Healthy Pets, Healthy Behaviours, the positive effects of pets on our mental and physical health and easing the financial cost of caring for a pet will feature in this year’s National Pet Month, which runs from April 1 to May 1.
National Pest Month is an annual celebration of the incredible bond we have with our animal companions. Pet fans can look forward to a month of practical support as leading vet and pet professionals provide advice and tips for those caring for animals across the UK.
With a focus on the five key welfare needs of our pets – companionship, behaviour, diet, health and environment – National Pest Month will take a close look at everything from financial obstacles to pet health, cat behaviour and the importance of pet vaccination to the growing dog park, trend, healthy pet nutrition and the latest pet population figures showing just how our pets are positively impacting our physical and mental health.
National Pet Month kicks off on Thursday, March 28, with a livestream across social media introducing the NPM team and revealing what the month has in store.
Look out for weekly live broadcasts during April. These include features on the benefits of pets for people living on the streets with charity, StreetVet, a chat on cat behaviour and how to interpret feline body language, advice on navigating the array of pet food options, and tips on how to give your pet its medication, as well as the importance of following labelling and packaging instructions, plus lots more.
There’ll also be advice for those of us that might be struggling, including finding pet food banks and what to do if you can’t afford to see a vet, with links to organisations who can help you and your pet during challenging times.
Nicole Paley, deputy chief executive at UK Pet Food, one of the co-ordinating organisations of National Pet Month, along with NOAH, said: “In 2024, National Pet Month is once again celebrating the special bond between people and the animals that share their lives. We are working alongside a variety of leading pet and vet professionals to offer the very latest practical support and advice to pet owners, some of whom may be struggling in this challenging environment.
“Throughout the month we’ll be promoting responsible pet ownership with a variety of blogs, live broadcasts, graphics and social posts. We’d love to hear from pet owners on why they love sharing their homes with their animal companions and if they’d like to pay tribute to a veterinary team who has shown immense care for their pet.”