We have advocated for a long time that cats and dogs should be microchipped, and we have staff ready and waiting to chip people’s pets for just £15.00. But there is a downside to chipping, particularly in relation to cats, which is that many owners believe that a chip replaces the need for a cat to wear a collar. In many ways this is true, and most cats prefer not to have to wear a collar, but it makes a cat’s ownership more difficult to ascertain (unless you happen to have a microchip reader to-hand) and we all know how much some cats like to stray from home.

Collar wearing should be down to the specific circumstances of a particular cat – a wanderer should wear one; a bird killer may be less successful with a bell on its collar; and an infestation-prone cat could benefit from a flea collar. Whatever the reason, the only thing we ask is that the collar should have a quick-release mechanism just in case the cat gets it caught on a tree branch or on garden railings (we’ve come across both scenarios on many occasions). Sometimes the quick release mechanism fails, or gets damaged, and so it’s vital that you check it on a regular basis.

Most dogs still wear collars even though the legal requirement to display a dog licence tag was replaced by the microchip system several years ago. An owner’s contact details on a collar can help reunite a stray dog quickly without the need to call the dog warden service (on 686688), and some have a dual use and incorporate a muzzle.

The use of muzzles divides opinion and is an emotionally charged topic in the dog world. Most canine experts agree that there are certain situations where a muzzle can be beneficial, and necessary, but there are scenarios when a muzzle is the wrong choice. These experts also recommend that all dogs should be taught to accept wearing a muzzle so that if they ever need to wear one it can be fitted without undue stress.

So, when is it appropriate to use a dog muzzle?

• During an emergency – if your dog has had an accident and is in pain, they may act uncharacteristically and try to bite the person who is trying to help them.
• If there is a history of biting, either another dog or a person, or your dog lunges at other dogs – but a muzzle doesn’t solve the problem and simply gives peace of mind. You need to work on behaviour modification with the help of a qualified dog trainer.
• During grooming or routine visits to the vets – ideally a puppy should be introduced to these scenarios and see them as none threatening, but temporary use of a muzzle may be required for dogs who simply can’t cope with the stress.

A muzzle should not be used to prevent unwanted behaviours, such as barking or chewing furniture. Again, behaviour modification is the way to address these issues, along with an examination of the possible causes of the unwanted behaviours such as separation anxiety or boredom.

It may sound obvious but you should also never muzzle your dog as a punishment. You will not fix the underlying problem and the dog will associate the muzzle with the punishment and start to resist wearing one.