PET Blood Bank UK has received official approval from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to launch the UK’s first national cat blood donation service. Its creation marks a significant milestone for the millions of cats across the UK who may one day need a lifesaving blood transfusion. Until now, access to cat blood products has been extremely limited, leaving vets facing a difficult situation when a cat urgently needs a transfusion.

WHEN you walk into most pet retailers you'll find catnip products shelved together with no distinction between them. Standard grade, therapeutic grade, catnip-only, catnip-silvervine blends - all presented as broadly equivalent but they're not. Understanding why matters both for the professionals recommending these products, us as consumers and for the cats they're intended to help.

NUTRAVET has launched an innovative liquid nutritional supplement formulated to help support pets during periods of recovery. Nutravive is a highly palatable liquid designed to support hydration and wellbeing in dogs and cats during illness, post-operative recovery, or periods of reduced appetite.

MANY successful businesses start with a problem that needs solving. For entrepreneur Abi Purser, that problem was a pretty personal one. Back in 2010, Abi was searching for high-quality care for her cat, Norman, but could not find a cattery that offered the comfort, attention and calm environment she was looking for. Traditional boarding facilities often felt clinical and overlooked cats' emotional wellbeing, so she decided to create Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel.

A NEW study has found that animal charities remain a hit with the public while also highlighting some of the issues the sector faces. Specialist market research company Vision One Research surveyed 3,000 people across the UK as it created its Charity Brand Barometer. By looking at charity brand equity, brand strength and brand momentum, it is designed to provide an independent measure of how charity brands are perceived by the UK public.

AN AWARENESS campaign has been launched to highlight the dangers of accidental topical hormone exposure. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) says the naturally curious and affectionate nature of pets makes it easy to transfer hormones from owner to animal. Evidence suggests that animals may absorb oestrogen or testosterone by coming into contact with areas of human skin where hormone gels and creams have been applied.

AWARD-winning children’s poet James Carter has released a new book which explores the domestication of animals. The latest in a series of poetry picture books about the natural world, the new work's fun and factual rhymes are illustrated by James Munro. From caveman with wolves, Egyptians and their cats to farming animals, and even animal deities, Us and Them explores how our relationship with many different creatures across the world changed from around 40,000 years ago.

IN the narrow backstreets of Hoi An, away from the UNESCO World Heritage yellow-walled tourist centre, sits a quiet home that houses 112 cats. This is the headquarters of Vietnam Cat Welfare (VCW), a UK registered charity that operates Jack’s Cat Cafe. It is not a typical 'cat cafe' designed for human entertainment; it is a working sanctuary for animals that have often faced hardship on the local streets.

A LEADING pet health company has unveiled its new and consolidated range of digestive products. Nutravet has brought together all its digestive-focused goods - designed to deliver complete 360° gut health support for cats and dogs - under the Nutrabio brand name. The new range reflects the firm's continued commitment to advancing pet health through science-led nutrition and targeted supplementation.

A RANGE of soft cat toys filled with organic catnip is challenging throw-away culture with its signature Royal Collection. The Catnip Queen, a UK-based family business, says the line is designed to be durable and sustainable. Among the toys available are The Count’s Moustache, Royal Catch and Royal Clutch, which combine purple and gold colours to symbolise royalty.

BRITAIN'S outdoor cats are travelling the equivalent of going to the moon and back twice every single day, researchers say. With more people returning to the office after the pandemic, attention has shifted to what their cats get up to when they are not around. Kippy, the worldwide GPS collar brand, says that new data shows the UK’s outdoor cats are collectively travelling 1.3 million kilometres every day - the same as circling the earth 32 times or travelling to the moon and

THE charity behind an eye-catching display at Tower Bridge in London says thousands of dogs and cats are being needlessly separated from their owners every year. Woodgreen Pets Charity, known for matching people and rescue dogs on Channel 4's The Dog House, created a colourful sea of balls, ropes, and plush toys earlier this month. Research from The Association for Dogs and Cats Homes states 47,437 dogs and cats were relinquished by owners in 2024.

A STUDY has revealed the most expensive cats and dogs to own in the UK. Credit card company Aqua analysed costs associated with the 10 most popular breeds. More than half of all UK households own a pet but also face a long term financial commitment, something that is harder to meet in a cost-of-living crisis. Aqua examined purchase prices alongside ongoing expenses such as insurance, vaccinations, grooming, and food.

NUTRAVET, a leading provider of veterinary strength health products, has launched its latest innovation for animal dental care. Nutraplaque purée for cats is designed to support daily oral hygiene by helping to reduce and control plaque, soften and control tartar, and freshen breath. February is Pet Dental Health Month, an annual reminder of the importance of oral care for animals at every stage of life.

PIONEERING technology from animal diagnostics leader MI:RNA can detect disease before clinical signs appear, providing pet owners and farmers with early health insights while also guiding veterinary conversations and care. GONE are the days when wait and see was an acceptable strategy for our pets' health. In 2026, a more proactive approach is being taken. We are entering an era where advanced diagnostic science has the potential to move into our homes with the support of c

LITPET, a multi award-winning UK-based company, has launched its range of supplements based on herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine in a new paste format. LitPet's new Meaty Mix is a series of functional nutritional pastes for cats and dogs, designed as daily supplements to target specific wellness needs.

THE good people of Kotor, Montenegro, on the Adriatic Coast, think the best thing that ever happened to the town was when cats decided to jump ship and make the medieval town their own. WHEN the cats abandoned their shipboard duties of keeping mice and rats away from the food stores and snuck ashore more than a century ago, they quickly adjusted to life on land and set about dispatching Kotor’s rodent population.

Dr Franscisco Gomez explains why he wrote The Pet Eye Guide.

THE scale of pet homelessness has risen to worrying new heights in the last five years. The data highlights a growing number of pets being surrendered, as the cost-of-living crisis pushes more UK families to make painful choices. Now, to help tackle the growing issue, Blue Cross has launched its Christmas appeal.

THE owner of Sausage Dog Box has launched a new company called BreedFit by Surgery Suit, which creates post op recovery wear and compatible absorbent pads for pets in tailored breed-specific sizing. The innovative GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX Bamboo recovery garments are non-toxic and hypoallergenic to cater for pets with sensitive skin.