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Dog and cat parents, together

Real stories, honest questions and good tips from people who love their pets, in a place that stays kind and safe.

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An Indie dog with large upright ears, wearing a blue bandana
Dogs
An orange tabby Indian cat sitting upright, wearing a blue collar with a teal tag
Cats

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  • Bonn-O Team

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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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  • Bonn-O Team

    TipDogs and cats

    Fresh water, every day. Wash the water bowl daily, not just top it up, because a slimy bowl puts pets off drinking. Steel or ceramic is easier to keep clean than plastic. In the hot months put out more than one bowl, and remember that some cats prefer a wide, shallow bowl or running water. Watch how much your pet drinks, and tell your vet about any big change.

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  • Bonn-O Team

    TipDogs and cats

    Bringing a dog and a cat together. Go slowly. Keep them in separate rooms at first and swap their blankets so that they learn each other's smell. Then allow short meetings, with the dog on a lead and the cat free to leave. Give each pet its own bowls, bed and a place to retreat; cats need a high spot the dog cannot reach. Praise calm behaviour with treats, and expect it to take weeks, not days.

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  • Bonn-O Team

    TipDogs and cats

    Before the first longer stay away from home, try a short one. Leave your pet with the carer for a few hours, then for a night, and see how they cope. Write down the food, the feeding times, any medicine your vet has prescribed, the walking routine and what scares your pet, and pack something that smells like home. Ask the carer how they will send you updates.

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  • Bonn-O Team

    TipCat

    Litter tray basics. Keep one tray per cat, plus one extra, in a quiet spot away from the food and water. Scoop at least once a day, and wash the tray every week or two with plain soap and water; strong cleaners put cats off. A cat that suddenly stops using the tray is telling you something, so mention it to your vet.

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  • Bonn-O Team

    TipDogs and cats

    One calendar for the whole year. Put every vaccination, deworming, flea and tick treatment and grooming date into your phone calendar, with a reminder a week before. Ask your vet which dates are right for your pet's age, because they differ between puppies, kittens and adults. Set it up once, and a missed booster stops being something to worry about.

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