Articles

Articles, questions and guides on pet care.

Taking your pet's temperature

Taking your pet's temperature

The only way to determine if your pet has a fever is to use a thermometer. We show you how to do this with a few quick and easy steps to help you take your pet's temperature safely and accurately.

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Heartworm disease in dogs

Heartworm disease in dogs

Heartworm is a parasite, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworm infection is much more common in dogs than cats, but it can cause serious illness and even death in both species. Preventative…

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Common infectious causes of diarrhoea in dogs and puppies

Common infectious causes of diarrhoea in dogs and puppies

There are many infectious causes of diarrhoea in dogs and puppies, and this is sometimes associated with other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite. A common step in the…

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Changes in the colour of your pet’s poo?

Changes in the colour of your pet’s poo?

Stool colour is an excellent indicator of intestinal health. Many different conditions can have an impact on stool colour and consistency so sometimes these changes are the first indication of a…

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How to do an elimination diet food trial for dogs

How to do an elimination diet food trial for dogs

Elimination diet food trials are done in dogs both to diagnose and treat various food intolerances or allergies. Read our article to learn how to do one successfully!

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Eating things that are not edible - pica in dogs

Eating things that are not edible - pica in dogs

Pica is a term used to describe behaviour in dogs where they regularly eat items that are not considered edible. This sometimes includes repeated eating one specific item such as stones, but can…

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Help! Why won’t my dog eat?

Help! Why won’t my dog eat?

Dogs are clever! They will often not eat if they feel nauseous or they have vomited recently. If they have vomited, they are more likely to eat after being fasted for a short time: 2 to 3 hours for…

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What is the best food for my dog?

What is the best food for my dog?

This is a particularly contentious issue as there are many very strong opinions amongst dog owners. What does make a good dog food? And, how should dogs be fed? This article looks at the different…

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Intestinal lymphangiectasia in dogs

Intestinal lymphangiectasia in dogs

The lymphatic system is a series of branching vessels, called lacteals, which carry lymph fluid around the body. Lymph fluid carries cells of the immune system and plays an important role in the…

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Feeding my kitten

Feeding my kitten

Kittens have special nutritional needs, unlike puppies, in that they are true meat eaters (carnivores). Getting early feeding right can help your kitten to grow correctly with strong bones and teeth…

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Eyelid lumps in dogs

Eyelid lumps in dogs

When a tumour grows on the eyelid it presents different challenges to other locations in the body. An eyelid tumour may appear as a lump on your dog’s eyelid. There are several types of eyelid lumps…

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I think my dog has ringworm. What should I do?

I think my dog has ringworm. What should I do?

Ringworm is a type of fungal infection in the skin. Ringworm infection is caused by microscopic fungi (dermatophytes) feed on the keratin layers of the skin. The name ‘ringworm’ comes from the fact…

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Spots on the chin: cat acne and how to treat it

Spots on the chin: cat acne and how to treat it

Feline acne, also known as follicular keratinisation, is a common skin condition that usually appears on the chin area. For this reason, it is also sometimes referred to as cat chin acne. Some cats…

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Gastric ulcers and gastritis in dogs

Gastric ulcers and gastritis in dogs

There are many reasons why your dog might be sick or not eat well. Gastritis is common but usually easily treatable. The stomach contains strong gastric acid, which is important in the breakdown of…

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Fox tapeworm infection in dogs

Fox tapeworm infection in dogs

The fox tapeworm is a type of tapeworm found in Europe, but not in the UK. The tapeworm is found in America, central Asia, Japan and China. Its scientific name is Echinococcus multilocularis. This…

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Is my cat drinking too much water?

Is my cat drinking too much water?

Cats drink varying amounts of water depending on their diet. However, if you notice that your cat has increased their normal intake, it could be a clue to a number of internal disease processes.…

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Why does my vet want a stool sample from my pet?

Why does my vet want a stool sample from my pet?

Has your vet asked for a poo (faecal) sample from your pet? Have you ever wondered what these samples can tell us? Our vet explains how to collect a suitable sample and what tests can be done to…

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Pros and cons of keeping a cat indoors

Pros and cons of keeping a cat indoors

For most cat owners, it is an important decision on whether you should keep your cat indoors or allow them access to the outside world. There are pros and cons of both options which this article…

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