If you have birds, you are likely to be well clued-up on feather plucking – an obsessive and hugely destructive pattern of behaviour that largely affects caged birds. Not only is feather plucking detrimental to the physical appearance and health of your bird, it is hugely disconcerting for you, the owner, and especially challenging to treat....
Read More
You might not know it, but dental disease is fairly common in rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas because of their ‘hyposodont’ dentition. This means that their teeth never stop growing, unlike dogs, cats and humans whose brachyodont teeth have true roots that grow for a limited time only. Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are adapt...
Read More
Like any animal, domestic birds are sensitive to summer heat and need to be observed more closely at this time of year. In fact, any extremes in temperature can send birds into shock as their highly-tuned bodies are adapted for consistent and temperate conditions. In cages and aviaries, birds can succumb to heat very quickly and exhibit signs of br...
Read More
Grieving is both natural and personal... When we think of the incredible and intense bond we share with our pets, it is unsurprising how much their loss can prompt feelings of utter devastation and grief. For most of the animal-loving UK, pets form part of the family and when they pass away, the emptiness they leave behind can be felt as hard as if...
Read More
Rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters or, as they are often referred to, ‘small animals,’ are present in roughly 2 million UK households, according to the Pet Population report. This includes hamsters and gerbils, as well as more uncommon pets like chinchillas and degus. This goes to show how popular they are and how far-reaching their appe...
Read More
Dog ownership comes with many joys; vets bills aren't one of them. Pet insurance is typically your best defence against the potentially high cost of caring for your faithful friend's health, as it will usually act as a buffer against high bills - though exactly how much of a buffer it provides will depend on the policy you take out. There is a lot...
Read More
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a condition all dog owners know about and fear. Otherwise known as bloat or gastric/stomach torsion, the condition onsets quickly and can be fatal if left untreated. While it can affect any dog, it is far more prevalent in deep-chested, large breed dogs. So, what is GDV? Full blown gastric dilatation-volvulus be...
Read More
Grass seed injuries are a common problem for dogs in the summer months, so it's important that you keep your eyes peeled for any signs that your pet may be suffering from one. What is a grass seed injury? An injury involving a tiny grass seed might not initially sound like a significant problem, but for dogs, it can cause a lot of pain, as well as...
Read More
Fortunately for us, most kittens and cats are litter-trained when we get them because they have mimicked their mother’s behaviour. This makes life a lot easier and saves us a great deal of time. But at some point or other, your cat may show an aversion to using its litter tray and start eliminating elsewhere. Roughly 10% of all cats will deve...
Read More
For those of us who love horses, few things compare to getting up in the saddle. But despite being incredibly popular and a great deal of fun, horse riding is one of the more dangerous sports out there. Therefore, having a riding helmet and body protector that fit correctly is essential for staying safe and surviving a fall. These days, more and mo...
Read More