UK pet health, in plain English
Happy pets. Honest answers.
280 plain-English guides, a free symptom checker and chocolate & grape toxicity calculators — every word reviewed against UK veterinary guidance. No jargon, no scaremongering.
280 health guides · 110 searchable topics · Reviewed against UK veterinary guidance
Quick answer
Published: · Last updated:
280
health guides
110
A–Z topics
40
symptom guides
8
species covered
Advice for every pet
From spaniels to bearded dragons — species-specific guidance written for how animals are actually kept in the UK.
Dog Health
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Cat Health
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Bird Health
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Rabbit Health
Explore rabbit health →
Reptile Health
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Small Pet Health
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Horse & Donkey Health
Explore horse & donkey health →
Farm Animal Health
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Find what you need
Health & Care
Guides to conditions, reviewed against UK veterinary guidance, symptoms and everyday care.
280 health guides →
Pet Health A–Z
110 conditions and care topics explained, A to Z.
110 topics →
Symptoms
What your pet's symptoms might mean, how urgent they are, and when to call a vet.
40 symptom guides →
Treatments & Care
Vaccines, parasite control, neutering and everyday care in plain terms.
34 treatment guides →
Common questions
Why is my dog shaking? Cat not eating? Direct answers to how UK owners search.
78 question guides →
Worried right now?
Check your pet's symptoms in two minutes
- Triage urgency — from home monitoring to emergency vet
- Based on UK veterinary guidance
- Free, instant — and it never replaces a vet examination
Free tools for UK owners
Quick answers for the moments you need them most — no sign-up, no app to install.
Too hot to walk your dog?
Check air temperature, time of day and pavement against UK veterinary summer advice — then do the five-second hand test.
Open the checker →
CMA Price Index ToolUK Vet Fee Comparator
Compare verified consultation, vaccination, neutering, and prescription fees side-by-side by county.
Compare local fees →
Decision CalculatorPet Insurance Calculator
Evaluate expected lifetime UK vet costs against Lifetime, Max Benefit, Time-Limited, and Accident-Only cover.
Calculate cover →
Worming & flea schedule
Lifestyle-based cadence for UK dogs and cats — then confirm products with your vet.
Check cadence →
Chocolate toxicity calculator
Enter your dog's weight and the chocolate type for an instant risk reading.
Check now →
Grape & raisin calculator
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants can damage dogs' kidneys — assess the risk fast.
Check now →
Onion & garlic calculator
Allium foods can damage red blood cells — estimate dose for dogs and cats, then call your vet.
Check now →
Dog calorie calculator
Estimate daily kcal from weight, neuter status and activity level.
Calculate →
Cat calorie calculator
Estimate daily kcal from weight, neuter status and indoor vs outdoor lifestyle.
Calculate →
Puppy weight estimator
Rough adult weight band from age and current weight — mixed breeds need vet confirmation.
Estimate →
Pet food recall checker
Search curated UK recalls by brand — check FSA if not listed.
Search →
My pet health timeline
Track vaccines, meds and weight locally in your browser — no account required.
Open tracker →
Poison guide
Common UK household and garden toxins, first steps, and when to call the vet immediately.
Open the guide →
Dog & cat food safety checkers
Can they eat it? Look up hundreds of everyday foods for dogs and cats.
Popular UK Pet Owner Questions
Top UK Pet Owner Questions Answered
Direct, plain-English answers to the questions UK pet owners search most — verified against PDSA, RSPCA, BVA and CMA guidance.
How much does a vet consultation cost in the UK?
Standard daytime vet consultations in the UK typically range from £40 to £65, depending on location and practice type. Emergency out-of-hours consultations range from £100 to £200+. The CMA's March 2026 remedies will require published standard price lists on a staggered timetable through 2026–27.
Compare local UK vet fees →Can I buy my pet's prescription medication online?
Yes. You can request a written prescription from your vet and buy POM-V medicines from accredited online pharmacies. The CMA's March 2026 remedies cap written prescription fees at £21 (incl. VAT) for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional items — large businesses from March 2027.
Read prescription rights guide →How do I know if my local vet is independent or corporate?
The CMA found the six large veterinary groups account for almost 60% of UK first-opinion practices, up from around 10% in 2013. Check the practice website footer, signage, or the PETHEALTH+ directory — we only show ownership when the practice or group publishes it.
Explore corporate ownership findings →What should I do if my dog eats chocolate or grapes?
Chocolate and grapes are toxic to dogs. Use the PETHEALTH+ toxicity calculators immediately to estimate risk based on your dog's weight, then contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000). Never wait for symptoms to appear.
Use chocolate risk calculator →
August — summer care
Summer safety for every species
Heatstroke can kill in under an hour — summer is the highest-risk season for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Browse summer guidesRecently reviewed
Browse all guides →Can I give my dog paracetamol?
Never give human paracetamol to dogs unless your vet prescribes it — toxicity and safer alternatives explained.
Alabama rot in dogs (UK)
CRGV skin sores and kidney disease — seasonal Nov–May warning signs after muddy woodland walks.
FLUTD in cats
Feline lower urinary tract disease — stress, crystals, blockages and emergency straining signs.
What fruit can dogs eat?
Safe fruits for UK dogs and toxic ones to avoid — including grapes and raisins.
PDSA eligibility
Who qualifies for free or low-cost PDSA vet care and alternative support options.
When to put a pet to sleep
Quality of life assessment and how to talk to your vet about euthanasia.
Pet first aid (UK)
Wound care, choking, heatstroke and what to do before you reach an emergency vet.
Puppy care in the UK
Vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, socialisation, worming and when to register with a vet.
What do vets cost?
Typical UK prices for consultations, vaccinations, neutering and dentals — plus our vet price index, which tracks how fees vary across the country.
See typical prices →
Vet near me
Search UK practices by county and town — including out-of-hours and emergency cover — so you're registered before you ever need it.
Vet near me →
Why owners trust PETHEALTH+
Clear sourcing, dated reviews, no sales pitch
Reviewed against UK guidance
Advice reflects UK vaccination schedules, parasite control and veterinary practice — not US sources.
Dated and transparent
Every guide shows its published and last-reviewed dates, with the sources we used listed at the foot.
Independent and free
No paywall, no sign-up and no products to sell — just plain-English help when you need it.
If a link ever earns us money, we'll label it — read how we make money.
How we review our content →