Pets

Sponsor appeal for pet food pack recycling

Verwoodians on Waste say they are sad to announce that the recycling company Terracycle have lost their Pet Food Plastic sponsor, Mars, and will no longer be able to recycle pet food plastic from November 15. This is a huge loss to the many residents in Verwood who diligently recycling their carefully washed plastic pet food pouches at the Verwoodians on Waste recycling centre in Verwood said chairman Anita Rigler. She added: “This recycling bin is extremely popular with local people. The revenue from the recycling also raises money for charity so it will be a huge loss to many people”. The pet food bin in the Potters Wheel Car Park and Cedar Vets will be removed on November 15. Secretary Sara Cabrini said: “Pet owners are asked to consider a non-plastic alternative such as foil trays which can be recycled locally or make home-made pet food using fresh meat from the butcher. By taking your own containers to the butchers your pet can be completely plastic-free!” The good news is that VoW’s other bins continue to be very well received and VoW are looking for a volunteer to run their popular confectionery bin. Anyone who would like to know more should contact verwoodiansonwaste@gmail .com.

Be careful with your kindness

by Tiffany Fleming Feeding someone else’s pet, or even an animal in the wild, is usually done with the best of intentions. Although it’s a lovely idea, there are reasons why this can be damaging for an animal, advises the RSPCA, which is appealing to the public to be aware of the potential dangers. Some animals may be on strict diets due to health issues, and there are some food types that are highly dangerous to pets or wildlife. Did you know that that rabbits and horses can’t vomit? As a result, when they become ill, they can go downhill very rapidly. Depending on the cause of their illness, as they don’t have the function to expel anything that is upsetting them, the effects of eating

PET LOVE: Owners know best how to feed their animals

Picture: STEVE BELASCO

something they shouldn’t can become very serious indeed. Visit the RSPCA website at www.rspca.org.uk for more advice on pets and pet welfare.

Pet rescue shop ready to go

Waggy Tails Rescue’s Ferndown shop is fully stocked and staff and volunteers are looking forward to helping you pick up a Christmas shopping bargain or two! The Dorset charity is well known for rescuing and rehoming dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or otherwise. It also finds homes for other small furries that end up in its care, so donations and legacies are crucial to its success – in fact they’ve been its main source of income over the last 18 months. The Waggy Tails team are grateful to everyone who helped them keep going and thank them for their continued support. Donations can be sent to: Helen’s House, Waggy Tails Rescue, 143 Magna Road, Wimborne, BH21 3AW For more information: call 01202 875000, e-mail: admin@waggytails.org.uk or visit waggytails.org.uk

APPEALING: Heidi and Chloe

Does your pet have arthritis?

Getting older is no fun, but at least for us humans we can have a good old moan about it. Our poor pets can’t communicate this with us about getting old, mainly because they’re not really aware this is happening to them, or what getting old is... that’s where you can step in and make them as comfortable as possible during their later years.

What is arthritis? Arthritis affects cats and dogs in the same way it affects us humans. Their joints can become inflamed as they get older which in turn restricts movement and can be painful. This can cause cartilage wear, in turn leading to the bones rubbing together; Ouch! The cartilage protects the ends of the bones and if this wears through the resulting bone-onbone contact can be extremely painful. Any pet can get arthritis, but it’s more commonly seen in older pets and those who are carrying too much weight; basically where extra pressure is placed on the joints.

Symptoms You may notice that your dog is noticeably stiff – their movements may appear slow and stilted, particularly when they’ve been resting or sleeping and then trying to get up. They may even show a limp. Cats, however, are less likely to do this and their symptoms will be more evident in their mood and behaviour. They may be less likely to move around as much and spend more time sleeping. A general lack of movement in in our pets can lead to loss of appetite or weight gain – this can make the problem worse. Your pet may also appear restless or even depressed as they can’t seem to get comfortable when lying down.

The outlook Unfortunately arthritis is a permanent condition that usually progresses as the pet gets older, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing that can be done. If you think your pet might be suffering with arthritis, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your vet. They will investigate further and put together a treatment plan for your pet.

The most common remedies are anti-inflammatories and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. By managing the condition, you can keep your pet as comfortable as possible, like making their beds soft, warm and cosy, keeping them at a healthy weight (weight control is the cheapest and healthiest way of helping this condition) and again your vet will be able to help you with this. Keep an eye on your pets during these colder months and if you have any concerns at all, contact your vet. n www.vetsmiths.co.uk

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