Kate Cavanagh BVSc MRCVS

As autumn arrives, the nights draw in and the weather changes. New hazards to our pets emerge for us to be aware of. Here are my top ten autumn dangers...

Hair loss in cats is almost always due to excessive grooming from itchiness (pruritus). They often do this in secret so may not be seen. In the UK, fleas are the most common cause of this over-grooming. The general veter…

Research has found some 19 different vocal patterns in cats, with individuals adding personal sounds only used with their owners. Most sounds fall into three groups: closed mouth greeting (purr or chirrup), fixed open mo…

Dogs do occasionally scratch, but if it’s frequent, incessant or distressing then something is amiss. Some dogs will lick or nibble rather than scratch. Many do this in private so watch out for red, sore skin, bald patch…

While there may be a simple explanation for your cat’s apparent increased thirst (such as hot weather!), it should not be ignored. A true increased thirst (known as polydipsia) may be a symptom of an underlying problem.

With 45% of the population having a pet in the household, it seems many agree that pets are part of the family unit. They bring us joy, and help teach children how to be responsible, caring and animal-loving adults. Give…