1. j a n u a r y 2 0 1 7 M O D E R N G A R D E N S 77
your petswords:DianneDrew.Photo:shutterstock
PAWS&WHISKERS......fins and feathers. Whatever your pet,
here’s how to enjoy your garden with them
Staychirpy
Keep your garden guests
happy with a variety of
seeds and bird tables.
Peacock butterflies and small
tortoiseshells hide in shed corners
during the winter to protect
themselves from frosts. If spotted,
try to avoid disturbing them. They’ll
be up and about again in March.
Sleeping beauties
1. Roll with it This non-toxic Shred-a-Log
Corrugated Tunnel is good for nibbling and
hiding in. £1.99 www.petplanet.co.uk 2. Fancy
hideout What feline wouldn’t love this foldable
Fire Engine Playhouse? £20 www.suck.uk.com
3. Boredom busters Rabbits, guinea pigs and
rats will really enjoy sinking their teeth into the
durable Blossom Tower toy. £3 www.wilko.com
Treat your pet
During the winter months when our
pets are well-fed and warm indoors,
spare a thought for your feathered
friends in the garden. Here’s how
you can help safeguard their
populations and survival over winter:
✽ Buy good-quality feeders and
bird tables, and provide more than
one. This helps reduce competition
and disputes between feeding birds.
✽ Feeding birds throughout the
winter increases their breeding success
the following year. Provide small
amounts, and often. Calorie-rich fat
and protein products, such as suet and
fat balls or pellets, along with mixed
seed and peanuts, are important to
help them maintain energy levels and
stay alert to predators.
✽ Choose seeds to support a
variety of species. The more options,
the more species you’ll attract.
✽ Place feeders in windows or in
view, to enjoy watching daily visitors.
Find a secluded spot among bushes
or trees for more shy birds.
✽ To avoid the spread of disease,
regularly clean feeders and bird
tables with a disinfectant solution.
Move feeding stations each month
to stop droppings accumulating.
Wear gloves.
Boost energy
for birds
2
3
WIN! ✽ Tweet a picture
of your pet in a pot to @
Modern_Gardens #petinapot
If your pet is featured in next
month’s issue you could win a
Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel
Pet Fountain, plus
an additional three
replacement filters,
together worth
£77.98. intl.
petsafe.net/
en-gb
1
posh Paws Your dog will be the envy
of his canine friends with a Harris Tweed
collar, £16, and matching bow, £7
www.houndsofeden.co.uk
Zippy is such a character. His
favourite foods are strawberries
and tomatoes. When he’s not in
his own little wooden house
outdoors, he follows family
members about the garden and
loves having his shell rubbed!
Marion Stringer, Norfolk
Pet in a pot
We
love
this!