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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.

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

Pet owners: some quick ways to save money in 2012

Pet owners: some quick ways to save money in 2012
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog pet diet toys holidays
Your beloved pet probably isn't that interested in the Eurozone crisis or a possible double-dip recession, but we're all into saving money these days. Here are some ideas on how to save cash when it comes to our pets'

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.

Diet: are you feeding your rabbits the right way? Read this to be absolutely sure

Diet: are you feeding your rabbits the right way? Read this to be absolutely sure
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: diet rabbit
With digestive system disorders so common in rabbits, it's important to feed them the right diet. Here are vet Alison Logan's essential recommendationsGrass - but make him work for itLetting your rabbit graze on your lawn not only provides him with nutrition, but also mental stimulation and exercise. No rabbit should spend all his time in a hutch. Do not, however, be tempted to feed grass mowings, which may have started to ferment.

Why your cat is spraying and how to stop it

Why your cat is spraying and how to stop it
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat siamese behaviour spraying

Q: My Siamese female cat, Bella, has started spraying. I thought only male cats sprayed?

A: All cats will spray - it is natural marking behaviour. Cats may spray when something has upset them, their core environment has changed, or another cat has entered their garden or house. Bella may be spraying to signal to the other cat to keep away from her territory. I have also come across some Siamese that have learnt to spray to get their owner's attention!

Inga MacKellar, animal behaviourist

 

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