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Explore expert articles on dogs with Vet Verified.
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Plan long car trips with your dog by using safe restraint, taking breaks every couple of hours and keeping the car cool. Bring water, food, a lead, bedding and any medicine, and watch for sickness, stress or overheating. Puppies and older dogs may need extra stops and comfort. Never leave a dog alone in a parked car, and check travel rules before going abroad.
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Car sickness can make dogs feel sick, scared or both, especially puppies whose balance systems are still growing. Signs include drooling, panting, whining, trembling, vomiting and refusing to get in the car. Help your dog by taking short, happy trips, avoiding large meals before travel, keeping the car cool, using safe restraints and driving smoothly. Familiar blankets or toys, regular breaks and calm training can also help. Speak to a vet if your dog is often sick, very worried or refuses to travel, as medicine or behaviour support may be needed.
Learn when it is too hot to walk your dog and how to prevent heatstroke. This guide explains safe temperature ranges, the risks of hot pavements and humidity, dogs most at risk, warning signs of overheating, safer walking times, and what to do if your dog becomes unwell in hot weather.
Learn about cognitive decline in dogs, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction or dog dementia. This guide covers common signs in senior dogs, including confusion, sleep changes, barking, pacing and house-training accidents, plus diagnosis, veterinary advice and simple ways to support your ageing dog at home.
Animal Health Certificates are needed by most UK dog owners travelling from Great Britain to the EU after Brexit. Learn about AHC validity, microchips, rabies vaccinations, tapeworm treatment, costs and planning ahead for safe, legal dog travel to Europe.
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Learn about mobility problems in dogs, including common signs such as limping, stiffness, trouble standing and reluctance to exercise. This guide covers causes including arthritis, injuries, joint disorders, obesity and neurological conditions, plus ways to support your dog at home with safe flooring, supportive beds, weight control and gentle exercise. Find out when to contact a vet, available treatments such as pain relief, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, and how early care can help dogs stay comfortable and active.
When a dog loses a companion, it can show signs of grief such as changes in behaviour, reduced appetite, more sleep, clinginess, searching, more barking and restlessness. To help a grieving dog, keep routines steady, give calm attention, offer walks and simple games for mental stimulation, and watch for signs of illness or lasting weight loss. Letting a dog sniff a passed companion can help some dogs, but not everyone chooses this. Avoid big changes straight away and wait before getting another dog; if you do, introduce the new dog slowly on neutral ground. Speak to your vet or a qualified behaviourist if severe anxiety, aggression, refusal to eat or other worrying symptoms continue.
Ageing dog care: simple steps to keep senior dogs healthy and comfortable. Watch for signs of ageing like less energy, more sleep, grey hair and slow movement. Senior dog nutrition matters; feed high quality senior food, control calories and use joint-supporting nutrients to help joints. Weight management for older dogs stops extra strain on joints and helps arthritis in dogs. Exercise for senior dogs should be gentle and regular, like short walks and play. Regular veterinary check-ups and dental care for senior dogs help spot problems early. Watch for cognitive decline, changes in hearing or vision, and behaviour changes. Make the home easy to use with ramps, non-slip mats and cosy bedding. Talk to your vet about pain relief and end-of-life care so your dog stays comfortable.
This post explains how to travel safely with your dog by car. UK law and the Highway Code say dogs must be suitably restrained to avoid distracting the driver or causing injury. Use a crash-tested dog seat belt harness, a secured crate or a dog guard for large dogs. Never leave a dog alone in a hot car. Prepare your dog with short journeys, rewards and familiar bedding, and pack water, food, a lead, waste bags and up-to-date ID. Watch for travel sickness and stress, take regular breaks and check rules for travelling abroad such as pet passports and vaccinations. Proper restraint and simple planning protect both your dog and other road users.
This clear guide helps dog owners choose the best dog holiday care, covering boarding kennels, home visits, live-in pet sitters and friends or family. It explains the pros and cons of each option and gives simple dog care tips: make sure vaccinations and flea or worm treatments are up to date, pack food and medication, leave detailed care instructions and emergency contacts, keep feeding and walk routines, and leave familiar toys or bedding. It also warns how to spot separation anxiety or stress, such as loss of appetite, excessive barking, destructive behaviour or withdrawal. Use this checklist when preparing your dog for holiday to pick the right pet sitter, keep your dog’s routine and have peace of mind.
Obesity in dogs is a common problem that harms health, mobility and lifespan. An overweight dog can develop arthritis, diabetes, heart and breathing problems. It usually happens when a dog eats more calories than it burns because of overfeeding, too many treats, little exercise, age, neutering or some medical conditions. To manage an overweight dog, measure portions, cut treats, choose a vet-recommended weight-management diet and increase gentle exercise slowly. Weigh your dog regularly, track body condition and work with your vet to make dog weight loss safe and steady. To prevent obesity in dogs, give correct portion sizes, daily activity and routine vet checks.
Hypoglycaemia in dogs, or low blood sugar in dogs, is a medical emergency that can quickly become life threatening. Causes include too much insulin in diabetic dogs, missed meals, severe illness, liver disease, heavy exercise, certain toxins and hormonal problems. Puppies and small toy breeds are most at risk. Early signs are weakness, tiredness, shaking, hunger and restlessness; severe signs include confusion, unsteady walking, seizures, collapse and unconsciousness. If the dog is conscious, give food and a quick sugar source such as honey or glucose syrup, gently rubbing a little on the gums if needed. If the dog is unconscious do not force food or drink, rub a small amount of sugar on the gums and contact your vet immediately. Veterinary treatment may include intravenous glucose, blood sugar monitoring, insulin dose changes and treatment of any underlying illness. To help prevent episodes, keep regular meal and insulin routines, avoid long fasts, monitor at-risk dogs and keep puppies warm and well fed. Quick recognition and prompt veterinary care improve the chance of a good recovery.
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