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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.

Five great games to play with your dog

Five great games to play with your dog
Posted on by Petplan
Playing regularly with your dog will keep him stimulated, teach you about his personality and strengthen the bond between you.

Common illnesses in cats

Common illnesses in cats
Posted on by Petplan
Here at Petplan, keeping pets healthy and happy is our number one priority. Many pet owners assume that injuries are the biggest risk their pet faces, but 90% of the claims Petplan receives are for illness rather than injury.

We pride ourselves on our pet health knowledge and sharing this expertise with you.

Body scoring: how to check your pet's weight

Body scoring: how to check your pet's weight
Posted on by Petplan
Body condition scoring is a useful method to determine whether your dog, cat or rabbit is at a healthy weight. This can be especially useful at this time of year; the indulgences of the festive season can affect our pets just like us. But being underweight is unhealthy too. Here, vet Brian Faulkner takes us through the 3 simple steps of body scoring your four-legged friend.

There isn't a single ideal weight for pets. Greyhounds are slimmer than St Bernards, while Siamese cats tend to be thinner than large breeds like the Bengal.

Why does my pet have whiskers?

Why does my pet have whiskers?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog pet rabbit cats dogs whiskers
Pets are intriguing, which is part of the joy of ownership. Questions about why they do certain things or why they have certain features are abundant. Take whiskers for example; why do our pets have them? Here we investigate the science behind something seemingly so normal.

As ships and aeroplanes have radars, pets have their own navigational tools - whiskers.

New Year's resolutions for you and your pet

New Year's resolutions for you and your pet
Posted on by Petplan
As 2013 comes to an end, you may start to contemplate good intentions for the new year. But remember, resolutions are not limited to pet owners: our faithful friends can also benefit from some positive thinking. Here Julian Hall explores top tips of how to keep your pet perky in 2014.

More exercise is a great way to kick-start the year for both you and your pet.

The 12 tips for Christmas with your pet

The 12 tips for Christmas with your pet
Posted on by Petplan
The trees are going up, the presents are being wrapped, the food preparations are beginning, and the excitement is escalating - Christmas is just around the corner!

The festive season provides many exciting opportunities for our furry friends too; decorations to play with, wrapping paper to hide in - the choices are endless!

Scary season: what spooks your pet?

Scary season: what spooks your pet?
Posted on by Petplan
Whether it's things that go bump in the night or things that go bang in the sky, autumn can be a stressful time for pets and their owners. Julian Hall identifies some common causes of fright for our furry friends at this time of year, and how to avoid them.

The autumnal season is that little bit more hectic now with the growing popularity of Halloween and the various activities, from 'Trick or Treating' to the early onset of fireworks, which make up what is now effectively 'Bonfire Fortnight'.

The importance of microchipping your pet

The importance of microchipping your pet
Posted on by Petplan
Nobody wants their pet to go missing, but if the worst happens it is commonly agreed that microchipping is not only the mark of a responsible owner, but provides the best chance of owners and pets being reunited. Writer Sue Corfield discovers two cases where thanks to microchipping, missing pets have been found.

Last year Poppy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was found by a dog warden service approximately 30 miles from her original home after being missing for eight years.

Does my dog need to wear a collar?

Does my dog need to wear a collar?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog pet petplan microchipping dogs
Absolutely. It is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar in public. To avoid a hefty fine, owners must also ensure that the dog displays their name and address.

By law, when a dog is in a public place, it must wear a collar. This – or a tag attached to the collar – must also bear its owner's name and address.

Rabbit health: a guide to fly strike

Rabbit health: a guide to fly strike
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: pet petplan rabbit pets infections health rabbits
With any luck we will enjoy some sunshine this summer. But while we might love those warm lazy days, they do bring problems: flies. Kath Stathers looks at the danger of fly strike in rabbits.

Fly strike – or myiasis to give it its scientific name – is a problem that can afflict rabbits in hot weather and even be fatal.

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