Your dog loves spending the summer with you – there’s so much opportunity to go outside, explore and play. However, should the weather be particularly warm, it’s sensible to consider heat stroke in dogs and the effect the sun might have on your friend. Heat stroke in dogs can occur if they are without shade, ventilation or water, and as with humans, it can be dangerous for their health. It can also occur when they’re out and about with you, for example after vigorous exercise in warm weather, or following stress or overexcitement.

Your cat’s sense of exploration is one of the things that makes them so precious to you, but it sometimes means you have to keep an eye out for things that can harm them, too. There are many harmful substances and poisonous foods for cats that your feline friend might come across in their lifetime, so it’s important that you know which to keep out of their reach in the home. Your cat’s natural curiosity leads them to explore non-stop; whether they’re roaming the great outdoors or climbing into all the nooks and crannies of your house, there’s no knowing what they’ll find on their next adventure. Around the home and in the garden there are poisonous foods for cats and non-food substances, including plants, which could be potentially dangerous to your feline friend. Some of these are obvious, but others look completely innocent. For example, your cat might like the look of the snack you just ate or the medicine you take, but these things – while causing no harm to us – might be poisonous foods for cats, and in some case they could be life-threatening. Many chemicals that are routinely used around the house, such as bathroom cleaners, can also be harmful if your curious cat gets their paws on a bottle.

Gum disease in dogs can cause discomfort, dental health problems and, if left untreated, it can lead to deeper issues. Knowing how to spot the signs of gum disease in dogs will help keep the issues at bay and prevent potential long-term health problems.

Most cats will be perfectly happy being left alone during the day, but if you need to leave them for longer, you may need to look into some different options such as boarding catteries or cat sitting services. As cats snooze for around two thirds of their day (and even more in their senior years) and are happiest in their own homes, they should be fine left to their own devices for shorter periods of time, as long as you give them plenty of love and quality playtime when they’re awake! However, if you’re going to be away for longer than a day, you’ll need to make sure that your cat is properly cared for. If you can’t find a willing friend, you could try use a cat sitting service or even consider a boarding cattery.

From around the age of seven you’ll probably notice that your older cat starts taking life a bit easier. Support this slower life and help them stay healthy and happy with a diet that’s designed just for senior cats. As cats age and their activity levels reduce, their nutritional needs change. Spending roughly 40% of their lives classified as seniors, it’s crucial to provide them with a high-quality, tasty diet that includes easily digestible protein and carbohydrates, balanced with key nutrients and controlled levels of fat. Key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins help support the ageing immune system. A senior cat may start to become less active, if they are an outdoor cat they may begin to spend more time indoors, and have a slower metabolism. These can all add up to them putting on some extra weight. Equally, as they reach their geriatric years, illness and a reduction in their sense of taste and smell can affect their appetites, which will have an impact on their body condition. This is why it's so important to revisit their diet and nutritional needs regularly.

Everything you need to know about setting up your puppy with healthy eating habits to last them well into the adulthood.

As indoor cats don’t have the same opportunities to exercise as their outdoor counterparts, it can be more of a challenge to keep them trim. Even though your cat is living in a cosy, happy environment, being inside still limits the space they have to stretch their paws and keep mobile. This less active lifestyle can mean that some indoor cats can struggle to maintain their natural slender shape, and are more at risk of developing health problems such as obesity or diabetes. The lack of environmental enrichment can also lead to a bored, depressed – and so lazy – feline. Creating a feeding and enrichment routine, and keeping your indoor cat moving, are the two key factors in keeping your feline friend as healthy and happy as possible. Follow our tips on steps you can take to keep your cat in tip top shape.

Pregnancy is both wonderful and wonderfully tiring, for you and your pet. One important thing you can do to help your mum-to-be is to give her the nutritional support she needs. Choosing the right feeding plan during pregnancy will ensure that she grows fit kittens, and has the strength to handle birth and nursing her newborns. The adult food you normally give your cat is great for her everyday diet, but it won’t provide the extra boost she’ll need when expecting. For a happy mum and healthy kittens, pick a formula that will meet her new requirements. A high-quality kitten food will provide all the necessary nutrients when feeding your pregnant cat. Start weaning her onto it from mating until a few weeks after giving birth, to keep her strong and give her the energy she needs to support her new kittens. Pregnant cats need higher amounts of calories and protein, both of which can be found in a high quality kitten food. Switching mum onto a kitten food will also help her litter, as they’ll be able to copy her and try some of her solid food as they wean off her milk. We have a selection of products to suit a variety of diets that you can try.

With your tiny puppy now all grown up, it’s time to say “goodbye” to puppy formula and “hello” to adult dog food. This usually happens at about 12 months old for small breeds, and around 24 months for giant breeds.

Once your cat has reached their first birthday, it’s time to think about a regular cat feeding routine. As they change from a playful kitten to a full-grown adult cat, it’s important to make sure they have all the right nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy. That is why it is important to know all there is to feeding an adult cat and knowing what cats like to eat. To keep in tip-top condition, your cat’s diet needs the right balance of proteins, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. It might sound a bit complicated, but good-quality complete feline food should provide everything your furry friend needs, and unless advised to by your vet, a well-balanced diet means your cat won’t need any other diet supplements. Find out how much and what to feed cats for their health and happiness with tips from the Pet Care team below.