Pet Care from South Bucks RSPCA

Under the new Animal Welfare Act, which came into force at the end of March 2007, anyone who is responsible for a pet has a legal responsibility to meet the five basic welfare needs of pets.

Below is some useful information covering pet care, which we hope you will find helpful:
	Dogs Know what your dog needs. more	Budgies & Canaries Know what your budgie or canary needs. more
	Puppies Know what your puppy needs. more	Parrots Know what your parrot needs. more
	Cats Know what your cat needs. more	Chickens Know what your pet chickens need. more
	Rabbits Know what your rabbit needs. more	Reptiles Know what your reptile needs. more
	Guinea Pigs Know what your guinea pig needs. more	Snakes Know what your pet snake needs. more
	Hamster Know what your hamster needs. more	Lizards Know what your pet lizard needs. more
	Gerbil Know what your gerbil needs. more	Tortoises & Terrapins Know what your pet tortoise or terrapin needs. more
	Ferret Know what your ferret needs. more	Fish Know what your pet fish needs. more
	Rats & Mice Know what your rats & mice need. more	Goldfish Know what your pet goldfish needs. more
	Horses & Ponies Know what your pet horse or pony needs. more	Donkeys Know what your pet donkey needs. more
	Stick Insect Know what your Stick insect needs. more	Monitoring & Health Checks more
	Cocoa Mulch more

DOGS:
The right pet for you?
Dogs make very good friends, are intelligent, faithful and fun. But they take up a lot of time and energy, are quite expensive to look after and need plenty of space. A dog is not a good choice for people who are out all day.

What do dogs need?

Deciding to buy a puppy should be a careful, well-thought out decision. Make sure you don't unwittingly support the cruel practice of puppy farming - the mass breeding of puppies for profit, often with little regard for animal welfare.

The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 was introduced to give local authorities more powers to license dog breeders and help stamp out puppy farming.

All new licensed breeders have to be inspected by a vet and a local authority officer. There are strict penalties for cruel breeders who break the law.

Help stamp out the cruel practice of puppy farming by buying your puppy only from a licensed breeder or a small-scale, local breeder. Or why not give a home to a puppy from the South Bucks RSPCA.

The right pet for you?
Cats are very clean and make good companions for many people. But they can damage carpets and furniture with their claws and may not always want to be stroked and handled.

The right pet for you?
Rabbits are difficult to look after. They need lots of space, and large homes that can be expensive to create. Before getting any pet, think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs.

What do rabbits need?

The right pet for you?
Guinea pigs are friendly and easily tamed, but they need commitment and regular attention. Long-haired guinea pigs can be especially difficult to look after.

What do guinea pigs need?

Life span
Guinea pigs live for up to seven years.

Behaviour
In the wild, guinea pigs live in close family groups, and it is unkind to keep one guinea pig. Companionship is essential, but two adult guinea pigs that don't know each other may fight, so choose two young littermates of the same sex, a father and son, or mother and daughter. Guinea pigs have a basic need to graze and should have regular access to a grassy area. Guinea pigs also need to have their own sleeping area.

Handling
Approach the guinea pig from the front and on its level. Pick it up using both hands, one around the hindquarters, the other around its shoulders (for a young guinea pig) or around its chest (for an adult). Guinea pigs may become upset by too much handling.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from your guinea pigs as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. The best way to ensure that guinea pigs do not breed is to keep males and females apart.

A female guinea pig can produce up to five litters a year from a very young age.

Health
Guinea pigs should be checked regularly for overgrown claws and teeth. Both can be trimmed by a vet.

Too much scratching results from skin problems and is often caused by mites or lice. Your vet can provide suitable treatment for these.

Long-haired guinea pigs in particular may suffer from the potentially fatal disease flystrike, caused by flies laying eggs in soiled fur. Make sure the guinea pigs' home is cleaned every day and bedding changed regularly. Groom guinea pigs every day, checking their fur all over for any dirt, especially under the tail.

If a guinea pig develops bald patches on its face, this could indicate the fungal disease ringworm. Seek veterinary advice straight away.

Guinea pigs can suffer from vitamin C deficiency, which causes weight loss, general weakness and swollen joints. Ask your vet for advice on how to provide your guinea pigs with an adequate supply of this vitamin.

If you have any concerns about your guinea pigs' health, ask your vet for advice.

The right pet for you?
Hamsters are lively and clean and most are happy to live alone, although some species will live as pairs. They can take time to become tame and need to have peace and quiet during the day because they are nocturnal.

What do hamsters need?

Life span
Hamsters live for up to two years.

Behaviour
In the wild, hamsters make underground homes and have strong nest building instincts. They are nocturnal and should be left alone and quiet during the day. If the temperature becomes too cold, they may go into a deep sleep called hibernation. When two or more hamsters are put together they usually fight, so it is best to keep just one hamster. However, some dwarf species will live happily as a pair - so ask about the particular hamster you are buying.

Handling
Pick up a hamster very gently using both hands as a scoop and stay close over a flat surface. Hamsters move very quickly and are likely to jump if they are frightened.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from your hamster as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. The best way to ensure that hamsters do not breed is simply to keep the sexes apart.

Health
If your hamster develops skin sores, bathe them with warm water containing a mild antiseptic. If they persist, seek veterinary advice. Loss of fur and sore skin could also indicate parasites or the fungal disease ringworm.

Sore eyes can be caused by dusty bedding, old age or breathing problems. Ask your vet for advice.

Hamsters may suffer from overgrown teeth and claws. Both can be trimmed by a vet.

The lining of a hamster's cheek pouches is very delicate and can be damaged by wood splinters or sharp food. If any material becomes lodged in the pouches, seek veterinary advice straight away.

If a hamster is sneezing, breathing slowly and has a sore nose, it may have an infection that could develop into pneumonia. Keep the hamster warm and improve its diet, but seek veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Wet tail is a potentially fatal disease that is highly infectious. If a hamster is tired, loses its appetite and has watery diarrhoea, seek veterinary advice straight away.

The right pet for you?
Gerbils are bright and inquisitive, and fun to observe, but they need your commitment and regular attention. Before getting any pet, you should think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs, including love.

What do gerbils need?

Life span
Gerbils live for three years.

Behaviour
In the wild, gerbils live in groups called colonies, and it is unkind to keep one gerbil on its own. Either male or female gerbils from the same litter can live happily together, but adult gerbils that don't know each other are likely to fight. Gerbils are very active and have a strong need to burrow, scratch and dig, so their housing needs to cater for this. They are active by day and night, with about a three-hour cycle of activity and rest.

Handling
Encourage the gerbil to walk on to your outstretched hand, limiting its movement with your other hand over its back. Gerbils are very lively and are inclined to jump, so great care and caution is needed. They may become upset by too much handling. Never pick up a gerbil by its tail.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from your gerbils as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. The best way to ensure that gerbils do not breed is simply to keep males and females apart.

A female gerbil has an average of five to seven litters during her life, with up to eight young in each litter.

Health
If the gerbilarium is left in direct sunlight, gerbils can suffer heat exhaustion. They should recover if moved to a cool dark room and left alone, but the situation is easily avoided.

A sore nose and eyes can be caused by gnawing wire or burrowing in dusty conditions. Make sure gerbils' accommodation is clean and suitable for their needs.

Gerbils may suffer from overgrown teeth if there is a lack of material to chew on. Your veterinary surgeon may have to cut them back.

Poor handling or a minor accident can cause a tail injury. The thinner part of the gerbil's long tail is easily injured and great care should be taken when handling and when choosing toys for the gerbilarium.

The most serious disease to affect gerbils is called Tyzzer's Disease. Symptoms include tiredness, lack of appetite and diarrhoea. This disease can be fatal, so you should seek veterinary advice straight away.

The right pet for you?
Ferrets are lively, playful and easily tamed, but they need a lot of space. They can also inflict severe bites and emit a strong musky smell. Before getting any pet, you should think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs.

What do ferrets need?

Life span
Ferrets live for about eight years.

Behaviour
Ferrets need to be with other ferrets and it is unkind to keep one ferret on its own. Either male or female ferrets from the same litter can live happily together. Although ferrets can appear very tame, they are not easy to look after as they need a great deal of space and may try to escape.

Handling
Pick up a ferret gently but firmly using both hands, one around its hindquarters and the other around the shoulders. Hold it close to your body. It is important to handle ferrets regularly to keep them tame.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from ferrets as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. The best way to ensure that ferrets do not breed is to have them neutered. Male ferrets can be vasectomised. Female ferrets (jills) should be neutered because they can get serious diseases.

Female ferrets come into season (a time when they can get pregnant) from early spring until September. If you keep female ferrets, they will become sexually mature at about eight months old, and you should seek expert advice on their care before this stage.

Health
Ferrets must be vaccinated against the potentially fatal disease canine distemper. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise you on this.

If the ferrets' home is left in direct sunlight, ferrets can suffer from heat exhaustion. They should recover if moved to a cool dark room and given plenty of water, but the situation is easily avoided.

Ferrets can catch the influenza virus from humans, and you should keep away from ferrets if you have flu. Keep an infected ferret away from the others and seek veterinary advice straight away.

If a ferret is constantly scratching, producing bald patches in its fur and broken patches in its skin, it may have mange. Seek veterinary advice straight away.

Ferrets can suffer from parasites (tiny living things which live on other creatures) if their bedding is not kept clean. Check ferrets' ears and coat regularly and seek veterinary advice if there is any sign of mites.

If you have any concerns about the health of your ferrets, ask your veterinary surgeon for advice.

The right pet for you?
Mice are lively and easily tamed, but are active at night and may smell. Rats are intelligent and interesting to look at, but need a lot of space and attention.

What do rats and mice need?

Life span
Rats and mice usually live for two to three years.

Behaviour
Mice need to be with other mice and rats with other rats. Male mice are likely to fight, unless they are littermates, so it is better to keep female mice in groups. However, they can be territorial, so introduce new mice into a neutral area first. Rats like the company of humans, but are clever enough to escape if they have a chance.

Handling
To pick up a rat, place one hand round its shoulders and support its hindquarters in your other hand. Handle rats fairly regularly to keep them tame. To pick up a mouse, lift it up by the base of the tail while supporting its body with your other hand. Hold it on your hand and keep it close to the ground or over a flat surface. Rats and mice may bite if frightened.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from rats or mice. The best way to ensure that they do not breed is to keep males and females apart.

A female rat could have a litter of up to 11 young every four to five weeks, while a female mouse can have as many as 14 in a litter.

Health
If a mouse develops skin sores, bathe them with a mild antiseptic. If they persist, seek veterinary advice. Loss of fur and sore skin could also indicate parasites (tiny living things which live on other creatures) or the fungal disease ringworm.

Symptoms of respiratory disease in both rats and mice include a loss of appetite, a nasal discharge and uneven breathing. Keep the animal warm and seek veterinary advice straight away.

Rats and mice can suffer from overgrown teeth if they do not have enough wood, hard pellets or raw vegetables to gnaw on. Your vet may have to cut them back.

If a rat holds its head on one side and walks in circles, it may have middle ear disease. Seek veterinary advice straight away.

Injury or a virus can cause paralysis in mice, and you should seek veterinary advice straight away.

A rat that has a sore nose and is sneezing could be allergic to the materials in its home. Use only good quality hay and wood shavings rather than sawdust.

Rats, especially older ones, often develop lumps and tumours. If you notice any unusual growths, seek veterinary advice straight away.

The right pet for you?
Owning a horse or pony is rewarding, but a huge responsibility and very hard work. You need a lot of land, time, money and commitment.

What do horses and ponies need?

Life span
Most horses and ponies live for over 20 years.

Behaviour
Horses and ponies are herd animals and may get upset if kept alone. Human company is also important. It is better for them to live outside than be permanently stabled, but they must have shelter available. All horses and ponies need to be able to roam and graze in a field or paddock.

Training and handling
Before taking on the responsibility of a horse or pony, do make sure you have had adequate tuition in horse care. Training may be available from a reputable riding school or equestrian centre. Alternatively, contact the British Horse Society on 0870 12 02 244.

Horses and ponies are very sensitive animals and are easily frightened or upset. Approach their heads slowly and speak as you do so. Sudden noises or unexpected movements can cause alarm and make the animal difficult to handle.

Breeding
The RSPCA advises you do not breed from your horse or pony unless you have the facilities and expertise to properly care for a foal.

Females (mares) over three years old come into season every three weeks from early spring to midsummer. Males (stallions) reach breeding age at two years. A castrated male is called a gelding. Males should be castrated before they are two years old.

Health
Horses and ponies should be vaccinated against serious diseases, including equine flu and tetanus. Equine flu is a very contagious virus - symptoms include fever, cough, runny eyes and nose, depression and loss of appetite. Do not ride a horse or pony with a cough except on veterinary advice.

If a horse or pony's breathing becomes louder and more noticeable at rest and during light exercise, they may have broken wind, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and will need to see a vet.

A horse or pony may develop colic - pain in the stomach due to indigestion, gas, or worms. Seek veterinary advice straight away. Horses should be routinely treated for worms.

Laminitis is a very painful inflammation of the sensitive part inside the hooves. It can cause lameness and deformity, so seek veterinary advice straight away. Too much food and too little exercise cause it.

Horses and ponies may suffer from thrush, a foul smelling inflammation in the foot. This is caused by dirty, wet bedding or poor farriery.

It is a good idea to take out insurance to cover veterinary fees for your horse or pony.

Your horse deserves the best possible care so make sure you are prepared to:

Lifespan: Up to 30 years (but may be longer).
Sexually mature: Jennies (female) 18 months;
Jacks (male) six to 12 months.
In season: Every three weeks for five to seven days.
Gestation: Ten to 14 months.
Number of offspring: One.
Handling: Donkeys need to be approached cautiously. Approach from the head and speak as you do. Donkeys enjoy being groomed and gentle handling. Sudden noises upset donkeys.
Companionship: Donkeys are friendly animals and will be unhappy - and may start braying - if kept alone. They should always be kept with another equine - horse, pony or donkey. They bond with other animals and bonded pairs should not be separated. Human companionship is also needed.

Lice: Infected donkeys will rub themselves vigorously on gates and fence posts and may develop open sores. Seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.
Mud fever: Caused by constant exposure to wet and muddy conditions. Occurs on the lower forelegs and in severe cases the legs will swell and the animal will become lame. Seek advice from a veterinary surgeon.
Sweet itch: A kind of eczema caused by allergy to midges. The symptoms are a badly rubbed mane and tail. Seek veterinary advice.
Intestinal worms: All donkeys will pick up worms and need regular faecal sampling to determine parasite burdens and worming only when necessary.
Gastro-intestinal problems: These are often not obvious, as the signs are not as clear as in horses. Dullness, loss of appetite and behavioural changes should be regarded with suspicion and veterinary advice sought. Hyperlipaema: The most common killer disease of donkeys, associated with stress and obesity. Consult your veterinary surgeon straightaway if the donkey is off its food, uncomfortable and standing over a water trough but not drinking.

Your donkey deserves the best possible care so make sure you are prepared to:

The right pet for you?
Budgies and canaries are colourful and friendly companions that need to live with other birds in a large aviary. This can be expensive to build or buy and needs regular cleaning, for health reasons.

What do budgies and canaries need?

Life span
Budgies can live for up to 10 years, canaries for five to six years.

Behaviour
In the wild, budgies and canaries live in large groups so it is unkind to have just one bird. Get a pair or a group of male or female birds at the same time to avoid jealousy. Canaries and budgies should not be kept in the same aviary as canaries are smaller and may be bullied. All captive birds need a stimulating environment and space to fly around.

Handling
Budgies can be trained to land on your finger and can be handled quite frequently without stress. Canaries should be handled as little as possible. To pick up a bird, place one hand over its back. The tail should lie along the inside of your wrist and the head should rest between the first and second fingers, while the thumb and other fingers restrain the wings. Relax your fingers to make your grip as gentle as possible - never squeeze the bird.

Breeding
The RSPCA advises that you do not breed from budgies or canaries as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. The best way is to keep males and females apart. Female budgies come into season from early spring until autumn, and will lay up to six eggs in one clutch. Only breed if you are able to provide or find good homes for any offspring.

Health
If your budgie or canary is huddled on its perch, wheezing and gasping for breath, it may have an infection that could lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Keep the bird warm and seek veterinary advice straight away.

Budgies may suffer from an overgrown beak or claws. The beak can usually be kept in trim by pecking at a cuttlefish bone, but it may need to be trimmed by a vet. Claws can be kept short by providing perches with a rough or bark-covered surface. If they need clipping, a vet should do this.

Budgies may develop a contagious condition called scaly face, a grey crust that spreads around the beak and face. It is caused by a tiny parasite and can be treated by your vet.

Canaries may suffer from digestive disorders, causing listlessness, sleepiness and loss of appetite. If a canary has constipation, diarrhoea or blood in its droppings, keep it away from the others, make sure it is warm and seek veterinary advice straight away.

Feather plucking can be a sign of boredom or stress. Make sure your budgie or canary has suitable companions, lots of room to fly and plenty of interesting toys and perches.

Birds in the parrot family include small lovebirds and parrots, which do not grow beyond 12 centimetres, right up to the large macaws, which can grow to over 80 centimetres.

Your parrot deserves the best care possible so make sure you are prepared to:

Wherever they are kept, all species of farm animals have certain basic needs that must be adequately catered for if the animals are to have an acceptable quality of life.

These include:

Water
There must be a clean source of water available at all times. When new chickens are introduced, they must be provided with facilities to which they are already accustomed, as chickens do not like to drink from unfamiliar drinkers. Suitable drinkers should be used for young chicks to prevent them climbing in and drowning. As the birds become bigger and require more water, alternative drinkers should be introduced and the old drinkers should be removed gradually over a number of days.

Food
Day-old chicks will peck at small pellet-shaped objects, and within a few days they will learn to recognise food particles. Chickens will spend much of their day scratching and foraging for small seeds and roots in the ground. They will need additional food such as grain to provide an adequate balance of protein, carbohydrates and minerals. As the female birds mature they will begin to lay eggs and a calcium supplement should be included in the diet. If they are kept on a grassed area, the grass should not be allowed to become too long, as, if eaten, long strands can become impacted in the crop, making it difficult for the birds to digest food. Chickens must always have access to insoluble grit to aid digestion.

Nest boxes
Laying chickens should be encouraged to lay their eggs in a designated nest box area, especially if the eggs are intended for human consumption. The boxes should be draught-free and lined with clean, dry and comfortable material such as straw or wood shavings. Many chickens prefer to find a quiet, isolated place to lay their eggs away from their pen mates.

Shelter
Chickens will naturally seek a raised position to roost at dusk, as a means of protection against predators. They should be given a warm, dry shelter with raised perches that are approximately 3-5cm in width with rounded edges, to enable the birds to grip. Enough perching space should be provided so as to allow all the chickens to roost at the same time, with at least one square meter of floor space for nine birds. To help maintain good feather condition, there should always be a dry place where the chickens can dust bathe and preen their feathers.

Where chickens are given access to a shed, the entrance to this should be wide enough to allow the hens to pass through without difficulty. The shed should be bedded with clean straw, cleaned out frequently, and checked to ensure that there are no harmful parasites which could compromise the birds' health. Adequate ventilation is very important and, while it is important to keep the birds warm, there must also be good air circulation inside the shed.

In smaller houses, a greater proportion of birds tend to go out onto the range area during the day, and only use the shed at night. When they roost, hens like to be near each other as this gives them a greater sense of safety. However, there must be enough space either side of the perch for hens get up and down from these without injuring themselves. It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature within the shed - particularly during the colder months.

Pasture
The outdoor area will require careful management and should be given periods of rest, to allow the ground and grass to recover. It is important that the area is sufficiently large enough to be divided - unless there are alternative grass areas nearby to use - in order to allow the chickens to roam on good pasture every day. On the range area, there should be additional means of overhead shelter, to protect them against direct sunlight, strong wind and driving rain.

Fencing
Fences should be well maintained and provide appropriate protection against predators. The design should ensure that the birds cannot escape or become trapped.

Worming
Poultry kept on the same ground for a prolonged period will need regular worming.

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The right pet for you?
Reptiles like snakes and lizards may be interesting and unusual, but they need specialist care and some can be a challenge to keep well. They are also expensive to look after correctly. Before getting any pet, you should think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs.

What do reptiles need?

Life span
Iguanas can live for 20 years and some snakes for 50 years.

Behaviour
Most reptiles kept as pets originally come from tropical or sub-tropical climates. They are entirely dependent upon their owners to provide suitable conditions for them and will suffer a great deal if their complex needs are not met.

Handling
All reptiles need careful and expert handling. It is important to learn the correct way to pick up a snake or lizard, to avoid injuring the animal or putting yourself at risk. Large reptiles should not be handled by young children and large snakes may need more than one person to handle.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from reptiles, unless you are prepared to take on the long-term commitment to provide the specialist care for any offspring, or you can already rehome to someone with the required knowledge and facilities.

Health
Many reptiles need ultra-violet light from the sun to help make vitamin D and absorb calcium. In captivity this needs to be provided artificially, otherwise they will start to absorb calcium from their own bones, leaving them too weak to move.

Some snakes, like the Californian kingsnake or the garter snake, need artificial heat. However, they can be seriously burned if this is not provided correctly.

If a Burmese python does not have access to water for bathing, it may have difficulty shedding its skin. Some snakes, such as many pythons and the anaconda, need to spend time in water to stay healthy.

Despite many reptiles now being bred in captivity, every year, millions of animals, including reptiles, are trapped from the wild and sold into the international pet trade. Many die during capture or transport, and those that reach pet shops may be sick or weak from their ordeal.

A variety of illnesses, injuries and infections can be caused by keeping reptiles in unsuitable conditions. It is vital to find out as much as possible about a reptile's natural environment and its diet in order to prevent suffering.

Your snake deserves the best care possible so make sure you are also prepared to:

Note:
Most snakes are only active at night or during low light levels, so make sure the location of your snake's home, the types of lamps and the time of day he/she is handled does not cause disturbance or harm.

Your lizard deserves the best care possible so make sure you are also prepared to:

Note:
Watch out for bone deformities that can be caused by an unbalanced diet or insufficient UV lighting.

Your tortoise or terrapin deserves the best care possible so make sure you are also prepared to:

Note:
Don't oil or scratch your tortoise's shell as this can block the pores, attract dirt and increase the risk of infection. Also, watch out for shell deformities and other health problems, which can be caused by an unbalanced diet or insufficient UV lighting.

The right pet for you?
Fish are colourful and fascinating to watch. Setting up an aquarium or pond can be expensive and time-consuming, but most fish are easy to look after.

What do fish need?

Your goldfish deserves the best care possible so make sure you are prepared to:

The right pet for you?
Stick insects are relatively easy to keep and can be interesting to look at. Before getting any pet, you should think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs.

What do stick insects need?

Life span
Stick insects live for about 12 months.

Behaviour
Stick insects should be kept with other stick insects but must not be overcrowded. They may fight and even eat each other if they are not given enough water, are fed incorrectly or do not have sufficient space.

Handling
Stick insects are very delicate and should be handled with great care. It is best to pick them up with an artist's paintbrush.

Breeding
The RSPCA strongly advises that you do not breed from stick insects as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young.

In some species of stick insect, females produce fertile eggs without mating. This is known as parthenogenesis. Stick insects will lay between 100 and 700 eggs in a clutch, depending on the species. Eggs should be collected and carefully destroyed.

Health
If a stick insect loses a leg, this is not fatal as it will grow another one after its next skin change.

A stick insect that is twitching has probably eaten leaves that have been treated with pesticide and it is likely to die.

If a stick insect has problems shedding its skin, you can help. When the stick insect looks fat, gently moisten the old skin and carefully peel it away.

Stick insects may suffer from mites if their home is not kept clean and well-ventilated.

If you have any concerns about the health of your stick insects, ask your veterinary surgeon or an expert for advice.

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The most important initial step in providing good care for your pet is to get to know it well.
Read about how the animal would live in the wild - and therefore the care needed in captivity - and contact other experienced keepers and organisations to find out how to set up a stable environment. Ensure you have all the equipment and access to the correct diet before you take the animal home. Find a vet experienced in the treatment of the species, so you know where you can take your pet if it becomes sick or injured.

Essential health precautions and checks for your pet:
By maintaining an environment suitable for the species of animal, feeding the required nutrient-balanced diet and routine monitoring; many health problems can be prevented.

Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all dog lovers.

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden.

Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mum woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

Also included was the following information -

'Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine". It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die.
Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.'

DISCLAIMER:

This website contains general advice on those animal-related matters which, in the RSPCA's experience, affect animal lovers and pet owners most often. Unfortunately, it is not possible in the context of the website to take into account individual situations or consider unusual problems or circumstances.

You should seek further advice and assistance from your vet, the RSPCA or other appropriate expert if you are concerned about the welfare of a particular animal.

The RSPCA regrets that it cannot accept any responsibility for acts or omissions based on the following advice which is intended as a general introduction to animal-related problems only.