From sizzling bacon in the morning to lunch-time sausages and aromatic pork ribs for dinner, there are so many opportunities for dogs to get excited when pork is on the family menu. But should pork be added to your dog’s menu too?

Addison’s disease in dogs is a disorder which is caused by insufficient levels of hormones produced by the adrenal glands. It’s named after Thomas Addison, the British scientist who first discovered the disease. We’ve put together this guide to tell you all you need to know about Addison’s in dogs, including the symptoms and treatment options currently available – keep reading to find out more.

Going on holiday, but planning on leaving your canine companion behind? Planning holidays are very different for pet owners. Before you can even start thinking about sandy beaches and sunny skies, you need to make sure your dog will be safe and happy while you’re away. That’s why knowing the ins and outs of pet sitting, doggy day care, and kennels, so you can find that perfect boarding facility for your dog, is so important. It can be a daunting thought to consider leaving your best friend in a place they don’t know, away from their family and familiar surroundings but before you think ‘there goes my relaxing holiday’, it’s good to remember that there are a few tried-and-tested ways to take the stress out of the boarding process. Here’s what you need to know about dog boarding so that both you and your four-legged family member can have a good time, even though you’re spending it apart. Top tips for choosing the right boarding kennel for your dog

Paralysed dogs often take a lot of special care to ensure they can continue living their lives happily and healthily. That’s why the experts at Purina have created this article to tell you everything you need to know about looking after them, as well as dog wheelchair advice for helping those with hind leg paralysis get back on their feet. Although sometimes the only option for your dog is an upsetting one, in other cases rehabilitation can take place. Dog paralysis is an inability to use one or more limbs, usually due to a spinal cord injury. This can of course be distressing for you, and you may have to make difficult decisions. Your dog’s treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause of their paralysis and the limbs affected, and your vet will advise you on the chances that your dog will regain use of their limbs again. Looking after a paralysed dog is a big commitment and can at times be difficult. If you work long hours or have a busy family life, you may not be able to provide enough care. Rehabilitation centres are available in some areas; here, your dog will be looked after until they are well enough to be cared for at home. Larger veterinary practises, too, might hospitalise dogs for longer periods.  

The fact that you love your dog and want to do your best for them isn’t in question, but do we really understand what our dogs need in order to thrive? Looking after our beloved dogs comes natural. We give them a shelter, food, water and countless cuddles. But is this enough? It turns out dog's needs are just as complex as ours. Luckily, there is a handy visual tool you can use to make sure you take all your pet's needs into consideration for a happy, healthy and fulfilled life together. Linda Michaels (MA)adapted Maslow’s hierarchy to create thedog'sversion of the hierarchy of needs. This helps explain what your dogs need from you and, importantly, what you need to prioritise in order to give your dog the life they deserve when they join your family. Like us, our dogs thrive in a safe environment. This model is built on the premise that kindness is the foundation for all of your interactions with your dog and at the heart of all of the decisions you make for your dog. Before you start to think about training cues, you have to have created an environment in which your dog is able to learn; that environment starts with the basics. Here are your dog's different levels of needs you need to take into consideration.

There is no denying that one of your dog’s most defining traits is their loyalty. This loyalty can be overwhelming and humbling, and has often been cited as an example of what human beings can learn from dogs. But life lessons aside, where does your dog’s loyalty come from? Yes, you feed them and play with them and have your own deep sense of love for them, but does that fully explain the depth of emotion they hold for you? In this article, we explore loyal dogs, why dogs are loyal and when that loyalty may need to be contained.

Dog target training may not be something that you’ve thought about when thinking about training your dog, but there are some great benefits to adding this to your dog’s training repertoire.  It is the starting point for all kinds of cool tricks – and it also has some really useful applications for improving behaviours such as walking on a loose lead, recall, and focus. It can also give your dog something easy to do to distract them from other things that may be going on around them. Target stick dog training is a great technique to teach your dog, but what exactly is it and how do you begin to train your dog with this method? In this article, we explore all the questions you may have about target training and the benefits.  

Welcoming the pitter-patter of tiny paws into your home is an exciting time for you and your dog. Find out how to spot the signs of a pregnant dog and how long dogs are pregnant for here. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning your dog’s pregnancy or you think your dog is already expecting, the Purina Pet Care team will guide you through the signs and tell you all about the dog gestation period. Being prepared will help to make your dog’s pregnancy as simple and stress-free as possible for her – and you.

When your dog is happy, you’re happy – and when your pet is pregnant, making sure they'reas healthy and comfortable as possible is even more important, both for the mum-to-beand for the new arrivals! There are several things that you can do to ease the strain of having little bundles of joy, and ensure that everything goes smoothly. It’s an exciting time! During pregnancy, your dog will need your love and attention more than ever. Remember, as theirbody change, you will have to change the way you care for your dogin a few simple ways to make sure that they have everything theyneeds.

Can all dogs swim? While a lot of dogs have the ability to paddle in water, not all dogs can swim proficiently. There are, of course, dogs that take to the water like ducks and enjoy splashing around, but there also those who feel scared and do not know how to stay afloat. But don’t worry – all dogs can learn to swim. In this article, we will explore how to teach your dog how to swim – and if you should!