We Heart Pets

Yes thats right, your canine chum could soon be helping you decide which at first looks like a standard pet food advert, makes use of high-frequency squeaks and signals to try and grab the attention of any dogs in the room. The idea is that the dogs will become so excited they will bark and wag their tail at the screen, thus indicating to the owner that this is their favourite. The advert was created for Nestle, who own the Purina brand of pet food.

The advert was created on the understanding that dogs’ hearing is at least twice as sharp as humans. As such they can pick up frequencies which are beyond our range and are also better at differentiating sounds.

The advert is first being aired in Austria and could hit Britain as soon as next year if it proves successful. The advert features various scenes of a golden retriever and his owner playing in a field, interspersed with shots of falling vegetables. Aside from the picturesque visuals the soundtrack contains various chirpy squeaks and bells as well as some higher pitch sounds which humans are unable to hear.

Interestingly this is not the first time Purina has tried out pet targeted ads. In 2010 they put up a series of billboards in Germany that gave off the smell of pet food, in the hope of catching the attention of dogs being taken for a walk.

I think if this works it could be applied to all manner of pet products from toys and treats to pet insurance (though I’m not sure how they would get the dog to respond to insurance). Feel free to send in your suggestions for pet friendly adverts.

According to a recent study by More Than Pet Insurance, pet owners are planning to leave in the region of £26 billion from their estates to their much loved pets.

According to the study, the majority of those leaving cash to their pets will not tell family members they are planning to do this.

In fact over 35% of animal owners will be leaving sums greater than £10,000 to their pets. Greater still 37% have stated that their beloved pets will receive more money from their estates than anyone else including friends, family or relatives.

In fact, it has recently been revealed that famous fashion designer and dog lover Alexander McQueen left his beloved dogs £50,000 in his will.

But money’s not all the pets are getting these days, as over 20% of UK pet owners have taken the necessary steps to ensure that their pet gets the family home once they pass away.

Us humans might put an emphasis on dental hygeine, but you could hardly say there’s a focus on teeth brushing for cats and dogs. Which might explain the recent US report which claims that the majority of our feline and canine friends will suffer from gum or dental disease at least once.

Apparently 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will experience from dental problems – and although this report is US based, it should act as a warning to owners globally, as mouth and teeth infections can often lead to more serious conditions, including diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

So what are the signs of a dental problem? Things to watch out for in your cat or dog include bad breath, a change of colour to the teeth and a change to weight or eating habits.

And as many pets don’t enjoy having their teeth inspected, avoiding the problems might not seem easy – but twice yearly vetinary checkups, yearly cleaning and the use of chew toys designed to improve dental health can help. You can also look out for special pet dental health waters, that include special ingredients to avoid the build up of plaque. Those who can approach their dog or cats mouth without being bitten are advised to try and brush their pets teeth – but there is one warning attached to this message, don’t use toothpaste designed for human use – it is toxic for pets. Luckily pet toothpaste can be found in most good pet shops.

What do you think of this study on dental care for dogs and cats?

The number of obese pets in the UK is on the rise and according to animal charity PDSA, over a third of dogs in the UK are overweight, this figure could increase by as much as a further 20% by 2013. In recent months the PDSA has been trying to publicise the dangers of people over feeding their pets.

The simple fact is that much like their human counterparts, pets that are overweight suffer from a reduced quality of life. They are going to be less sprightly and not as keen to exercise thus continuing the cycle of weight issues.

The RSPCA refers to obesity as “an extremely serious welfare issue”, emphasising the fact that it causes a great deal of unnecessary discomfort to pets. Most importantly it can result in a reduced life expectancy.

As a general rule of thumb with cats and dogs, you should be able to feel their ribs (but they should not be sticking out) the animal should also have a waist which is visible from above and a tummy that looks pulled in when viewed from the side. If a cat or dog does not have these features then it could be overweight, or even obese, depending on the scale of the problem it can often make sense to contact your vet.

Interestingly it’s suggested that owners feed their pets ready made pet food (proper veterinary approved brands are best) as opposed to providing a home made diet, this is because the ready made  pet foods make it far easier to judge the level of nutrients the pets are getting. It is also recommended that you follow the instructions on the packet to ensure the pet is not over or underfed.

The other responsibility of owners is ensuring that your pet gets plenty of exercise. In general, a slim pet is more likely to be healthy than an overweight pet. As a final measure it is always recommended that you insure your pet, this is because a large number of people can often not afford the vet fees that come with a pet taking ill. Pet insurance can help to greatly reduce any of the medical costs incurred by your pet taking ill and ultimately help your pet get the proper care.