People Foods that are Safe for Dogs

Knowing which people foods are safe for our pups and which ones to avoid is key to keeping them healthy and happy. With this knowledge, we can ensure our beloved four-legged companions stay thriving and full of life, free from any avoidable food offering mistakes. Here’s a rundown of safe human foods that most dogs […]

A Natural Doggy Treat to Make at Home

Here’s a simple and tasty recipe to make at home, to treat your pup. Keep in mind, treats are exactly that – a treat! Treats are not nutritionally complete, and to ensure their diet remains balanced a rough guide to follow is that treats should make up no more than 10% of what they are […]

puppies looking at dog biscuits

Fresh Cooked and Raw Food Feeding for your Pet

At VetChat, we understand the growing trend towards fresh cooked and raw food diets for pets. Many pet caregivers are opting for raw or fresh cooked food as part of their pet’s diet, or in some cases, even as the entire diet. However, before diving into this way of feeding, it’s crucial to consider a […]

How Do I Know If My Dog Is At Their Ideal Weight?

Many pet owners are unsure how to determine if their dog is indeed overweight. We’re here to make this simple. We (vets) use a body condition score system to assess your dogs weight as this more accurately indicates their size over numbers. Your dog is given a score of 1-9 and basically we want them […]

How Do I Know If My Cat Is At Their Ideal Weight?

Many pet owners are unsure how to determine if their cat is indeed overweight. We’re here to make this simple. There are many benefits (for both you and your cat) that come with having your cat at their ideal weight. They are more easily mobile, have less pressure of their joints, can groom more easily and are […]

dog eating ice cream

Is My Pet Too Chubby?

The concept of ‘healthy weight’ can be confusing for humans and animals alike. Mostly, because we are all individuals with slightly (or hugely) differing nutritional requirements when it comes to being ‘healthy’, or having a ‘healthy weight’. Going off numbers to evaluate health is really no benefit to anyone. The only way to determine a […]

tumeric

Turmeric for Healthy Pets?

Turmeric is arguably the latest herb fad, but it has been around and used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. It’s well known for it’s golden yellow colour and it’s great as a spice in cooking, but the proposed medicinal benefits of this herb are really gaining traction. There’s even a Facebook page […]

coconut oil

Coconut Oil – Cure or Croc?

So what do we know about coconut oil? It’s a source of fat that is rich in medium chain fatty acids. It’s well known to have properties that are: Anti-inflammatory Antibacterial Antiviral Anti-fungal What do we know about coconut oil use in cats and dogs? Unfortunately, we actually know very little. Use by Veterinarians tends […]

cat and dog foods

How Do I Read My Pets Food Label?

When trying to understand the food you are feeding your pet there are four main parts of a pet food label you need to check: 1. Ingredients Whilst this tells you what’s in the food, but it doesn’t give you an idea of the quality of the ingredients (i.e. the digestibility or nutrients). Ingredients are […]