Welcome to Petplan’s blog, a space where you can read up on the latest pet-news, find out interesting facts and tips about keeping your pets happy and healthy, and share your views on hot topics.
Welcome to Petplan’s blog, a space where you can read up on the latest pet-news, find out interesting facts and tips about keeping your pets happy and healthy, and share your views on hot topics.
Q: Our Border Collie has been limping and the vet diagnosed Lyme's disease, caught from a tick. We had no idea he had a tick or that it could be dangerous. What can we do to stop it happening again?
A: Spread by bites from certain types of ticks, Lyme's disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Your dog's lameness can be attributed
Q: My nine-year-old spayed Cocker Spaniel has started drinking a lot and always licks her sides afterwards. She is not overweight and gets plenty of exercise. Could she have diabetes?
A: It's possible, so take a urine sample from your Cocker in a clean jar and give it to your vet for testing.
Should the worst happen and you need to make a claim against your Petplan policy, we will do everything we can to settle your claim quickly and with as little fuss as possible. Here are the five easy steps to making a claim.
Step 1Download a claim form at www.petplan.co.uk/claims, where you can also find helpful advice on how to fill the form in, and even track the progress of your claim. Alternatively, you can request a claim form by calling 0845 074 3030.
Step 2Fill in the form (your vet needs to fill it in too) and get it back to us as soon as possible. We'll need a few simple details,
Q: My four-month-old Collie-Jack Russell terrier cross keeps digging up the lawn and biting at wood in a particular place. I realise he may be teething. Is there any way we stop this?
A: Puppies will chew and many may continue to do so until they are more than a year old as their new teeth ˜'settle in'. Never tell your puppy off if he is chewing something he shouldn't. Call him to you enthusiastically and give him a chew toy - and praise him for chewing
Q: Our cat had vaccinations as a kitten but we didn't keep them up. The vet told us that he needed his booster vaccinations and suggested starting the course again. Is it necessary for cats to have these injections throughout their lives?A: Feline vaccinations are one of the reasons why our cats live so long today, along with the leaps made in feline medicine. If lots of cat owners decide against vaccinations, the prevalence of these diseases is set to rise.
Tired of chewed furniture, dirty upholstery and discovering little surprises? Here's our quick guide to limiting your pet's impact on your home.
How to stop kittens shredding the curtainsLoop curtains out of leaping range (but avoid tie-back cords, which can pose a risk of pet strangulation). Re-channel their energy with toy mice and ping-pong balls to bat, and a tunnel of cardboard boxes to race through. Fishing-rod cat toys are a great way to play with a kitten without getting scratched.
Pets vs. pot plantsIf you're having problems with your pet leaving little surprises in the compost of your pot plants, place cobbles on the surface. If your pet nibbles leaves, move plants to a higher level. Avoid lilies, poinsettias, azaleas, amaryllis and ivy,
Q: My cat has just been diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). It came as a huge shock - she only went to the vets to have a dental clean. What can I do for her?A: Feline Aids works in the same way as human Aids, weakening the immune system and exposing the patient to an increased risk of infection. Your cat may have shown signs of gingivitis during the dental procedure, which may have been why your vet tested her for common viruses.
Originally from Thailand, this elegant and rather proud breed recognised for its piercing blue eyes, pointed features and distinctive voice, is one of the most popular breeds in the world. From the PetPeople magazine features archive.

Known to 'talk' to their owners, the distinctive Siamese is one of the most popular and well-known feline breeds in the world. Originally from Siam, which we now know as Thailand, this breed is said to have descended from sacred temple cats owned by the royal family. Called Wichien-maat in Thai, meaning 'Moon Diamond', because of their trademark almond-shaped, bright-blue eyes, the breed was first seen outside Thailand in the UK. They were exported from Siam in 1884 by the then British consul-general in Bangkok Edward Blencowe Gould. He presented his cat-loving sister, Lilian Jane Veley, with a breeding pair of Siamese, which proved such a hit
Q: My rabbit is becoming very food-aggressive. Can you give me some advice on how to handle him?
A: Rabbits can become aggressive over food because it is of high importance to them. In the wild, rabbits spend a lot of time foraging. Giving a pet rabbit a whole bowl of concentrated food may result in it 'defending' it. If your bunny has a good-sized hutch and run (as all rabbits should have), scatter the food on the floor or in the grass rather than in a bowl. Think about getting an activity feeder,
Q: I have to be on constant guard when people come to my front door as when I open it, my two-year-old Westie bitch tries to get out. I'm worried she'll get out and get hurt. It's causing me great anxiety. How can I control her?

A: Most terriers are very quick and may 'nip' through open doorways, which can be a worry, particularly if you live near a busy road. Make sure your Westie is microchipped and is always wearing a collar with
We are pet specialists and have an unrivaled knowledge of pet health and unlike many other insurers. That's why we've designed our policies to cover as many conditions as possible, and are able to pay 97% of all the claims we receive.
