The Kettering Vets

02/11/2026

🌰 AUTUMN TOXINS: ACORNS & CONKERS! 🍂

They might look like tempting natural toys, but acorns and conkers can pose serious risks to your pets.

As autumn leaves fall, keep a close eye on your dogs during walks. Here’s what every pet owner needs to know to help keep their furry friends safe this season! 🐶🍁

🚫 THE TWO BIG RISKS

🧪 Poisoning: Acorns contain tannins that can cause illness if eaten. Conkers contain toxic compounds, including aesculin, which can also cause poisoning.

⚠️ Choking & blockages: Both acorns and conkers can cause choking or potentially life-threatening blockages in the stomach or intestines if swallowed.

🐶 SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Signs of poisoning or a blockage may include:
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Excessive drooling
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Loss of appetite
Lethargy, weakness or wobbliness
Tremors or seizures in severe cases

Symptoms can vary, so never wait for signs of illness to appear if you suspect your pet has eaten either.

💡 OUR TOP SAFETY TIPS

✅ Never throw acorns or conkers for your dog to chase or retrieve.
✅ Carry tasty treats to encourage your dog to leave or swap a tempting find.
✅ Keep your dog on a lead around oak and horse chestnut trees if they tend to scavenge.
✅ Stay vigilant in parks, gardens and woodland where acorns and conkers have fallen.

🍂 Let's keep those autumn adventures safe!

📲 Share this post with a fellow pet owner to help spread the word.

31/10/2026

A Blazing-Safe Bonfire Night For Pets! 🎆🐈‍⬛🐕

There’s lots of advice available on how to keep your pet calm around bonfire night. Every pet is different and you’ll know the best way to console your pet. Here are some of the top tips:

• Time your walks: Walk dogs earlier in the day before the fireworks start. 🐕☀️

• Stay together: Avoid leaving your pet alone around firework night. 🏡❤️

• Secure the perimeter: Keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being set off.

•Ensure doors, windows, and catflaps are secured so they can’t escape if spooked. 🚪🔑

• Dampen the senses: Close curtains to minimise the sound and flashes from fireworks. 🪟🌌

• Hiding spots: Create a quiet space or provide hiding places where pets can feel safe, and allow your pet to go away and hide if they want to. 📦🛋️

• Offer comfort: Comfort your pet if they prefer reassurance when stressed. 🫂🐾

• Create a sound barrier: If your pet is usually comfortable with the sound of music or the TV, you could switch them on to muffle some of the firework noise. 📺🎶

• Lead by example: Keep calm and go about your normal routine – pets can pick up on an owner’s anxiety and changes in behaviour. 🧘‍♂️✨

Have fun, stay safe!🐾

30/10/2026

🎃👻 A SPOOKTACULAR TEAM NIGHT! 👻🎃

We swapped our usual tasks for pumpkin carving tools and enjoyed a fantastic evening of creativity, teamwork, and a little friendly competition! 🎃✨

It’s moments like these that bring us closer together and remind us that the best teams are built on more than just work, they’re built on connection, collaboration, and shared memories. 🍂🧡

A big thank you to everyone who made the night so much fun! 🎃🙌

Same team. Different kind of work. 🧡

Drop a comment below witht he number of your favourite ⬇

28/10/2026

26/10/2026

Why should you neuter your male cat? 🐱✨

Castration is one of the best things you can do for your furry friend! While it’s a quick, routine procedure, it makes a massive difference in their health and happiness.

Here is why it’s so important:

• Happier at home: It drastically reduces the urge to roam, meaning your cat is much safer from traffic and neighborhood fights. 🚗🚫

• No more spraying: It stops or prevents urine spraying and territory marking inside your house. 🙌

• Top-notch health: It completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the spread of infectious diseases like FIV. 🩺

• Fewer stray kittens: It prevents unplanned litters, helping to reduce the pressure on busy local rescue centers. 🐾

Patient of the Week: Little Beans! 🌟

Speaking of being a responsible pet parent, we have to give a massive shoutout to little Beans! He was in last week for his castration and he was super brave.

Surgery day can be a little scary, but Beans took it all in his stride and won us over with his sweet personality. He is recovering beautifully and is now officially ready for a long, healthy, and happy life! 💙

Give Beans some love in the comments below! 👇

23/10/2026

🐾Throwback Friday – Ivy Then & Now! 🐶

Ivy the Cocker Spaniel is back at the vets for her 5-month check-up and weigh-in! 🩺⚖️

Swipe through to see how much she’s grown from a tiny puppy into the lovely little youngster she is today! 📸🐾

16/10/2026

🎆🐾 Fireworks & Furry Friends 🐾🎆

Fireworks can be exciting for us, but they can be stressful and even dangerous for our pets. Loud noises, flashing lights, and crowds can trigger fear and anxiety in dogs, cats, and other animals.

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and calm during fireworks:

🛏️Keep pets indoors in a quiet, comfortable space.
🪟Close windows, curtains, and doors to reduce noise.
⚽Provide a favorite toy, blanket, or safe space.
🌃Avoid leaving pets outside unattended.
🫂Stay calm yourself, your pets often take cues from you.

Remember: if your pet has severe anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about safe ways to help them cope. 🐶🐱💛

12/10/2026

🐾💕 Puppy cuddles alert! 💕🐾

Meet Pablo and Poppy, two adorable Dachshund puppies who popped in for some very important cuddle time with our receptionist, Elisa! 🥰🐶

Safe to say, Elisa’s workday was made a whole lot sweeter with these two little bundles of love keeping her company. 💕🐾

Who could resist those tiny paws and puppy eyes? 😍

09/10/2026

🐶💙 Meet Bertie! 💙🐶

This adorable 3-month-old Cockerpoo (the cockerpoo's really seem to be in the spotlight with our nurses the last couple of weeks hehe!) came in to see Nurse Charlotte for a weight check and his monthly flea and worming treatment. 🐾🩺

Bertie was a little nervous when he first arrived, but it didn’t take long for us to win him over! A little tasty liver paste and a big cuddle with Charlotte soon had him feeling much more relaxed. 🥰

By the end of his visit, Bertie had definitely warmed up to us and we think he may have decided that vet visits aren’t so scary after all! ❤️

What a gorgeous little boy! 🐶✨

07/10/2026

🍂 As we head into autumn, it’s time for a little pet check-up! 🐾

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are falling and the weather is starting to change... so there are a few things worth thinking about to keep your pets happy and healthy this season.

🐾 Keep on top of flea and tick prevention: parasites don’t disappear just because summer is over!

🍁 Watch what they eat on walks: fallen leaves, conkers and acorns can all be tempting to curious dogs.

🌧️ Check those paws: wet, muddy walks can lead to sore pads, so give paws a quick check and clean when needed.

🌙 Be seen on darker walks: reflective collars, leads or lights can help keep you and your dog visible as the evenings draw in.

🏠 Prepare for colder days: make sure your pet has a warm, comfortable place to rest, particularly older pets and those with thinner coats.

And as we head towards Halloween and Bonfire Night, it’s also a good time to start thinking about how your pet copes with fireworks and spooky season! 🎃🎆

A little preparation now can help make autumn a happy and healthy season for everyone. ❤️🐶🐱