Question 1

What should I do if my pet has upset stomach / diarrhoea?

Accepted Answer

Withhold food for 12–24 hours (water always available). Reintroduce bland food: boiled plain chicken + plain white rice (50/50). Feed small amounts every 4–6 hours for 2–3 days. Gradually reintroduce normal food over 3–4 days. Add plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) — 1 tsp per 10 kg — to firm stools. See a vet if: blood in stool, vomiting alongside diarrhoea, lasts more than 48 hours, or your dog seems very lethargic.

Question 2

What should I do if my pet has minor cuts & wounds?

Accepted Answer

Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Rinse wound with clean lukewarm water or saline solution. Remove visible debris with tweezers if safe to do so. Apply antiseptic cream safe for dogs (e.g. Hibiscrub diluted 1:20). Cover loosely with a clean bandage and check twice daily. Prevent licking — use a buster/e-collar if needed. See a vet if: wound is deep (may need stitches), won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes, or shows signs of infection (swelling, heat, discharge) after 24 hours.

Question 3

What should I do if my pet has ticks?

Accepted Answer

Use a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers — never fingers. Grasp tick as close to the skin as possible. Twist anti-clockwise (or straight pull with tool) — do not jerk. Disinfect the bite area and your hands afterwards. Keep the tick in a sealed bag for 2 weeks in case symptoms develop. Monitor for lethargy or loss of appetite over the following weeks. See a vet if: tick mouth parts remain in skin, your dog develops a bull's-eye rash, fever, or joint stiffness (signs of Lyme disease).

Question 4

What should I do if my pet has itchy skin / hot spots?

Accepted Answer

Bathe in lukewarm water with colloidal oatmeal shampoo. For hot spots: clip fur around the area, clean with diluted Hibiscrub. Apply cool compress for 5 minutes twice daily. Prevent scratching with an e-collar. Check for fleas (use fine-tooth comb), change diet if suspect food allergy. See a vet if: hot spots are spreading rapidly, skin is broken and oozing, or itching continues despite treatment after 5 days.

Question 5

What should I do if my pet has limping (minor)?

Accepted Answer

Rest your dog — no walks or jumping for 24–48 hours. Examine the paw pad carefully for thorns, glass or cuts. Soak paw in warm salt water (1 tsp salt per 500ml) for 5 minutes. Apply cold compress (wrapped ice pack) for 10 min every few hours. See a vet if: limping persists beyond 48 hours, leg is swollen or at an odd angle, dog won't put any weight on it at all, or there is visible bone.

Question 6

What should I do if my pet has ear cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner (e.g. Thornit, Epi-Otic). Fill the ear canal with cleaner, massage base of ear for 30 seconds. Allow dog to shake head, then wipe visible wax with cotton wool. Never insert cotton buds into the ear canal. See a vet if: ears smell strongly, there is dark brown/black discharge, your dog is shaking head constantly, or pawing at ears in pain.

Question 7

What should I do if my pet has hairballs?

Accepted Answer

Groom your cat daily with a fine-toothed comb to reduce ingested fur. Give a hairball remedy paste (e.g. Laxatone, or a small amount of petroleum jelly on the paw). Offer hairball-control cat food high in fibre. Add a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin to meals to aid passage. See a vet if: cat retches repeatedly but nothing comes up, abdomen looks bloated, or cat stops eating.

Question 8

What should I do if my pet has mild constipation?

Accepted Answer

Ensure fresh water is always available — cats often need encouragement (try a water fountain). Add a teaspoon of plain pumpkin puree to food once a day. Switch temporarily to wet food (higher moisture content). Gentle tummy massage in circular motions can help. Add 1/4 tsp of olive oil to food for 2–3 days. See a vet if: no bowel movement in 48 hours, cat is straining in the litter box, vomiting, or appears in pain — especially male cats (urinary blockage is a medical emergency).

Question 9

What should I do if my pet has fleas?

Accepted Answer

Use a fine-tooth flea comb — run through coat over white paper to spot flea dirt. Apply a vet-approved spot-on treatment (e.g. Advantage, Frontline). Wash all bedding on a hot cycle (60°C). Vacuum all carpets, sofas and skirting boards thoroughly. Use a household flea spray (e.g. Indorex) on all soft furnishings. Treat all pets in the home simultaneously. See a vet if: cat is losing significant fur, has pale gums (anaemia from flea infestation), or is very young/elderly as reinfestation can be dangerous.

Question 10

What should I do if my pet has minor eye discharge?

Accepted Answer

Dampen a clean cotton ball with cooled boiled water. Wipe from the inner corner outward — use a fresh cotton ball for each eye. Never use the same wipe for both eyes (prevents cross-infection). Clean twice daily until discharge clears. See a vet if: discharge is yellow/green and thick, eye is swollen or closed, cat is pawing at the eye, or discharge continues beyond 3 days.

Question 11

What should I do if my pet has mild upper respiratory symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Keep your cat warm and comfortable indoors. Run a hot shower and sit with your cat in the steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes to ease congestion. Use a cool-mist humidifier near their resting area. Warm food gently — cats with blocked noses eat better when they can smell food. Wipe discharge from nose with a warm damp cloth. Ensure your cat stays hydrated. See a vet if: cat stops eating or drinking for 24 hours, breathing is laboured or wheezing, symptoms worsen after 3 days, or kitten is affected.

Question 12

What should I do if my pet has overgrooming / stress?

Accepted Answer

Identify and remove stressors if possible (new pets, building noise, changes in routine). Provide extra hiding spots and elevated perches. Use a Feliway diffuser (synthetic calming pheromone) in main rooms. Increase interactive play sessions — 2× 10 minutes daily minimum. Try puzzle feeders to provide mental stimulation. See a vet if: bald patches appear, skin is red or broken, or your cat shows other signs of illness alongside overgrooming.

Home Care Guide

🚨 Always go to the vet immediately if you see: