Health guides
19 guides on health for UK pet owners — practical, current, and cross-linked so you can dig deeper where it matters.
Pillar guides
Comprehensive guides covering the major decisions in this area.
Pet Dental Care in the UK: Costs, Signs, and What's Covered
Dental disease is one of the most common and most under-treated conditions in UK pets. A practical guide to recognising signs, what treatment costs, and what insurance covers.
Pet First Aid Before You Reach the Vet: A Practical UK Guide
First aid is what you do in the minutes before professional care arrives. The UK basics: bleeding, choking, suspected poisoning, what to do and (just as importantly) what not to do.
Focused reads on specific aspects.
Pancreatitis in Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Recognising It, Treating It, and Preventing Recurrence
Pancreatitis is one of the more common emergency vet visits in UK dogs, particularly after rich food, holidays, or weight gain. A practical guide to recognising it, what treatment involves, and how to reduce recurrence.
Ear Infections in Cats and Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons UK dogs visit the vet — and one of the most under-managed. A practical guide to recognising the signs, what treatment involves, and how to reduce recurrence.
Anal Gland Problems in Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Recognising and Managing Them
Anal gland problems are common, often uncomfortable, and almost always preventable from becoming serious if recognised early. A practical UK guide to what they are, the signs to watch for, and what management involves.
Cancer Warning Signs in Cats and Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide
Cancer is the most common cause of death in dogs over 10 and a leading cause in older cats. Most cancers caught early have meaningful treatment options. A practical UK guide to the signs that warrant a vet check.
Heart Disease in Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Warning Signs, Tests, and Treatment
Heart disease affects roughly 1 in 10 UK dogs, rising sharply with age. A practical guide to the common types, the warning signs to watch for, and what diagnosis and treatment typically involve.
Cushing's Disease in Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Cushing's disease is one of the more commonly under-recognised conditions in middle-aged and older UK dogs. The signs build slowly and look like 'just getting older'. A practical guide.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats: A UK Owner's Guide to Recognising It and What Treatment Involves
Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal disease in older UK cats. The signs are easy to miss because they look like a healthy older cat. A guide to spotting it, the four treatment options, and what each costs.
Kennel Cough in Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Recognising It, Treating It, and Preventing It
Kennel cough is one of the most common contagious illnesses in UK dogs — usually mild but occasionally serious. A practical guide to spotting it, knowing when to worry, and reducing the risk.
FLUTD in Cats: A UK Owner's Guide to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
FLUTD covers a group of conditions affecting cats' bladders and urethras. It's common, often recurrent, and in male cats can become a life-threatening emergency. A UK guide to the warning signs and what to do.
Diabetes in Cats and Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Signs, Diagnosis, and Day-to-Day Management
Diabetes is one of the more common chronic conditions in middle-aged and older UK pets. A practical guide to recognising the early signs, what diagnosis involves, and what daily life on insulin actually looks like.
Pet Skin Conditions in the UK: Causes, Costs, and What to Expect at the Vet
Skin problems are the single most common reason UK pets visit the vet. A practical guide to recognising what's going on, what diagnosis involves, and what treatment typically costs.
Arthritis in Older Dogs: A UK Owner's Guide to Signs, Costs, and Care
Arthritis affects roughly 4 in 5 dogs over the age of eight. A practical UK guide to spotting the signs early, what diagnosis involves, and what treatment typically costs.
Senior Pet Care: What Changes After Age 7
Dogs (especially larger breeds) and cats start ageing earlier than most owners realise. A practical UK guide to twice-yearly checks, the conditions to watch for, and what changes day to day.
When to Neuter Your Pet in the UK: A Balanced Decision Guide
UK neutering guidance changed in 2024 — the BVA and BSAVA moved away from one-size-fits-all timing. A current guide for cats and dogs, including the breed and lifestyle factors that matter.
Microchipping in the UK: What the Law Actually Requires
UK microchipping is mandatory for dogs (since 2016) and cats in England (since 10 June 2024). The rules, the £500 fine, and how to make sure your chip is actually useful.
UK Pet Vaccination Schedule for Dogs and Cats
A clear UK schedule covering the vaccinations dogs and cats actually need, when each is due, and which require annual versus three-yearly boosters.
When to Call an Emergency Vet (UK): The Signs That Mean Go Now
A clear UK guide to recognising a real veterinary emergency. The signs that need a vet immediately, what to do before you leave, and what an emergency consultation typically costs.