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Domestic hamsters are no longer adapted to practice true hibernation, due to the presence of artificial warmth and constant light in the home. However, in some instances, hamsters can still enter short periods of hibernation known as torpor, which can last from hours to days. Whether you’re looking for information on how to tell if your hamster is hibernating, and what to do afterwards, or if you’re searching for ways to prevent hibernation, keep reading for our helpful tips on how to care for hibernating pets.

Just like humans, our pets are vulnerable to experiencing stress and anxiety. That's why our pet experts at Direct4Pet are here to offer our advice on how to recognise the symptoms of anxiety in animals how to ease their stress and what calming products are best for your pet. Whether you have a dog, a cat, or both, keep reading for answers to your most commonly asked questions about pet anxiety and calming aids suitable for your four-legged friends.

Christmas is not only a time for showing your appreciation for family and friends, but showing your pets how much you love them too! Make sure that this season your four-legged friend gets involved in all the festive fun by treating them to their own special Christmas gifts this year. Whether you’re buying for your dog, cat, or even your horse, you can find a variety of festive-themed gifts for pets in our Christmas Gift Guide. Keep reading to discover the best Christmas dog treats, cat toys, pet advent calendars and more festive gits here at Direct4Pet.

Whether you’re a novice looking to pursue bird keeping or you’re in need of tips and tricks on how best to attract birds to your garden, our animal experts at Direct4Pet are here to offer impartial advice and inspiration on how best to care for, feed and attract these beautiful creatures. Keep reading for answers to your most commonly asked questions on bird keeping, discussing everything from the best bird seed and feeders to colours birds are most drawn to and more.

Whether you’re adopting a cat from another home, or starting the moving process with your own cat, the first few days in a new house can be difficult, but with the help of our pet experts here at Direct4Pet, we’re here to advise you on the best products and tips on how best to make the transition as smooth as possible. Keep reading to discover our top tips and tricks for keeping your cat as comfortable and happy as possible whilst moving house.

As a dog owner, we all know how important food is to our pup. Not only to their health but also their happiness. Ensuring your dog is given a nutritious diet is essential to them leading an enriched and  healthy lifestyle. However, when it comes to weighing up the benefits of each type of dog food, it can be daunting deciding which is best for your pup - raw food, wet food or dry food - which will you choose? Delving into the pros and cons of each type of food and outlining the variety of dog food available to buy here at Direct4Pet, keep reading to discover what diet is best for your pup.

Canine enrichment is defined as the ways in which you engage your dog in activities and environments which stimulate their mind, keep them physically active and support their emotional wellbeing. For those unfamiliar with dog enrichment, there are many factors to consider when it comes to deciding what forms of enrichment are best for your dog. Although this idea may seem daunting at first, we are here to help you streamline the process and ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and tools to give your dog an enjoyable and enriching life.

As every dog owner will likely already be familiar with, training your dog is not an easy feat, but with a stash of high value dog treats to hand, you may be able to teach an old (or young!) dog new tricks. Treats are one of the most powerful and easiest tools we can use to teach dogs obedience, basic training and positive behaviours. Read on to find out more about what types of high value dog treats are available and how they can be used to train your dog.

Walking your dog everyday is necessary to ensure they are kept both physically and mentally healthy.  If you’re struggling with finding ways to keep dog walks fun and interesting for both you and your four legged friends, we’re here to help. Read on for advice from our pet experts on how often you should walk your dog as well as discovering our top tips for creating more engaging dog walking routines that are guaranteed to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Ensuring your four legged friend is safe and secure on their daily walk is one of the most important factors in caring for your dog, and the age-old debate of whether a dog harness or dog collar is better for your dog is one that is still ongoing. Keep reading as we discuss the pros and cons of both collars and harnesses and offer you advice on which is best for your dog depending on their temperament and situation.

If you own a four-legged friend, the best thing you can do as a pet owner is to ensure they live a happy and healthy life with help from a protected pet insurance plan. Pet insurance exists to give pet owners complete peace of mind in the event of an unexpected health mishap, as well as offering security against any unexpected costs related to your pet. That’s why, at Direct4Pet, our pet experts are here to help you make an informed decision before going on to purchase a pet insurance policy for your pup.

As the summer season quickly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how you can keep your four legged friends cool and comfortable as the temperature rises. Unlike us, pets can’t take off any layers to help cool themselves down, therefore, taking the necessary precautions to ensure your pet is protected from excessive heat is vital to keeping them happy and healthy so you can enjoy summer without worry. Keep reading to discover our top tips for keeping your pets cool in summer, from being aware of when your pet is too hot to figuring out the best times of day to let your pet outside.