Pet Healthcare 101 – Choosing the Best Care for Your Cat or Dog

As beloved members of your household, your pet deserves the best. Whether it’s the tastiest food, the comfiest bedding, or the most enjoyable toys to play with, many owners would agree that our pets get spoiled occasionally. Regarding their health, they also deserve the best care around, so how do you ensure this?

A basic grasp of good pet care can make a difference in your furry friend’s life. If you are a first-time pet owner, this can be a new experience for you, understanding how best to care for your cat or dog. However, even the most experienced pet owners can forget some basics, from what to do in an emergency to ensuring they can cover the costs of unexpected vet trips.

With so much to remember regarding pet ownership, here are a few tips on choosing what’s best for your cat’s or dog’s health and well-being.

Knowing What Your Pet Needs

A learning curve for all new pet owners is knowing precisely what their cat or dog needs. With so many different breeds having differences, it’s best to prepare well and understand how to provide them with a good, happy and healthy lifestyle. You’ll need to consider how their needs change as they age, with a puppy or kitten differing from older cats and dogs, whilst knowing which breeds are susceptible to certain conditions or health concerns.

Giving them a balanced diet is key regardless of age, breed, and lifestyle, and it should always be high-quality. Complete pet food that meets all nutritional needs should be your first choice, as this also helps you buy those specific for their life stage, such as a puppy or senior feline, being careful not to overfeed them. Look for food approved by UK Pet Food, too, as this will ensure it meets nutritional standards.

Not only is diet important for your pet, but exercise is equally essential. A dog needs a walk at least once a day to help them stay in shape, whilst cats need plenty of space to climb and hide, along with interactive games to keep them engaged and active. This will also help provide mental stimulation, so make sure you have plenty of interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders and schedule plenty of play time with them. Depending on the breed, your dog or cat may need more exercise compared to others, so check what is recommended for your pet.

The Importance of Routine Vet Care

One of the best ways to ensure your pet receives a good diet and lifestyle is to visit your vet regularly. This will help you spot signs of potential issues early and ensure your pet has necessary vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, and is generally in good health.

Your vet will be able to provide recommendations on all things related to your cat or dog, so if you aren’t sure how much to feed them or what products to use or if you want reassurance on something of concern, they will become your go-to contact. Keeping up with a vaccination schedule is also essential for your cat or dog’s health, so your vet will recommend which vaccines are best for your pet to combat serious health issues like parvovirus and other nasties.

A regular check-up, usually once yearly, is enough to monitor your pet’s long-term health. For instance, if your dog is a bit on the heavy side for their size and breed, your vet can provide guidance on helping them lose weight and maintain a healthy size.

A lack of exercise and overfeeding are common reasons that lead to weight gain, which is on the rise. 74% of vets believe pet obesity levels are increasing. According to data from the 2024 Pet Obesity Report from UK Pet Food, 30-50% of small mammals, cats and dogs seen by vets are overweight or obese. Keeping this under control is essential, and without going to the vet regularly, you may not notice as quickly that they have put on weight or are showing symptoms of other health issues.

Choosing the Best Vet For Your Pet

When you visit the vet, you want to be confident you’ve made the best choice for your furry friend. So, what should you look for in a vet?

• Check that they are Qualified. The vet practice should be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
   
• The Clinic is Friendly and Clean—Visit the practice to see if the premises are clean and if there is a friendly, positive atmosphere. The staff should be empathetic and helpful, too.
  
  
• Close to Home—You don’t want to have to travel far to get to the vet, especially if it’s an emergency. Look for those within a short distance of your home, check the opening times, and make sure this fits your situation.
  
  
• Services & Cost—The number of available services and their cost vary between practices, so it’s best to research typical costs for routine treatments and emergency care. Also, check if they provide specialist care or extra services that may benefit your dog or cat.
  
  
• Seek Recommendations—Speak to other pet owners and check online reviews, as this will give you a good idea of where to go.

You want to find a trustworthy vet, so taking the time to research one is a good idea. If you can find a perfect balance of a highly recommended vet who is close to home and offers good value for its services and treatments, you hopefully won’t have to change vets throughout your pet’s life.

Getting Emergency Care When Needed

Alongside all the routine care your vet can help you with, there are also unexpected health issues you’ll need to think about. Unfortunately, our pets do get ill or can become injured out of the blue, so whilst you may only need to visit once a year when they are in good health, the number of vet visits will increase during emergencies or when managing a pre-existing condition, such as with an older pet.

With this comes additional costs, so managing this can be a lot simpler if you have a good pet insurance policy to cover vet fees in emergency situations. Plenty of options are available to pet owners, so choosing an affordable yet comprehensive policy will ensure you are never left struggling to cover the costs of helping your pet get back to good health.

Knowing when you need to visit the vet immediately isn’t always straightforward. While some symptoms are apparent issues, others are more subtle with cats and dogs. Some common signs to look for include:

• Severe bleeding
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden collapse
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhoea
• Struggling to urinate or defecate

Sometimes, symptoms may not have shown yet, such as if they have eaten something toxic to them, like chocolate or onion, which are poisonous for both cats and dogs. Rather than wait to see if they show symptoms, arrange a vet visit as soon as possible. It’s better to be cautious than to ignore any potential symptoms, just in case they become a bigger health problem.

If in Doubt, Always Speak to Your Vet

Just like with your own health, it isn’t always easy to make the best choices, especially if caring for a pet is a new experience. This is why it is best to contact your vet whenever you are unsure about anything or need your cat or dog checked.

By following the basics and always having the mindset of doing what’s best for your cat or dog’s health, you’ll be able to look after them long into their old age while they remain the perfect companion for you and your family.