Symptoms
What your pet's symptoms might mean — plain-English guides to common signs in dogs, cats and rabbits, reviewed by UK veterinary surgeons. Use our symptom checker for personalised triage guidance.
Breathing problems
Difficulty breathing, panting, or open-mouth breathing — emergency signs and when to call a vet immediately.
Vomiting in dogs
What vomiting can mean in dogs, home monitoring, and red flags needing urgent vet care.
Diarrhoea in pets
Common causes of diarrhoea in dogs, cats and rabbits, hydration advice, and when to seek help.
Limping
What limping can mean — sprains, arthritis, fractures — and when your pet needs an urgent assessment.
Itchy skin
Itching, scratching and skin allergies in dogs and cats — causes, home relief, and vet treatments.
Not eating
When loss of appetite is an emergency — cats within 24 hours; dogs and rabbits sooner if unwell.
Lethargy
Unusual tiredness or weakness in pets — common causes and warning signs that need same-day vet care.
Coughing in dogs
Kennel cough, heart disease and other causes of coughing — when to monitor and when to see a vet.
Straining to urinate
Blocked bladder in male cats is life-threatening — recognise straining, crying, and emergency action.
Ear infections
Head shaking, odour and discharge — common ear infection signs in dogs and cats and vet treatment.
Eye discharge
Watery, sticky or cloudy eyes in pets — infections, ulcers and when to seek same-day vet care.
Seizures
What to do if your pet has a seizure, how long to wait, and when to call an emergency vet.
Bloating in dogs
GDV (bloat) is a dog emergency — distended abdomen, retching, and immediate vet action required.
Hairballs in cats
Frequent vomiting of hairballs vs obstruction — when grooming issues need veterinary attention.
Head tilt in rabbits
Head tilt (torticollis) — E. cuniculi, ear infections, and why prompt vet care improves outcomes.
Pale gums
Pale or white gums signal anaemia or shock — an emergency sign requiring immediate veterinary care.
Excessive thirst
Drinking more than usual — diabetes, kidney disease and other conditions vets test for in UK pets.
Scratching ears
Ear mites, infections and allergies — causes of ear scratching and when treatment is needed.
Constipation in cats
Infrequent or painful toileting in cats — causes, home care, and when constipation becomes urgent.
Flystrike in rabbits
Flystrike is a rabbit emergency in warm weather — prevention, early signs, and immediate vet action.
Wound or bleeding
Managing cuts and bleeding at home, pressure bandaging basics, and when stitches are needed.
Collapse
If your pet collapses or cannot stand — treat as an emergency and contact a vet immediately.
Bad breath
Dental disease affects 70% of cats over 3 years — signs, prevention, and when a dental is needed.
Poisoning
Suspected poisoning from chocolate, xylitol, lilies or rat poison — do not wait; call a vet immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I worry about my pet's symptoms?
- Seek emergency vet care for difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, pale gums, uncontrolled bleeding, or suspected poisoning. For other symptoms, use our symptom checker or contact your vet if symptoms persist beyond 24 hours.
- Can I use this instead of seeing a vet?
- No. Symptom guides help you understand what signs might mean and how urgently to act. They cannot examine your pet or make a diagnosis. Always consult a veterinary surgeon for persistent or worsening symptoms.