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Cat Care
Feature article behaviour and appearance
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Why Do Cats Bite While Playing?
Learn what's behind your cat's playful biting, whether it's a cause for concern, and how to curtail it if they get a little too rough.
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Cat Aggression: How to Calm Them Down
Learn how to identify causes of aggression in your cat, how you can help calm them down or diffuse an aggressive situation, and when a vet visit is needed.
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Do Cats Understand Mirrors?
Do cats understand mirrors? Find out what science can to tell us and how cats perceive their own reflections.
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Top 3 Funny Cat Quirks You Should Know
Crazy cat behaviors have gone viral all over the internet, so we decided to dig a bit deeper and explain why cats exhibit these 3 behaviors. Read more.
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What Do Cats Dream About?
Curious to know if your cat dreams? Discover what science says and what she might be dreaming about.
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Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Curious why your cat is eating grass? Discover the underlying reason, such as a digestive issue or anxiety, and learn if it's truly a problem.
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Just How Smart Are Cats?
Learn what science says about your cat's intelligence, how her brain works, and how experts address the age-old question: Are cats smarter than dogs?
Feature article breed
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Siamese Cat Breed - Facts & Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Learn about the Siamese cat including physical and personality traits, history, and living with one at home.
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Bombay Cat Breed - Facts & Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Learn more about your Bombay cat and read about it's various physical characteristics and personality traits.
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Persian Cat Breed - Facts & Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Better understand your Persian housecat by learning more about it's physical characteristics and personality traits.
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Balinese Cat Breed - Facts & Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Learn about the Balinese cat breed including physical and personality traits, history, and living with one at home.
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Abyssinian Cat Breed - Information and Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Among the most popular cat breeds, the Abyssinian is easy to care for, and a joy to have in your home. They’re affectionate cats and love both people and other animals.
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Birman Cat Breed - Facts & Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Find out everything you need to know about the Birman cat breed including personality traits, physical characteristics, and breed origins.
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Havana Brown Cat Breed - Facts & Traits | Hill's Pet
Find out everything you need to know about the Havana Brown cat breed including personality traits and physical characteristics
Feature article health care
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Can Cats Get the Flu or a Cold?
Learn how flu & cold viruses can affect your cat, what signs & symptoms to look for, and what the prevention & treatment options are.
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Tips for Giving Your Cat Pills & Medications
Use these helpful tips on how to give your cat a pill to make the process less stressful for both of you, and help get her on her way back to feeling better.
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Benefits of Neutering a Cat
Neutering offers benefits to both you and your beloved companion. The benefit of neutering a cat? Fewer unwanted litters and fewer parental worries for you.
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Vet Checkups & Blood Work for Senior Cats
If you have a senior-aged cat, learn why its so important to take her to regular vet visits & blood work, especially if she has a health condition.
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Hairballs: The Trouble With Fur
Most cat owners have to deal with hairballs at some point. Learn everything you need to know about hairballs and how to help your cat manage them.
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Helping Your Cat Deal with Stress-Related Urinary Issues| Hill's Pet
Learn how to identify and reduce the chances of feline urinary issues by helping alleviate stress in her life.
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Is Your Cat Hiding Her Pain? Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms.
Learn how to recognize signs that your cat is sick or hiding her pain, along with how to provide her with the best care and help her recover quickly.
Feature article new pet parent
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Adopting an Adult Cat | Hill's Pet
Understand how adopting an adult cat from a shelter is different than adopting a cat, and what to expect when you bring her home for the first time.
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The pick of the litter | Hill's Pet
Bringing how a kitten is a long-term commitment. Learn how to make the right choice when picking one out of a litter.
Feature article nutrition and feeding
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Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
Chocolate is known to be poisonous for dogs, but it can also be toxic for cats. Learn why chocolate is bad for cats & what to do if she's eaten it.
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How a Cat’s nutritional needs differ from ours?
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
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The right food for your kitten
Learn how to identify the kitten food that best aligns with her nutritional needs, keeping her active and healthy as she grows into an adult cat.
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How a mature cat’s nutritional needs differ from ours? | Hill's Pet
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
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Mixing pet foods
Learn the advantages and disadvantages of wet cat food and dry cat food to get a better sense of which food you should be feeding your cat.
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Diet Considerations for Pregnant & Nursing Cats
Learn what your female cat needs for proper nutrition when pregnant or nursing, so you can make sure you are feeding her properly.
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Changing Cat Food: How to Do It Safely
At some points in your cat's life, it might make sense to change up the food you give them. Changing cat food as your kitty ages or if they develop a medical issue will help to support their health. But it's important to know how to safely transition your pet to a new food.
Feature article play and exercise
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How to Make DIY Cat Shelves
As a pet parent, you already know that cats rule the household, so why not give them a high perch from which to survey their land? DIY cat shelves are an excellent way to customize your kitty's kingdom, and there are so many cat wall ideas that you can use to create their dream domain.
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5 New Fun Things to Do With Your Cat
Looking for way to enrich playtime for your kitty? Discover fun new cat activities, such as cat apps, that can keep your furry friend occupied for hours.
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Walking a Cat: Should You Take Your Kitty for a Stroll?
Wondering if your can take your cat for a walk? Learn how to decide if she's suitable for the outdoors and an effective method for taking her on a stroll.
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Playtime with children
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
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Clever Ways to Keep Your Cat Active: Food Scavenger Hunts
A scavenger hunt will keep your feline friend moving, maintaining her mental & physical health. Here are a few tips to get started.
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Playing with your cat | Hill's Pet
It's important to keep cats active to keep them healthy, even from a young age. Get tips on how to play with your cat or kitten and strengthen your bond.
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Cat Play: How to Keep Your Kitty Engaged | Hill's Pet
A bored cat is not a happy cat. Making sure your furry friend is mentally stimulated and engaged through cat play will make her happier and is likely to bring you more peace too, especially if she is acting out through destructive behaviors like shredding your curtains or digging up your potted plants.
Feature article routine care
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Keeping Your Cat Hydrated if She's Not Drinking Water
Learn why your cat is drinking less water than she used to, how much she should be drinking, and how to recognize and prevent her from getting dehydrated.
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Managing Cats Around Your Smaller Pets
Learn helpful tips for introducing your cat to other small pets, such as birds and fish, and how to protect them from your curious feline.
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Choosing the right veterinarian for your cat
Choosing the right veterinary for your cat is very important to its health. Read through our list of things to consider when looking for a new vet.
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Relocating with your cat
Get tips on how reduce your cat's stress level for the next time you have to move or relocate. Find ways to help your cat settle in.
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Suggestions for Grooming & Bathing Your Cat
Grooming can be an important part of your aging cat's well-being. Follow these grooming tips for older, mature adult cats.
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Managing Allergies to Cats Body
Consider thinking about some of these things before getting a new cat if you have allergies, or managing them after you already have gotten one.
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Getting Your Cat Into Her Carrier
If you're bringing home a cat for the first time, it is important to think of ways of providing them with a safe environment. Learn cat-safe tips here.
Feature article tools and resources
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Tips for Creating Your Cat's Own Social Media Account | Hill's Pet
Are you that person who floods your connections' news feeds with photos of your cat on social media?
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Cat Life Hacks: Making Life Easier for You and Your Cat
Has your cat care routine gotten stale? Spice it up with these helpful cat life hacks, including tips to help manage cat hair, scratching & litter boxes.
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Fun DIY Beds for Your Cat
Learn how to create four different DIY cat beds that will provide your furry friend with a cozy space of her own & won't break your bank!
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Five tips to stop cats from scratching up the furniture | Hill's Pet
Learn how to build an easy, homemade DIY cat scratching post using items around your house! She'll get exercise and you won't get a ruined staircase.
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Common Cat Myths & Misconceptions: Get the Feline Facts - Hill's Pet
Learn about common cat myths and misconceptions. With all the misinformation available online about cats, it's time you got the true feline facts.
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Caring for your kitten's new teeth | Hill's Pet
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
Feature article training
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Toilet training your kitten | Hill's Pet
Use these easy-to-follow do's and don'ts while training your kitten to use the litter box with the best success.
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Are cats trainable? | Hill's Pet
With proper understanding and patience, cats can be trained. Learn how to properly train your new cat or kitten with these easy-to-follow tips.
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Sharing a Bed with Your Cat: Steps for Success
The personality of your cat is probably the most important part of whether a human-feline sleeping arrangement will work.
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Cat and baby | Hill's Pet
Learn how your cat's behavior might change if you bring a newborn baby into the home and how you can keep both baby and cat safe.
Dog Care
Feature article behaviour and appearance
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Why Is My Dog Eating Dirt?
Dogs eating dirt: it can be a random occurrence or a regular thing, so learn what to do if you notice this behavior and if you should visit the vet.
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Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs? (And What If My Dog Doesn't?)
Why do dogs like belly rubs? Learn what your dog is really telling you when he wants a belly rub (and why other dogs may not want one).
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Stress in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Finding Relief
Learn how to recognize symptoms of stress in your dog, what common situations can cause high anxiety and tips for helping your pup relax.
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Are Dogs Really Colour Blind?
While for a long time it was accepted as fact that dogs could only see in black and white, science has proven that's not the case. But what colours can dogs see, and why don't they see the way we do? Read on to learn all about dog vision and how your dog perceives their world.
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Do Dogs Feel Guilt or Shame?
Does shaming your dog have a positive effect, or are you just encouraging more bad behavior? Learn more about how he interprets feelings of guilt & shame.
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How Dogs Show Affection for Their Owners After Long Absences
Learn why your dog might be eating his own stool or the poo of other animals. Find out what you can do to try and change this behavior in your dog.
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Eating Dog Poo
Learn why your dog might be eating his own stool or the poo of other animals. Find out what you can do to try and change this behavior in your dog.
Feature article breed
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Boxer Dog Breed - Information about Boxer Dogs | Hill's Pet
An intelligent, loyal pet, the boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. They are not happy when regularly left home alone.
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Labrador Retriever Dog Breed - Information about Labrador Retriever Dogs | Hill's Pet
The Labrador possesses numerous endearing traits —- intelligence, easy to train and being an excellent family companion. Labrador retrievers are sturdy, solid dogs. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.co.za
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Doberman Dog Breed - Information and Personality Traits | Hill's Pet
Doberman pinschers are powerful, energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise. If not exercised, they are likely to become irritable or even aggressive. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.co.za.
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Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed - Information about Jack Russell Terrier Dogs | Hill's Pet
Consider the personality traits of the Jack Russell terrier as this breed is not for everyone. The breed has a compact, muscular body. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.co.za
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Afghan Hound Dog Breed - Information about Afghan Hound Dogs | Hill's Pet
An independent, strong-willed dog, the Afghan can be downright standoffish, but also quiet and clownish when the mood strikes. The male Afghan hound stands some 27 inches tall, the female about 25 inches. Afghans generally weigh between 50 and 60 pounds
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Airedale Terrier Dog Breed - Information about Airedale Terrier Dogs | Hill's Pet
An intelligent, tough dog, the Airedale terrier tolerates pets it grows up with and generally gets along well with other dogs and children.
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English Setter Dog Breed - Facts and Traits | Hill's Pet
Considered an alert dog and a protector of the family, the English setter is quite friendly, gentle and mild-mannered, but needs regular interaction with people and brisk daily walks. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet.co.za.
Feature article health care
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Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Learn everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs, including risk factors, signs of the disease and how it gets diagnosed & treated.
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Heat Exhaustion in Dogs Signs Your Dog Is Overheating
Overheating in dogs is not something to take lightly. As the weather heats up, it's important to remain aware of how the heat affects your pup. Heat exhaustion in dogs can lead to serious and potentially fatal conditions such as heat stroke and cardiac arrest.
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Hydrotherapy for Dogs
If your dog has a hard time getting around, hydrotherapy might be just the thing to help. Discover the benefits and which types of dogs are a good fit.
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Excessive Thirst in Dogs: Common Causes & When to See the Vet
Have you noticed your dog drinking lots of water all of a sudden? Excessive thirst in dogs, also known as polydipsia, is a common observation amongst dog parents, and one you shouldn't ignore.
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Weight Loss Goals & How Your Dog Can Help
Learn some great ways to involve your dog in your weight loss goals, including exercise & activities you can both do and healthy snacks for both of you.
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Dog Depression: How to Tell If Your Dog Has the Blues
Learn how to recognize signs of depression in your dog, the underlying reasons he might be feeling down, and what you can do to help lift his spirits.
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Does dry nose mean sick dog?
A dog's nose can be an indicator of health. Know how to best care for your dog if their nose is dry, cracked, warm, red, flaky, or has nasal discharge.
Feature article new pet parent
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Letting Your Dog Sleep in the Bed
Learn about the different things you should consider before letting your dog sleep in your bed with you.
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Pet Safety: Puppy-Proofing Your Home | Hill's Pet
Playful and intelligent puppies investigate objects by touching, chewing and tasting them. Growing puppies love to explore, but need protection from household items that are dangerous if swallowed.
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Bringing your puppy home
Consider these suggestions when deciding to get a puppy for the first time. Follow these tips to ensure you provide your puppy with the best care.
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Where to get your puppy from
Explore the various options you have when it comes to getting for a new puppy. Learn the benefits of shelters, rescues, breeders, and other organizations.
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Time apart
Learn the implications of leaving a puppy, or any dog, home alone for significant periods of time, and steps you should take before you leave.
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Treat your dog for life – not just for Christmas
Everyone likes a little treat every now and then - and especially now that Christmas is coming. But although it's tempting to give your dog scraps from the table, many popular yuletide treats can actually be dangerous for his health.
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Introducing the collar and lead
If you're considering getting a new puppy, then you should know the importance of collars, leashes and ID tags to their safety. Learn what you need to know.
Feature article nutrition and feeding
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Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Dog
Read to learn about 5 human foods that are toxic to dogs. Learn their effects on a dog's health and what to do if they accidentally eat one of these foods.
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How and when to feed your Dog?
Learn the importance of feeding your puppy or adult dog the right amount of food at proper intervals and find out what feeding method is best for your dog.
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A few ground rules
Learn how to help your puppy learn good behaviors by starting with proper table manners. Follow these helpful feeding tips.
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Feeding your puppy
Find the ideal feeding plan for your puppy with Hill's Pet puppy foods
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The risks of excessive salt intake
Understand the importance of salt in your dog's diet, as well as the risks associated with excessive salt intake.
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Balanced Dog Foods & When to Change Them
Nutrition is one of the most important components of keeping your dog healthy, so choosing a well-balanced dog food full of nutrients is key. Learn more.
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Tips & Methods for Switching Dog Foods
As your puppy grows, its nutritional needs will change. Learn how to properly transition your dog to a new dog food at each stage of life.
Feature article play and exercise
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A Quick and Easy Guide to Cleaning Dog Toys
Discover tips for cleaning your dog's favorite toys (both plush & chew toys) and why keeping them clean can be important for their health.
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5 Ideas for Indoor Exercise for Dogs
Learn how to keep your dog moving with some indoor exercise tips. If you're stuck inside, help them beat cabin fever and keep their body and mind active.
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Hiring a Dog Walker: Is It the Right Decision for You?
Learn how dog walkers can be a great way to get your dog proper exercise, especially if your busy schedule or physical limitations don't allow it.
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Building a Dog Park in Your Own Backyard
Learn how to create your own backyard dog park, possibly with materials you already have, so that your dog can enjoy the benefits of a dog park at home.
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How to Repurpose Old Kids' Toys Into Toys for Your Pup
Check out these five easy ideas for turning old and outsized kid & baby stuff into DIY dog toys that your pup will love.
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Choosing the Best Toys for Your Dog
Play is an essential part of every dog's life. Find out what types of dog toys help them exercise and strengthen their bond with you.
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Playing with your dog
Find out different ways you can provide your big dog with the exercise he needs to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
Feature article routine care
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How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
You know that bathing your dog is important, but how often should you do it? Learn the right dog bath frequency, based on their breed, lifestyle & health.
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How to Make Vet Visits Less Scary for Your Dog
Is your dog scared of vet appointments? Learn tips for calming his anxiety and taking the stress out of his trip to the veterinarian.
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Help, my Pet has an Upset Stomach!
Learn what causes that wet dog smell, and what you can do to help reduce it overtaking your car, as well as how to get rid of it.
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Caring for your puppy's teeth
Teething is a part of a puppy's life. Use these 3 tips to help your puppy through this difficult time and protect your household from teething incidents.
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Choosing a vet for your dog
Choosing a veterinarian for your dog is extremely important to your dog's health. Consider these things when choosing a vet for your canine friend.
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Are your Dog’s Bad Habits Stomach Churning?
Puppy, kitten and pet dieting, cat nutrition and dog nutrition information from Hill's Pet
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Does your dog have a sensitive stomach?
Dog has a sensitive tummy? Dogs with sensitive stomachs have special dietary needs. Learn the symptoms and how to soothe it with diet and nutrition.
Feature article tools and resources
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Common Dog Sayings and Their Origins
We've all heard — and said — the many dog sayings like, "dog days of summer" or "barking up the wrong tree." What do they mean and where do they come from?
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People with allergies and dogs
Learn how you can still enjoy the benefits of a canine companion despite dog allergies. Discover how you can help manage your allergies around dogs.
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Common Mistakes Dog Owners Shouldn't Make | Hill's Pet
Learn about some of the most common mistakes dog owners make, and what you should do instead to provide the best care for your dog.
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The Facts Behind Clinically Proven Dog Food
With so many marketing terms appearing on pet food labels, it can be hard to tell which options are really best for our furry friends.
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Helping people with companion dogs | Hill's Pet
Companion dogs play a vital role in helping people become more socially aware and develop fine motor skills. Learn more about how companion dogs help here.
Feature article training
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Training Tips: Dog Impulse Control
Discover strategies for teaching your dog impulse control, including training them not to rush the door and how to curtail food grabbing.
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The Science Behind a Dog IQ Test
Curious to know how smart your dog is? Learn about the different types of dog intelligence and see how trainable he is with an IQ test.
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How to Make Your Own Dog Obstacle Course
Learn how to make a DIY dog obstacle course at home with items you already own. Follow these instructions and you & your pup will be training in no time!
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5 Helpful Tips for Training a Puppy | Hills Pet
Learn some effective ways to train your puppy, including home, group, and professional training, with these five helpful tips.
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Teaching Your Puppy: Obedience Training Basics
Learn more about properly obedience training your puppy or new dog. Understand your puppy's body language, barking, and whining.
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Steps to Successfully House Train Your Puppy
Learn about the rules for house training your puppy, preventing your puppy from starting any bad habits, how to keep a schedule and rewarding good behavior.
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How do I stop my dog barking?
Controlling the noise level of your dog is an important part of being a responsible owner. After all, excessive barking can be annoying, not just for you but for your neighbours as well.