What your pets want you to know

Separation anxiety and separation-related issues in dogs are surprisingly common. However, it is possible to teach your dog to deal with being alone without worry. 

Gradually and slowly introduce time alone into your dog’s routine. Be patient and consistent and always reward calm behaviour. If you need help overcoming existing separation-related issues, get in touch with a clinical animal behaviourist.

Quirky in personality and looks, Dachshunds or “sausage dogs” have become popular pets for their unique appearance and big personality.

Blue green algae is a group of bacteria that live in slow water, and “bloom” in hot summer weather. These bacteria release toxins into the water which can poison your dog, and cause potentially fatal illness.

Never let your dog drink from or swim in water that may contain blue green algae. If you think your dog has come into contact with it, rinse them with clean water and call your vet immediately.

This blog was updated on 17th April 2023

Every owner loves their pet, and some of us show that love in different ways. In the case of JP,  he decided he had to found a company in his dog's name. 

To celebrate International Dog Day, we're celebrating the original Napo and how a scruffy dog in a wheelbarrow led to the creation of a company of pet lovers.

As well as all the essentials like food, poo bags, and leads, you’ll need to remember a few extras for a holiday with your pup, like their bed, vet details, and insurance. If you’re heading abroad, you’ll need a wad of paperwork on their vaccinations and health too.

While you’re away, there are loads of activities you and your dog can enjoy together. As well as exploring new surroundings on walkies, try visiting local landmarks, beaches, and castles too.

The traditional British domestic cat. The British Shorthair is well known for its sweet rounded face and characteristic “Cheshire Cat smile”. They might not be the cuddliest cat, but they love to stay near their humans and are very loving, loyal companions.

You might already know that cats arch their backs when they’re scared. But don’t be fooled, because cats also arch their backs when they’re playing, greeting loved ones, and stretching. 

As Dr Sarah Ellis, your cat’s bendy back can be a fascinating bit of body language. By learning to recognise what it means, you could better understand your cat and be able to meet more of their welfare needs.

Yorkshire Terriers are small and elegant, but that pretty package hides a big personality and a feisty, playful pup that seems bigger than they are.

Dr Louisa Lane explains that ear cropping on dogs is a painful procedure that should never be performed. It’s an illegal procedure here in the UK, and in many European countries. No dog should ever have its ears cropped.

Ear cropping is considered mutilation, purely to make a dog look a certain way. It has no benefit to dogs and causes them nothing but pain and trauma. It also robs the dog of the ability to use their ears in communication, and can negatively impact their hearing.

The Bloodhound is a historical British breed that has sadly become endangered. These docile and droopy dogs make great detectives, thanks to their incredible noses.

Grass seeds are small and sharp, and can easily get stuck in your dog’s skin. They not only cause wounds and potential infection, they can get under the skin and travel around the body.

Many dogs get grass seeds stuck in-between their toes, causing painful cysts. But they can also get into their ears, eyes, even their lungs.

Check your dog after walks and brush them to get rid of any seeds. If you see a seed stuck in your dog, call your vet for advice.

This article was updated 28th July 2023.

Most of us know that chocolate is toxic to dogs. That's because it contains the chemical “theobromine”. Theobromine is toxic and causes problems including increased heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Never give your dog chocolate or any food or drink that contains chocolate or cocoa. Avoid using cocoa mulch in your garden.

If your dog eats any chocolate, contact your vet. Try to tell the vet what type of chocolate your dog ate, how much they ate, and when they ate it.

Chocolate is toxic to most pets, including cats. This is because it contains a chemical called "theobromine", which is similar to caffeine and is toxic to cats.

You should never feed your cat any food or drink that contains chocolate or cocoa. And keep all chocolatey treats out of paws' reach.

If your cat eats any chocolate, call your vet right away and follow their advice. If you can, tell them the type of chocolate and how much your cat ate, and when they ate it.

Bouncy and bubbly Labrador Retrievers were bred to retrieve prey for hunters. Nowadays, they’re famous family pets and the most popular dog breed here in the UK.

Whether you’re driving to the vet or on an exciting staycation with your pets, it’s important to know how to keep your dog happy and safe on car journeys.

Keeping your dog secure in the car is a legal requirement. That means they should be in a crate, behind a dog guard, or strapped in with a dog seatbelt. These will also help to keep you and your dog safe if you ever have an accident.

Britain is a nation of dog-lovers, and many owners will even pick their staycation and day trip destinations depending on whether their pooch can come! 

If you want to head to the seaside this summer with your dog, try one of these dog-friendly beaches in the UK. Many of which welcome dogs all year without any restrictions!

This article was updated on 17th April 2023

The hot weather can play havoc with your dog or cat’s health if you’re not careful. 

Make sure your pet always has plenty of fresh water to drink and cool shaded areas they can sit in, to prevent dehydration and heatstroke.

Consider keeping your pets indoors between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest. Apply pet-safe suncream to furless areas to prevent sunburn.

Finally, always supervise your dog when swimming and avoid unsafe waters.

This article was updated 17th April 2023

The Shih Tzu is a loving and lively little dog bred to be a watchful companion. Their long fur looks beautiful but requires a lot of care, and this brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed is prone to several health problems due to their conformation.

Most cats love warmth, but you have to be careful they don’t overheat. Cats can suffer from heat stroke too!

If you think your cat might have heat stroke, call your vet and try to cool your cat down. Move them to a cool area, like in front of a fan, and wipe them with a damp cloth. 

To prevent your pet from suffering from heat stroke, make sure your cat has access to drinking water, and has cool places to sleep.

This article was updated 14th April 2023

We all know dogs die in hot cars, but exercising in hot weather is actually the biggest cause of heat stroke in dogs.

1 in 7 cases of heat stroke are fatal, so prevention is vital to keep your dog safe. Make sure your dog always has access to drinking water, stays in the shade, and only exercises in the cooler morning and evening hours.

If you think your dog is suffering from heat stroke, you must try to cool them down and call your vet for advice.

This article was updated 14th April 2023

To kick off our season of summer safety tips, veterinarian Dr Louisa Lane tells us all about heatstroke in pets.

You can avoid heatstroke by keeping your pets out of the heat, with constant access to shady spaces and drinking water. Never leave your pet in a hot, poorly-ventilated space like a conservatory or a hot car.

If you think your pet has heat stroke, move them into the shade and poor cool (not cold!) water on them, and call your vet.

This article was updated 13th April 2023

Some dogs need less exercise than others, but all dogs need daily walks and exercise. 

Exercising your dog is key to keeping them happy and healthy. It helps to keep them fit and prevents obesity, but it also prevents boredom and problem behaviours.

All dogs should have a minimum of an hour’s exercise everyday, ideally in two walks. But you can supplement walks with other games and activities like fetch, tug, scent games, hide and seek, puzzle toys, swimming, or dog sports to help provide exer