Let’s Celebrate National Pet Month!
Let’s Celebrate National Pet Month!
We all love our pets so a month of celebrating them sounds great, right? But did you know that in the UK National Pet Month is actually an educational campaign to promote responsible pet ownership and the benefits of owning a pet?
The campaign is coordinated by National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).
Lots of animal welfare charities, professional bodies, pet businesses, schools, youth groups, and pet lovers support National Pet Month, so of course The Golden Paste Company wanted to get involved!
We are passionate about the health of your pet which is closely linked to welfare so we decided to discuss healthy and happy pets, plus remind ourselves of the amazing benefits pets bring to all of us.
Happy and Healthy Pets
Generally speaking, our pets have five key welfare needs– Companionship, Behaviour, Diet, Health and Environment (covered in the Animal Welfare Act 2006).
We all do our best to meet these needs but sometimes it can be challenging especially when factors outside of our control come into play. For example, you may have a noise sensitive pet but if your neighbours are having building work carried out you may not be able to completely eliminate the stress caused by the noise.
Learning about your pet’s needs is so important and depending on the species, their needs may even vary depending on their breed. Learn as much as you can about behaviour, diet, health and their companionship and environmental needs – the more you know the better you will be able to care for your pet.
Want to read more? The RSPCA and Blue Cross have lots of advice on caring for specific pets on their websites.
The Benefits of Pet Ownership
- They reduce stress and loneliness – this has been demonstrated in lots of scientific studies. We all feel better after a cuddle with our pet!
- They can help to keep you fit – from dog walking to horse riding, pets can be a great way of getting us off the sofa for a good cardio workout in the fresh air.
- They can help to improve your immune system – studies have shown that pets can boost immunity, especially in your early years, which can help to reduce allergies in later life.
- They can introduce you to new people and hobbies – getting out and about with your pet is a fun way to meet new people and if you have a dog or a horses you may discover a whole new hobby or activity.
- They can help to teach children to be kind and responsible – pets are a good way to teach children about responsibility and caring for others.
- They can transform lives – I think we can all agree life is much better with a pet but therapy pets, guide dogs and assistance dogs really do transform lives.
