mypetfriends.co.uk

Pets love the summer months – not only can cats roam more places, dogs are taken for longer walks, but all pet’s will find that their owners spend more time with them – especially if their owners have children.  During the summer break, children have time to spend with their cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters, spiders, snakes, reptiles, horses, donkeys and any other of the many different types of pets people have.  So, when children have to go back to school, pets are often unprepared to deal with this sudden change and miss them dearly.
-

Clive Potts is a behavioural therapist who specialises in working with pets who are suffering from depression.  He told us that many pets exhibit similar symptoms to that of depression in humans when they experience this loss. 
-

“Pets are social animals and enjoy the company of other pets and their owners.  Children make ideal companions for many household pets, and during the summer break children will spend more time with their pets.  Pets get used to this routine and when the holidays are over and the children go back to school, pets are often left alone for long periods once more.”
-

“Due to the recent economic climate, many pet owners can only afford to have one pet, so they don’t even have the company of other pets to keep them occupied.  This, coupled with the onset of autumn, is a recipe for extreme stress for many pets.”
-

Clive suggests that parents and children should try to gradually get back into a regular routine with their pets before the end of the holiday period and that time with a pet should be scheduled into the day when a child returns to school (its all too easy for homework, after school clubs, etc to get in the way of time with your pet).  Clive also suggests that encouraging children to play with pets after a day at school will not only reduce the pets stress, but that of the child too. 
-

We’re only virtual pets, but we can understand how this could affect pets, so do what you can to ensure that your pets’ emotional health & wellbeing is looked after. 
-

Come back and see us again soon,
-

Kitty & Teddy
-

Email Kitty and Teddy with ideas for their pet blog, pet tips and other pet news and pet information – This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Read more pet tips and pet updates by signing up for our twitter feed @mypetfriends_uk

-
Pet shops, pet stores, pet directory – the movers and shakers
We love the great therapies offered by the canine massage therapy centre – find more details at http://www.mypetfriends.co.uk/Canine-Massage-Therapy.html
-

Pet product of the month
If your children have been haranguing you for a pet this summer, why not introduce them to pet care with a goldfish or a hamster.  These are affordable pets that have minimal care (if you get a dog, you know you’ll be walking it).  Find details about suppliers of tanks and cages in our pet shops by visiting our links page – see http://www.mypetfriends.co.uk/Links/index.html - we particularly like the products offered by companion’s choice products Ltd who offer a variety of products for pets, including small animals such as hamsters.
-

Pet tip of the month
Michelle Holly, Exeter: Take your children to pet rescue centres for a few visits before they decide on a pet – when they see abandoned dogs and cats they will think carefully about whether or not to have a pet themselves.