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Wood Green The Animals Charity offers pet owners free advice and support




Noticing a change in your pet’s behaviour? Wood Green can help.

The way our pets behave is driven by their emotional state. At an unprecedented time when our normal lifestyles have been turned upside down, Wood Green, The Animals Charity is warning owners that they are likely to notice a change in their pets’ behaviour.

As the UK moves beyond the pandemic and our routines are overturned once again, our animals will also be affected. Dogs, cats and small animals are creatures of habit who thrive on stability and routine, so it’s highly likely that many pets, especially dogs, may feel distressed when everyone returns to work, school and social lives.

Wood Green is helping pet owners
Wood Green is helping pet owners

A large number of people welcomed a puppy in to their home during lockdown and these dogs will soon be reaching adolescence, meaning reality will hit home about how much commitment is needed to look after a pet. If owners experience problems, Wood Green is available to provide free advice and support.

As well as meeting pets’ physical needs like food, exercise and veterinary care, it is their owners’ duty to care for their mental and emotional needs too. Anyone who notices a sudden change in their pet’s physical or mental wellbeing should see a vet to rule out any physical causes – however, behavioural problems are more difficult to define. For dogs, unwanted barking could be caused by excitement, frustration, anger, fear or anxiety. For cats, feelings of frustration can lead to aggression, often due to them not being able to exhibit natural hunting behaviours.

It is important for pet owners to look beyond just the behaviour being displayed to ensure that their approach to resolving the issue is tailored to the individual pet’s needs and the owner’s circumstances. By getting a deeper understanding of why our animals behave the way they do, we can begin to manage them with different care techniques and training methods.

Socks the cat has a cuddle at Wood Green
Socks the cat has a cuddle at Wood Green

Linda Cantle, director of pet and owner support services at Wood Green, said: “In a perfect world, all pets would be well-bred and well-raised. However, even if someone has done a great job of raising a pet, or if they have rehomed an adult pet from a centre like Wood Green, there will be lots of issues to consider along the way – especially during unforeseen circumstances like we’re living in now.

“It can be incredibly stressful when having trouble with a pet, so the best approach is to be proactive and seek help as soon as possible. This is the first step to overcoming an issue, as it can be much harder to change a behaviour that’s been long established.”

Life can be unpredictable and circumstances may have changed for some owners who can no longer look after their pets. Whatever the reason – be it work or financial pressures, health, or simply not having enough time to dedicate to a pet, Wood Green can help. The charity’s friendly team will listen, advise and, if someone needs to hand over their pet, will take the animal into their care to find them a loving new home.

Wood Green’s support services are available to anyone who needs it, from free pet advice to behavioural expertise, whether someone is thinking about getting a pet or needs help with an existing pet. Whatever your circumstances, talk to Wood Green first! Find out more at woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice.



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