Vets for Pets Yeovil

16/10/2026

🐾 Pet Obesity Awareness Month! 🐾

Treats Count Too!

Those little treats might seem harmless… but they all add up!

Remember to include any treats in your pet’s daily food intake.

13/10/2026

🎆🐾 IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PREPARE FOR FIREWORKS SEASON! 🐾🎆

Fireworks season might seem a little way off, but for our furry friends, the loud bangs, flashes and unexpected noises can be frightening and stressful. ❤️

Starting early can make all the difference! 🐶🐱

Here are a few ways you can help your pets feel safer and more comfortable:

🐾 Plan ahead – Speak to your vet early if your pet struggles with fireworks or noise anxiety.
🏡 Create a safe space – Set up a cosy, quiet den where your pet can retreat and feel secure.
🎵 Get them used to background noise – Gradually introduce familiar sounds to help them feel more comfortable.
🚶 Walk dogs before dark – Keep dogs on a lead and ensure cats are safely indoors before fireworks begin.
🪪 Check their microchip details – Make sure your contact information is up to date in case your pet becomes frightened and escapes.
❤️ Give them reassurance – Stay calm, offer comfort and let your pet hide if that’s where they feel safest.

Please don’t leave it until the last minute. If your pet needs extra support, early preparation gives you time to explore the options available.

Our pets rely on us to help them feel safe, so let’s make this fireworks season as stress-free as possible for them. 🐾💕

12/10/2026

🍂🐾 5 Top Tips for Dog Owners This Autumn 🐾🍂

As the weather starts to change and the nights draw in, it’s a good time to make a few little changes to keep our four-legged friends safe, happy and comfortable.

From darker walks to cooler, wetter weather, autumn brings a few things for dog owners to think about. 🍁🐶

11/10/2026

🐾Pet Obesity Awareness Month🐾

🦴How Much Are You Really Feeding Your Pet? 🐶🐱

🧀🍗We all love treating our pets, whether it’s a little bit of cheese, a piece of chicken, a biscuit, or those extra titbits they give us the look for! ❤️

But have you ever stopped to think about how much these little extras actually add up? 🤔

What seems like a tiny treat to us can make up a surprisingly large proportion of our pet’s daily calorie allowance. A few scraps from the kitchen, a treat here and there, and those little extras throughout the day can quickly mount up without us even realising!

🐶 For dogs, things like pigs’ ears, rawhide chews and table scraps can contain far more calories than we might think.

🐱 For cats, even small amounts of cheese, ham, cream or other human foods can contribute a significant number of extra calories.

The tricky thing is that we often don't think of these extras as part of their daily food intake. We feed their normal meals and then add a few treats on top, not realising just how much extra we're giving them.

💡 It's not about never giving treats — it's about being aware of how quickly they can add up!

Keeping an eye on portion sizes, choosing appropriate treats and factoring them into your pet's daily food allowance can make a real difference to their health and wellbeing.

Our pets depend on us to make the best choices for them, and sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact. ❤️🐾

Take a look at the examples and you might be surprised at just how much those little extras can count!

10/10/2026

🐾 Pet Obesity Awareness Month! 🐾

⚖️ | Do You Know Your Pet’s Ideal Weight?

Knowing what your pet should weigh is just as important as knowing what they actually weigh.

If your pet is looking a little heavier than usual, why not book a weight-check appointment with one of our friendly nurses?

09/10/2026

🐾 Food for Thought! 🐾

What we feed our pets plays a huge part in keeping them happy, healthy and thriving throughout their lives. ❤️

With the exception of some reptiles, we feed our pets every single day — so it’s worth taking a moment to think about what’s in their bowl!

We all know how important good nutrition is for our own health, but did you know your pet’s diet can be just as important? With around 1.3 million tonnes of pet food sold in the UK every year and hundreds of different options available, choosing the right food can sometimes feel like a minefield.

Just like us, pets need the right balance of nutrients to support healthy growth and development, maintain their bodies and even help manage certain health conditions. 🐶🐱🐰

So, what’s in your pet’s bowl?

For more helpful advice and information about choosing the right food for your pet, visit:

Did you know many health issues can be impacted by your pets' diet? Click here to find out more about the right food for your pet. Read more online now!

08/10/2026

🐾 How Being Overweight Can Affect Your Pet 🐾

We all love giving our pets a few extra treats, but did you know that carrying excess weight can have a real impact on their health and quality of life? ❤️

Just like in humans, overweight and obese pets are at greater risk of developing a range of health problems, including osteoarthritis and certain types of cancer.

Extra weight can also mean your pet:
🐶 Has less energy
🐱 Is less willing to play or exercise
🐰 Finds it harder to move around comfortably
🐾 Gets less enjoyment from everyday activities

When weight gain happens gradually, it can be difficult to notice — especially if your pet has always been carrying a little extra weight. That's why regularly checking their body condition and keeping an eye on their weight is so important.

Prevention is key! 🏃‍♀️🥕

One of the most effective ways to tackle pet obesity is to prevent your pet from becoming overweight in the first place. A balanced diet, appropriate portion sizes, regular exercise and keeping treats to a sensible level can all make a difference.

If you're unsure whether your pet is carrying extra weight you can book in a weight check appointment with one of our nurses.

A healthy weight means more opportunities for your pet to enjoy the things they love! 🐾

For more information please visit https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/pet-weight-management/

07/10/2026

🍂🐶 **AUTUMN FRUIT & VEG: WHAT CAN YOUR DOG EAT?** 🍎🥕

🍁Autumn brings lots of tasty seasonal produce — but not everything that falls from the trees or appears in the kitchen is safe for our four-legged friends!

Here are some **dog-friendly autumn treats** you can offer in moderation:

🍎 **Apple** – A crunchy treat! Remove the core and seeds before giving.
🎃 **Pumpkin** – Plain, cooked pumpkin can be a great source of fibre. Avoid sweetened or spiced pumpkin products.
🥕 **Carrots** – A crunchy, low-calorie snack, served raw or cooked.
🍠 **Sweet potato** – Cooked and plain, with the skin removed.
🫛 **Peas** – Plain, cooked or fresh peas can be given in small amounts.
🍐 **Pear** – Remove the core and seeds, then offer small pieces.
🥦 **Broccoli** – Fine in small quantities as an occasional treat.
🥬 **Cabbage** – Small amounts can be given, preferably cooked and plain.

⚠️ **Remember:** Fruit and vegetables should only make up a small part of your dog's diet.

🌰 And don't forget — **conkers and acorns can be dangerous for dogs**, so keep a close eye on what your dog picks up during those autumn walks!

🐾 **When in doubt, check before you treat!**

05/10/2026

🚨 **CONKER POISONING IN DOGS: KNOW THE RISKS** 🐶🌰

Autumn walks are beautiful, but falling **conkers (horse chestnuts)** can pose a serious risk to dogs.

🌰 **Conkers can be toxic if eaten** and may cause symptoms such as:
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Drooling
• Abdominal pain
• Restlessness or lethargy
• Tremors or wobbliness
• In severe cases, seizures or collapse

Conkers can also cause a **gut blockage**, particularly if a dog swallows them whole.

🐾 **If you think your dog has eaten a conker:**
➡️ Contact your vet as soon as possible for advice.
➡️ Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
➡️ Don’t try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to.

🍂 Keep dogs on lead or closely supervised around areas where conkers are falling, and try to prevent them from picking them up.

**A little autumn awareness can help keep our four-legged friends safe. ❤️🐾

04/10/2026

🐾 Body Condition Scoring: Is Your Pet a Healthy Shape? 🐾

Did you know that your pet’s weight isn’t always the best way to tell if they’re at a healthy size?

Just like people, dogs, cats and rabbits come in all different shapes and sizes. That’s where body condition scoring (BCS) can help! 👀🐶🐱🐰

Body condition scoring is a system used by vets to assess whether a pet is underweight, at an ideal body condition, or carrying a little extra weight.

It’s not just about stepping on the scales — it’s about getting hands-on! By looking at your pet’s overall shape and gently feeling around their ribs and waist, you can get a much better idea of their body condition.

🔎 Things to look for include:

Can you easily feel your pet’s ribs without them being overly prominent?

Can you see or feel a defined waist?

Does their tummy tuck upwards behind the ribs?

Guideline body condition score charts can help you understand what you’re seeing and where your pet sits on the scale.

If you’re unsure about your pet’s body condition, your veterinary team can help you assess them and provide advice on their diet, exercise and overall health. ❤️

Remember: a healthy weight isn’t just a number on the scales — body shape matters too!

For more information on Body Condition Scoring please visit https://www.vets4pets.com/services/body-condition-scoring/

25/02/2024

When Kelly from our Colton store's Pets Grooming salon discovered a lump on the tail of nine-year-old Rufus she suspected something wasn't right, so alerted his owners Les and Andrea so they could get it checked out. They brought him to Vets for Pets Leeds Colton where it was confirmed he had a cancerous tumour which needed surgery.

Les, who adopted Rufus from Dogs Trust in Leeds as a puppy, said: “Rufus is such a big part of our life; we’re absolutely besotted with him. We probably wouldn’t have noticed the lump if not at the groomers as the tail isn’t somewhere you would usually stroke and feel. Kelly loves Rufus and really looks after him, so we want to say a big thanks for spotting it. Who'd have known what would have happened if she hadn’t noticed.”

Rufus had to have his tail removed, but is now making a good recovery. He's been visiting Kelly for a groom every six weeks for the last three years. She said: “You get to know everything about a dog as you groom them. I’ve discovered similar things before on other dogs so I mentioned it to the owners so they could get it checked out. Dogs are my life and you do worry; I’m so pleased they caught it. Now he’s got a fully docked tail like a little bunny rabbit. It’s lovely and suits him – when he gets washed he wiggles his bum.”

21/02/2024

Arthur's owner Louise says he "looked like a brand-new tortoise" after having his beak filed at Sutton in Ashfield Vets4Pets.

Louise adopted the four-year-old Horsefield Tortoise from a family member in October. Although she has had other pets, Arthur is her first tortoise, so she has been doing some research on how to best care for him.

Louise said: "I noticed Arthur's beak was unusually long, so I brought him in to Vets for Pets; I bring all my pets there. When he came out, I thought 'you beautiful boy, look at you – you look so handsome!"

Vet Steph, who looked after Arthur, says that tortoise beaks continuously grow and normally grind down themselves while they're eating. She said: "Arthur needed a little help as his jaw isn't perfectly aligned; his lower jaw is further out than his top jaw, so I filed it around half a centimetre. He was really good; a real cutie."

18/02/2024

Owner Claire says she couldn't be more grateful to Vets4Pets Hamilton after their quick diagnosis saved the sight of six-year-old Alba.

Claire knew there was something terribly wrong with her miniature dachshund cross when she called her in from the back garden last summer and Alba ran headfirst into a closed patio door. She rushed her to the vets, where investigations led the team to diagnose her with uveitis – an eye condition which causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Claire said: "It all happened so suddenly; Alba must have heard my voice and guessed where to go. It was quite scary seeing how bad she was. We couldn't be more grateful for the team in Hamilton spotting the uveitis as quickly as they did, otherwise Alba would have gone blind within a matter of days. Their knowledge saved Alba's sight. I still can't believe it happened. It's taken months of treatments, but it's such a relief to have our girl back to being her funny, bossy self."

Vet Neil, one of the team who treated Alba, said: "Alba's pupil was really narrow and wouldn't respond to light properly, which can be a sign of uveitis. Once we had ruled out other conditions, we were able to get her to an eye specialist for ongoing treatment. She's now doing really well."

16/02/2024

Ducky's owner Antonia was in a state of panic when she saw a fox had dug its way into the field where she keeps him – killing two of her other ducks and chickens.

Antonia was about to move her brood into their pen for the evening when she saw what had happened and noticed that Ducky had severe bite wounds under his wing. She rushed him to Vets4Pets Vets Milton Keynes for emergency surgery – and after having his wound stitched up the one-year-old duck is now making a good recovery.

Antonia said: "I was so worried. You don’t often hear of ducks recovering from fox attacks, but there is something about Ducky and the way he was so brave. I'm sure he was protecting a lady duck, as he's a bit of a romantic. It's the first time we've gone to Vets for Pets, and the team were amazing; they've done an incredible job."

Vet Becca, who treated Ducky, said: "He's a really lucky duck, as it was quite a big wound. When he first came in, he was understandably subdued and quiet but when he came back for his stitches to be taken out, he wanted to explore and tuck his head into everyone’s shoulders."

07/02/2024

Well done to the team at Vets4Pets Guildford who've been awarded a silver level certificate for being a rabbit-friendly clinic.

After head veterinary nurse Ella noticed that more customers were bringing in rabbits the practice took a series of steps to give them as stress-free an experience as possible. Ella, who also fosters rescue dogs in her spare time, said: "There was a long list of things that we needed to prove that we did from making sure the rabbits are kept separate from other animals and not booked in at the same time as barking dogs, to providing heated kennels for those who need to stay in, and using special equipment made especially for rabbits."

Practice manager Kevin said: "All of our vets have plenty of experience with rabbits we have some real rabbit geeks here, so it was a big thing to us. There are so many good people in this world and I'm so proud to be around them."

28/01/2024

Beautiful Bear was born deaf, so he's learned to follow his owner Lisa's visual commands.

Lisa, who shops at our Tamworth store – "it's my second home!" – got two-year-old Bear as a kitten and suspected he was deaf when he didn't respond to her voice. She had it confirmed by her vet soon after. She said: "He was very scatty, and scared of people he didn’t recognise. He wasn’t bothered by loud noises like my other cat Emily and when I came home from work he wouldn’t hear the door open.

"He's doing really well though. I try to do some sign language with him – I point at him and do a solid hand sign at him to stop. He picks up on vibrations and scents too. He meows, making a really loud chirping sound which I’ve never heard a cat do before, and he’s always rubbing his head against my legs and following me everywhere. I was advised not to let him out because he wouldn’t hear cars or other dangers, so he comes outside with me every morning to have a sniff around the garden and always comes straight back in." Bear and Lisa's other cat Emily are on Instagram as

27/01/2024

Ten-year-old Dutch rabbit Alfie has been visiting vet Kate at Vets4pets Wolverhampton for dental treatment for the last eight years – and she says he's such a loveable character that he's become "part of the family".

He's one of the oldest rabbits treated by Kate and the team, and she says his longevity is down to the care and love he gets from his owner Tracy and her family. Kate said: "Alfie is famous in this practice – everyone knows him. We and his family are dedicated to making sure her little old man is happy. The beautiful thing about being a vet or vet nurse is you build these relationships with the owners and their pets – they become your surrogate pets."

Tracy's been keeping rabbits all her life, and says that having space and routine is key. She said: "Alfie is an old man now and has a routine. He goes into a hutch at night and is let out in the morning. He's out all day and has his favourite spots in the house. We clean him out every day and give him a lot of attention. When he was younger he would follow us around; if I was clearing a cupboard out he would be in the cupboard to help. Now he's old and wants to be warm and watch instead. I can't thank Kate and the practice enough. Kate's been fantastic with him."

26/01/2024

Eight-year-old Winnie the Schnauzer cross is running around like a puppy again thanks to laser treatment and physiotherapy after two successful knee operations at Vets for Pets Basildon.

Worried owner Tracy brought Winnie in to the practice after she collapsed on a walk last year – and the team discovered the cruciate ligament in a knee had ruptured. She’s since had ops on two knees and is on a recovery plan led by vet physiotherapist Izzy.

Tracy said: "Winnie has had a tough year with 15 teeth removed, two cruciate ligament operations and two bouts of pancreatitis but thankfully she's hardy. She’s treated fabulously at the Basildon practice. Izzy is great with her – she totally relaxes in her hands and does little snores with her eyes open. Winnie has a new lease of life again and is running around like a puppy."

Izzy said: "When pets have surgery or injure themselves they move differently which causes them to be sore in other places. Winnie has laser therapy then a massage to help the healing process. Laser treatment is a specialist service that not enough people know about – it can help in so many ways after an operation.”

19/01/2024

The team at Vets4Pets Cramlington say greyhound Frank was "an absolute gentleman" when he came in for some dental work.

Seven-year-old Frank was brought in by owner Harriet to get rid of some plaque which had built up and to treat a gum inflammation. Veterinary nurse Vicki said: "Frank was a very good boy and left with clean, fresh and sparkly teeth. It's so very important to get your dog's teeth checked and we advise pets to have an annual dental check. Eighty per cent of dogs over the age of three have dental disease. Prevention is much better than cure and regular checks and routine cleaning keep your pet's mouth healthier for longer and can help to prevent extensive extractions later in life. We are always happy to offer advice on maintenance and dental care at home such as teeth brushing or dental supplements."

18/01/2024

Veterinary nurse Mel from Vets4Pets Bristol Longwell Green loves cats so much she's helped the practice make a number of improvements to give cats as stress-free an experience as possible when they're brought in.

Mel, who has an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals, helped introduce facilities like a separate feline waiting area and cattery and the use of quiet clippers – and the practice now has a silver level certificate for being a cat-friendly clinic. She said: "I love dogs but I'm really a cat person. Cats can be misunderstood which can lead to them having quite a stressful life, so if we can make things easier for them and help people understand what cats need then everyone will be happier.

"As animal lovers there's always more to learn and understand about what makes them happy. Enrichment at the home is important for a happy cat – and as cats are naturally solitary animals if you live in a multi-cat household it's important to understand what they need. The rule is to have a resource per cat, plus one spare. So if you have two cats you should have three feeding stations, three litter trays and three scratch posts spread around the house so they have the opportunity to move around to wherever they want to go. Scratching is as natural a thing for cats to do as going out hunting is, so if they're unable to go out it's about providing the chance for them to behave as naturally as possible."