How to live with and care for your pets

In a busy world with a lot of homes and pets living in the city, we place pressure on our pets to ‘fit in’ to our busy lives and more compact spaces. As this happens, we need to try to ensure their welfare is not compromised, so here are some top tips to help your companion animals enjoy their lives as much as us!

• Think how the environment affects them. Just because we love the smell of lemon-scented candles, your furry friend may not be such a fan! Consciously make them a place to relax, away from people and noises - especially in open plan apartments. Cats benefit from climbing opportunities too.

• Remember cats need exercise too! We are usually great at walking our dogs, but remember your cat also needs a daily workout. Wand toys are a great idea and help them use their predation skills to stalk and hunt the feathered stick. 

• Make sure they are using their brain! Physical exercise on its own is not enough. Make sure you are spending time training your pets using positive reinforcement, providing them with puzzle feeders or feeding toys so that their brains get a work out too!

• Remember they are animals and not people! Many dogs find bear hugging or kissing on the face stressful, so think twice before smooching them in front of the TV!

This tips are courtesy of Vet, Dr. Julie Ashton.

Of course, you can always keep your pets occupied when you're not around or just for something to with a cleverly-bought toy from a great range available on BHG Shop...