Articles

Articles, questions and guides on pet care.

How to select a friendly, confident cat or kitten

How to select a friendly, confident cat or kitten

Deciding to add a new cat to your home is a very exciting process and by following the advice below, you will have the highest chance of selecting a friendly, confident cat who fits in well into…

Read article
Breathing rapidly when sleeping - when should you be concerned?

Breathing rapidly when sleeping - when should you be concerned?

Does your sleeping pup suddenly start breathing quickly when they have previously been slumbering peacefully or is there a consistent change in your dog’s breathing once they go to sleep? This…

Read article
What are probiotics? Why and when should I give them to my dog or cat?

What are probiotics? Why and when should I give them to my dog or cat?

Every pet shop out there offers numerous probiotics. But what is a probiotic actually? Does it do anything? How to use it? Read on for what you need to know on gut health and probiotics for pets.

Read article
Lily poisoning in cats

Lily poisoning in cats

Lilies are one of those everyday items we keep in our homes and gardens that are potentially deadly for our pets. Read our article to learn what you need to know to keep your cat safe.

Read article
How to introduce cats

How to introduce cats

It's never easy introducing cats to each other and we've got some tips to help out!

Read article
My cat has a swollen face

My cat has a swollen face

Facial swelling in cats can have multiple causes, all of which require veterinary attention. Facial swelling will usually be accompanied by pain and will generally make your cat feel miserable.…

Read article
Should I try to make my dog sick?

Should I try to make my dog sick?

Occasionally, your pet may eat something that could be harmful and may need to visit their vet to be made sick. It is never recommended to make your pet sick at home. There are risks associated with…

Read article
How to reduce stress in multi-cat households

How to reduce stress in multi-cat households

Are multi-cat households more stressful? Having more than one cat in the home can lead to feelings of stress, frustration and issues with aggression. Here you can find tips on how to reduce stress,…

Read article
Dog and cat bites

Dog and cat bites

The mouths of dogs and cats are filled with bacteria which can cause serious infections if a bite occurs. In addition the teeth can penetrate into tissue and cause both superficial and deeper, more…

Read article
How to clean your cat’s ears

How to clean your cat’s ears

Now and then your cat may have waxy ears that need cleaning. Not sure how to do it or what to use? Read our article to learn how to do this with the best results.

Read article
Are shock collars really that bad?

Are shock collars really that bad?

A shock collar is a device which delivers an electric shock to an animal and is used as a training tool. They may also be called electronic collars, remote collars or e-collars. Continue reading…

Read article
Top tips for cat litter trays

Top tips for cat litter trays

Choosing the right litter tray for your cat is so important. From size, shape, location and substrate material, all of these things should be considered when choosing a tray. Read more about the…

Read article
Why is my cat scratching at the furniture?

Why is my cat scratching at the furniture?

Scratching is a natural and very important behaviour for the cat. However problems can arise when cats scratch furniture or other objects in the house that the owner deems undesirable.

Read article
How to make your garden cat friendly

How to make your garden cat friendly

Many cat owners spend time making their home more cat friendly, but often do not consider how cat friendly their garden is. If you have a garden where other cats from the neighbourhood frequent,…

Read article
Halloween hazards and Bonfire Night - how to keep your pet safe

Halloween hazards and Bonfire Night - how to keep your pet safe

Halloween can be a wonderful time of year with lots of sweets and chocolates in abundance, creative costumes and a great time had by all. However our pets may feel very different, with dangers posed…

Read article
Pros and cons of keeping a cat indoors

Pros and cons of keeping a cat indoors

For most cat owners, it is an important decision on whether you should keep your cat indoors or allow them access to the outside world. There are pros and cons of both options which this article…

Read article
Top five health problems in older cats

Top five health problems in older cats

As cats age, they can be more prone to certain age related disease processes. Early detection and management of these age related issues leads to a better quality of life for older cats. Read more…

Read article
Seizures in dogs

Seizures in dogs

Seizures are common in dogs, especially in certain breeds where there is a genetic susceptibility to epilepsy. A seizure is essentially a disturbance of normal brain function. This leads to…

Read article

With FirstVet, the vet clinic and pet shop are only one tap away. Get fast advice, trusted care and the right pet supplies – every day, all year round.

FIRSTVET UK LTD

25 Horsell Road

London

N5 1XL