Category Archives: Cat Chat

Boarding Cattery

Welcome to Elmtree Luxury Pet Hotel, a modern and very unique concept in animal boarding.

Here at Elmtree we provide luxury pet boarding for dogs, cats and small animals. Our facilities have been created to offer unrivalled comfort and the highest possible standards in animal care.

Situated in Hilly Fields Country Park, Enfield (London) we are considered one of the most prestigious pet hotels in the UK.

We proudly call it a pet hotel as with such beautiful grounds, suites and leisure facilities such as a gym and grooming spa together with a highly trained team, the comparison is clear to see.

So when you book your pet, our guest, into Elmtree you can be confident they are going to have as good a time as you because they are on holiday too!

Read more about Elmtree’s Cattery here…

Reasons to Microchip your Pet

As a responsible pet owner, you take all the necessary precautions to keep your animal companion safe while in your care. You bring them in for routine veterinary care, you provide a healthy diet, you exercise them regularly and you provide them with all of the love and attention they need to be happy and healthy. But do you have a plan in place should your pet accidentally escape and become lost? If you haven’t done so already, here are 4 compelling reasons on why you should microchip your pet.

It’s permanent – Unlike collars and external ID tags, which can easily become lose and fall off your pet, microchips are permanent. They are inserted underneath your pet’s skin where they remain forever. Your animal companion won’t know it’s there, but if he or she ever goes missing, it can be scanned to identify your pet and get them home as quickly as possible

It’s virtually flawless – If your pet becomes lost without a tag, or has a tag that is worn and difficult to read, it can get in the way of their safe return home to you. Microchips are electronic and provide instant and accurate identification, so that a speedy reunion can be arranged with the animal’s rightful owner

It lasts for your pet’s lifetime – Once inserted by your vet, microchip identification will remain with your pet throughout its lifetime. You’ll never have to replace it or worry about it wearing out. If you relocate, you can simply and quickly update the information on the microchip.

It’s safe, quick and painless – Inserting a microchip is a quick procedure and it hurts no more than a routine vaccination. It doesn’t require surgery or your pet to undergo anaesthesia. You just bring your pet to your vet and they’ll have them microchipped in no time.

What kinds of animals should be microchipped?

Cats and dogs make excellent candidates for microchipping. Even if your pet has never wandered away from home, it’s still a good precaution to take – just in case. If you still have questions or want to schedule an appointment to have your pet microchipped, contact your vet. Your pet’s safety and your peace of mind will be well worth it.

The Benefits of Adopting a pet from a Rescue Centre

Adopting a pet can be one of the most exciting and heart-warming experiences, and there are certainly plenty of options at your disposal when you’re considering where to find your animal companion. Of all the choices, however, perhaps none is as rewarding as adopting from a shelter. There are many benefits to going this route, as discussed below.

They’re Already Trained – Most shelter animals have already experienced living with a human owner, so they are typically already trained. This means you won’t have to worry about cleaning up accidents in the house, teaching your pet good manners or having to deal with other behavioural issues.

You Know What You’re Getting – When you adopt a puppy or kitten from a pet store or breeder, you won’t learn what that pet’s personality is until well after you’ve brought them home. With shelter adoptions, the staff is often already aware of the animal’s background and can advise on things like whether or not they are good with children or other pets. Fewer surprises mean an easier transition for everyone.

You’ll Save Money – There are a lot of financial benefits to adopting from a shelter. For instance, most shelter animals are mature and have already received their required vaccinations and been spayed or neutered. All you’ll generally need is a quick trip to your vet for a physical. The adoption fee is also typically significantly lower than the cost to purchase an animal from a pet store or breeder.

There’s a Wide Variety – Shelters feature a wide array of species, breeds and ages, which gives you a lot greater of a selection to choose from. Some shelters specialize in specific breeds, such as greyhound rescues, so if there’s a particular type of animal you’re seeking, ask your vet if they can recommend one.

You’re Literally Saving a Life – Unfortunately, many shelters are faced with the problem of overpopulation, and with lack of space and economic issues, are forced to humanely euthanize animals that they can’t find homes for. When you choose to adopt from a shelter, you are often literally that pet’s last hope. There’s nothing better than knowing you’re saving the life of a loving animal.

When it comes to adopting a new pet, your options are many. While weighing those options, please consider choosing a shelter pet. These facilities have plenty of happy and healthy animals that are just looking for their own loving home. If you’re not sure which shelter in your area would be best, ask your vet for recommendations.

Leading up to Fireworks Night

Keeping cats and dogs secure

•         Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to and has access to this place at all times. For example this could be under some furniture or in a cupboard.
•         During firework seasons, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.
•         At nightfall close windows and curtains and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.
•         If your pet shows any signs of fear try to ignore their behaviour. Leave them alone unless they are likely to harm themselves.
•         Never punish or fuss over your pet when it’s scared as this will only make things worse in the long run.
•         Make sure your cat or dog is always kept in a safe and secure environment and can’t escape if there’s a sudden noise. Have your pet micro-chipped in case they do escape.

Just for dogs – before the firework season starts

Planning ahead can help your dog cope with the firework season.

Talk to your vet about pheromone diffusers. These disperse calming chemicals into the room and may be a good option for your dog, in some cases your vet may even prescribe medication. If either of these options is used they should be used in conjunction with behavioural therapy. We would recommend asking your vet to refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist or using the ‘Sounds Scary’ therapy pack (see below).
Before the firework season starts provide your dog with a doggy safe haven, this should be a quiet area so choose one of the quietest rooms in your home. It should be a place where the animal feels it is in control, so don’t interfere with it when it’s in that area. Train your dog to associate the area with positive experiences eg. By leaving toys there but not imposing yourself at any time. Use a variety of toys and swap them regularly, putting them away when not in use so that your dog doesn’t become bored with them. With time your dog can learn that this place is safe and enjoyable. So when fireworks happen it may choose to go here because it knows that when it is here, no harm will come to it and so it’s more able to cope. It is important that your dog has access to its doggy safe haven at all times even when you’re not at home.

Just for dogs – when the fireworks start

•         Close any windows and black out the ‘doggy play area’ to remove any extra problems caused by flashing lights.
•         Each evening before the fireworks begin, move your dog to the play area and provide toys and other things that they enjoy. Make sure that there are things for you to do too so that your dog isn’t left alone.
•         Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don’t force them to play.
•         If you know a dog that isn’t scared by noises and which gets on well with your dog, then keeping the two together during the evenings may help your dog to realise that there’s no need to be afraid.

Sounds Scary – for dogs

In the long term your dog needs to learn to be less afraid of loud noises. With proper treatment this is possible so that the next firework season will be less stressful for you and your dog.

We recommend Sounds Scary, an easy to follow therapy pack for dogs which includes a specially made set of high quality sound recordings and an easy to follow guide. The amount of training needed will vary from dog to dog so owners should start training with the Sounds Scary pack well in advance of firework seasons. Visit Sound Therapy 4 Pets for more information and to download the therapy pack.

Just for cats

•         Make sure your cat has somewhere to hide if it wants to. For example this may be under some furniture or in a quiet corner.
•         Don’t try and tempt your cat out as this will cause it to become more stressed.

Don’t forget small animals

•         If your pets live outside, partly cover cages, pens and aviaries with blankets so that one area is well sound-proofed. Make sure that your pet is still able to look out.
Provide lots of extra bedding so your pet has something to burrow in.