Easter eggs and Daffodils can be toxic to your pet

We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". How true is it you're probably wondering. Do I have to rush him to the vets if he eats one of my Cadbury’s Cream Eggs?
The truth is chocolate contains a chemical theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities.

Nothing says Easter quite like chocolates and daffodils - yet these seemingly harmless seasonal pleasures are set to cause illness and even death among UK pets.

Many dogs, like us, enjoy the taste of chocolate and will happily eat it if they get the chance. When it comes to daffodils all parts of the plant are potentially dangerous, even the water these flowers stand in. The bulbs are highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if consumed.

The greatest chocolate danger is from the luxury brands intended for humans, that have a higher cocoa content making it much more toxic to pets. Just a small bar of dark chocolate could fatally poison a Yorkshire Terrier!

 

With daffodils, the main risk to pets is from the bulbs, as Nick Sutton, Specialist in Poisons Information at the VPIS explains: “Most of the enquiries we receive regarding daffodils concern dogs digging up and eating freshly planted bulbs.  Animals can become very unwell after eating the bulbs. Although this is the most toxic part of the plant, eating the leaves, flowers and even drinking the water can prove harmful.”

Chocolate poisoning facts:

• Large amounts of chocolate can poison dogs and other pets due to the toxic effects of theobromine, a component of chocolate similar to caffeine.
• The effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appears within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion, and can last as long as 72 hours. 
• Initial signs can include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness and restlessness.
• In severe cases there are fits, heart beat irregularities, coma or even death.

Daffodil poisoning facts:

• Daffodil bulbs are the most toxic part of this plant. They contain chemicals called alkaloids and glycosides which are hazardous to pets. These chemicals are present in all parts of the flower, but most concentrated in the bulb.
• The lethal dose can be as low as 15g of bulbs – this could be as little as just one bulb!
• Even the water the daffodils stand in is toxic and can cause stomach upsets in pets if drunk.

Hedgehogs in March

Spring is here and hedgehogs are starting to wake from hibernation.  They will be sleepy and very thirsty and will head for the nearest water.  Although good swimmers many die in ponds because there is no way out for them.  By putting some green plastic coated wire netting down into (not across) the pond we can provide a ladder for them to use should they fall in. 

It is not only hedgehogs that are out and about but gardeners as well.  Whilst the hedgehog is the gardeners' friend the gardener is not always the hedgehogs' friend.  Many of the jobs we do in our gardens can affect and even harm the hedgehogs.  So please take care when tidying up, pulling down sheds (a favourite nesting site) and strimming long grass and brambles. 

Hedgehogs are not territorial; they tend to have home patches.  A females’ home patch will be just big enough to support her and her hoglets.  A males’ patch will be much larger in the breeding season as they wander long distances searching for females.  Once the autumn comes their home patches will become smaller.  So if you see a hedgehog on a regular basis in the springtime it is more likely to be a female.   If you are able to leave food out each night then this will encourage any females to stay around and eat your slugs and snails.  However males, as I mentioned above, will have other priorities and will move away – they are more nomadic in the breeding season.

The following are a few suggestions for feeding stations that can keep the food dry and deter cats from stealing the food.  Try a paving slab on bricks (leave a gap between 2 of the bricks as an entrance hole) OR a box with a small hole cut into it OR a large box upside down with a brick propping up one end OR a rabbit hutch with its door wedged partly open OR an upside down pet basket OR an upside down toy box with the hand holds cut away.  As a final suggestion, try to get one of those blue plastic mushroom boxes.  Cut a 5"x5" hole in one of the short sides so when the box is upside down the hole becomes an entrance.  Put the food at the far end and weigh the box down with a stone.  Sometimes a brick needs to be placed 4-5” away from the entrance so if a cat has tried to reach in with a paw the brick should make it more difficult.

To find out more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehog.org.uk   Do remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and usually only come out in the day when they are in serious trouble.  If you find a hedgehog needing help, or if you need more advice, call the BHPS on 01584 890801.

Does my bum look big in this?

A recent survey by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has revealed the top 10 calorie laden food. So many people still feed their pet human food leading to a real problem with animal obesity.

So what are the top 10 offenders?

1). Sausages – One chipolata fed to your cat or dog is the equivalent to you eating a 12oz steak

2). Cheese – A 3cm cube equates to a human eating a cupful of melted cheese.

3). Tuna – An innocent snack but the equivalent of a jack Russell dog’s full calorie allowance for a day.

4). Prawns - A handful is the equivalent of a human eating a large fish and chip takeaway meal.

5). A dish of full-fat milk – In human terms 2 jumbo milkshakes topped with ice-cream! Ideally cats should avoid lactose in their diet, and dogs should steer clear as they do not need dairy in their diet.

6) and 7). Grapes and raisins - Both toxic to pets. These can lead to death.

8). Chocolate – Another human foodstuff toxic to your pet.

9). Onion – Perhaps not one you would think you feed your pet, but what about that left over Curry, Italian or Chinese takeaway? 

10). Toast – A slice of toast is about a third of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Calorie intake depends on your pet’s breed, age and size, but as a rough guide, a small dog needs 350 calories/day and a cat about 280 calories.

Our nurses at Broad Lane Vets hold weight clinics. These are free of charge so just call reception for an appointment. If you want to weigh your pet call into any of our receptions and use the scales. Staff are always happy to assist you in weighing your pet.

Please try not to fall for those appealing eyes (we do it too!!) when eating your dinner as research shows dogs and cats do not get bored with food. As long as there is food they will be happy!   

Found!!

Thankyou to everyone who helped look for the cat who escaped from her owner's car in our carpark at Broad Lane on Tuesday evening - especially to Cats Protection and to our lovely neighbours over the road, who managed to catch her - she has today been reunited with her family and seems none-the-worse for her adventures!

Lilies are toxic to cats

As far as plants go, lilies are among the most beautiful, but this week at Broad Lane Vets we nearly saw them lead to tragedy. They smell lovely and seem to last forever, making them a fantastic addition to any floral arrangement. Many people adore them, and most animals aren’t bothered by them, but for cats, lilies are positively deadly. And it doesn’t take much. A single bite of leaf or lick of pollen can be all it takes to send cats into irreversible kidney failure. This was the case this week with 2 kittens that ‘broke into’ a closed room and took a lick of the lily pollen. Fortunately their owner was ‘lily aware’, and headed straight to the surgery with 2 kittens coated in pollen around their mouths and noses.  

Why are lilies so toxic to cats?

• We don’t know exactly which chemical within the lily is so dangerous, but we do know that ingesting the smallest amount of leaf, stem, flower or even pollen can be deadly.
• Other animals, including dogs and rabbits, can eat lilies with just a bit of mild stomach upset and do not seem to suffer from toxicity.

What are the symptoms of lily poisoning?

• At first, lily poisoning can mimic other cases of eating something that they shouldn’t have, so it can be difficult to know what has happened unless you saw them eat it. Signs include vomiting and lethargy, lack of appetite and shaking.
• These initial symptoms can actually disappear for a few hours to a few days, after the plant has passed through the digestive tract but before the real damage becomes obvious.
• Within a few days, however, the symptoms become those of kidney failure. This includes increased thirst and urination, dehydration, and worsening lethargy, vomiting and loss of appetite. Eventually, this increased urination turns into a decrease in urination, and finally no urination at all, which indicates that the kidneys are no longer functioning.

What can be done about it?

• If you think your cat has eaten any amount of any part of a lily, it is critical that you bring them to the vets right away, even before clinical signs appear. Remember you can get advice and see a vet 24 hours a day by calling us on 02476 464789.
• If you bring them in within a few hours of ingestion, we are will likely to induce vomiting and possibly give a substance called activated charcoal, which will help lessen the effects of the toxins.
• Then, or if too much time has already gone by, we may put your cat on a drip and give IV fluids for as long as necessary. These fluids will help support the kidneys as they try to process the poison and flush out any toxins that do make it into the blood stream.
• There is no special blood test to diagnose lily toxicity, so many cases go undiagnosed. We will however likely run a general blood and urine test to check how badly the kidneys may have been damaged. These tests will probably need to be repeated several times during their stay in hospital.

What happens next?

• If you are able to get your cat to us within a few hours of ingestion, the chances are much greater that they will make it through the incident with the appropriate medical care. It is vitally important that your cat see us as soon as possible to begin treatment.
• If no treatment is given, or the kidneys have been damaged to the point where urination is starting to decrease, then sadly the chance of survival is very low.

How can lily poisoning be prevented?

• The best way to prevent lily poisoning in your own home is to prevent lilies from entering your home in the first place. This is easier said than done when well-meaning friends and family bring you a lovely bouquet.

• Remember, however, that it’s not just lilies in your house that can be deadly, always check your own garden for these and other toxic plants.

• Spread the word – by telling other people about the dangers of lilies, you are helping to increase awareness of the problem. The ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine) has launched a campaign to help educate the public about lily toxicity. Their website has informative posters and tags to be put around floral arrangements that contain lilies at the florist. The more people know about lily toxicity, the safer all of our cats will be.

Hedgehogs in February

When will the hedgehogs come out of hibernation?  This is like asking how long is a piece of string.  When a hedgehog comes out of hibernation is not based just on the weather; other factors like the size of the hedgehog, whether it is its first hibernation, whether it is a male or female, can all have a bearing.  Mild weather probably helps some of the smaller hedgehogs to survive the winter because there is a little more food around for them and they are kept going until the food is more abundant in the springtime.  Severe weather sadly kills off the underweight hedgehogs that do not have a regular food supply.

So it is possible there will be hedgehogs around when you are reading this.  If you see them around, or signs of them, do give them a dish of water – they will not have drunk for some months - and a dish of meat based dog or cat food.  Try to be extra vigilant and ensure your pond has an escape ramp/scrambling net that these extra thirsty hedgehogs can use should they accidentally fall in.  Keep that pond topped up too so they are less likely to topple in when drinking.

Some of the smaller or older hedgehogs will be very weak when they wake so if you see any wobbling or out in the day then they need to be rescued.  Put any needing rescuing in a high-sided box.  Cover a hot water bottle with a towel and place the hedgehog on this with the cloth you used to pick it up covering it.  It can have some meat based dog or cat food and a dish of water.  Don’t forget to keep changing the water in the bottle.  If you don’t have a hot water bottle use a plastic milk carton or drinks bottle and wrap a towel around the hedgehog and bottle to keep them together.  

To learn more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehog.org.uk – you will find suggestions for feeding, feeding stations and much more.  Do remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and usually only come out in the day when they are in serious trouble.  If you find a hedgehog needing help or if you need more advice call the BHPS on 01584 890 801.

Arnie the zoo-cat dies
A ginger tom cat that helped out at Linton Zoo in Cambridgeshire by "babysitting" newborn animals has received global tributes after his death a few weeks ago.

Zoo Manager Kim Simmons explains Arnie’s special job of “babysitting “ abandoned newborn animals that were brought into the zoo’s house. "Arnie babysat all four of our adult lions when they were cubs and some of their offspring too", adding that he did the job "wonderfully".

On the day Arnie passed away, he had done his "usual morning rounds to see his zoo friends, purring all the way", says the zoo's Facebook page. “He returned home for a spot of breakfast and then snuggled up on his bed and went to sleep. There he passed away peacefully."

Staff are now busy responding to the tribute messages, and intend to put a book together about Arnie's life.

BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS

Did you know pets sometimes need blood transfusions, just like people do, in serious injury or illness? We rely on voluntary donations and work closely with the charity Pet Blood Bank UK, hosting regular Blood Drives on our premises. Thankyou to everyone who came along at short notice on Sunday to help replenish the charity's blood stocks! For more information  on how your pet can help, see http://www.broadlanevets.co.uk/PetBloodBankUK1517.html

A new trend? Giving your pet a human name

At the end of 2012 the Co-operative pet insurers released a list of the most popular pets’ names of 2012, and there seems to be an interesting trend: people are beginning to call their pets the same names as their children. The most popular dog names were Alfie, Molly, Poppy, Charlie and Max. The most popular cat names were Charlie, Molly, Poppy, Oscar and Alfie. The survey showed that pet owners are moving away from traditional pet names such as Rover and Whiskers, and are now choosing human names. The top two pet names also appear in the recent list of most popular children's names.
We have noticed this at Broad Lane Vets with people even using names that can’t be shortened into handy “calling” names, such as Christopher, Andrew and Margaret.
This new approach to pet names reflects a change in the way that we view our pets - they are now  seen as members of the ‘human family’. Many of us see ourselves as “pet parents” rather than “owners”, so it seems natural to use children’s names rather than animal versions.

Is there anything wrong with this trend? Should we just relax and enjoy the fact that we see our pets are little furry children?
Problems however sometimes begin when we ‘overhumanise’ our pets. Many of the most common behavioural problems in dogs are connected with the way that we interact with our pets. It’s just worth remembering somewhere at the back of your mind, that you’re not interacting with a fellow human being. So yes, go ahead and humanise your pet, but don’t let yourself be completely fooled. Charlie is adorable, but he sees the world through dogs’ eyes; and Oscar may look wise and thoughtful, but he’s still a cat

Top 10 Dog Names 2012
1 Alfie
2 Molly
3 Poppy
4 Charlie
5 Max
6 Bella
7 Daisy
8 Millie
9 Ruby
10 Oscar

Top 10 Cat Names 2012
1 Charlie
2 Molly
3 Poppy
4 Oscar
5 Alfie
6 Daisy
7 Millie
8 Tilly
9 Bella
10 Tigger

Keeping safe on wet and dark evenings...

Did you know with dark, wet and windy evenings road traffic accidents are the most common cause of serious injury to pet dogs. While it’s true that many accidents happen when dogs are out on their own, a surprising number happen to dogs that are accompanied by their owners.

The UK’s biggest dog charity, Dogs Trust, has put together some useful tips to help keep you and your dog as safe as possible during those evening walks in the winter. Although they may seem obvious a reminder is always good…   

Keep control of your dog and don’t let him off lead unless you are in a safe area which is well lit
Wear high visibility clothing such as jackets, vests or reflective strips on your clothes so you can be easily seen by motorists
A reflective collar and lead or a high visibility coat or flashing collar will also increase your dog’s visibility in the dark
Work out a winter dog walking route which, in urban areas, includes both wide pavements and bright street lighting
If there is no pavement, walk against the flow of the traffic and keep your dog on the side farthest from the road
Carry a torch which will help you be seen and also enable to you see to pick up your dog’s mess. Consider a head torch so your hands are free.
Walking in groups can be safer than on your own
If possible, take your dog in the car to a place where you can walk away from the roadside. Many parks and sports fields have lighting but always check that dogs are allowed first
Make sure your dog is well trained and responsive to commands. For helpful tips on training, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

Jeffrey’s New Year Resolution

Well, yes, a New Year’s resolution, I think I could manage that. Let me just clean my paws while I think.

It would be nice to be able to nose twitch to a friend, but I don’t have one…... nibble, nibble. I do get lonely on my own.  The humans do come to see me every day it isn’t the same as having some-one here all the time….nibble, nibble. We bunnies naturally get on together well, think how many friends I would have if I lived in a burrow!

One thing I know I should do is eat more hay - a bit like you eating healthily, as it is good for my teeth and tummy too….nibble, nibble. But when there is a full bowl of yummy pellets around all the time, it is very difficult to resist them…. nibble, nibble.

So, yes, that’s my resolution; I will try to eat more hay, but I would love a friend! nibble, nibble, nose twitch, big sigh!

Angel’s New Year’s resolution

A New Year’s resolution ? That sounds like hard work, can’t I just lie here and play with my new toy ?

 

I like sleeping, and I am very good at it… maybe I should resolve to do it more. I think I could just about manage another hour or so a day. I used to run around when I was younger but it is much easier now to lie still now. Mum says that is because I am a little ‘bigger’ than I used to be but I know that I am just perfect. Anyway there is always a full bowl of biscuits down, and what is a cat to do, ignore them? I don’t think so! Obviously I don’t always eat everything I am given, sometimes I just lick the gravy or jelly from the meat course but that is mainly to keep mum on her toes… and the menu varied, of course. I did hear mention if I stay this cuddly I could get problems like arthritis or diabetes, which don’t sound very nice, so maybe I should try to slim down a bit. Hmm, I shall sleep on it, zzzz.

Bracket’s New Year's Resolution!

Oh hi again Bracket here! A New Year’s resolution? That sounds like fun. Can I do one now? Can I, can I, please?! Right, OK, what should I try? How about slobbering less? Could do but that would be very difficult and I think Mum would miss it, she always shouts with delight when I give her a big kiss, especially first thing in the morning when she hasn’t seen me for ages! 

I love walks, what about going on more? With Mum obviously, that time I tried it on my own wasn’t so successful. A lady caught me and I ended up at the vets! Mum soon came to collect me - she said it was a good thing I had a chip - I like chips, especially the crunchy ones she doesn’t eat. Anyway, yes, walks, I love them but wish I could go off the lead more (that’s why it was so much fun when I went on my own!). Mum doesn’t let me much but I love to run. I know she gets a bit cross when I don’t come back straight away but it is so brilliant to run - it’s what we dogs are made for! I suppose I would go back if she made things more interesting, like playing games or having even more treats. Well I am very good at commands, but then again I don’t want her to know that – I just pretend my doggy brain needs to be reminded that way I get my beloved treats! So, more walks where I can run, yes, that would be it! Now, where’s Mum, I feel a good slobber coming on!

Sheepdogs begin their seasonal duties

Two Norfolk sheepdogs have swapped their title for "turkey dogs" to begin their seasonal job at rounding up free-range turkeys.

9-year-old Flo and 6-year-old Meg round up the birds from the fields of the family-run farm.

Owner Steve Childerhouse said his dogs make the festive job much easier. “The collies have that instinct to round things up,” he said. “It is just in their nature, and they would never hurt anything.

Teddy and Bear's Big Day!

Well, what a day we had last week! Generally our days are taken up with eating, sleeping, playing, scratching wallpaper, playing some more, scratching furniture, eating and sleeping some more, taking washing off the clothes horse, and any other mischief we can get our paws on. But last Tuesday, it was a big day for us. Turns out we were old enough to be castrated. We weren’t really sure what to expect, but we needn’t have worried at all.

The biggest problem for us was that we weren’t allowed any breakfast that morning. No matter how loud we cried, and scratched Kerry’s legs, she didn’t give in. Apparently if we had eaten breakfast, there would have been a risk of us vomiting under the anaesthetic, which can be very dangerous. When we got to the surgery, we were put in a kennel together, so we could cuddle up together, and we had a nice warm comfy bed, and a blanket to hide under if we wanted to – although we spent most of the time at the front of the kennel seeing what was going on. That way we got more attention from the nurses! The nurses were all very kind, and did give us plenty of fuss and cuddles.

About 11am, one at a time, we were taken out of our kennels and given an injection of anaesthetic. One of us was very brave – Bear – but one of us did cry a little bit – Teddy – (but that got me an extra cuddle!). The next thing we knew, we were waking up in our warm comfy kennel. We didn’t feel any pain at all – Kerry said that was because of the pain relief we had been given. Kerry also told us that while we were under anaesthetic, we had a microchip implanted. This means that if we ever went missing, or got injured when we’re out and about, we could always be traced back to Kerry. The way it works is that if we were found and taken to any vets, or the RSPCA, or Cat’s Protection, they would scan us, find the chip number, and then be able to get in touch with Kerry through the national microchip database. Sounds like a very good idea to us!

When we got home, we were still a bit sleepy – but that didn’t stop us wanting food! Kerry only gave us a small amount to start with – which we weren’t impressed about, but she said she wanted to make sure we weren’t going to be sick. As we weren’t sick, later that evening, she gave us a bit more. The other thing we have been told, is that now we have been castrated, our metabolic rate will slow down – which basically means we need less food. That doesn’t sound like good news to us, but it’s better in the long run, as if we get fat, we will be at much more risk of many health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Well that was our big day – off to find something else to chew or scratch now!

Cats could not be more different to dogs. Good luck to any of you who try to put an outfit on your moggy! – That said, one of our nurses Carys regularly dresses Tristan – see him on our blog in his Halloween dress up. Cats are however an important member of the family, and should have something under the tree! Don’t buy them one big expensive toy though, get them several cheaper ones instead. Cats will play with anything new that appears but once they have done this for a couple of days, they are likely to ignore it. Keep a box of toys and change them round regularly. This will ensure they always have something to keep them interested.

Great buys for cats include activity toys like fishing rods or anything on a string, igloo beds (cats love to hide but make sure you put them somewhere high up) and water fountains.And don’t forget them during advent we have some great feline advent calendars available at all 3 of our surgeries.

Dogs and Christmas gift ideas

In the second part of our Christmas gifts for your pet series we are thinking about our canine friends. Dogs are such intelligent, social and active creatures who are in possession of their own extremely efficient furry coats. This means that they do not need an extensive wardrobe of clothes!

The range of outfits you can buy for them is incredible, and yes they might look cute dressed up as a Christmas tree, or in a t-shirt that says ‘Terrier(ist)’ but who is it really for ? Not your dog. Of course, some dogs do feel the cold but a simple padded jacket is fine, or perhaps once they are out, they could run around... they’ll soon be warm then! Doggy accessories that are worth purchasing are decent collars and leads, halti harnesses (for those who pull) and a few sturdy toys (we love the kong range). These will keep them occupied on walks,  or to play with in the home.

Ideal Christmas gifts for your bunny

As the dark evenings drawn in, and the carols have already been playing for weeks – Christmas we know is around the corner! With work, carol singing and family commitments we often end up leaving everything to the last minute, allowing little time to plan the ideal gifts. This then leads to us buying things that aren’t always that suitable. Now, we can’t tell you what not to buy for your Dad (although I’m guessing he doesn’t really want socks again) but we can advise you what not to buy for your pets! Over the next week watch out for our blogs. Today we start with your pet bunny.

                                                          

There are loads of great activity toys out there for rabbits so please don’t fall back on the usual Christmas treat option! Obesity is one of the biggest health problems in pet bunnies and causes all sorts of issues from dirty bottoms to arthritis. Too many treats can also mean they don’t eat enough hay which can cause problems with their teeth. Rabbits need hay, along with a non-selective food, to help wear down their teeth. Ideal gifts for rabbits include willow chew toys, and the biggest cage and run you can afford! Alternatively if you have a house rabbit you could treat yourself and ‘rabbit-proof’ all the wires, which should ensure there are no unexpected interruptions during the Christmas TV scheduling! Our nurses are happy to offer free weight, nutrition and dental advice consultations for your pet bunnies. Just give them a call at the surgery on 02476 464789, or visit the Rabbit page on our website: www.broadlanevets.co.uk/RabbitsandSmallPets1504.html

It's the most wonderful time of the year

We see it almost every day, and constantly warn clients about it, yet somehow even we don’t expect it – yes, last week one of our own cats came home with fleas. ‘How could this happen to me?’ was the cry - Well, the answer was very simple. Like many people, they forgot to apply their cat’s flea preventative for the past few months.

The weather is getting colder and our pets are not going out as much. With everything else going on this time of year the monthly treatments for fleas just slips our minds. It sure is a wakeup call, however, to find the tell-tale rusty brown dirt on your pet’s favourite bed.

And let’s face it, fleas are downright creepy. They eat blood and leave their faeces all over your pet, not to mention the fact that they can live in your carpets and even jump up and bite you. But at the same time, they’re pretty amazing little creatures.

                                                 

Here’s a few facts you may not know:

… there are more than 2000 species of fleas around the world? 63 of these are found in the UK, and 10 of these can be found in our own homes. The most common species seen however, is called Ctenocephalides felis, which although it is commonly called the cat flea can also be found on dogs.

… fleas are responsible for spreading the Bubonic Plague in people, and myxomatosis in rabbits.

… fleas can jump up to 150 times their own length, and consume 15 times their own body weight in blood daily.

… a female flea can lay about 50 eggs a day, and once these new fleas mature, they can each bite up to 400 times a day. Add all that up and you’ve got one miserable cat.

If you need advice on fleas make a free appointment with one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses who will give you all the help you need.

CUTE ANIMALS MAY IMPROVE CONCENTRATION

A study has found that looking at pictures of cute animals can improve concentration.
It is believed that positive emotion is triggered by cute images, and anything that gives a person happiness, pleasure or joy results in motivation.
Researchers from Hiroshima University in Japan used three groups of students for the study; one group looked at pictures of puppies and kittens, the second looked at adult animals and the third looked at tasty food.
The study found that those students with pictures of puppies and kittens had an increase in performance by an average of 10 per cent.
However, adult animal pictures only improved performance by an average of five per cent, and food pictures had no effect on performance.
The research suggests that the cute pictures can motivate people to perform tasks with greater time and care.