All the latest info on caring for your pet

November, November, the month to remember… ...but for too many of our dogs and cats, fireworks make it a month they want to forget! With Fireworks Season stretching from October to January nowadays, while it may be fun for us, it’s horrible for them. In this blog, we’re going to think about all the things we can do to help them.

Dear VetHelpDirect, I was planning on buying a new puppy, but since the recent media focus on Puppy Farms, I am concerned. How do I know that my puppy is coming from a responsible home, without it being too expensive? Can I trust the vets’ word for this? This enquiry follows the recent BBC documentary “Inside the UK Puppy Farm Capital”, which suggests that you are right to be concerned. The puppy-farming industry in the UK has been booming over recent years and the recent BBC exposé makes for harrowing viewing.

The world is heating up, the ice caps are melting, the forests are burning... it’s all a bit doom and gloom as far as the environment is concerned. Thankfully, we are slowly coming round to the idea that each and every one of us needs to make big changes in our lives to help protect it. If you’re environmentally conscious (and you really should be!), you may be wondering how you can reduce your carbon footprint in all aspects of life, including pet ownership. Well in this rest of this article, we will be going through 5 ways you can help save the planet by reducing your pet’s carbon pawprint.

Almost every day now there is a story on the news about climate change - the scientific consensus is pretty clear that human-driven climate change is a fact, and it is already affecting everyone worldwide. However, perhaps selfishly, we often forget about the other creatures on this planet and how they will be affected; closest to home are our pets, who will also have to endure the soaring temperatures, extreme weather and widespread disruption that is becoming increasingly more common. So how exactly will climate change affect our pets? No one knows for sure, but there are a number of predicted changes that you should be aware of as a pet owner, which will be the topic of this article today.

The nights are drawing in now, and I’m quite enjoying the sunset being a little earlier- it means I’m more likely to see it whilst I go about my evening chores. My little dog, Pixie, is certainly enjoying the cooler weather as it means more (and longer!) walks without worrying about heatstroke. The winter weather, when it arrives, will come as a shock to her, though, and I’m not sure how she’ll feel about the early darkness- she’s a bit of a wuss! For those dogs of a stronger constitution, going out for winter walks in the dark and cold can be great fun. But it’s important to remember to tog up warm and keep safe.