In short, yes, dogs can be stung by nettles. You might think they've got full protection from their furry coat, but this only provides a little shielding. Read on to find out more about nettles and your dog.

Can a dog be stung by nettles?

Neurological signs following suspected exposure to stinging nettles in two dogs

A common canine behaviour, sniffing butts is natural and normal and pretty much ever dog does it. Read on to find out the reasons why dogs sniff each other's butts.

Why do dogs sniff each other's butts?

Dogs have various body language signals to show how they're feeling, but do our dogs smile like humans do? Let's find out.

Do dogs smile?

Dog-laughter: Recorded playback reduces stress related behaviour in shelter dogs

A simple reason for a big difference: wolves do not look back at humans, but dogs do

We've all seen a dog with a case of the "zoomies", but what are they and why do dogs get the zoomies? Read on to find out.

Why do dogs get the zoomies?

How your dog sleeps can tell you a lot about how they're feeling both physically and mentally. Read on to find out more about what your dog's sleeping positions mean.

What do my dog’s sleeping positions mean?

As New Year's Eve approaches, we've got all of our top tips and a detailed guide to helping your dog feel safe and calm during firework season.

How to help your dog deal with fireworks

 Not a one-way road—Severity, progression and prevention of firework fears in dogs

Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs 

Christmas isn't always the most wonderful time of the year for dogs. Keep reading to find out all our top tips to keep your dog safe and stress-free this festive period.

How to keep your dog safe and stress-free at Christmas

Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs

Toy dog breeds make the perfect pets, and here we've compiled a list of toy dog breeds we think would make great four-legged friends. Keep reading to find out all about these pocket-sized pooches.

All about toy dog breeds

Here we talk about all the foods you can feed your dog over Christmas, so read on to find out more about how to treat your dog this Christmas.

What Christmas foods can dogs eat?

Loads of the delicious food we eat at Christmas can be dangerous for dogs, so read on to find out the Christmas foods you should never feed your dog.

Christmas foods you should never feed your dog

How often you feed your dog depends on their size, age and health, it'll differ for every dog. Read on to find out our tips for feeding your dog, how often you should you feed your dog and why.

How often should I feed my dog?

Dogs sigh for many reasons, contentment, relaxation, stress release and even because they're feeling poorly. Read on to find out all about why dogs sigh.

Why do dogs sigh?

Dental care is key to protecting your dog's oral hygiene and preventing issues like gum disease. Read on to find out how to clean your dog's teeth to keep them squeaky clean.

How to clean your dog’s teeth

Dental home care in dogs - a questionnaire study among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses

Oral health benefits of a daily dental chew in dogs

Your dog's temperature should be between 38.3℃ to 39.2℃, even a small rise or drop in this can be serious. Read on to find out more about keeping your dog's body temperature stable.

What should a dog's temperature be?

Dogs lick us to show affection, respect and care, along with many other things. Canine behaviour can be strange, so read on to find out all the reasons why dogs lick our feet.

Why do dogs lick feet?

Bringing a new dog into your house to meet your current dog can be tricky. We’re here to give you all our top tips for introducing a new dog to your current dog so you can nail those first impressions and help them build that lifelong friendship.

How to introduce another dog to your current dog

Just like people, sneezing is perfectly normal canine behaviour. Your dog could be sneezing because of allergies, an irritant or even because of what breed they are. Read on to find out why your dog is sneezing.

Why is my dog sneezing?

If you want to let your dog off the lead to give them some freedom, recall is a fundamental skill to teach. Read on to learn our step-by-step guide for teaching your dog to come back when called.

How to teach your dog recall

We yawn when we're tired or bored, so do our dogs yawn for the same reasons? Let's explore all the theories behind your dog's body language and see why your dog is yawning.

Why do dogs yawn?

Contagious yawning in domestic dog puppies (Canis lupus familiaris): the effect of ontogeny and emotional closeness on low-level imitation in dogs

Familiarity Bias and Physiological Responses in Contagious Yawning by Dogs Support Link to Empathy

Dogs teach us care, compassion and commitment, giving many people an idea of what life would be like with a human child. Read on to find out how to prepare yourself and your dog when you're expecting and how best to introduce your dog to your baby.

How to introduce your dog to your baby

Cat and Dog Ownership in Early Life and Infant Development: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Japan Environment and Children's Study

Everyone wants their dog to live a long, happy life, which can be done through a combination of nutritious, healthy food, annual check-ups at the vet and the right amount of exercise. But how much is the right amount of exercise for our dogs? Read on to find out more.

How much exercise does my dog need?

Separation anxiety is the negative behaviour your dog exhibits when you’re not there, and it’s a very serious condition that causes your dog a lot of distress. Read on to find out the definition of separation anxiety, why it happens, how to spot it and how to stop it.

What to do to solve your dog's separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in dogs: What progress has been made in our understanding of the most common behavioral problems in dogs?

The efficacy of systematic desensitisation for treating the separation-related problem behaviour of domestic dogs 

Risk factors and behaviours associated with separation anxiety in dogs

Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioural variation in canine anxiety

Early life experiences and exercise associate with canine anxieties

Developing diagnostic frameworks in veterinary behavioural medicine: Disambiguating separation related behaviour in dogs

Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management 

Dogs use their mouths to explore the world, but have you ever wondered how many teeth dogs have, what they're all used for and what to expect with those tiny new puppy teeth. Read on to find out everything you need to know about your dog's teeth.

How many teeth do dogs have?

We all love dogs, they’re silly, adorable, and a whole lot of fun. But it’s no secret that they get up to some pretty revolting stuff. Why do dogs eat poo, is it harmful and how do we stop the disgusting habit?

Why do dogs eat poo?

Pilot study to identify risk factors for coprophagic behaviour in dogs PDF

The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy

In the canine world, it’s the standard advice to not bother a dog while they’re eating. Dogs can get protective over their food, toys and even their bed, this is called resource guarding. Read on to find out more about resource guarding and how to stop it.

Resource guarding

Factors associated with canine resource guarding behaviour in the presence of people: A cross-sectional survey of dog owners 

Characteristics and Adoption Success of Shelter Dogs Assessed as Resource Guarders

Defining and Clarifying the Terms Canine Possessive Aggression and Resource Guarding: A Study of Expert Opinion

Resource guarding 

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re being watched? Dogs stare, a lot, and you've probably wondered why. There are a few reasons why your dog might be staring at you, but it all boils down to it being a form of communication. Read on to find out.

Why does my dog stare at me?

Evolution of facial muscle anatomy in dogs

Does your dog go wild when you say the word ‘walkies’? Training your dog to walk nicely on the lead is essential, so read on to find out all our tips and tricks on loose lead walking.

Training your dog to walk on the lead - Loose lead walking

Dogs and children can make a great combination, teaching children the importance of gentleness, care and responsibility, alongside providing them with a constant playmate. Read on for our list of the best family dog breeds.

The best family dog breeds

Keeping your pup clean is all part and parcel of being a pet parent. It helps to keep your pooch happy and healthy, but as importantly, it means your home stays clean and smell-free. Keep reading to find out how often you need to wash and shampoo your dog.

How often should you wash your dog?

Your dog’s wiry whiskers definitely add to their cute appeal and enhance their expressive faces. However, they're aren't just there for cuteness, they actually have a purpose. Let’s take a look at what a whisker is, and why our four-legged friend's snouts seem to be covered in them.

Why do dogs have whiskers?

One of the most frustrating things you’ll have to deal with as a new puppy paw-rent is a boisterous baby dog that jumps up any time they say hello, or bounce up on the sofa and on top of you every time you sit down. So, how do you stop your dog from jumping up at you?

How to stop your dog from jumping up

Our dogs age at a much faster rate than us humans, and many pooch paw-rents are keen to know what their pups age is in human years. We’ve all heard the age-old theory that 1 year for a dog is equal to 7 human years, but is this true? Read on to find out how to work out your dog's age in human years.

How old is my dog in human years?

The Size–Life span trade-off decomposed: Why large dogs die young

Quantitative translation of dog-to-human aging by conserved remodelling of the DNA Methylome

You may be looking for a quick-witted, clever canine to train to paw-fection. Some dogs reach top of the class when it comes to tricks and training, whereas some fall behind. So, what makes a dog smart and which breeds are classed as the smartest?

The smartest dog breeds – What makes a dog smart?

Absolute brain size predicts dog breed differences in executive function

Dogs tell us an awful lot through their body language, so we must try and understand what they're trying to communicate. Shaking is common in dogs, and it happens for various different reasons. Read on to find out why dogs shake and shiver.

Why is my dog shaking?

Wet mammals shake at tuned frequencies to dry

Your dog is sleeping, but suddenly, they’re twitching, tossing and turning, along with letting out a few tiny whimpers. Does this mean your pooch is dreaming? It’s a true fact that dogs do dream, but how does it work, what do they dream about and is it similar to how we dream? Read on to learn about dogs and dreaming.

Do dogs dream?

The interrelated effect of sleep and learning in dogs (Canis familiaris); an EEG and behaviourist study 

Sleep duration and behaviours: A descriptive analysis of a cohort of dogs up to 12 months of age

Do dogs dream? 

As owners, we want to make sure we give our pets the best dog food that provides all the nutrition our pets need to keep them healthy and happy. Read on to find out what the best dog food is for your dog.

How to find the Best Dog Food

Extrusion processing: Effects on dry canine diets 

The Impact of Food Processing on the Nutritional Quality of Vitamins and Minerals

The impact of processing on the nutritional quality of food proteins

Assessment of nutritional adequacy of the protein in dog foods by trials on growing rats

Sighthounds is the collective term for many beloved breeds and they boast a unique beauty, unbeatable speed and impeccable vision. Read on to learn which breeds are classed under this term, their history and overall just everything you need to know about the speedy sighthound.

Sighthounds – Everything you need to know

Pharmacogenomics of poor drug metabolism in Greyhounds: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B11 genetic variation, breed distribution, and functional characterization

ur dogs do lots of weird and wonderful things, and we don’t always know why. For example, plenty of pooches will perch on your feet. But why do dogs sit on your feet? Read on to find out the various reasons why your pup is sitting on your feet?

Why do dogs sit on your feet?

Wolves to dogs: Study finds canine affection for humans linked to oxytocin sensitivity

We’ve all heard the age-old theory that dogs can only see in black and white. Realistically, our dogs actually can see some colours. We’re going to explore what our dogs can see, why they can’t see all the colours of the rainbow and how it impacts their everyday life.

Are dogs colour blind?

I’m willing to bet that your pooch has stopped, dropped, and rolled at some point on a walk. Almost every dog has rolled around in the grass at some point, but why do they do this? Rolling around in the grass is pretty natural for our furry friends and we're going to explain some of the reasons why.

Why do dogs roll in grass?

I’m willing to bet we’ve all seen a dog carrying a big old branch like it’s a trophy, or at least a pooch playing fetch with a stick. But why do dogs like sticks so much when our other pets don’t seem slightly interested? There are a few possibilities, so let's explore why our dogs go barking mad for branches.

Why do dogs like sticks?

We’re going to give you our ultimate list of 15 big, brilliant and breathtaking dogs that look like bears, starting with the tiny teddy-bear dogs all the way up to the dogs whose size does actually rival that of a real bear. All dogs are cute, but these ones are all paw-stively adorable!

Dog Breeds That Look Like Bears

It's inevitable for most dogs that they will need to be left at home alone at some point in their lives. However, this can be very distressing for some dogs as they are naturally a very social species. We're going to tackle a few ways for you to help your dog be calm, relaxed and content when they're home alone.

Leaving your dog home alone

Tail chasing is a cute and classic canine behaviour, and dogs usually just do it for entertainment. There are several different reasons why your dog could be displaying this behaviour, most of them harmless. However, if it's excessive it could be a sign of something deeper. Read on to find out why your dog might be chasing their tail.

Why do dogs chase their tails?

Tail chasing can be a behavioural or medical problem

Repetitive behaviours in cats and dogs: Are they really a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)?

Environmental effects on compulsive tail chasing in dogs 

Characteristics of compulsive tail chasing and associated risk factors in Bull Terriers 

Over the years, countless things have become iconic symbols of English culture, such as cups of tea, fish and chips and the Royal Family to name a few. Even some dog breeds are heavily ingrained into English culture. Read on to learn more about our round up of the most English dog breeds!

The most English dog breeds

Dogs vocalise for many reasons. They whine, bark, howl and growl for several different reasons. It's ultimately a form of communication. So, to stop the barking, you must first understand why they are doing it. Learn more about why your dog may be barking and how to stop it here.

How to stop your dog from barking

You’ve probably heard the loud howl of a dog before, or your dog might even be a howler themselves. So, you may have asked yourself the question, why do dogs do this? Realistically, howling is just an instinct dogs have, but it can almost always be pinned down to your dog trying to communicate. Read on to find out what your dog's howls may mean.

Why do dogs howl?

Canine separation anxiety: Strategies for treatment and management

Dogs are the most varied mammal on the planet with literally hundreds of different breeds out there, so it can be hard to remember that in terms of DNA, all dogs are nearly identical. Read on to learn about how your furry friend came to be and find out all there is to know about why we have such a vast selection of furry friends.

How many dog breeds are there?

Flat-faced, short-nosed with large doting eyes, these types of dog are instantly recognisable and are becoming increasingly more popular. Some of the UK’s most beloved breeds are classed as brachycephalic, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, read on to learn everything you need to know about brachycephalic dogs.

Brachycephalic dogs – Everything you need to know

Localisation of canine brachycephaly using an across breed mapping approach

Epidemiological associations between brachycephaly and upper respiratory tract disorders in dogs attending veterinary practices in England 

Consequences and management of canine brachycephaly in veterinary practice: Perspectives from Australian veterinarians and veterinary specialists

Come for the looks, stay for the personality? A mixed methods investigation of reacquisition and owner recommendation of Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs

Your dog may enjoy flooding you with cuddles and kisses. Whilst being inundated with affection by your furry friend, you may notice that their nose is cold and wet. Universally it is considered that a cold, wet nose means your dog is healthy. Is this a myth?

Why do dogs have wet noses?

When the Nose Doesn’t Know: Canine Olfactory Function Associated with Health, Management, and Potential Links to Microbiota

Nothing seems to brighten up the garden or home quite like a bunch of tulips, and their vivid colours and elegant shape are synonymous with spring. They are very pup-ular flowers, so that raises the question, are they poisonous to dogs? 

Are tulips poisonous to dogs?

Pedigree, purebred, crossbreed, mixed breed, mutt, the terms we use for dogs is incredibly varied. But what does it actually mean to have a pedigree dog?

What is a pedigree dog?

Lots of dogs love to plunge into the water, whether it be the sea, a lake or a muddy puddle. And letting your pooch have a doggie paddle is a great form of exercise, but is hydrotherapy the way forward for our dogs?

Hydrotherapy for dogs - What you need to know

Effect of swimming on clinical functional parameters and serum biomarkers in healthy and osteoarthritic dogs

Theories surrounding why dogs eat grass are endless, could it be boredom, hunger, illness? The definite answer is a mystery. However, we explain the potential reasons why your pooch may be tucking into some grass here.

Why do dogs eat grass?

A high fibre diet responsive case in a poodle dog with long-term plant eating behaviour 

Daffodils are a favourite flower in our gardens. But are there any hidden dangers lurking in our flowerbeds?  Yes, daffodils are toxic to dogs, eating daffodils can make your dog seriously sick. 

Are daffodils poisonous to dogs?

Out of all the quirky and sometimes weird things our dogs do, there’s probably nothing more natural or dog-like than panting. There’s actually a few different reasons why your pup’s panting, and a ton of different meanings behind the behaviour. Learn more about why dogs pant.

Why do dogs pant?

Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety

Pathophysiology of heatstroke in dogs – Revisited

Panting in dogs: Paths of air flow in response to heat and exercise

I’m willing to bet that every dog has had their day where they stopped, dropped, and rolled all over something stinky while on a walk. But why do dogs roll in fox poo, and is there anything we can do to stop dogs from rolling in stinky stuff?

Why do dogs roll in fox poo?

Scent Rubbing in Carnivores. Carnivore. 2. 17-25. 

If you’ve ever wondered if dogs can be ticklish, or why rubbing that one spot on their belly gets their leg going, you’re not alone. So let’s explore if it’s paw-sible for a dog to be ticklish!

Are dogs ticklish?

Exploration of the Neural Correlates of Ticklish Laughter by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cerebral Cortex

Most safe plants for dogs just means anything that is not considered toxic to dogs. But, some plants can still have thorns, spines, or seeds which could cause injury or illness for your pooch and are worth considering too. Read all about dog friendly plants here

The ultimate list of dog friendly plants

Poisonous plants for dogs are plants that produce toxic substances that cause your pooch harm if they are eaten or if the plant comes into contact with their skin. We list 130+ poisonous plants for dogs in this ultimate list

The ultimate list of poisonous plants for dogs

Dogs tilting their heads is paw-haps the cutest behaviour known to man. But while a pooch with its head cocked and ears pricked might be the most adorable pose they can pull, is it just to melt our hearts or does it serve a purpose? So, read on to find out why dogs tilt their heads.

Why do dogs tilt their heads?

Vestibular disease in dogs under UK primary veterinary care: Epidemiology and clinical management

Vestibular disease in dogs: Association between neurological examination, MRI lesion localisation and outcome

Dogs evolved ‘puppy dog eyes’ to help them get on with humans, study finds

Home  Environment  Animals Dogs use the “puppy-eyes” to manipulate you into giving them affection and attention and it works

Quite a few of the plants in our homes and gardens pose a risk to our furry friends. Lilies are a pup-ular choice of flower for bouquets, house plants, and gardens, but any cat owner is probably well-aware of the fact these plants are highly toxic for their felines. But are lilies poisonous to dogs too?

Are lilies poisonous to dogs?

We are a nation of dog lovers, but it goes without saying that some areas are better places to live for dogs and their owners. Whether you're looking for a pet-friendly weekend away with your pooch, or you are house-hunting and considering a new city better suited for you and your pup, read on to find out where the most dog-friendly places to live are.

The Most Dog Friendly Places To Live In The UK

Conkers, also known as Horse Chestnuts, are the round, dark brown nut of the Horse Chestnut tree. While children pick up horse chestnuts ready for games of conkers, they should be reminded never to eat them as they are toxic. But are these seeds also poisonous to dogs?

Are conkers poisonous to dogs?

Summertime in the UK can get quite hot, surprisingly. This article, and the tips within, will help you keep your dog cool in summer. 

How To Keep Your Dog Cool In Summer

HALL, E.J.  and CARTER, A. , 2016. Heatstroke – providing evidence-based advice to dog owners. 

Heatwave: How to keep pets cool in hot weather

Some of the longest living dogs have been known to live upwards of 20, even 25 years. The smaller breeds of dogs tend to live the longest. Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Toy Poodles and Lhasa Apsos are the breeds who typically live the longest. Read on for the top 18 longest living dog breeds.

Top 18 longest living dog breeds

Adams VJ, Evans KM, Sampson J, Wood JL. Methods and mortality results of a health survey of purebred dogs in the UK. 

A dog’s diet and their digestive system play a huge role in their health. We all know that what our pets eat, and the nutrients they receive, are key to keeping them well. However, just like human food, not every dog’s dinner is equal in its nutritional value.

How long does it take a dog to digest food?

Bax ML, Aubry L, Ferreira C, Daudin JD, Gatellier P, Rémond D, Santé-Lhoutellier V. Cooking temperature is a key determinant of in vitro meat protein digestion rate: investigation of underlying mechanisms. 

Hodgkinson SM, Montoya CA, Scholten PT, Rutherfurd SM, Moughan PJ. Cooking Conditions Affect the True Ileal Digestible Amino Acid Content and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) of Bovine Meat as Determined in Pigs. 

Johnson ML, Parsons CM, Fahey GC Jr, Merchen NR, Aldrich CG. Effects of species raw material source, ash content, and processing temperature on amino acid digestibility of animal by-product meals by cecectomized roosters and ileally cannulated dogs. 

Oba PM, Utterback PL, Parsons CM, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS. Chemical composition, true nutrient digestibility, and true metabolizable energy of chicken-based ingredients differing by processing method using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay1. 

Oba PM, Utterback PL, Parsons CM, Swanson KS. True nutrient and amino acid digestibility of dog foods made with human-grade ingredients using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. 

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