Pet Advice

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Search or browse 1557 pet advice articles on pet health, pet care and pet behaviour. The Pets4Homes site aims to provide the most informative and useful pet advice and pet care articles and information on all types of pets, from dogs and cats to rabbits and reptiles. Our articles are written by qualified veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, breeders and other writers who have a passion for pets.

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Six Highly Territorial Dog Breeds

20th April 2014

Dogs are by nature very territorial animals, and will usually view their home, their garden, their local area and even their family to some degree as part of their “territory.” However, some breeds and types of dogs are much more territorial than others, and have been bred and worked historically in guarding and patrolling ....Read Full Article

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Temperament and traits of the Utonagan dog

20th April 2014

The Utonagan dog, also known as the Tamaskan dog, is a sled-dog crossbreed originating in Finland. They are one of the Spitz-type dog breeds that retain a strong physical resemblance to the wolf, and are also often mistaken for the Siberian Husky, which is....Read Full Article

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Cats and abscesses

20th April 2014

Abscesses on the skin of the cat are a relatively common condition that may potentially develop on any cat from time to time. Cats that are prone to fighting and scrapping with other cats, or that like to catch rodents that might fight back are the most likely to develop an abscess, although any injury to the skin or embedded foreign b....Read Full Article

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Does Nutrition Play a Role in Treating Kidney Disease in Dogs

20th April 2014

Sadly when a dog develops a chronic kidney disease, it is an irreversible progressive condition where their kidneys fail to function as they should. As the condition worsens, a dog becomes very ill and ultimately this causes death. However, chronic kidney disease is more often seen in older dogs although it can occur at any stage of a ....Read Full Article

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All About Puppy Health

20th April 2014

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time in any household but for first-time dogs owners it can be a bit of an anxious time too. Once puppy is safely esconced in their new home, keeping an eye on their health is essential but there are going to be times when you're not sure whether your new little four-legged friend is sick or not w....Read Full Article

The Parrotfinch Family

20th April 2014

Parrotfinches are small finches which are brightly coloured and are found across south-east Asia, northern Australia, New Guinea and some Pacific Islands.  Some of the species are commonly kept in aviculture in this country, other less so. Generally, diet wise, these are seed eaters who enjoy a foreign finch mixture supp....Read Full Article

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Spring Safety Tips for Dog Owners

17th April 2014

After our mild winter, spring has sprung early this year, and the weather is already warming up nicely! Spring is of course a lovely season to own a dog, as the weather is warm and mild enough for lots of energetic walks, exercise and enjoying the garden, but without the high temperatures of the summer t....Read Full Article

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Lyme disease in cats

17th April 2014

Lyme disease is a relatively rare condition within the UK, but one that can affect people, dogs, and cats as well. While it is uncommon to start with and even rarer in cats than in dogs, it is still a serious and complex condition that the cat owner should be aware of. What is Lyme disease?....Read Full Article

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How to Feed Cats with Liver Disease

16th April 2014

If you find out that your cat may be suffering from liver disease and the vet has indeed diagnosed the problem, the first thing you'd want to find out is how you  to make your pet comfortable and prolong their lives for as long as possible. Once the vet has identified the underlying cause and recommended the right type of trea....Read Full Article

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Conjunctivitis in Cats - Feline Conjunctivitis

16th April 2014

The term “conjunctivitis” is used to refer to an inflammation of the moist parts of the eye tissue in the cat, which is located in the area running from the edge of the cornea of the eye down to the globe itself, in the front or visible part of the eye. The condition can lead to discomfort, irritation and potentially, pain ....Read Full Article

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How to tell if your cat is in heat

15th April 2014

Being “in heat” or “in season” are the common terms used to refer to the oestrus cycle of the unspayed cat, indicating the fertile part of their cycle and the time when they are potentially able to conceive to have a litter. Being in heat will generate some fairly dramatic behaviours and personality changes in y....Read Full Article

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Black capped Conure

15th April 2014

The Black-capped Conure (Pyrrhura rupicola), also known as the Rock Conure or Black capped Parakeet, is a parrot family bird from the south-western areas of the Amazon Basin as well as eastern Andean slopes nearby in Peru and Bolivia. These birds are typically around 25cm in length and weigh around 2 ½ ounces.  Th....Read Full Article

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Cat Scratch Fever - Bartonellosis in Cats

14th April 2014

Bartonellosis is more commonly known as “cat scratch fever,” and is a condition that both cats and people can contract. It is caused by a bacterial infection that can be passed from cat to cat, and even from cat to owner. It is known as cat scratch fever, as one of the transmission routes of the condition and the one most l....Read Full Article

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Hip Dysplasia in Cats

14th April 2014

While hip dysplasia is most commonly associated with dogs and is certainly more common in dogs than it is in cats, nevertheless, our feline companions may also be affected by the condition, which can lead to pain, difficulty moving freely, and a progressive degeneration of the hip joints. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball an....Read Full Article

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Grooming styles for the Schnauzer

13th April 2014

The Schnauzer dog hails from Germany, and is one of the dog breed types that comes in a range of size options, from miniature through standard to giant. As with many other dog breeds with versatile coats, there are a wide range of different grooming and s....Read Full Article

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Mites and Other Parasites in Birds

13th April 2014

All types of birds can be attacked by mites and other parasites, regardless of how well kept their living conditions are.  Some of these bugs are winged, and others can get access through the tiniest spot so while prevention is possible, it isn’t guaranteed. Feather mites The condition of feather mites ....Read Full Article

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What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Dogs?

13th April 2014

Luckily this autoimmune disease is relatively rare in dogs but when the condition does rear its ugly head, it can be a very worrying time for pet owners.  Systemic Lupus  Erythematosus (SLE) is a nasty disease where a dog's immune system works overtime and becomes overly defensive. As such it begins attacking healthy cell....Read Full Article

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Gaining the trust of an abandoned or mistreated puppy

11th April 2014

While it is to be hoped that any puppy brought into the world is very much wanted and will be appropriately cared for and loved, this is not always the case. The early weeks of a puppy’s life are a very formative time in the development of the young dog, and if the puppy experiences poor treatment, cruelty or neglect during this ....Read Full Article

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5 Great Ways to Keep Pet Hair Around the Home Under Control

11th April 2014

Our dogs and cats give us so much pleasure but on the downside, they do tend to leave a few muddy paw prints around the place and quite a lot of their hair on the furniture, carpets and curtains. However, cleaning up after a pet is just a very small price to pay for all the good things about them. With this said most people lead extrem....Read Full Article

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The Firefinch Family

10th April 2014

Firefinches are a family of eleven species in the Estrildidae family of exotic finches.  The most commonly known in captivity is the Red-billed or Senegal Firefinch. Red-billed Firefinch The Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) is a small bird found across sub-Saharan Africa, which is around 10cm in l....Read Full Article