Pet Advice

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Search or browse 2,662 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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Saluki dog hereditary health and average longevity

6th March 2015

The saluki is a breed of sighthound that is also known by various other names, including the Arabian greyhound and the Sloughi. They are one of the oldest known breeds of domestic dogs, and historically travelled with nomadic tribes throughout the Middle Eas....Read Full Article

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How to Prevent Sunburn in Horses

6th March 2015

With the spring time fast approaching and hopefully the hotter summer months not far behind, it's time to think about all the shows and events you'd like to take your horse to. However, there are other things that inevitably come with the warmer weather which includes the fly problem and if you own a horse with a white or pink ....Read Full Article

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How to minimise the chances of your dog developing bloat

6th March 2015

The canine condition known as bloat is technically called gastric dilation, or gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). This is a serious condition that is fast in onset, often with no prior warning signals, and requires prompt veterinary attention in order to give your dog the best chance of surviving an attack. All dog owners shoul....Read Full Article

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What happens if your dog loses a tooth?

6th March 2015

When your dog is under one year old, they will lose a total of 28 teeth during this period of time, as their baby teeth fall out and they grow in their adult set. The adult dog has 42 teeth in total, and if they lose one of these permanent teeth, they will not grow a replacement! Hopefully your dog will have strong and health....Read Full Article

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The Role of the Farrier in Hoof Care

5th March 2015

A lot can go wrong with a horse's hooves as many an owner often find out. From sand cracks to an abscess forming and lots of injuries in-between, there are wounds to the sole or even just a bruise that can cause a whole of hoof problems which a farrier can help you with. The role of the farrier is crucial when it comes to....Read Full Article

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Decoding your dog’s calming signals

5th March 2015

Dogs and humans speak two very different languages, and most of the time the domestic dog is expected to be the party that learns to understand human behaviour and moderate their behaviour accordingly, and not the other way around. While we are all familiar with the very basic dog communications and what they mean, such as raised hackl....Read Full Article

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How to manage feeding a dog to identify allergens

5th March 2015

A great many dogs, particularly certain pedigree dog breeds, are apt to suffer from allergies of some type, and these can come in a lot of different forms and have a lot of different results. Common allergens include all sorts of things, from household products, t....Read Full Article

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Ways in which the dewclaws can serve an important purpose for the dog

4th March 2015

Dewclaws can be found on the front legs of virtually all dog breeds, and on the back legs of some breeds too. Some breeds even have double dewclaws, either on the front legs or the rear legs or both. Many dog owners believe that the dewclaws do not serve any useful purpose for the dog, and that they can in fact potentially be problemat....Read Full Article

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An insight into the taste buds of the dog, and how they taste their food

3rd March 2015

Dogs are very food-orientated animals, and they certainly seem to think with their stomachs and prioritise being fed above most other things! This naturally leads people to believe that dogs have very acute taste buds, more so than people, and that like their sense of smell, the dog’s sense of taste is very pronounced. ....Read Full Article

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How to Keep a Welsh Corgi's Coat Looking Good

3rd March 2015

Welsh Corgis are feisty little characters which are the favourite dogs of her Majesty the Queen. They are extremely loyal, intelligent and although not terribly big in size, they make good watch dogs and soon let you know when str....Read Full Article

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Treats for dogs with sensitivities

3rd March 2015

While most dogs are only too keen to eat anything that’s put in front of them and plenty of other things too, not everything that your dog might get their teeth into will be good for them and in some cases, even food and treats that are fine for most dogs may potentially cause problems for your own dog. A reasonable amo....Read Full Article

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Predicting the colour of Labrador retriever puppies

2nd March 2015

The Labrador retriever is a large, friendly dog breed that reliably makes the top five list of the most popular breeds of dog within the UK. The coat of the Labrador is always one colour, and the three accepted shades for the coat are black, yello....Read Full Article

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Finding out more about the Shorkie hybrid dog breed

2nd March 2015

Hybrid dogs, designer dogs or cross breeds are just some of the various terms used to refer to the deliberate crossing of two unrelated dog breeds to produce a half-and-half dog, and some common hybrid crosses are even more popular today than many purebred pedigree breeds. The most common crosses involve a poodle with something else, l....Read Full Article

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The differences in care and traits of rough versus smooth coats on dogs

1st March 2015

Dog hair textures are generally described in three different ways, being rough, smooth or broken. Rough coats do exactly what they say on the tin, appearing slightly harsh and wiry, and without a sleek, smooth appearance, while a smooth coat should be sleek and generally straight or only gently waved. A broken coat is a coat that is a ....Read Full Article

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What white gums in dogs means

1st March 2015

When you go for a check-up with your doctor or are admitted to hospital, the medical professionals treating you will do a range of tests and make observations on your general health in a variety of manners, including things like taking your pulse rate, monitoring your breathing rate, looking into your eyes, and examining the inside of ....Read Full Article

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How to Cope with Shedding and Dry Skin in Labrador Retrievers

1st March 2015

For decades the Labrador Retriever has been one of the most popular dogs to keep as a family pet and with very good reason. These great characters boast one of the nicest natures on the planet and are renowned for being extremely good around children of all ages. These lovely dogs boast short c....Read Full Article

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Is it Okay to Take a Dog for a Walk When She's in Season?

1st March 2015

If you own a female dog and she has not been spayed, you will have to put up with the times she comes into season which can be seriously challenging on many levels. In truth if you are not going to breed from your dog, it's far better to have her spayed for many reasons, one of which is that it reduces the chances of her developing....Read Full Article

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What to expect from the beagle’s behaviour and temperament

28th February 2015

The beagle is a small to medium breed of dog that falls within the hound group, and is a scent hound breed that was originally used for tracking game such as deer, hares and rabbits. They have a highly developed sense of smell, and as such are today widely u....Read Full Article

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9 Great Ways to Raise a Happy, Healthy Kitten

28th February 2015

We all know what fun a kitten brings into the home, not only are these little characters incredibly cute but they know how to keep us amused with their silly antics too. It's a huge responsibility taking on any pet, but more especially when they are very young and need to be taught so much. Below are 10 great ways of ensu....Read Full Article

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How to Keep Inquisitive Kittens Safe Around the Home and Garden

28th February 2015

Keeping a kitten or young cat safe around the home and in the garden takes a bit of planning. Cats are very inquisitive by nature and can often get themselves in a spot of bother when they are young and still learning the ropes. If you are new to keeping cats, it can be quite scary when your pet gets stuck up a tree or you find them wi....Read Full Article