Skip to main content

Section

Dogs

Explore expert articles on dogs with Vet Verified.

201 articles

What Should You Do With Your Dog When You Go on Holiday?
Dogs

What Should You Do With Your Dog When You Go on Holiday?

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.

More in Dogs

  • Obesity in Dogs: Causes, Risks and How to Help Your Dog Stay Healthy
    Dogs

    Obesity in Dogs: Causes, Risks and How to Help Your Dog Stay Healthy

    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: Causes, Signs and What to Do
    Dogs

    Hypoglycaemia in Dogs: Causes, Signs and What to Do

    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.

  • Diabetes in Dogs: Signs, Causes and How to Manage It
    Dogs

    Diabetes in Dogs: Signs, Causes and How to Manage It

    Diabetes in dogs is when the body cannot use or make enough insulin, so blood sugar stays too high. Early signs of diabetes in dogs include increased thirst, more urination, greater appetite, weight loss and low energy. Vets diagnose diabetes with blood and urine tests. Most dogs need lifelong insulin therapy plus a steady diet, regular exercise and routine feeding times to keep blood glucose stable. Owners should monitor for hypoglycaemia (weakness, trembling, collapse) and for serious complications such as cataracts, infections or diabetic ketoacidosis. Keeping dogs at a healthy weight, providing regular exercise and attending routine vet check ups can lower some risk factors. Contact your vet if you notice increased thirst or urination, unexplained weight loss, sudden lethargy, vomiting or other worrying changes so treatment can start early and improve your dog’s outlook.

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Emergency Treatment
    Dogs

    Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Emergency Treatment

    Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs is a life‑threatening emergency that happens when the body cannot use glucose and produces too many ketones. It usually affects dogs with uncontrolled or newly diagnosed diabetes and can be triggered by missed insulin, infection, stress or poor appetite. Common signs of DKA include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, tiredness, poor appetite, vomiting, rapid or laboured breathing and a fruity smell on the breath. Vets diagnose DKA with blood sugar and ketone tests plus checks for dehydration, electrolytes and organ function. DKA treatment is urgent hospital care with intravenous fluids, insulin, electrolyte correction, feeding support and treatment of any infection. To help prevent DKA give insulin exactly as prescribed, keep regular meal times, monitor blood sugar if advised and call your vet promptly if your dog becomes unwell. Many dogs recover well with fast treatment, but delayed care worsens the outlook, so contact your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if you suspect DKA.

The archive

Other sections