In the last of a three-part series, writer and pet-lover Julian Hall looks at the history of rabbits…
Used as a source of food for many centuries, rabbits took a lot longer than cats and dogs to become a popular choice of domestic pets. However, they have more than made up for this awkward start and have bounded into our affections in a very real way.
“Just look at him – he understands every word we’re saying!” It’s a boast we often hear from doting dog owners, but how much do our canine companions and their feline friends really comprehend?
Scientists have been studying pets’ language learning ability for decades, with some remarkable discoveries.
‘Puppy parent’ Grace Brandon shares the latest achievements of her trainee assistance dog, Bunker. The two have been paired up by Hounds for Heroes, a charity that trains dogs to assist former emergency service and armed forces employees who’ve been injured in the line of duty. Petplan continues to follow their story.
Bunker is now 13 months old and is growing into a very handsome boy!
Ever wondered how dogs moved out of the cold and into our homes and hearts? Writer and pet-lover Julian Hall examines the evidence in this second instalment of Petplan’s series on the history of pets.
For tens of thousands of years, dogs and people have lived side-by-side. But according to some scientists it’s our canine friends that domesticated us rather than the other way around.
When rescue dog Haatchi came into Owen Howkins’ life, no one could have predicted the remarkable boost it would bring the pair, discovers Kath Stathers for Petplan.
Facebook can claim a hand in many relationships, but who would have thought it would bring together an exuberant, three-legged Anatolian Shepherd puppy and a little boy from Basingstoke?
Ever wondered how cats, dogs and rabbits came to share our homes and gardens? In the first of a three-part series for Petplan, writer and pet-lover Julian Hall looks at the history of cats…
If you sometimes marvel at how far your cat roams from home, then you’ll be amazed at how far our treasured pusses (or ‘felis catus’ to be precise) have travelled in terms of their evolution.
When it comes to hygiene, pet owners are a varied bunch – from the relaxed cat-lover who happily permits everything from counter-surfing to face-licking, to the anxious dog owner who won’t allow their companion upstairs and insists on post-fuss hand-washing. But who’s right? Here, Sophie Mackenzie looks at the science behind pets and hygiene, and persuades some brave pet owners to reveal their breaches of best practice.
It’s well known that people with pets, on the whole, are healthier and live longer than those without. This is partly because of the stress-busting effect our companion animals have, but also because exposure to them boosts immunity, especially in children. So at what point does close proximity to pets stop being beneficial and start being a bit unsanitary, or even dangerous?
Does snuggling up with your pet help you both to get a good night’s sleep, or is letting your companion into bed strictly off limits?
From pusses on pillows to dogs under duvets, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
The answer is yes, providing you take the right precautions. Kim Sullivan talks to one man who says his bunnies are a delight to have in the house.
‘There is nothing nicer than coming home to find your two rabbits lying on the carpet looking completely content,’ says Alan Wilson, who has shared his home with his pet bunnies for 10 years. ‘They surprise us every day with their cute antics.’
Rachael Garside investigates whether nature or nurture has the greater influence on our companions’ behaviour.
Mike Mullan is used to seeing people cross the street to avoid him when he’s out walking his dogs. He’s the proud owner of two impressive Rottweilers, Lazer and Ross, but admits that he gets frustrated when people assume his pets are aggressive and unpredictable.
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