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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.

Why do cats purr? Here's why...

Why do cats purr? Here's why...
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat purring purr cats
There’s more to that evocative, soothing sound than you might think. From the PetPeople magazine archive

Cats always keep you guessing. Are they happy to see you? Cross with the world? They rub against your legs when you’d forgotten they were in the room, purr in your ear in the middle of the night… And what’s with that purr, anyway?

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.

How to reduce the risk of diabetes

How to reduce the risk of diabetes
Posted on by Petplan
One in every 500 dogs and cats develops diabetes, leading to costly daily insulin injections and lifelong monitoring. Yet in many cases, diabetes may be preventable, simply by establishing good feeding habits.

Diabetes results in excessive levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream and is more common in middle-aged, neutered pets

Is it sensible to keep rabbits indoors?

Is it sensible to keep rabbits indoors?
Posted on by Petplan
The answer is yes, providing you take the right precautions. Kim Sullivan talks to one man who says his bunnies are a delight to have in the house.

‘There is nothing nicer than coming home to find your two rabbits lying on the carpet looking completely content,’ says Alan Wilson, who has shared his home with his pet bunnies for 10 years. ‘They surprise us every day with their cute antics.’

Are our pets’ personalities programmed at birth?

Are our pets’ personalities programmed at birth?
Posted on by Petplan
Rachael Garside investigates whether nature or nurture has the greater influence on our companions’ behaviour.

Mike Mullan is used to seeing people cross the street to avoid him when he’s out walking his dogs. He’s the proud owner of two impressive Rottweilers, Lazer and Ross, but admits that he gets frustrated when people assume his pets are aggressive and unpredictable.

What to do about pet toileting problems

What to do about pet toileting problems
Posted on by Petplan
You never know when your pet might become a toilet rebel. But what’s behind it, and what can you do? Deirdre Vine investigates.

‘Inappropriate elimination’ – two sinister words that strike fear into every pet owner – can happen out of the blue, even with the most domesticated, well-trained animals. It’s certainly not uncommon, but it’s vital at the onset to rule out any underlying medical reason for the toileting dysfunction.

Brushing your pet's teeth – what to remember

Brushing your pet's teeth – what to remember
Posted on by Petplan
Good dental health contributes to the long-term wellbeing of your dog, cat or rabbit. Vet Alison Logan explains what to bear in mind when brushing your pet's teeth.

Since it’s not natural for a cat or dog to have their teeth brushed, it’s wise to introduce dental care from an early age and make it part of your pet’s daily routine.

Preparing your rabbit for winter

Preparing your rabbit for winter
Posted on by Petplan
Wild rabbits huddle underground to share body heat in winter, but pet rabbits are put at risk if their owners fail to take the necessary steps to protect them. Karen Cornish looks at how to keep them safe

Celia Haddon, author of One Hundred Ways to a Happy Bunny, says, ‘The most important thing is to have a really sturdy house for your rabbits.

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.

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
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