat food to my dog? Is it OK to feed my pet on table scraps? What about feeding treats? Can you help with vet fees? I have had to find a new home for my pet because I could no longer afford them and I'm devastated I need to rehome my pet as I can't afford them anymore What other help is available for pet owners who are struggling to afford their pets' care?
Is there a charge for using Blue Cross pet food banks?

No. Our pet food banks support anyone struggling to afford their pet's food. We will never ask you for money to use our pet food bank.

I'm not able to travel to you, can you deliver to me?

Some of our pet food banks have volunteer drivers who can deliver to pet owners who are unable to travel. Please contact your nearest Blue Cross pet food bank to ask if this is available locally to you.

Can I request my pet's usual brand of food?

If we have your pet's usual brand in stock you we will be able to give it to you. We are reliant on donations so are unable to ensure we always have particular brands.

My pet needs a special diet, can you help me?

Depending on stock, we are able to cater for some special diets for eg for senior pets or puppies and kittens. We are unable to help with prescription diets as these need to be prescribed by your vet. If you are having trouble affording prescription diets, speak to your vet to ask about any lower cost alternatives, or payment plans they may offer that could help spread the cost.

Is supermarket own brand and other cheap pet food ok to give my pet?

Yes, if it says "complete" on the label. By law, pet food companies have to ensure any food they label as "complete" gives a nutritionally complete balanced diet for the species it is made for. "Complementary" food will only provide part of the nutrients your pet needs to be healthy.

Will changing the type or brand of food make my pet ill?

New food can cause digestive problems so, if possible, introduce it over a few days. Mix a quarter of the new food with most of the old food and gradually switch over a couple of days until you have changed over fully. Cats may take longer to adjust from moist to dry food so you can try soaking dry food to encourage them.

What if I'm running low on dog food?

We know times are hard. If you only have a little or no dog food left there are things you can do to make sure your pet doesn't go hungry.

This advice is for emergency situations only as doing this in the long term can lead to serious health problems, particularly so for puppies. If you can, spread complete dog food out over the whole period so your dog has some balanced food each day. Bulk it out with rice, pasta, water-soaked oats or cooked potatoes. If you have it, you can add cooked egg, plain cooked meat, and/or boiled veg such as carrots or broccoli.

Avoid salty, spicy or fatty food and never feed bones.

What if I'm running low on cat food?

We understand these aren't decisions you'd wish to make. If you only have a little bit of cat food left to last a few days, spread the cat food out over the whole period so that your cat has some balanced food each day.

Cats need to eat meat, so make sure they have some animal protein such as cooked meat or fish. You can mix in cooked veg or rice to bulk it out. Don't give them salty, spicy or fatty food, or bones.

Cats may be more likely to eat new food if you warm it up a bit.

My pet's new food has upset their stomach. What should I do?

Stomach upsets are often caused when new food is introduced too quickly. If you introduced it slowly over a few days, give their digestive system a chance to rest for 24 hours by feeding small amounts of cooked chicken, scrambled egg, plain rice or pasta. After the 24 hours, try the new food again in very small amounts.

My pet won't eat their new food

If your pet is otherwise healthy, give them 48 hours to eat the new food. If you can, try mixing it with their previous food. You could try adding some flavour like a tiny amount of marmite or tinned pilchards. Warming the food up a little will bring out the flavour too. Don't give your pet any treats during the period you're introducing a new food.

Is it OK to feed dog food to my cat?

Not long term. A cat could eat dog food as a one-off and be OK, but if a cat is fed dog food over any length of time they will suffer from serious deficiencies in essential nutrients that felines need. This may cause them long term health issues such as blindness and heart disease.

Is it OK to feed cat food to my dog?

A dog can eat cat food and be OK, however, cat food is higher in protein than dog food and can cause dogs digestive problems, so it is not advisable for any length of time.

Is it OK to feed my pet on table scraps?

It's not ideal for puppies or kittens as they need a balanced diet to help them grow, however, an adult dog or cat will be OK for a couple of days as long as you avoid the following foods: salty, spicy or fatty food; bones, raisins; grapes, chocolate, avocados, nuts, and foods sweetened with xylitol.

What about feeding treats?

Treats are not a complete diet and can be high in fat, so feed sparingly. If you need cheap treats for training your pet, use tiny amounts of flavoursome human food, such as small cubes of marmite on toast or tiny amounts of cheese (pea sized or smaller).

Can you help with vet fees?

Blue Cross provides free and reduced cost veterinary treatment for pet owners who receive means-tested benefits and who live in our catchment area. Find out if your pet is eligible for Blue Cross vet help.

I have had to find a new home for my pet because I could no longer afford them and I'm devastated

Being forced to part with a much-loved pet is extremely difficult and very upsetting. We're here to listen if you'd like someone to talk to about how you're feeling. Our Pet Bereavement Support Service is completely free and all our trained listeners have experienced pet loss themselves, so they really do understand. Call or email us, confidentially.

I need to rehome my pet as I can't afford them anymore

Blue Cross rehoming services may be able to help find a new home for your pet if you can no longer afford to care for them. Our teams understand how difficult this decision is to make, and will support you through the process without judgement.

What other help is available for pet owners who are struggling to afford their pets' care?

Alongside Blue Cross, there are several other pet charities that may be able to help owners on low income

If you need help with vet bills, speak to your vet about setting up a payment plan that could help to spread the cost over a longer period.

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If you're struggling to afford to feed your dog, cat or small pet, Blue Cross pet food banks are here to help.

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The pet food bank is to be used when you are in an emergency situation where you have no immediate finances or family support to buy pet food, and without the support of the pet food bank your pets will go without food.

We are for short term support only, not a long term solution.

Am I eligible for pet food support?

** WE NO LONGER USE AN ONLINE FORM **

To get help please call in to the pet food bank and we will try to help you.

Please call 01437 723628 if you have any queries or if a professional wants to make a referral on your behalf.

Pet Food Bank by Cariad Pet Therapy has given us tremendous support for our pets. My wife has mental health issues and without your support she would not be as well as she is, you have helped take the pressure off and I will be forever grateful. Thank you.

​Without the support from the Pet Food Bank by Cariad Pet Therapy I may have had to give up my dogs, which I couldn't imagine, especially as one of them is a rescue dog.

The volunteers bring a great energy and warmth, even just having a chat with the volunteers is great. You can really tell the team love their pets too. At first, I was embarrassed at coming and you are such a good team you are great at mitigating that which is really nice.

Pet Food Bank by Cariad Pet Therapy have been an amazing lifeline to me during an unforeseen financially challenging time.

If I could not look after my dog it would bring me down as it's only me and my dog. Without my dog I wouldn't be here is the truth. My consultant said it's the best thing I have ever done. Being able to give my dog 2 meals a day and especially the treats in wonderful! It really makes me smile.

The pet food you offer is quality. Everyone including the vets have said his coat and the way he looks is amazing. I tell them where his food comes from, and they can't believe it. It makes him happy. He is starting to calm down a bit now and I have worked out exactly which kibble he loves. If he is happy, I am happy.

My pets are getting good, quality food and even nice treats which is a luxury for them, they wouldn't get that without you. I always get such a consistent good service from you too. Without you they would have cheaper food, less food and therefore a worse lifestyle. No treats and less quality of food they would experience. This potentially saves me about £40 a month which is about half of my council tax bill so financially it's such a help.

It really does help me, especially with the cost of living. Just feeding my kids, it makes it impossible to feed my dogs too, my dogs would be suffering and neglected. I can just about cover and the bills but without the Pet Food Bank by Cariad Pet Therapy I would be going without for myself. I could never let them starve so it would be affecting my health that I would be starving and mentally worrying me if I can't cover everything.

This is a wonderful cause, supporting people who are temporarily financially challenged with a much-needed breathing space to keep their pets properly fed whilst sorting out their financial situations.

A huge, massive thank you to the wonderful team of volunteers who ensure our pets are completely unaware of any change in circumstances and continue to live their lives happy and well fed.

Pet Food Bank by Cariad Pet Therapy has really helped me to keep my family together during this difficult time. Our pets are our lifeline, and I really could not imagine having to give them up. Knowing there is help and support for them as well as us has taken away a huge stress.

It's been 2 months now where I hit rock bottom and didn't know which way to turn but considering all I'm very glad that my pets never had to suffer. It wouldn't have been right me eating but not being able to feed my pets, I can't praise this organisation enough. A bad situation can happen to anyone but it's comforting to know that your pets are not left behind.

Thank you for the healthy food you managed to source for our animals. I am so grateful; they are tucking in happily!

Many thanks for the cat food parcel you sent me, when I opened it, I cried.

I cannot believe how much your support has changed people's lives. They tell me each week about how grateful they are and how they would not eat so their dogs/cats can. It was an unseen suffering.

​I am literally in tears here. You don't realise the emotional toll it takes on you until you realise that there is help available. I am so low with it and your offer of help is the best news this year.

Important information - please read​

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Pet Food Bank | Cariad Pet Therapy | Therapy Dogs | Wales | Scotland

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We care about dogs and people | Pet Therapy | Pet Food Bank | Memory Pets | Employment Support | Wales | Scotland | Therapy dogs showing consent to participate and engage | Cariad Pet Therapy | CariadPetTherapy

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So we've decided to open at 10am for anyone who does not want to see the creepy crawlies. If you can't make it between 10 and 1 don't worry each animal is announced before its brought out and there is plenty of space out of sight of the animals.

We have photo backgrounds for dogs and children.

A lucky doggy dip.

A spin the wheel of luck to win prizes!

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A pet foodbank for pets in need based in South Wales. Donations always welcome.

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Benefits of owning a pet/Manteision bod yn berchen ar anifail anwes 

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Benefits of owning a pet/Manteision bod yn berchen ar anifail anwes 

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Pets can brighten up the darkest of days just by looking at you. But did you know that scientific studies have proven that owning a pet can be good for your physical and mental health?

That's right, science says owning a pet is good for us! As long as you've done your research and got the right pet for you, they will bring happiness and joy to your life in more ways than one!

Healthy pets mean healthy people!

There's no motivation quite like someone you love needing you to step up to the challenge! Dogs need walking every day, which means you need to walk as well. When the weather is wet and cold, most of us would prefer to sit in front of the fire with a cup of tea and a good programme on TV. It's all too easy not to bother, but those puppy dog eyes and waggy tails won't let you off the hook - just what you need to kick start a healthy lifestyle!

It's important to research your dog breeds before you make your choice to make sure you find a dog who matches your level of activity. Whether that's a dog with lots of energy and high exercise requirements, or one who is perfectly happy with short walkies. And it's not just walking; running, agility and flyball can all be great activities to help you both stay in shape as well as being a great way to bond with your dog. You can read about these and other hobbies with your dog on our exercise advice pages.

Don't forget your cats either; without playtime, a bored kitten will soon get into mischief. Keeping them entertained and getting you moving around will be beneficial for our own health too!

It's not only the walks and playtime that get you moving. Any animal that we own depends on us to meet their 5 welfare needs including keeping them and their home environment clean and well looked after. The responsibility that comes with owning a pet helps our own physical and mental health and or course a cute, warm companion is a bonus!

Pets and kids

It's not just adults who can benefit from pets - they are really good for children's physical and mental health, too. Owning pets is great for teaching children responsibility; they get the reward of seeing their pets happy and healthy and learn to consider others ahead of themselves. Whether it's playing with a cat, caring for a small pet or coming along on dog walks, pets help to keep kids active and away from screens.

Children often form a deep bond with their pet; the love for their animals and positive experiences with pets creates lasting memories that many adults cherish. Children that have pets in their family often feel socially included; they love being able to discuss their pets with friends, teachers and family. And of course, no matter how their school day or friendships have gone, they've always got their faithful friend at home waiting to comfort or celebrate with them.

Pets are good for our mental health

Our 2021 PAW report found that 87% of owners agree that having a pet makes them mentally healthier.

Pets give us something positive to focus our mind and energy on. The responsibility of caring for a pet can provide a clear, positive focus, even when life may seem bleak.

And of course our pets help us feel less lonely and vulnerable, especially for owners whose pet is their only family and companion. You'll never be lonely again with a cat; they love to wake you in the night when they decide they're bored, or hungry!

Our pets are also great for helping us to meet new people. Walking with a dog can lead to chats with strangers, and talking to a fellow cat lover gives you an easy conversation starter. For the more socially inclined, there are multiple groups to join like training classes and dog walking groups. These all give you the chance to meet like-minded individuals and help to motivate you.

Pets can be more than 'just pets'

Guide Dogs are an established part of society these days and are a crucial lifeline for those who have lost their sight. But not everyone realises that animals can and do support us in so many more ways. Pets all around the world help people with mental and physical health conditions such as hearing loss or epilepsy and so many more. Whether it's alerting their owners to impending seizures, or letting them know when the doorbell rings, these animals bring so much to their owners' lives.

We recognise pets who show bravery and devotion through our PDSA Animal Awards Programme.

Pets are part of the family

Anyone who owns a pet knows that they become part of the family very quickly. One minute they're a playful youngster exploring the world, next they're our constant companions, who you can't imagine life without.

Our pets can be an absolute lifeline for us, they not only provide companionship and add structure to our day. They are comforting, entertaining and loving which helps to reduce our anxiety as we focus on them.

But they can sometimes be a worry to us too. If they become poorly or injured we want to be able to do everything we can to help them. Having pet insurance for those difficult times can be a huge weight off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your pet.

Pets make a difference

At PDSA, we understand the huge impact animals can have on our lives. We are here to help poorly pets whose owners have fallen on hard times, as we understand how important pets are.

Our Animal Awards programme recognises the amazing contribution pets make to our lives.

Watch some incredible stories from around PDSA below to see how much of an impact pets can have on our lives:

The right pet for you

The process of becoming an owner starts from the moment you begin to think about bringing a pet into your life. There are many considerations at this stage; do you have time for a pet, what pet suits your lifestyle, can you afford a dog or cat? Make sure you get the right pet for you by finding out all about their needs; this will help you to make the right choice for you and your loved ones.

The next step is to research where you're going to find the pet of your dreams. Think carefully about what questions you should be asking. Make sure you understand the laws surrounding buying a kitten or puppy, and use resources like The Puppy Contract or Kitten Checklist to help you chose a responsible breeder or rehoming centre and avoid being 'Petfished'. Where your pet comes from has such a huge impact on their start in life and future health, it's important to do everything you can to get it right. Speak to a vet if you're unsure.

Taking on a pet is a very exciting, but big step for anyone. Your research might make you realise that actually owning a pet isn't quite right for you at this time. There are plenty of other options that give you the chance to experience all the benefits of pet companionship without the full responsibility of ownership. Look into the possibilities of fostering for a rehoming organisation, sponsoring a pet or even helping someone else out with their pet for a while.

Pets improve our lives in so many ways, so it's vital that we make sure we are giving them everything that they need to be happy and healthy in their lives with us.

You can also take our quiz for some handy guidance on which pet to get:

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Lots of scientific studies have also shown that owning a pet can be good for you - take a look at the top reasons to get a pet.

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Where to get financial help with pets/Ble i gael cymorth ariannol gydag anifeiliaid anwes

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Where to get financial help with pets/Ble i gael cymorth ariannol gydag anifeiliaid anwes

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The latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2023 found 85% of Welsh pet owners say the cost of owning their pet has increased. Additionally, 34% of Welsh pet owners are making personal cost savings to continue to care for their pet - including reducing energy consumption, cancelling or not going on holidays and, in some cases, going without basic necessities such as food.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many owners are finding it harder than ever to care for their pets. No pet should have to go hungry, and no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. Families should also not have to make the heartbreaking decision to part with their beloved companions or sacrifice vital vet care solely because of financial worry.

Companion Animal Welfare Group Wales have put together this briefing for me to share with my constituents.

The Companion Animal Welfare Group Wales' aim is to improve the welfare of companion animals in Wales. Established in 2018, the group includes Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Cats Protection, PDSA, The Kennel Club, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, as well as two associate members, The Dog Breeding Reform Group and Friends of the Animals Wales. These organisations provide services and support to thousands of companion animals across Wales.

Some member organisations have launched networks of pet food banks. Welcoming everyone, the teams will not ask anyone who visits a pet food bank for proof of need of any kind.

Blue Cross has pet food banks available at the Blue Cross Newport Rehoming, Advice and Behaviour Unit, Cardiff Foodbank, Coed Mawr Community Centre, Pontypridd Foodbank, and Swansea Trussell Trust Food Bank. Dogs Trust has opened a temporary food bank in its Cardiff rehoming centre.

Blue Cross has also partnered with organisations across Wales to provide pet food at food banks across Wales, but owners will need to contact their local food bank to find out about how to get help.

Vulnerable cat owners and those suffering financial hardship can access cat food through Cats Protection's Community Kitty project, which is available at Cats Protection's Bridgend Adoption Centre.

If an owner needs to switch their pet's diet to a cheaper option, they should look for food that is labelled as complete, suitable for their pet's species and life stage, and make any change gradually to avoid upset stomachs. If a pet is on a special diet for medical reasons, owners should always consult with their pet's vet before switching.

Many owners are concerned about their pets' welfare as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Due to pressure on household finances, owners are unable to pay for basic pet welfare needs including behavioural training, pet grooming, or dog walking and care services. Whilst cutting costs, it is important owners ensure they always meet their pets' 5 Welfare Needs: health, behaviour, companionship, diet, and a suitable environment.

There are plenty of ways owners can cut costs whilst maintaining their pets' health and happiness. Simple methods include: pet owners learning to groom at home, putting short bursts of time aside each day and using positive rewards to practice basic training such as recall, maintaining a healthy weight in their pet, and keeping up to date with preventative care to reduce the chances of needing potentially costly veterinary treatment further down the line.

YouGov data commissioned by Dogs Trust in March 2023 found 36% of respondents were concerned the rising cost of living would impact their ability to care for their dogs over the next 12 months. Among Welsh respondents, 61% identified vet bills as their main concern. Should pets become ill or injured, there are many services available to help with the cost of vet care.

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, offers free and low-cost veterinary treatment to the pets of eligible owners at their two Pet Hospitals in Wales, in Swansea and Cardiff. Owners receiving benefits who live within the postcode catchment area of one of their Pet Hospitals should qualify for PDSA help. If owners do not live near a PDSA Pet Hospital but do receive benefits, they may be eligible for the PDSA Pet Care scheme, which provides discounted care at private veterinary practices. More information about how to access this support is available on the PDSA's website.

The Hope Project, run by Dogs Trust, supports dog owners who are either at risk of or experiencing homelessness across the UK. The Hope Project provides free vet care for dog owners and works with homelessness services to support them to become dog-friendly via the Welcoming Dogs endorsement scheme. More information about accessing support from the Hope Project is available here.

Cats Protection recommends people get their cats neutered to prevent unwanted litters and provide certain health benefits. Cats Protection offers a low-cost neutering scheme to eligible owners, which would enable them to get their cat neutered and microchipped for £10.

Owners who are registered at private vet practices should have an open and transparent conversation with the team there to chat through any financial options they may have, including payment plans or support funds.

The cost-of-living crisis is causing incredible stress and anxiety for many people across Wales. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many people having to make the painful decision to consider giving up their pet for rehoming, or even put to sleep.

Blue Cross's Newport rehoming centre currently has between 40 and 50 pets on its waiting list in need of foster or centre space, but both are in short supply. Dogs Trust's centres in Bridgend and Cardiff are similarly stretched, with waiting lists for dogs to be given up.

Blue Cross is currently supplying pet food to many pets on the waiting list until spaces become available, as the owners have often come to Blue Cross for financial reasons.

If an owner has to make the difficult decision to give up their pet, they can find a reputable rehoming organisation through the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes. Dogs Trust also provides advice about the process of giving up a dog and alternative options that may help owners stay together with their pets.

Our members also have advice on the cost-of-living crisis available on their websites:

If you would like any further information, please contact info@cawgw.co.uk.

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The latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2023 found 85% of Welsh pet owners say the cost of owning their pet has increased. Additionally, 34% of Welsh pet owners are making personal cost savin...

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Voices from Care Cymru/ Lleisiau o Ofal Cymru

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Voices from Care Cymru/ Lleisiau o Ofal Cymru

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email/ ebost

info@vfcc.org.uk

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Getting Ready - independent 1-2-1 support for housing transition.

Have you seen our flyers out there anywhere?...

Some official chat....

Getting Ready is a new and exciting project, delivered by Voices from Care Cymru with Children in Wales and supported by funding through the Welsh Government 'Suitable Provision and Support Innovation Fund - Homelessness Prevention Grant' 2019-20.

One of the funds aims is to increase the housing support available to vulnerable young people who are transitioning from local authority care
Aims and Purpose
The Getting Ready project will complement the current Welsh Government "When I'm Ready" scheme, providing a more intensive intervention which seeks to echo the support and guidance that non-looked after young people receive within a family setting. This will seek to address some of the inequalities faced by the care-experienced population when transitioning from care.

Our overall aims are:

To provide support for young people to safely transition from care (including considerations around delaying leaving care and reducing the risk of homelessness and housing instability)

To facilitate wraparound community support, which is more sustainable in the long-term and does not rely on future funding to deliver positive results

To empower young people by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care

To build the capacity of young people to advocate for change

To build resilience and mechanisms which keep young people safe from homelessness and related risk, enhancing their overall wellbeing

To contribute to the fund's aim of preventing homelessness and achieving housing stability amongst care leavers

To involve young people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the project

The purpose of this funding is to deliver the Getting Ready project in 3 local authority areas in Wales - Ynys Mon, Carmarthenshire and Rhondda Cynon Taff to young people leaving care.

The project will provide a three-tiered support model for those young people transitioning from care; individual support, peer support, community support. This will include

Facilitating wrap-around community support

Enhancing young people's knowledge on their rights and entitlements when planning to leave care, including enhancing their financial capabilities.

Providing support and training to enable them to live independently

Establish employment and education circumstances and collaboratively develop a plan to ensure work, training and/or education is not disrupted by their transition from care.

Our partnership
Voices from Care Cymru (lead) employ a Getting Ready Project Coordinator and 3 Getting Ready Project Workers to ensure each young person has an allocated designated worker who will work with them, review their progress on a monthly basis and will work with their social worker to provide consistent additional support and advice.

Children in Wales (partner) employ a Development Officer (Getting Ready Project) who will develop a suite of resources with young people and professionals, and deliver these resources to young people engaged through the Project.

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Have you seen our flyers out there anywhere?... Some official chat.... Getting Ready is a new and exciting project, delivered by Voices from Care Cymru with Children in Wales and supported by funding through the Welsh Government 'Suitable Provision and Support Innovation Fund - Homelessness Prevention Grant' 2019-20.

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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Just like us, as cats get older, they, unfortunately, become more susceptible to illness and even injuries. Older pets may also understandably require more aftercare and time to recover from an accident too.

As a proud pet owner, we understand you want your cat to get the best possible care should they develop a medical condition or have an accident. With older cat insurance from Perfect Pet we can help to cover costly vet bills in an emergency. This can help to at least take care of the financial burden, giving you one less thing to worry about as your cat recovers.

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Older Cat Insurance - Perfect Pet Insurance

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Protect your cat as they enter their senior years and when they need it most with pet insurance for older cats. Compare cat insurance plans.

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COVID-19 UPDATE

All our adoptions are now done online to begin with, application form and home check video or whats app call will be completed first. If all is ok then we will invite you in to meet the chosen cat or cats we feel would be a good match.

Depending on what stage they are with neutering, vaccinations, chips etc, then they may be ready to come home with you

the same day.

We are no longer open for drop ins other

than for donations to be dropped by the cattery door. Sorry for the dissapointment.

Our aim is to rescue unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens, domestic and feral, and where possible find them suitable forever homes. We also encourage responsible cat ownership including spaying/neutering and vaccinating.

Tŷ-Nant was established in June 1990. We are a small, independent, not-for-profit organisation, based in Cymmer, Port Talbot.

We are run completely by volunteers and funded solely by public donations.

We were established in response to the problem of unwanted, stray and abandoned cats within the area. Since then hundreds of cats and kittens have passed through our care. Most have been successfully re-homed but others due to their temperament or illness have stayed at Tŷ-Nant.

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Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary is a not for profit organisation that helps cats find loving homes, and cares for cats whilst we find them their forever homes. We rely only on fostering, sponsorships, donations and volunteers to keep our cats safe, fed, clean, healthy and loved.

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Adopt a Cat

Are you looking for a new addition to your family? You've come to the right place!

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We usually have around 60 cats and kittens at the rescue or with our dedicated foster care team who are waiting for loving new families to come and adopt them.

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To adopt from us, you will need to have a home check, carried out by one of our volunteer home checkers. It's very quick and simple and nothing at all to worry about. During the home check, we will ask you some questions about your home and lifestyle so that we can match you with the perfect feline. It is also the perfect time for you to ask any questions.

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Our adoption fee for a cat or kitten is £70. This fee covers any cat over 5 1/2 months old to be neutered, chipped, vet checked, have flea and worm treatment and includes 5 weeks free insurance (it does not cover vaccinations). We do not make any money from the donation fee, it is used for the day to day running of the rescue, including food bills and our biggest expense, the ongoing veterinary bills for the cats and kittens in our care waiting for their homes.

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Visits to ARC are by appointment only.

If you have any questions, or would like to arrange for a home check please get in touch

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ARC - Anna's Rescue Centre | Adopt a Cat | Cat Rescue. Cardiff, Wales

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ARC - Anna's Rescue Centre is a cat rescue based in Cardiff, South Wales. Are you looking to adopt a new furry addition to your family? Look no further!

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Mid Glamorgan

If you are thinking about getting a new doggy addition for your family you have come to the right place!

About the Bridgend (Wales) centre

Welcome to Dogs Trust Bridgend! We're a happy, friendly team and would love you to come and visit us at the centre to see our fantastic facilities and all the waggy tails of our doggy guests.

We have 40 kennels, and can care for around 80 dogs at any time. We have two large enclosed fields, where the dogs can burn some energy and play with some friends during an off-lead run, a training barn, two exercise areas filled with fun areas to explore, and on site vet suite.
In 2023 we helped 312 dogs find loving homes!
Support our centre

We rely on your kind support to continue our vital work, please donate today.

If you are interested in donating In Memory, have questions about our Canine Care Card service, leaving a Legacy or if you would like to book a guest speaker for your Community Group, then please get in touch with your local Bridgend Supporter Relations Officer or call on 016 5672 8923.

Adoption process

Find out more about rehoming a dog from us and how we decide what makes a great match. How to adopt a dog from us. Alternatively, you can pop into our centre and our staff can answer any of your queries.

Want to treat us?

Choose an item from our Amazon Wish List and it will come straight to us!

Donate pre-loved items

Donate your pre-loved items via our contact-free drop off points.

Suggested articles

Should I get a dog? 10 questions to ask yourself

Are you thinking of getting a dog? Ask yourself these questions first to make sure you are really ready for one.

Top 10 benefits of adopting from us

Adopting a dog from Dogs Trust is incredibly rewarding and it gives a dog a second chance at happily ever after.

Volunteering opportunites

Looking for the perfect volunteer opportunity? We've got you covered - from hands on dog walkers to shop assistants and so much more!

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Dog Rescue, Rehoming & Adoption Bridgend (Wales) | Dogs Trust

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Contact details and opening hours for the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in Bridgend (Wales). Come and say hello!

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Fantastic! You are considering cat adoption and need more information before making a life-long decision. We have many cats and kittens, so if you are looking for the perfect kitten adoption option, or are interested in more mature cats, you've come to the right place!

After you've inquired about a cat, we will get back to you with what happens next. We'll ask some questions about you and your home to make the purrfect match, and answer any questions you may have.

Adults

Tortie, Tabby and any Colour Kittens including White

Pure Black and Black & White Kittens

Junior (8 to 18 months old)

Feral (Homed to farms)

The adoption fees help to contribute to the costs of neutering, flea and worm treatments, food and fostering.

Not all cats are solitary animals. Some can form incredibly strong bonds and become dependent on each other. These are known as bonded pairs, and we believe it's vital that they are adopted together to ensure both animals' happiness. The price for a bonded pair depends on the age of the cats.

Blacky

Blacky is a 10yr old male, fed by an elderly lady who sadly died.

Blacky wasn't her cat, he was a stray, but she fed him anyway.

He is another cat with Cat Flu we are unable to clear.

He lives quite happily in the cattery.

Fitzi

Fitzi came to us in December 2022 from a vet practice in the Wirral. Someone brought her in as a stray. She is chipped but unregistered, so we don't know if she's spayed. The vet guessed she was about 18months old.

She has epilepsy and will fit unless she has her medication twice daily. Fitzi is a very grumpy lady cat and won't let you pick her up to give her, her meds, she will however take it in her food.

She is now in a permanent foster home with another cat we can't home called Skye.

She doesn't really like human attention and is quite happy to be left alone. She will however let you stroke her head once she's got to trust you.

She hobbles from broken paw, it's an old injury which we think probably happened while she was fitting. It has healed and too late to do anything about.

Skye

Skye is 4 years old and was picked up by a seagull when she was a 4-week-old kitten. The seagull took her up to the sky and dropped her leaving her with Feline Hysteria. If she doesn't have her medication, she chases her tail round in circles.

Skye is a loving friendly cat who is happy in her foster home along with Fitzi.

Both cats have their meds in food as unable to take orally. Skye did at first then, when she realised what you were doing, she put her claws out so, in her food it goes.

Clever girls they are!

Tammy

Tammys' owner went into a nursing home therefore no longer able to care for her.

When she came to us, we weren't aware that she had Hyperthyroid. She has been very poorly and wasn't expected to pull through but with regular vet trips and daily medication she did.

Tammy came to us in May 2022 and is now with a permanent fosterer in a happy home.

Tammy is a lovely cat who loves human affection.

Umbreon

Umbreon has severe cat flu which we are unable to treat.

RSPCA Birmingham were going to put him to sleep as he wasn't responding to medication.

We took him in, and he seems happy enough in the cattery.

This is another example of a feral cat who has learned to love humans.

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Fantastic! You are considering cat adoption and need more information before making a life-long decision. We have many cats and kittens, so if you are looking for the perfect kitten adoption option, or are interested in more mature cats, you've come to the right place!

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Ariel's journey embodies the heart of Greenacres

Found as a six-legged puppy abandoned in a supermarket car park, she has since become an international media sensation. After numerous vet visits, surgeries, and careful rehabilitation, she found an incredible forever home and is now thriving, living her best life. Ariel's story is a testament to the love and dedication that define Greenacres.

Donate Amazon Wishlist

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Pembrokeshire's Animal Rescue | Greenacres Rescue

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Discover Greenacres Animal Rescue, the heart of Pembrokeshire's effort to care for and rehome pets in need. Join our compassionate community.

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We have many beautiful cats in need of happy new homes and you can find out how to adopt a cat on this page.

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We've put together some guidance from our most common queries. If you have a question and can't find the answer here, please don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

We do not turn away potential families for a lack of outside space. We have a number of cats who don't go outside for various reasons - some medical, some have no road sense, and some have just never shown the interest - all of which would be perfectly happy enjoying a long sunbathe on a comfy sofa instead.

Most of our felines are lovers of the great outdoors, and so we don't place these as indoor cats. You can see if a cat is suitable for indoor life on their profile.

We will not re-home kittens as indoor only. It's impossible to tell how a cat's nature will change which means it's unfair to home a potentially outdoor loving puss without room to roam. Unfortunately, this can lead to stress, behavioural issues and an unhappy family.

You don't need to have a cat flap to adopt from Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue. We will take this into consideration, as well as other factors, when matching you with potential cats for your family.

For example, an active cat who likes to wander will be just as happy in home a where there's someone nearby to open a window or door!

We generally don't rule out any family due to work/time commitments. Unlike other pets, a lot of cats are happy to sleep the day away on a warm windowsill and perk up just in time for you to deliver dinner.

We work with our families to find the right cat for them. Some of our cats have special requirements, and some are just divas who like a lot of attention, most can fit into full-time work and school life nicely.

Our young kittens are slightly different. They need company, either human or feline, to become normal, well-socialised adults. For this reason, we don't allow adoptions of single kittens under 14-16 weeks, but still won't rule you out if you are away for long hours.

We would recommend that when adopting kittens into your home, it's best to have a little time off to help them settle in to your family life.

We are more than happy to allow adoptions from families with children, however it will affect which cats are suitable.

Most of our cats have experienced some trauma and all will be stressed to some extent as they've recently lost their homes through no fault of their own. This means that most of our cats need a lot of patience to really come out of their shells, and become the loving cats we know they are.

Each of our cats will say on its profile whether or not it is suitable for life with children. They have been assessed by our knowledgable volunteer rescuers and fosterers, and we do not make exceptions to this rule. No matter how well behaved a child is, we can't guarantee the same from a stressed-out puss.

Unfortunately we've had too many adopted cats returned to us over the years for this reason.

Living near a busy road is the biggest danger to pet cats, and so it's one of the biggest considerations we need to make when assessing our adoptive families.

We don't rule anyone out just on location, but need to make sure the needs of the cat are met. A mid-terrace on a main road could be a cat disaster out the front, however they often make lovely housed-in runs of gardens out the back which are cat heaven! Indoor cats are also an option if it's not possible for the cat to go outside safely.

Unfortunately, there are some instances where we cannot allow adoptions due to the danger of a busy road. One of the trickiest environments are where front doors open directly onto a pavement.

Cats can become incredibly stressed with no shelter or protection from the road, which can lead to running erratically into traffic.

Our adoption fees go towards covering our ever-growing vet bill. From neutering and spaying, chips and vaccinations through to the complex needs of some of our older or most neglected cats.

It also goes towards the cost of fostering up to one hundred animals at a time, and that's a lot of litter! The 2024 minimum adoption fee is £100 per neutered and £80 per un-neutered cat.

We're very grateful for anything given above and beyond this amount. We'd love all of our adoptees and supporters to consider a small, monthly donation - this allows us to plan for the future and help more cats in need.

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Adopting a Cat from Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue

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West Wales Poundies is a registered charity dog rescue based in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

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North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR) is a registered charity founded in 1978 by Anne Owen. From one thin little Lurcher, we now care for over 1800 domestic pets a year. We have grown to meet these new demands and with the current economic situation these services are vital for the wider community.

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Welcome to Cardiff Dogs Home/ Croeso i Cartref Cŵn Caerdydd

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Welcome to Cardiff Dogs Home/ Croeso i Cartref Cŵn Caerdydd

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Sorry This website is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.

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Common cat breeds to own/Bridiau cath gyffredin i fod yn berchen arnynt

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Common cat breeds to own/Bridiau cath gyffredin i fod yn berchen arnynt

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Most Popular Cat Breeds in the UK

Here in the UK, we've always been a nation of pet lovers and data suggests that love has only grown over the Covid pandemic. According to the PDSA's Animal Wellbeing Report 2021, 26% of the UK population have a cat, that's 10.9million cats! Since the initial lockdown in 2020, the number of insured cats has increased almost 14%.

According to Cats Protection Annual CATS report in 2020, 70% of the 10,000 people surveyed said their cats are moggies - the affectionate term for a cat of non-pedigree, mixed or unknown heritage - whereas 24% said their cats were pedigree.

At British Pet Insurance we're very excited to announce we'll soon be adding cat and dog insurance to our offering and if you're thinking of opening your home to a feline friend, here's a rundown of some of the more popular cat breeds in the UK.

A tabby isn't actually a breed of cat but rather a description of a cat's markings. We've kicked off our list with it because it's such a common response when people are asked what breed their cat is. In fact, there are plenty of registered pedigree cats that are 'tabbies' because of their beautiful markings. Did you know you can line 100 tabby cats next to each other and see 100 completely unique patterns and although they'll usually all share the classic 'M' marking on their foreheads, all tabby patterns fall into one of five basic classes:

Classic - whilst the colours of the classic tabby can range from silvery greys to rich oranges, the classic tabby pattern will have whorls which form almost circle like patterns usually most prominent on their sides.

Mackerel - these tabbies will have darker bands around their tails and legs and stripes on the rest of their body.

Spotted - as the name suggests, spotted tabbies will have more spots than stripes across their coat, they'll usually still form bands, but the darker fur will be broken up more by the lighter colours.

Patched - a patched tabby is sometimes referred to as a tortoiseshell because they'll have more patches of lighter fur, usually red or orange, running throughout their coat.

Ticked - the ticked tabby has the clearest coat of the tabby collection, usually with just a few stripes on their tails or legs but they'll usually have the characteristic 'M' on their foreheads.

According to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the largest organisation that registers pedigree cats in the UK, the British Shorthair is the most popular pedigree cat breed in the UK. Over a quarter of all kittens registered with the GCCF are British Shorthairs and they go on to describe their temperaments as a patient breed that will go onto form strong bonds with their human companions.

When well cared for, this intelligent breed has an average life expectancy of 14+ years. Although they're not especially prone to many specific health conditions, their slow metabolism means they can be prone to putting on weight. Whilst this friendly breed loves a cuddle, they're not always picky about where to find new friends so make sure they're microchipped, and your neighbours know not to feed them!

The Bengal cat has only been in the UK for around 20 years but in that time their popularity has skyrocketed. This stunning breed has a beautifully clear spotted or marbled coat that makes it easy to see their relation to their wild cat cousins. Whilst they might look like miniature wild cats, their personality is incredibly playful and confident which makes them ideal family pets. They're even one of the few breeds of domestic cats to enjoy playing with water.

They have an average life expectancy of 12+ years and although they're not overly susceptible to any specific health conditions compared to any other cat, their rising popularity means any potential new owners should ensure they're only buying from a responsible breeder.

Anyone who's watched the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp will have an instant image of a Siamese cat, but they're not as aloof as the movie would have you believe. their lithe, athletic bodies and distinctive blue eyes make them stunning to look at. This breed is intelligent, vocal and very sociable which means they're not the best breed if you're looking for a cat that's going to be left alone for long periods.

This is an established breed of cat that has been around for hundreds of years and careful breeding has seen health conditions like eye squints and tail kinks almost eradicated in the UK. However, the Siamese cat can be more prone to illnesses like mediastinal lymphoma, intestinal tumours, and cat asthma than other breeds of cat.

As far as domestic cats go in the UK, the Maine Coon is a large cat with some males easily reaching 20lb. Combined with their incredibly thick coat, they're certainly not a breed you can easily miss. Whilst they're considered an intelligent breed and independent, they're very sociable creatures who don't like being left alone for long periods. The Maine Coon is also a very chatty cat, they tend to chirp and they almost sound like they're having a conversation with you.

This breed can easily live for 15 years when well cared for and their coats do require a lot of work. You'll need to make sure you've got time to give their coat a proper brush every week and if they're an outside cat, they'll need daily checks especially in the summer to make sure they haven't got grass seeds stuck in their coats.

According to the GCCF, the Persian Cat is the most popular pedigree cat in the US and the sixth most popular in the UK. With their shorter legs, square bodies and thick tails they look smaller than many other pet cats, but they have a huge personalities. They're gentle and very easy going and although they'll always be happy to be the recipient of your attention, they don't get as anxious when left alone as some cat breeds do.

A well-cared for Persian cat can live 15 years or more and as they're less likely to go roaming compared to some cats, they can be less likely to wander off or get hurt. Their brachycephalic face means they can be predisposed to some health and breathing problems. It's important you ask your breeder to show you a PKD certificate of your potential new cat's parents to prove they've been screened for the gene that can lead to kidney failure.

The Ragdoll got its name because they can relax to the point of going limp when they're held. One of their most distinctive characteristics are their beautiful blue eyes and whilst they look a little bit like a Siamese, they have much longer fur. These highly affectionate cats are very family oriented; they'll lap up any attention on offer and will quite frequently follow their owners around the house like an inquisitive puppy.

Ragdolls can be predisposed to heart failure at a young age. There is a test to let you know if your cat has the gene which can lead to this, and responsible breeders have been working hard to make sure this defective gene is bred out of the gene pool.

The Russian Blue is one of the most regal cats on the list and their dense blue fur almost looks like glistening silver as they move. You can also get a Russian Black and a Russian White with all colours containing the same highly intelligent characteristics. Once a Russian Blue has deemed you worthy of their affection, they'll be incredibly loyal and affectionate. They're great family pets because although they are friendly and playful, they're equally content with their own company.

A well cared for Russian Blue will live into their late teens and as a breed, are considered very healthy and not predisposed to many health conditions. Their short, dense coat is easy to take care of and most Russian Blue's will enjoy a nice soft brush groom when needed.

The Scottish Fold is not officially recognised as a pedigree cat breed by the GCCF and the British Veterinary Association has warned breeding of Scottish Fold cats should stop because of health fears. Unfortunately, popularity has increased for this breed following social media posts from celebrity owners, but their folded ears come from a genetic condition that can cause them to have short and painful lives.

Whilst some breeders claim cross-breeding the Scottish Fold with other breeds reduces the likelihood of health problems, the British Veterinary Association maintain "All cats with this folded ear appearance will have the genetic mutation. The rate at which they get the disease, and the severity of the disease can be different but they will all to some degree have an incurable, painful and lifelong disease"

Despite being one of the top 10 most popular cat breeds in the UK, the Savannah cat is not recognised as a pedigree breed by the GCCF. The Savannah is a hybrid breed originating in a mix of the domestic Siamese and the wild Serval cat which is a medium build wild African cat. These days a Savannah can have either an original wild cat parent or two pure Savannah parents. They'll usually have very large ears and a clear spotted coat and easily grow to 25lb.

They are very friendly once they've decided you're worthy of their trust but they're certainly not the most easy going pet with temperaments more akin to a dog than cat. They love to play, most love water and will think nothing of jumping into your bath with you and they like to keep active. As they're a relatively new breed, it's not yet known how predisposed they'll be to illnesses.

The Sphynx cat is perhaps one of the most recognisable breeds in the UK due to their lack of hair. This distinctive appearance makes them a bit of a marmite cat, most people either love them or hate them but they definitely shouldn't be judged on their appearance alone. The Sphynx is one of the most affectionate and friendly cats you can meet, and most will never meet a lap they don't like, or shoulder or leg or any other part of their human they can perch on. As a result, they're not the most ideal pet if they're going to be left alone for long periods of time but they do suit an active family very well.

It's a common misconception that just because they have little hair, they're hypoallergenic, they are not! They still produce dander from skin and saliva proteins. Whilst they don't have the benefit of a thick fur coat to keep themselves warm, most Sphynx's will find somewhere warm to cuddle up when it gets too cold but a made to measure coat wouldn't go amiss.

These are just some of the more popular breeds of cats in the UK, there are many more. If you're thinking of opening your home to a new set of paws and want some extra advice, we're always happy to help.

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UK's Most Popular Cat Breeds - British Pet Insurance

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What are the top 10 UK's most popular cat breeds in the UK? Find out here.

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Don't feed dogs theses foods/Peidiwch â bwydo bwydydd hyn cŵn

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Don't feed dogs theses foods/Peidiwch â bwydo bwydydd hyn cŵn

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Don't give me theses foods/Peidiwch â rhoi'r bwydydd hyn i mi

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Don't give me theses foods/Peidiwch â rhoi'r bwydydd hyn i mi

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When it comes to your cat, you want to make sure they have the best kind of cat food for their nutritional needs. From time to time, you may be tempted to give them table scraps and special treats, but bear in mind that certain foods can be poisonous to cats.

Here's a look at some of the most toxic foods for cats.

Onions and Garlic

Onions, garlic, shallots, and spring onions can cause damage to your cat's red blood cells and lead to anaemia. These foods are typically poisonous when eaten in large quantities, but exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as onion soup mix or garlic powder, can also be toxic.

Cats with symptoms of lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, pale gums, and orange to dark red urine should be taken to the vet immediately.

Raw Eggs, Raw Meat & Bones

Just like humans, consumption of raw eggs or raw meat can lead to salmonella or E. coli poisoning in cats. Symptoms of the illness vary, but can include vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy. Raw eggs also contain an enzyme that can lead to skin and coat problems.

Salmonella and E. coli can also be transmitted to humans, so be careful to properly wash your hands after cooking and keep your cat away from these raw foods.

Keep your cat from eating raw bones as well, as she could choke on them, injure their digestive tract, or damage their teeth.

Chocolate and Caffeinated Drinks

We've all heard that chocolate can be fatal to dogs, but it's just as poisonous for cats as well. Chocolate contains substances called methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, and seizures. Methylxanthines are also found in caffeinated beverages and should be avoided. See your vet if your cat experiences any of these symptoms. As a general rule of thumb, darker chocolates are more dangerous than milk and white chocolate.

Alcohol and Raw Dough

Alcoholic beverages and foods that contain alcohol can be dangerous for your cat. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, disorientation, trouble breathing, coma, and even death. It's also important to keep your cat away from raw dough, as it can expand or create alcohol in the stomach. If you think your cat has ingested even a small amount of alcohol, take them to the vet immediately.

Milk and Dairy Products

Even though your cat may enjoy drinking milk, it isn't necessarily good for them. Cats have trouble digesting the lactose in milk, which can cause an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Most cats are only exposed to lactose from their mother's milk when they are kittens. Because kittens only drink from their mother's milk for a few weeks, their digestive systems are often not equipped to handle a reintroduction to lactose. So, while some cats have no trouble tolerating milk, they are not recommended to drink anything but their mother's milk while kittens, due to the possibility of digestive issues.

Grapes and Raisins

It isn't clear why, but even a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause your cat to become seriously ill and even experience kidney failure.

Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs, happening within 12 hours of ingestion. Other signs that can show up within 24 hours include lethargy, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, decreased urination and abdominal pain.

Although some cats show no ill effects, it's best not to give your cat any grapes and to keep grapes and raisins off worktops, tables and other places accessible to your cat. If you suspect your cat has eaten grapes or raisins, contact your vet immediately.

Dog Food

Dog food is not toxic to cats, but it's not suitable for feeding to your cat long-term. The Animal Trust explains that dogs and cats have very different nutritional needs, with cats requiring more protein and amino acids like taurine and arginine. They won't get enough of these essential ingredients from dog food, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and health problems over time.

Preventing Cats from Eating Dangerous Foods

Your cat's life and wellbeing depend on the type of food they eats. By keeping poisonous and hazardous foods out of their reach, as well as making sure they consume a balanced diet, you are helping them stay healthy.

Here are some easy tips for preventing your cat from eating dangerous and toxic foods:

Store foods out of your cat's reach. Installing cat-proof locks on cabinets may be necessary for a curious kitty.

Do not let your cat on the worktop while you're cooking or eating

Do not feed them table scraps.
It is especially important to be more mindful during the holidays. There is likely more enticing "people food" around, much of which can upset your cat's tummy or even harm them.

If you notice or suspect that your cat has eaten one of these foods, take them to your veterinarian immediately. While some of these foods may only cause your cat slight discomfort, others can be far more hazardous to their health. If in doubt, ask your vet for guidance.

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5 Dangerous & Poisonous Foods To Avoid Giving Your Cat | Hill's Pet

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You might be concerned about foods that your cat eats are poisonous. Learn about the common foods that cats can't eat as they are harmful

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Foods that are bad for dogs/Bwydydd sy'n ddrwg i gŵn

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Foods that are bad for dogs/Bwydydd sy'n ddrwg i gŵn

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There are a wide range of foods that are safe for humans but dangerous to dogs. We’ve pulled out a few to let you know when you need to be careful with your dog’s diet!

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Signs of heatstroke in dogs/Arwyddion trawiad gwres mewn cŵn

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Signs of heatstroke in dogs/Arwyddion trawiad gwres mewn cŵn

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Exotic Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes Egsotig

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Exotic Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes Egsotig

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What Does Exotic Pet Coverage Include?

Following some of the expenses that your Exotic Pet insurance plans can cover

Vet Treatment

The most common reason why most pet owners reach out to exotic pet policies is that the expenses of vets are quite high. Most pet owners in the UK cannot afford such high rates; therefore, they need to look for other alternatives.

Having exotic pet insurance provides you with sufficient financial coverage to take your special pet to their designated vet any time you want. You only have to pay a small amount as premium payment, while the insurance providers take care of everything else.

Death by Accident costs

Accidents, damage, and injuries are common expenses for exotic pets. It is because these pets usually have a mind of their own and can wander off into danger. This can also lead to health damage, death, or other kinds of compromises.

Exotic pet insurance provides complete coverage for these kinds of accidental damages in case your pets suffer a serious injury.

Public Liability

Pet can become rampant and damage other people or their properties. This could result in a lawsuit that can cost you thousands of pounds on average. The exotic pet insurance coverage provides these pet owners with necessary pet coverage while keeping their situation in mind.

Theft

Exotic pets have a good market value, which is why they are usually at a higher risk of being stolen or straying away. The exotic pet insurance coverage plans provide complete financial assistance in case of theft, robbery, or if your pet goes missing.

It may also provide you with advertisement costs to find your pet. Some of the insurance policies provide for pet replacement costs in case you are unable to find your exotic pet.

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Exotic Insurance | Insurance Cover for Exotics Pets UK

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We've got your exotic pet covered - reptiles, birds, tortoises, and small mammals, with a range of policy options to suit.

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Exotic Direct are the UK's no. 1 exotic pet insurance provider with thousands of pet owners choosing to insure their pet with us every year.

Pet ownership is an incredibly exciting journey and can be very rewarding. Owning a pet comes with a number of responsibilities and decisions to make, from your pets diet to the correct set up.

Ensuring you get these options right is crucial to your pets health.

As part of this, you'll probably want to ensure you're registered at a vet so that your pet receives the care they need if they become unwell.

When your pet is ill, it can mean vet bills quickly add up. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of this, taking the financial pressure off you.

How much does it cost to insure a tortoise?

Our highest level of cover Premier costs £143.52 a year or 10 instalments of around £14.35. It offers up to £2,500 of cover for vet fees, death and theft.

Next step down, our Essential policy costs £126.72 a year or 10 instalments of approximately £12.67. It covers up to £2,500 of vet fees.

Our cheapest level of cover costs £42.87 a year or can be spread over 10 instalments of around £4.28. Our Basic policy covers death and theft only and does not include vet fees.

The price for the Premier and Basic policy is based on a Horsfield tortoise costing around £136.29. All prices were correct in May 2022.

At what age can I insure my tortoise?

For younger tortoises, cover can begin from 12 weeks. The upper age limit for a new policy is 50 years old.

But if you insure your tortoise before it's 50, then cover can continue beyond, with no age restriction. This means that once you have cover, your tortoise can live to 60, 70 or even older, and still remain insured.

Can you insure tortoises that have recently been unwell?

We're unable to insure your tortoise if they've seen a vet for an accident or illness in the previous 3 months.

Once your pet has been 3 months treatment free, we can cover them as long as they're fit and healthy. Any pre-existing conditions won't be covered in the first 12 months. Cover is subject to Policy Terms and Conditions.

Caring for your tortoise

As a tortoise owner, you'll know how important it is to provide the right food and environment for your tortoise. We have information on the correct diet for your tortoise, and suggestions on growing food at home. For example, dandelions are packed with nutrients and can be easily grown.

The correct environment, such as enclosure, hide, UV and heating, are all important, with heating and UV helping to stimulate your tortoise's appetite.

Tortoise care isn't just about the right setup though. Healthcare is equally as important and visiting a vet when your pet is ill is vital.

Conditions such as a respiratory infection often characterised by a runny nose, can quickly deteriorate, with a poor prognosis if not treated early.

Why buy tortoise insurance?

Tortoise insurance offers financial protection against those unexpected bills, should your tortoise become ill, or be injured. This can reduce the emotional strain felt from cost dependent choices. Leaving you to focus on getting the right care for your tortoise.

Exotic Direct policies are naturally subject to Terms and Conditions which you should read carefully when you buy your policy.

Why choose ExoticDirect?

We've won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service award 2019. And our customers have awarded us 4.4/5 stars on Feefo for customer experience. Check out our customer reviews on Feefo

Only insurance provider to offer new cover for tortoises up to 50 years of age

Only insurance provider to cover multiple tortoises on a policy

Specialist exotic pet insurance providers since 1996

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Exotic Direct are the UK's no. 1 exotic pet insurance provider with thousands of pet owners choosing to insure their pet with us every year.

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Different types of filters/Gwahanol fathau o hidlwyr

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Different types of filters/Gwahanol fathau o hidlwyr

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BRStv - Saltwater Aquariums & Reef Tanks

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What are the 3 types of Aquarium Filtration?

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How to Clean Your Aquarium Filter - Need to Know

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Choosing an aquarium

It's important to make sure you set up the tank for the type of fish you want to keep. See these specific care sheets from OATA for information on particular fish types.

Size

Bigger is better - always aim to provide more than the minimum required. Also bear in mind the eventual size of fish you want to get. Some fish grow very large and are unsuitable as pets. These include catfish such as the red tail, shovelnose and pangasius, plus the giant gourami and pacu. Always research the adult size of any fish you're intending to buy.

Position

Position your aquarium away from heat sources such as direct sunlight.

Filters

Filtration is vital for removing waste from the tank. It takes time for beneficial bacteria to grow on the filter sponge which are essential in breaking down fish waste. Read more about biological filtration and water quality in our freshwater fish care sheet (PDF 556KB).

Temperature

Goldfish will need to be kept within 10-21°C. Most other fish need a tank heater with a thermostat set to the correct temperature for the species. Find out about the temperature needs of different fish types by visiting the OATA website.

Lighting

Artificial lighting is recommended during the day so the fish have a steady light cycle, as they would experience in the wild.

Working out tank volume:

In order to work out the volume of a tank before buying it, you can use this simple technique:
width (cm) x depth (cm) x height (cm) / 1000
For example, a tank measuring 60cm wide by 30cm tall by 30 cm deep has a volume of 54 litres.

Unsuitable aquaria

Goldfish bowls and fashion tanks

'Decorative' tanks, which include goldfish bowls, jars or children's tanks are designed as ornaments without any consideration for animal welfare.

The small size is inadequate (fancy goldfish require at least 60 litres of water each) and small volumes don't allow for a stable environment.

There isn't enough space for an efficient filter, so waste products can't be removed.

The low surface area means that not enough oxygen will be absorbed into the water.

Temperature levels can alter rapidly which can cause stress and even death.

Ponds:

We discourage the release of fish into outdoor ponds due to the damage they can cause to wildlife through predation and disease spread.

Sourcing fish

Picking healthy fish

Before selecting fish in a shop, consider the following:

Tanks should be clean and well maintained, without any dead fish.

Tanks should not have cloudy water.

Fish should be swimming effortlessly.

Watch out for split fins, white spot disease, open sores or underweight fish (concave bellies).

For more details on fish health, see our fish health and welfare page.

When to get your fish

We recommend using 'fishless cycling' when setting up a new tank. Only add fish once your aquarium has been set up and running for at least two weeks. You can read more about this in fish care sheet (PDF 556KB).

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It's important to make sure you set up the tank for the type of fish you want to keep. See these specific care sheets from OATA for information on particular fish types. Bigger is better - always aim to provide more than the minimum required.

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Top 10 Aquarium Fish For Beginners! Your First Aquarium!

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How to Set Up a Fish Aquarium at Home - Beginners Guide

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Are you thinking of dipping your toes into the water and start keeping fish as pets? They may not cuddle up to you on the sofa or accompany you on walks, but fish are truly fascinating creatures.

Fish are more interactive than you might first think. They are entertaining to watch as they navigate their way around a tank, weaving in and out of rocks and plants. They will also rush to greet you at feeding time, coming to the surface for the tasty treats that you drop in.

If you are looking for a pet to satisfy a child's request, then fish are the perfect solution. They are not only easy to keep, but will teach children about being responsible for an animal's life. From remembering to feed them to cleaning the tank, they will learn the importance of caring for something in order to keep it alive. It may also be an opportunity to ease your child into the subject of death and loss, when the inevitable happens and they discover a fish floating on the surface.

So what do you need to think about ahead of getting your first fish?

Most fish may be small in size, but they still need plenty of room to swim, especially if you have decided to get more than one. Whether you're starting with a single goldfish or a few, browse our wide range of The bigger the tank or aquarium the better. fish tanks for their new home.

Think about where you place your tank. Keep it out of direct sunlight, away from windows and heating. The last thing you want is for the water in the tank to heat up out of your control.

Invest in a decent filter. This will keep the water in the tank cleaner for longer, removing any debris, pollutants and waste.

This will keep the water in the tank oxygenated and keep it moving which is great for your fish. Pumps come in different sizes depending on the amount of litres your tank can hold. Our range of Add an air pump. air pumps can provide a healthier underwater environment for your fish. .

Fish may need heat and light. Depending on the breed of fish, heating could be crucial. If your fish are tropical there will be certain temperatures that you to need to ensure the water is kept to. Goldfish and cold water fish are an exception and will require no heat. Lighting will help any plant life in the tank to grow and will also show off the colours of your fish for you to enjoy.

Add some gravel to the tank. Some bacteria is beneficial to fish and the gravel gives it somewhere to live. It will also help to break down any waste that your fish creates, as well as adding an attractive look to their surroundings.

great mix of Include some plants and greenery. Using different varieties of plant life will give your fish somewhere to hide and play, helping them to feel safe. Real plants will help to maintain the nutrients in the tank, but artificial plants will work just as well for giving your fish somewhere to hide. Take a look at our tank ornaments and plants to keep your fish happy!

Fish are a fantastic choice of pet for so many reasons. They are space-saving, in that they have a fixed area of the room and you know where they are at all times! They don't require walking and they are cheaper to look after than other pets, without the big food costs and vet bills. Fish are fairly low maintenance, although you must allocate time to keep the tank and water in good condition. If the water looks cloudy or smells at all, take action and deal with it, rather than wait for your fish to get ill. They are a quiet species, making no noise, ever! Fish are also known as a stress reliever, with research showing that the relaxing act of watching them swim silently and without conflict will lower blood pressure.
Ultimately, fish are beautiful breeds that come in all shapes, sizes and colours, making them wonderful to watch. As you get to know your fish, you may discover that they have their own personality, which will help them to become a member of the family!

Browse our website for all of your fish and aquarium needs.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/learning-center/getting-started/a-beginners-guide.aspx http://www.marineland.com/guides/starting-an-aquarium-beginners.aspx

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Are you thinking of dipping your toes into the water and start keeping fish as pets? They may not cuddle up to you on the sofa or accompany you on walks, but fish are truly fascinating creatures. Fish are more interactive than you might first think.

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beginner guide to owning a red earred slider turtle (adult)

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beginner guide to owning a red earred slider turtle (adult)

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Red Eared Slider Turtle Care: Beginner Guide

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Which one is the best beginner snake/Pa un yw'r neidr dechreuwr gorau

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Which one is the best beginner snake/Pa un yw'r neidr dechreuwr gorau

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Milk Snakes vs Corn Snakes: The Best Beginner Snake

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Handling a snake ball Python/Trin pêl neidr Python

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Handling a snake ball Python/Trin pêl neidr Python

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How Often Should You Handle Ball Pythons?

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Summary

Corn snakes make excellent choices as pet snakes as they are generally docile, relatively easy to care for and do not get very large therefore they make a great choice for beginner snake owners. They are native to the south-eastern United States, are mostly land-dwelling and are active mainly at night or at dusk and dawn.
Adult size:

* 120cm - 190cm (4ft - 6ft)

Life span:

* Corns have the potential to live for over 18 years; records exist of Corns over 22 years of age, so they are certainly a long-term commitment.

Considerations Before Purchasing:

* Who will look after your new pet if you are away?

* Can you provide fresh food for your pet?

* Are you prepared to take on an animal that could live for 10 years?

* Can you afford all the equipment necessary to keep your pet happy?

* Have you done your research on Corn Snakes and their relevant care?

Enclosure:

Corn snakes are not highly active and do not need huge enclosures. A medium-sized enclosure (3 or 4 feet in length) will house an adult corn snake nicely. Viv or Terrarium are both fine. Hatchlings up to 18 months old need to be kept in an appropriately sized faunarium as they can become stressed in a large environments and stop feeding. Corn Snakes are also excellent escape artists, so care must be taken when planning their housing. It is advised to place at least two hides in your vivarium so that your Corn Snake will have a place to hide in both the warm and cool end of the enclosure. It is also advisable to place branches, rocks, stones, and plastic plants in their enclosure, as these provide a place for climbing and resting, they also aid the snake when shedding its skin.

Heating

The hot end of the enclosure should be 27˚C to 30˚C (81-86˚F) while the cool end should be approximately 23˚C to 26˚C (74-78˚F). 23˚C to 26˚C is normal room temperature, and they tend to use heat from the ground rather than the sun. Whichever method you choose, it will need to be used in conjunction with a thermostat and monitored with an accurate thermometer.

Substrate

The most frequently used substrates for Corn Snakes is aspen bedding as it allows for burrowing. A juvenile corn snake may need just a couple inches of substrate, however, for adults, adding even more can be very beneficial to allow the corn snake enough to feel comfortable, and even burrow if interested. Younger corn snakes are often more interested in burrowing than adults.

Lighting:

Every reptile needs a clean day/night cycle. This basically means a Corn Snake should have light during the day, and no light at night. However, specific lighting isn't necessarily a requirement for Corn Snakes. It's commonly agreed upon that Corn Snakes are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Sunrises and sunsets naturally do not let off much, if any ultraviolet rays, meaning UVB (ultraviolet B) lighting is not a necessity. With that said, many people noticed positive changes and effects when their Corn Snakes are given UVB light.

Feeding & Water:

Corn snakes eat 1 frozen/thawed mouse every 7-14 days, from pinkies to large mouse depending on the size of the corn snake. A large bowl of tap water should be present in their enclosure and will need to be replaced every day. Corn snakes are very easy to feed and almost never refuse a meal. Firstly, the easiest way to gauge what size mouse is needed is by comparing the girth of the mouse to the girth of your snake's belly. The mouse should be about the same size around, or a touch larger. If you feed them a mouse equivalent to this size, feeding once a week is ideal. Because corn snakes vary in size, there is no exact food size to follow. A hatchling Corn Snake is best eating pinky mice, while adult corn snakes usually need adult or large mice. All mice should be "naturally" de-frosted by leaving them for a few hours (do NOT place in a microwave or in boiling water to speed up the thawing process).

Simply hold the mouse with snake tongs to avoid your hands being mistaken for food and shake the mouse around the head of your snake until it strikes and grabs the rodent. Avoid sudden jerks with the food after it's been bitten. Pulling the mouse too hard could result in your snake losing a tooth, which is not only a waste of a mouse but very demanding on your snake's body to vomit up. Wait 24 hours before handling and because Corn Snakes are crepuscular, feed your corn snake at the last part of the day.

A water dish is also necessary, and the water should be kept meticulously clean. Snakes often defecate in their water, and when this happens, the waste should be cleaned immediately. A heavy dish several inches in diameter makes a good water source. you may find your snake soaking in the dish, particularly before a shed.

Handling

Corn Snakes are quite active snakes and will appreciate time outside the vivarium to exercise. Care should be taken to avoid dropping your Corn Snake whilst handling, so support your Corn Snake at all times. Approximately 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a week is a suitable amount of time for handling your Corn Snake, but this may vary depending on the particular snake. Some Corn Snakes will appreciate more time outside of the vivarium while others may shy away from regular handling. It is important for hygiene reasons to wash your hands with an anti-bacterial wash before and after handling your Corn Snake.

Final Remarks:

Corn Snakes can make friendly long-lived additions to your family if they are provided with their essential care requirements. Pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immune systems should consult a doctor before exposure to any reptile. Please ask a friendly member of staff for advice if you require further information.

Check List:

* Secure enclosure

* Heat source

* Thermostat

* Thermometer

* Water/Food bowl

* Hides

* Reptile disinfectant

* Food substrate

* Lighting Decor

* Hand Sanitiser

* Sprayer

* Moss

* Hygrometer

* Water conditioner

* Corn Snake Book

* Supplements.

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An ever-expanding compendium of our pet care knowledge. Get tips, tricks and expert advice straight from Pets Corner, so you can provide the best care for your pets. Browse Petopedia for help with dog nutrition, cat dental care, small animal hygiene, reptiles, wildlife and more!

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Habitat set up for red eared slider turtle/Cynefin wedi'i sefydlu ar gyfer y crwban llithrydd clustiog

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Habitat set up for red eared slider turtle/Cynefin wedi'i sefydlu ar gyfer y crwban llithrydd clustiog

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Setting up your red ear sliders tank is one of the most important steps in owning one. Size is a huge factor in this and ranges between 50 & 100 gallons. It's important that the turtle tank is large enough and well-maintained.

This ensures that the turtle is healthy and happy. Setting up a turtle tank for a red-eared slider is a relatively simple process as far as you have all the needed information.

You need to consider factors such as tank size, temperature settings, UVB lighting, basking platform/site, and decorations. As far as you get these factors right, your turtle will thrive.

Steps To Create A Red Eared Slider Turtle Tank Setup

Choosing The Tank

Aquatic turtles such as the red-eared slider can be kept in an aquarium or in a pond. Building a pond for a single turtle or even 2 to 3 turtles seems extravagant and expensive.

However. If you have a large community of turtles, then building a pond may be a good way to go. For this article, we will be looking at how to set up an aquarium/turtle tank for the red-eared slider.

The size of the tank will depend on the size of the turtle. However, a 75-gallon tank should be large enough for an average red-eared slider. The average size of a red-eared slider is 6 to 8 inches.

As a rule of thumb, provide about 10 gallons of tank capacity for every turtle inch. You need a tank with a capacity of 50 to 75 gallons. For extraordinarily large red-sliders, you would need a 100-gallon turtle tank.

While for juveniles and hatchlings, a 20-gallon tank will do, adults need to be housed in at least a 50-gallon tank.

Dos and Don'ts of Acquiring A red-eared slider Tank

Do's

Use a sturdy and well-built aquarium stand.

Make sure you have space for the turtle tank.

Dont's

Don't put the tank in direct sunlight. The tank needs to be in a shaded area of the room.

Don't use a terrarium for a turtle even if it doesn't leak. Terrarium tanks aren't built to handle water pressure and can crack under the force exerted by the water in the tank. On that note, get a tank with a glass thickness of 0.4 inches (10 mm) or more.

Plan for the adult size of the turtle. Rather than buying a setup twice, plan for the adult size of your turtle so you can buy everything once instead of having to upgrade later.

Provide enough space for the turtle to flip over if it is ever on its back. The water depth should be at least twice the length of the turtle.

Choose a larger tank if you plan on having multiple turtles. For every additional turtle add half the original tank capacity. Two red-eared sliders with lengths of 7 inches should be housed in a 100-gallon tank.

Minimum Dimension Requirement

Here are my minimum dimension recommendations.

The width of the water in the tank must be at least three times the length of the turtle.

The depth of the water must be at least two times the the length of the turtle.

The length of the tank should be at least five times the length of the turtle.

Typical size ranges from 50 - 100 gallons depending on the size of the turtle. There should be enough space between the basking platform and the basking light so the turtle doesn't get burned. Turtles may pile up on each other so take this into consideration if you have or plan on having multiple.

There are many different ways to acquire a turtle tank. For personal service, your local pet shop may be a food option.

If you want to buy online, here are my favorite turtle tanks - Tetra Aquarium Kit (55-gallon tank), SC Aquariums Starfire Glass Aquarium (150 Gallon tank). We don't recommend starting smaller because you will need to upgrade later regardless.

Filters

The filter is a crucial component of the setup. A good filter ensures that the water in the tank is as clean as it can be. Since turtles produce more waste than fish, it's important that the filter is rated for a tank with greater capacity.

For example, for a 50-gallon aquarium, the filter should be rated for a 100-gallon tank.

There are different types of filters on the market. Some are placed inside the tank, while others are placed outside the tank or hang on the back of the aquarium.

The type you choose is down to preference, although you should expect canister filters (ones that are placed outside) to be more expensive than submersible filters.

Another feature to consider is the flow rate which is measured in gallons per hour. The Penn Plax Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter is a perfect filter for 55-gallon turtle tanks since it is marked for 100-gallon aquariums.

For the 75 o 100-gallon aquarium, I recommend the Penn-Plax Cascade 1500 Canister Filter which is rated for aquariums up to 200-gallons. It has a flow rate of 350 GPH and works well. The Penn-Plax Cascade 1500 Canister Filter also has five media baskets.

The Marineland Penguin Power Filter (which is a HOB (hang-on-back) with a flow rate of 350 GPH) and the Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter (which is a submersible filter with a flow rate of 290 GPH) work as well.

There's plenty more options, but these are a few of the tried and true ones on the market.

Lighting

You can't use just any light for the enclosure. You need a lamp that produces UVA/UVB light. Like humans, reptiles need UVA/UVB to synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for bone and shell development.

Without adequate amounts of UVA/UVB, the turtle will suffer several health issues like metabolic bone disease. Uvb light bulbs need to be changed every 6 months and can be tested using these test cards.

The Reptisun 10.0 bulb and the ReptiZoo 10.0 UVB T5 HO Lamp are the best UVB lights for reptiles including the red-eared slider. You can also use heat-producing mercury vapor bulbs. Just take note of the amount of heat mercury vapor bulbs give off so as not to overheat the enclosure.

Most tanks designed for freshwater turtles come with preinstalled lamp fixtures that hold the heat lamp and the UVB lamp. However, if the tank doesn't have a lamp fixture both the Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB Heat Lighting Kit and the REPTI ZOO 8.5 Inch Reptile Lamp Fixture work perfectly.

The UVB lights in the turtle's enclosure need to be off during the night. Similarly, the lights in the room within which the tank is situated also need to be off. The lights need to be off for 10 to 14 hours every night in order to simulate day and night.

Heating

The temperatures within the enclosure have to be carefully controlled to ensure that the turtle is healthy. For instance, if the water temperature is too high, the turtle will tend to bask less. This can lead to shell rot and other health complications.

The temperature of the water in the aquarium should be between 75 °F and 80 °F. This is warm enough to encourage swimming but cool enough to encourage a healthy basking habit.

If the water temperature is below 70 °F, uninstall an aquarium heater such as the Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater.

The basking temperature needs to be significantly warmer than the water temperature. A temperature of 85 °F to 95 °F is adequate. A mercury-vapor lamp can be used to heat up the basking spot and provide UVB light at the same time.

Also, a ceramic heat lamp can be used. This goes well with the fluorescent UVB lights. The Zoo Med PowerSun Bulb (160W) is one of the best on the market. Also, the Wuhostam 100W Infrared Ceramic Heat Emitter is an excellent ceramic lamp.

The temperatures of the basking site and the water can be monitored and controlled with a thermostat/temperature controller such as the INKBIRD ITC-308 Temperature Controller.

The air temperature (room temperature) should be around 75 °F.

Basking Site

Red-eared sliders are serial baskers. To keep them happy, provide a wide and large basking platform. This will not only encourage them to bask. It also ensures that they fully dry off. This allows the turtle to avoid infections and keeps them warm.

Get a large basking platform for the turtle. If you have several turtles, then you may need to custom-build the basking platform. However, If you have just one or two turtles, a store-bought basking platform is the way to go.

The Penn Plax Turtle Topper platform and Zoo Med Turtle Dock are two ideal basking platforms.

Substrate

Substrate/bedding can add character to the turtle tank. Unlike with other reptiles, substrate isn't a must for a turtle's tank. For beginners, substrates simply add extra work to the cleaning process. The bedding can trap food particles and can be near impossible to clean properly.

There are many substrate choices to choose from. River pebbles are a popular choice as they are easier to clean and look nice in the tank.

The pebbles need to be large in order to prevent them from ingesting a rock. The pebbles should have a diameter of at least half an inch or 1.5cm.

Sand can also be used.

Accessories & Decorations

Accessories and decorations may not be needed for survival but they add to the ambiance of the turtle tank. They can also provide hiding spots for the turtle making them feel more comfortable.

Consider the following when getting decorations and accessories for the tank.

While plants are nice and add a natural aesthetic look, the turtles will likely feed on them. As such make sure that the plants are edible. Fake plants may be uprooted as well.

You don't want the decorations to harm the turtle so make sure no decorations have any sharp edges.

Objects such as rocks and stones taken from outside need to be sterilized. Store-bought decorations don't need sterilized.

Don't put things that are small enough for the turtle to ingest other than food or treats.

The best decorations and accessories for a red-eared slider enclosure include driftwood and large rocks.

Conclusion

Getting the tank right is absolutely important. For starters, the tank needs to be large enough for the turtle. This ensures there is more than enough space for the turtle and all the accessories that need to go into the tank.

A tank that may look big to you can turn out to be tiny after you have set it up. If you are unsure what size to choose, check this guide, but you can always go with a larger tank to be on the safe side.

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Red Eared Slider Turtle Tank Setup Guide - All Turtles

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Setting up your red ear sliders tank is one of the most important steps. Average setups are between 50 & 100 gallons, but can be larger too.

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Housing for an adult red eared slider turtle/Llety ar gyfer crwban llithrydd clust coch sy'n oedolyn

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Housing for an adult red eared slider turtle/Llety ar gyfer crwban llithrydd clust coch sy'n oedolyn

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Adult Red-Eared Slider Setup - Pet Turtle Care is EASY!

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Where to find a Vets4pets/Ble i ddod o hyd i Vets4pets

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Where to find a Vets4pets/Ble i ddod o hyd i Vets4pets

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Vets for Pets | Putting Your Pet First | Experts In Vet Care

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Here at Vets for Pets we know your pet is a member of the family and that’s why we offer the best veterinary healthcare and friendly advice right across the UK.

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Where to find a RSPCA vets/Ble i ddod o hyd i filfeddyg RSPCA

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Where to find a RSPCA vets/Ble i ddod o hyd i filfeddyg RSPCA

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All pets need to be registered with a veterinary practice, where you can take them for routine health care and advice, as well as any emergency treatment.

If you're unsure when to call the vet, visit Vet Help Direct, which is an online guide to help you to decide how quickly you should contact your vet. Below, we explain how to find your nearest vet or how to speak to someone on the phone for immediate veterinary advice.

All veterinary surgeons must be registered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Follow the link below to find your nearest vet.

Find an RCVS-accredited veterinary practice.

Helping with the cost of vets' bills

If an animal you own or are responsible for is suffering or in pain, you're required under the Animal Welfare Act to take them to a vet. If you're worried about the costs, many vets provide health care packages to help manage costs and ensure pets receive regular veterinary check-ups and preventative treatments.

Medivet, CVS UK Ltd veterinary group practices and Companion Care/Vets4Pets are among those offering these schemes. You can also talk to your vet and see if they offer something similar.

Visit our pet advice pages for more information and to find out how to keep your pet healthy and happy.

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Find My Nearest Vet - Find or Call a Vet | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Every pet should be registered with a veterinary practice. Find an accredited vet practice near you or call a 24-hour vet service.

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Pet Insurance for Snakes UK | Snake Insurance Comparison

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Snake Insurance Comparison with MoneyBeach - can you insure a snake in the UK? Find cover for Corn snakes, Rosy boas, California king, Gopher

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Insurance for snakes/Yswiriant ar gyfer nadroedd

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Insurance for snakes/Yswiriant ar gyfer nadroedd

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How much does snake insurance cost?

For £1,000 of vet fee cover it will cost you around £12 a month, spread over 10 months, on our Essential policy.

Why choose ExoticDirect?

We've won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service award 2019. And our customers have awarded us 4.4/5 stars on Feefo for customer experience. Check out our customer reviews on Feefo

Specialist exotic pet insurance providers since 1996

Only snake insurance provider to cover multiple snakes on one policy

Your snake can be insured up to any age

A range of policies to suit you and your pet

We don't believe in one size fits all policies, as these aren't the best for your pet or your budget.

Our policy cover is designed to be suitable for your pet type, get a quote today.

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For £1,000 of vet fee cover it will cost you around £12 a month, spread over 10 months, on our Essential policy.

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Exotic Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes Egsotig

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Exotic Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes Egsotig

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As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.

You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.

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A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article.

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10 best dog insurance places/10 lle yswiriant cŵn gorau

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10 best dog insurance places/10 lle yswiriant cŵn gorau

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How to choose the best dog insurance

Dog insurance helps cover the cost of treatment if your dog falls ill or gets injured. It will also pay compensation costs if you're taken to court for damages or injury caused by your dog. But not all insurance is equal.

To find the best cover, we've analysed and compared 167 dog insurance policies. We found significant differences between the best and worst policies. The best, we have picked out as Which? Best Buys.

We've also looked more widely at the providers, surveying 1,300 customers to find out about their customer and claims service - click the link to find out more, as well as access detailed reviews of each provider.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of an insurer before committing to any financial products.

Best Buy dog insurance policies

Agria Lifetime Premium

83% policy score for dog cover, joint first of 167 dog policies we reviewed

70% customer score, which meant it placed as 1st of the 10 insurers we had customer scores for

We like: this has one of the highest vet-fee limits out of the ones we assessed - £20,000 per year. The cap includes costs for scans and also contributes £750 for therapy provided by a behaviourist.

We don't like: as with most (but not all) policies, medical conditions that existed before the policy was taken out are excluded from cover.

Kennel Club Lifetime Premium

83% policy score for dog cover. This places it joint first of 167 dog policies we reviewed

We like: this has the highest vet-fee limit among products we reviewed - £25,000. It also included a high liability limit (for compensation related costs should your dog damage any property or cause injury) - £3,000,000

We don't like: holiday cancellation cover only applied if the dog requires 'lifesaving' treatment or surgery.

Read our expert review of Kennel Club pet insurance

key information

Why should you trust Which? research?
We're not influenced by third parties. We work entirely on behalf of you, the consumer - nobody else. See our statement of editorial independence for more.

Best UK dog insurance policies compared

We've divided the tables by the type of policy - see below for explanations - and ranked policies by policy score.

Only annual lifetime and lifetime per-condition policies can be Best Buys.

Table note: Table last updated in December 2023 - check policies before buying. Based on expert analysis of pet insurance policies - see full methodology below

How can you save money on dog insurance?

1. Find out the needs of your dog breed

According to the Association of British Insurers, the average pet insurance claim paid in 2022 was £771. Factoring in the possibility of needing to make multiple claims, and the fact that vets' prices are on the rise, we wouldn't recommend a policy that pays out less than £2,000 annually.

But all pets are different, so it's well worth understanding your dog's needs to make sure you get adequate cover.

Dogs are generally more expensive to maintain (and insure) than cats, and certain breeds are more susceptible to chronic conditions than others. For example, Labrador retrievers can be prone to cruciate ligament problems, while dachshunds are prone to getting back problems, both of which can set you back thousands of pounds in treatment costs.

Talk to your vet about common conditions and what level of cover they recommend.

2. Buy insurance when your dog is healthy

This might seem counterintuitive, but as most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, buying early means you're maximising the cover your pet will get.

3. Make sure your dog is up to date on its jabs

Make sure your dog gets the appropriate inoculations and injections, including boosters, to minimise its chance of getting an illness that could lead to expensive premiums.

4. Pay annually (if you can afford it)

Your insurer may charge interest if you pay monthly rather than annually, which can be expensive.

5. Haggle at renewal

If the insurer increases your dog's premiums without good reason, call them to discuss the premium. They may be open to negotiation.
Dean Sobers, Which? insurance expert says:
Do you need dog insurance?

'For most breeds of dog, you aren't legally required to own pet insurance, so it's ultimately your choice as to whether you want to fork out on premiums.

'With no NHS for pets - and some vets procedures costing thousands of pounds - insurance means you'll have significantly less to worry about should your dog require expensive medical treatment.

'The main downside is pet cover can also be fairly pricey (especially for older pets), and or high compulsory excesses can chip away at the policy's value.

'One alternative to owning insurance is "self-insuring" - paying for your dog's medical needs from savings. If you put aside regular amounts into a savings account, you'll have a growing fund to help pay for steep vet bills.'

Check you're getting a great deal and search for a new pet insurance policy using the service provided by Confused.com.

Types of dog insurance

About Which? dog insurance research

In December 2023, we analysed 167 pet insurance policies covering dogs, examining the amounts they paid out in vet fees, and other benefits they provide, including costs for holiday cancellation, dental cover and advertising and reward costs to help find your dog if it goes missing.

We compared 34 features of the policies, plus the amount each pays in vet fees, to create a policy score. The higher the score, the more comprehensive the cover.

Each will pay out a minimum of £2,000 per year in vet fees.

Each will pay out a minimum of £1,000 for any single condition in a year, if an annual condition limit applies.

They all provide dental cover for both accidents and illnesses.

Policies that we've named as Best Buys are all lifetime policies that did well in our analysis of cover, scoring at least 67%. In addition:

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Best dog insurance policies 2024 - Which?

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We analysed 167 dog insurance policies, comparing 34 features of each policy, to find the best for you

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Red Eared Slider Feeding Guide/Canllaw Bwydo Slider Eared Red

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Red Eared Slider Feeding Guide/Canllaw Bwydo Slider Eared Red

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Red Eared Slider Feeding Guide (What to feed and how much/often)

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Keeping a turtle as a pet/Cadw crwban fel anifail anwes

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Keeping a turtle as a pet/Cadw crwban fel anifail anwes

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Milk Snake: How To Setup Enclosure (2020)

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If you have decided that you are interested in herpetology and keeping pet snakes, there are several good beginner species to choose from. One of the best of these is the milk snake, which is slightly less common as a pet in the UK than the ubiquitous corn snake, but nevertheless, easy to buy and care for.

The milk snake is a close relative of the king snake, and can reach up to six feet in length, although thirty inches long is usually the top end of the scale for all but the largest specimens! They are also highly visually appealing, with a distinctive pattern of red, white and black rings, making them appear rather exotic! They are a constricting snake, and not venomous. There are various different sub-species of the milk snake available to buy, such as the Pueblan milk snake and the Honduran milk snake, but as they are all relatively similar to each other and share similar care requirements, in this article we will group them all together.

How to care for a milk snake

The milk snake is a relatively shy snake that likes to burrow, and so they require a fairly deep substrate of either paper, leaves or dry mulch. It is essential to ensure that they have plenty of boltholes and hiding places within their enclosure, in order to make them feel secure. Placing a hide at both the cool end and the warmer end of the enclosure will give your milk snake plenty of options on where to curl up. There are a great many different types of tank ornamentation that suits the milk snake and provides them with hidey holes, and they will also create their own burrows too.

They also like to climb when they are feeling lively, so a relatively deep tank with some branches and other ornamentation that the snake can climb is essential to keep them happy as well.

It is worth bearing in mind that like many species of snake, the milk snake is a skilled and enterprising escape artist, and so keeping the lid of the tank secure and weighed down so that it cannot be pushed off is essential.

The different sub-species of milk snake have slightly differing requirements in terms of the temperature that suits them best, so it is important to research the precise sub-species you will own in order to get it right. It is also essential to keep the substrate of the tank dry, and clean them out promptly when they go to the toilet, as a damp substrate can interfere with your snake's health, and potentially lead to skin blistering.

The milk snake should be housed alone without company, as they do have something of a tendency to turn cannibalistic when housed together!

What do milk snakes eat?

Milk snakes in the wild will eat all of the usual snake prey, including birds and their eggs, small mammals such as rodents, and sometimes, other smaller reptiles. They do have something of a reputation for being fussy to feed in captivity, so once you have found something suitable for your milk snake to eat that they are happy with, it is wise to stick to the formula.

Juvenile snakes will usually readily accept defrosted pinkie mice, fed at the rate of one every few days. Adult milk snakes will usually manage to eat two full-sized mice per week, or several pinkies. You can tell if your milk snake is hungry and can benefit from more food if they come out of their hiding places regularly and begin patrolling the tank in search of food!

Even if your snake is towards the larger end of the size scale, it is important to choose their food carefully, to ensure that it is not too large for them to comfortably swallow, which can potentially cause an obstruction or damage internally. A good rule of thumb is not to feed anything that is larger than 1.5 times the width of the snake's body.

After you have fed your snake, it is important to avoid handling them for a day or so, as snakes have a relatively slow digestive system, and handling may cause them to regurgitate their meal.

Are milk snakes suitable for the first time keeper?

Providing that you do your research properly, there is no reason why a milk snake should not be a perfectly suitable snake for the first time reptile owner. They have a reputation for being quiet and docile, and relatively amenable to taming up to handling. They are rather shy snakes, however, and will spend a lot of time hiding, and should not be disturbed regularly.

They have something of a habit of pooping when handled if they are feeling nervous, but safe, gentle handling from the time that they are young should prevent this. They may also bite defensively if afraid, but their bite is not toxic.

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If you have decided that you are interested in herpetology and keeping pet snakes, there are several good beginner species to choose from. O

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Feeding a adult corn snake/Bwydo oedolyn neidr yd

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Feeding a adult corn snake/Bwydo oedolyn neidr yd

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CORN SNAKE Feeding! | Adult Corn Snake Care & Feeding

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How To Handle Your Corn Snake | Tips Tricks & Guidelines

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What type of snakes can you own in the UK/Pa fath o nadroedd y gallwch chi fod yn berchen arnynt yn y DU

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What type of snakes can you own in the UK/Pa fath o nadroedd y gallwch chi fod yn berchen arnynt yn y DU

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Corn snake,

The milk snake,

The ball python

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How to Take Care of a Corn Snake | Pet Snakes

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Looking after a Corn Snakes/Gofalu am Nadroedd Yd

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Looking after a Corn Snakes/Gofalu am Nadroedd Yd

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How To Care For a Corn Snake | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Read our guide for all the information you’ll need on keeping a corn snake healthy and happy, including what they eat and their ideal temperature.

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Owning aquarium fish can be rewarding, but it's a big responsibility. Fish aren't simple creatures to look after. They have very specific needs and require attentive and routine care.

There are many different breeds of goldfish and species of tropical fish and each has different needs.

Goldfish were first bred in China over 4,500 years ago. Brought to England in the 18th century, goldfish have remained the most popular cold-water pet fish. Lots of people think goldfish live for about five years and generally grow to about 12cm in length. In actual fact, they're known to live for up to 25 years and some can reach over 40cm!

Freshwater tropical fish come from tropical areas of the world. Tropical fish come in a variety of colours, shapes and behaviours. As with other species, different species of fish have different behaviour. For example, some are 'shoaling fish' who feel more secure when kept as a group. Others aren't very social and will fight with either their own kind or other species.

Understanding the needs of pet fish

Fish can be challenging to keep. They can't show their feelings as clearly as mammals do and meeting their complex needs takes a great deal of preparation, investment, time and care.

Sign up to receive our emails today. Get more pet care advice, hints and tips on helping wildlife, our latest news, rehoming success stories and more directly to your inbox.

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Keeping Fish as Pets | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Owning aquarium fish can be rewarding, but fish aren't simple creatures to look after. Find out more about keeping fish as pets and the care they need.

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Housing Hamsters in groups/Bochdewion Tai mewn grwpiau

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Housing Hamsters in groups/Bochdewion Tai mewn grwpiau

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How to take care of hamster/Sut i ofalu am bochdew

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How to take care of hamster/Sut i ofalu am bochdew

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Where to buy suitable hamster cages

We've put together a list of suitable sized accommodation for your hamsters. The wheels included are too small so must be replaced with others (see recommended wheels below).

Or, if you have a little more budget, the Ferplast Cage comes with the correct size wheel, accessories included and is nice and big for them.

While falling short in terms of width, this cage does have additional depth and some handy levels. The bar spacing also makes it suitable for all breeds of hamster.

Due to the height of this cage, it would not be suitable for dwarf hamster breeds. However, it does give plenty of scope for hanging toys. Hammocks can be installed to prevent Syrian hamsters from falling from height. The bar spacing also allows for secure housing.

A cage suitable for all breeds of hamster, although dwarf breeds of hamster may struggle with using the tunnel system provided.

The cage has a deep base allowing for a good level of bedding to be provided for digging and burrowing. The wheel provided is too small so must be replaced.

Can hamsters live outside?

No. Syrian hamsters will try to hibernate if they get too cold which can be detrimental to their health as they will not have enough fat reserves to survive without food for an extended period.

So, it's important to ensure your hamster's home is indoors away from draughts, as well as sunlight and direct heat.

If you are worried that your hamster may have gone into hibernation, seek advice from your vet.

How often do I need to clean my hamster's cage?

How often you clean the cage will depend on the size of the cage and if they use a specific area to toilet. Usually once or twice a month will do.

Make sure you spot clean every few days by removing soiled bedding and uneaten rotten food regularly - this will help keep the cage clean and keep your hamster happy!

How to clean my hamster's cage

1. Wait until your hamster is awake

2. Remove your hamster from their cage and place them in a pet carrier or in their playpen

3. Take out any ropes, hammocks or toys, cleaning them as needed

4. Scoop out their bedding and any other material using a dustpan and brush

5. Using a pet-safe disinfectant, which you can buy in a pet shop, spray the cage

6. Then wipe it all down and wash thoroughly with warm water

7. Leave to air until completely dry

8. Clean their food bowls and their water bottle, using warm water and a bottle brush

It's important to keep the cage clean, but as hamsters rely on familiar smells to feel safe, make sure you put back some of the unsoiled used bedding when you do a 'full' clean (about a third of the bedding is ideal).

Hamster bedding

Burrowing is a natural hamster behaviour; you should give your hamster the opportunity to display this behaviour by providing lots of deep bedding.

What is the best bedding for my hamster?

Dust-extracted bedding is good for all types of hamsters.

Most wood shavings or sawdust should be avoided as these can be bad for your hamster's respiratory system and can become very smelly when urinated on (although Aspen shavings can be used). Also avoid fluffy bedding that could wrap around a hamster's limbs and cause stomach problems if eaten.

Hamsters can also be litter-trained, which helps to keep their cage cleaner.

Exercise

Hamster exercise balls must not be used as they can quickly become exhausted and won't be able to escape.

Instead, we recommend giving them a safe, secure place to have a run around (like a hamster playpen) for when you want to let your hamster outside of their cage.

Many experts now advise against using hamster wheels with spokes because it can cause an injury. Solid, wide wheels are safer.

Hamster wheels

Often, hamster wheels sold along with a hamster cage are too small. Despite this fact, hamsters will continue to use the small wheels and over time it can cause damage to the spine.

Therefore, these wheels should be replaced with a suitable alternative. Any wheels with spokes should also be replaced, due to the risk of feet getting caught.
Syrian hamsters
A suitable wheel for a Syrian hamster should be no smaller than 8.5 inches (22cm).

The following wheels come recommended by our Rehoming Team:

Savoy Rolly Rat Wheel - this extra large wheel can be fitted to the side of a cage or kept on the stand provided. It gives ample room for a Syrian hamster to exercise without the risk of damaging their spine.

Trixie Rotating Ferris Wheel - comes with a guard to stop the hamster from falling out should they pick up high speed when exercising

Dwarf hamsters
Dwarf hamster breeds will often require a larger wheel to the ones supplied when you buy a cage for the same reason as Syrians, the potential risk of damaging the spine. A suitable wheel for a dwarf hamster should be no smaller than 6.5 inches (16.5cm).

Our Rehoming Team recommends a Kaytee silent spinner wheel for dwarf hamsters.

Enrichment

They like cardboard tubes to chew and run through and if you put up a wooden ledge, they will enjoy climbing on it - though the ledge should be avoided for dwarf hamsters who aren't as nimble as Syrian.

Hamster playpen

Though tempting to buy a playpen from a pet shop, these are often not suitable as they are made of wire and hamsters can easily climb out.

We would always suggest making your own with some sturdy cardboard. Hamsters are cautious by nature, so your playpen should be small at first so it doesn't cause them stress. Then, as their confidence grows, and over a period of time, you can increase the size.

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We've put together a list of suitable sized accommodation for your hamsters. The wheels included are too small so must be replaced with others (see recommended wheels below). Or, if you have a little more budget, the Ferplast Cage comes with the correct size wheel, accessories included and is nice and big for them.

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It's really upsetting if you're worried one of your guinea pigs is ill. Knowing the signs to look out for, as well as the simple steps you can take to check your guinea pigs, will help you keep them happy and healthy.

How do I know if my guinea pigs are healthy?

The best way to know if your guinea pigs are healthy is to do a daily health check for them.

Check their face and eyes- check their eyes are bright and open, they don't have weepy eyes or a runny nose and their mouth is closed and clean with no teeth poking out. Don't forget to check their ears too by gently lifting their ear flaps.

Check their coat- healthy guinea pig coats should be clean with no bald patches, tangles or lumps in the skin.

Check their back end- your guinea pigs should have a clean, dry back end. It's also important to check they don't have any poo stuck in their bottom or a faecal impaction.

Check their feet- check their nails aren't too long or curling under and that their feet don't have any sores or wounds. Make sure your guinea pig is able to move around without stiffness or limping.

Many guinea pigs need brushing and grooming regularly. If they have a long or very thick coat, your guinea pigs will need a daily brush to remove any knots and tangles from their fur. Shorthaired guinea pigs will enjoy a brush once or twice a week to help keep their coats in tiptop condition.

It's important to watch your guinea pigs and learn about their behaviour and routine each day, you'll quickly learn what's normal for them. This will make it easier for you to spot any signs that they're under the weather.

Symptoms of illness in guinea pigs

You should always monitor your guinea pigs for any symptoms of illness. As guinea pigs are prey animals (meaning in the wild they might get eaten by predator animals) they often try to hide symptoms of disease which might make them look weak or an easy target. This means it's important to look out for any change in their usual behaviour- even small changes can sometimes be because one of your guinea pigs is feeling poorly.

Symptoms to look for include:

Guinea pig health problems

Guinea pigs can get a lot of different health problems, just like people and other pets. If you see any symptoms of illness or you're worried about one of your guinea pigs, it's important to contact your vet for advice.

Skin problems

Skin problems can be caused by a number of different things, for example mites, infections, ringworm, stress or over-grooming (when they or one of their companions groom too much and pull out the fur).

Common signs of skin problems include:

Hair loss or bald patches

Red skin

Rashes

Scaly/ flaky skin

Ulcers, wounds or scabs

Itching

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to contact your vet. Skin problems in guinea pigs can be very uncomfortable or painful and tend to get worse over time, so it's a good idea to get help for them even if their signs only seem mild at first.

Breathing or lung problems

Most commonly, breathing problems in one of your guinea pigs will be caused by pneumonia or infections- but they can also be caused other issues such as heart problems and stress. Guinea pigs can also suffer from heat stroke if they get too hot which can lead to severe breathing problems and sadly can be fatal, so it's important to take steps to keep your guinea pigs safe in hot weather.

Symptoms of breathing problems include:

Breathing quicker than normal

Wheezing

Sneezing

Discharge from the nose

Heavy breathing

Struggling to breathe

If one of your guinea pigs is having difficulty breathing, this is an emergency and you'll need to contact your vet straight away while giving them first aid.

Lumps or swellings

If you find a lump on one of your guinea pigs it can be really worrying. It's important to remember that not all lumps you find will be a tumour or lead to lots of problems. Abscesses, warts, and infected or impacted scent glands can all lead to skin lumps and many of these conditions can be treated or cured by your vet. It's important to check your guinea pigs for lumps regularly- for some guinea pigs you may need to feel for the lumps, especially if they have long fur which can hide small swellings or bumps, so stroking your guinea pig is an important part of their daily health check. If you find a new lump on one of your guinea pigs it's a good idea to take a photo of it, make a note of where it is and see if you can compare its size to a common household object, such as a 5p or 10p coin. It's important to get any new or changing lumps checked by your vet, especially if they are red, bleeding, painful, look infected or seem to be causing problems.

Dental problems

Dental problems are common in guinea pigs and it's really important to take steps to look after their teeth to try to prevent them. Guinea pigs' teeth keep growing throughout their lives, so if they don't wear them down they can grow too long, cutting your guinea pigs' gums, cheek and tongue as well as leading to abscesses. Common symptoms of dental problems include drooling, not eating or eating less, teeth that look too long or out of place (especially the front teeth/ incisors) and swellings on the jaw or face. Dental disease can lead to serious problems if not treated, so it's really important to get your guinea pig checked by your vet if you're concerned.

Stomach problems

The most common causes of stomach upsets in guinea pigs include sudden changes in diet, infections and parasites. The main symptoms to watch for include diarrhoea or loose droppings, not eating or eating less and weight loss. Stomach upsets in guinea pigs can quickly become very serious, especially if they lose lots of fluid or stop eating and drinking, as they can become very dehydrated and lethargic (having low energy). It's also important to check for signs of 'faecal impaction', where poo gets stuck inside the rectum and around the bottom. This can be very uncomfortable for your guinea pig, so it's important to check their back end every day. If you see any signs of stomach problems, it's best to call your vet for help. This is especially important if your guinea pig has stopped eating or has severe diarrhoea.

Ear problems

You can usually see signs of any ear problems or ear infections when you do your daily health checks. Symptoms of ear problems include itching or scratching, redness to the ears, lots of wax or discharge, painful ears and a bad smell. In extreme cases, ear problems can spread to the middle and inner ear which leads to balance problems such as tilting the head to one side all the time, turning in circles or rolling over again and again. If you think one of your guinea pigs has an ear problem it's important to contact your vet for help, especially if they have any severe symptoms or seem to be in pain.

Eye problems

Eye problems will usually cause symptoms such as redness, weeping eyes, eye discharge, or cloudy eyes. There are many different causes of eye problems, some of the most common include infections, injuries or ulcers and cataracts. Eye problems can progress very quickly, so if you notice any problems with one of your guinea pig's eyes it's important to get them checked by your vet as soon as possible.

Seizures

Fits and seizures in guinea pigs can be very frightening for owners but are thankfully uncommon. If one of your guinea pigs has a seizure it could be an emergency. It's important to contact your vet straight away and give your guinea pig first aid. Once your guinea pig has come round from the seizure, it's important to keep them with their companion to help them stay calm and quiet.

Looking after your guinea pigs' teeth

Your guinea pigs' teeth will keep growing throughout their life. They need plenty of things to chew as this helps wear down their teeth and stops them getting overgrown. You can help keep their teeth in good shape by:

Giving them a constant supply of good quality feeding hay. It's a really important part of their diet and helps keep their teeth in good condition.

Making sure you feed them the correct diet.

Give them gnawing blocks, toys or tunnels made of safe wood and plenty of things to chew on.

Avoid sugary treats like 'honey sticks'.

If one of your guinea pig's teeth do get overgrown or they stop eating, it's important you contact your vet as soon as possible. They will be able to check their teeth and discuss how best to help.

Stopping your guinea pigs from getting bored

Mental wellbeing is important for guinea pigs, just as much as physical health. Boredom and stress can cause a lot of problems for guinea pigs. If they don't have enough to do it can make them depressed and more likely to overeat and put on weight or become obese.

You can keep them occupied with the right enclosure and lots of things to explore and play with:

Cardboard boxes and untreated logs from safe trees give your guinea pigs things to explore and hide in.

You can also buy toys for small pets from pet shops.

Guinea pigs get scared easily so give them large tubs, boxes, pots and tunnels where they can hide.

Keep some toys stored away and swap them around regularly - this stops your guinea pigs getting fed up of the same old toys and gives you a chance to clean them.

Let them search out their food. Scatter food around their enclosure and hide it in boxes and tubs. They'll have loads of fun sniffing it out.

You should always keep guinea pigs in pairs or small groups of their own kind. When kept alone, guinea pigs often become stressed, depressed and bored. If you have a guinea pig who's on their own or has lost their partner, you can find out more about how to find them a friend in our article about introducing guinea pigs.

Neutering your guinea pigs

Sometimes it is recommended to neuter one (or more) of your guinea pigs to keep them healthy and happy. This is especially important if you are keeping them in male-female pairs or groups. Neutering can come with health benefits but it can also come with risks. Most commonly, vets will neuter male guinea pigs but it is also possible to neuter female guinea pigs. If you're thinking of neutering your guinea pigs, it's best to speak to your vet to find out what is best for them.

Finding a vet

It's a good idea to have your guinea pig checked regularly by your vet to see that they are fit and well. Vets often offer an annual check-up for your guinea pigs, which is a great opportunity to ask any questions and check your guinea pigs are healthy. Some vets have extra training in guinea pigs or small pet species and they will often have more experience and special equipment to help them treat your guinea pigs. Speak to your vet to see if they can recommend one of these vets, or if they have anyone at the practice who has a special interest in guinea pigs, especially if your guinea pig has any complicated health problems. You can find a local vet using the yellow pages, online or though RCVS FindAVet. You should always take your guinea pigs to the vets together even if only one of them has symptoms, unless your vet has asked you just to bring your ill guinea pig, as they will often become stressed if they are separated.

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It's really upsetting if you're worried one of your guinea pigs is ill. Knowing the signs to look out for, as well as the simple steps you can take to check your guinea pigs, will help you keep them happy and healthy.

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Guinea pigs often form strong bonds with their human companions.

However, they can be flighty animals and will sometimes run away from you, even if they're used to being picked up. They tolerate being picked up but are unlikely to enjoy it.

How to pick up a guinea pig

Guinea pigs have delicate spines so need to be picked up with care. They should be kept upright, with all four feet facing the floor, so they don't damage their backs. If they're startled, they might jump out of your hands so don't hold them up high - they like to stay close to the floor.

Pick up your guinea pigs by:

Placing one hand under or around their chest area.

Lifting and supporting their hind legs with your other hand.

Holding them close to your body for security.

Young children and guinea pigs

It's better for children to stroke and feed treats to your guinea pigs, rather than pick them up. Ask your child to sit in a secure area where your guinea pigs can run free around them. Guinea pigs will then usually come up to take treats and, once they're used to each other, a child might be able to gently stroke them.

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A guide to how adults and children should safely handle guinea pigs.

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Read our advice on the best diet to keep your guinea pigs happy and healthy.

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10 Best Aquarium Fish for Beginners | Easy Fish for Freshwater Tanks

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Read about our list of top 10 beginner aquarium fish that are hardy, easy to care for, budget-friendly, and colorful with an interesting personality.

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Banned dog breeds/Bridiau cŵn wedi'u gwahardd

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Banned dog breeds/Bridiau cŵn wedi'u gwahardd

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Dogs currently banned under the law

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) bans the ownership of four different types of dogs including some traditionally bred for fighting:

Pit bull terrier

Japanese Tosa

Dogo Argentino

Fila Braziliero

The XL Bully will become illegal to own from the 1st February 2024 without a certificate of exemption

There's no robust research to demonstrate that dogs bred for fighting are naturally aggressive towards people or that they are unique in the way they can bite.

What happens to banned types?

Dogs suspected of being a banned type are typically seized by the police who unfortunately have no choice but to implement the law.

These dogs will be held in kennels away from their owner, whilst being assessed to determine if they're a banned type. They'll be examined by an expert using a set of standards which are mainly based on appearance; genetics or parentage aren't taken into consideration. Applying the law means that many dogs are unnecessarily subjected to stressful processes. Many dogs find these processes very difficult to cope with and can result in undesirable changes in health and behaviour.

Some dogs can return home under strict conditions

Banned types who are owned can be lawfully kept and exempt from euthanasia if they don't pose any risk to public safety and the owner is considered fit and proper. However, conditions must be met for the rest of the dog's life which can negatively impact its welfare. For example, being muzzled and on-lead whenever in public.

Sadly, not all dogs get to return home to their owners.

Banned types can't be rehomed

The following information does not apply to the XL Bully. We are currently in a transition period which intends to help owners adapt to the new law. Owners of XL Bullies have until the end of January 2024 to apply for a certificate of exemption. As of the 1st of February 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without one.

Why the Dangerous Dogs Act doesn't work

Despite the prohibition of certain types of dogs, in the past 20 years (1999 to 2019), bites have increased by 154% from 3454-8775.

Dog bites numbers continue to rise

A better approach than BSL

Effective legislation and enforcement to tackle dog-related issues regardless of breed or type and based on their behaviour

Interventions including education that focus on safe behaviour around dogs

A better understanding of why dogs bite

Other countries have already proven effective alternatives

Exempt dogs from euthanasia restrictions

neutered

permanently identified with microchip

muzzled and kept on a lead when in a public place

kept securely at home (i.e ensure gardens are secure)

registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs and a certificate issued to the owner

the dog cannot be taken out in public by anyone under 16 years of age

the owner must take out (and renew annually) third-party insurance for their dog

Changing ownership restrictions

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Banned Dog Types | Breed Specific Legislation | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Types of banned dogs under Breed Specific Legisation and what it means for owners. Why the law doesn't currently work.

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How to control your dog in public/Sut i reoli eich ci yn gyhoeddus

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How to control your dog in public/Sut i reoli eich ci yn gyhoeddus

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You can be fined if your dog is out of control in public - find out about Dog Control Orders, banned dogs, dog fouling and reporting a dangerous dog

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Different types of pet insurance/Gwahanol fathau o yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes

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Different types of pet insurance/Gwahanol fathau o yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes

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Compare older dog insurance/Cymharwch yswiriant cŵn hŷn

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Compare older dog insurance/Cymharwch yswiriant cŵn hŷn

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Compare older cat insurance/Cymharwch yswiriant cath hŷn

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Compare older cat insurance/Cymharwch yswiriant cath hŷn

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Asda Pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes Asda

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Asda Pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes Asda

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Pets are such an important part of our lives, so it's important to make sure they're covered by the right pet insurance. Choose from our different types of cover, from Lifetime to Time Limited. You can choose a level of cover to suit you and your budget, and keep your furry friends happy.

Why choose Asda Pet Insurance?

The Asda advantage

Known for putting value for money at the centre of everything we do

You're in control

You can choose your policy cover as well as your excess terms, so you can get the cover your pet needs at a price that suits you

Asda service, Asda value, expert providers

An insurance offer that's best for you and your circumstances

Lifetime - Cover up to £10,000

Match their love of life with Lifetime insurance. With ongoing conditions insured for life, it's the most comprehensive policy you can get for your pet with Asda.

The three levels of Lifetime pet insurance available are:

Lifetime £2,000andLifetime £4,000- these are renewing benefit policies and the total amount you can claim foreachnew condition your pet may suffer is up to £2,000 or £4,000 in vet's fees annually. If you choose either of these polices, there is no limit to the number of separate conditions that you can claim for.

Lifetime £10,000- this is also a renewing benefit policy and thetotalamount you can claim for all new conditions your pet may suffer is up to £10,000 in vet's fees annually. There is no limit to the number of separate conditions that you can claim for until the total financial limit has been reached.

For all of our Lifetime policies, your pet will be covered for on-going or future conditions as long as you keep your insurance policy with us.
Limitations and exclusions apply, for full details please refer to our policy documents.

Time Limited

Part of providing the proper care for your pet is making sure you can meet their needs if they happen to fall ill or get injured in an accident. Chances are, you'll want your four-legged friend to be back on all-paws as soon as possible, and having the right insurance can help.
Time Limited pet insurance policies can help cover your pet for a range of problems that might arise and support you in paying the related vet bills from the date of their first treatment, for up to 12 months.
There are 2 different levels of Time Limited pet insurance you can choose from which will give your cat or dog a year of coverage per condition, from the date of first treatment. You can claim for the same types of things on each level of coverage, but the main thing that will differ is the amount you can claim for each thing and the total amount you can claim.

The main decision you'll have to make is around what premium you can afford and how much treatments might be likely to cost, because once you've used up your annual limit for a particular condition you won't get any more support for bills related to that treatment.

The two levels of Time Limited Pet Insurance we offer cover vet's fees for up to £2,000 or £5,000 per condition for up to 12 months from the date of their first treatment.

There's no limit to the number of separate conditions that you can claim for until either the time limit or each of the individual monetary limits has been reached.

As long as the insurance policy remains in force, your pet has your chosen time limit of cover from the date of their first treatment. After the limit has passed, any ongoing treatment required as a result of this condition will be excluded from future claims and treated as a pre-existing condition.

Take a look at our pet insurance comparison table to help you decide which level of cover is best for you and your pet.
Limitations and exclusions apply, for full details please refer to our policy documents.

A quick 'paws' for thought...

With pet insurance, as part of the cost, your premium will increase each year at renewal as your pet gets older. We'll limit the amount it goes up by, but your renewal price will also be impacted by:

Any claims you make - this could significantly increase your premium

Rising vet fees

Insurance Premium Tax increasing

Changes you make to your policy

Changes we make to our pricing

You can, of course, shop around at renewal. Just bear in mind that any existing conditions your pet's developed, whether diagnosed or not, may not be covered elsewhere.

Top Pet Insurance FAQs:

Is my pet covered for pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Like most policies from other providers, your Asda Pet Insurance policy will not cover any medical condition or symptoms that your pet had before the start date of your policy or any that occur during the first 14 days of your insurance cover.

How do I claim?

If you need to get in touch with us to make a claim on your pet insurance policy, please find the details on how to do so on our contact us page.

Asda Pet Insurance is arranged and administered by Insurance Factory Limited. Insurance Factory Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. (No. 306164). Registered in England and Wales Number 02982445. Registered Office: Markerstudy House, 45 Westerham Road, Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2QB. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register at https://www.fca.org.uk/register

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Animal friends Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes ffrindiau anifeiliaid

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Animal friends Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes ffrindiau anifeiliaid

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Trusted policies from a leading UK pet insurer

For over 25 years', we've been dedicated to providing UK owners with unique pet insurance cover. Our policies and our specialist experience, means we're now rated "Excellent" by over 25,000 customers just like you! And it's not just due to our range of pet insurance policies on offer.

Our other benefits include:

The power to choose your excess, to help manage your budget.

Easy to understand and clear policies.

Effortless claims - your vet can submit your claim and we'll pay them directly.

An online account to help manage your policy and claims
on the go.

Access to exclusive discounts and offers through our Treat Tin

And that's not all! Every Animal Friends policy helps make a difference to vulnerable pets and wildlife around the world!

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Multi-award winning, affordable pet insurance created to support animal welfare. Trusted to insure over 1 million dogs, cats, and horses - get a quote now!

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Pet Plan Insurance/Yswiriant Cynllun Anifeiliaid Anwes

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Pet Plan Insurance/Yswiriant Cynllun Anifeiliaid Anwes

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Discount automatically applied

Join the UK's No.1 pet insurer

Not all pet insurance is created equal

We've been perfecting our cover for over 40 years but it's important to note that not all pet insurance is the same and can impact the veterinary care you can afford for your pet. But don't just take our word for it. We've teamed up with Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick to help pet owners know the right questions to ask when looking for pet insurance:

1. Are there any additional limits within the Veterinary Fees cover?

2. Do you cover dental illness and injury?

3. Will I pay more if I claim?

Award Winning
Pet Insurance

What makes Petplan different?

Over the last 40 years, Petplan has helped millions of pets through illness and injury. Today, we're still the UK's favourite pet insurer, insuring over 1.3 million pets.

Here's just some of the reasons why 90% of our customers renew each year:

There's no penalty for claiming. We want you to take your pet to the vet without worrying about the cost of your insurance, so we won't increase your premium just because you have made a claim

We pay 97% of claims we receive. That's over £5million paid every week to help Petplan pets get the veterinary treatment they need

We can pay your vet directly so you can concentrate on getting your pet back to the best of health

More About Us

What our customers say

Eunice & Ben's story
December 2018
Petplan customers since 2010

I didn't think we'd need cover, until Ben developed a chronic skin condition. Then I was glad we had it. Eight years on, Petplan are still paying for his treatments and we are eternally thankful.

Find out more about how Petplan has supported our customers through the highs and lows of pet ownership, in a journey we call pethood.

Find out more

Login to My Petplan

View your policies and make a claim with ease.

Claim for vet fees online

See your pet's cover details

View & download your policy documents

Check payments

Renewal payments

Log in/Register Have another question? Go to Help & Contact

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Pet insurance from the UK's favourite provider

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Discount automatically applied Join the UK's No.1 pet insurer We've been perfecting our cover for over 40 years but it's important to note that not all pet insurance is the same and can impact the veterinary care you can afford for your pet. But don't just take our word for it.

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LV Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes LV

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LV Pet Insurance/Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes LV

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*Price per month for lifetime cover based on a DOG, aged 2, no known medical conditions, neutered, up to date with vaccinations, microchipped and based in the CF14 3HL postcode region. Prices correct on 27/02/2024 on Confused.com

What types of pet insurance are there?

Having pet insurance in place could give you peace of mind in the knowledge that your cat or dog is well-protected if they ever need vet treatment.

There are four main policy types you might want to consider for your pet:

What does pet insurance cover?

What you're covered for will depend on the type of policy you choose but may include:

Your policy might also cover:

Treatment for unexpected illnesses, although exactly what illness are covered will depend on your policy

Boarding fees for kennels or catteries if your pet has to spend time away from home unexpectedly, if you're hospitalised and unable to care for them, for example

Liability cover if your pet causes accidental damage to a third party and they decide to take action against you

Advertising and reward if your cat or dog goes missing or is stolen

But as with all insurance, it's important to read the small print to make sure you know what you're covered for.

Most policies typically exclude:

Preventive treatments such as neutering, spaying and vaccinations

Confused.com's Pet Insurance solution is provided by theIdol.com. theidol.com is a trading style of Investment Discounts On-Line Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office; Investment Discounts On-Line Ltd, One Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AA. Registered in England no: 04231834. theidol.com is part of the Legal & General group. Our service is free to use and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives a commission from theidol.com if you decide to buy through our website. Our commission is based on a percentage of a fixed price per pet insured, but will not increase your premium. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence - therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.

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Find great cover for your cat or dog from just £4.33 when you compare pet insurance quotes with Confused.com.

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Tesco Pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes Tesco

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Tesco Pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes Tesco

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Tesco Pet Insurance Quotes - Cat & Dog Insurance - Tesco Bank

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Tesco Bank Premier Pet Insurance is Defaqto 5 star rated. Choose from three cover levels, with a guaranteed discount for Clubcard members. Get a quote online now.

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Direct line pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes llinell uniongyrchol

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Direct line pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes llinell uniongyrchol

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Go to Pawsquad

Essential cover

Our most affordable cat insurance provides up to £4,000 of cover per condition. Each condition is covered for up to 12 months from the date of the first treatment.

Advanced cover

Our highest level of pet insurance provides up to £8,000 towards vet fees per condition, with no time limit on how long you can claim.

What can impact my premium?

Age. The older your pet gets, the more expensive your cover is likely to be. This is because your pet is more prone to chronic medical conditions in later years.

Rising vet fees. Fees are increasing throughout the UK because vets can now provide more advanced treatments.

Breed. Some breeds are more expensive to insure as they're more susceptible to certain medical conditions.

IPT. If Insurance Premium Tax either increases or decreases, insurance premiums are impacted.

Introductory discounts. If the price you've paid today includes an introductory or renewal discount, you might find your insurance is higher in following years once the offer ends. Other factors including, but not limited to, the age and breed of your pet or claims history could also have an impact on your premium at renewal.

Need more help?

You can claim online, search our site or for any other questions, ask our virtual assistant.

If you'd rather talk to us, just give us a call (includes Typetalk service). We can help you choose the right kind of cover.

The policy doesn't cover any pre-existing conditions. This includes claims for any conditions, symptoms or events that happen before the start of the policy, and within the first 14 days of the policy. Symptoms exhibited before the policy start date that are later diagnosed aren't covered unless the problems are totally unrelated.

For example, if your pet had a cut on its leg which healed before the policy start date, this wouldn't be considered an existing condition. A future cut to the same leg would be classed as a new condition and covered under the terms of the policy.

However, you wouldn't be covered if the original wound didn't heal properly, and further treatment was required. This would be considered an existing condition as it was present before the start date of the policy.

We offer two levels of cover.

Our Essential policy covers separate conditions for 12 months from the first date of treatment, up to a maximum of £4,000 per condition. This policy may be suitable for unexpected injuries or for acute conditions which are unlikely to require long term treatment.

Our Advanced policy covers each separate condition up to a maximum of £8,000 with no time limit on reaching this amount. The Advanced policy is worth considering if you want to cover the costs of ongoing conditions such as arthritis or heart conditions.

Once a pet is insured with us, we'll continue to insure it. We don't restrict cover or increase the excess due to a pet's age. Please note, all cover for ongoing claims is subject to the policy remaining in force.

Yes, having more than one pet on a policy will entitle you to a discount which is automatically applied. You'll also benefit from having all your pets on one policy, with one renewal date and one payment date.

A dog or cat can be insured from the age of 8 weeks old up to a maximum age of 11 years old (6 years for certain dog breeds). Once the animal is insured, we can continue the cover for the rest of its life.

The quickest and easiest way to submit a claim is through our secure online portal. Simply complete the online form, and we'll contact your vet direct to deal with the claim. If they agree, we'll also pay them directly too.

Throughout your claim we'll keep you in the loop with regular updates on its progress.

Alternatively, you can download the pet insurance claim form and email it back to us at petclaimreturn@ukipartnerships.com or call us on 0345 246 8496 (lines open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm).

Page updated: 18th May, 2020

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With two levels of vet fees cover, choose cover that's right for your cat - including no time limit on treatment with Advanced cover. Get a quote today.

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Post office pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes swyddfa'r post

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Post office pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes swyddfa'r post

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Pet Insurance | Pet Insurance Quotes | Post Office

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Find an affordable insurance plan for your pets through Post Office Money. Ensure your pets are taken care of when they need it the most.

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CO-OP pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes CO-OP

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CO-OP pet insurance/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes CO-OP

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We cannot offer cover for any animal registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and The Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) order 1991 or Dangerous Dogs (amendment) Act 1997 or any subsequent amendments.

We also cannot offer cover for any of the listed breeds, whether pedigree, crossed or mixed with:

A

African Crested Dog

Akita

Alapaha Bulldog

Alopekis

American Bandogge

American Bulldog

American Indian Dog

American Mancon

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

American Staghound

Argentinian Mastiff

Australian Dingo

B

Bandogge Mastiff

Boar Hounds

Boerboel

Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic

Bully Kutta

Bully Indian

C

Canadian Inuit

Cane Corso

Cao Fila

Cattle Dog Azores

Chinese Shar Pei

Cirneco Dell'Etna

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

D

Dogo Argentino

Dogue Brasileiros

Dogue de Bordeaux

F

G

I

Inuit

Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier

J

K

L

M

N

Neva Masquerade

New Guinea Singing Dog

New Zealand Herding Dog

New Zealand Huntaway

Northern Inuit

O

Ovtcharka

Ovtcharka Caucasian

Ovtcharka Central Asian

Ovtcharka Middle Asian

Ovtcharka South Russian

P

Pakistani Mastiff

Perro Cimarron

Perro De Pastor Mallorqui

Perro De Presa Canario

Pit Bull Mastiff

Pit Bull Terrier

Portuguese Podengo

Portuguese Warren Hound

R

S

Sarloos Wolfhound

Segugio Italiano

Shar Pei

Sheepdog Atlas

Sheepdog Caucasian

Sheepdog Central Asian

Sheepdog Croatian

Sheepdog Egyptian

Sheepdog Himalayan

Shepherd Dog Atlas

Shepherd Dog Caucasian

Sussex Bulldog

Sussie Shepherd

T

Tahltan Bear Dog

Tamaskan

Thai Ridgeback

Tosa Inu

Treeing Tennessee Brindle

U

V

W

Wolf Hybrid

Wolfhound Belgian

Wolfhound Czechoslovaki

Wolfhound Kunming

Y

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Pet Insurance | Online Pet Insurance Quotes | Co-op Insurance

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Protect yourself and your pet from costly vet visits and take out a pet insurance policy with Co-op. Get an instant pet insurance quote online today.

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Where to go for help with vet costs/Ble i fynd am help gyda chostau milfeddyg

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Where to go for help with vet costs/Ble i fynd am help gyda chostau milfeddyg

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It can be stressful when your pet is unwell and if you're also worried about money this can make the situation feel worse. The longer your pet is unwell the worse their illness can become. Seeking advice quickly will likely reduce costs overall and be best for your pet's health.

Get advice from your vet first

The first step towards helping your pet is contacting your local vet. Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, it's good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.

Your vet should be able to give advice on how best to help your pet but if unable to, there are other options to consider depending on your circumstance and location. Options can sometimes be offered at a reduced cost, free through some pet insurance providers and your vet may provide treatment directly.

Avoid DIY remedies to cut costs

If you're worried about money, you may be tempted to use home remedies or ask people without a professional vet's qualification for help. Unfortunately, many common human products and medications can be very harmful when used on pets. For example, paracetamol is highly toxic to cats and ibuprofen is very toxic to cats and dogs. Complications can be serious and lead to vet costs much higher than the original concern. In some cases, it can result in the loss of the pet, as symptoms may not be seen until serious damage has been done.

Well-meaning people, who are not professionally trained, may also offer you pet health advice and this type of advice may not be suitable or safe to use on your pet for reasons only a trained vet would know.

This is why it's very important to speak to your vet practice if you notice a change in your pet's health or behaviour. Getting your pet to the vet quickly tends to lower the long-term cost of vet bills, as well as helping improve your pet's wellbeing sooner.

How to get medication at a cheaper cost

Costs can vary for the same medication, so it's worth asking your vet if they can write a prescription to use online or bring it to a pharmacy where the price may be lower.

Pharmacies that buy very large amounts of medications at a time can often put a lower price tag for each one. But many vet clinics are small businesses, they cannot buy this larger amount of medication and use it all before it expires.

Your vet will need to charge for writing the prescription and this goes to the cost of running their clinic, but buying some medication this way can still reduce your overall costs.

Can't afford a vet treatment estimate

Unfortunately, there's no NHS for pets and vets need to charge fees to keep their clinics running. While vets are usually unable to lower the cost of their treatments, there are options to consider and discuss with your vet.

Alternative treatments

There could be other treatment options your vet can offer. Lower-cost treatments can offer good results but these options may come with less certainty or with more risks than the higher-cost alternatives. This is something your vet can explain to you.

The more recent advances in medicine and equipment come with an increased cost, and on a low budget, the sort of things you might see on the TV probably won't be available. But there may still be an option that might help your pet feel better.

Credit-based payment plans

Some vets offer payment plans through a credit company if you need help spreading the cost. Not every vet can offer this, but it's worth asking if this is an option.

To decide if signing up for a payment plan is right for you, please contact:

Change your vet

Vet fees vary based on location, which equipment and tests are available, the vet's experience and speciality.

You may want to get a second opinion from a different vet clinic or hospital. There are some vets that set out to provide low-cost services and in some areas, you may find a not-for-profit clinic through companies like the Animal Trust.

You can find a list of vets in your area.

End of life decisions

At times, very sadly the only way to end a pet's suffering is for you to make the final decision about their life. If you would like to talk to someone about this, please know that free help is available through:

Charities that can help

Some animal charities help owners struggling with vet bills, either by providing some of the payment or by offering reduced costs through their own clinics. In most cases, you'll need to fit specific criteria to use them so check first.

To see if any of the below charities offer services that are available in your area please visit their websites. You may find there are charities for your specific area.

PDSA

People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) provides low-cost and free vet care to the sick and injured pets of people in need. Depending on your location and benefit status you may be eligible for support from PDSA.

Cats Protection

Cat's Protection offers free and low-cost neutering schemes throughout the UK.

Dogs Trust

Dogs Trust offers free and reduced-cost vet assistance for people who are in housing crises or are homeless. Visit Dogs Trust to find out more.

RSPCA

The majority of our funding goes to rescuing animals who have been treated cruelly, however through our local branches and hospitals we can sometimes help with vet bills.

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Veterinary Financial Assistance In Your Local Area | RSPCA

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It can be stressful when your pet is unwell and if you're also worried about money this can make the situation feel worse. The longer your pet is unwell the worse their illness can become. Seeking advice quickly will likely reduce costs overall and be best for your pet's health.

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Help with vet costs/Help gyda chostau milfeddyg

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Help with vet costs/Help gyda chostau milfeddyg

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Low-cost treatment

Our low-cost services offer vet care at an affordable rate for eligible owners. You could receive low-cost vet treatment at your local PDSA if you:

are in receipt of certain benefits such as Child Tax, Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit (without housing element)

are a pensioner living in a home in Council Tax Bands A-D.

Free treatment

You could receive free treatment for one pet at your local PDSA if you receive at last one of the following:

Housing Benefit

Council Tax Support

Universal Credit with a Housing Element.

If you are eligible for free treatment and have more than one pet, your other pets can receive our low-cost treatment.

What we can and can't treat

We offer treatment for a variety of small pets. However, as a charity our funds are limited, so there are some limits to our services. Unfortunately, due to veterinary staff shortages, some of our Pet Hospitals are currently prioritising life-saving emergency care over other essential and preventative care. We hope to fully reintroduce preventative care to all of our Pet Hospitals in the future.

We currently offer:

Emergency treatment to pets in need

Repeat prescription service

Vaccinations and boosters

Neutering

Treatments to stop fleas, worms and other pests

Microchipping

Special diets for medical conditions

A range of diagnostic tests

Low cost health care packages for your pet.

Unfortunately, we can't treat:

Pets whose owners do not meet our eligibility criteria, although we will always treat any pet in an emergency situation.

Pregnant pets. We do not encourage owners who use our services to breed their pets. However, we will perform emergency caesareans if the pet's life is in danger.

Pets in need of prosthetics. Mostly our pets survive perfectly well on three legs, but unfortunately we cannot afford to provide prosthetic limbs for pets.

Check with your local Pet Hospital for further information on the services we can and can't offer.

What to do if you're not eligible for PDSA vet care

We'd love to be able to care for every pet who comes our way but, sadly, demand for our services far exceeds our income. Our eligibility rules are in place to ensure our limited funding reaches the most vulnerable pets.

If a pet's life is in danger we always provide stabilising care and pain relief, regardless of eligibility.

If you are not eligible for our services, there are some other charities that may be able to help you with the cost of veterinary treatment. You can contact the RSPCA or Blue Cross to see if they can offer help, or your local vet may be able to offer you an affordable payment plan.

We would recommend getting insurance, as this can be a big help with unexpected veterinary bills. We offer a range of cost-effective packages to insure your pet through our PDSA Pet Insurance.

Find out more about PDSA

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Find out how we treat thousands of poorly pets across the UK and how to find out if you are eligible for our free and low-cost veterinary services.

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How much does caring for a cat really cost?

Cats can be an amazing part of a family, but they do require care and commitment, which comes at a cost. We have estimated that it will cost an owner at least £11,100 to care for their cat over their whole lifetime.

This is an estimated minimum cost - it doesn't take into account any further costs outside of the basics required to meet their welfare needs. If you decide or need to spend more on your cat's care or if they live longer than average, they could cost considerably more.

If your cat becomes unwell or has an accident and needs veterinary care, your costs will be higher. Of course, our cats are worth every penny, but you need to make sure you can afford any medical treatment they need. We recommend that all owners take out pet insurance, which is included in our estimate. Sadly, purebred cats are often at higher risk of certain health problems, which could add to your costs.

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It's easy to forget in all the excitement of getting a new feline friend but it's important to understand the cost involved in caring for them their entire lives.

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How to take care of your cat/Sut i ofalu am eich cath

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How to take care of your cat/Sut i ofalu am eich cath

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What you need for a cat/Beth sydd ei angen arnoch chi ar gyfer cath

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What you need for a cat/Beth sydd ei angen arnoch chi ar gyfer cath

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Money supermarket pet insurance (dogs/cats)/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes archfarchnad arian (cŵn/cathod)

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Money supermarket pet insurance (dogs/cats)/Yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes archfarchnad arian (cŵn/cathod)

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PDSA Pet Insurance (Cats/Dogs)/ Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes PDSA (Cath/Cŵn)

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PDSA Pet Insurance (Cats/Dogs)/ Yswiriant Anifeiliaid Anwes PDSA (Cath/Cŵn)

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What does pet insurance cover?

From veterinary fees to theft or straying, PDSA Pet Insurance provides a range of benefits, giving you peace of mind that your pet is covered in the event of an emergency. Some of our benefits include:

Veterinary fees, including:

MRI costs

CT scan costs

Complementary therapy

Physiotherapy

Overseas veterinary treatment

Dental crowns, root canals and fillings

Third party liability for dogs***

Death from illness, accident or injury

Theft or straying

Holiday travel cover

Your hospitalisation and boarding fees (Lifetime cover only)

Claims can be paid directly to your vet**

And your policy can be used at any vets so you can continue to use your own registered vet as usual

Click here to learn more about how pet insurance works.

Things to consider when buying pet insurance

When to take out a policy

You can take out a new PDSA Pet Insurance policy from when your puppy or kitten is as young as 8 weeks old. As there's an age limit for older pets starting a new pet insurance policy, it's best to insure your pet as soon as possible.

PDSA Pet Insurance is available to purchase for dogs under 8 years old (under 5 for some breeds) and cats under 10 years old. However, once your pet is covered, you can continue their existing insurance beyond these ages - just keep in mind that this will be dependent on the terms and conditions of your policy.

For more information, take a look at our Cat Insurance and Dog Insurance pages.

The right type of cover for your pet

We offer two types of cover to help you get the right insurance for both you and your pet, meaning you can choose a policy that suits your needs and budget. Our two types of cover are Lifetime and Time Limited - each one bringing different benefits.

Lifetime cover

Our Lifetime policy is our most comprehensive cover-type you can get for your pet. It covers vet fees for new illnesses and accidental injuries, including both one-off and long-term conditions. It covers you up to the maximum amount that you choose for each year for accidents and illnesses combined, and has a limit that renews each year. As it covers conditions for the rest of your pet's life (provided you renew your policy each year), Lifetime Insurance is more expensive than other policies. If you're looking for cover that can protect your pet for ongoing conditions, PDSA Lifetime Pet Insurance may be your best option.

Time Limited cover

With our Time Limited policy, your pet will be covered for illness and accidents for 12 months from the date of treatment, or once the maximum amount chosen for fees has been reached. Once either limit has been met, your pet will no longer be covered for that condition or any related issues. Because of this, Time Limited policies tend to be cheaper than other options, and are a good choice if you're looking for protection against short-term illnesses and sudden accidents.
For more in-depth information on our pet insurance policies, take a look at our policy page.
How much does pet insurance cost?

PDSA Pet Insurance provides policies to suit all budgets. This means that the cost of pet insurance depends on the type of policy that you choose, the level of cover and even your pet's breed and age. to read more about pet insurance.

While it's important to find a policy that suits your budget, you also need to think about which cover is best for your pet. There are different levels of cover, which all offer their own benefits to suit different needs. Some policies will cost more than others, but this means that you can always find a level of pet insurance cover that suits you.

To find out more about the different levels and types of PDSA Pet Insurance cover available, take a look at our policy page. To get an accurate price for your pet, you may find it useful to get a pet insurance quote.

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Looking for Pet Insurance? Discover PDSA's 5* rated coverage policies for cats, dogs or multiple pets and get a quote online. Protect your beloved pet with affordable and comprehensive insurance.

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What can a Cat eat/Beth all cath ei fwyta

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What can a Cat eat/Beth all cath ei fwyta

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Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet will keep your pet healthy and happy. Here's what you need to know about feeding your cat.

Cats need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy - they can't be vegetarian. You'll need to feed them a diet that's suitable for their age, state of health and lifestyle.

No human food: most typical human food won't meet the nutritional needs of cats, and some human foods can even be poisonous to cats, such as onions.

Little and often: cats naturally eat several small meals per day. Make sure you feed your cat every day and try to split their daily intake into several small meals (unless your vet advises otherwise).

Read the instructions: always read and follow the feeding instructions that relate to the cat food you buy. Why not try McAdams ethical cat food?

Feed the right amount: the amount your cat needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and health, so adjust the amount of food according to their specific needs. If a cat eats more food than they need, they'll become overweight and may suffer. Equally, if they're eating too little, they'll become underweight.

If you provide a litter tray, position their food and water well away from it. Most cats won't eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site.

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The URL can point to any Facebook, Twitch, Vimeo or Youtube video.

Make sure your cat always has clean drinking water available. They need it to stay healthy and could become severely ill within hours without water. Remember, cow's milk isn't a substitute for water.

Talk to a vet if your cat's eating and drinking habits change - it could be a sign they're ill.

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What to Feed Your Pet Cat | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

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Read our top tips for giving your cat a healthy, balanced diet, including how often you should feed them and where to put their food.

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How much does it really cost to care for a dog for their whole life?

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What you need for a dog/Beth sydd ei angen arnoch chi ar gyfer ci

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What you need for a dog/Beth sydd ei angen arnoch chi ar gyfer ci

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The average price in the UK/Wales to get your dog groomed is around £43, but prices range from £20 to £90 or even more.

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What you should feed your Dog/Beth ddylech chi fwydo'ch Ci

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What you should feed your Dog/Beth ddylech chi fwydo'ch Ci

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" Back to category

There are a number of potential diets for dogs, but it can be hard to determine which one is best for your four-legged friend. To help you make an informed decision, keep these factors in mind when deciding what to feed your dog.

What dogs eat

It's important to remember all dogs are individuals, and what diet might be fine for your friend's dog may be completely inappropriate for your dog. When it comes to a daily diet for your dog, it's important to consult with your vet.

Domesticated dogs are largely carnivores that eat some omnivorous foods. ¹ Dr Leigh from Your Vet Online advises that it is important to ensure your dog's food is both complete and balanced for its stage of life, and if it has any medical issues.

It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice.

Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of. Experienced vet Dr Leigh Davidson suggests the following.

Choose human-grade meat as some pet meat and bone products will contain preservatives that can be bad for your dog's health.

Practice impeccable food hygiene as the risk of both you and your dog getting a food-borne bacterial infection such as campylobacter or salmonella is high.

Have a veterinary nutritionist formulate the diet for you. Many raw diets are not balanced appropriately for stage of life or medical conditions.

A small amount of cooked meat such as boiled chicken or lamb is an option for dogs to eat, but avoid cooked bones or toxic substances such as onion sauces that may be present on the meat.

Tinned sardines, tinned tuna, and tinned salmon in spring water can be fed as an occasional treat to your dog, but always check for fish bones first.

Don't be scared to bulk out your dog's meal with cooked pumpkin or raw grated carrot. According to Dr Leigh, many dogs lack enough fibre in their diet, and the addition of cooked pumpkin or grated carrot can improve their bowel health.

Be careful to make sure your dog isn't consuming the whole bone as this can lead to constipation.

Generally, one to two bones a week is sufficient to help remove plaque from teeth. Remember, the bone should be large enough that the dog can't fit it in its mouth whole, and they should be raw - cooked bone can splinter, which can cause internal damage or obstruct the intestine, both of which can be fatal.

For more information on how to feed your dog bones, visit the RSPCA Australia knowledge base.

How much food your dog needs

The amount of food your dog needs will largely depend on the size, breed and age of your dog, as well as how regularly it exercises. The key is to ensure you don't overfeed or underfeed your dog. If ever you're unsure, ask your vet to assess your dog's diet and nutrition, and the condition of its body and overall health.

Always ensure your dog is well hydrated. This means making sure their water bowl is filled up at all times and is changed daily, so they can help themselves to water whenever they need or want.

When assessing your dog's size and weight, it is far more important to look at their body shape than weight. You want your dog to be lean, which means you should be able to feel their ribs when you run your fingers firmly over their side and see a defined waist. If this isn't possible, it's diet time. Obesity in dogs is linked to decreased longevity and diseases such as osteoarthritis, and it is totally preventable. ²

Image supplied by Hill's Prescription Diet ~ Clinical Nutrition to Improve Quality of Life

Food in relation to your dog's age

8-16 weeks

This is the age when many pups will enter their new home. It's important to not make huge diet changes at this time as you might inadvertently cause a stomach upset.

Many breeders will tell you what they have been feeding your dog. Ideally, you will continue with this, and introduce the diet you wish to feed them in small incremental stages over a few weeks until you are feeding your pup your preferred diet completely.

The best food to feed is a high quality commercial kibble designed for puppies. This ensures all the nutrients your puppy needs for growth and development are present.

You can add cooked meats and vegetables or rice as you wish; however, the main diet needs to be the commercially balanced kibble.

Raw diets are not recommended for very young pups as they don't have the immune system development to cope with a high bacterial load. It is also very difficult to balance a raw diet for growing puppies.

Puppies have a high nutritional demand and can't go for long without food. It's very important to feed small meals regularly.

16+ weeks

At the 16-week mark, feel free to introduce some raw meaty bones gradually. It's around this time that permanent teeth are erupting, so this encourages them to chew actively on something other than your shoes or couch (it won't affect or benefit teeth health at all). For puppies, one bone a week is generally enough; and remember, the meatier - the better.

Don't be alarmed if your puppy becomes possessive over its food when it's eating. Always discourage children from getting too close to them when they're eating, and be aware they may growl or snap at you if you attempt to take the food away. You can prevent the development of food guarding by handfeeding your pup in the early stages. If your pup already guards, please seek help from a veterinarian.

When you're introducing a new food to your pup, keep an eye on it at all times for any signs of illness or distress. Like humans, dogs can have intolerances or be allergic to things ⁴, or a certain food simply may not agree with your pup. Note down what it is you fed your puppy if a reaction or illness occurs and pop that on the no-feed list.

As your pup gets older, you can gradually reduce the number of feeds to twice per day. Try to ensure you aren't overfeeding or underfeeding your dog. It can be tricky as most people will assume bigger breeds need more to eat; however, this isn't always the case. Overfeeding your puppy can lead to health issues such as musculoskeletal problems later in its life. ³

Adult dogs

Adult dogs should be fed either once or twice a day. Use a high-quality commercial dog food, making sure it's appropriate for the life stage and health status of your dog. ¹

Small or medium breed dogs are generally deemed to be 'adults' from 12 months of age, whereas your larger breed dogs take a little longer and don't really become 'adults' until 18-24 months.

Check with your veterinarian when to change over from puppy-appropriate food to adult-appropriate food.

The same feeding guidelines apply to adult dogs. Ensure the diet you choose is complete and balanced. You can add meat (cooked or raw), and vegetables or fish for variety. Choose large, raw, meaty bones. Most importantly, don't over feed.

Senior dogs

For senior dogs, the need to keep tabs on their health is crucial. Many older dogs have chronic health issues that can be affected or improved by the diet you feed.

For some senior dogs, frequent smaller meals will keep them happy and satisfied. For others, it's about keeping things the same as before. Some senior dogs may need more fibre, protein or other nutrients to ensure their bodies are taken care of. Speak to your veterinarian about your dog's specific needs.

Keep certain foods out of reach

When it comes to your pets, not everything people eat is safe for them. It's important to know that while this list is not comprehensive, these are the most common household foods that you'll need to protect your pup from.

Chocolate

While dogs love the smell of chocolate, it's toxic for them, and should never be fed to them. ¹

Onions and garlic

Onions are very toxic to dogs. They cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells causing them to rupture leading to anaemia.

Citrus

The citric acid found in fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, lime and orange, can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and at the very worst end of the scale, depression of the central nervous system. ⁴

Milk and lactose

Some dogs may be lactose intolerant, resulting in stomach upsets like vomiting or diarrhoea. If your dog reacts strongly to milk products, it's best to avoid them.

Raw yeast dough

While your dog can have small bits of bread, raw dough is definitely a no-no. As the yeast rises, it can cause gas in the dog's digestive system, which is painful and may potentially rupture its stomach or cause gastric dilation and volvulus. ⁴

Fatty foods

If you're looking at maintaining a healthy weight for your dog, sweet and fatty foods should be avoided. Also, fatty foods can lead to illnesses such as pancreatitis. ⁴

Salty foods

Salt is an essential component to your dog's diet helping muscle and nerve function. However, some dogs with chronic disease such as kidney, heart or liver problems may need to watch their salt consumption. It is always important to get advice from your vet regarding the diet of your pet.

If your dog snacks on something it shouldn't, pet insurance is one way you can ensure they get the professional help they need along with a financial helping hand for vet bills. RSPCA Pet Insurance for dogs is affordable and flexible, with first year of premiums helping support the RSPCA.

Author

Dr Leigh Davidson, BVSc, BApplSc, has over 17 years' experience as a vet, and is the founder of Your Vet Online. Your Vet Online provides animal owners who have animal health queries 24 hour online access to registered veterinarians, 365 days a year.

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" Back to category There are a number of potential diets for dogs, but it can be hard to determine which one is best for your four-legged friend. To help you make an informed decision, keep these factors in mind when deciding what to feed your dog.

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How to train your dog the basics/Sut i hyfforddi'ch ci y pethau sylfaenol

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How to train your dog the basics/Sut i hyfforddi'ch ci y pethau sylfaenol

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How to take care of Hamsters/Sut i ofalu am Bochdewion

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How to take care of Hamsters/Sut i ofalu am Bochdewion

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Ideal home for guinea pigs/Cartref delfrydol ar gyfer moch cwta

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Ideal home for guinea pigs/Cartref delfrydol ar gyfer moch cwta

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Guinea pigs are very active animals and they need lots of space as well as plenty of toys, hides and tunnels to keep them healthy and happy. If your guinea pigs don't have the right home it can lead to boredom and health problems.

There are lots of different ways you can make the perfect set up for your guinea pigs. A large hutch and a big exercise area provide them with the ideal living area, a cosy bedroom to snuggle up in and plenty of room to run around and explore.

Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, so long as they have enough space and you can keep them at a comfortable temperature in the summer heat or bad winter weather. You can also keep your guinea pigs in their own heated outhouse, a car-free garage or a shed.

If your guinea pigs have access to the outdoors, it's important to be careful in bad weather. Their bodies are very low to the ground and they can get cold and dirty on their bellies. Make sure their exercise area doesn't get too wet or muddy and avoid any hard or cold surface that might hurt or damage their feet.

A large hutch - the bigger the better but at least 1.5 x 1m (with a 2m x 1m run attached). Make sure it's weatherproof and raised off the ground.

A safe and comfy lining in their hutch. Clean wood shavings or sawdust are suitable. Any lining used should be dust-free.

Clean, dry hay, straw or shredded paper as bedding. Your guinea pig will also need feeding hay to eat. You can read more about this on our guinea pig diet page.

Constant access to a large exercise area. Guinea pigs don't usually have one long sleep at night but they still need to take naps throughout the day and night. They'll need to be able to choose when to go to bed and when to be active. Their exercise or run area should be least 2m x 1m but again the bigger the better. Ideally, this should be a grassy area without too much mud and no standing water. You may need to move their run or exercise area frequently, especially if it get dirty or they've eaten lots of the grass. Try to avoid concrete or very hard surfaces as these can give your guinea pigs sores on their feet. If you keep your guinea pigs inside, make sure you keep them on a non-slip, not carpeted, easy to clean surface.

Lots of tunnels, shelters and hides in their run so they can move around confidently, explore and hide if they want to.

Plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained.

Enclosure ideas for your Guinea Pig

Here are some great guinea pig enclosures to inspire you:

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Guinea pigs are very active animals and they need lots of space as well as plenty of toys, hides and tunnels to keep them healthy and happy. If your guinea pigs don't have the right home it can lead to boredom and health problems. There are lots of different ways you can make the perfect set up for your guinea pigs.