Our Top 10 Fictional Animals

Whether they are cute and cuddly, or the classic baddy, we all love fictional animals. In celebration of World Animal Day, we’re reminiscing on our Top 10 fictional animals of all time, from cheeky monkeys, to quiet mice. Enjoy our list as we take you on a journey through the Animal Kingdom.

1. Donkey, from Shrek

The glue that holds the group together. Donkey is Shrek’s lovable (but slightly annoying) trusty sidekick; most notable for his waffle making talents. His relentless clinginess and constant need for reassurance only adds to his charm, along with the fact he has a complete heart of gold and is determined to assist in rescuing Princess Fiona.

Image: www.giphy.com

2. Willy, from Free Willy

Free Willy stole our hearts back in 1993, when young delinquent, Jesse learns that a killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners. Growing attached to the captured Orca, Jesse risks everything to free Willy. It’s one of the first films that sticks in our minds to show the unbreakable bond that is forged between humans and animals.

Image: www.giphy.com

3. Kermit, from The Muppets

We’re feeling a little sorry for Kermit at the moment, what with his recent divorce from the sassy Miss Piggy - we just can’t understand where the separation has come from! Back in 1955, Kermit was our sensitive protagonist who later hit the Billboard Hot 100 with Rainbow Connection in 1979. What an animal superstar!

Image: www.reddit.com

4. Grumpy Cat, from The Internet

Grumpy Cat shot to internet fame back in 2012, known for her consistently unimpressed facial expressions. Whether she’s enjoying chasing a mouse, or scratching at a post, we can always rely on Grumpy Cat to be consistent with her emotions. To be honest, we’re pretty sure she’s just rebelling against her real name, Tardar Sauce.

Image: www.pandawhale.com

5. Marcel, from Friends

To begin, Marcel is actually female, despite what the cast of Friends would have us believe. The starlet has also appeared on Nickelodeon television shows, as well as American television series, 30 Rock. The primate’s career has really kicked off since her cameo in Friends; it would’ve been silly for her not to make the list!

Image: www.pretty52.com

6. Tod, Fox and the Hound

As soon as poor Tod the fox was orphaned, a tear or two fell down our cheeks, but the emotional turmoil didn’t end there. Little did we know that he would befriend a playful hound, Copper and become best friends, only for Copper to then hunt Tod in adulthood. It really is a great film, we certainly felt like Tod was our best friend.

Image: www.giphy.com

7. Stuart Little, from Stuart Little

Adopted son of Mr and Mrs Little, Stuart is everyone’s favourite mouse. He’s been through many ups and downs in his lifetime, getting lost in Central Park with nothing but the icy breeze for company is probably the most notable. Ever-determined to make it back to his parents, Stuart fought the conditions and made it home safely without a scratch on him. What a guy!

Image: www.tumblr.com

8. Alex, from Madagascar

Self-proclaimed King of the Jungle, African Lion, Alex is known for his loyalty to the other zoo animals. He leads the pack when three of his fellow animals flee from New York Central zoo, assisted by four fugitive penguins. Even when dreaming about meat steaks, Alex definitely gave us a few giggles!  

Image: www.giphy.com

9. Lassie, from Lassie

Border collie, Lassie has been everyone’s favourite pooch protagonist since hitting our screens way back in 1943. As well as being truly lovable, Lassie even made insurance history in 1982 by being covered by the very first pet insurance policy ever sold in the US!

Image: www.senorgif.com

10. Baloo, from The Jungle Book

“Ooh-be-doo I wanna be like Balooo-ooh-ooh!” Who would think that this lovable bear has been around since 1967? He’s characterised by his friendly and laid-back nature and his song “Bare Necessities” is often remembered today for being so poignant in never letting pressures of life get you down!

Image: www.giphy.com

Join in with the fun of World Animal Day over on our Facebook page, and make sure you are following us on Twitter!

Is your dog vaccinated?

We hear a lot about vaccinations for your lovable pets, but do you actually know the reason why they have to have these important jabs?

What are vaccinations?

From puppies, it’s really important to stimulate your pets immune systems in an effort to produce the antibodies that they’ll need to fight off potential infection from disease. Your pet is given a weak dose of each disease.

At 6-8 weeks old, your pup can begin having his first injections, followed by a second as few weeks later at 10-12 weeks of age. If they need more, your vet will let you know as a third and final injection may be necessary, however most are done and dusted after two. These vaccinations prevent against distemper, Hepatitis or infectious liver disease, or Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Leptospirosis, or infectious kidney disease.

When is best to vaccinate my puppy?

It’s best to give your new family member a week to get settled into their new environment and take time to adjust to being away from their mother before you begin the vaccinations. This means that any diseases that are coming to light can be treated before starting the course.

Why are vaccinations important?

It’s really important to make sure that before your pup is vaccinated – and until two weeks afterwards – you should ensure that he doesn’t come into contact with any other animals who could be unvaccinated. Try not to pop them down in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been present, like in the local park, or on a quick trip to the corner shop. Please do feel free to take them outside in this time so that they can become familiar with new smells and surrounding, although ensure that you carry them at all times.

If your pet is under the weather when the vaccination process is due to commence, the vet may decide to leave the vaccination until the puppy has fully recovered to ensure they are not affected. Following on from this, if your puppy seems to be acting differently and shows signs of being unwell after the vaccination, feel free to contact your vet immediately.

Is that one vaccination enough?

Throughout your dog’s life, you should ensure that some vaccinations are up to date. Kennel cough is one that needs to be completed regularly and if your pet travels abroad, a rabies vaccination is essential.

Should you need additional advice on vaccinations, please feel free to contact our 24/7 Petwise helpline on 0800 456 1164.

For more top tips, fun videos and to share pictures of your pet, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

5 Top Tips for Bringing Your New Puppy Home

You’ve waited patiently to collect your new bundle of fur and can’t wait to bring your puppy home, but there are a few things to consider to ensure that you are absolutely prepped and ready to welcome the newest member of your family into your household.

We’ve put together 5 of our top tips to help make your puppy’s introduction to your home run as smooth as possible:

1. When collecting your new pup from the breeder, don’t forget to bring a comfy dog carrier, a cosy blanket – and even water and food for longer journeys. This way your new furry friend will feel at home and comfortable in your presence, making the transition much smoother.

2. Ask your breeder for a few days’ worth of puppy food that the dog is used to. Sudden dietary changes can be upsetting for your puppy’s tummy and cause a loss of appetite – not good for the first few days in his new home! To make the transition to your chosen grub easier, mix a little of your new food with the batch that their used to; after a week or so you can start giving pup your selected food brand. That way a trip to the vet can be avoided, which without pet insurance can often be pricey.

3. Start as you mean to go on. Introductions are the perfect time to begin building habits for future behaviours. Try using excessive amounts of praise and encouragement so your new dog recognises you as the pack leader and will begin to respond to your commands and calls much more in the coming weeks.

4. For the first few days that your new puppy is at home, ensure that you give them time to explore their surroundings. It’s super important for them to become familiar with their surroundings and begin to recognise the areas you’ve designated for sleeping, eating and playing.

5. They are bound to miss their litter at first, so try using dog toys and placing hot water bottles in their bed to mimic the warmth of your pup's mum and litter mates.

Do you have some great tried and tested tips for bringing your new puppy home that you'd love to share? We'd love to hear about them over on our Facebook, or Twitter pages.

Top 10 reasons why dogs are just great

Dog owners rejoice! It’s National Dog Day and we’re celebrating with our Top 10 reasons why dogs are just awesome animals.

1. Their smiles are infectious:

Image: cute-baby-animals.tumblr

2. They’re happy to sit in and watch our favourite films on a rainy day:

Image: barkpost.com

3. They give us all the love and affection we could possibly need:

Image: pinterest.com

4. They always look after others:

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5. They make great family members:

Image: barkpost.com

6. They spur us on to exercise: 

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7. They make one hell of a trusty sidekick: 

Image: blog.2shopper.com

8. They're pretty self-sufficient:

Image: funnyasduck.net

9. They’re always super excited to see us:

Image: thealtscollective.org

10. They make the best out of any situation: 

Image: bunnyfood.tumblr.com

Have you got any pictures, or videos of your adorable dog that you'd like to share in celebration of National Dog Day? We'd love to see! Share them with us on Facebook, or Twitter - and enjoy your day with your perfect pooch!

5 Weird Things Your Dog Does

1. Walking around in circles before settling

Ever wondered why your dog trots about in perfect circles before deciding which is the best spot to finally retire in? Maybe that’s exactly what they’re doing; deciding which part of their bed will be most comfortable, or even safe. Perhaps they’re trying to locate which spot of the room will give them the best view of the room that they’re situated in before they become vulnerable and asleep. We must say, whatever the reason may be, it’s pretty great to watch.

www.quickmeme.com

2. Barking incessantly at the postman

Yep, happens to the best of us. Our dogs just seem to have a severe dislike for postmen. We can only assume that dogs believe that the friendly neighbourhood postie is an intruder and – as born protectors – your dog is trying to look after his family. Quite sweet really, eh? Try and introduce your pet to the postman so he sees him as less of a threat and you can all live together in perfect harmony.

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3. Jumping straight into pits of smelliness

Well, dogs simply cannot get enough of smelly things. Our beagle, Doug, adores horse poo – but why? Because he wants to mask his own scent. In the wild, dogs would aim to disguise their smell so that they have a better chance of hunting.

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4. Chasing your neighbours poor mog

Well, this isn’t necessarily all dogs. Some of you lucky owners have dogs who are complete cat lovers – congratulations! Unfortunately, for some of us life isn’t so simple. Dogs are natural born hunters who will chase unfamiliar breeds, but (thankfully) cats manage to clock an impressive 30mph so can usually out-pace their predators.

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5. Eating grass – yum!

Doesn’t sound very appetising to us, either. Dogs are clever animals – they know that eating grass will help their digestion (well, it’s really the fibre) and is quite common in younger dogs. Some say that dogs eat grass when they feel ill; they know that the grass will make them vomit so that they’ll feel better. If your dog shows signs of being unwell, make sure you give the vet a quick call; Petwise offer a 24/7 helpline for all your pet needs.

www.quickmeme.com

If you'd like more fun dog facts, videos and pictures, give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Dog Dentistry (Part One)

Did you know that brushing your dogs teeth is really important?

It’s something that is often overlooked by pet owners, however is a massive factor in your dog’s health. It’s estimated that 85% of dogs over the age of 4 have some form of dental disease, but you can do quite a bit to help prevent this happening through dental care and regular veterinary examinations.

Don’t wait until it’s too late; just as you’d check your own teeth, check your dogs. Set an alarm on your phone…anything to remind you. Dogs generally don’t show signs of distress when they have decaying teeth, so be extra careful to look out for these tell-tale signs showing there may be a loose tooth or infection:

• Bad breath – this occurs due to infection and is often the first sign pet owners notice
• Repeated rubbing of face – your dog will often rub his face (usually on one side)
• Drooling excessive amounts; even when you don’t have a tasty dinner on your lap.

If these signs do continue, book an appointment at the vets to ensure the symptoms do not worsen. Often, tooth treatment isn't covered by pet insurance, so it is important to check with your pet insurance provider before purchasing your policy.

National Black Cat Appreciation Day

August 17th marks National Black Cat Appreciation Day, all about showing some love for our feline friends. Sadly, reports show that black cats are often last to be adopted at animal shelters and we just can’t understand why!

Here’s our Top 5 reasons detailing why a black cat is the perfect companion for you:

1. How could you not fall in love with those eyes?

Image: kingstonah.com

2. They’re actually considered pretty lucky in Asia.

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3. Salem from Sabrina is amongst their ranks and who doesn’t love Salem?!

Image: lovesalem.tumblr.com

4. Black cat auditions in 1961 has thousands of cats in search of stardom; maybe your pet is related to a star!

Image: www.thefrisky.com

5. …and if they weren’t a star already, they’re pretty fame hungry.

Image: www.dailymail.co.uk

If you’ve been looking for a rescue cat, consider a black cat. If you already own a black cat, Black Cat Appreciation Day is the perfect time to send in some great snaps of your pet to share and spread awareness of the day. Like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. We’d love to see your feline friends!

10 Cat Myths that don’t ring true

Whether it's advice from a friend, or just something that you've heard on the grapevine, there's so many myths about cats that could give you the wrong information. Here's 10 of our top cat myths debunked:

1. All Cats Hate Water:
Not true. Not true at all. Polly loves water; in fact, she would spend all of her time in the sink if allowed. Most cats are really curious about running water and will often approach it. Maybe swimming is a step too far, however.

2. Cats always use cat flaps
Not all cats require a cat flap. After always having one installed and both of my cats preferring to use the door like real humans, I can categorically confirm that not all cats require a cat flap. Needless to say, install one just in case!

3. Cats aren’t as attentive as dogs
Cats are inherently loving, however comparing them to dogs is irresponsible. Aside from having four legs and a tail, they are very different animals. Dogs and puppies are natural pack animals, whilst kittens are more independent, however that’s not to say that they don’t love a cuddle. 

4. Cats that live indoors never get sick
Living indoors is obviously safer than the big, bad world out there for your feline friend, however, keeping cats indoors is said to induce stress due to the mundane every day for your cat and often lead to inactivity. Giving them high surfaces to climb and wheels to have fun on can help (Twiglet certainly agrees!)

5. Flicking her tail means she’s happy
Not necessarily. Try harder. Typically, cats and kittens actually flick their tail when they are upset or quizzical. 

6. Exercise my cat? Doesn’t need it.
ALL cats need mental stimulation and physical exertion to thrive. There are plenty of games you can play with your feline friend to keep them active and at a stable and healthy weight.

7. My leftovers are fine for my kitty
Ever given your cat cheese? You’ve basically given them three chocolate bars. This doesn’t equate to a healthy nutritional substitute for food and can actually be very dangerous.

8. Cats always land on their feet
Cats do have excellent balance and rival many of the great acrobats, however that’s not to say that when falling they don’t do themselves harm. Depsite their body correcting their land so that by the time they arrive on ground, their feed are in a position to land first, many cat’s require a trip to the vets to treat broken bones which can often be expensive without pet insurance. 

9. Declawing cats is basically the same as a human manicure
Not quite. Declawing requires surgery to remove the first joint of each toe of the cat; have you got insurance to cover the costs?

10. Cats have nine lives.
Just please do not test this theory. 

The One Where We Compare Pet Love to Friends Love

The internet has gone officially MAD at the news that Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry aka Joey and Chandler from Friends weren’t invited to co-star Jennifer Aniston’s wedding to Justin Theroux (BTW, we’re still wondering where our invite was Jen An).

The un-friending left us wondering if our pets will follow suit; after all they have quite a lot in common with these iconic characters…

1. Ross and Rachel Finally Date vs. Kids Finally Surprised with Dog

“You were worth the wait”

“My dreams have come true”

2. Joey doesn’t share food vs. Chow Puppy Won’t Share Food:

“It’s not about a few fries, it’s about what the fries represent... ALL FOOD.”

“Oh My God”

3. Ross Ruins Couch vs. Puppy Ruins Couch

“This couch is cut in half. I would like to exchange it for one that isn’t cut in half”

“The Couch Eater”

4. Friends Dress Up vs. Cat Dress Up

“Remember the Russian satellite Sputnik...?”

“Dressing up the cats, they’re gonna get married!”

5. Ross Finds Out vs. Cat Finds Out

“That’s my sister!”

“Shocked Cat”

World Cat Day – Our Top 5 Celebrity Cats

Hurrah! Saturday marks World Cat Day – time for feline lovers to unite and bask in the most fabulous day of the year. In celebration of this momentous occasion, we’ve composed a list of our Top 5 Celebrity Cats whose parents just ADORE them – and how can we blame them when their kitty’s are just so cute!

1. Graham Sheeran has his own twitter account with over 84.9 thousand followers. Self-confessed selfie lover, Graham has been known to take on the role of ‘Agony Uncle’ in popular magazines, although we can’t imagine he has many woes himself with a dad this cool. 

Image: Instagram

2. Meredith Swift would probably have some serious Bad Blood with us if she didn’t make this list! Her Twitter bio describes her as being “Happy. Furry. Confused. Hungry. All at the same time.” She has, however, failed to mention to her 12 thousand followers that her mum is Queen of Pop, Taylor Swift!

Image: justrandomthings.com

3. Ricky Gervais cat, Ollie, was named after his owner’s hero from Laurel and Hardy. The star claims that his cat is “just like him” in cat form; fickle, bossy and a control freak. Is it just us, or do they look fairly similar too…?

Source: twilightgusiali.ning.com

4. Actress and cat lover, Meryl Streep has previously confessed to learning script lines with her tabby, claiming that when she was practising her lines, her cat would wrap himself around her feet and would leave the room when less interesting parts of the script would unfold. Tough crowd, eh?

Image: yourcatwasdelicious.tumblr.com

5. Rita Ora is perhaps the proudest cat mum, EVER. Bruno has his own Instagram accounts full of pictures of, well, himself. We don’t want to start rumours, but Rita herself has confessed to having a soft spot for Bruno Mars… perhaps that’s who her cute feline friend was named after?

Image: Instagram

Are you as proud of your cats and kittens as these celebs? We’d love to see some pictures of them. Follow us on Twitter, or give us a like on Facebook to share your pet pics! 

Great British Bake-Off: 10 Amazing Animal Cakes

As our eyes were glued to the BBC’s Great British Bake-Off & our taste-buds teased with images of sponge & gateau, we couldn't help but think that they could have given the people what they wanted by making animal shaped cakes; now that truly would be a challenge!

It may not happen this series, so here we pay homage to some of the best animal shaped cakes out there. 

Now, where’s the teabags..?

1. Like owner like cupcake?!

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2. Hello Kitty. Hello Cake!

Source: debbiedoescakes.net

3. We can hear the "Postman Pat & his black 'n' white cat" theme tune, but we have changed the words to, “Piece of cake… piece of cake…”

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4. We love Nyan Cat... we love this rainbow Nyan cat cake EVEN more! 

Source: weheartit.com

5. It has a tiger… so we’ll class this as an animal cake. Too pretty on the outside to cut though.

Source: cakesbybeth.co.uk

6. One hundred thousand calories… Hakuna Matata.

Source: pinterest.com

7. Master craftsmanship here! I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date… Tea & cake date, that is!

Source: pinterest.com

8. Truly fantastical… erm, how did this get into our list? Oh, I’m informed it’s a VERY tasty recipe from Betty Crocker herself.

Source: bettycrocker.com

9. We looked twice too! Wonder if it's orange flavour sponge…

Source: buburuza.net

10. Patience & a delicate hand makes Grumpy Cat a very tasty looking treat. Bravo!

Source: huffingtonpost.com

Want to share your favourite animal cake? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter - we'd love to see them!