Author: Country Boarding Kennels

Digital camera technology has come a long way in recent years. In fact, image creation has advanced faster in the last twenty years than it had done in the previous two centuries! Today, pocket sized digital cameras are capturing the world around us in stunning 4k resolution, enabling millions of people to document their lives for the world to see.

But it is not just humans who are digitally capturing their daily lives. Thanks to the GoPro digital camera, our canine companions are also recording the world around them and broadcasting the footage to interested audiences around the globe. As a result of the accessibility and advancement of digital camera technology, many dog walkers are discovering how their four-legged friends view the world by investing in portable canine video technology such as a GoPro. But how do I use a GoPro on my dog walk? At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs , we have answered this question by giving six useful tips on how to use a GoPro with your dog. We hope you find this article helpful!

Firstly, what is a GoPro and how can it be used for dogs?

A GoPro is a versatile, compact, and highly robust action camera that can be fitted to a person’s head, helmet, bike, or surfboard to help capture and record captivating action photos and videos.  GoPro has also launched a dog harness with a camera mount and introduced a canine camera – the GoPro Hero 9 Black – created specifically for dogs to capture the world from their point of view.

Six Things to consider when using a GoPro with your Dog:

1. Harness

When it comes to purchasing a GoPro camera for your dog, investing in a comfortable harness is crucial! GoPro offers a compatible canine friendly harness, but it has received mixed reviews regarding its stability and efficacy. Initially, when fitting a camera to your four-legged friend via a dog friendly harness, it is important to remember that neither item should impede on your dog’s mobility. Your dog must always feel comfortable when out on a dog walk and not feel restricted in any way. When fitting the harness on to your pet, you must ensure that your dog is able to move freely and that the straps of your harness do not go across any of their joints restricting their movement.

In addition, allow your dog plenty of time to get used to their camera and harness. Patience is key! Fit the camera and harness on to your dog for short periods of time and always monitor your dog’s emotions to gauge how they are feeling when they are wearing it. By taking your time and gradually introducing the camera and harness to your dog, they should slowly get used to the new experience of walking with a GoPro when out on a walk.

2. Practice Makes Perfect

If you want to attach a GoPro camera onto your dog, then be prepared to edit through a fair share of unusable footage. This is because your dog will naturally move their head and limbs when on a dog walk especially if they are exploring new trails and smells at the local dog walking park or woodland. If a camera is attached to them, then this may result in lots of footage taken of the sky, close ups of trees and other random recordings that are often unfocussed and blurry. It is not uncommon for dog walkers to spend time after their walk, sitting down and editing a lot of the footage. However, part of the charm of using a GoPro on a dog walk is the authenticity of getting a natural unedited window in to the world of dogs. However, the more practice you get from using your GoPro the more comfortable you will become editing the footage and using the device. But carry on familiarising yourself with the camera and persevering with it as the rewards are massive.

3. Higher Frames Per Second

One of the many benefits to using a GoPro is that you can choose to record your videos in many distinct resolution settings. Although your GoPro camera can be set to record at a high resolution of 4K, when attached to the body of a sprinting dog, the footage is often unwatchable.

Many GoPro enthusiasts have recommended using the video mode to film at a higher frames per second setting, usually around 720 x 240. This will help to reduce footage affected by frantic camera shaking.

4. Editing software

The beauty of using a GoPro, especially on a dog walk is that it is incredibly easy to use and so you do not need to be professionally skilled to shoot great looking videos. However, there are many benefits to learning editing apps and programmes that are available online for GoPro beginners.

For example, Microsoft Hyperlapse uses fantastic stabilisation technology to generate silky timelapses from shaky stock footage. There are lots of free easy to to use video editing apps and software available online to GoPro customers, so research the market and always look at the customer reviews before trialling. The most important tips many users need to know, is how to either cut their video into bitesize clips and how to tweak the speed of their film for slow motion effects. There are also lots of great YouTube videos providing great free tips for beginners so make sure you check these out when you begin using your digital camera.

5. Share your Footage on Instagram

If you have an Instagram account, then you will be happy to hear that you can now add your GoPro photo and video footage of your dog walks directly to your Instagram story from the GoPro App.

The GoPro App/Instagram Stories feature works as follows:

1. Choose your photo or video in the GoPro App, then click on Share and then on Instagram Stories
2. Crop your dog walking video to display the specific footage you want to show
3. Next share your GoPro video to your Instagram Story, or with your friends, family and loved ones through Instagram Direct

6. Using your GoPro Camera for Facebook Live

Facebook Live is a popular broadcasting feature that allows its users to live stream videos when logged into their account. Initially launched in 2016, Facebook Live is a feature that enables people to connect and directly communicate with their followers in real-time when they broadcast live videos. Once Facebook users have finished broadcasting, they are able to see their recorded footage within Facebook’s timeline feature.

Steps to Using GoPro for Facebook Live:

To begin using GoPro Facebook live you must firstly connect the live streaming video feature with your GoPro camera, then the rest of the process is fully automated.

1: Start the application.

To access GoPro live stream Facebook, click on the app on your smartphone and then tap on Connect Your Camera.

2: Pick the GoPro camera as your Chosen Device

Next simply select the GoPro camera from the list of camera devices identified by the app.

Step 3: The Pairing Stage

As soon as you have selected the camera, you can pair the GoPro camera with the Facebook Live app, and then connect your mobile device to the same Wi-Fi network. This will enable you to manage the GoPro camera from your smart phone device, so that you can start live streaming on Facebook from your GoPro camera.

How iPhone and Android Users can go live on Facebook once connected

• Open your Facebook account on your iOS device
• Click on “What’s on your mind?” within your news feed
• Click on Live Video
• Compose a description of your broadcast (optional)
• Click on Go Live to start your live broadcast
• Select Finish as son as you want to end your live broadcast.

Facebook Live has provided a platform for lots of different content creators to produce unique sharable content and videos that are viewed and shared by millions of people around the world. Pet owners regularly upload videos of their recorded dog walks to their Facebook accounts after live streaming them, taking the audience with them in real-time. If this seems like something you would be interested in, then use Facebook as a platform to start sharing your canine content and dog walking videos with a global community of animal lovers.

Closing thoughts…

So, there you have it, our six top tips to using a GoPro on a dog walk. We hope you found these tips helpful and will inspire you to capture fantastic footage the next time you go on a dog walk. You never know, by investing in a GoPro Hero 9 Black, you could turn your four-legged friend into the next Facebook star!

Smart phone technology has come a long way in recent years! For many pet owners, this means easy access to some exciting and helpful pet friendly apps for 2023. However, with so many apps now available for both Android and iPhone users, which ones should you use? Luckily, at Country Boarding for Cats, we have researched the market and recommended five fantastic apps that will hopefully help you and your four-legged friends in 2023. Enjoy!

1. MyPet Reminders

Regular medical appointments help ensure your petsreceive a high level of care and attention during their lifetime, detecting any problems they may have as soon as possible and providing you with expert medical advice and care every step of the way. As responsible pet owners, it is vital we stay up to date with our pet’s medical appointments and vaccinations, which can sometimes become a little overwhelming. Thanks to MyPet Reminders app, you can keep track of your important Vet appointments on one easily manageable platform. Once you download the app, you can create your own pet profile which enables you to upload your cat or dog’s medical history and any up-and-coming pet health reminders that may pop up over time.

2. Pet Diabetes Tracker

Does your cat or dog suffer from diabetes? If so, then the PetDiabetes Tracker app is highly recommended. The app enables you to check and track your pet’s diabetes symptoms and to also log any vital medical information such as your pet’s blood glucose levels. The app also sends alerts to owners, reminding them to administer daily insulin shots and to attend any up-and-coming veterinarian appointments.

3. Relax My Cat/ Dog

If your cat or dog becomes easily stressed, then the relax my cat and relax my dog apps are devised to help them stay calm thanks to a relaxing playlist. The music encompasses canine and feline communication and also environmental sounds intended to grab your pet’s attention. There are many categories to choose from, ranging from soft and soothing sounds, playtime music and even music created to help your pet better deal with separation anxiety!

4. VetFinder

Are you planning on booking a holiday this year for you and your pet? If you are then it is worth downloading an app that helps you to allocate a nearby Vet, in the event of them getting sick or injured while you both are away. If you are visiting a location where the internet connection is poor, then do not worry, as you can download information for any region within the UK from the app itself, providing you with the contact information of nearby Vet practices. The information will then be available for you to access when you happen to be offline and unable to connect to the Internet.

5. Tractive GPS Dog and Cat Tracker

To kickstart January, many dog walkers will be visiting open fields and secure dog parks to help start the New Year in a healthy way. Nevertheless, if you happen to take your dog off their lead on a walk at a large field or open woodland, then there is always a slight worry that they can become lost and run away. This can also be a concern, if you are visiting a new area or even country that you and your pet are not familiar with. However, thanks to the app, Tractive, you can trail your pet through real-time GPS tracking.

Although the tracker is a little on the expensive side, costing £44.99, it may be a worthwhile investment, particularly if you are travelling with your pet this year on holiday or visiting new walking trails. When you have purchased the physical Tractive GPS tracker, you just need to simply download the app for free. Once you are set up, you are then able to see the specific location of your pet wherever they may be.  If your pet leaves their ‘safe area’ – a location you can determine when setting up the app-  you will be sent an alert notifying you immediately of their movement.  

January is here, which means for many active dog owners, it is a great chance to kickstart their health and fitness plans in the New Year – starting of course, with a dog walk. Many pet owners are now using smartphone technology on their dog walks to help track and measure their fitness for 2023. At Country Boarding for Cats, we have highlighted three tech tips to use to boost your fitness goals when walking your dog this January and beyond. We hope you find these tech tips helpful.

1. Track Steps

This January, many dog walkers are tracking their daily step count with their four-legged friends via their smartphones! The next time you are on a dog walk at your local secure dog park, use your phone as a pedometer to automatically record your steps and any calories burned.

Most people burn on average, around four calories per step. Although this may sound like a small number, if you are on a long dog walk and complete five thousand steps, that can equate to around two hundred calories burned, or in food terms, half a cheeseburger! By recording your daily steps, calories burned, and distances covered on your dog walks, you can easily monitor your progress which can help you to better plan your overall fitness goals for 2023.

2. Walking Steadiness

Did you know that your smartphone can detect if you are at a higher risk of falling when on a dog walk?  If you own an iPhone, you can monitor your balance, stability, and coordination through the in-built motion sensors. This January, when you walk your dog, use your iPhone to measure mobility metrics, which can include your walking speed, step length, double support time, and walking irregularity. Once these metrics are recorded, the health feature within your iPhone can establish your walking steadiness level. An individual’s walking steadiness can be classified as either, ‘OK’, ‘Low’, or ‘Very Low.’ If you are worried about your overall mobility, then you can also choose to receive a notification to alert you in real-time if your steadiness drops to being classified as either, ‘Low’ or ‘Very Low.’

How to Activate Walking Steadiness on Your iPhone

1. Within your iPhone, click on the Health app.
2. Open the Browse tab, then search for Mobility.
3. If this is the first time you have used the feature, scroll down until you come to Walking Steadiness Notifications, next click Set Up.
4. Press Next, then input your health information within the Health Details section and click on Next.
5.  Turn On notifications to receive alerts when your Steadiness is Low or Very Low.
6. Finally click Done.

If you belong to a dog walking or fitness App group, then you can share your walking steadiness data and notifications with friends and family. Just ensure you have health sharing enabled within the settings section of your iPhone.

3. Dog Walking Apps

Using mobile apps on dog walks can help you better monitor your health and fitness levels, including those of our pets. Although a lot of the technology is free within most smart phones, external apps can provide additional fitness features and therefore provide an even clearer analysis of your health and fitness levels. Below are two highly recommended dog walking apps you may want to consider using:

1. MapMyDogWalk

With advanced GPS tracking, this popular dog walking app merges your fitness data with your dog’s exercise routine by tracking your calories burned, recording your walking routes, the distances covered and the times of each walk. The app makes tracking your dog walks and outdoor adventures easy and fun while also keeping you motivated whilst continuing your fitness plan.

2. WalkForADog

This is a charitable app which allows you to donate to a local animal shelter or rescue centre of your choice every time you walk your dog. Not only can you setup fitness goals and view past walks and share your data across your Social Media channels, you can also help support worthwhile animal causes.

 Thoughts…

We hope you found our three tech tips helpful for the next time you go on a dog walk. There are lots of additional apps and features available today which can help you to track you and your dog’s fitness levels this January. By using smart phone technology and dog friendly fitness apps, it will hopefully help you to stay more motivated and on track throughout January and give you the best chance of hitting your health and fitness goals for the New Year.

For many cat or dog owners, New Year’s Day is a great chance to kickstart the new year doing something healthy and positive with their pets. At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have suggested three New Year’s Day activities for you and your pet to enjoy together to welcome in the New Year. Enjoy!

1. Dog Walk

After an overindulgent Christmas, come January many owners endeavour to start the new year in a healthy way. A great way of burning off the Christmas calories is to spend New Year’s Day on a long dog walk. A great place to start, is to visit dog walking parks or fields with your four-legged friend. There are many health benefits associated with dog walks, such as an improvement on you and your pet’s cardiovascular fitness levels, lowering blood pressure, whilst also increasing muscle strength and bone density. A New Year’s Day dog walk is also a fantastic way of increasing the bond between the two of you and starting January doing something positive, fun, and healthy together.

2. Fun Games

Physical and mental stimulation are so important for your cat or dog’s overall development. A great way of kickstarting the New Year, is by taking part in a selection of fun mentally stimulating activities with your pet.

Many owners introduce food rewards to aid mental stimulation when playing with their pets. If you have a cat or dog, then by including healthy snacks as food rewards when training or playing games together, it will help to develop their cognitive development whilst also helping to exercise their natural hunting instincts.

3. Dog Training Events

As you welcome in January 2023, why not consider booking your four-legged friend into a dog training event. There are many benefits associated with dog training events, these include improving your dog’s safety, increasing the bond between you and your dog, enhancing your dog’s health, and improving their socialisation skills with other canines.

Dog training is highly recommended for any breed and at any age. Dog training plays a crucial role in their overall development. On January the 7^th at 10 AM, Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs is holding  a puppy behaviour class for beginners which will teach you and your puppy basic commands and cover many common behavioural problems whilst giving practical advice. There will also be a puppy training class for improvers on the same day at 11:30 AM, for puppies aged 6 months to two years to help take owners and their dogs to the next level.

Closing thoughts…

We hope you found our three New Year’s Day ideas helpful and will inspire you to kickstart 2023 in a positive and healthy way. Call us today on 01462 742658 or send us an email at office@cbkennels.co.uk for any requests or questions you may have concerning our services.

Dogs have very sensitive ears and can hear sounds at much higher frequencies than their owners. With our pets being more sensitive to sound, this means that that the New Year’s Eve fireworks season can cause many dogs a lot of fear, anxiety, and distress. Fireworks are incredibly loud and can generate a sound output of up to 150 to 175 decibel range, which can cause damage to our pet’s ears. The World Health Organisation advises that humans should not be subjected to a sound output of 140 decibel range, without wearing hearing protection, with physical pain starting at around 125 db. But how can I walk my dog during the fireworks season? At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have answered this question, by listing three dog walking safety tips for you to follow during the fireworks period.

1. Earlier Dog Walks

Try and avoid evening dog walks. Consider walking your dog at a secure dog park, or local field during the daytime before the fireworks begin later on. Many owners walk their dogs during the daylight hours as there will be less risk of loud bangs going off compared to the evening time where fireworks celebrations are more frequent. Noisy bangs and sudden flashes produced by fireworks can frighten dogs on an evening dog walk, ultimately putting their safety at risk. Even if your dog does not usually display any signs of anxiety or distress around fireworks, they can easily become frightened by sudden loud noises and visual displays while out on a dog walk. This December leading up to New Year’s Eve, ensure your dog walk is as calm and enjoyable as possible for your canine companion by reducing their exposure to any firework displays that happen at night.

2. Microchip your Dog

Is your dog microchipped? Since April 2016, the UK Government has now made microchipping dogs a legal requirement.  A microchip is an efficient method of identification. If your dog’s personal details within its microchip records are kept up to date, then you can easily be contacted if your pet goes missing. During the firework season, loud bangs can easily frighten dogs and increase the chances of them running away whilst on a dog walk. However, if your dog is microchipped and goes missing on a walk while fireworks are going off, then the chances of you being contacted are increased, especially if their chip holds your updated personal information, such as a current home address or contact telephone number. If you have not done so already, speak with your local qualified Vet to arrange for your pet to be microchipped as soon as possible.

3. T.L.C.

This firework season, comfort your dog before, during and after their walk. As already discussed within this article, the loud noises from the fireworks celebrations can easily makes your dog anxious and distressed, and so providing them with lots of TLC in a calm and positive way, during this period, will help communicate to them that they are safe and secure. Before and after you take your dog out on a walk, spend some time stroking and grooming them and giving them lots of loving praise. Grooming and stroking your dog, can help reduce their heart rate and encourages the flow of oxytocin into their bloodstream– the identical hormone that is produced when a mother feels her new-born.

Similarly, pet-friendly dog treats are also a great distraction on a walk, if any loud fireworks happen to go off and startle them; so, consider investing in nutritious dog snacks to use for positive reinforcement. Select a dog treat that your canine companion enjoys and will eat as anxiety and stress can decrease their appetite.

Lastly…

We hope you found our three tips helpful for keeping your dog safe and calm on a dog walk during the firework season leading up to New Year’s Eve. As we head towards New Year’s Eve, consider booking your dog walk today at our safe and secure dog park in Hertfordshire, so they can exercise and enjoy the natural environment around them away from the loud noises caused by potential fireworks displays.

Christmas is just days away! With many UK households preparing last minute mince pies, wrapping gifts, and decking their halls, it is easy to see why so many of us enjoy the festivities this time of year. Christmas can be a fun and magical time for many people, and if you include your cat or dog in the celebrations then it can become even more special. Here at Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have highlighted four ways to celebrate Christmas Day with your cat and dog.

1. Pet Pampering

Humans are not the only ones who enjoy opening presents on Christmas morning, cats and dogs can appreciate receiving festive gifts too. This Christmas, consider filling up your fur baby’s stocking with pet-friendly toys and treats. There are lots of festive pet-friendly gift ideas to choose from, with many pet stores open all the way up to Christmas Eve. From cosy dog beds and warm winter dog coats to remote controlled mouse toys and stylish cat trees, owners are spoilt for choice. Although when it comes to cats, many usually prefer playing with the cardboard box that their present comes in, over their actual gift!

2. Winter Dog Walks

A Christmas Day dog walk at a secure dog park is a great way of involving your canine companion in the festive fun, whilst also helping you both to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Including your family and friends on a family Christmas Day dog walk will ensure everyone joins in with the festive fun this year whilst also helping everyone to burn off those Christmas Day calories.

3. Cat Games

For cat owners, you can also improve you and your cat’s physical and mental wellbeing by playing some fun feline games. Playing with your cat helps them use up lots of energy and build bonds between you both and other family members. It is a well-known fact that cats are born with a natural predatory instinct, so they will welcome any game or toy that helps them to chase and pounce this Christmas.

4. Pet Friendly Christmas Dinner

For many owners, Christmas Day is about overindulging in our best-loved foods! However, when it comes to our beloved cats and dogs, our favourite Christmas snacks can be extremely poisonous or hazardous to them if consumed. Feeding your cat or dog onion gravy from your Christmas dinner, may be tempting but onions trigger a breakdown of red blood cells, which can result in your pet suffering from anaemia. Likewise, Christmas pudding and mince pies can include raisins and sultanas, which in extreme cases, can cause kidney failure if consumed by your pet. It is recommended you call your vet immediately in the event of your pet consuming any such toxic foods this Christmas.

For a healthy and alternative dog friendly Christmas dinner, consider feeding your pet lean cooked turkey meat which is packed full of protein to help them build muscle. Similarly, cooked fish can be an excellent source of protein and Omega 3 for your cat for their Christmas day meal.

Lastly…

We hope you found our four festive tips helpful. Although Christmas can be a fun time of year for owners, it can also be a stressful one for pets. So above all, make sure you spend as much time as you can with your cuddly companions and give them plenty of TLC on the big day. From everyone here, we wish you and your pets a wonderful Merry Christmas!

It is no secret, that dogs love routine. Our four-legged friends are creatures of habit, with a daily routine helping to bring structure and confidence to their lives. During the festive season leading up to Christmas Day, routines often get disrupted due to so much going on in the home. Our homes can often become very chaotic, with relatives and friends visiting and owners often needing to travel away themselves. With so many disruptions happening during December, it can easily interrupt the routine of your canine companion. At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have highlighted four tips for owners to follow to help restore structure and routine to their dog’s lives over Christmas. We hope you enjoy this article and find it useful.

1. Key Behaviour Signs

There are many key behaviour signs to watch out for in your pet this Christmas. If you see your dog going into hiding, licking their paws, or panting, and usually being more vocal by barking, howling, or yawning, then this can indicate that they are feeling distressed and need your attention. As soon as you notice these signs, move them to a safe place and comfort them by giving them lots of love and attention.

Over Christmas, our homes can become very noisy and frenzied, so ensure your dog has their own safe area to retreat to and continuously monitor them throughout the day ensuring that they are always feeling safe and secure.

2. Dog Friendly Christmas

Dogs find comfort in the familiarity of their environment. If you are putting up decorations, then gradually introduce them into your home during the festive period. As discussed earlier, it is also advised to create a safe space in your home that your dog can retreat to if they need some alone time on Christmas Day. If you have lots of relatives and friends around on Christmas Day, then make sure that you are giving your dog plenty of attention and TLC.

3. Daily Dog Walks

For many owners, you cannot beat a Christmas dog walk, at your favourite secure dog park or nearby field, especially if you want to burn off the extra calories consumed from your Christmas meal. Persuade the family to accompany you for a festive and refreshing dog walk after your Christmas lunch and maintain your dog’s walking schedule on the big day. Walking your dog each day at a set time, helps to provide them with mental stimulation and physical exercise and helps to also strengthen your bond with your pet.

4. Feeding Times

During the festive period, our eating routines often go out the window! With so many delicious foods readily available throughout the day, it can be easy to snack and graze in between mealtimes. It can also be extremely tempting over Christmas, to feed our four-legged friend’s tasty tit bits from our plates. Sadly, overfeeding can lead to serious health related issues in dogs, such as heart disease, arthritis, not to mention a decreased life expectancy, so it is crucial to monitor your dog’s daily eating habits and maintain their regular eating times over December.

Lastly…

This festive season, by maintaining your dog’s daily routine through regular dog walks, set feeding times and lots of TLC, you will ensure you both experience a memorable and joyful Christmas together.

December is here, which means that Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for many pet owners and that includes our beloved cats and dogs. Here at Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have highlighted four ways to involve your pets in December festivities and help them get into the full swing of Christmas! Enjoy!

 1. Say Cheese!

This December, there will be plenty of opportunities to capture some lovely memories. For many owners, Christmas is a great time to include their cats and dogs in some festive photos and create memorable Christmas albums. You may also want to design your very own dog or cat Christmas cards and post or share on social media to family and loved ones.

 2. Pet Christmas Stockings

When it comes to Christmas traditions, Christmas stockings make for fantastic festive decorations when hung above the fireside. This Christmas, many owners are including their four-legged friends in the festive fun by designing pet friendly Christmas stockings.  There are many pet friendly Christmas stockings available online to choose from that allow you to include your pet’s name, portrait and a personalised festive message on.

After you have hung up your pet’s stocking, you can ask Father Christmas to fill them with tasty nutritious pet treats, accessories, and soft toys.

3. Doggy Day-care

This December, if you are running a hectic schedule and need to go to the shops to get some Christmas presents or have any festive day trips unexpectedly take you away from your pet, consider doggy day care. Dog day-care is a great way for your dog to socialise with other dogs and take part in stimulating exercise and relaxation in their own suite this December.

4. See the lights!

December dog walks are particularly magical at this time of year, especially with the decorations and Christmas lights transforming the landscape. This December, the next time you and your dog are on a winter dog walk, or visit a secure dog park in Hertfordshire take a moment to appreciate the magical Christmas decorations and festive lighting twinkling from houses and illuminating the bare branches of trees.

At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have our day-care services available, where you can make a booking beforehand and drop your four-legged friend off to us after 8AM and collect before 6PM.

Final festive thoughts…

For many owners, Christmas is a great time to share special memories with their furry friends, family and loved ones. From pet friendly stockings and winter walks to festive photo albums, there are so many imaginative and fun things to do that involve your pet this December. Whatever you choose to do this year, make sure you and your pet have a magical time together and create some long-lasting memories.

This November, walking your dog can be difficult and sometimes even hazardous. As the natural daylight hours decrease, visibility greatly diminishes, with many cyclists and drivers unable to see you or your four-legged friend as go about your dog walk. At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have highlighted four safety tips to ensure you and your dog are protected when on a walk this November.  

1.Visibility

This November, we will experience less natural sunlight during the day. To reduce the risk of any accidents from happening during the dark winter months, it is vital to increase you and your dog’s visibility. Wearing a reflective jacket and lighter coloured clothing will help you to become more visible to passing drivers or cyclists. Try and avoid wearing dark coloured clothing when on a dog walk like browns, blacks, and grey hues as these are very hard to spot when it is dark. Many owners are also dressing their dogs in reflective harnesses and using fluorescent dog collars and leads to help their pets stand out on their dark walks.

2.Illumination

As well as wearing reflective clothing, another fantastic way of making you and your dog more visible to others on a November dog walk, is to carry a torch. Many dog walkers use the flashlight on their phones to illuminate pathways and walkways with some even opting to wear headlamps as this frees their hands so they can better grip their dog’s leash. Some owners are also fitting their canine companions with LED dog collars, harnesses and blinking leashes created exclusively for dimly lit winter dog walks.

3.Toxic Chemicals

This November, please be beware of any toxic chemicals that may be present on the ground. Many owners will walk their dogs on ground that has been cleared from snow and ice, however many such pathways contain toxic chemicals such as antifreeze and other ice-melting compounds which can be extremely unsafe to your dog. Chemicals such as anti-freeze can be lethal if consumed, and many ice-melting chemicals can also severely burn a dog’s paws. We always recommend for you to contact your vet if you are concerned your dog has been in contact with any ice-melting chemicals or if your dog seems to be in any discomfort after a dog walk.

4.Wear Correct Footwear

Wearing the correct footwear is also very important, especially when on a dog walk during the winter months. Opting for comfortable, stable walking boots can really enhance a winter November dog walk.  Many dog walkers will wear protective footwear this November when visiting dog parks, to safeguard and support their ankles and feet as they walk over icy, slippery and unstable ground. Poor footwear which offers no grip or ankle support, can damage your feet and toes, and increase the risk of you potentially suffering a painful break, sprain, or foot injury.

Closing thoughts…

We hope you found this article helpful. Icy ground and diminishing natural sunlight this November, can turn our daily dog walks into more riskier adventures. Hopefully you can incorporate our safety tips, into your next dog walk to ensure a safe November.

This November, many people living in the UK will be getting ready to celebrate Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night by attending many fireworks displays. Although fireworks can be entertaining for many people, the sudden loud explosions and light flashes can be extremely frightening for cats and dogs, not to mention their concerned owners. At Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, we have highlighted five pet safety tips for you to consider during the fireworks season.

1. Remain Calm

Cats and dogs are very responsive to their owner’s behaviour and mood, so it is vital that you try and remain as calm as possible during fireworks season.  A great way of calming your cat or dog down is to continue their daily routines. Dogs in particular, thrive on routine. A routine based on daily exercise that includes dog walks, training, and grooming can help to calm and comfort your pet. If you regularly visit secure dog parks, ensure you go on your dog walks during the daylight hours before the noisy fireworks start. It is important that your dog enjoys their walk in a relaxed and familiar environment free from any sudden loud noises.

2. Create Safe Retreats

During the fireworks season, create a safe and secure den in your home for your pets. You can build a comfortable den and fill it with your cat or dog’s favourite blankets and toys to help them settle in and feel calm during the fireworks season. To provide extra comfort for your pets, place an unwashed item of your clothing into their den as this will carry your scent. Dogs rely heavily on their strong sense of smell and so your scent can help them feel a bit more secure and comforted during the noisy fireworks celebrations.

3. Close Curtains

Fireworks displays are visibly distressing for many animals. Statistics taken by the RSPCA report that 62% of dogs and 54% of cats show distress during fireworks. Ensure you close your curtains and shut your blinds in the evenings as cats and dogs can become easily frightened and confused during the bright flashing light shows that illuminate our night skies. Another tip this fireworks season, is to keep the lights on in your house as this will decrease the glare and flashes from the fireworks that can still creep through any gaps in your curtains or blinds.

4. Earlier Dinner Times

During the fireworks season, consider feeding your pet their evening meal slightly earlier than usual. It is recommended that you feed your pet before the fireworks are typically due to begin as a frightened cat or dog will instantly lose interest in their meal if they are disturbed by any sudden loud noises or flashing lights.

5. Comfort your Companion

It goes without saying that you should comfort your cat and dog throughout the fireworks season and give them lots of TLC – even more so than usual!  Many owners comfort their cats and dogs by stroking them as this can bring comfort to both owner and pet. Scientifically, it has been proven that stroking your cat or dog can help lower your heart rate and stimulate the secretion of oxytocin – the very hormone that is produced when a mother cuddles and nurtures her baby. However, not all cats and dogs prefer being stroked and picked up, so always respect your pet’s boundaries.

Lastly…

We hope you found our five tips helpful for keeping your pets calm and safe this fireworks season. If you want to spend this November daylight enjoying our fifteen-acre secure dog parks, then please book your dog walk today!