Just like humans, our pets can experience worry, anxiety and stress. Since we know how these emotions make us feel, we certainly want to help alleviate our pet’s distress where we can. However, our pets cannot voice their feelings, so how can we tell they are experiencing these emotions? The signs in pets are often subtle.
We understand that noisy celebrations in Guildford such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Christmas and New Year can cause nervousness in pets. However, by taking the appropriate steps to plan ahead of these scheduled events, you can minimise unnecessary stress and anxiety for your pet.
We understand that noisy celebrations in Guildford such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Christmas and New Year can cause nervousness in pets. However, by taking the appropriate steps to plan ahead of these scheduled events, you can minimise unnecessary stress and anxiety for your pet.
Ensure you know the dangers associated with autumn in Guildford; we have compiled together our guidance as we transition from spring to autumn. We want you all to stay safe this season.
Like humans, pets often suffer from everyday stress that can lead to issues which can cause them to become anxious or stressed. Unfortunately, while humans have some means at their disposal to deal with such issues, pets aren’t so lucky. So here are some effective ways to help reduce and relieve anxiety and stress in pets in Guildford.
The August bank holiday weekend is here… whether you are heading to the coast, off on a walking adventure or taking it easy at home this bank holiday, we just wanted to let you that our opening hours may differ, should you need us:
Branch name
Saturday: 8am – 12pm
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Our out of hours contact number is Vet Now – 01483 346203
Have a lovely bank holiday weekend, from all the team at Oak Barn Vets.
Please contact us at our Guildford office.
Fireworks are used throughout the year to mark significant seasonal celebrations including Bonfire Night, Halloween, New Year’s Eve and Diwali.
Whilst they are enjoyable for humans to watch, pets can often get scared of the loud bangs and bright flashes. Preparing your pet early can make a significant difference and will help your pet cope throughout the seasonal events – start preparing now!
We know regular veterinary visits benefit our cats – but taking them for an appointment can pose a challenge if not done correctly. Cats by nature are independent, territorial and need to feel in control. So – all these things can make trips to the vets eventful for both you and your cat.
The end of the summer holidays in Guildford brings with it another change in home life for our pets. When considering this change, we could put them in one of two camps: those looking forward to the peace and quiet and those dreading not being with us 24/7.
Like many people dread going to the doctor, the vet can be a source of anxiety for our pets. Luckily, there are steps you can take to alleviate some of the anxiety your pet feels when it senses a vet visit in Guildford is coming up.
It’s hard not to smile when you see a dog with its head out of the window in a travelling car. They look so happy and carefree! But travelling with an unrestrained dog in Guildford could be a real risk – to them, to you, and to other drivers.
If you’re going to be out and about in Guildford on the road with your dog this summer, here are some things to consider to keep everyone safe.
Picture the scene…you’re in your garden, the sun is shining, maybe you have friends and family round to visit, and the charcoals are just about ready for you to start cooking al fresco. The last thing you want is an emergency vet visit with your beloved pet.
If you’re planning a barbecue this weekend, here are some things to consider to keep your pet safe.
Oak Barn Vets is open and here to offer a full range of services for our patients whilst adhering to current COVID-19 safety guidelines.
We all enjoy getting out in the sunshine in Guildford; however, it is not always true for our pets! Any animal can overheat in hot weather, and we can often forget how tough it can be on our pets that live in hutches, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
Fold Hill Foods has taken precautionary action to recall several dry cat food diets due to safety concerns. This is a result of a concerning spike detected by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the number of pancytopenia cases in cats throughout the UK.
Every year we celebrate Rabbit Awareness Week, a week dedicated to our rabbits.
Keeping our pets safe is important to all of us as pet owners. They trust us with their care and protection and microchipping can help with keeping them safe. A microchip identifies your pet as belonging to you.
The very name ‘kennel cough’ suggest that dogs are only at risk of contracting this airborne disease if you put them into boarding kennels, while you go on holiday for example. It’s for this reason that many pet owners don’t get their dog vaccinated, because they don’t see the disease as a risk. Here we look at some myths and facts about kennel cough.
Whether you are heading to the coast, off on a walking adventure or taking it easy at home this bank holiday, we just wanted to let you know that our opening hours may differ, should you need us:
Our out of hours contact number is Vets Now – 01483 346 203
Have a lovely bank holiday weekend, from all the team at Oak Barn Vets in Guildford.
Grass seeds are a common problem during the spring and summer months. While your pet explores the outdoors, grass seed can easily brush off the tops of long grass stems onto their bodies. The seeds have pointed ends and are exceptionally sharp, so they become trapped in your pet’s fur and due to their shape they can only travel in one direction. This means they can often penetrate skin or move into ears.
Here at Oak Barn Vets in Guildford it’s important to us to demonstrate our commitment to the animals you entrust into our care.
It is the season when issues related to grass seeds are quite common in pets, especially for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Puppies and kittens often have endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm, this is a great way to view the world, and we should encourage this optimism to help create confident cats and dogs. Harnessing this energy into appropriate exercise regimes will also result in happier, healthier pets.
Summer brings longer days, warmer climates, new adventures and outdoor socialising, which with pets in tow, can be made even more enjoyable! However, when the temperatures rise, the dangers to our pets increase too. To keep pets safe, you should be aware of potential hazards, as well as some top tips to help prevent your pet from endangering themselves throughout the summer months.
Did you know that there are guidelines for minimum space requirements for housing guinea pigs? 🐹
We have pulled together some guidelines for you to ensure that your guinea pigs have the space they need to keep fit and healthy.
Does your dog come into regular contact with other dogs? Maybe out on walks, at the park, or when they’re staying in kennels? If so, we’d highly recommend a Kennel Cough vaccine or booster.
The ear mite, Otodectes Cynotis, is a mite that lives on dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets. It is typically found in the ear canal but can also live on the skin of your pet. Ear mites are caught through direct contact with another carrier animal. The mite may be seen as a white speck, about the size of a pinhead, moving against a dark background.
How do you feel about the relaxation of the lockdown restrictions? Relieved? Anxious? If we could ask our pets the same question, we’re fairly certain their answers would put them in one of two camps; those who are looking forward to the peace and quiet and those dreading not being with us 24/7.
Bacterial skin infections can have many causes, such as allergies. Regardless of the reason, skin infections require swift action by pet owners as they cause itching and pain. Some dogs are more vulnerable to develop bacterial skin infections than others.
As we get closer to COVID-19 related restrictions being slowly relaxed you’ll be looking forward to getting out and about more with your new puppy. Or, perhaps you’re thinking of buying a new puppy as life returns back to some kind of normal? Whatever your circumstances, we’ve put together a few tips for all new puppy parents.
Did you know…neutering can have significant healthcare benefits for your pet? Here are just a few of the benefits…
With two welcomed bank holiday weekends in May, we wanted to let you know that our opening hours will vary from our usual times. Please see below our opening times and our out of hours contact number(s):
May Bank Holiday
Closed
Spring Bank Holiday
Closed
Out of hours contact number Vets Now – call surgery number or direct on 01483 346203.
If you’re planning on getting out and about in the UK this summer, whether just for the day or for a longer period, we have some tips and advice for you and your pet.
With so many dog-friendly campsites, holiday cottages, hotels and caravans available, your dog will enjoy the adventure just as much as you. Dog-friendly beaches and parks are the perfect settings for your canine companion who loves to play; but you should always take care to ensure you and your dog are prepared in advance.
Parasite prevention is an integral part of taking good care of your cat or dog. Parasites also pose a threat to human health. Some pet parasites cause zoonotic infections, which means they can be transferred from pets to people.
Keeping our pets safe is important to all of us as pet owners. They trust us with their care and protection and, as well as feeding, exercising and cuddling them, that includes identifying them so that we can be reunited if we are parted.
As we head into the summer months and temperatures start rising, it’s important to remember that your pets are most vulnerable at this time to many injuries and illnesses which are brought on by hot weather, including sunburn, foot pad burns, dehydration and the most dangerous of all, heatstroke. While heat stress is more common during the summer months, it can occur at any time throughout the year.
With restrictions on holidays abroad, and ongoing updates to the quarantine list, many people are opting for a ‘staycation’ in the UK this year. If your summer plans involve a trip to one of our beautiful beaches and your dog is lucky enough to be joining you, here are some things to be mindful of.
Do you have a tortoise? If so, it is recommended to have a worm count carried out on your tortoise twice a year.
With Easter just around the corner, our opening hours will vary from our usual times. Please see below our opening times over the Bank Holiday weekend.
2nd April (Good Friday): Closed
3rd April (Easter Saturday): 9.00 to 12pm
4th April (Easter Sunday): Closed
5th April (Easter Monday): Closed
Your beloved dog is at risk of contracting parasites as they are ever-present in our environment, but you can keep your pet safe by regularly providing them with tick, flea and worm treatment.
Your feline friend can always be at risk of contracting parasites with them being ever-present in our environment. However, regularly providing them with tick, flea and worm treatment is the best way to protect them, your home and yourselves from infestation.
Skin disease is quite common amongst pets, as up to 25% of small animal consultations relate to skin issues.
Scratching posts are essential items for cats. They provide a dedicated place for your cat to scratch and ensure that your walls and soft furnishings avoid unnecessary damage.
Showing your pet that you love and care for them doesn’t have to be complicated. We have pulled together some simple ideas of ways to show your pet that you love them.
Unlike domestic dogs and cats, a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing and can grow nearly 2mm a week. Wild rabbits adapt for this growth by chewing daily on coarse grass and other vegetation that helps to wear down the crowns of their teeth. Pet rabbits are not typically offered access to the same type of vegetation and often consume dry pellets as the bulk of their diet.
Grooming is an important part of pet welfare and wellbeing and should be carried out regularly.
Spending time grooming your dog or cat can benefit your own mental health and improve your relationship with them. It is a good idea to start getting your pets used to grooming from an early age.
When we think about weight management in pets it can be easy to focus on their exercise routine and how active they might, or might not, be. However, getting them out for their daily walk is only part of it, and in fact what they eat from one day to the next plays an equally important role.
If you’ve recently got a new puppy, you may be wondering how to give them the best start to life. According to Dogs Trust, the first four months of a puppy’s life are crucial. It is when they learn what to make of all the things they experience in the world.
Brushing is by far the best method of keeping your pet’s teeth clean and is more successful if taken in stages. Ideally, it would help if you brushed your dog’s teeth at least once daily or three times per week at a minimum to help remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up.
If you’re a dog owner, you’ll know that every month is walk your dog month; our canine friends need regular exercise all year round! But during January – with the enjoyment of Christmas a distant memory, the cold weather continuing, and those dreaded January blues to deal with – it can be tempting to put off walking your dog.
Walking your dog can bring benefits for both of you, which can be especially important in January, so our advice is to embrace this time of year.
