Every year, the world’s best dogs compete for a chance at Best In Show champion at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina®PRO PLAN®.

Four new breeds have been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), making them eligible to compete at the prestigious 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan. Joining 204 other respected breeds, these history-making dogs include the Barbet, the Biewer Terrier, the Dogo Argentino, and the Belgian Laekenois. So what makes these breeds so special? Meet them below.

Social behaviour has changed andon average, people are now spending around 90% of their time indoors. With this in mind, there’s also many of the allergens that cause sensitivities inside our homes alongside us. Our indoor environments are often poorly ventilated, causing humidity to rise and creating ideal conditions for mould and house dust mites to thrive in our soft furnishings and bedding. And as a nation of pet lovers, our pets are often living indoors too, which can also add to the allergens we contend with. Our homes should be our sanctuary, but for 1 in 5 of us who are sensitive to cat allergens¹,², the home environment isn't always so safe and relaxing.

When it comes to living with a cat allergen sensitivity, it’s not easy, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some of the practices and advice you may find suggested online aren’t feline-friendly and can negatively affect your relationship with your cat. For example, bathing your cat can be a really stressful experience, for both of you. Although bathing will lower the levels of allergens present on your cat's hair, the effect is short-lived with the levels returning to baseline within 24 hours of bathing. Similarly, keeping a cat outside, particularly one that has been used to living indoors or keeping them restricted to a certain part of the house, can also result in increased levels of stress for them. Love finds a way and there are safe, easy and feline-friendly steps you can take to help manage cat allergens in your home, while also maintaining your close bond with your cat.

One of the most common infections in dogs is yeast infection. Learn what to do when your pet starts itching inconsolably and find out what dog yeast infection treatments are most effective. Does your dog suffer from itchy skin, swelling or exaggerated drooling? There are many underlying conditions for such symptoms, but one of the most common infections in dogs might be the culprit.

Curling up with your cat as she purrs is a comfort to all pet owners. It’s a sign she’s happy, content and feeling settled on your lap, enjoying lots of fuss and attention – or is it? We all know that catspurr toexpress their feelings. But cat purringdoesn’talwaysmeanhappy cats and there’s lots of mystery around whycatspurr and how they make this mystical sound. Previous scientificresearch has shown that cats purr when they’re distressed or afraidas well. Cat purring is adefensemechanism and a way to keep calm in stressful situations. You’ll often hear your cat purring at the vets. Don’t mistakethis as a happy sound! Thecat purringis more likelyto calm herself down rather than enjoying the examination.

Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or have a long-term feline friend, there will be times where you wish you knew what your cat was thinking. Understanding Cats’ Body Language Although cats might seem hard to read, there are ways to tell what they are thinking and what mood they’re in just by studying their posture and body language. You’ll be able to tell some of your cat’s more obvious moods from its facial expressions, vocalizations, and tail movements but there are subtler gestures that you have to watch out for. Cats can feel happy, sad, afraid, relieved, and even frustrated. The key to a good relationship with your cat is learning how to recognize these emotions.

Travelling can make your home-loving felines uncomfortable. Some trips are unavoidable so it’s important to make the journey as safe and stress-free as possible for your cat. Most cats are home lovers, so travelling anywhere else with them can make them stressed. When travelling with cats it’s important to know how you can make your feline friend feel comfortable. We’ve put together some cat travel tips to help everything run smoothly. Cat car travel Taking a road trip with your cat can seem like a fun bonding activity but it can trigger your cat’s anxiety for travelling. When travelling by car, remember to keep your cat inside a cat carrier so it’s less likely to run around and escape through open car doors or windows. Make sure your carrier is strong, secure, easy to clean and large enough for your cat. You can buy a plastic, wire mesh or wicker basket. Don’t use a cardboard box as it will get flimsy and fall to bits if your cat urinates in it. Although it seems kind to get the biggest carrier available, some cats actually prefer to feel snug and too big a space could make them feel insecure. This will also free up space for your cargo! Make sure to introduce the new carrier to your cat in advance so that it can familiarize itself with it. When your cat is familiar enough with its carrier, you’ll have no problem containing it when the trip starts. A good way to acclimatise your cat to a carrier is to leave it open on the floor. Soft bedding, yummy catnip treats and familiar scents will make it inviting and pleasant. Airline-type plastic carriers can be disassembled, inviting curious cats to jump in and explore. When you’ve organized a cat carrier, you’ve already taken the first step towards a safe journey with your cat.

Getting a new puppy is such an exciting time. Despite all the fun times you’ll be having with your small ball of fur, introducing this new ball of fur and joy to the family can be challenging! To help you prepare for this magical moment, here are some of the things you can look forward to as an owner.

If you have an indoor cat or one with limited outside access, a litter tray is essential. Find out how to toilet train a cat or kitten with this helpful guide. Your cat’s natural instincts will usually find them wanting to go to the toilet outside, but many cats like an indoor litter tray too. It’s usually best to start with cat toilet training from a young age, but older cats can still be taught and may even find it beneficial as their joints are stiffer and they lack the same energy to go outside. If you’re new to cat potty training this guide to tell you everything, from what you’ll need to start to how to toilet train a cat. Getting the perfect tray For kittens, ensure you use a low-sided plastic tray at first for easy access. When they’ve grown a bit, you’ll want to swap to a larger and deeper tray to give them enough room to turn around and prevent kicking up and scattering the litter all over.