UK dogs, cats & rabbits
Common pet health questions
Direct answers to how UK owners actually search — each guide opens with a plain-English summary, then explains causes, home monitoring, and when to call your vet. Part of our 280 UK health guides.
Quick answer
Can Cats Eat Bread UK?
**Plain bread in tiny amounts is usually harmless** but offers no nutrition for cats. **Never feed raisin bread, garlic bread, or mouldy bread.** Grapes and raisins cause kidney fa…
Can Cats Eat Cheese UK?
**A tiny piece of plain cheese is not toxic to most cats** — but many cats are **lactose intolerant**, so cheese can trigger vomiting or diarrhoea. Cheese is also high in fat and s…
Can Cats Eat Chicken UK?
**Yes — plain cooked chicken is safe for most cats.** Offer boneless breast or thigh with no skin, salt, onion, or garlic. **Never feed cooked chicken bones** — they splinter. Chic…
Can Cats Eat Ice Cubes UK?
**Many UK cats can enjoy small ice cubes or ice-cooled water in summer.** Supervise kittens and greedy eaters for choking. **Never use ice to treat heatstroke** — open-mouth breath…
Can Cats Eat Milk UK?
**Most adult cats should not drink cow's milk.** They lose the ability to digest lactose after weaning — milk commonly causes **diarrhoea and stomach upset**. Fresh water is all ca…
Can Cats Eat Tuna UK?
**Occasional plain tinned tuna in spring water** is usually fine as a treat. **Do not feed tuna daily** — it is not nutritionally complete, can cause mercury build-up over time, an…
Can Dogs Eat Apples UK?
**Yes — dogs can eat apple flesh in moderation.** Remove the **core and every seed**: apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed, and the core is a choking h…
Can Dogs Eat Avocado UK?
**Avocado is best avoided.** The flesh contains persin and is high in fat — [pancreatitis](/glossary/pancreatitis) risk in sensitive dogs. The **pit and skin are choking and blocka…
Can Dogs Eat Bananas UK?
**Yes — dogs can eat banana in moderation.** It is high in natural sugar, so **a few slices is plenty for a small dog**. The peel is not toxic but is hard to digest and can cause a…
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries UK?
**Yes — blueberries are a safe, low-calorie treat for most dogs.** Fresh or frozen both work, served plain. They are small enough that **choking risk is low**, but mash them for ti…
Can Dogs Eat Bread UK?
**Plain bread without toxic add-ins is usually safe in small amounts** — but it is low in nutrition and high in carbohydrates. **Never feed mouldy bread, garlic bread, or raisin br…
Can Dogs Eat Carrots UK?
**Yes — dogs can eat carrots raw or cooked.** They are low in calories and most dogs enjoy the crunch. **Cut carrots into batons to prevent choking**, and a frozen carrot can sooth…
Can Dogs Eat Cheese UK?
**Most healthy dogs can eat small amounts of plain cheese occasionally.** Cheddar and mozzarella are common UK choices — low-lactose options often suit dogs better. Avoid blue chee…
Can Dogs Eat Chicken UK?
**Plain cooked chicken meat is safe for most UK dogs** — no bones, skin, garlic, onion, or seasoning. **Cooked chicken bones are dangerous** — they splinter and cause internal inju…
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate UK?
**No — dogs must not eat chocolate.** It contains **[theobromine](/glossary/theobromine)**, which dogs metabolise slowly. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are most dangerous. If you…
Can Dogs Eat Eggs UK?
**Plain cooked eggs are safe occasional treats** for most UK dogs — scrambled or boiled without butter, salt, or onion. **Avoid raw eggs** due to salmonella and nutritional concern…
Can Dogs Eat Garlic UK?
**No — dogs must not eat garlic.** It contains the same toxic compounds as onion and causes **[anaemia](/glossary/anaemia)**. Garlic bread, supplements, and seasoned human food all…
Can Dogs Eat Grapes UK?
**No — dogs must not eat grapes, raisins, sultanas, or currants.** They can cause **acute kidney failure** with no known safe dose. If your dog ate any amount, contact your vet or …
Can Dogs Eat Hot Cross Buns UK?
**No — hot cross buns are dangerous for dogs.** A single bun can hold **dozens of raisins or sultanas** — toxic fruits that cause **kidney failure**, with **no safe dose**. If your…
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cubes UK?
**Yes — healthy UK dogs can eat ice cubes in moderation.** A few cubes in a water bowl or as a supervised crunch treat are fine on hot days. **Never use ice as heatstroke treatment…
Can Dogs Eat Ice Lollies UK?
**Human ice lollies and ice cream are not safe for dogs** — sugar, xylitol, chocolate, and grape flavours are common. Make **dog-safe frozen treats** at home or use [plain ice cube…
Can Dogs Eat Mince Pies UK?
**No — never let dogs eat mince pies.** The raisins, sultanas and currants inside are unpredictably toxic to dogs and can cause **kidney failure** — and there is **no safe dose**. …
Can Dogs Eat Onion UK?
**No — dogs must not eat onion.** Onions destroy red blood cells, causing **[anaemia](/glossary/anaemia)** that may appear days later. All forms count — raw, cooked, powder, and in…
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter UK?
**Plain peanut butter without xylitol is safe for most dogs in small amounts.** Always check the label on every jar — xylitol is lethal to dogs. Use thin smears for treats or hidin…
Can Dogs Eat Pork UK?
**Plain cooked pork without seasoning** is usually fine as an occasional treat. **Avoid bacon, ham, crackling, raw pork, and all cooked bones** — fat, salt, and splintering bones a…
Can Dogs Eat Rice UK?
**Yes — plain cooked rice is safe for most dogs.** White rice is commonly used in bland diets after mild stomach upset, mixed with plain boiled chicken. Serve **plain only** — no b…
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries UK?
**Yes — dogs can eat fresh strawberries in moderation.** Wash them, remove the hull, and **cut them up for small dogs**. Strawberries contain natural sugar, so keep portions small.…
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato UK?
**Yes — plain cooked sweet potato is safe for most dogs.** Boil, steam, or bake without butter, salt, or seasoning. Serve in small cubes as an occasional treat. **Never feed raw sw…
Can Dogs Eat Watermelon UK?
**Yes — seedless watermelon flesh is a safe UK summer treat** for most healthy dogs in small amounts. Remove **rind and seeds**, serve plain (no salt or syrup), and limit portions …
Can Dogs Eat Yoghurt UK?
**Plain, unsweetened live yoghurt is usually safe in small amounts.** Avoid flavoured, sweetened, or "low-fat" products — they may contain **xylitol**, which is toxic to dogs. Some…
Can I Give My Cat Ibuprofen UK?
**Never give ibuprofen (Nurofen) or any human painkiller to a cat.** Cats are extremely sensitive to ibuprofen — **even one tablet can cause fatal kidney failure**. If your cat swa…
Can I Give My Cat Paracetamol? UK Warning
**Never give paracetamol to a cat.** Even a single tablet can cause fatal liver failure, facial swelling and breathing difficulty. If your cat has ingested paracetamol, call your v…
Benadryl for Dogs
Yes — most dogs can safely take plain Benadryl (diphenhydramine). The standard dose is about **1 mg per pound of body weight, given 2–3 times a day** (every 8–12 hours). A 25-lb do…
Can I Give My Dog Paracetamol UK
**Never give your dog human paracetamol unless your vet has prescribed it.** Paracetamol causes liver damage and can be fatal in dogs. If your dog is in pain or has swallowed any h…
Can I Walk My Dog in Hot Weather?
In a UK heatwave, **walk dogs at dawn or dusk**, skip walks when pavement burns your hand, and never rely on midday exercise. Flat-faced breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs) ov…
Can Rabbits Eat Lettuce UK?
**Lettuce is not ideal rabbit food.** Iceberg lettuce is best avoided — low nutrition and diarrhoea risk. Darker leaves like romaine are acceptable in small amounts alongside bette…
How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?
**Adult dogs have 42 teeth; puppies have 28 baby teeth.** Puppy teeth usually fall out from around 12 weeks, with full adult dentition by six to seven months. Retained baby teeth a…
How Much Does a Vet Cost in the UK?
UK vet fees vary by region and practice. PETHEALTH+'s **indicative ranges, reviewed 1 July 2026**, put a **standard consultation around £40–£65** and an **out-of-hours consult arou…
How Much Should I Feed My Dog UK?
Start with the **feeding guide on your dog food label** based on ideal weight, then adjust using **[body condition scoring](/glossary/body-condition-score)**. Most UK dogs are over…
How Often Should I Worm My Dog UK?
Most UK adult dogs need **[worming](/glossary/worming) every one to three months** — monthly if they hunt, eat raw food, or live with young children. Puppies need treatment **every…
What Fruit Can Dogs Eat UK
**Many fruits are safe UK dog treats in moderation** — apple, banana, blueberry, and melon are popular choices. **Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants are toxic** and can cause …
What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat UK
**Many vegetables are healthy UK dog treats** — carrot, green beans, peas, and plain cooked sweet potato are popular choices. **Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives are toxic** in all …
When to Neuter a Dog UK?
**There is no single age for all dogs.** Many UK practices neuter small breeds around **six months**, but large and giant breeds may benefit from **later neutering** for joint deve…
When to Put a Pet to Sleep in the UK
Deciding when to put a pet to sleep is one of the hardest choices an owner faces. In the UK, your vet is there to discuss **quality of life, pain control and prognosis** without ju…
When to See an Emergency Vet in the UK
Take your pet to an emergency vet **immediately** if they have difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, severe bleeding, suspected poisoning, a bloated dog abdomen, a male cat una…
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
**Yes — occasional grass-eating is usually normal** in otherwise well UK dogs. Most are not ill beforehand and do not vomit afterwards. Skip waiting-and-seeing if grazing is sudden…
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop UK
**Coprophagia — eating faeces — is common in UK dogs, especially puppies.** It is usually behavioural but can signal diet problems, parasites, or illness. Clean up promptly, train …
Why Do Dogs Howl UK?
**Howling is normal dog communication** — many dogs howl at sirens, other dogs, or certain sounds. It is rarely a health problem on its own. See your vet if howling is **new, exces…
Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much UK
**UK dogs sleep far more than humans — often 12–14 hours for adults and 18–20 for puppies.** Extra sleep is usually normal. See your vet if sleep increases suddenly alongside appet…
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads UK?
The **cute head tilt** at your voice is usually normal — dogs adjust their ears and sightlines to understand us better. A **persistent tilt held to one side**, especially with bala…
Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water UK?
**Sudden or gradual increase in drinking often means illness in cats** — especially [kidney disease](/health/kidney-disease-in-cats), [diabetes](/health/diabetes-in-cats), or [hype…
Why Is My Cat Hiding?
**Cats hide by instinct — under beds, in wardrobes, or high shelves.** Normal hiding in a secure spot with regular eating is fine. **Sudden withdrawal, hiding all day, not eating, …
Why Is My Cat Losing Weight UK?
**Unintentional weight loss in cats is not normal** — even if appetite seems unchanged. Common causes include **[hyperthyroidism](/glossary/hyperthyroidism), [diabetes](/glossary/d…
Why Is My Cat Meowing Excessively?
**Some breeds — Siamese, Oriental, Burmese — are naturally talkative.** **Sudden increase in loud meowing, especially at night in older cats**, often signals illness: hyperthyroidi…
Why Is My Cat Not Eating UK?
When a cat stops eating, take it seriously. Unlike dogs, cats who go **more than 24 hours without food** — especially overweight cats — risk **hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver diseas…
Why Is My Cat Panting?
**Cats rarely pant like dogs — open-mouth breathing is usually abnormal.** Brief panting after intense play or stress may settle quickly. **Panting at rest, with blue or pale gums,…
Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?
**Cats rarely toilet outside the tray out of spite.** Medical pain, diarrhoea, arthritis, stress, and poor tray setup are common UK causes. Book a **vet check first** — then review…
Why Is My Cat Scratching Furniture UK?
**Scratching is normal cat behaviour** — not spite. Cats scratch to maintain claws, stretch, and mark territory. Provide **tall, stable scratching posts** near favoured furniture, …
Why Is My Cat Sneezing UK?
**Occasional sneezing is normal** — dust, litter, or strong scents trigger a reflex. **Persistent sneezing with discharge, eye problems, fever, or appetite loss** needs a vet — oft…
Why Does My Cat Snore UK?
**Soft snoring during sleep is often normal** in UK cats — especially relaxed or slightly overweight pets. **New loud snoring, snoring while awake, open-mouth breathing, or effortf…
Why Is My Cat Vomiting?
Cats vomit more often than dogs, and **occasional hairballs** are usually harmless. Frequent vomiting, weight loss, blood, or lethargy is not normal — it can signal food intoleranc…
Why Is My Dog Coughing?
Dog coughing has many causes — **kennel cough, heart disease, tracheal collapse, allergies, and foreign bodies** are among the most common. A honking cough after boarding may be in…
Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water UK?
**Sustained excessive drinking usually signals illness** — commonly [diabetes](/glossary/diabetes-mellitus), kidney disease, or [Cushing's disease](/glossary/cushings-disease). Mea…
Why Is My Dog Drooling Excessively?
**Some breeds drool more by design — Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and Saint Bernards are normal slobbers.** **Sudden heavy drooling in any dog** — especially with pawing at the mouth, vo…
Dog Eating Grass & Vomiting Yellow Foam UK
**Grass-eating is usually normal** in otherwise well UK dogs. **Yellow foam** is often bile from an empty stomach, especially in the morning. Split meals and a small bedtime snack …
Why Is My Dog Itching UK?
Persistent itching usually means **[flea allergy](/glossary/flea-allergy-dermatitis), environmental allergens, or food proteins** — not just "dry skin." Year-round flea prevention …
Why Is My Dog Licking Paws Excessively?
**Occasional paw licking after walks is normal grooming.** **Constant licking — especially one paw, or all four with red-brown staining** — usually means itch, pain, or infection. …
Why Is My Dog Limping UK?
A limping dog is usually protecting a painful leg. **Check the paw first** for thorns, cuts, torn nails, or swelling between the toes. If lameness lasts more than **24 hours**, wor…
Why Is My Dog Not Drinking Water?
**Healthy dogs drink regularly throughout the day.** Brief refusal after stress, travel, or mild tummy upset may resolve quickly. **No water for 24 hours, or any refusal paired wit…
Why Is My Dog Not Eating?
A dog skipping one meal is not always serious, but **refusing food for 24 hours** — especially with vomiting, lethargy or abdominal pain — needs a vet check. Puppies and elderly do…
Why Is My Dog Panting Heavily?
**Dogs pant to cool down — heavy panting after exercise or on warm days is usually normal.** **Panting at rest in cool weather, with pale or blue gums, coughing, collapse, or after…
Why Is My Dog Scooting on the Floor?
**Scooting — dragging the bottom along the floor — usually means itch or discomfort around the rear end.** Full or infected anal glands are the most common cause, but worms, allerg…
Why Is My Dog Shaking?
Dogs shake for reasons ranging from **cold and excitement** to **pain, nausea, toxins, and seizures**. Occasional shivering after a bath or during fireworks may be normal. Contact …
Why Is My Dog Sneezing?
**Occasional sneezing is normal** — dogs clear dust, pollen, and strong scents from their nose. **Frequent sneezing with green or bloody discharge, one-sided symptoms, pawing at th…
Why Is My Dog Vomiting UK?
A **single vomit** in an otherwise bright adult dog may need only rest and observation. Call your vet if vomiting is **repeated, contains blood, or is paired with lethargy, pain, o…
Why Is My Guinea Pig Not Eating UK?
**Not eating for 12 hours is an emergency in guinea pigs.** Their gut must keep moving continuously — appetite loss quickly leads to gut stasis and deterioration. Contact your vet …
Why Is My Rabbit Not Eating?
A rabbit that stops eating or passing droppings is a **veterinary emergency in the UK**. Unlike many dogs, rabbits can slide into life-threatening **gut stasis** within hours. Cont…
Why Is My Rabbit Not Pooping UK?
**No droppings for 12 hours is an emergency.** Reduced or absent faecal output usually means **[gut stasis (ileus)](/glossary/rabbit-gi-stasis)** — the digestive system slowing or …
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Is My Dog Not Eating?
- A dog skipping one meal is not always serious, but refusing food for 24 hours — especially with vomiting, lethargy or abdominal pain — needs a vet check. See our Why Is My Dog Not Eating? guide for the full picture and when to call your vet.
- Can Dogs Eat Watermelon UK?
- Yes — seedless watermelon flesh is a safe UK summer treat for most healthy dogs in small amounts. See our Can Dogs Eat Watermelon UK? guide for the full picture and when to call your vet.
- Why Is My Cat Sneezing UK?
- Occasional sneezing is normal — dust, litter, or strong scents trigger a reflex. See our Why Is My Cat Sneezing UK? guide for the full picture and when to call your vet.
- Why Is My Rabbit Not Eating?
- A rabbit that stops eating or passing droppings is a veterinary emergency in the UK. See our Why Is My Rabbit Not Eating? guide for the full picture and when to call your vet.
- Can I Give My Dog Paracetamol UK
- Never give your dog human paracetamol unless your vet has prescribed it. See our Can I Give My Dog Paracetamol UK guide for the full picture and when to call your vet.