If you or a loved one suffers from dog allergies it can be really frustrating. But did you know that there are hypoallergenic dog breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If yourself or a loved one has a dog allergy it can be really frustrating, and you may feel like you're missing out on all the unwavering love that a dog offers. For those unfortunate enough to have an allergy, you may have heard of hypoallergenic dog breeds. These dog breeds are commonly recommended because they don't shed hair or they produce less of a protein that causes allergic reactions in people. But is there really such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog? Keep reading to find out what actually causes allergic reactions to dogs and which breeds could be best for you. What are hypoallergenic dog breeds? Hypoallergenic dog breeds tend to come in two distinct varieties: the first is dogs with little or no hair, such as the hairless Chinese Crested, and the other is breeds that don't shed their coat, which will need to have their fur regularly trimmed or stripped. There is plenty of debate around what exactly causes dog allergies, and many people believe that the allergy lies within the hair, so dogs that don't shed won't cause allergic reactions. However, this is not the case as most people with dog allergies aren't actually allergic to the fur, it's usually either to dog dander - microscopic particles of skin that shed from all animals with fur or feathers - or a particular protein that is found in dander, saliva and urine of dogs. All dogs produce this protein, but hypoallergenic dog breeds produce less, meaning that they'll cause fewer allergic reactions. Despite claims, there is actually no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed, so if you or a family member suffers from a dog allergy it's recommended that you spend time with your chosen breed first to discover if they will trigger any allergies. The following are hypoallergenic dog breeds that don't shed that may be suitable for people with allergies: 1. Bichon Frise This small, fun-loving pooch has curly white fur that keeps growing rather than shedding. Not only do they hardly ever drool, but their thick coat captures loose hair and dander, and this won't come out until the fur has been removed, so regular grooming is essential to maintain their coat. The Bichon Frise is highly adaptable to a range of situations, and if you live in an apartment these dogs can adapt relatively easily.

You may be more used to seeing dogs with fur, but did you know there's a wealth of dogs without the fluff too? Hairless dogs are adorable in their own right and offer perfect cuddles thanks to their soft skin and warm bodies. Find out more about hairless dog breeds, here. If you're looking for a unique pup that'll turn heads everywhere you go, a hairless dog breed may be just what you're after. Where these canines lack the typical fur that's commonly depicted on our four-legged friends, they're just as adorable or playful as their fluffy counterparts! In fact, hairless dogs are super silky, often very warm to the touch and are known to radiate warmth, so they make the most perfect snuggle companions! Keep reading to find out more about which hairless dog breeds are out there and the special requirements that come with caring for a pup without the fluff. Caring for hairless dog breeds Some owners may consider getting a hairless dog thinking that they require far less attention on the grooming front, but this is not always true. Where they do have a lot less fur to brush (if any), their skin still requires plenty of care. Interestingly, the skin of hairless dogs needs similar care to humans and will need regular baths to keep the skin clean and free of dirt, moisturising creams to prevent dryness and sun creams to prevent sunburn. Hairless dog breeds can even develop dog acne too! But don't put any creams recommended for human use on your dog as these may contain chemicals which will irritate their skin or they may be toxic. Speak to your veterinarian for advice on the best creams to use for your hairless dog. It's also important to note that dogs without hair are very sensitive to the cold and wet so you'll need to ensure that you get them a good wardrobe full of raincoats and dog coats to keep them warm and dry during walks. Now you know how to care for them, here's our round up of our top 5 hairless dog breeds:

Puppy vaccinations can be a bit confusing if you’re new to dog ownership, but they’re incredibly important to not only keep your beloved pup protected from life-threatening diseases, but to stop passing illnesses on to other dogs as well. Vaccinations are an important part of your puppy’s ongoing health. When you get your four-legged friend you should ask your puppy’s breeder for their up-to-date vaccination record and continue on with the plan they have in place. By ensuring the schedule is followed you’ll ensure that they’re covered against any potential life-threatening diseases and ultimately, aide them in growing into a happy and healthy adult dog. If you’ve just gotten your first pup, or are thinking about it, you may be wondering all about puppy vaccinations, including schedules and how much they cost. At Purina, we’ve done all the hard work for you and have created this puppy vaccination guide to tell you all you need to know. Puppy vaccination schedule When considering your puppy’s vaccination schedule, the initial vaccinations will usually begin when your pup is aged between six and twelve weeks of age. During this time your dog won’t be fully covered, so you won’t be able to take them for walks or have your puppy socialise with any dogs outside out of the household – but you should make sure that the dogs in your home are vaccinated too. Puppy vaccinations will take the form of two injections spaced out over two weeks. As mentioned previously, it’s important for you to ask your breeder, or if you’ve adopted your puppy – your rescue centre which vaccines have been given and when, so you can schedule an appointment with your vet in order to complete the course. As well as their initial puppy injections, your dog will require additional booster jabs. Some injections will make your pup immune for life, some will last for three years, whereas some will require an annual top up to keep them fully inoculated. Don’t worry though, your vet will be able to tell you exactly what they need and when, and you can also ask for them to give you a personalised puppy vaccination schedule so you can put all those important dates in your diary.

Having puppies is both exciting and exhausting for you and your pet. Whilst it’s wonderful to welcome adorable bundles of fur into your home, it’s hard work for a new mum to grow, deliver and look after a mischievous litter! Therefore it’s more important than ever for you to make sure your dog is getting everything theyneeds from theirfood. Eating right will make sure that both mum and her puppies are happy and healthy. Although adult-formula food is great for everyday use, your dog will need an extra boost of nutrients when pregnant, especially if they'reexpecting a large litter. Mums-to-be can get the higher amount of energy and protein that dogs need from high-quality puppy food. Feeding your pregnant dog a puppy formula will help to support your pet during and after pregnancy. Your dog’s body condition (and any other medical requirements) can affect what nutritional demands your petwill have when expecting. You can find out more about your dog’s body condition with our body conditioning tool.

Your dog’s digestive system can normally look after itself, as long as it is getting the right food and nutrition. But even with your care it can sometimes encounter unexpected problems. Your dog loves the nutritious food and occasional treats you give them – a great meal time is all part of their fun and active lifestyle! When their food is such a source of excitement for them and a pleasure for you, it can be easy to forget about keeping an eye on their digestive health. But there’s no need to worry – many of these problems are easily solved through a change in diet. Keep reading to find out about keeping your dog’s digestive health in order, and common problems to look out for. General dog digestive health Your dog’s digestive system is fairly hardy (just think what they’d eat if they were allowed!), but it’s a good idea to monitor their appetite anyway. As well as what you feed them, remember that your family and friends naturally love giving your dog a bit of extra fuss, attention and treats too! Here are some general tips for feeding your dog: • Your dog will enjoygood quality, complete dog food most, as not only will it have the right balance of nutrients, a good level of palatability will ensure they really enjoy it. • Tempting as it is, adding human food to a nutritionally complete and balanced commercial dog food can cause digestive problems in dogs. • Your dog probably knows all kinds of tricks to persuade you to give them table scraps! Firmly but kindly ignore ‘begging behaviour’ for additional food. • When your dog is focused on getting table scraps, give lots of hugs, praise and playtime instead, which you’re both able to enjoy! • It’s best to feed your dog at regular scheduled times. Use the correct amount of food to maintain your dog’s optimum body condition so they stay in tip-top shape. To find out more, check out our guide to feeding adult dogs. General causes of digestive disorders in dogs In an ideal world our dogs don’t have any problems with their digestive systems, but of course you can’t always prevent illness.

There are many common foods that dogs can’t eat and non-food substances, including plants, which are potentially poisonous. Some of these you’ll know, while others might come as a surprise. Many foods, medicines and plants which are safe for humans, can be toxic to our pets. In fact, some common household items can be life-threatening for dogs. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide so you can learn about poisonous foods for dogs, which plants to avoid and what chemicals to always keep out of reach of your four-legged friend. Some of the items on this list may surprise you! What foods can'tdogs eat? We all love to treat our pups to the occasional treat! While some human foods are fine in moderation, others should be avoided entirely. Harmful foods for dogs include: Certain fruits and vegetables Many fruits and vegetables are fine for dogs to eat in small quantities, butcan pose a choking hazard if they're notcut into small piecesand fed under supervision. However, the following foods should be avoided, and can be very toxic, even in small amounts: • Raisins. • Sultanas. • Grapes. • Onions. • Garlic. • Some kinds of wild mushrooms. Other plants that can cause toxicity in dogs when eaten in largequantitiesinclude: • Rhubarb (mainly leaves). • Potato leaves and stems. • Tomato leaves and stems. • Apple seeds, Cherry pits, Apricot pits, Peach pits, present a small risk only but can cause obstructions in the digestive system.

To keep them healthy, happy and active for as long as possible, your dog's diet needs the right balance of six major nutrient groups: protein, fats/oils, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and water. Did you know that the nutritional requirements for dogs include 37 different essential nutrients through food alone?

While they’re not quite as likely to gate crash the Easter egg stash and gobble the lot like a dog might, cats can sometimes get a taste for chocolate. Most owners know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know if cats can eat chocolate? Can cats eat chocolate? No, cats should not eat chocolate. Even though they’re less likely to try and steal it away from under your nose, chocolate is still bad for cats, just as it is for dogs. While a chocolate bar may not appeal to them, any kind of milk-based chocolate drink can certainly be a risk around any feline! Why is chocolate bad for cats? If you're wondering why cats and chocolate don't mix, it's because chocolate and cocoa contain an ingredient called theobromine, which is naturally metabolised in the human body, but not in cats or dogs. This leads to a toxic build-up of the substance, which can lead to some very serious symptoms, particularly liver failure. Your cat doesn’t have to eat a great deal of chocolate to suffer problems as a result, so try to keep it out of reach, and out of sight, of all your pets. It’s impossible to calculate exactly how much chocolate it takes to make a cat ill, as every animal’s metabolism is different, but there are some factors that you can take into account. This includes your pet’s size and weight, and the kind of chocolate they have eaten. Dark, bitter, chocolate has a far higher theobromine content than milk or white chocolate. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate, watch out for any of the following symptoms:

Most dogs love nothing more thanmeal time! As soon as you open theirfavouritefood they’ll run in with their tails wagging, whether they’re eating dry kibble or wet food. Both wet and dry dog foods are nutritionally complete andbalanced, andwill provide your canine friend with everything they need for their health and happiness. But you might have wondered what the benefits are, and which your dog will prefer. • What is the difference between wet and dry dog food? • Which one is 'better'? • How can you choose between them? Read on to find out more, and help you decide whether your dog will prefer wet or dry dog food. Wetdogfood contains more water Wetdogfood, of course, contains more water than dry kibble. This means that each meal will appear slightly larger, meaning there’s ‘more’ for your dog to eat, and each meal will last longer too. This water is also a small source of hydration, which is helpful if your dog doesn’t drink as much as they should. Even so, if you serve wet food ensure they always have a bowl of clean fresh water on hand! Many types of wet food also come in portion sizes, such as individual cans or pouches, which makes serving your dog very easy.

Whether your dog is an energetic puppy or a fully grown adult they will rarely, if ever, need their nails trimmed. But it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s nails – and know how to clip them, just in case! When you go for walks together, hard surfaces such as the pavement will naturally wear your dog’s nails down, which leaves you with very little work to do. However, if your dog’s nails aren’t looking after themselves, their untrimmed nails can break, bleed or even grow into their feet, causing them a lot of discomfort. If your furry friend is a senior, walking on overgrown dog nails can cause pain if they have arthritic feet. But what should you look out for? Hearing a 'click-click-click' noise as they walk on hard floors is the most obvious sign that your dog’s nails need a clip. Dog nail clipping is relatively simple, but you need to know how to correctly clip your dog’s claws to avoid causing damage or pain, which is easily done by accident. To make things easier and less stressful for your dog and you, always consult your vet or veterinary nurse before attempting to clip your dog’s claws at home. How to clip your dog’s nails If your dog hasn’t had their nails clipped before, or if you haven’t clipped dogs’ nails yourself, it can be a strange experience for both of you! However, if you prepare well, keep your dog calm, and follow these simple steps you’ll be done in no time. And of course, if you’re still not sure, your vet will be happy to help. Before you start • If your dog is a bit nervous, stressed or upset about having his nails clipped, or at worst tries to nip you, do not try to clip his nails yourself – it’s fine to ask your vet to do it. • Most veterinary practices have clinics where dog nail clipping can be done easily and cheaply. This takes the stress away, and you’ll know your dog is being looked after by an expert. • This is especially true if his nails are very overgrown, have grown into the pad, or you have no one to help you. Trying to do it alone for the first time can be tricky for anyone! Clipping your dog’s nails • Had a tutorial from your vet/veterinary nurse? You’re ready to go! First of all, ensure you purchase the correct type of dog nail clippers from your veterinary practice or groomer. • Only use nail trimmers that have been specifically designed for pets, and ensure they are sharp and well-maintained to make the job as easy as possible. • Depending on the size of your dog, sit him on your lap, or sit on the floor next to him – he’ll find the closeness reassuring, as well as it being practical. • Ask a friend or family member to help by holding your dog’s head and providing reassurance. Even if he’s not a fan of having his nail clipped, he’ll probably enjoy the fuss! • Hold your dog's paws firmly and push lightly on the pads to make the dog nail stick out. • Starting at the very end of his nail, clip at a 45-degree angle with the cutting end of the nail clipper towards the nail. Dark dog nails If your dog has dark nails trim very thin cuttings off the end, as it’s easy to accidentally damage the ‘quick’ or soft part of the nail. If you see a black dot in the centre of his nail, you have reached the quick and should stop cutting right away. Again, your vet or veterinary nurse can help you work out how much nail to remove. White dog nails On white dog nails, the quick is in the pink section (which you cannot see in black nails) – again, try hard not to nick it! The quick contains nerves and blood vessels that when nicked will bleed easily. How often should you clip your dog’s nails? Dog nail clipping, if necessary at all, should preferably be carried out once a week, but at least twice a month depending on your dog’s needs and how often you walk on roads. It's better to take off small amounts more often than to remove large portions every once in a while. What to do if your dog’s nails bleed • Have silver nitrate sticks, which are available from your vet, and cotton wool balls nearby in case you do accidentally nick the dog nail quick. • If so, and it bleeds, don't panic – it can happen to all of us. Calmly apply the silver nitrate to the end of the claw and press it with a cotton wool ball for a moment. • If the bleeding doesn’t stop, consult your vet immediately for further help with your dog nail clipping technique. • Silver nitrate may sting, so ask your helper to hold your dog if the need arises.