Christmas is just around the corner, and more than ever we feel the need to be close to our loved ones. But how do we ensure a safe and healthy celebration for our furry friends? Certain foods are definitely off the menu; for a start, be careful with stuffing that contains onions or any member
Felines spend up to half their lives grooming themselves, but this is not purely for the sake of hygiene. Our furry friends also lick to regulate their temperature, cover their scent, heal wounds, and show affection. However, the sound of retching accompanied by the violent contraction of a cat’s body can be somewhat distressing, as
If your dog is small and fluffy, or a ‘burrowing breed’ such as a terrier, you have probably seen long strands of hair growing out from its ears. Even smooth-coated, larger canines can have tufts, which work like those in our nostrils, blocking debris from entering the body through these delicate cavities. However, the problem
Whilst there are plenty of dog groomers just waiting to take great care of your pooch, few of them will provide any kind of service for your puss. Admittedly, canines remain the most popular pet in the UK, but felines are slowly clawing their way to the top, and deserve their share of pampering, too!
If you’ve ever heard the clickety-clack of your pooch’s nails on a hard floor, chances are they need clipping! Take a closer look – if they are touching the ground or have started to grow to the side, this could be causing your canine discomfort. Overgrown claws run the risk of limiting movement and causing
Just like us, cats communicate a great deal with their eyes. Have you ever noticed your feline blinking slowly at you? That’s a sign of love and trust; they are letting down their guard as hunters. Dilated eyes express excitement, fear, or surprise, but can also indicate pain. Therefore, it’s good practice to pay close
All pooches in the UK are inoculated against several core diseases, including distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Distemper attacks the lymph nodes, causing damage to the respiratory, urinary, digestive, and nervous systems, and hepatitis targets the liver, kidneys, eyes, and lining of blood vessels. Leptospirosis compromises the nervous system and organs, whilst
All pusses in the UK are inoculated against feline infectious enteritis which causes serious vomiting and diarrhoea, and, feline influenza which is essentially cat flu. Prowlers who either go outside (or live with kitties who do) should be additionally vaccinated for feline leukaemia, as this can seriously compromise their immune systems. Additional non-core immunisations include
As responsible pet owners, we make sure our furry friends are up to date with their worming treatments. Worms are parasites that can be transmitted through your dog’s faeces and also contaminated soil. People can even contract certain species from their pooches, so it is worth making sure they stay away! There are five main
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which cut is in your feline’s best interests. Older cats or those who struggle with self-grooming may find the lengthy bib of the Lion Cut difficult to maintain. However, since this clip is shorter, it may be a good option for those with severe knots
Every time we do a full groom on your furry friends, we trim the hairs around the lips. This helps keep their mouths smelling as fresh as they can be, and, prevents irritation or obstruction when eating. It also gets rid of the staining. But what exactly causes that change in colour? Porphyrin is a
People often ask us what the difference is between a Teddy Bear and a Lion Cut, so Walter and Treacle are here to explain! With a Teddy Bear, the body is clipped short and the head is rounded. The legs are clipped short, blending into the feet, and the tail is slimmed down. With a
Those cute little doggy paws can be a nightmare to clip if your pup isn’t used to having them handled, but we still love them! Shaving between the pads prevents debris from accumulating, which could irritate your canine. There are five parts to a dog’s paw – the claws, the digital pads, the metacarpal pad,
The cute belly of our favourite feline is so tempting to stroke. It is soft, warm, and generally inviting, but unlike many dogs, cats can be temperamental when it comes to this particular region of their body. So many vital organs lay directly beneath a cat’s tummy, and it is a vulnerable place; therefore, pusses
As the weather heats up, we take to the country for long walks with our furry friends. But it’s important to keep a watchful eye out for ticks. These little critters look like tiny eggs with legs, and love nothing more than to suck blood, which can spread Lyme Disease and other nasties. If you
It’s twice as common for people to be allergic to cats than dogs, but did you know it’s not the fur or hair that causes it? Usually, the triggers are minute proteins found in a feline’s saliva, urine, and dander. Therefore even ‘hypoallergenic’ cats such as the hairless Sphynx, could cause an adverse reaction. Avoiding
Epilepsy describes a series of seizures and is the most common chronic neurological disorder in dogs. During these fits, regular brain function is disturbed, and muscles may move involuntarily. Whilst idiopathic epilepsy is often an inherited disorder, other causes may include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumours or trauma, and toxins. Prior to a seizure,
Ear mites live for around four weeks and are the most common cause of ear infections in cats, spread through direct contact. If you notice your feline scratching more than usual, or a redness around the ears, it may be time to get them checked out as the symptoms tend to outlive the mites, and
Fleas are nasty little parasites that can survive without a host for months, so it is important to keep a close eye on your furry friend and his environment! There are many different species, and they reproduce extremely quickly. Not only do these critters suck blood from animals, making young or frail ones especially susceptible
Have you noticed your feline is constantly shedding her fur? This prevents dead parts of her coat causing skin irritation so she can always look her best! Moulting varies between breeds and depends on whether your cat lives inside or outside. It is influenced by the amount of daylight, or ‘photoperiod’, so you will notice
When deciding whether to feed bones to your canine, it is always useful to weigh up the pros and cons. Some of the benefits include supplying additional vitamins and minerals, assisting with tartar control on teeth, and providing a source of doggy entertainment. However, there are also risks associated with feeding bones, as some canines
We all want to protect our fur babies and make sure they can be returned to us if they wander too far from home. But are cat collars really the best way to do this? Whilst it is a legal requirement that dogs in public wear a collar, the PDSA suggests cats are better without
Our furry friends are no different to us when it comes to dental hygiene. They too can suffer from plaque, rotten teeth, and gum problems. But brushing their gnashers daily with enzymatic, pet-friendly toothpaste can work wonders! Once your pet is used to the taste and sees it as a treat, you can progress to
Whilst you gentlemen out there may think whiskers are a fashion statement, in a feline they serve a particularly important purpose! These hairs that are often found on a cat’s muzzle and above its eyes, have a follicle at the base loaded with nerve endings. When your fur baby brushes against an object with them,
Have you ever noticed a ‘fishy’ smell around your pooch’s posterior? Does your furry friend scoot along the ground or lick his behind excessively? Especially if she is a small breed, there may be a problem with your dog’s anal glands. These sacs of fluid are usually emptied when a pooch poops, with the help
