If your much-loved pet goes missing, it’s every cat owner’s worst nightmare. Not only is it upsetting and stressful for you when you can’t find your cat or kitten, but then you also worry that your pet may be scared or hurt. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to maximise your chance of finding a lost cat. Look for your missing cat at home Cats love their homes, so there’s every chance that your cat could be closer than you think. Make sure you check every cupboard, even those you hardly use.

What happens when you find a stray dog, and how can you help? Find out what to do when you find a dog without its owner. Even if you have an almost instant connection and want to keep them with you, there are basic steps everyone must follow when they find a stray dog. In this article, we will outline what to do when you find a dog without an owner. What should you do if you have found a dog on its own? 1. Approach them carefully A dog that is lost is likely to be very frightened and overwhelmed by their surroundings. If the dog is a stray, they will be wary of human beings and may be scared of your intentions. Approach the dog carefully. Make sure you do not frighten them further and that your body language puts them at ease. Talk to them soothingly to make them feel comfortable. You do not want them bolting, especially when there is traffic around. If the dog is behaving aggressively, do not approach, but find assistance. 2. Check if they are really a stray dog Check to see if they have a collar and if that collar tells you who the owner is. Sometimes, the collar may be lying around nearby. Do a quick search of the area to see if you can find it. You should also check the area to make sure their owner isn’t close by, looking for them! If you can find the owner’s contact details on their collar, ring immediately and tell them that their dog is safe. 3. Check for injuries Some dogs may be wounded. In such cases, you may need to take them straight to the vet. 4. Contact the local council Immediately contact the local authorities and arrange a time for them to collect the dog. If it is safe and easy to do so, you can take the dog to your home first, but you must then call the authorities immediately. It can seem tempting to just keep the dog, but this is against the law in some countries. The dog may not actually be a stray dog and may belong to someone; failure to report a found dog to the local dog authorities could result in accusation of theft in some countries. 5. The local authority will then keep the dog in the local holding kennel Again, this is a necessary step. While the stray dog you have found may not be wearing an identification collar, they should be fitted with a microchip that has their owner’s details. The local kennel will be able to use this information to try and find the owner.

What do you do when you find a stray cat? When a cat comes to your window, meowing for food and water, what steps should you take? Identify the cat (if you can) Cats often wander away from their families and sometimes cannot find their way back. They are simply out for a stroll and plan to return to their family in some time—but that some time could be days. Meanwhile, there is a family on the other end of this situation searching for their cat with no idea what may have happened to them. Do not assume, then, that the cat you have found is a stray. If they look healthy and well-groomed, it is likely they belong to some family. Here are a few steps you can take to try and identify the cat. 1. If the stray cat is friendly, approach them and check to see if they are wearing a collar. If they are, this collar should have the contact details of their family on it. 2. If they are not wearing a collar, try and ask around to see if anyone in the neighbourhood has lost a cat. Word travels quickly. If the cat belongs to a home in the local area, news may travel back to the family. 3. If there are no easy and visible signs of identification or if no family comes forward to claim them, then you will need to take the stray cat to a local veterinary clinic or to another organisation. The cat could have a microchip. Your nearest local veterinary clinic or organisation will be able to scan the microchip to learn details of the cat’s family and reunite them with their owners. Finding the owners If there are no visible signs of identification, this does not mean that the cat does not belong to somebody. Cats are free spirits and like to wander. Your next step is to do everything you can to find your stray cat’s owner and return them to the family. Look at bulletin boards for lost cats and see if any of the descriptions match the cat you have found. Check local newspapers and listings to see if anyone has posted a similar cat missing. You can also be proactive. Print posters of the cat you have found and place it around your neighbourhood. Spread the word. Social media tends to be very effective for this, Twitter especially. Followers can retweet the picture of the stray cat.

Sometimes older dogs might undergo behavioural changes that seem unusual or a little more noticeable than just ‘slowing down’. Until recently, experts had attributed these things to the aging process, about which little can be done. More recently, however, unusual changes in older dogs have been attributed to a disorder called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction in dogs Examples of behavioural changes include a ‘confused’ dog that appears disorientated or lost in familiar surroundings, dogs wandering around aimlessly, and perhaps appearing to 'forget' to back out of corners.

Cat scratch fever is an incredibly rare bacterial infection that can affect humans when a cat's claws or teeth break the skin. Read our guide to discover everything you need to know about the rare disease, including what causes it and who's generally most at risk. Cat-scratch fever, also known as cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection that affects humans, and comes from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. According to the CDC, around 40% of cats will carry the bacteria at some point in their lives – usually when they’re kittens – but it’s very rare that it’s fatal for both humans and cats. Keep reading to find out about cat-scratch fever symptoms, the possible causes and who’s most at risk for getting the disease. What causes cat-scratch fever? Cats get infected with Bartonella henselae when they’re bitten by fleas carrying the bacteria, or if flea droppings get into their wounds.

A lot of us will slip our cat a tasty morsel of what we’re eating, but have you ever stopped to think “what human foods can cats eat?” Find out what’s safe for your feline to chow down on with this guide. A lot of people think that begging at the dinner table is behaviour that only dogs exhibit, but it’s actually very common for your feline to put on the kitty cat eyes too! If you’re tucking into a tasty tuna sandwich or enjoying bowl of ice cream, it’s highly likely your cat will be expecting you to slip a tasty morsel their way too. But it’s important to remember that just because a food is OK for us to eat, doesn’t automatically make it OK for them too. We’ve put together this guide to tell you what human food cats can eat so you know what foods you can share, and what you shouldn’t! What can cats eat? Generally, your cat should get everything they need from a 100% complete and balanced cat food. There’s no need to add extra ingredients to your pets’ diet, but there are certain human foods you can give them as an occasional treat. Here are a few human foods your cat can eat: Meats Cooked, lean meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, liver and lamb are all ok for your cat to eat. However, it’s important that you take great care when serving to make sure the meat’s cooked through – never give cats raw meat – and remove all skin and bones before feeding your cat. Fish Cats are widely known for their love of fish and most types are actually fine for your cat to eat! They contain omega-3 fatty acids which is good for their overall health and may also be beneficial for cats with arthritis and kidney disease. As with meats, make sure the fish is properly cooked and all the bones are removed, and never give your cat raw fish. Whole grains Whole grains such as oats, corn, brown rice and even couscous all contain lots of protein and are all human foods your cat can eat.

Welcoming a new cat to the house can be an exciting experience. It can also feel slightly scary – maybe you even feel unprepared. Have you got everything you need? Will your cat be comfortable in your new house? Do not worry – we have got you covered. In this article, we list the main things for cats you will need to have before you welcome them home. Crate It is always important to begin with this essential piece of cat equipment. A crate is very useful for taking your cat to and from places – and chances are you will be bringing them back from the breeders’ house or rescue centre in a crate! A crate is essentially a space in which you can place your cat so that you can take them on a journey. There are different kinds of crates: some are made out of fabric and others out of hard materials like plastic. These crates come with safety belts, to ensure your cat is safe on any journey you take her on. They can also be used as a safe space in the home. Always choose a crate by asking: ‘what does my cat need?’ Remember to account for your cat’s size, strength and behavioural habits. Bed Choosing a cat bed is important, as your cat will likely spend a lot of time on it. There are several different kinds of cat beds available on the market, from beds suspended from windows, beds shaped like pods, beds shaped like chaise lounges and even beds shaped like castles. Do not worry if you don’t get the choice right the first time: picking the perfect bed may take getting to know your cat a bit and finding out what they love. Simply invest in a new bed if the old one is not a fit. – Litter box Cats are mostly indoor animals and require a litter box for them to defecate in. This is one of the most crucial things for cats; you should take your time choosing what kind of filling you want in the litter box, what size works best for your house and your cat and where you want to position it in the house. Remember that the type of litter box you choose will determine how easy it is to clean.

Discover the meaning behind why your cat makes hissing or purring sounds with our handy guide, and before you know it you'll be able to translate what your kitty is trying to tell you like a pro! When cats make noises, they’re trying to communicate a feeling or desire. Whether they are purring whilst being groomed, or hissing at another animal, cat sounds can all be roughly translated into human language. So, you can roughly understand what your cat is trying to communicate! The types of cat sounds are specific to your pet. Some cats are more vocal than others and your pet may have a very particular way of expressing themselves through sound. Cat noise meanings can be split into five different categories, which all have their specific purpose. While all cats are individuals, some breeds are known to be noisier than others. Similarly, the age of your cat also impacts on how vocally communicative they are likely to be. Kittens are notoriously vocal, with their adorable mewling and meowing, whilst more senior cats tend to be quieter. Different types of cat sounds The most commonly heard cat noise is the classic ‘meow’. Generally, this sound is used to demand attention. Kittens meow almost constantly, always in search of their mother’s love, milk, or attention. In older animals, it is less often used to communicate with other animals and will more frequently be heard in the presence of humans. Not all meows sound the same, or mean the same thing. Although your cat will have their distinctive way of meowing, it is possible to generally categorise some of the types of meowing that are most commonly heard. The standard meow You will recognise this kind of cat sound easily, as it will be the one that you hear the most! In general, these kinds of meows are mid-length in duration and mid-pitch in tone. When you hear it, it’s because your cat is asking for something. It’s then down to the context to try and decipher exactly what that want. The ‘mewl’ This shorter meow is used as a kind of greeting for owners. It may be accompanied by rubbing against your legs. The long, drawn-out meow This kind of cat sound means that your pet is demanding something specific. It may be that they’re reminding you that it’s dinnertime, or that they want to be let outside. Some owners will complain that this kind of meow wakes them up at night, or early in the morning when they’re ready for breakfast. Repeated meows A standard sounding meow that is repeated over and over again is a sign that your cat is excited. High-pitched meow This kind of meow can often sound more like a yelp due to the high pitch—and that is often what it means! Your cat will make a high-pitched meow sound when they are suddenly startled or hurt. Low-pitched meow This type of meow can be translated into a complaint or long-term grumble. It’s less a demand for attention and more an ongoing grievance! You may hear this when it’s way past dinnertime and the food bowl is still empty.

Dog urine infections are incredibly unpleasant for your pup. Not only is it incredibly annoying needing to wee every few minutes, but it’s also quite painful when they go! Find out everything you need to know about urine infections in dogs with this guide. A dog urine infection is very common, and just like when it happens to us humans, it can be unpleasant and quite painful thanks to the burning sensation when urinating. Luckily, once taken to your vet for diagnosis and treatment, these infections will clear relatively quickly and your canine friend will soon be back to their usual self. If you’re wondering about the signs of dog urine infections and want to know the treatment options available, keep reading as we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know. What are dog urine infections? A dog urine infection is an infection of the urinary tract, making it uncomfortable to pass urine. Your dog may strain when urinating, and their urine may contain blood. These urinary tract infections (UTI) are commonly caused by bacteria including E coli, but some fungi may also cause an infection. UTIs can also be caused by bladder stones, and incontinence in older dogs may also lead to an infection. Surprisingly, dog urine infections are more common than you’d think. According to the American Kennel Club it’s one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs and around 14% will get it at some point in their lives. Are there some dogs more predisposed to urine infections? Any dog can get a urine infection, but there are some which are more likely to be affected. Older dogs are more likely to get them, as are female dogs because they have shorter urethras. Additionally, dogs with pre-existing health conditions such as chronic kidney disease and Cushing’s disease are more at risk of getting a dog urine infection.

Your cat doesn’t just need the right food and exercise for their age and body condition; emotional nourishment and cat care is also one of the most important parts of keeping a happy cat. Your cat’s emotional needs are based on their personality, age and lifestyle. If your cat spends the majority or all of their time indoors, for example, they may rely more heavily on you to provide cat care for their emotional well-being. Keeping such an intelligent and emotionally sophisticated pet happy can require a little effort and imagination, especially if your cat isn't using their natural instincts to survive on their own outdoors. A brief history of the cat Today's domestic cats are descended from wild cats who began to take advantage of the abundance of mice around corn stores in early Middle Eastern and North African civilisations, about 4,000 years ago. Today, pet cats are more often born indoors than in the wild, and spend their whole lives being fed and loved as part of our families - a far cry from the solitary hunter lifestyle of their ancestors! There are over 50 breeds of pedigree cats around the world, although by far the most prevalent is the ordinary ‘moggy’ with their wonderful variety of coats and colours.