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Dogs
Explore expert articles on dogs with Vet Verified.
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How You Can Support Your Remaining Dog When You Lose a Dog in the Family
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.
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Caring for an Ageing or Elderly Dog
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.
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Travelling by Car With Your Dog: Legal Requirements and Safety Tips
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How Hot Is Too Hot? The Danger of Hot Cars for Dogs
Cars can become deadly for dogs in minutes, even on mild days. There is no safe outside temperature to leave a dog unattended in a car. Vehicles act like greenhouses and heat up fast, and cracked windows do not stop this. Around 20°C outside can already be risky and 22 to 24°C can quickly become life threatening inside a car. Flat faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boxers, plus puppies, older dogs, overweight or thick coated dogs and those with heart or breathing problems are at higher risk. Early signs of overheating are heavy panting, drooling, restlessness and bright red gums. Later signs include vomiting, collapse, seizures and loss of consciousness. If a dog is overheating move it to a cool place, give small sips of cool water, wet their body with cool water, increase airflow and call a vet; do not use ice cold water. Never leave a dog alone in a warm car. If the weather feels warm to you it is probably too warm for a dog. Leaving a dog in a hot car can cause severe suffering and may lead to fines or prosecution.
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What Are the Signs Your Dog Is Sick?
Signs your dog is unwell include changes in appetite or thirst, vomiting or diarrhoea, low energy, coughing or laboured breathing, altered behaviour, skin or coat problems, trouble moving, eye or ear discharge, bad breath and sudden weight change. Seek veterinary advice if symptoms persist or worsen, and get emergency help for collapse, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, a bloated abdomen, seizures or suspected poisoning. Regular vet checks, vaccinations, parasite control, good dental care, balanced food and exercise help prevent many health problems. Trust your instincts if your dog seems 'not themselves' and act quickly to get help.
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Boarding Facilities vs Home Visits: What Is Best for Your Dog?
Dog boarding vs home visits: this simple guide helps dog owners choose between kennels and pet sitters. Dog boarding or kennels offer secure accommodation, set feeding, exercise, trained staff, social time and faster emergency response, but new smells, other dogs and noise can stress some dogs and raise illness risk. Home visits by a pet sitter keep your dog at home, preserve its routine, reduce stress for anxious or older dogs and avoid contact with other animals, but dogs are alone between visits so you must hire a reliable sitter and have an emergency plan. Think about your dog’s age, health, social behaviour, separation anxiety and exercise needs. Puppies often need frequent supervision and controlled socialisation, while senior dogs usually prefer quiet familiar surroundings. Ask providers how often dogs are exercised, how emergencies are handled, if staff are trained and how medication is given. Choose the option that fits your dog’s personality, routine and health to keep them safe and comfortable while you are away.
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Epilepsy in Dogs: Recognising Seizures and Managing a Lifelong Condition
Epilepsy in dogs is a common brain condition that causes repeated seizures. Seizures can be generalised (whole body) or focal (one part of the body) and often have three stages: warning signs, the seizure itself and a recovery period. Common causes include idiopathic (likely genetic), brain disease, metabolic problems and toxins. Signs to look for are collapse, jerking, staring, facial twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling and strange behaviour. Diagnosis uses a vet history, exams, blood tests, urine checks and sometimes MRI or spinal fluid tests. Treatment is advised for frequent, long or cluster seizures and can include phenobarbital, levetiracetam, potassium bromide or imepitoin, with emergency care for prolonged fits. Living well with epilepsy means giving medication on time, keeping a seizure diary, avoiding toxins, reducing stress and regular vet checks. Seek urgent veterinary care if a seizure lasts more than five minutes, if your dog has several seizures in 24 hours, does not recover normally, or this is the first seizure. With the right care many dogs with epilepsy live happy, active lives, though some need lifelong treatment.
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