Pet grief counsellor Linda Witchell reflects on the pain of euthanising a beloved pet, reassuring owners that ending suffering is an act of compassion, not guilt. She offers consultations and has written a book, Managing Pet Grief, to help owners through their loss.
Ladder, an eight-year-old cat at Cats Protection's Leeds Cat Centre, needs an 'inbetweener' home with outdoor access after struggling with life since his owner's death. He requires an experienced, adult-only household as the only pet, plus daily arthritis medication.
Vets consulted by harness specialist TopDog debunk dangerous Reddit advice, including waiting for symptoms after chocolate ingestion and using prong collars for lead-pulling. They also warn against feeding whole cabbages and say CBD alone rarely fixes nail-trim phobias.
Dog-G8 director Chris Maxted warns that 'spring fever', a seasonal rise in impulsive behaviour, makes dogs more likely to bolt or ignore recall. He urges owners to reinforce training and watch for hazards, since livestock worrying can bring fines of up to £1,000.
A new ePaws survey finds many UK adults in relationships prefer pets to partners, with 51% choosing a countryside walk with their pet and 23% saying they would pick the pet in an ultimatum. Women showed particularly strong loyalty, with 62% more lenient with pets.
Dog safety gate company Dog-G8 is urging owners to follow a '2 hour rule' after cleaning with household products, keeping dogs off treated surfaces until they are dry and fumes have cleared. Director Chris Maxted warns that bleach and even naturally marketed cleaners can contain irritants toxic to dogs.