The Petcast

In this final episode of our bonus ‘Ask The Vet’ mini-series, Emma Barton and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay, discuss whether pet owners should be bathing their four-legged friends? Many people mistakenly believe that their pet’s coat needs to be washed as often as we wash our own hair - but in actual fact, some pets are better left for as long as pos

Pet theft and pet scams have been rife over the past year, attributed to the pandemic ‘pet boom’. In this episode, Blue Cross arms pet owners – new and old – on how to protect themselves and their four-legged friends against criminal activity.Alongside Emma Barton and Blue Cross’ Head of Public Affairs, Becky Thwaites, this episode features best-selling author, James Bowe

Emma Barton and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay, delve into the topic of pets and dementia.Have you ever wondered if your pet could be living with dementia, or what would happen if their memory started to deteriorate? Perhaps you have started to notice them acting a little strangely in their old age, but aren’t sure why? In this episode, Caroline and Emma

Emma Barton, along with pop star turned farmer, JB Gill and Becky Skyrme; Animal Behaviourist at Blue Cross, delve into the myriad of weird and wonderful ways that pets show affection, solicit love and attention, and let their owners know they’re happy. From dogs to cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even horses, this episode explores the sounds and behaviours that indicate your

Emma Barton and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay, discuss the strange eating habits of dogs! It’s a stomach-churning sight for us humans but many dogs like to eat poo otherwise known as coprophagia - the eating of faeces or dung.Horse manure, cow pats, cat poo, fox poop and even other dogs’ faeces are common favourites. But surely our dogs don’t do this

TV personality, Nicola McLean, and Blue Cross’s Pet Bereavement Support Service Manager, Diane James, join Emma Barton to explore the incredible link between pets and our mental health.Over the last year, there has been a marked increase in the number of people struggling with their mental health because of the pandemic. To help those who may be feeling the effects, Emma and her

Emma Barton and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay, discuss one of the most common questions asked – Is my pet too fat? Being overweight can have lasting consequences and can even be fatal to pets. Studies have shown that overweight pets do not live as long and are more prone to illnesses that spoil their quality of life, such as arthritis, breathing difficul

Penny Lancaster joins Emma Barton and Blue Cross Animal Behaviorist, Claire Haynes, to discuss modern family life with pets and why it’s important to read animal behaviour within a family environment. From tips on how to get your children stuck into caring for dogs and cats, to advice on when it’s right to introduce your young family members to new furry friends, this epis

In the second episode of our bonus ‘Ask The Vet’ mini-series, Emma Barton and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay, delve into the topic of pets and allergies.Have you ever wondered if your dog suffers with hayfever, or what to do if your pet has a food allergy? In this episode, Caroline, along with Emma and her furry co-host, Poppy Dog, discuss what pet owners ca

Emma Barton is joined by her dance-partner-in-crime, Anton Du Beke, and Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Leigh-Ann Reed, to discuss how pet owners can best manage their pets in social situations – especially over the busy summer period.Whether you’re at your local park, dropping by a friend’s house, or away on staycation, socialising your pet – with both humans and other pet