Pet owners face code of practice

Cats are solitary creatures but need entertainment, the government says

Cat and dog owners are to be told to provide "entertainment" and "mental stimulation" for their pets under new government advice.

The code of practice also includes advice on diet and providing "somewhere suitable to go to the toilet".

It says owners should watch for signs of stress and advises on introducing cats to dogs without the fur flying.

Owners will not be fined for breaking the rules but failure to comply may be used in animal cruelty prosecutions.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it wanted to remind pet owners of their responsibilities under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

The 26 page document on cat welfare begins with a warning to owners: "It is your responsibility to read the complete Code of Practice to fully understand your cat's welfare needs and what the law requires you to do."

Hot car warning

The document, which will be published as a leaflet and on Defra's website after an eight week consultation period, says owners must provide their pets with a "suitable place to live" including "somewhere suitable to go to the toilet". It also advises providing a separate litter tray for each cat.

This means no one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse for mistreating any animal Hilary Benn Environment secretary

And it adds: "Cats need opportunities to climb and jump, such as a simple 'platform' type bed or safe access to shelves and the tops of cupboards.

"Cats that are not very tame, such as some farm cats, may prefer to live outdoors in more basic shelter but you still need to look after them."

The guidelines warn owners they could face prosecution for cruelty for leaving animals in hot cars.

And they give a detailed description of what constitutes normal behaviour - such as scratching and clawing - and tells owners to "watch your cat closely for signs of stress or changes in behaviour".

"Dogs should be introduced to cats very carefully; the dog should be held safely on a lead at first so that it cannot chase the cat," it adds.

On diet, it advises fresh food every day but warns "an obese cat is an unhealthy cat" adding "it is a good idea in a 'greedy' cat to have the measured food divided up into a number of meals per day".

Play advice

And it tells owners to provide suitable toys and "entertainment" for their cats.

"You should ensure that your cat has enough mental stimulation from you and from its environment to avoid boredom and frustration.

"It is your responsibility to provide opportunities for your cat to satisfy all of its behavioural needs, such as play and companionship."

But, the guide adds, cats are solitary creatures and the most common cause of stress is "coming into close contact with other cats they do not like".

Dog owners, by contrast, are given detailed instructions on ensuring their pets do not become lonely or isolated as "dogs are a social species and need the company of people, dogs or other animals".

There are similar guidelines for horse owners under the proposals, which are subject to an eight week consultation period. The proposed leaflet also includes the relevant sections of animal welfare legislation.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "These three new codes of practice will outline the responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act and give practical advice on how to fulfil them.

"This means no one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse for mistreating any animal."

Thank you for your many e-mails. Here is a selection of your comments.

Tiddles and I have managed to grab some tickets for the Bond movie, I'd also thought we'd take in a pizza before the film. Next week she fancies Alton Towers....

Paul, Braintree

What will they come up with next? My family has had many animals and we have not felt the need to be told how to "entertain" them! My cat is sleeping right now, so do I leave him to sleep, assuming that is normal, or wake him up and entertain him, in case he is just bored? Better read the guidelines!

Julie, Dunstable

We'll be given advice on how to breathe next.

Alex, Edinburgh

Unfortunately, the people in need of this advice (and there are many) are probably too stupid to read.

Martin, London

Once again the nanny state strikes, full of useless information and pointing out the blatently obvious, we need to stop wasting money on these useless things and put our taxes to more practical use.

Brian, Manchester

Entertain a cat? When you remove the time our cat spends eating, sleeping and having a quick patrol around the garden there are no hours left in a day! That's on top of the fact that any form of disturbance whilst she's doing any of those things would be met with a look of total disgust. Anyone who really knows how to care for and look after their pet doesn't need this advice. Anyone who does need to read it shouldn't be left alone with the poor animal. It's another waste of money that could have been put into proper animal welfare.

Des, Reading, England

Yes the code of practice is a good idea and as a dog owner I feel that a dog licence should be re introduced and it should be manditory to have i.d. on the dog i.e. a tag on the collar and/or chipped, also dogs must be kept on leads in public places and