July 2018

July 21 2018

Is your dog drinking enough water?

Is your dog drinking enough water?
You know that you’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, but what about your dog? You see them drink, but how much water are they actually lapping up? We’ve put together to helpful advice on helping to keep your dog hydrated and how to recognize the signs when they aren’t.

Helping your dog stay hydrated
When dogs are thirsty they lap water up eagerly, but it may be that your dog seems reluctant to drink up sometimes. To encourage hydration, check the basics first. Always make sure your dog is given fresh, clean water to ensure they feel the best they can at all times.

Leave their bowls in a cool area
You wouldn’t like to drink your water out of a warm bowl that’s been sitting in the sun, so why would you expect your dog to do it?

Replace their water every day
To ensure your dog stays hydrated and feeling good, make sure you give them access to lots of fresh water, regardless of the weather outside.

Keep their bowls clean
Be sure to keep a lookout for debris that may land in your dog’s bowl. It’s easy for hair and bits of kibble to contaminate their water and make it unappetizing.

How much water is enough?
Dogs should drink about an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Of course, if you have a puppy or your dog is really active they may well need more. And just like humans, dogs also need more water when they spend time outside in hot, dry conditions. These last few weeks in the UK have been scorching, so make sure you leave enough of fresh, clean water out for your dog at all times.

Providing water when you’re out and about
If you’re going for a long walk, or ramble or just a short trip to a local park, make sure you pack extra water for your dog.

Even if your trip outdoors is relatively short, always bring water especially if it’s hot. If you’re reaching for some water, your dog probably would too given the chance. Collapsible silicone water dishes are fantastic to keep with you, or if this isn’t possible, in the boot of your car for quick replenishment.

Signs your dog maybe dehydrated
With the heat wave lingering over the UK the last few weeks, it’s important to know the signs that your dog hasn’t had enough to drink. To tell if your dog is dehydrated, check the following:

They’re looking for water.If your dog is thirsty, they’ll be searching frantically for something to drink and may well be pacing about looking anxious or stressed.
Their gums are pale and dry. Pale, dry gums are a reliable symptom of dehydration.
They’re listless. A dehydrated dog won’t seem like themselves, and may pace or drool.
You’ve checked their scruff and it doesn’t settle back. Take your dog’s scruff (the loose skin over their shoulders) and lift it away from their back. If your dog is dehydrated, the skin will take a long time to settle back down. If your furry friend is hydrated, their skin will snap back immediately.

Also, if your dog has been unwell- sickness, diarrhoea, or is otherwise ill, be careful to keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t become dehydrated as this could be very dangerous.

Suspect your dog is already dehydrated? Remember the following:

Drinking too fast after becoming dehydrated can cause vomiting.
Give them little sips of water to help them rehydrate.
Take them to the vet if they don’t seem to be improving.

July 12 2018

admin Blogs

How to identify anxiety in dogs

Think you’ve got an anxious dog? Read our guide on how to identify anxiety in dogs

If truth be told, it would be a million times easier if your dog could just talk to you and tell you how they’re feeling but the chances of this are near to zero. If it were true, you’d never have to stress about your dog or ask yourself ‘Is my dog anxious and unsettled?’

While dogs cannot speak as we humans do, your dog is giving you clues as whether they are feeling happy, anxious or bored, you’ve just got to notice the signs and take note. Now’s the time to get in tune with your beloved pooch and take the opportunity to figure out your dog’s body language so you can feel in control of the situation.

As an experienced animal shelter, the team here at Carla Lane’s Animals in Need have decoded signs of dog anxiety so you don’t have to!

Tucked tail
If your dog is curling their tail up under their tummy it’s a sign they are lacking confidence or they are scared. One thing to consider is how tightly their tail is tucked up as this might indicate just how anxious or frightened your dog is. Do not ignore this tell tale sign of anxiety in your dog.

Flattened ears
When dogs pin their ears back against their head it can indicate that they are anxious, scared or excited.

Hunched body
Think of this one as a dog trying to curl in on themselves to seem smaller, or even to disappear. It often occurs in combination with a tucked tail and is a really obvious sign to many that your dog is feeling uncomfortable and anxious.

Shaking or shivering
This can indicate discomfort or fear. It could be a sign your dog is cold but it could also mean they are scared and anxious.

Nose or lip licking
Commonly referred to as “tongue flicking,” this action often occurs two or three times in quick succession. You may well see your dog licking when something has changed in their normal environment or a new trigger has emerged. Of course, if you’re cooking or preparing food and you see your dog doing this, they are probably just hopeful that they’ll be getting some of your meal!

Yawning
In many instances, yawning is a stress release. If you see your dog yawning, it’s likely that their anxiety levels are high. Take for example, if you’re on a walk, or in an unfamiliar place, and you see your dog yawning, it’s time to take note and remove your dog from the situation. If you’re at home getting ready for a nap or waking up in the morning and you see your dog yawn, they are probably just tired.

Panting
Panting can help your dog to cool down, after for example exercise or in extreme heat but it can also occur when a dog is stressed. If you’ve not taken your dog out for a walk, and it’s not hot outside, it’s likely your dog is feeling anxious.

Rolling onto their back
While most people think dogs rolling onto their backs indicate they are being submissive, it could also mean that they are trying to communicate to you that they’re no threat. Often, in times of stress, dogs will roll onto their backs but they can also do it as part of a healthy and very natural part of play behaviour. What’s more, they may just want a belly rub!

Showing the whites of their eyes
Whale eye is the term for when the whites of your dog’s eye show, often when they’re attempting to look at or look away from something without wanting to move their entire head (i.e., look without looking). This shows that your dog is experiencing high anxiety or fear.

Drooling
Many dogs drool when they’re about to get fed but dogs also drool when they are extremely fearful or frightened.

Turning or walking away
If your dog turns away from someone walking towards them, it’s a tell tale sign that your dog is trying to communicate that they aren’t a threat. For whatever reason, your dog is trying to tell you the approaching person is making them anxious or unsettled. If you notice this behaviour, never force your dog to do something they don’t want to do as they may be into a natural defence mode.

July 1 2018

admin Appeals, Blogs

Every appeal matters

Everyone here at Carla Lane’s Animals in Need is always overwhelmed with the huge support we get when we need funds to help animals in need. Whether it’s a dog that needs its leg amputating, its eye removed or funds for a court appeal to save its life, our loyal supporters allow us to look after more animals in need. But looking after the animals is much more than just physical care.

Each and every one of us provide endless hours of our time ensuring the animals are emotionally cared and ensure their wellbeing and welfare is enhanced at every stage. Making sure their living areas are safe, secure and adequate is a must. But these things all cost money. In truth, it wouldn’t be a lie to say that this side of the care we provide is sometimes overlooked by those donating to various appeals.

Of course, saving life is always a priority, but as the years fly by, our older style, 30 year old kennels have started to become inadequate. In some instances they also become unsafe, for example when a kennel door gets broken. While to many, these important maintenance tasks seem trivial in comparison, money for these vital necessities has to be sorted regardless of the cost. If we don’t have the facilities which exceed statutory requirements, we cannot offer the level of care we want to. Also, they don’t represent the excellent level of care our dedicated team deliver, each and every day.

In a nutshell, the truth is- if we don’t receive valued donations to provide new, fully equipped kennels, we cannot help more dogs in desperate need. Our vision is to build well made, high quality kennels which provide better quality lives for each and every one of our dogs. The new kennels would be lighter, airier and complete with outside runs. However, we have a mammoth task ahead of us- we have a whopping 30 large pens to renovate, plus new lighting and ventilation. The fact the dogs spend over 20 hours a day shut in a pen, Carla Lane’s Animals in Need want to make them feel at home until that special person comes along and offers them a future.

But none of this is possible without the generosity of you, the general public. As always, we are eternity grateful to those who have already donated towards all of our appeals- we cannot thank you enough. Moving forwards, our appeal targets are significant- new kennels are very expensive with estimates coming in at between £60-80k. We appreciate that this appeal will be one of our biggest yet and that’s why we need your help. We know times are tough for everyone and no amount is too small, every penny counts.

As always, if you are able to make a donation, take a look at all of the ways you can donate here. Alternatively, if you cannot donate any money but would like to give your time to help unwanted and abandoned animals see our Volunteering page to find out how you can help.

Thank you, as always!