As much as we wish our four-legged friends could talk to us and tell us their problems, they can’t. Which is why we need to be able to spot the non-verbal signs our pets are giving us to seek treatment options – or a vet’s second opinion – early. Quit practicing your best dog whisperer impressions (being calm and assertive won’t help you here!) and swot up on our tips to treat the most common pet problems.
Fleas & Ticks
What are fleas and ticks?
Fleas are teeny-tiny parasites that drink blood for a living – lovely! What they lack in wings, they make up for in powerful hind legs that act like springboards. They’ll hitch a ride on anything from dogs and cats to an old t-shirt in your odds and ends cupboard. The bottom line is fleas don’t discriminate.
Ticks, likes fleas, are wingless parasites. And guess what? They also feed off blood. Surprise surprise... The good news is, they’re slightly easier to spot than fleas, given their larger size. Ticks find their hosts by smell, heat, moisture and movement. There’s no wonder our pets pick them up after a wander in the garden.
How do I know if my pet has fleas or ticks?
If you see your pet itching, biting or scratching themselves more than usual, that’s probably a sure sign. In any case, to look for fleas, gently use a flea comb and look out for brown or black specks on your pet’s skin. For ticks, look for reddish black spots. They’re large enough to see with the naked eye, so spotting them should be slightly easier than fleas.
How do I get rid of fleas and ticks?
It’s super simple – over-the-counter flea and tick treatment will do the trick for both pests. Applying it to your pet is even easier, all you need to do is squeeze the tube and apply between the shoulder blades. Different doses are needed depending on the size of your pet, so keep an eye out for the right amount.
Advantage Flea Treatment 250 Spot For Dogs Between 10Kg-25Kg
£23.99
Advantage Flea Treatment 40 Spot Small Cats, Dog & Rabbits
£2.25
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment Dog 10-20Kg X3
£3.11
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment Dog 2-10Kg X3
£28.45
Ear infections
How do I know if my pet has an ear infection?
While ear infections are more common in dogs than cats, it can’t hurt to know when your pet may have one. Here are some top signs to look out for:
Loss of balance
Ear odour
Swelling of outer ear
Scratching, pawing and shaking of head
Redness in ear canal
Black, brown or yellow discharge
How do I treat an ear infection?
Unlike fleas, this is one for the pros. Take your pet to the vet if you think it has an ear infection. Most of the time your vet will quite simply clean and medicate the ear, but in some cases surgery is required. As with most things, it’s better safe than sorry.
Hot spots
What are hot spots?
Hot spots (or acute moist dermatitis if you want to be scientific) are red, moist, hot and irritated areas on the skin. They’re usually found on the hip, head, or belly of your pet. Hot spots happen for all sorts of reasons, but most of the time it’s down to poor grooming, allergies, or constant licking.
How do I check for hot spots?
If your pet has hot spots, there are usually lots of telling signs. Be on the lookout for:
Raised red bumps and lesions
Unexplained swelling
Reddish brown colour around the hot spot
Bad odour
Pus and oozing
How do I treat hot spots?
Prevention is key, so make sure to regularly groom your dog and trim its coat for the hotter months. But if you think your cat or dog might already have hot spots, it’s always good to take them to a vet. Depending on the cause, treatment can include anything from antibiotics (prescribed by the vet) to dietary tweaks.
Home » How to treat common pet health problems
How to treat common pet health problems
Home » How to treat common pet health problems
As much as we wish our four-legged friends could talk to us and tell us their problems, they can’t. Which is why we need to be able to spot the non-verbal signs our pets are giving us to seek treatment options – or a vet’s second opinion – early. Quit practicing your best dog whisperer impressions (being calm and assertive won’t help you here!) and swot up on our tips to treat the most common pet problems.
Fleas & Ticks
What are fleas and ticks?
Fleas are teeny-tiny parasites that drink blood for a living – lovely! What they lack in wings, they make up for in powerful hind legs that act like springboards. They’ll hitch a ride on anything from dogs and cats to an old t-shirt in your odds and ends cupboard. The bottom line is fleas don’t discriminate.
Ticks, likes fleas, are wingless parasites. And guess what? They also feed off blood. Surprise surprise... The good news is, they’re slightly easier to spot than fleas, given their larger size. Ticks find their hosts by smell, heat, moisture and movement. There’s no wonder our pets pick them up after a wander in the garden.
How do I know if my pet has fleas or ticks?
If you see your pet itching, biting or scratching themselves more than usual, that’s probably a sure sign. In any case, to look for fleas, gently use a flea comb and look out for brown or black specks on your pet’s skin. For ticks, look for reddish black spots. They’re large enough to see with the naked eye, so spotting them should be slightly easier than fleas.
How do I get rid of fleas and ticks?
It’s super simple – over-the-counter flea and tick treatment will do the trick for both pests. Applying it to your pet is even easier, all you need to do is squeeze the tube and apply between the shoulder blades. Different doses are needed depending on the size of your pet, so keep an eye out for the right amount.
Ear infections
How do I know if my pet has an ear infection?
While ear infections are more common in dogs than cats, it can’t hurt to know when your pet may have one. Here are some top signs to look out for:
How do I treat an ear infection?
Unlike fleas, this is one for the pros. Take your pet to the vet if you think it has an ear infection. Most of the time your vet will quite simply clean and medicate the ear, but in some cases surgery is required. As with most things, it’s better safe than sorry.
Hot spots
What are hot spots?
Hot spots (or acute moist dermatitis if you want to be scientific) are red, moist, hot and irritated areas on the skin. They’re usually found on the hip, head, or belly of your pet. Hot spots happen for all sorts of reasons, but most of the time it’s down to poor grooming, allergies, or constant licking.
How do I check for hot spots?
If your pet has hot spots, there are usually lots of telling signs. Be on the lookout for:
How do I treat hot spots?
Prevention is key, so make sure to regularly groom your dog and trim its coat for the hotter months. But if you think your cat or dog might already have hot spots, it’s always good to take them to a vet. Depending on the cause, treatment can include anything from antibiotics (prescribed by the vet) to dietary tweaks.
Don’t Miss Our Latest Health Articles!
The importance of using mouthwash
Understand cold symptoms and how to relieve them
Party-season health hacks