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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.

Spraying: everything you need to know

Spraying: everything you need to know
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat toileting spraying cats
Spraying is usually done by cats to mark their territory. But if your cat is spraying inside your home, or excessively, it could be anxious. Here's what to do about it... From the current issue of PetPeople magazine.What is? Spraying is normal behaviour for cats, but is a problem when it occurs in the home. Scent is incredibly important to cats.

What pet owners should know about lumps

What pet owners should know about lumps
Posted on by Petplan
Finding a mysterious lump on your pet can be a real worry - and while most turn out to be harmless, you should always take the precaution of a veterinary checkup, says vet Marc Abraham

Customer story: dealing with diabetes

Customer story: dealing with diabetes
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat diabetes insurance
Weeks after getting her characterful cat Horace, Janet Parnell discovered he had diabetes. Luckily, a Petplan Covered for Life policy means Horace gets all the treatment he deserves. From the current issue of PetPeople magazine.The moment she spotted Horace on The Blue Cross website, Janet Parnell knew he was the cat for her. 'It was love at first sight,' she says.However, within a few weeks of starting his new life, Janet and husband David became concerned that Horace was drinking excessively, sleeping a lot and not grooming.

Springtime dangers for pets: what you need to know

Springtime dangers for pets: what you need to know
Posted on by Petplan
With the sunnier and longer days of spring, many of us will be spending more time outdoors - as will our cats and dogs. But did you know that our gardens harbour an array of pet health hazards? Vet Marc Abraham explains

Spring has now sprung - and while April showers and hosepipe bans make easy distractions for pet owners, it's now time to put our four-legged friends' health and happiness first

Do pets really have emotions?

Do pets really have emotions?
Posted on by Petplan
It's hard to tell how our pets are feeling. Do they feel emotions as complex as ours? Or are we overly attentive to how they feel? Deirdre Vine investigates. From the new issue of PetPeople magazine

How the humble rabbit became the Easter bunny

How the humble rabbit became the Easter bunny
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: rabbit easter bunny
Ever wondered why rabbits are so often associated with Easter? Vet Marc Abraham enlightens you

This Easter, most of us will be looking forward to getting some chocolate, perhaps in the shape of a bunny. But how did the rabbit become so inextricably linked with Easter tradition?

Everything You Need To Know About Rabbit Before Buying

Everything You Need To Know About Rabbit Before Buying
Posted on by Petplan
Thinking of adding a bunny to your menagerie this Easter? Clare Pemberley offers 26 expert tips to help you keep them happy. From the PetPeople magazine archiveA is for aggressionYour bunny will be much less likely to bite or scratch if neutered or spayed, provided with plenty of space and picked up correctly.

How to treat mange in your dog

How to treat mange in your dog
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog infections mange hair loss itching scabies
Our second post from vet Marc Abraham looks at mange: what causes this unpleasant infection, how it affects dogs and what can be done about itSome common pet diseases can prove notoriously stubborn and expensive to fix, taking weeks or even months to see any improvement. A classic example is mange - infestation of your pet's skin

Does your pet smell? Here's what to do

Does your pet smell? Here's what to do
Posted on by Petplan
If your pet smells bad, you need to identify the source of the odour – for everyone's sake. It may be something simple that you can sort out yourself, or it may need your veterinary surgeon's help. We've asked PetPeople magazine vet Alison Logan for her top tips Is something offensive stuck to your cat's fur somewhere? Has your dog rolled in something unpleasant? Groom it out first if possible (easier when dry) then use an odour-eliminating pet shampoo - remember that cats do not naturally like being washed, and rabbits will need careful drying afterwards. Tomato ketchup is said to be very effective at counteracting the smell of fox muck, which

The quick checks that could save your pet's life

The quick checks that could save your pet's life
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog rabbit pets health
Examining your pet regularly can help you to nip common ailments in the bud before they become more serious. Brian Faulkner, Petplan's Vet of the Year 2008, outlines the essentials steps of a quick checkupCaring for your pet doesn't stop with feeding and exercise. Noticing that something is unusual in your pet and seeking early veterinary attention can often be the difference between curing a condition or not. Follow this five-minute routine at least once a month with your dog, cat or rabbit and you will not only become familiar with what is normal in your own pet, but you'll be able to help your vet detect subtle abnormalities much sooner.
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