Pet Advice

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Search or browse 2,651 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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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

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What happens when your puppy begins to get their adult teeth?

27th February 2015

Anyone who has owned a puppy or a juvenile dog will be all too familiar with the ins and outs of teething, when the pup begins to grow in their permanent adult teeth and lose their baby teeth to make room for them. This is the time at which your pup or young dog will be obsessed with their mouths and teeth, exploring everything orally ....Read Full Article

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Potential problems with the puggle dog

27th February 2015

The puggle is a cross breed or hybrid breed of dog that is created from the crossing of a pug with a beagle, or any second generation or subsequent crossing of puggles with each other or back to one of the parent breeds. While they are not classed as a pedig....Read Full Article

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How to keep your puppy from harassing your adult dog

26th February 2015

If you already own one dog, you might also be considering getting a companion for your friend by means of purchasing a second dog, and of course, puppies are the most popular new addition to the household, and will often be easier to introduce to an existing dog successfully than another adult dog. Even the grumpiest and most....Read Full Article

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How to Keep Your Cat's Teeth Cleaner

26th February 2015

Looking after a cat is a real pleasure because although they are pretty independent characters by nature, our feline friends do love a cuddle and there's nothing they like more than a game or two with you too. Over recent years there's been lots of information on how important it is to keep a close eye on the condition of a cat....Read Full Article

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Retired Racehorses Can Achieve Great Things in Other Disciplines

26th February 2015

Taking on a retired racehorse is not for everyone, but if you are an experienced rider and looking for a horse that is capable of going on to do certain equestrian  disciplines, choosing the right ex-racer could be a very good move. There are lots of ex-racehorses looking for new homes and....Read Full Article

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Tackling a dog that is aggressive towards children

25th February 2015

While there are always exceptions, as a general rule most breeds of dogs are either naturally good with children or can be trained and conditioned to accept them, and dogs and children often form strong bonds that provide a lot of advantages to both parties. However, if you are unlucky enough to own a dog that is intolerant or aggressi....Read Full Article

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Canine dam milk production and drying up timescales

25th February 2015

Shortly before your pregnant dam delivers her pups, assuming that everything is well and the pregnancy and birth progress normally, your dam will begin to produce colostrum, and ultimately, the milk that will nourish the puppies through their first few weeks of life. As the pups grow and develop, they will take a progressive interest i....Read Full Article

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Rottweiler hereditary health and health testing

25th February 2015

The Rottweiler is a large dog breed that originated in Germany, and is a very versatile dog that has been used in a wide variety of working roles including livestock herding and guarding, pulling carts, and for guarding property and people. The breed as ....Read Full Article

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Tips for exercising and tiring out a very active dog

25th February 2015

Some dog breeds are naturally much more active and lively than others, and one of the most common mistakes that dog owners make is choosing a dog that is not compatible with their lifestyles, and not taking account of the significant need for exercise that some dog breeds require. While many breeds of dog suit a relatively se....Read Full Article

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Saint Bernard dog hereditary health and health testing

24th February 2015

The Saint Bernard dog is classed as a large or giant breed that originated in the Swiss Alps, and was widely used originally as a mountain rescue dog, which brought the breed to prominence as a lifesaver and famous search and rescue recovery dog. They ....Read Full Article

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Rough collie hereditary health and health testing

23rd February 2015

The rough collie is perhaps better known colloquially as the “Lassie” dog, having achieved fame as the breed used within the popular TV show that many of us remember from our childhoods. They are a medium to large sized breed that has a very....Read Full Article