Blue Cross blog
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Our blog is written by our team of experts who are here to help you with your pet problems. They have extensive experience in veterinary care, animal behaviour and horse welfare.
You can browse the blog below or search for specific topics, like health or behaviour, in the search box.
Microchipping pets - your questions answeredPosted on 11 Jun 2013Thousands of animals go missing every year and sadly many of them never find their way home. But microchipping can help to keep your pet safe, as Blue Cross Editor Natasha Kleanthous reveals… Here at Blue Cross we take in hundreds of... 
Preparing for the summer holidays – advice for cat and dog owners Posted on 10 Jun 2013With the warm weather finally here, it’s a great time to dream of summer and plan for our holidays. And advance planning is essential for pet owners as Caroline Reay, Blue Cross Chief Vet, and Becky Dawe, Night Nurse, reveal here&hell... 
What to do if you've found a stray dogPosted on 29 May 2013If you've found a stray dog and you're not sure what to do, Blue Cross has some advice to help...
If you’ve found a stray dog, check to see if they’re wearing a tag with the owner’s details on. If they are, and you’... 
What flowers and plants are poisonous to pets? Posted on 24 May 2013Flowers and plants look gorgeous and brighten up our gardens but behind the pretty blooms can lie dangers to our pets. Read our advice to find out which ones are toxic for animals…
The most common toxic plants are lilies which... 
Why greyhounds and lurchers can make the best family pets Posted on 21 May 2013
Last year Blue Cross took in 126 unwanted and abandoned lurchers and 26 greyhounds – and sadly these dogs often take longer to rehome because people just don’t see them as family pets. But they can actually make the perf... 
What is pyometra and how can you prevent it? Posted on 10 May 2013
Blue Cross is warning pet owners about the dangers of pyometra after treating five seriously ill pets in just one weekend. Find out more about this condition here…
Pyometra is a very serious infection of the womb which... 
What to do if you’ve lost your dog Posted on 25 Apr 2013
Losing your dog can be very traumatic but it’s important to gather your thoughts and start thinking about the practical things you can do as soon as possible. Blue Cross Editor Natasha Kleanthous has put together some tips for... 
Top tips for running with your dog Posted on 22 Apr 2013
Running with your dog can be great fun and it’s fabulous exercise for both of you. Read Blue Cross's top tips to find out more and help you get started…
For most of us, finding the motivation to actually put thos... 
Why do vets carry out blood tests on pets? Posted on 19 Apr 2013
Caroline Reay, Chief Vet of the Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton, discusses the importance of blood tests for diagnosing problems with pets…
Everybody knows that medics take blood tests but the reasons are often a myster... 
How Behaviour Adjustment Training helped dog Ollie and his ownerPosted on 12 Apr 2013Melissa Fletcher loved her Blue Cross dog Ollie but going out on walks left them both feeling upset and frustrated, as she tells editor Natasha Kleanthous...
Walking the dog is supposed to be a fun and relaxing way to spend tim... 
Thumbs up for deaf dog MayPosted on 03 Apr 2013Deaf dogs can often end up unwanted because they’re seen as damaged goods, but they are just as trainable – and lovable – as any other dog.
Little lurcher puppy May was found tied to a tree outside a Blue Cross rehoming c... 
Stray dog Simba’s journey to happinessPosted on 26 Mar 2013Simba was found living as a stray on the streets of Ireland when he was just a puppy. Now, two years after Blue Cross took him in and found him a home, we caught up with Simba and his family to see how he’s getting on…
W... 
The future’s bright for Bobby Posted on 25 Mar 2013Bobby was a tiny puppy when he became homeless and was forced to fend for himself, but just look at him now...
When we first met Bobby he was a bewildered little puppy who had been found living on the streets of Ireland when he was o... 
Is your garden pet friendly? Posted on 20 Mar 2013Caroline Reay, chief vet at the Blue Cross Merton animal hospital, has some tips to transform your garden into a natural playground for your pets…
Pets can be a challenge for keen gardeners but there are great opportunities to... 
Blue Cross pug Dave finds a new family – and an unexpected friend Posted on 19 Mar 2013As soon as Kimberley saw Dave the pug’s profile on the Blue Cross website, she was smitten. She tells editor Natasha Kleanthous how the newest member of the family is settling in and about his unlikely “bromance” with Tazz... 
Why is your dog itchy? Posted on 18 Mar 2013
If your dog seems to be scratching a lot, there could be a few causes, as Caroline Reay, Blue Cross chief vet, discusses…
While mange may worry owners, the commonest cause of itchy or sore skin in dogs and cats is fleas, oft... Keep your dog safe from thieves Posted on 12 Mar 2013To mark Pet Theft Awareness Week, Blue Cross has put together some advice to help dog owners keep their pets safe…
Despite the ever increasing number of pets going missing, many dogs are still left tied up outside shops or al... 
Giving something back - from vet client to volunteerPosted on 11 Mar 2013When Kathryn’s family were in financial difficulty, Blue Cross gave their poorly dog Smudge the veterinary treatment he needed. Inspired by our support in her time of need, Kathryn has now found a way of saying thank you, as she tells... 
What to look out for when getting a new puppy Posted on 07 Mar 2013If you’re thinking about getting a new puppy, it’s important that you do your research and ask lots of questions to make sure that you’re taking on a happy, healthy new pet. Blue Cross has put together a checklist to help&... 
Harvey Nichols The New Breed ad campaign is fun – but behind it lies the harsh reality of the growing number of unwanted and abandoned ‘fashion’ dogs Posted on 07 Mar 2013
The new Harvey Nichols advertising campaign pokes fun at the cliché of the traditional “handbag dog” but is it reinforcing the image that dogs are simply fashion accessories? Mandy Jones, Blue Cross head of rehoming, re... Blue Cross guide to choosing the right dog breedPosted on 04 Mar 2013There are hundreds of breeds of dog in the world and our four-legged friends come in all shapes and sizes. And, like humans, they’re all different. We have useful advice to help you choose the right breed of dog to suit you and your l... 
‘Millie brought happiness back into my life’Posted on 01 Mar 2013
A year to the day that Susan Fitzmaurice’s husband died in a plane crash, she welcomed a new guest into her home – 10-year-old mongrel Millie. She tells Blue Cross editor Natasha Kleanthous how the Blue Cross r... Why you should always read the instructions on your pet’s medicinePosted on 25 Feb 2013
People never read instructions. But “always read the small print” really matters when it comes to medicines, as Caroline Reay, Blue Cross chief vet, reveals…
Check the label
Start with basics. Medic... 
Is it time you taught your pet a new “trick”? Posted on 18 Feb 2013
We often see animals that have done amazing things in the media, but your pet could be just as capable if they put their mind to it, as Caroline Reay, Blue Cross chief vet, reveals…
Animals are born survivors, equippe... 
How to stop dogs from licking their wounds Posted on 04 Feb 2013The discovery years ago that dog saliva had limited antibacterial properties has transformed into a myth that licking is “good” for wounds. Since then, vets have battled to convince owners that licking is likely to harm wounds r...