Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Pet owners spend £78m more on energy bills
white cat on sofa
Leaving the heating on all day could boost energy bills by as much as £140 a year.
Experts say leaving the TV on for pets may cause stress

Worried pet owners are spending an extra £78 million on gas and electricity every year, due to fears that their pets will get cold or lonely. This is according to new research from the Energy Saving Trust.

The survey found two in five pet owners leave their heating on during the day to keep their pets warm, while over a quarter turn on the radio. More than one in 10 people said they put the TV on to keep their pets company when they're home alone.

Leaving the heating on all day could boost energy bills by as much as £140 a year. But experts say this may be unnecessary, and leaving the TV or radio on could actually cause pets stress and separation anxiety.

Rosie Barclay, chairwoman for the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, said: "Dogs and cats by and large are designed for the outdoors and don’t necessarily need the heating left on for them.

"It’s far better to let the temperature reduce gradually when you head off to work, then gradually increase when you get back. You can do this quite easily by programming your heating.
 
"Even something like leaving the television on when you go out can actually trigger separation anxiety and stress for your pet. This is because our pets are clever and associate switching on the TV or radio as an indication they are about to be left on their own and not receive your attention."

Instead, she recommends using hollow pet toys with treats hidden inside, or hiding treats around the house, perhaps in a cardboard box full of scrunched up paper.

"If that's not an option you could give them a t-shirt you slept in and it will have your smell on it," she added. "This will likely give them far more comfort than any programme on television or the radio."

Ross Allen, a spokesperson for the BSAVA, pointed out that most animals should not be left alone for long periods of time - particularly dogs. Mr Allen urged pet owners to speak to their vet about the best way to keep pets comfortable.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.