5 Tips to keep your dog safe this festive season

We know it’s tough to helicopter parent when there’s so much going on this time of year, but there are some things that you simply need to make sure you’re hyper vigilant about for the safety of your dog. And these are things that you definitely can plan for, to avoid emergency vet visits. So here […]

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 […]

puppy taking a bath

Coming clean on your dogs bathtime

Giving your dog a bath will cleanse their skin of dirt, debris and pollens. It can also be used as a great way to deliver medication to the skin when needed. It can also remove natural oils from the coat, and even cause irritation of the skin. So how often should I bath my dog? […]

curious dog

4 Ways to avoid dog toxicities this easter

Chocolate and sultanas are two example of toxic foods for dogs, and are both commonly associated with Easter. Here are some easy ways to make sure your dog is not exposed to them. 1. Easter baskets in high places Dogs love chocolate. Chocolate doesn’t love dogs. The two don’t mix, so it’s best to keep […]

sad looking dog

What not to eat this Easter – Fur Kids edition

Did you know that two of our favourite Easter foods are highly toxic for dogs? Hot cross buns and chocolate stashes are notoriously sought after by pups however, this is no time to play family vacuum cleaner. 1. Hot Cross Buns Sultanas and raisins (and all grapes) are toxic to dogs. The toxin they contain […]

curious labrador

Chance of dog poisoning by licking insect spray

ASK DR CLAIRE Is there the chance of our dog being poisoned by licking a surface that has been treated with a household insect spray? This is a great question and the truth is, it can depend on the particular spray used. However, most regular over the counter insect sprays (the kind you buy at […]

baby pug with christmas hat

6 Dog dangers to avoid this christmas

Here’s the top 6 doggie dangers at Christmas as polled by the vets at VetChat. 1. Human food that’s toxic to dogs Chocolate, plum pudding, Christmas cake, stuffing for meats, fruit platters just to name a few. These common foods have ingredients in them that are toxic to dogs and must not be eaten. These […]

dogs eating fertiliser

Fertiliser safety for cats and dogs

Fertilisers are toxic to both cats and dogs. However, it’s mainly dogs that are affected specifically owing to their scavenging nature. There are so many types of fertiliser, they generally contain salts of nitrogen and potassium. As well as phosphorus. They vary in the additives, which can include agents to kill plants, insects and fungi, […]

dog eating grass

Why do dogs and cats eat grass?

Many dogs and cats like to eat grass. There’s a lot of speculation as to why, but actually little evidence. Popular theories include that they have a dietary deficiency (ie. fibre), that they are sick or feel nauseous and so they choose to eat grass to make themselves vomit. Others believe that they are bored, […]