Sadly, a dog’s lifespan is relatively short compared to our own, and dogs are often referred to as “senior” after the tender age of seven! In very large breeds, such as Great Danes, it is even earlier. Many dogs will however still be perfectly sprightly until much later than this, even into their teens. The…

What is noise phobia? A phobia is the irrational fear of something. The word phobia suggests that the fear response is out of proportion to the source of the fear. This certainly can be the case for dogs who are frightened by noises – noise phobia. How and why does noise phobia develop? Fear of…

Dogs are descended from wolves… it’s TRUE! One thing is sure, our dogs of today are indeed descended from the grey wolf (Canis Lupus). Academics have long been arguing about the exact timeline and dates. Where and when did dogs split off from wolves? Some studies, all to do with studying genetic material, suggest that…

Gardening is a national pastime and most people who own dogs will also have a garden. Do you know just how many common garden plants can be toxic to dogs if eaten? Once you start to read the labels on plants, bulbs and seeds, it is amazing how many say “toxic if eaten”. However we…

You would not believe what damage a tiny little grass seed can do to your pet! Most varieties of meadow grass flower in the mid to late summer and this is when we see the most problems. The problem being that dogs love to run around in the grass and the grass seeds or awns…

The summer holiday season is upon us once again and lots of us are looking forward to getting out and about at the seaside with our dogs. There are however a few things to bear in mind when planning your day out at the beach, or organising your dream holiday by the sea. Not all…

The importance of socialisation in dogs What is socialisation? All animals, puppies included, have a special sensitive period at the start of their lives where socialisation takes place. This is the time when they learn to accept things and situations around them, so they are not afraid of them in later life. In dogs, this…

Developing a grooming routine with your dog early on is a great way to get to know your dog and check that he’s healthy at the same time. Grooming doesn’t just mean brushing All dogs benefit from a regular grooming session but how much your dog will require will depend on the breed and the…

Picture the familiar scene: The sound of “Alfie”…”Alfie”… come here!… drifts across the park, to the unconcerned dog busily investigating a lump of wet grass. He looks up lethargically and spots his frustrated owner. Safe in the knowledge that his owner is still there, Alfie continues to enjoy his sniffing. Does this sounds familiar? Being…

Dental disease is a common and widespread problem amongst our canine friends. In fact studies have shown that 80% of dogs will have some form of gum disease by the time they are 2-3 years old. Genetics and other factors such as diet can influence the development of dental disease but just like humans, in…

Fit not fat. You and your dog – TOP TIPS for the New Year It’s that time of the year again, when many of us make New Year’s resolutions. What about our dogs though? If they could, many would probably want to lose weight and get fitter; just like ourselves. Did you know that 60%…

Simple health checks you can do with your dog at home Your dog can’t tell you if something’s wrong so it’s up to you to find out. As a responsible dog owner, it’s a good idea to have a health check list of things to look out for on a regular basis. This way you’ll…

Anxiety in dogs If you think that your dog may be suffering from anxiety, it is important to seek professional help – not only will this improve your dog’s quality of life, but it may also reduce the risk that the anxiety will lead to a serious behavioural problem. An obvious first port of call…

Looking after your dog on hot days Now that summer is finally here, dog owners need to take care not to let their pets overheat. Heatstroke can occur seemingly without warning, so it is important to prevent this potentially deadly condition. Just in case your dog is affected, it is a good idea to jot…

Choosing holiday care for your dog It’s holiday season and many of us are looking forward to some precious ‘down time’ away from home. For most dogs, family holidays mean going to kennels or visits from a dog-sitter. The team at your local Healthy Pet Club practice have put together some points to help you decide…

Moving house with your dog Moving house is stressful for everybody, including your dog. This guide – put together by your local Healthy Pet Club practice – should help make the day go smoothly. Planning ahead The following tips may be useful: Consider putting your dog into kennels or sending him to a friend or…

Keep your dog safe from heartworm disease If you are planning on taking your dog abroad on holiday with you, one of the things you need to plan for is the risk of canine heartworm. Because this parasite can cause serious and potentially fatal disease in your dog, prevention is extremely important if you are…

Learn how to check for and remove ticks from your dog If you walk your dog in woodland, grassland, or in heath areas – or even in a garden that harbours a lot of wildlife – then at some point they will probably come home with a tick. Dogs pick up ticks when they brush…

Checking For Lumps and Bumps Lumps and bumps are quite common in dogs, particularly as they get older. Although most lumps are entirely benign, a small proportion are serious and may require treatment. To give your dog the best chance of remaining healthy, it is important to check your pet regularly. Check your dog regularly…