Read our blogs and current news from around the world relating to cats and dogs!
What is luxating patella in dogs?
24th November, 2021
Luxating patella is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions of dogs, diagnosed in more than one in 20 puppies. It is a condition which affects primarily small dogs, particularly breeds such as Boston and Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Miniature Poodles....
Keep household medicines away from prying paws, vets warn
23rd November, 2021
Vets have urged owners to keep cold and flu medication away from their pets this winter after a puppy needed emergency treatment after swallowing ibuprofen. Six-month-old Lilly the Labrador cross was saved with the help of vet charity PDSA and pet emergency service Vets Now after eating tablets that she had found on a bedside table....
Kennel Club urges new owners to avoid virtual puppy buying
23rd November, 2021
Many people who bought a new puppy during the pandemic did so ‘virtually’, without seeing the pup before making a commitment. This isn’t ideal in terms of animal welfare, because it allows rogue traders and puppy farms to hide poor breeding conditions. But the Kennel Club has warned that ‘click and collect’ and ‘click and drop’ puppy buying are now seen as the norm......
Study reveals dog breeds most affected by ear infections
23rd November, 2021
One in every 14 dogs in the UK suffers from ear infection each year, according to new research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Knowing more about the condition can help you spot the signs and ensure your dog gets prompt treatment when they need it. Ear infections (clinically known as ‘otitis externa’) occur when the lining of a dog’s ear becomes inflamed and thickened in either one......
How is your pet coping with life after lockdown?
23rd November, 2021
The schools have gone back and many people have returned to the office after working from home. But for some pets, this change to the daily routines will be a big adjustment and may leave them feeling stressed or anxious. With life getting back to some sort of ‘normal’, the RSPCA is urging pet owners to think about how their furry friends are coping....
Pets helped us feel less alone during lockdown, study shows
23rd November, 2021
Cat and dog owners feel that their pets had a positive effect on their wellbeing during the pandemic, researchers have found. In a study by the University of the West of Scotland and the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, around 85% of dog owners and 75% of cat owners said their pets had an extremely or moderately positive effect on their wellbeing....
ADHD-like behaviour seen in some dogs
23rd November, 2021
Some dogs show behaviours that are similar to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans, researchers say. A study involving more than 11,000 pet dogs carried out at the University of Helsinki demonstrated that a dog’s sex, age and breed, as well as any behavioural problems and certain environmental factors, are connected to hyperactive and impulsive behaviour and inattention....
Vets advise against vegan diet for dogs and cats
23rd November, 2021
A vegan diet is unlikely to provide all the vitamins and nutrients your dog or cat needs, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA). The statement was issued in response to media reports of unpublished research which suggested that cats and dogs had as good, or better, health outcomes on plant-based diets as they did when fed on meat pet foods......
What is blue green algae poisoning in dogs?
16th November, 2021
We all love seeing our beloved pups paddle through the water – noses pointed in the air, they look like they're having to muster all their strength to stop themselves from going under. But, owners need to be mindful of letting their pet just swim anywhere. If blue-green algae is lurking, it could cause all manner of health issues for your unknowing dog....