It may surprise you to learn that dogs can get acne just like humans! Find out all about the causes and symptoms of acne in dogs and what you can do about it here. Much like with humans, dogs can get acne when they start to go through puberty. In dogs, puberty occurs between five to eight months old which is when dog acne will be likely to appear, and in most cases it will disappear on its own by the time they reach one year old. Dog acne is more common than you might think and generally affects the facial area including lips, chins and muzzles. Cases can range from mild to severe and it’s important for dog owners to recognise the signs and know when to seek help from a vet. Keep reading to find out the possible causes and symptoms of dog acne and the currently available treatment options for your dog. Causes of dog acne Acne in dogs is caused by the same things that cause human acne, a combination of excess oily sebum and dead skin cells mixing together which causes the hair follicles to get clogged, resulting in raised and red lumps, blackheads or whiteheads. There can be numerous reasons why this may occur including genetic factors, hormonal changes, food and environmental allergies and in some cases, trauma. Additionally, sometimes dog acne can just be a normal part of adolescence which will occur no matter what preventative measures you may take.

We've all seen the adorable twitch of paws and heard the odd woof whilst our dogs are sleeping, but do dogs really dream? Find out more and learn about what dogs dream about with Purina. All dog owners have seen and heard their pet’s adorable dreamy antics. Maybe you’ve heard a sleepy woof or seen them paddle their paws; perhaps you’ve even noticed a subtle growl. But do dogs really dream? And if they can, then what do dogs dream about? Do dogs dream? Let’s look at this scientifically: we know that human beings have dreams because research has shown that the electrical impulses in the brain can become active during sleep. Researchers have used similar techniques to monitor our canine companions, in order to determine whether those cute night time shuffles are evidence of dreams, or something different. Using an electroencephalogram to test for brain wave activity during sleep in dogs, scientists discovered that we have even more in common with our furry friends than we thought! It seems very likely that dogs do dream, just as we do. Dog sleep patterns and dreams You might already know that human beings have different stages of sleep during the night, and that dreaming is most likely to occur at a specific point in the sleep cycle. Incredibly, this seems to be true for dogs as well! Your pet will enter a stage of sleep known as ‘REM’, which stands for rapid eye movement. At this point, your dog’s breathing will begin to sound more irregular and their eyes will start to move around more rapidly. You may notice their eyelids flickering. It is during this stage of sleep that dog dreams are most likely to happen.

As humans we love music, but do our cats feel the same? Find out how your furry friend feels about music and the research behind it with Purina. We all like to make our pets happy, and we’ve all seen those adorable You Tube videos of our favourite superstar kitties rocking out on the piano! Listening to music can provide mental stimulation, a sense of contentment, or even just a relaxing background vibe—for humans! So it makes sense that we would want to share one of our favourite pastimes with our pets—but do cats like music? And are they getting anything out of listening to it? Do cats like music? Have you ever tried to play your favourite song for your cat? You might have noticed that, no matter how hard the beat drops, your cat shows little to no interest in the music that you are playing to them. In rare circumstances, some cats have found specific music to be calming. Occasionally, cat shelters will choose to play classic music to their residents, believing that it creates a soothing atmosphere. Although cats don’t run away from music (unless you turn it up very loud!), there isn’t a lot of evidence to show that this is the case. If the cats listening to classical music are lying around having a snooze, it’s probably more likely that they were ready for a catnap, rather than lulled to sleep by the likes of Mozart!

Everyone's heard the saying 'cats always land on their feet', but is there any truth in it? Keep reading to find out how they manage to do it and the amazing science behind it. Everyone has heard the saying ‘cats always land on their feet’ and that this ability means they can survive falls from incredible heights. Some people think it’s due to cats’ incredible balance, and others secretly think it’s magic. It’s a phenomenon that has certainly puzzled scientists for centuries! But is it true, or simply an urban myth? Keep reading to find out if cats always land on their feet and how they do it. Do cats always land on their feet? Cats have an inbuilt balancing system called the “righting reflex” that allows them to orient themselves and land on their feet. But while cats are often able to land the right way up, it’s not the case that they always land on their feet. The height of the fall can affect their ability to land safely. For a long time, cats’ ability to seemingly always land on their feet has had scientists baffled since the early 19th century. Initially, it was thought that when cats were dropped they somehow managed to ‘push off’ the person’s hand. However, a French scientist called Etienne-Jules Marey in 1894 discovered this was not the case. Using a chronophotographic camera, he managed to capture 60 frames a second of a cat’s fall, then he was able to watch in slow-motion and see how cats land on their feet. How do cats always land on their feet? The way cats manage to land on their feet is called the righting reflex.

If you notice that your cat is going to the litter tray more often than usual, their stool is more liquid, or it has an increased volume compared to normal, then they may have diarrhoea. Diarrhoea in cats is an increase in the frequency, volume, or liquid content of faeces, leading to unformed or loose stools. The consistency of your cat’s diarrhoea can vary from soft but formed through to liquid/watery, and the colour can be darker or lighter than normal stools or even green, red or yellow. If you think your cat has diarrhoea, it’s important not to panic. Most of the time the condition is temporary and not serious, and is usually solved quickly with a simple change of diet or appropriate medical treatment from your vet. The severity and the duration of diarrhoea episodes vary depending on the underlying cause. Diarrhoea in cats is usually classified as either: • Acute (sudden onset and short-lived) or chronic (more than 2-3 weeks duration) • Persistent (constant) or intermittent (i.e. comes and goes) As you can imagine, the most serious cases are chronic and persistent. Causes of diarrhoea in cats Diarrhoea in cats can occur for a wide variety of different reasons. Some possible causes include:

Diabetes is a complex disease that most often develops in older dogs. Just like in humans, diabetes in dogs can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms. However, with careful management, this condition doesn’t need to affect their quality of life. What is diabetes in dogs? Dog diabetes, or ‘canine diabetes’, is caused by either a lack of insulin in your dog’s body or, in some cases, an ‘inadequate’ biological response to it. When your dog eats, the food is broken down. One of the components of their food, glucose, is carried to their cells by insulin. If your dog can’t produce enough insulin themselves, or the insulin they have isn’t used properly, the glucose cannot be used properly either. This means your dog’s blood sugar levels will rise, which can lead to adverse side effects. What causes diabetes in dogs? Just like in humans, it isn’t completely certain why some dogs develop diabetes. Some dogs may be more genetically prone to developing the condition. It is known, however, that being overweight can increase the risk of your dog developing diabetes. This may be because obesity causes cells in your dog’s body to become more resistant to insulin. If your dog develops diabetes, it is most likely to happen when they start to reach their senior years. Female dogs and neutered dogs may also be more at risk.

Diabetes in cats is a long-term condition, but it needn’t have an impact on your kitty’s quality of life. Find out what to do if you suspect your cat has diabetes and how to manage it with our guide. Diabetes in cats is generally nothing to worry about – this long-term condition can certainly be managed with treatment, and it doesn’t need to impact hugely on your pet’s quality of life. In fact, with a little extra TLC, your cat will be back on all four paws before you know it. They’ll probably be causing mischief, getting attention from visitors, and escaping trouble just as they used to! If you have a cat with diabetes or simply want to find out more about the condition, read on to find out all you need to know, including the various cat diabetes symptoms to look out for. Diabetes in cats There are various different types of diabetes in cats, just as there are in humans. If your cat has a type of diabetes, your vet will let you know what it is and how it works. The type one form which is most common in dogs is actually very rare in cats, and the most commonly found type of diabetes in cats is called ‘Type II Diabetes’, also known as ‘Diabetes Mellitus’ (DM). What is cat Diabetes Mellitus (DM)? Diabetes Mellitus is a condition where your cat has difficulty using sugar as an energy source. It changes the way their muscles use energy, and if left untreated can lead to weight change and further illness. Normally, after your cat eats, their digestive system should break down their food into the different things it’s made from. One of those components is sugar (otherwise known as glucose). After the food is eaten and the glucose is extracted from it, your cat’s body should absorb the glucose; it goes from their digestive system into their bloodstream, where it is carried around the body. The glucose then reaches various organs in your cat’s body – the heart and other muscles, for example – and is used as energy to fuel their climbing, pouncing and playing! Before your cat’s body can use glucose as fuel it needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. If for some reason your cat’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin cannot be used properly, that glucose won’t pass from your cat’s blood into their organs. When this happens, the glucose stays put – so there is too much sugar in your cat’s blood, which we know as diabetes in cats. When your cat has diabetes, their organs don’t get enough glucose to use as energy, so instead they use fat and protein to power them. Because of this, they lose weight and even muscle mass.

Cushing’s disease is a hormonal condition that is relatively common in middle-aged or older dogs. Read our guide to find out what it is, what’s causing it and how you can care for a dog that has been diagnosed with the disease. Your dog’s energy levels are likely to decrease as they get older, but did you know that this could point to something other than old age? In some cases, this is one of the signs of a disease known as Cushing’s Syndrome in dogs. Here is what you need to know. What is Cushing’s disease in dogs? Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is more common in dogs over 7 years of age. The disease involves excess production of cortisol, a naturally produced steroid that is often referred to as the stress hormone. Certain levels of this hormone within the body are important and contribute to functions such as the immune system or ‘fight or flight’ response. However, the abnormally high levels seen in Cushing’s causes an imbalance of hormone regulation within the body and leads to the symptoms associated with the disease. The most common cause of Cushing’s disease in dogs is a benign tumour of the pituitary gland, a structure that is located in the brain. The pituitary gland sends messages to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In cases of pituitary-dependant Cushing’s disease, these messages continue to be sent to the adrenal glands even if there is already enough cortisol, leading to higher levels in the body. Less commonly, Cushing’s disease can be caused by tumours of the adrenal glands themselves, this is adrenal-dependent disease. It can also occur if a pet is receiving high doses of steroid treatment for a different medical condition. Symptoms of Cushing’s in dogs? Cushing’s in dogs will often go unnoticed for a while, and tends to progress very gradually. Because the disease affects middle-aged and senior dogs, the symptoms are often attributed to ageing at first. Cortisol is a vital hormone for different functions and organs, meaning that it acts in various ways around the body. Therefore, increased production of the hormone can affect a number of different body systems, and result in various symptoms many of which are non-specific. The list of symptoms of Cushing’s in dogs will differ between individuals and you should consult the vet even if you don’t notice all the signs listed below.

With the outbreak of coronavirus, many pet owners have been wondering what this new normal could mean for them and their pets. Find out all you need to know about caring for your pets and how to look after them during this uncertain time. You ask, we answer! Find here our answers to FAQs related to COVID-19 and Pets. Where can I find the latest information about Covid-19 and pets? Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to keep up to date with communications from official and credible sources such as World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Is Purina able to produce pet food and treats during this crisis? Purina’s products (pet food and pet snacks) are included in the list of industries considered as “essential critical infrastructure”. As a result, Purina is exempt from closures or stay-at-home orders. Purina is taking significant steps to ensure that we can serve our consumers at the highest levels possible.

No one likes to admit that their dog eats faeces, but many do and as a dog owner you may want to understand why they do it, and what you can do about it.