Cottage Vet

14/10/2026

Is your pet overweight? 5 things to check at home.

Extra weight can creep on gradually, making it surprisingly difficult to notice when you see your pet every day.

For Pet Obesity Awareness Day, try this quick check:
1. Feel the ribs – you should be able to feel them without pressing hard.
2. Look from above – can you see a defined waist behind the ribs?
3. Look from the side – the abdomen should tuck upwards towards the back legs.
4. Watch their movement – are everyday activities becoming more difficult?
5. Check the scale – regular weigh-ins can reveal changes you may not see.

If you’re unsure about your pet’s weight, bring them in for a weigh-in and chat to us about what a healthy weight looks like for them.

Cottage Vet: (021) 856-2746

09/10/2026

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, adorable… and sometimes a little overwhelming!

Those first few weeks are all about helping them settle in while getting their health off to the best possible start.

A few important things to think about:
🔹Book their first vet visit for a health check
🔹Stay on track with vaccinations and deworming
🔹Choose the right nutrition for their age and development
🔹Start gentle socialisation and training early
🔹Make your home safe for a curious new arrival
🔹Allow plenty of time for play, rest and bonding. Spend quality time with your new furbaby.

Read our guide to navigating those important first few weeks 👉 https://www.cottagevet.co.za/puppy-kitten-guide/

📞 Welcoming a new family member? Call Cottage Vet on (021) 856-2746 to arrange their first visit.

06/10/2026

Sometimes, we need to look a little deeper.

X-rays are incredibly useful, but they don’t always tell us the whole story. That’s where veterinary ultrasound can help.

Using sound waves to create real-time images, ultrasound allows our vets to examine many of your pet’s internal organs and soft tissues, helping us investigate concerns involving areas such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, spleen and digestive system.

It’s non-invasive and can give us valuable information that may not be visible on an X-ray.

Learn more about veterinary ultrasound at Cottage Vet 👉 https://www.cottagevet.co.za/ultrasound/

📞 If your pet needs further investigation, our team will advise which diagnostic approach is most appropriate. Call Cottage Vet on (021) 856-2746.

04/10/2026

For the animals who make life better.

They make us laugh, keep us company, test our patience and somehow always know when we need them most.

This World Animal Day, we’re celebrating the dogs, cats and animals of every kind who bring so much character, companionship and joy into our lives.

And, of course, we’re especially grateful for all the wonderful animals we have the privilege of caring for at Cottage Vet.

Give your favourite animal an extra bit of love from us today.

02/10/2026

Cape Town pet owners, this is worth a read. 🐾

The City of Cape Town has shared information on its draft Animal Keeping By-law, 2026, covering important areas of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

If you own pets in Cape Town, take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with what may affect you and your animals.

We’ve highlighted some of the key points for pet owners here:👉 https://www.cottagevet.co.za/cape-town-by-law/

And be sure to follow the links in the City’s original post below for the latest verified and updated information relating to the draft by-law. 👇

30/09/2026

28/09/2026

**Sponsor a kilometre here:** https://www.quicket.co.za/events/395583-ks-for-spays/ #/

We need your help to make our next Spay Day possible.

“One unplanned litter can become another. Help us break the cycle before it begins.”

Every unexpected litter begins with animals who need somewhere safe to go. Some will find homes. Others may arrive at shelters already struggling to care for the pets they have.

A Spay Day gives pet owners access to sterilisation that might otherwise be out of reach. It helps prevent unplanned litters and gives more dogs and cats the chance to be cared for.

That’s why our K’s for Spays team is running **414 km** at the Winelands Marathon. Every kilometre is a chance for our community to help an animal before another litter is born.

Will you run this distance with us in spirit? **R50 sponsors half a kilometre; R100 sponsors a full kilometre.** Your contribution helps us get closer to our next Spay Day.

**Sponsor a kilometre here:** https://www.quicket.co.za/events/395583-ks-for-spays/ #/

28/09/2026

Rabies is preventable. Protection starts with vaccination. 🐾

This World Rabies Day, it’s worth remembering that rabies remains a very real risk in South Africa. It can affect both animals and people, and once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.

The best protection? Keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date.

If you or your pet is bitten, scratched or exposed to saliva from an animal that could have rabies, act quickly. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

Knowing the risks, keeping vaccinations current and understanding what to do after a possible exposure can save lives.

Read more about rabies, prevention and what to do if you suspect exposure in our blog: https://www.cottagevet.co.za/rabies/

25/09/2026

🐾 **We’re running K’s to fund spays!** 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

The Cottage Vet team is taking on the Winelands Marathon for one big reason: to help fund sterilisation for pets in our community. ❤️

Here’s how **K’s for Spays** works:

🐶 Sponsor **500 m for R50**
🎟️ Every R50 sponsored = **1 lucky drawe entry**
🏃 Our team runs the kilometres
✂️ The money raised goes towards sterilisation

Every R50 gets us a little further down the road — and another pet closer to being sterilised.

Whether you sponsor **500 m, 5 km or the whole race**, every contribution counts.

👉 Sponsor your K’s through our Quicket link: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/395583-ks-for-spays/ #/
👉 Share this Reel and help us spread the word. https://www.cottagevet.co.za/kays-for-spays/

**Run a K. Spay the way. 🐾**