How can I calm my pet when there are fireworks?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

While a lot of us look forward to celebrating bonfire night, it can be a stressful time of year if you’re a pet owner. Fireworks and animals seldom go hand-in-hand, so 5th November can present problems if you have a dog or cat who is frightened of loud noises. Here we look at the things you can do to reassure your pet and improve your dog’s wellbeing, the foods which put your pet at ease and how to help them through an anxious time.

Don’t go out after dark

If you haven’t managed to walk your dog during the day, don’t attempt to take them out for a stroll once it’s dark. Keep them inside before the fireworks start and close your curtains and windows. You could also turn the volume of the TV up or put some music on to disguise the noise. Rescue kennels often play classical music in the background because of its soothing qualities, so try something instrumental and calming as opposed to a playlist with a heavy beat.

Stay with your dog to improve your dog’s wellbeing

As much as you might want to head out to a fireworks display yourself, it’s not the time for pets to be left alone. If you’re not going to be at home in the run up to bonfire night, see if you can ask a friend or family member to pet-sit for the evening. As well as giving your dog some company, they’ll be able to reassure them if the noise gets too loud and help to ease any distress they may be feeling.

Try some foods which put your pet at ease

As humans we’re advised to consume certain foods or drinks when we’re anxious, and the same applies to dogs. Providing they don’t have a food intolerance, you could try feeding them oily fish, blueberries and pumpkin seeds. These are foods which could put your pet at ease because they all have properties that promote relaxation and reduce the effects of stress. Just be mindful that they should be given in moderation, especially if your dog hasn’t tried them before. A vet will always offer dietary advice should you need it.

Make sure your home and garden are secure

If they’re really frightened, your dog could go into flight or fight mode and make a run for it, so make sure your home is secure. As well as locking your doors and gates, it’s worth giving your fence an inspection to check there are no gaps your dog could sneak through in a desperate attempt to run away from the noise. 

Let your dog handle things their own way

All dogs have individual needs and will cope differently when they’re frightened. To help improve your dog’s wellbeing, support them by giving them some extra attention if they need it, or by letting them hide away if they want to feel safe. If they don’t seem to have noticed the fireworks going off, keep them busy by playing with them and try and stay calm yourself. Even if you’re not a fan of loud noises, do your best to relax so your dog doesn’t pick up on how you’re feeling and worry even more.

Contact UK Pet Food Intolerance to improve your dog’s wellbeing

If you’d like to make sure the foods that put your pet at ease aren’t going to trigger any food intolerance symptoms, we can help. You can order a food intolerance test from our website or email any questions you have to [email protected]. Please remember that any concerns regarding your pet’s health should always be discussed with your veterinary professional.

The Role of Elimination Diets in Resolving Pet Food Sensitivities

/0 Comments/in , , /by

If your dog or cat is displaying symptoms such as persistent itching, diarrhoea, patches of hair loss and tiredness, they could have pet food sensitivities. But how do you find out for certain? With so many testing methods available, it can be difficult to know which option will give you the best (and fastest) results. To make the process easier, we’ve looked at the difference between pet food intolerance tests and a pet food elimination diet so you can decide which method you want to try.

What is a pet food intolerance test?

A pet food intolerance test is a simple way to determine whether your dog or cat is sensitive to any specific food items that could make them feel unwell. By sending in five individual strands of their fur to our lab, we can test their sensitivity against a number of foods, substances and materials. The results will be emailed to you within 72 hours of receiving your pet’s fur sample, with a full breakdown of which items they’re most reactive to. Once you know whether your dog or cat has any pet food sensitivities, you will have a clear idea of the ingredients they need to avoid. By eliminating these items from their diet moving forward, your pet’s symptoms should alleviate along with their health and wellbeing.

What is a pet food elimination diet?

A pet food elimination diet involves cutting out foods to try and identify an offending ingredient that your pet reacts to. You would typically start by feeding them a bland diet for a set period of time, then slowly reintroduce foods until you notice their symptoms flaring up again. Once you’ve found the ingredient that your pet is sensitive to, you can speak to your vet about issuing a new diet that’s more suited to their individual needs. It’s important that elimination diets are carried out under the guidance of a vet, who will be able to make sure your pet is getting enough nutrition to support their health during the process.

Which is the best testing method for my pet?

Elimination diets can be extremely effective in diagnosing pet food sensitivities. However, they are usually a long process, so it can take a while to identify an offending ingredient. It can also be quite difficult to spot a link between a food and your pet’s response because symptoms are known to kick in hours or even days later. This association is even more difficult to spot if your pet has eaten something while they’ve been out on a walk that could upset their digestive system. Unfortunately, we don’t always know what they’ve picked up when they’re sniffing in the garden or exploring off lead, which can make it harder to distinguish what makes them unwell. 

Try a pet food intolerance test for quick results

A food intolerance test is a fast way of finding out the cause of your pet’s symptoms. Once the submitted fur sample has been received at the Pet Food Intolerance lab, the results will be emailed to you within a matter of days, so you’ll know what ingredients your dog or cat needs to avoid. Unlike elimination diets, our pet food intolerance tests are very clear in their findings, and you will receive a report that details any items they are sensitive to. Because we investigate the fur’s response against 200 items, intolerance tests cover more food ingredients that you’d be able to include as part of an elimination diet. They also assess reactivity against environmental factors, so you’ll know whether you need to keep your pet away from certain plants or materials to sustain their health.

Contact us for more information about pet food intolerance tests

If you’re interested in ordering a food intolerance test or you’d like to find out more about pet food sensitivities, please look at the different options on our website. You can also email any questions you have to [email protected] or fill out our contact form. It’s important to remember that our advice should never replace that of a veterinary professional, so please get your pet booked in if you’re concerned about their health or if their symptoms persist.