August Newsletter

Have you entered our Pet Photo Competition yet?

For the winner, local artist Ani Bee will make a portrait of your pet.

Caroline has also been shopping for some thrifted items, including a Ronaldo shirt, see social posts for more details.

We have had some super submissions so far. We are looking for photos that fall into one of these three categories – Family Portrait  – animal family or animal and hooman family, Our bond – animal and hooman, Just for fun – anything that your pet does that makes you smile!

For all the details on how to enter, scan the QR code on the picture to the left or click here

The Photo Competition is raising money in aid of PACT, so please make a donation on our JustGivingpage

 

Breast Cancer Now

Still on a charity theme, we will be hosting afternoon tea at the surgery, Broaden Lane, Hempnall, NR15 2LU in aid of Breast Cancer Now.

Tuesday September 16th

12noon til 4pm.

This is a charity close to our hearts as we lost a very dear colleague, April Caton, to breast cancer.

Please drop in for tea/ coffee, cake and pupcakes and a chat. The theatre will be open ( as long as there are no emergencies!) so feel free to have a look around at the equipment.

All About Dogs

The annual dog festival will be at the Norfolk showground on Sunday August 24th and Monday August 25th. We will be there with home made

peanut butter and honey dog biscuits so do come along and say hello! We have home made peanut butter dog biscuits to give away!

 

We are partnering on the stand with lovely Lizette from  Pet Estate Planning Cross-Border World Wide.

Do you worry about what would happen to your pet if you were no longer able to take care of them due to ill health or incapacity? Lizette can help you think through the steps needed and put the paperwork in place so that

James Ayres, from Luna and co will also be there to answer any questions about training and behaviour.

 

Cattitude

A cat showing predatory play behaviour
Play is especially important for indoor cats

We have been helping several families with behavioural problems with their indoor cats. While the image of a sleek well groomed cat atop  a luxury sofa, reclining in minimalist splendour can be very alluring, in most cases, this is not what a cat would naturally chose. Cats are still, evolutionarily and behaviourally close to their wild ancestors.

Here are our top tips for making indoor cats feel at home.

  1. Scent. Cats, even more than dogs, are influenced by smells, their own and others. Try not to use too many diffusers or strong smelling cleaning products.
  2. Leave cat blankets/beds around for several weeks. Wash in rotation so that there is always some of the cat’s own scent nearby.
  3. Separate feeding, watering and toileting stations. Have at least one per cat in the household and one extra.
  4. Think in three dimensions – cats like to climb. Being high makes them feel safe. Where in your house can your cat get up high to hide? Think kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, shelving, cat trees, cat furniture.
  5. Cats in the wild are prey as well as predator so they like to hide. Use cardboard boxes, throws over furniture, cupboards with a secret entrance- at the side or the back.
  6. Lines of sight. In open plan, tidy houses , there are often many long clear lines of sight, especially at floor level – so the cat under the sofa still feels exposed. Break them up with throws/ blankets that trail to the floor, cat-safe indoor plants, bead curtains in doorways and well placed furniture.
  7. Patio doors and bay windows mark the threshold of the cat’s territory. For cats who find such an expansive vista too overwhelming, putting opaque film or cardboard, or a row of pot plants or net curtains can help provide a barrier, to help your cat feel more secure.
  8. Music. While some cats prefer classic fm or radio Norfolk, try experimenting with natural sounds – rainforests or birdsong may be appealing.
  9. Environmental enrichment. Provide new toys on a regular basis – old toys can be put away for a while and then brought out again as new. Provide a variety of scratching surfaces, mats, carpet squares.
  10. Although fleas and worms may be less of a worry, indoor cats still need regular health checks, to keep an eye on their weight, their teeth and any signs of stress related behaviours.                                                                                                                                                                                              For further advice, search online. We like International Cat Care who give great advice on everything cat.

 

 

Thanks everyone!

All the team at Paws Indoors