Pets

Should you breed a pet?

The idea of breeding from our pets can be very appealing. Puppies and kittens are lovely, and producing a new generation from our beloved dog or cat can be exciting.

It is important, however, to carefully consider whether breeding is right for you and your pet. For instance, it is essential that your pet is healthy and has a good temperament, otherwise you may pass on health and behaviour issues to the litter. It is unethical to intentionally breed from an unhealthy animal. Anxious or aggressive parents may produce similar behaviours in their offspring.

Some people choose to breed because they want to make money from selling the puppies or kittens. During Covid there was a huge increase in demand, particularly for puppies and this caused a significant increase in prices. However, this increased demand has dropped and some breeders have been left unable to rehome all the puppies from a litter.

There are also financial implications. A number of genetic tests are available for certain breeds, which include blood tests, eye examinations and x-rays and, where these are recommended, they should be checked prior to breeding to ensure the parents are less likely to pass on an abnormality to their offspring.

If the bitch or queen becomes unwell during the pregnancy or the birth they may require veterinary treatment, and an emergency caesarean at 2am is stressful and expensive.

Complications could lead to the death of the litter, meaning that you have no financial return on the costs incurred. The bitch or queen could also become ill or even die, and the risk of losing your family pet should be seriously considered.

It is also important to consider appropriate homes for the puppies or kittens before you breed them. People are often keen to get a new puppy or kitten but, once they reach adulthood, they may find they are unable to cope. Most dogs in rescue centres are 1-2 years old.

There is no proven physical or psychological benefit to your pet from having a litter. In fact the opposite could be considered more likely due to the potential for complications associated with the pregnancy. Unintentional matings are not uncommon and neutering should be considered to avoid this risk.

If you are going to breed your pet, please consider all of the above before doing so and plan ahead to ensure all appropriate tests have been completed in time and that you have researched appropriate homes for all potential puppies or kittens before they arrive.

by Lynn Broom

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation

Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. Collection Service Farewell Room Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border

KOI, 2 LARGE (one a golden butterfly, one black/white) offers in region £300 each) Buyer collects. 01258 472367

WHIPPET CROSS BEDLINGTON PUPPIES please phone 07971 546410 BLACK AND WHITE KITTENS 8wks, £30 each 01963 362351

KITTENS VARIOUS. £70 each. Ready May. Martock 07967 478793 TWO BEAUTIFUL AFFECTIONATE

YOUNG BULGARIAN RESCUE DOGS,

BUSYPETZ MICROCHIPPING SERVICES Single Pets Breeders & Rescues. Pet sitting service Toys Beds sadly need to rehome as need more time than we have to help overcome their fear of men. Please call Vanessa 07759 012891

Hi-Viz visit our website http://www. ESS PUPPIES FOR SALE, b&w and busypetz.co.uk Tel: 07731-712060 l&w. Bitches and dogs. KC registered. Many FTW and FTCH in pedigree.

Budgerigars £15 each Ready April. POA 07971 691588

Fisher Love Birds £25 each

Kakarikis Bird £40 each Cockatiels £45 each 01722 716066

LOST AND FOUND AND REHOMING

Blandford and Sturminster Newton Branch Cats Protection Cats looking for new homes

Tubbs & Milo (4): gorgeous black brothers looking for safe home away from busy roads.

Tom & Fluffy (18 & 11): these best friends been living in cattery for a year, so are desperate for their own home. Various ferals looking for indoor/ outdoor homes.

Rusty (5): very timid but affectionate tortie girl.

Lost cats

If you have lost a cat, please contact us via our website, phone or Facebook page. Please make sure we have a contact phone number, so we can get in touch with you quickly. • Ginger & white, hit by a car, Winterborne Whitechurch, 3 April; • Black & white, missing from Sandbourne Ave Blandford for 3 weeks.

Found cats

If you are regularly seeing a cat in your garden or down your street that you don’t think has a home, please give us a call – it might be a lost cat that could be reunited with its owner. We are still offering neutering and micro-chipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10, DT11, SP5, SP7, BH21 and now also in SP8. Call 01258 268695 for more information.

BEHAVIOUR TIPS

In this series of short articles, Helen Taylor offers bite-size tips on training your dog using effective, safe and humane methods.

Tip #12 Boundary Aggression? Many owners think that a dog barking aggressively at other dogs, vehicles or people passing their house or garden is normal, harmless or even enjoyable for the dog. In fact, allowing a dog to do this increases the risk that he will display aggressive behaviour, even if he isn’t doing so currently. This is particularly likely if it happens regularly and if the dog comes into physical contact with targets on or near the boundary. And while ALL electric collars are likely to cause aggressive behaviour eventually, this is why ‘freedom fence’ electric collars are so dangerous, why 3,000 postal workers are bitten by dogs every year and why attacks on dogs that are passing as the resident dog runs out are particularly brutal. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, this behaviour is strongly reinforced (more so every time it occurs) as the target usually goes away quickly. Secondly, not being able to attack the target causes frustration and stress, which builds up over time; and thirdly, because being on the demarcation between familiar and neutral territory magnifies the aggressive response.

Helen Taylor is a qualified, accredited behaviourist, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, a Registered Practitioner with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, and is a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (no 881). help@helentaylordorset.co.uk www.helentaylordorset.co.uk

BLANDFORD & STURMINSTER CATS PROTECTION

Loving homes needed for cats and kittens in our care.

For more details, please call our helpline 01258 858644 or visit our website: www.blandford.cats.org.uk