Dogs

frightened small brown dog hiding under a checked blanket

Storm Scared? Expert Tips to Keep Your Dog Calm During Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms and heavy rain are set to hit parts of the UK, bringing a soggy end to summer and a noticeable drop in temperatures.

While the downpours may come as a welcome relief after the warmer weather, the loud cracks and rumbles of thunder can be frightening for our four-legged friends.

So, how can owners help keep their dogs calm when a storm hits?

Carolyn Menteith,...

Pet health specialists warn of 10 festive poisons

Christmas is a time for goodwill to all, but make sure this also extends to your four-legged friends. It’s easy to get swept up in the occasion and feel that you want to share all the Christmas festivities with your pets, but it can endanger their health, sometimes seriously, and even innocent treats can be deadly:

  1. Chocolate - Those chocolate treats behind the advent calendar
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Image credit: ACME Kennels

Expert advice to stop dogs begging over the Christmas period

Dog training expert Ben Randall has revealed how pet owners can stop their furry friends begging for food over the festive season.

Ben has shared five effective training tips to stop dogs begging for food, so owners can enjoy their Christmas dinner in peace.

With 35 years’ experience and working with over 30 dogs every day, Ben recently partnered with ACME Kennels to offer...

mince pies on a plate with a red merry Christmas tag

Keep mince pies out of reach of pets to avoid emergency vet visits this Christmas

Vets are warning pet owners to keep mince pies and Christmas puddings out of paw’s reach over the festive period as more than three quarters report treating dogs for toxic ingestion after eating sultanas or raisins.

Eating the odd mince pie or slice of Christmas pudding may only risk adding a few inches to your waistline, but for dogs and cats, sneaking a few mouthfuls could be...

Lighten Their Pain: How Cold Laser Therapy Can Help Your Dog Live More Comfortably

If you’ve ever watched your dog take those first stiff steps in the morning or seen them hesitate before jumping onto the sofa — the same sofa they once leapt onto like a woodland deer — you know how tough it can be to watch them age or recover from an injury. As pet parents, we’re constantly balancing care, comfort, and the hope that we’re doing right by them.

One increasingly...

dog on a cold weather walk

Wipe your pooches’ paws after walks to avoid illness

As freezing temperatures hit parts of the UK, Dogs Trust is warning that rock salt and grit, often used on roads and pavements at this time of year, could cause health issues in our canine companions.

Ice-melting salt, often spread as grit, can lead to soreness, cracking, and burns on dogs’ paw pads, as its abrasive texture may cause dryness, cracking, redness, or bleeding.

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How to keep your dog safe in the colder weather

As the UK drops in temperature, according to the latest weather maps and warnings issued across the UK, we’re all layering up for colder walks with our dogs, but it’s important to also know how to look after your pooch during the chilly weather.

That’s why Canine Cottages has teamed up with Clinical Animal Behaviourist Rachel Rodgers MCs to advise the best ways to keep your pooch...

"A victory for compassion”: Puppy Smuggling Bill to become law

The UK’s largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust is celebrating a better future for dogs as The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, also known the Puppy Smuggling Bill, passed its remaining stages in the House of Lords today Friday 21 November, thanks to years of campaigning by the charity and its supporters. The Private Members Bill, sponsored by Winchester MP and vet...

springer spaniel dog with his ball standing on the sand near rocks on a beach in Cornwall

Festive dog-friendly breaks around the UK

A travel expert shares the UK holiday hotspots for dog lovers

As we find ourselves in the heart of autumn, eagerly awaiting the Christmas holidays, many of us will be planning a weekend away to enjoy the festive fun away from home.

While many cheap European destinations promise their last few weeks of sun before the cold sets in, for dog-loving families looking for a break, a UK...

Festive plants that can be harmful to our pets

Decorating our houses with greenery for the festive season has been a tradition for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. But many of the plants we love to bring into our homes at this time can actually be harmful to our pets.

PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh said: “Various plants can be harmful or toxic if eaten, and our pets don’t always understand what’s edible and what isn’t. Pets can...

Dog Bite Claims in the UK: Your Complete Guide to Claiming Compensation

Most dogs in the UK are gentle, loyal companions. However, even the friendliest dog can react unpredictably if startled, frightened, or provoked. A single bite can cause serious physical injuries and lasting emotional distress.

If you or someone close to you has been bitten by a dog, you may have the right to seek compensation. Dog bite claims are designed to help victims recover...