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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.

Meet the amazing Hounds for Heroes

Meet the amazing Hounds for Heroes
Posted on by Petplan
Hounds for Heroes is a fantastic new charity that places highly capable assistance dogs with injured personnel from the armed forces and civilian emergency services. We meet founder Allen Parton to hear his story. From the PetPeople magazine archive.

The life of Allen Parton, a former chief petty officer in the Royal Navy, changed in an instant when he was serving in the 1991 Gulf War. He suffered head injuries so severe that he remembered nothing of his wife and children and little of his past life; he was left partially paralysed and dependent on a wheelchair. Traumatised, amnesiac and unable to perform the most mundane tasks, Allen twice attempted suicide before a chance encounter with Endal, a remarkable Labrador Retriever, who helped him to adjust and cope with life.

What do YOU wish you'd known before you got a pet?

What do YOU wish you'd known before you got a pet?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog pet pets canine feline
A few days ago we asked people on our Facebook page for the one piece of advice they wish they'd known before they got their pet, and we've had a big response.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

Debate: should cats be kept indoors?

 Debate: should cats be kept indoors?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cats feline indoors cats house cats
Cat lovers: do you think we should let our feline companions roam, or should they be kept inside for their own safety? We've taken a look at both sides of the debate - but what do you think?

How to keep your pet safe and well this summer

How to keep your pet safe and well this summer
Posted on by Petplan
OK, so we haven't had the greatest of summers so far. But when it finally improves, you should be prepared to ensure that your pet doesn't succumb to the hazards that the hot weather can bring. Vet Marc Abraham advises on the dangers to look out for during the summertime

We’re all aware of the risks associated with hot weather, with most of us taking precautions to avoid painful sunburn, annoying allergies and the dreaded heatstroke. But are we protecting our pets enough to allow them to enjoy summer too?

Microchipping: the facts

Microchipping: the facts
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog microchipping canine feline Petlog
June is National Microchipping Month, and it's all about celebrating and promoting the practice of microchipping for pets. Here are our top six facts about this amazing way of protecting your pet.1. It first came to the UK in 1989, and since then over four million cats and dogs have been microchipped. However with a reported sixteen million cats and dogs residing in the UK there are still many who are not microchipped.2. A recent survey identified that 48 per cent of pet owners didn't know which brand of microchip their pet was implanted with. There are lots

What to do if your dog is overweight

What to do if your dog is overweight
Posted on by Petplan
Do you have a chubby Collie? Is your Puli looking a little roly-poly? You're not alone: canine obesity is a common problem. Vet Marc Abraham explains the tell-tale signs of an overweight dog and offers some tips getting your pet in shape

You've probably heard about the 'obesity crisis' in Britain, but you may not be aware that it is as much of a problem among our canine population as it is in humans.

What tales does your pet's tail tell you?

What tales does your pet's tail tell you?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog behaviour emotions communication tail
Cats and dogs use their tails, in combination with body, ear and eye signals, for communication. So if you want to know how your pet is feeling, one look at its tail can give you a pretty good clue. From the PetPeople magazine archive

Why microchipping your pet is essential

Why microchipping your pet is essential
Posted on by Petplan
Vet Marc Abraham explains why microchipping your pet is an important part of being a responsible owner.

June is not only Dental Care Month - it's also National Microchipping Month

Debate: Use DNA testing to tackle dog fouling? Part 2

Debate: Use DNA testing to tackle dog fouling? Part 2
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog poo toileting DNA Dog poo
Last week, Councillor Robert Coghill told us how he supports registering dogs' DNA in the battle against dog fouling. On the other side of the debate is Councillor Phil Scott, who believes that the answer is education, not enforcement

We recently ran a hard-hitting campaign to tackle the issue of dog fouling and the response was fantastic. We gathered enough intelligence to deal with the perpetrators by way of fixed-penalty notices.

How to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy

How to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy
Posted on by Petplan
June is Dental Care Month, and many veterinary practices across the country are joining in by offering free dental health checks for pets. Vet Marc Abraham offers some tips for keeping pets' mouths in tip-top condition

Many pets show signs of gum disease as early as four years old due to a combination of the wrong diet, a lack of access to decent chew toys, few or no visits to their vet for check-ups, and minimal proper oral care...

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