Essential tips, guides, and answers to help you provide the best care for your beloved pets
Schedule annual wellness exams for adult pets and bi-annual exams for senior pets (7+ years). Early detection of health issues can save your pet's life and reduce treatment costs.
Feed high-quality pet food appropriate for your pet's age, size, and activity level. Avoid overfeeding and limit treats to 10% of daily calories.
Provide daily exercise and mental enrichment activities. Dogs need walks and playtime, while cats benefit from interactive toys and climbing structures.
Keep vaccinations up to date according to your veterinarian's recommendations. Core vaccines protect against serious diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus.
Use year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. These parasites can transmit serious diseases and cause significant health problems.
Brush your pet's teeth regularly and provide dental chews. Dental disease affects 80% of pets by age 3 and can lead to serious health issues.
Learn to recognize signs of emergency: difficulty breathing, excessive vomiting/diarrhea, seizures, inability to urinate, or severe lethargy.
Keep a pet first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, thermometer, and emergency contact numbers. Know your nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
Keep chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol, and household chemicals away from pets. Know the pet poison control hotline: +260 972 822 972.
Adult pets (1-7 years) should have annual wellness exams. Senior pets (7+ years) benefit from bi-annual checkups. Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits during their first year for vaccinations and development monitoring.
Core vaccines for dogs include rabies, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza). For cats: rabies, FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia). Your vet may recommend additional vaccines based on lifestyle and risk factors.
Generally, spaying/neutering is recommended between 4-6 months of age, before the first heat cycle. However, timing may vary based on breed, size, and individual health factors. Consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations.
Signs of pain include changes in behavior, appetite loss, excessive panting, restlessness, hiding, aggression, or difficulty moving. Cats may purr excessively when in pain. Contact your vet if you notice these signs.
Stay calm, contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. For after-hours emergencies, call our emergency line. Do not give human medications to pets. Transport your pet safely and keep them warm and quiet.
Create a safe space, maintain routines, use positive reinforcement training, and consider anxiety-reducing products like pheromone diffusers. For severe anxiety, consult your vet about behavioral therapy or medication options.
Chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (artificial sweetener), avocado, alcohol, and caffeine are toxic to pets. Keep these foods out of reach and contact your vet immediately if ingested.
Introduce pets gradually in neutral territory. Keep them separated initially, allowing them to smell each other's scent. Supervise interactions and provide separate resources (food, water, toys) until they're comfortable together.
For pet emergencies or urgent questions, don't hesitate to contact us