Dog and cat parents, together

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  Bonn-O Team

  3 hours ago

  Dogs and cats

  Welcome to the Bonn-O Community. This is a place for dog and cat parents, and the people who care for them, to share what works, ask honest questions and help each other. A person from the Bonn-O team reads every report, and the rules are short: be kind, keep private things private, and say only what is true. These first posts are from the Bonn-O team, to give you somewhere to start. Add your own story, question or tip, and choose your city so that neighbours can find you.

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  Bonn-O Team

  21 hours ago

  QuestionDogs and cats

  Diwali is around the corner. How do you keep your dog or cat calm when the fireworks start? Tell us what has worked for you, and what has not, so that other pet parents can try it too.

  
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  Bonn-O Team

  1 day ago

  TipDog

  Summer walks: test the road before you step out. Press the back of your hand on the pavement for about five seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws. In the hot months, walk early in the morning or after sunset, stay on grass or in the shade where you can, and carry water for both of you. Short-nosed dogs such as pugs and bulldogs feel the heat sooner, so keep their walks shorter.

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  Bonn-O Team

  2 days ago

  TipCat

  Make the carrier a normal part of the home. Leave it open in a quiet corner for a week or two before the vet visit, with a soft towel inside and a treat now and then. A cat that already naps in the carrier travels far calmer than one who only sees it on vet days. In the car, cover the carrier with a light cloth so your cat feels hidden and safe.

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  Bonn-O Team

  2 days ago

  QuestionCat

  Cat parents: what helped your cat settle into a new home? Did you keep your cat in one room at first, use a favourite blanket, or try something else? Share what worked, so that the next person moving house with a cat knows where to start.

  
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  Bonn-O Team

  3 days ago

  TipDogs and cats

  Diwali with a pet: get ready before the first cracker. Set up a quiet room with the windows and curtains closed, a familiar blanket and some soft music or the television on. Walk your dog in daylight, well before the fireworks begin, and keep cats indoors. Check that your pet's ID tag carries your current phone number. Frightened pets slip out through open doors and gates more often at this time of year.

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  Bonn-O Team

  4 days ago

  TipDog

  Questions to ask a groomer before the first visit. How do you handle a nervous dog? How long will it take, and can I wait or watch? Are the tools and tables cleaned between pets? Do you ever use sedation? A caring groomer works slowly, takes breaks and does not rush a scared dog. These questions are worth asking of any groomer, wherever you go.

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  Bonn-O Team

  4 days ago

  TipCat

  Cats and balconies. In a flat, a cat chasing a bird or an insect can go over a balcony edge or out of an open window in a second. Put up a strong safety net or mesh over balconies and window openings, with no gaps a cat can squeeze through, and check it for wear every few months. Give your cat a window perch with a view as well, so that the outdoors stays interesting and safe.

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  Bonn-O Team

  5 days ago

  QuestionDog

  Indie dog parents: what do you wish you had known in the first month? Tell us about food, training, vaccinations, or anything that surprised you. Your answer could save a new Indie parent a lot of worry.

  
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  Bonn-O Team

  6 days ago

  TipDog

  Monsoon paw care. After every wet walk, rinse muddy paws and legs with clean lukewarm water, then dry them well, especially between the toes and under the belly. Damp fur is where itching and a sour smell start. Keep a towel by the door, and trim long hair between the pads so that it dries faster. If the skin looks red or sore, ask your vet before trying any cream.

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  Bonn-O Team

  6 days ago

  TipDog

  Reward the moment, not the minute after. A treat works best within two seconds of the good behaviour, so that your dog links the two. Keep training sessions to about five minutes, a few times a day, and stop while your dog is still happy. Use small, soft treats so that you can reward often, and take that amount out of the dinner bowl.

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  Bonn-O Team

  20 Oct 2026

  TipCat

  Brushing a long-haired cat. Cats such as Persians and Himalayans need a gentle brush most days, because mats form fast behind the ears, under the legs and at the base of the tail. Start with two or three minutes, use a wide-toothed comb first and a soft brush after, and end every session with a treat. Never pull at a mat. If one is tight against the skin, ask a groomer or your vet to help.

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