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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.

Top tips from expert movie animal trainer, Kay Raven

Top tips from expert movie animal trainer, Kay Raven
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog puppy training
From the Bond villain's cat to the Queen's corgis, Kay Raven has spent 30 years working with movie stars - the furry ones, that is! Here are her top tips for training your dog1) Give every action a nameName it and keep repeating it while the action is taking place so that the dog makes the association. For instance, when your dog is laying down praise him with, 'Down, good, down.' My puppy naturally tugs on people's trouser legs when she's playing. So I give the action a name, for instance 'ankle', so that I can train her to do it on command for films when she is older. 2) Be consistent and patientIf I am training a dog not to pull ahead of me out of the door, I will just not let it happen - even if it takes eight hours!

Dalmatians: everything you need to know, right here

Dalmatians: everything you need to know, right here
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog breeds dalmatian
Dalmatians are not the best choice for first-time dog owners and are best suited to active people with a keen interest in training and behaviour. While they enjoy children's playfulness, as with any breed, they shouldn't be left alone with little ones as their unbridled exuberance may end in tears. Dalmatians are very active indoors; they will love a house with a large garden to run around in, but shouldn't be kept outside in the colder months. They'll appreciate a doggy buddy for when you leave the house, and should also get on with other pets they've grown up with.

Is your dog's grass eating a cause for concern?

Is your dog's grass eating a cause for concern?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog vomiting eating grass
Q; My 18-month-old Border Terrier eats grass, which he brings back up. He seems fine afterwards. Why does he do this? A: This is fairly normal behaviour in many dogs, and it's thought that they do it to get nutrients lacking in their daily diet or

Cat's yowl keeping you up? Here's what to do

Cat's yowl keeping you up? Here's what to do
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat miaowing burmese
Q: My three-year-old Burmese yowls loudly at night, stopping us (and possibly our neighbours) from sleeping. What can we do? A: Burmese cats are a vocal breed. You mentioned that you shut him in for the night, but cats are crepuscular (twilight) hunters and he may want

How to help your anally incontinent cat

How to help your anally incontinent cat
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat incontinent medication
Q: Our cat is anally incontinent. He is otherwise healthy and happy, and our vet has no idea of the cause. It's a real hygiene problem, especially as we have a baby in the house. What can we do? A: This is a difficult condition at the best of times but, with a baby in the house, a big problem. If your cat’s anal sphincter has lost tone suddenly, then it is probably the result of damage

Stopping your dog chewing - what you can do

Stopping your dog chewing - what you can do
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog warts chewing

Q: My dog won't stop chewing a small wart under his tail. He chews it constantly and makes it bleed. He's a grumpy old boy and can get obsessive. How can I stop him doing this?

A: There are some excellent inflatable collars, which will restrict your dog's ability to turn its head, but unlike the old lampshade collars, they won't restrict peripheral vision. Used for a few weeks with a course of antibiotics prescribed by your vet to clear up any infection, this may help to reduce your dog's wart and allow it to heal. However, surgery may be your best bet to remove it once and for all. Get a blood test first though, to check that your old dog is robust enough to undergo the anaesthetic.

Scott Miller, vet

Is your cat urinating on the carpet? Here's how to stop them

Is your cat urinating on the carpet? Here's how to stop them
Posted on by Petplan

Q: My cat has started urinating on my carpets. I use Feliway (a synthetic feline facial pheromone) to discourage scratching, but it doesn't stop her urinating. What can I do?

A: You say that your cat is urinating, but you need to rule out whether it might be spraying. Spraying is a marking behaviour which often occurs when a cat feels insecure and needs to surround itself with its own scent. Feliway would probably have helped if this was a marking behaviour as it reduced the cat scratching (which is another type of marking). This, along with the fact that you say your cat is soiling on the carpet, suggests it is probably urination. Talk to your vet and have a urine sample checked as your cat may be suffering from a urinary tract infection, which can result in a breakdown of toilet training.

Inga MacKellar, animal behaviourist

How cats and dogs can live happily ever after

How cats and dogs can live happily ever after
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog pet relationships rescue pets pets
Everyone knows that cats and dogs fight like - well, cats and dogs. But, by following our simple expert advice, you can make sure that they live in harmony together. From the PetPeople magazine archiveOn thousands of sofas across the country you'll find a dog and a cat, sometimes even nuzzled up together. Domesticated animals have adapted over many generations and are able to thrive in circumstances their wild cousins wouldn't recognise. So multi-pet households can be harmonious. However, it will take time and patience, and the first meeting is the key.

How to stop your dog barking at strangers

How to stop your dog barking at strangers
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: German Shepherd barking
Q: Oscar, our German Shepherd, met lots of people as a puppy, but has started to bark at people wearing coats and hats. Why? A: This is not an uncommon behaviour, particularly with German Shepherds. It sounds as though you obtained Oscar as a puppy in the spring. Although you spent time socialising him

Some cats are just born lucky

Some cats are just born lucky
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat accident
It seems those superstitious types have had it wrong all these years. New research by Petplan shows that black cats are lucky after allInsurance claims reveal that black moggies are the least accident-prone, and 15% less likely to suffer from accident or injury - while their ginger friends are twice as likely.
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