Vetscriptions

28/02/2025

When getting a new puppy, you might be asking yourself- what should I feed them? 🐶

When you first bring your precious pup home, we'd strongly recommend keeping them on the same diet that they were on at the breeder's. At this young age, their stomach will still be developing and you don't want to cause any stomach upsets. 💙

We'd suggest purchasing some of the same food they have been eating at the breeder's before you collect your puppy, so that you can keep them on the same diet for at least a few weeks.

If you do want to change their diet, for example if the breeder's diet is difficult to maintain or doesn't suit you or your pup, please make sure this is a very gradual process. Take your time and make sure that both you and your pup are happy. 🐶😊

26/02/2025

It's important to be mindful when getting a new puppy, that whilst the first 24-hours will be extremely exciting for you, it can be a stressful time for your puppy. 🐶

Bear in mind that they have just been separated from their mum and will not know what is going on, or that they are moving to a new home. We'd recommend doing whatever you can to create a relaxed and settled environment for them. 💕

Perhaps restrict your pup's access to a certain area of the house at first and then, over time, your puppy can get used to more and more space and can explore the rest of your house. 🏡

Try not to overload your pup, as you don’t want to make them feel overwhelmed. Let them come to you when they want to play- they will do so when they are ready. Also, ensure you give them lots of cuddles to help them feel safe, loved and protected. 😍💙

In the first few months, having a crate to go back to when things get a bit too much and to sleep inside can often help puppies to feel calmer and less stressed.

24/02/2025

Getting a new puppy is incredibly exciting and we're sure that one of the things new puppy owners are most excited about is taking them out for walks. 🐶 Part of the joy of having a dog is going outdoors and enjoying the exercise- both for you and your four-legged friend. 🌳

It's important not to overdo the exercise when your puppy's bones and joints are developing. Initially, we'd suggest taking your puppy out frequently for short walks- perhaps 3 times a day for a short walk (e.g. 3 x 15 minutes). ⏰

Your puppy's bladder and bowels will need emptying frequently so 3 walks a day including one last walk before bedtime is useful. Toilet walks or visits to the garden should be encouraged between the walks too, to encourage outdoor toileting. 🏡

You can gradually increase exercise over time up to when your puppy is between 12-18 months of age. 🐶💙

21/02/2025

Before you bring your new puppy home, we'd recommend 'puppy-proofing' your house in advance. 🐶

Puppies like to chew- a lot! They might take a fancy to your new shoes or even cables and furniture. 👞 It’s best to puppy proof your home and make sure that all cables are out of the way, as well as shoes and any children’s toys because if swallowed, these could be very dangerous. ⚠️ Instead, keep lots of dog toys that are safe to chew near their bed so that they know what they are allowed to play with and what they aren’t. 🐶

You might also want to consider purchasing a baby stair gate if you would like to keep your puppy in a particular area and more importantly, keep them away from anything that could be dangerous.

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 ‘𝙥𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙜’:
🔹 Check cables cannot be chewed
🔹 Restrict access to certain parts of the house
🔹Consider installing a stair gate
🔹Take extra care regarding house plants as some can be toxic for pets
🔹Clear away shoes
🔹Take precautions regarding chewing inappropriate items

19/02/2025

Getting a new puppy is a really exciting time. 🐶 With all the excitement going on, it can be easy to forget some important items that you and your puppy may need.

It's a good idea to write a list of everything you think you may need in advance so that you can get prepared before you bring your puppy home. 🏡

Here are some of the things we think are important to get in advance:
🔹Dog bed
🔹Crate
🔹Bedding for crate
🔹Toileting tray
🔹Puppy pads for toilet training
🔹Lots of chews and toys because puppies love to chew!
🔹Lead
🔹Collar
🔹Harness
🔹Dog bowls
🔹Dog treats
🔹Food- the same as what your pup is currently eating
🔹Calming dog pheromones (such as CalmX)

You can find our CalmX capsules here: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/products/calmx-sprinkle-capsules

Is there anything that you found really useful when you got your pup? Leave a comment below to help new puppy owners. 🐶⬇️

17/02/2025

How do you know what the right breed of dog is for you and your family? 🐶

Getting a new puppy is a very exciting time but there are lots of things to consider and it's important to make sure that you are fully prepared.

We'd suggest doing lots of research into the breeds you are considering. There are lots of tools available online that can help you figure out which breed is a good match for you. 😊 IAMS Dog Breed Selector and The Kennel Club are good sources of information online.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
🔹How experienced are you as a dog owner?
🔹How much time do you have for exercise? How active are you?
🔹How tolerant are you of fur?
🔹How much training would you like to provide?
🔹What size dog would you like- toy, medium, large or giant?
🔹It is also important to be conscious of any health related breed problems

This is a very important decision and you want to make sure you are well informed when choosing the newest member of your family. 💙

13/02/2025

Often used as working or service dogs, German Shepherds live to please their owners! 💙

It should then come as no surprise they make amazing family pets due to their protective nature and willingness to defend their family. Learn more on how to take care of your German Shepherd here: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/blogs/dog-breed/german-shepherd-loyal-and-courageous

Have you got a German Shepherd yourself? Feel free to share your lovely ball of fluff in the comments! 🐶🥰

12/02/2025

When getting a new puppy, it’s essential to make sure that you get them microchipped!

In a law that came into effect in April 2016, puppies must be vaccinated before they reach 8 weeks of age. This means that most puppies are microchipped before they leave the breeder. If they haven’t already been microchipped, don’t worry, your vets can do that for you. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

The microchip is a small chip (about the size of a grain of rice) that is inserted into the back of the neck. When scanned, this will provide a number, which correlates to details on central databases. It's so important to keep this information up to date to keep your four-legged friend safe. 🐶🐱

11/02/2025

Known for their incredible agility, intelligence and friendliness, the Border Collie remains one of the most popular dogs in the UK! 🐶Find out why in our blog article: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/blogs/news/border-collie-shepherds-and-athletes

10/02/2025

Before taking your puppy back to their new home, it's important to go and visit them in their first home. 🐶🏡

This gives you the chance to see them in their current home environment and also to meet the breeder. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have.

If possible, we'd strongly recommend meeting both the mum and dad. This is really useful and it can also help to meet the other pups too. This will help to give you an idea of what the parents are like as well as their temperament. 🐶

It’s vital that you have confidence in your chosen breeder and that they are happy for you to meet the pup and their parents. 😊💕

07/02/2025

Puppies can be absolutely adorable, but they can also be literal balls of energy! 🐶💙

There are a huge number of factors to consider before getting a puppy, so we have tried to summarise some of these important considerations and put together this useful guide for new owners which includes answers to the questions, What is the right puppy for me? Where to get a puppy? and How will getting a puppy change my life?

Getting a puppy is a really exciting experience. They are really cute and lovable companions that will change your life forever, but prospective pet owners need to be properly prepared as they are taking on a huge responsibility. There are a huge number of factors to consider before getting a puppy,...

05/02/2025

The Cocker Spaniel is one of the most beloved dogs in the UK, and rightfully so! With its charming and playful personality, it is hard not to fall in love with its literal puppy eyes! 🐶💙

Learn more on how to keep your Cocker Spaniel happy and healthy by reading our blog article: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/blogs/dog-breed/cocker-spaniel-a-friendly-easy-to-train-dog

30/01/2025

Anything breaking your pet's routine, such as a visit to the vet or moving out, can often be the cause of a lot of anxiety. 😣

Using supplements such as CalmX are a great idea to keep your pets more relaxed - alongside other tips such as building a safe, dark, comfortable den with their favourite toys, treats and blankets in a quiet spot of their new home, or taking them to the vets at an early age!

CalmX is available in both liquid and sprinkle forms:

https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/products/calmx-liquid
https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/products/calmx-sprinkle-capsules

28/01/2025

Valentine's Day is also the best time to send beautiful flowers to the one you love! However, did you know some of them can be harmful and poisonous to your pets?

Amongst the flowers and plants to avoid are:

- Tulip
- Roses
- Hyacinth
- Lillies
- Peace lilly
- Iris
- Azalea
- Crocus
- Iris

The most obvious way you may know that your pet has eaten a dangerous plant, is if you catch them eating it. If you see your pet eating a potentially dangerous plant, always call your vet for advice straight away – don’t wait for symptoms to appear.

However, you may not always see your pet eating a poisonous plant, therefore you may not know until they start to show symptoms. Symptoms of plant toxicity or poisoning can include some or all:

Low energy
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Blood in the poo
Drinking/peeing more
Pale gums
Twitching
Tremors/seizures (fits)
Struggling to breathe
Collapse
Drooling
Eating less/not eating

‼️Should you witness any of these symptoms, please contact your vet immediately!! ‼️

27/01/2025

Do you know how clean your pet's teeth are? 🦷🪥

Dental disease can be hard to ascertain in pets as they are very good at hiding their pain! But the following symptoms should tell you whether or not your pet is in pain and needs to be taken to the vet for a scale and polish:

- Smelly breath
- Inflamed gums
- Loose teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Poor appetite

To prevent plaque from forming, it is necessary to brush your pet's teeth at least 5 times a week. Vetscriptions can help! Here's our wide range of dental products for dogs: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/collections/dog-dental
and for cats: https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/collections/cat-dental

24/01/2025

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and it is a perfect day to enjoy loads of chocolate! However, even though they are good for humans, they can become extremely poisonous to pets!

Although it can be so yummy and delicious for humans, chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and if consumed in large amounts can be life-threatening. 😖

The toxicity of chocolate depends on the dog’s weight, type of chocolate, as well as the amount the dog digests. Occasionally accidents do happen, and side effects from eating chocolate usually present themselves within 4-24 hours.

If your dog has eaten chocolate, you may see the following symptoms:

Vomiting (may include blood)
Diarrhoea
Restlessness and hyperactivity
Rapid breathing
Muscle tension, incoordination
Increased heart rate
Seizures

❗❗Remember if you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate, do not hesitate to contact your vet for advice, it will help them to know what type of chocolate they have eaten and when they ate it. ❗❗

14/01/2025

Arthritis is a very common issue in pets and it can start when they are quite young and progress with age.

If you have noticed any of the below symptoms in your pet, you should book a consultation with your vet and start treating your pet with effective medications and supplements.
You can find different meds and supplement treatments on Vetscriptions website to start helping your pet, as an early intervention is vital.

Remember that weight control and exercise -without excess, are key to improve your pet's health, as weight increase put significant strain on damaged joints.

Visit our online pharmacy at https://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/collections/arthritic-pets and find the best prices on vet recommended products and meds.

01/01/2025

Wishing our marvellous clients a happy, happy new year 2025! May it be filled with love, joy, and success!

All the best to both you and your lovely pets 💙