Health

Get ready for your pup's first health check with our useful tips. Your puppy’s first vet visit Before you bring your adorable new dog home, you should be planning for your puppy’s first vet visit. Register with a local vet to make sure you’re prepared and when you have your new puppy, arrange an appointment and let them know it's a new puppy health check. Your vet may want to allocate your puppy a bit more time than the usual 10-minute check-up just to make sure everything gets off on the right foot.

Dental disease in cats is one of the most common conditions seen by vets today. It can also be very painful, especially if left untreated. However, the good news is that – unlike many health problems – it is usually preventable through proper dental care for cats.

You might have noticed that your cat is napping more, can’t jump as high as they used to or isn’t chasing a piece of string with as much energy as they did before. These are all normal as a cat approaches their senior years – like us, they’ll want to slow down a little as they get older! Cats are usually classed to be of a senior age from around seven years old, but this can vary slightly depending on your cats breed and other factors. Diet, fitness and any medical issues all contribute towards the expected lifespan of a senior cat. Even though they may seem a little calmer than when they were a young moggy, the later years that you share with your cat should still be as fun, loving and rewarding as ever. Our team of Pet Care Experts offer guidance and tips on how to make the most of your cats twilight years, for the both of you.

Find out how to encourage your cat to be active, even if they live indoors. Getting your beautiful cat to exercise can sometimes be a challenge. As any cat lover knows, cats have strong and independent personalities; they need alone time and are unlikely to do anything they don’t want to do. This can be especially worrying for a house cat, who has no outdoor exercise to help keep her healthy, or a kitten who has to be kept in the house for the first six months of their life. So how do you make your cat exercise? Enticement is the way forward: cats need to be engaged with their task or they can rapidly lose interest. Luckily, they all have a few personality traits that you can tickle to ensure they are having the time of their lives-and are being active in the process. 1. Laser pointers Different cats have different preferences for the toys they like. Some are in love with the fishing pole, where you dangle a string above their heads and they bat at it. Others adore paper bags and boxes. But if your cat seems disinclined to play, then it is best to appeal to her feral nature-pouncing. Cats love to chase, especially items that move quickly. The laser point is an absolute favourite: point a laser at the wall and watch your cat try and catch that elusive red dot. 2. Battery-operated toys These are another great way to make your cat exercise, and are ideal solutions for busy owners. Just turn on a battery-operated toy, available from most pet shops or online, and your cat will be entertained for hours! 3. Outdoors While it may seem unusual, house cats can be encouraged to go outdoors and be walked. It is, of course, necessary to see if your cat is happy with this-don't do anything that might stress or upset her. If you plan on this form of cat exercise, try and introduce it when they are kittens (after the first six months!) when they seem more inclined to try new things. Older cats may be set in their ways and may take more convincing. Remember to use a leash when walking them, and make sure it fits comfortably.

Even if you keep a close eye on your cat's health it’s a good idea to take them to the vet for an annual wellness and cat health check-up. Looking after cats is fun but it's also full of responsibilities, including taking your pet to the vet. Sometimes it takes a professional eye to detect subtle changes in your pet’s health, especially as cats are very good at hiding their illnesses. Luckily, your vet will be very good at detective work. General cat health You already take your fluffy friend to the vet when they’re sick or injured but those appointments tend to focus mainly on one particular issue. ‘Check-up’ visits, on the other hand, work on the principle of ‘prevention is better than cure’ and they’re important to keep your cat healthy and prevent certain diseases. Your vet will want to check your cat over thoroughly at least once a year and more frequently as they get older or if they have special medical needs. This appointment will take an all-inclusive approach, making sure your cat is examined from their whiskers to the tip of their tail. Another advantage of these annual check-ups is to get your cat used to visiting the vet surgery when they’re well and this can help them form a bond with your vet. If they only visit when they’re hurt or ill they can become nervous, associating their trips with bad times or stressful experiences. It’s a good idea to pop into the vet practice every so often, even if it’s just for a flea check. The receptionists and vet nurses will always welcome a stroke as you pass by, and it will create a positive memory with no prodding and poking involved!

If cats did exercise classes, you suspect they’d make excellent yoga masters. Watch your cat and you’ll notice their graceful array of yoga like poses. From torso stretches to child’s pose, our feline friends are grace personified, so it’s no surprise that cat yoga is a growing trend as cat lovers combine this calming workout with the therapeutic benefits of cats.

One of the most common health concerns for household pets is intestinal worms in cats and dogs. These internal parasites usually live in your cat’s digestive system and can be detrimental to your cat’s health. If your cat or kitten has worms, it is important to seek the appropriate treatment.

As cat owners, we love our feline companions and want them to be healthy and happy. However, if you've noticed that your cat has bad breath, it can be concerning. Just like humans, cats can experience halitosis or bad breath, and it can be an indication of an underlying issue. In this article, we will explore some common reasons why cats may have bad breath and what you can do about it.

Many cat owners experience their pets vomiting from time to time, often without concern. Occasional vomiting is usually due to minor issues like hairballs, overeating, or eating grass. However, if your cat vomits frequently, it could indicate a more serious condition that requires veterinary attention. Chronic vomiting, lasting several days to weeks, may stem from gastrointestinal or systemic disorders.

As cat owners, we adore our feline companions and want to ensure their health and well-being. So, when we see our cats sneezing, it's natural to be concerned. Sneezing in cats can occur for various reasons, ranging from minor irritations to more serious underlying conditions. In this article, we will explore the common causes of sneezing in cats and when it may be necessary to seek veterinary attention.

Coughing in cats can be a concerning symptom, and it's crucial to understand the underlying causes and seek appropriate care. By being aware of the potential causes and taking prompt action, you can ensure the well-being and health of your feline companion.

As cat owners, we strive to keep our feline companions healthy and happy. However, there are certain conditions that can affect cats, and one of them is ringworm. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ringworm in cats is crucial for providing the best care for our furry friends.