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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.

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.

Cat bite abscesses: what to do

Cat bite abscesses: what to do
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat biting cat bite abscess
In this, the first in series of guest blog posts by vet Marc Abraham, we take a look at the tricky subject of cat bite abscesses - and what to do if your cat falls ill with oneThe clocks going forward this weekend means that we humans can now look forward to enjoying longer daylight hours, but we're not the only ones planning to spend more of our precious time outside.

How to control your dog in the park

How to control your dog in the park
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog barking walking
Q: My dog always barks at other dogs in the park. He's never attacked a dog, but he doesn't sound friendly. When we walk somewhere new, he doesn't bark, and even plays with other dogs. Why? A: As your dog is friendly towards other dogs when he's walked in a new area, I don't think his behaviour is related to a fear of dogs. If you walk him in the same park frequently, it's possible your dog may regard that park as part of his territory. He is probably

Are fleas messing up your life? Here's what to do

Are fleas messing up your life? Here's what to do
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog fleas tips
Flea infestations can happen even in the most spotless home or on the healthiest, cleanest pet. Find out how to take control of this unavoidable and irritating aspect of pet ownership.

Things To Know About German Shepherds | Dog Breeds

Things To Know About German Shepherds | Dog Breeds
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog German Shepherd
Praised for their bravery on the battlefield, this highly intelligent dog breed is one of the nation's favourites. From the PetPeople magazine archiveFamous for working alongside the police, the German Shepherd is a highly sought-after pet, jumping onto the podium in third place behind Labradors and Yorkshire Terriers as one of the nation's favourite pooches. Also known as an Alsatian, this breed is a large, solidly built, handsome dog with a sharp intellect and loyal nature.

Cats and kidney disease - what you really need to know

Cats and kidney disease - what you really need to know
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat excessive drinking kidney disease
Q: My cat, Florence, doesn't normally drink that much, but lately drinks from a bowl, which is unusual for her. Also, I can only get her to eat tuna, which I know won't give her all she needs and she is losing weight. What should I do? A: This does sound like something you should bring to the attention of your vet, as Florence seems to be exhibiting the telltale signs of kidney disease. Excessive drinking, or polydipsia,

How to teach your dog to seek by scent

How to teach your dog to seek by scent
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog dog training toilet training

Ever wondered how police sniffer dogs learn their trade? The basics of seeking by smell serve as a stimulating game for your pet

 

Step 1

Buy a hollow KONG toy or similar and lock away all your dog's other toys. One person holds the dog while you throw the toy along the floor and say 'Seek'. Let him fetch, praise him for releasing it and repeat. Stop after 10 minutes. Do this three times daily for three days, locking away the toy in between. If your dog is uninterested, put dog treats in the toy and let him sniff it first.

Step 2

Now we 'up' the training. Show the dog the toy, throw it out of sight behind a chair, and say 'Seek'. If the dog finds the toy, throw the toy in increasingly hard-to-find places, but always praise him. Your dog is now using his nose more, as he can't see where you've thrown the toy.

Step 3

Now it's time to add more fun. Your partner holds the dog while you hold the toy visibly, walk into the next room and hide it. Walk back in, excitedly say, 'Seek' and let him go. Follow him, saying 'Seek' enthusiastically. Once he finds the toy, throw it across the room like a normal retrieve game a few times and praise him. Put the toy away until the next lesson.

Step 4

Repeat Step 3 but this time stay out of the room and let him bring the toy to you. Praise and repeat several times (but stop before he gets bored). Over time you can use other objects or hide the toy in a jacket pocket. Your dog will soon be doing what he truly loves: on a command, using his terrific sense of smell to track down a specific object.

How to clip your pet's nails

How to clip your pet's nails
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog tips hints clipping claws nails
Nail-clipping is one of the chores most detested by pets and their owners. Here are a few practical hints for improving your technique from PetPeople magazine's resident vet, Scott Miller

Is your dog's incontinence a cause for concern?

Is your dog's incontinence a cause for concern?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog urination incontinence

Q: My five-year-old Labrador's bedding is always damp in the morning. She is not overweight and gets plenty of exercise. What could be causing this?

A: The most likely cause of her damp bedding is small amounts of urine, as it is not uncommon for female dogs to become urinary incontinent as they get older. Sometimes associated with neutering, hormonal urinary incontinence results in leaky urinary sphincters (the smooth muscle valves involved with urinary control), leading to a dog who dribbles at night, when they are asleep and rely on involuntary control. As a first step, it is worth taking your dog and a urine sample into your vet clinic because, if diagnosed, this condition tends to be very well controlled with daily oral medications.

Scott Miller, vet

How to tell if your cat has hyperthyroidism

How to tell if your cat has hyperthyroidism
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat weight loss hyperthyroidism thyroid thirst
Could your cat have hyperthyroidism? We've asked vet and PetPeople columnist Alison Logan for her top five symptoms to look out for They're eating all the time, but still losing weightPolyphagia - weight loss despite an increased appetite - is a classic sign of feline hyperthyroidism. Your cat is ravenous, eating all the food you give them and demanding more, yet losing weight, and perhaps not the fussy cat she once was.
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