WITH millions of Brits heading off on holiday this month, it's not just owners preparing for a change in routine. Whether dogs are staying with family, friends, a pet sitter or in kennels, time apart from their owners and unfamiliar surroundings can leave some feeling anxious or unsettled. Dogs Trust's National Dog Survey found that separation anxiety is one of the most commonly reported behavioural issues among UK dogs, highlighting the importance of helping them prepare

FOR Seoul's street cats, the loss of an alley can quickly become a health crisis. Julie Choi, of YongsanCats, explains why rescue must connect fieldwork, veterinary care, foster recovery and adoption - and why the clinic is the middle of that journey, not the end.

A NEWLY opened independent veterinary practice near Newcastle is reporting that the North East is the UK’s Cockapoo capital after an unusually high number of the crossbreed were among its first wave of clients. Harrison Family Vets opened its latest practice in Callerton following a £400,000 investment that has initially created six new jobs.

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.

PARK LiFE Pet has launched human-quality crisps made exclusively for dogs. The business, founded by Dragons’ Den hopeful Richard Marles and his wife Libby, has unveiled Dog Friendly Crisps - a roast chicken-flavoured, grain-free snack made from sliced potatoes, hand-cooked in small batches using traditional methods. They contain no added salt, sugar, lactose, or artificial additives.

INDEPENDENT pet retailer Empawrium has announced a major expansion which will include dog day care, soft play and veterinary services. The development will more than quadruple the size of the firm's footprint at its existing site in Alva, Scotland. After recently entering its second year of trading, Empawrium has secured the neighbouring, adjoining unit at its premises.

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.

A FORMER veterinary nurse whose pet dog Hope was trained by the Support Dogs charity to help her live independently for the first time is now aiming for a master's degree. Ruby Trueman, from Saltaire, Bradford, is preparing for the next stage of her life, safe in the knowledge that her four-year-old chocolate Labrador can assist with day-to-day tasks. And the 23-year-old hopes to one day achieve her ambition of helping people with disabilities live a fulfilling life with the

THE Natural Dog Expo has announced it is hosting the first-ever awards dedicated exclusively to the 'raw and fresh' pet food industry. The event will take place on May 1, 2027, at the St John’s Hotel, Solihull. Created to recognise innovation, excellence, and leadership across the fastest growing pet food sector, the awards will shine a spotlight on the brands, businesses, and individuals driving the future of natural pet nutrition.

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.

DOG owners are being urged to take extra care when walking their dogs, after a vet’s own pet suffered severe internal injuries whilst running into a stick from a broken branch in the woods. Caroline Collins, a veterinary surgeon and director at Pennard Vets in Kent, shared her experience to highlight the potentially life-threatening risks of stick-related injuries. Her dog, cocker spaniel Daniel, was injured having run into a stick whilst on a walk.

HOUND-racing is one of Cumbria’s oldest sports, passed down through the generations, and on weekends and some weekdays you may come across the spectacle of men and women standing in a field with binoculars in hand, shouting and cheering, calling out names, banging dog bowls and blowing whistles to encourage their hounds as they fly across fells to the finishing line. The hounds follow a paraffin and aniseed trail for a distance of five or 10 miles.

BEARDED dragons are among the most popular pet reptiles in the UK, and for good reason. Their inquisitive nature, manageable size, and generally tolerant temperament make them appealing to both first-time reptile keepers and experienced enthusiasts. However, despite their reputation as “easy” pets, bearded dragons have very specific environmental, nutritional, and behavioural requirements. When these needs are not met consistently, chronic health problems can develop.

A NEW study has revealed that microplastics were found in more than three-quarters of pet food products tested. The discovery has revealed a hidden source of plastic pollution that could be affecting pets, including cats and dogs, and wild animals such as hedgehogs. The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Sussex and the University of Exeter, supported by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS).

VETS are urging dog owners to watch for the signs of painful skin infections known as hot spots which can develop and spread in less than 24 hours during warmer weather. Medically known as acute bacterial skin infections, hot sports appear as red, inflamed and often moist patches of skin that can rapidly worsen if left untreated. While they can occur at any time of year, the combination of heat and moisture during the summer months creates the perfect environment for bacteri

THE UK’s only event dedicated to guinea pig welfare will return this September, bringing together veterinary professionals, rescues, welfare organisations and researchers for a full day of expert-led discussion and collaboration. The Guinea Pig Welfare Forum 2026, co-hosted by Burgess Excel and the charity Guinea Pig Welfare UK, will take place on Tuesday, September 22 at the Crowne Plaza, in Birmingham city centre.

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 RECIPE book has been released to give rabbit owners tips on how to provide their bunnies with nutritious food. The book, called 20 Recipes for 20 Years, forms part of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. This year's RAW theme is 'Feeding Bunnies Better' and the recipes focus on enrichment, variety and a balanced, hay-first approach to feeding.

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.