Blog
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How to Tell Your Cat’s Sex: Simple Tips Worth Knowing
Working out whether you have a tom or a queen can be tricky, especially with kittens. We explain which anatomical features to look for, how the behaviour of males and females differs, whether a tortoiseshell coat really does mean a female, and the best age to check.
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What Is a Hot Spot in Dogs? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Hot spots appear out of nowhere and can turn into a painful, weeping sore within hours. We explain how to spot the earliest signs, what triggers this skin inflammation, what you can do at home before your appointment, and which steps help keep it from coming back.
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How to House Train Your Dog Effectively
House training is one of the first and most important steps in raising a dog. We explain how to start from day one, how to use puppy pads, how to make the move to outdoor walks, how to train an adult dog, and when toileting problems may actually be a sign of illness.
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Pregnancy in Dogs: How to Give the Mother-to-Be and Her Puppies the Best Care
A dog's pregnancy lasts around two months and calls for special attention from the owner. The Zviropolis team explains how to recognise pregnancy, which tests are needed, how to adjust feeding, how to prepare for whelping and when to call the vet without delay.
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Fruit Traps: Which Treats Are Safe for Your Dog?
Fruit can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet, but not every kind is safe. We explain which fruits you can share with your pet without worry, which ones can cause poisoning or kidney damage, and how to introduce fruit into the diet the right way.
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A cat’s meow: what it means and how to understand cat language
Adult cats hardly ever meow at each other — the sound is meant for people. We look at what different meows, purrs, hisses and trills are saying, which changes in a cat's voice are a warning sign, and how a vet tracks down the cause of excessive meowing.
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Do cats really not show love, or do we simply misread their signals?
Cats grow just as attached to their people as dogs do — they are simply far quieter about it. We explain why they can seem so reserved, how to recognise the signs of feline affection, how best to respond to them, and why a cat's trust is so easily lost.
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Do spaying and neutering really make animals live longer?
Spaying and neutering protect against mammary tumours, pyometra and prostate disease, and reduce aggression and roaming. We look at the risks these procedures lower, what the research says about operating early, and how they help tackle animal homelessness.
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Don’t stroke me! Why do some cats hate being touched?
Not every cat enjoys being stroked, and there are several reasons why: temperament and breed, past trauma, hypersensitive skin or simple sensory overload. We explain how to read the "leave me alone" signals and how to get a cat used to touch, patiently.
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Dogs and vegetarianism: can you switch them to plant-based food without harming their health?
Dogs are omnivores, so a plant-based diet is possible in theory — but there are important caveats. We explain how canine digestion really works, what a vegetarian diet offers and what it risks, when it is not advisable at all, and how to make the switch safely.
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Do dogs dream? And do they dream about their owners?
Dogs go through REM sleep just as we do, and that is when they dream. We look at why good sleep matters so much for a dog, why you should not wake a pet that is twitching its paws, what dogs may be dreaming about, and how to tell ordinary sleep from signs that call for a vet.
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Stimulating Your Dog’s Sense of Smell: Creative Games and Home-Made Solutions!
Scent is a dog's primary way of exploring the world, so games that involve sniffing out treats can be just as rewarding as a walk. We explain why scent games are good for a dog's mind and body, what a snuffle mat is and which types exist, and how to set up scent games at home using everyday items.
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