With all the sad recent news of two police dogs being found dead in a locked car on the hottest day of the year, the RSPCA have some excellent advice on how to look after your pet in this hot weather. Even in moderately warm weather, around 22 degrees, the temperature inside a locked car can quickly reach 47 degrees within an hour. If you see a dog locked in a car, people are advised to ring 999.
It’s not only the Chinese Year of the Rabbit…but tomorrow brings Rabbit Awareness Week!
So it’s sad news that a recent study has found these inquisitive little creatures are getting a rather bad deal. In Britain, they are the third most popular pet, after cats and dogs, yet the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations estimate around 75% of the two million pet rabbits are badly treated. Many people were unsure about what their pet actually needs in terms of exercise, food and social interactions. Many pets languish outside in hutches that are too small for them with nothing to stimulate their intelligent and inquisitive minds. If you consider the longest jump recorded by a rabbit is 10ft, most cramped hutches are far too small for these animals.
Photo : Andrew Linscott/Alamy
Today begins the animal charity RSPCA Week! This vital organisation help rescue animals all over the country every year…but they need our help. Find out what’s going on near you and see what you can do to get involved. I’ll be popping down to the London Pet Show (for the rabbit show jumping and pig agility!) where they will have a stand giving out useful pet info and advice.
Meet Zac and Lilli, two of the residents at Blue Cross’s animal shelter. They’ve been friends since they were puppies but when Zac lost his sight five years ago, Lilli became his natural guide dog. Sarah Bussell from the charity says how they’ve bonded, “Their relationship is about Zac’s trust in Lilli. It’s really sweet.”
Their owner emigrated recently so they are looking for a new home…and as they are inseparable, they come as a pair!
Meet Louie, the 9 month old pot-bellied crossbreed who is so agile he’s competing in dog display teams! The piglet was too small to live with the owner’s other pigs and instead roamed free…and became very interested in the canine agility equipment! Owner, Sue Williams, found that with the temptation of a ginger biscuit, Louie would happily run through tunnels and leap over fences. The other dogs have accepted him into their pack and if Louis is granted a licence, he could be appearing soon at Crufts!
I’ve got three Winter White dwarf hamsters, but up until now, we’ve only managed to get photos of two of them (Fatso and Minnie – mostly on the Photos page!)
Beryl has remained elusive for two reasons…she’s extremely nippy and moves like a ninja plus she’s quite nervous and suspicious of cameras. However, she’s also very curious and likes to stand on her hind legs (like a meerkat) to see what’s going on, and we managed to catch her in her curious pose today! Unlike the other two, she is a normal dark grey colour and as a Winter White, changes colour to a slightly paler fur to help camouflage herself in snow at Winter. However, as she lives indoors (and we’ve had the heating on) she’s unlikely to change to be as white as our other two furballs!
Photos by Suzie Pipes ©
The battle between canine and feline has finally been decided! Scientists have discovered that dogs have bigger brains than their feline friends.
It was originally thought that as cats required less attention they might be smarter, but it’s their lack of sociability that means they require smaller brains. A general trend shows that the bigger the social network of an animal…the bigger the brain. The interactivity is good for the brain because of the brain power needed for co-operation and co-ordination within the group.
Scientists have been studying cats and how they manage to lap milk up so efficiently and elegantly (as opposed to dogs slobbering!) They analysed slow motion footage of cats drinking and found that all cats, big and small, act in the same way.
As the tongue extends, the tip curls over so only the top of the tongue touches the milk.
Instead of using suction as humans and dogs do, the cat’s tongue doesn’t disturb the water surface, but some liquid sticks to it. As the cat retracts its tongue rapidly, a water column is created by the drop in pressure.
Who knew your pet moggy was actually highly advanced in physics!
Whilst I love this time of year, spare a thought for your pets with all the fireworks and bonfire night festivities.
The RSPCA have some great advice to make sure your pets don’t have a frightening Autumn, including using pheromone diffusers which a few people in my office have tried to great effect!
At first glance, I did wonder how this was scientific news…dogs will wait until you’re not looking to sneak food from your plate. But, interestingly it proves that dogs have theory of mind and can assess what others around them are doing. Dogs from shelter homes as well as pets had learnt this food-nabbing skill, which implies that it’s not learnt from experience but possibly genetic and evolved from wolves. Try it out on your pet pooch…but not with your favourite dinner!
