Boasting cute, shaggy appearances that warm the hearts of people all around the globe, wire-haired dogs are nothing short of special. If you're looking for a bristly companion to bring into your life, take a look at our list of the best wire-haired dog breeds. Wire-haired dogs possess strong, robust coats which are a bit bristly to the touch. Aside from their unusual texture, these wire coats were mostly designed to protect them against the elements and kept them free from harm whilst running through the underbrush as the dense wire is much harder to penetrate than smoother coats. If you want to bring one of these endearingly shaggy dog types into your life, you'll likely be wondering what wire-haired dog breeds are out there, which is why we've created this list to show you our favourites. Keep reading to discover everything from fearless terriers to lively hounds! 1. Wire Fox Terrier This wire-haired terrier breed was originally bred to flush foxes out and their tough, intelligent coat meant they were less prone to injury whilst out hunting. Today, Wire Fox Terriers make great companions due to their brave and smart personalities but they'll need to be groomed regularly in order to keep their coat in tip top condition.

Whether you’ve got a sniffle or something more serious, you may be worried about the potential risks for your four-legged friend. We’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about dog colds and flu to help you better understand your pet. When the trees start to lose their leaves and we have to defrost the car each morning, we know one thing for certain – cold and flu season is on the way. This has just become a natural fact for humans and we’re no stranger to stock piling tissues and tablets, but what about our four-legged friends? Can dogs get colds? No, dogs don’t get colds in the same way that humans do and they cannot catch the cold virus that causes symptoms in humans. However, dogs can get infections that create symptoms like a cold, such as sneezing and congestion. In general, these ‘dog colds’ are specific to that species, so you won’t be able to catch the same cold as your dog either. Can dogs catch a cold from humans? If you have a sniffle or cough, you may be worried that you may pass the illness onto your companion, but you’ll be glad to know that this isn’t possible. Dogs are not affected by the common cold virus that infects humans. Can dogs get the flu? Dogs also can’t get the same type of flu as humans, but they can get canine flu. The symptoms are relatively similar to flu in humans but have a different cause. Your dog may experience the following: sneezing, runny nose, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite and fever. Dog flu is easily spread between other canines once they’ve been exposed to the illness, and according to Pets Web MD, if your dog is exposed to an infected dog, the chances of them getting it are very high. And while humans can’t get ill from dog flu, if you’ve been in contact with an infected dog, there is a possibility that you could pass it onto your dog too. Dog flu can live for a few minutes on your skin, but up to a day on your clothes. If you’re around an infected dog, make sure you change and wash your clothes before you see any other dogs. Other dog specific illnesses: Just like in humans, there’s a variety of conditions that might seem like dog colds and flu, a few of the most common are as follows: • Kennel cough: a respiratory infection characterised by a dry cough which will sound like a honking. If you think your dog has kennel cough, contact your vet right away. • Dog allergies: your four-legged friend can suffer from seasonal and environmental allergies, similar to how humans get hay-fever. • Canine distemper: Your dog should be vaccinated against this with their initial puppy vaccinations. Canine distemper can be life threatening, which is one of the many reasons it’s incredibly important for your dog to be vaccinated.

Cats are notorious night owls, so we've long thought that they have excellent night vision, but is this actually true? Find out everything you need to know about your cat's night vision with our guide. Cats seem to do all of their best hunting at night. Many cat owners are familiar with being woken up with little gifts – such as a mouse or possibly even a sock – or the hyperactive run around the house many cats have in the middle of the night. These night-time antics pose the question: can cats see in the dark? Many people believe that felines are nocturnal and so can see in the dark perfectly, but it may surprise you to learn that cats are actually crepuscular. This means that generally they’re more active around dawn and dusk. So, if they’re not actually nocturnal, how good is cat’s night vision really? Keep reading to discover the secrets behind your four-legged friend’s intelligent eyes. Can cats see in the dark? The short answer is not exactly. Where it’s been widely thought that cat’s have their own built-in set of night vision goggles, they actually require at least some level of light to see. However, they only need one-sixth of the amount of light that humans do and can see in very low light. Cats won’t be able to see in the dark, in the rare event that absolutely all light is blocked out, but their sight is much more advanced than that of humans for all of their night time adventures. Their eyes are intelligently designed According to Catster, the reason cats’ night vision is so excellent is because of the intelligent design of their eyes. They possess a curved cornea and large lens, and in low light their pupils can dilate to full circles to allow in maximum light.

There’s nothing scarier than when our pets are unwell or hurt and we often naturally go into a panic as we don’t know what to do. At Purina, we’ve created this guide to cat first aid to help you keep your pet calm and comfortable until you can reach your veterinarian. Our cats are explorers at heart, whether it’s climbing the tree in the back garden or wandering off to investigate another cat ’s territory. Unfortunately, this love of adventure can sometimes land them in trouble and you may find yourself in need of some cat first aid skills. At Purina, we’ve put together this guide of essential cat first aid tips so you can provide help straight away, giving you valuable time until you can get them to your vet. How to tell if a cat is in pain Cats are very secretive creatures and because of this we don’t always know if they’re in pain, so it can be hard to know when they need cat first aid. While it will largely depend on the specific illness or injury your pet has, a few of the most common cat illness or sickness symptoms they’ll display are as follows: • Hiding, such as in a dark place ortheir cat igloo • Rapid and shallow breathing • Growling, hissing or crying • Aggression both towards people and other pets in the home • Sleeping more often • Lack of appetite • Obsessive licking of a particular area • Lack of self-grooming • Reluctance to move or engage in cat or kitten play • Change in toileting • Limping or difficulty getting around Cat first aid When your cat is in pain or suffering, knowing how to react can often make a huge difference. You’ll need to try and keep a level head and take deep breaths and remain calm, as your cat will likely be stressed and scared. The last thing you’ll want to do in an emergency situation is to make it worse by panicking, as cats are masters of sensing how we’re feeling. The first thing you should do is contact your vet. By phoning them they’ll be able to prepare for your arrival, and if it’s an emergency they may try and talk you through some basic cat first aid via the phone too. Never give your cat medicines intended for human use as these may be poisonous and cause an adverse reaction.

Do kittens teeth? All kittens go through a teething process – it’s a natural part of growing up. But whilst some kittens deal with teething well, others may need a little reassurance from you. Whatever the case, rest assured that teething is completely normal. Keep reading to find out more about the process of kitten teething. When do kittens start teething? Just like humans, kittens do not have visible teeth when they are born. Your kitten’s 26 ‘baby teeth’ only start to appear at around three weeks of age. Once the baby teeth start to break through and pierce the gums you may start to see your kitten behaving differently – for example, they might begin to chew things. Don’t worry, this is completely normal. By about six weeks of age, most kittens will have grown all of their ‘milk teeth’ (or ‘baby teeth’). If your kitten hasn’t grown all of their teeth by this stage, don’t worry. Not all kittens’ teeth grow at the same rate. However, if there are a number of teeth missing once your kitten reaches nine or ten weeks, you may want to contact your vet to check everything is okay. At around six months of age, most cats should have lost their baby teeth to make way for their adult teeth. As the baby teeth are slowly replaced by 30 adult teeth, this is when the majority of kitten teething issues begin. The new teeth that are beginning to poke through will replace the baby teeth and will be the final set of teeth your cat will have, so it’s particularly important to take care of them. If you find your kitten’s baby teeth on the floor during this time, don't worry – kitten tooth loss is a natural part of the growing-up process. Kitten teething symptoms When your kitten is teething, they may be experiencing some discomfort. The most obvious signs of dental discomfort are: • Your cat has started to eat less. If they are chewing slower than usual, or more tentatively, it could be a sign their gums are hurting. It may be a good idea to pay a visit to your vet, just to be on the safe side, particularly if they also lose weight. • Urgency to chew. Another sign that your kitten is teething is excessive chewing. If your cat or kitten is chewing everything in sight including its bed, your furniture and its toys it may be a sign that teething has begun. • Inflamed or sore gums. As their adult teeth erupt, kittens may experience mild gingivitis, which can lead to inflamed gums and bad breath. If this is down to teeth erupting, it will usually resolve itself. • Other signs of dental discomfort are drooling, bleeding gums, and pawing at the mouth. These can also be signs of other dental conditions, so see a vet for a check-up. • Increased irritability. This is most likely due to sore gums and a sign that your kitten is teething.

Cat insurance can bring real peace of mind and help to take the worry out of a stressful situation. Choosing the right insurance for cats might seem like a big job, but we’re here to help! Our cats give us a huge amount of enjoyment, as well as being our steadfast companions. So, when they make us worry you want to have a good cat insurance policy in place to make sure they get all the help they need. After all, money is the last thing you want to think about if your cat is ill, lost or stolen. You could chat to your vet about the types of insurance for cats that your pet might benefit from, and we’ve made a list of some general things to help you out too. Knowing how to choose pet insurance can be a little tricky, but once it’s done nothing beats the peace of mind you get from knowing your cat is in good hands! The importance of cat insurance Medical care for cats is improving all the time. However, these treatments can be costly, and when added to the stress of your cat being under the weather, they can really put the pressure on. Getting the right insurance for cats can take some of the worry away, as you’ll know you’re financially covered. Even so, it’s important to know how to choose cat insurance that will fit your pet’s needs – which means reading the small print! What to look for in a cat or kitten insurance policy When looking for cat or kitten insurance, it’s a good idea to do your research on the companies that are offering the policies. In the unfortunate event that you do need to make a claim, a good company could make the experience far less stressful. You should firstly search for a good track record from your cat insurance company and look into how many other people have claimed and what their experiences were like. They should be easy to contact and offer a good, simple and straightforward service. Don’t forget to check opening times and if they have live chat, email or if all contact is via phone. Additionally, make sure that they’re happy to answer any questions and the people you talk to should be friendly and helpful. Remember that you might need to call them at a difficult time, so you need to feel like they are approachable. Things to bear in mind for your cat insurance policy You’ll probably end up looking at all kinds of policies – and it can be difficult to choose between them if they all start to look the same! To help you out, here are the main things you might want to consider when choosing insurance for cats. The cost of your policy While you want the best policy you can get when it comes to your feline friend, you must be able to afford the cat insurance cost. If the monthly premium is too high for your finances, you’ll just be giving yourself extra stress. How much excess will you have to pay for each claim? The excess is the amount of money you have to pay before the cat insurance company covers the remainder. If the excess is high, you’re less likely to claim for minor conditions – and this should be reflected in a lower monthly cost. Only you can weigh up the pros and cons, but make sure you think it’s fair. Does the cat insurance cover all the costs of your pet’s treatment? It’s also important to find out what areas of treatment will be included within the policy.

If you’ve noticed that your cat is having problems urinating, it may be down to feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This is a broad term that’s used to describe a number of urinary tract conditions that affect cats’ bladders and urethras. The most common condition results in inflammation of the bladder (cat cystitis) and, in male cats, similar symptoms accompanied with an obstruction of the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside). This condition, known as idiopathic cat cystitis, is unfortunately both common and complex and, as symptoms can be medical and/or behavioural, you won’t always know exactly what’s triggered it. Cats can get urinary problems which prevent the bladder from emptying properly and, when not treated quickly could cause a blockage of the urethra. These urinary problems are most commonly caused by feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Unlike the name suggests, FLUTD is not actually a specific type of disease, but an umbrella term for conditions that affect the urinary bladder and/or urethra in cats. Potential causes of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) There are numerous issues that may cause FLUTD, some of the most common causes are:

There is significant debate on whether we should feed our feline friends raw meat or not. We’ve put together a quick guide looking at the considerations and the risks of feeding your cat raw meat. Feeding a raw diet for cats is a controversial topic and there can be genuine health risks to you and your pet. If you decide to try raw-feeding, it is always best to discuss this with your vet first. They can give advice on responsible raw-feeding, making sure your cat receives a suitably balanced diet, and highlight some of the health and hygiene concerns that need addressing. What is a raw food diet for cats? Raw cat food refers to a diet that includes raw meat, sometimes containing raw offal and bone, in addition to other uncooked ingredients such as vegetables. A raw diet can be homemade or commercial, with the commercially available types being sub-divided into complete and complementary diets. A complete diet will contain the correct balance of nutrients that your pet needs in order to be fed solely on this food. However, a complementary food should be fed in combination with another diet, in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Homemade raw diets are not recommended as they can be very variable in terms of whether they adequately and consistently meet your pet’s nutritional requirements. This means they should only be fed under specialist guidance, and are likely to need additional supplementation to avoid deficiencies. There are purported benefits and drawbacks to a raw food diet for cats, which contribute to both sides of the debate on whether cats should eat raw meat. Here is what you need to know about raw cat food: Can cats eat raw chicken and other meats? There are food safety concerns to both pet and owner with feeding raw chicken, which will be discussed in more detail below. Supporters of raw diets for cats often mention that these diets allow the cat to consume food that is more similar to the diet of wild cats. After all, no one is cooking the rodent a wild cat just caught for dinner! It is important, though, to consider that our domesticated felines have come a long way since their ancestors, and that life expectancy of our pets is greater than wild cats.

Boasting shimmering coats which range in shade from silver to slate, it's clear that grey cats are simply stunning. Keep reading to find out about our top 7 grey cat breeds which are sure to steal your heart. Black, ginger, cream and brown - cats come in just about every shade imaginable. But there's just something extra special about grey cats, isn't there? Often referred to as 'blue cats' for the ethereal glow of their coat which contrasts with a vast spectrum of eye colours, these cats look nothing short of magical. If you love kitties with a coat of this enchanting hue, you may be wondering what grey cat breeds exist around the world. From far-flung places like Thailand and Russia to right here on our doorstep, discover our list of gorgeous grey cats, guaranteed to capture your heart.

Asking yourself ‘what do dogs eat’ for the picky eater who’s always turning their nose up when dinner is served? Or are you just looking to spoil your pooch with the most delicious canine meals ever? Here are some great food ideas for dogs. Does the way to a dog’s heart go through their stomach? If so, it’s sometimes difficult for owners to find the right path. Since we can’t ask our four-legged friends directly, we need another way to find out what dogs like to eat. Luckily, thanks to pet nutrition experts, we do have a good idea about the foods that a dog’s taste buds will love and their tummies will approve of. If you’re wondering what makes your pet’s tail wag in pure joy at dinner time, here is all you need to know about what their favourite meals are made of. Are dogs omnivores?

Tiny cats are completely adorable, probably because they remind us so much of kittens! Find out which cats always stay small and keep their kitten like personalities well into adulthood. No one can resist the big eyes and playful personality of an adorable kitten. They melt the hearts of anyone they come into contact with and are always guaranteed to put a smile on our faces. Sadly, the kitten period never lasts for long and while our adult cats are just as wonderful and cute, we often find ourselves missing the good old kitten days. If you want a teacup cat that stays small and playful forever, there are certain small cat breeds that keep their kitten-like appearance and attitude far into their adult years, so you can treasure the precious playful moments for longer. Small cat breeds It's quite hard to define specific small cat breeds, as even the larger breeds will sometimes have the odd small kitty, but there are some which are naturally smaller in stature. Here are our top 6 teacup cats that will always stay petite. 1. Singapura Known as one of the smallest cat breeds in the world, the Singapura is half the size of the average cat. Possessing a kitten size throughout their lives, their bodies are petite and delicate and they usually don't weigh more than 5 pounds (yep, you heard that right!). But don't let their tiny stature fool you, Singapura cats are incredibly agile and make fantastic climbers! Plus, they're the perfect companion if you want a cuddly kitty, as they love nothing more than snuggling on your lap and having a good pet. 2. Munchkin Named after the magical folk in The Wizard of Oz, the Munchkin is possibly one of the most famous small cat breeds. Their tiny size is due to a gene mutation that means that they have little dumpy legs that are much shorter than normal. While their bodies are only slightly smaller than average, their shoulders are very low to the ground, which is why they have such an adorable pottering gait. These small cat breeds may not be able to jump as high or far as the average cat, but they're very fast and active, so be prepared for plenty of kitten-like good fun in your home. Fun fact: The shortest ever munchkin was only 5.25 inches from paw to shoulder! 3. American Curl The American Curl comes in a wide range of sizes due to its diverse gene pool, however most tend to be quite petite. Their most famous characteristic is their ears which curl backwards toward the base of their skull, hence the name. Because of the curl to their ears, they require a little extra cleaning than other cats, but other than that they're a pretty low maintenance breed. This teacup cat breed is perfect if you want an affectionate cat as they have people loving personalities and incredibly playful attitudes, making them ideal for families. Fun fact: American Curls are not actually born with their unique ear shape. At birth, their ears are straight and begin to curl back within 2 to 10 days. 4. Cornish Rex The Cornish Rex is a small cat most commonly identified by its unusually curly coat. Possessing only down hair which is super soft to the touch, they're also a hypoallergenic cat breed as they don't shed very much. Where their bodies may look lithe, they tend to only weigh around 8 pounds and keep their adorable kitten like appearance and attitude forever. Fun fact: You'll have to be sure to keep the snacks locked up with this small cat breed as they have long, agile toes which are excellent at opening cabinets and doors. 5. Devon Rex