Sometimes holidays just aren’t right unless the whole family is there, and for some people that includes their pets. Holidays with your cat can be an extremely fun way to bond with your pet, but it's important to make sure you're prepared with a cat travel checklist! You can usually take your cat on holiday, whether you’re staying at home or going abroad. After all, family holidays wouldn’t be the same without your pet! However, there are a few things that you’ll need to organise in advance, especially if you’re leaving the country. It’s perfectly possible to go on holiday with your cat as long as you are ready in advance. Taking cats on holiday might mean a little extra organisation; as long as everything is sorted in good time, and you know your cat can cope with the journey, you should be fine. It’s true that cats like their own territory, which is why many owners decide it's best to leave them with a trusted carer – you’ll know what’s best for your own pet. On the other hand, modern pet carriers, pet passports and vaccinations have made it far easier for people to go away with their cats. If you are planning to go on holiday with your cat, check out our tips for preparation – and get packing! How to take cats on holiday If you’re taking your cat on a holiday in New Zealand, things couldn’t be easier. If your accommodation is pet-friendly, your cat is microchipped, and you think they’ll happily adapt to their temporary surroundings, you’re ready to go. Cats can travel freely in New Zealand but it is a good idea to microchip your cat before you leave your region, should your cat go missing. Should you be travelling domestically via plane, your airline carrier will need to be alerted that you are bringing at cat with you in advance; they can tell you what else you need to do in order to get your cat through the airport and to your destination. Whether you’re going by air or by road, you should familiarise yourself with travelling with your cat by plane or car. Vet check-ups before taking your cat on holiday In most cases your cat won’t require special medication before going on holiday; but if you’re unsure, ask your vet for peace of mind. In any case, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet about your cat’s suitability for a long journey, as every pet is different and there may be things that you haven’t considered. When you’re talking to your vet, consider your cat’s general health and any history of anxiety during confinement. If your cat has been unhappy about travelling in the past, you might want to consider whether taking them along on holiday is the best thing you can do. After all, your cat can’t communicate their feelings like you do, so you have to work hard to find out how they feel! You might also want to think about some of the practical aspects of taking your cat on holiday with you. If your cat takes medication, make sure you have a big enough supply to last the whole trip. If your vet suggests a sedative for their journey to keep them nice and calm, be aware the effects could last longer than the journey; if this is the case, your cat will need somewhere warm and secure to rest until they’ve recovered! If your vet prescribes your cat medication for the trip, it may be helpful to ask about trialling it in advance, particularly if you are planning to travel long distances. If you know how the medication affects your cat in advance, there is less room for last minute mishaps, which all travellers can do without! Planning holidays with cats

Even if you keep a close eye on your dog's health it’s important you book an annual appointment with your vet for a thorough check-up. This will give your vet the chance to spot any potential dog health problems and, hopefully, nip them in the bud before they become serious. Regular health assessments will also help you keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date, provide an opportunity for you to accurately weigh your dog and help put your mind at ease about any issues. General dog health assessment You already take your four-legged 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, are more holistic, giving your vet the opportunity to detect subtle changes in your pet's overall physical health. Ideally, your vet should see your dog at least once a year, and more frequently as they get older or if they have special medical needs. These regular visits play a huge part in the 'prevention is better than cure' approach; so don't hold off making the appointment just because your dog seems fit and healthy to you. Your vet will check your dog over, including listening to their heart and lungs, running their hands over their abdomen to check for any unusual signs, checking for skin/coat, eye and ear problems and scanning their microchip to see if it’s all in working order. Making vet visits less stressful Another advantage of these annual check-ups is to get your dog used to visiting the vet surgery when they’re well. If they only visit when they’re hurt or ill they can become nervous about seeing the vet, 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 you don’t have an appointment. The receptionists and vet nurses will always appreciate a cuddle and it will create a positive memory for your furry friend.

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 you have a cat in your life, you may be wondering about their origins and where your domesticated kitty came from. Find out all you need to know about the history of cats in this article. Our cats have been members of our family for as long as we can remember. They’re amazing snuggle companions and their funny mannerisms constantly amuse us, but how much do we actually know about the history of cats? For many of us, the origins of our felines are a complete mystery and very little is known about the reasoning behind certain behaviours. To help you better understand the miniature tiger on your lap, we’ve put together this article that tells you everything from the origin of cats to why they possess certain instincts.

As a loving pet owner, you’re bound to want the absolute best for your cat, and this all starts with making sure that they are as happy and healthy as possible. Health check list Every month you should “play vet” and conduct a careful check up on your cat to make sure that all is well. By following our checklist, you have the opportunity to spot any unusual signs early on, meaning that you can seek treatment as soon as possible, if necessary. Not only does this help you keep your cat in tip-top condition, but also allows you to spend more hands-on quality time with your feline friend.

New puppies are full of mischievous energy, and their endless curiosity means they get their little noses into everything. That’s how they learn but it’s also how they get into trouble! An expandable dog pen can be a great help. You get peace of mind knowing exactly where your furry friend is, and what they’re playing with, and they have lots of room to play safely. A dog playpen will also help your puppy feel more secure in their new surroundings and give them an area they can proudly call their own! Follow our helpful tips for everything that you’ll need to give your playful puppy their perfect dog pen. The basics of playpens You should be able to find a puppy playpen at most good pet shops or you can buy them online. Look for an expandable pen with high enough sides to stop your adventurous pup escaping! Most come in small, medium or large, so choose the right one for your puppy’s breed or type.

As your cat enters their senior years, you’re likely to notice some changes in their health, appearance, and behaviour. Ageing is, of course, a completely normal process. Just like us, senior cats may have less energy, be interested in different things, and experience age-related conditions such as arthritis. These changes are to be expected, and with some adjustments to their care (as well as regular check-ups with the vet) they should enjoy their senior years to the full. However, some senior cats may also undergo changes in their behaviour. Perhaps they don’t like playing anymore, they avoid being touched, or they even behave aggressively. Others may seem unusually confused, particularly if there are unexpected environmental changes. But how much of this is a normal part of ageing, and when is it time to see a vet? Read on to find out more about caring for old cats and how to spot any behaviour changes. Forgetting litterbox training If your usually fastidious cat begins to urinate in places other than their litterbox, it may be down to age-related changes. Elderly cats may seem to forget their years of training; this is called ‘cognitive dysfunction’, although many people think of this as a form of ‘cat dementia’. When this happens, your cat may be confused about where the litterbox is, or forget where they are supposed to urinate or defecate. There is very little you can do about this, apart from making it as easy as possible for your cat to find their litterbox. For example, if they always urinate in the same place, try moving the litterbox there. If they still don’t go to their litterbox, patience and understanding are key. However, urinating or defecating in inappropriate places can also be a sign of several other conditions, such as feline urinary tract infections, constipation, or even eyesight loss. For this reason, you should always take your cat to the vet for a check-up before assuming their new behaviour is down to age-related confusion.

As your dog ages their requirements change, whether that's thinking about a senior dog dietor adjusting schedules to fit around your older dog. This includes what toys they play with or activities they participate in. Your ageing friend may no longer be able to run and grab a Frisbee, or leap around playing fetch for hours on end, but that doesn’t mean that their urge to play has gone! Also consider that when dogs age, their sight and hearing may deteriorate, so when it comes to toys for older dogs it’s usually a good idea to get bright ones, which can also be scented, noisy or flavoured. Keep reading to find out the best stimulating dog toys for your older pooch. Toys for older dogs When your dog becomes older you may think that they’ll no longer want to play, or might not have the energy to play with you.

Making a running partner out of your pet can be great. If you learn how to train your dog correctly, you’ll be improving your health, happiness, and your special bond… for both of you! Build up slowly to your ideal run. Just like humans, dogs need to acclimatise to levels of exercise. You could also research your dog’s breed to discover exactly what kind of running they might enjoy: you never know, they might just inspire you to achieve a marathon with time! Why run with your dog? There’s a whole host of research that tells us how great running can be for your health. It prevents helps obesity, helps you to get fit, and it can increase your stamina. It’s even been shown to lift your mood. And it doesn’t require an expensive gym membership either. What’s good for you is also great for you dog: it’ll also help them to lose weight if their body condition isn’t ideal, build muscle, and keep healthy. Keeping your dog fit and healthy is the best way to avoid expensive vet bills in the future. It’s also fantastic for your dog’s mood: most dogs are built to run (albeit some breeds more than others). They all enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, and time spent pounding the pavement with you will always be time well spent in your pet’s mind. If you’ve noticed destructive behaviours creeping in, jogging with your dog might be a solution. Active breeds that are kept indoors for long periods of time can become bored, which may result in a bad behaviour. Keeping their mind and body active will help to get rid of that pent-up energy, and it’ll also build a great bond between the pair of you.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to have ticks. These pesky parasites are very adept at attaching themselves to your dog’s coat, even if you do your best to avoid them. Luckily there are simple ways to help prevent, and treat, ticks on dogs. What are dog ticks? Ticks are eight-legged parasites that bite your dog to drink their blood. Although dog ticks are very tiny, they can swell up to the size of a pea once they’ve attached themselves to your dog by burying their mouthparts into their skin. How do I spot ticks on my dog? Dog ticks are just large enough to be visible, especially if they’ve already had a bite – then they can look like small warts, and on closer inspection you can see their legs, too. You’ll usually find them around your dog’s head and neck area - just part your dog’s fur and run your fingers along their skin. Tick bites on dogs can also cause irritation and redness. How do I remove dog ticks? Never pull a tick out of your dog’s skin as you may end up leaving the mouthpart behind, which could cause an infection or inflammation. Instead, ask your vet to give you a specially designed tick removal tool that will get rid of the mouthparts as well, and ask them to show you how to remove dog ticks if you’re unsure. Once you’ve removed the tick, check that its head and legs are intact and there’s nothing left behind in your dog’s skin. If you think there might be, talk to your vet who will be able to advise you and put your mind at ease. Some flea products also kill ticks, while others provide a bit of extra protection against them, although they’ll need more frequent application than usual. Always talk to your vet to find the best treatment for your dog. Brushing your dog can also help remove them in some cases. For more information, check out our easy step by step guide for how to remove a tick from a dog.