Pet care guides

A loose dog or cat in a moving car is a driving hazard as well as a welfare risk. The Highway Code, which applies UK-wide and sets out rules that are either legal requirements or strongly recommended good practice, addresses this directly: animals travelling in a vehicle must be restrained so they cannot distract the driver or be injured, or injure someone else, if the car stops suddenly.

What Highway Code rule 57 actually requires

Rule 57 states that when travelling with an animal in a vehicle, “you should make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.” The rule sits in the Highway Code’s “Rules about animals” section alongside rule 56, which covers dogs outside a vehicle: “do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders.”

The Highway Code does not specify one mandatory restraint product; a harness that clips into a seat belt fitting, a secured pet carrier, a fitted dog cage in a boot area, or a dog guard separating a boot from the passenger compartment are all listed as acceptable approaches. What matters is that whichever method is used actually stops the animal moving freely around the vehicle, including into the driver’s footwell or onto a driver’s lap.

Why an unrestrained pet is treated as a driving offence risk

Most Highway Code rules use “should,” meaning they describe good practice, but a driver who causes a crash or is stopped by police while driving with an unrestrained, distracting animal can still be prosecuted under other legislation, most commonly the requirement to be in proper control of a vehicle at all times, set out in regulation 104 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which applies across Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own, similarly worded construction and use regulations. An unrestrained pet is evidence a police officer or insurer can point to when assessing whether a driver was in proper control, separate from any injury the animal itself suffers in a sudden stop or collision.

Choosing between the main restraint options

A crash-tested harness that clips to an existing seat belt anchor is generally the simplest retrofit for a car with rear seats, and lets a dog sit or lie down while limiting how far it can move. A secured carrier suits cats, rabbits and small pets far better than a harness, since these species are not used to being restrained by a harness and can panic; the carrier itself needs to be wedged or belted so it cannot slide or tip under braking. A dog guard, fitted between a boot area and the back seats, keeps a dog contained to the boot but does not by itself stop the dog being thrown around inside that boot space during a hard stop, so combining a guard with a boot-mounted travel crate gives better protection than a guard alone.

Getting a nervous pet used to restraint before a long journey

Introducing a harness, crate or carrier at home, well before a journey, and pairing it with calm, low-pressure short trips first, reduces the chance that a pet associates the restraint itself with stress rather than the car journey. This matters most for cats and rabbits, which are far more sensitive to novel handling than most dogs, and for any animal that has not travelled by car since a stressful previous experience such as a rescue transport or a single visit to the vet.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dog guard alone enough under rule 57? A dog guard restrains a dog to the boot area but does not stop the dog moving within that space; adding a fitted crate or harness inside the boot gives closer compliance with the rule’s aim of preventing injury in a sudden stop.

Do cats need a harness in the car like dogs do? No. A secured carrier is the standard and safer method for cats, which are not accustomed to harness restraint and can become distressed trying to escape one in a moving vehicle.

Does rule 57 apply outside England? The Highway Code applies across Great Britain, and Northern Ireland has its own equivalent Highway Code with materially similar rules on animals in vehicles.

The bottom line

Highway Code rule 57 is short but specific: animals in a car must be restrained by a harness, carrier, cage or guard so they cannot distract the driver or be hurt in a sudden stop. Matching the restraint method to the species, a carrier for cats and small pets, a harness or crate for dogs, and testing it on short trips before a long journey, meets both the letter of the rule and the animal’s welfare needs at the same time.

Sources

• The Highway Code, “Rules About Animals (Rules 56 to 58)”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Regulation 104: Driver’s Control”

Every dog, cat and rabbit needs a registered vet before they need one urgently. Most UK practices will only fit in a same-day emergency for their own registered clients, so choosing a practice while a pet is healthy, rather than searching in a panic later, is one of the simplest ways an owner can protect an animal’s welfare. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the professional regulator for UK vets, publishes a scheme that gives owners an objective way to compare practices before registering.

What the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme checks

The Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) is a voluntary accreditation run by the RCVS. Practices that join are assessed against a detailed set of modules covering, in the RCVS’s own description, “health and safety through employment law, patient care to drug management, pharmacy management through all the practice protocols.” Assessment happens on a cyclical basis, and the scheme’s medicines module is recognised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, meaning an accredited practice does not need a separate VMD inspection on top of its PSS one.

Accreditation is tiered rather than all-or-nothing. The RCVS lists core standards for small animal, equine or farm practices, a general practice tier above that, and specialist tiers for ambulatory equine services and for small animal and equine emergency clinics and hospitals. Every tier, including the most basic, has to meet core standards the RCVS says are aligned with UK legal requirements for running a veterinary practice, so accreditation is a marker of standards being independently checked, not just self-declared.

How to check accreditation before you register

Accredited practices are entitled to display the RCVS-accredited practice logo in their premises and marketing, which the RCVS says makes them “easily identifiable” to owners. The College also runs a public Find a Vet search tool that lets owners filter results in their area to show only PSS-accredited practices, so a check can be done online before a first visit rather than by looking for a certificate on a waiting-room wall.

Accreditation is not the only useful signal. It is worth checking separately whether a practice, or the specific vets working there, hold any additional certificates relevant to your pet, such as advanced qualifications in exotic or small-mammal medicine if you keep rabbits or rodents, since general small-animal accreditation does not guarantee that expertise.

What to ask before registering

Because the PSS is voluntary, a substantial minority of UK practices are not accredited without that meaning they provide poor care; equally, accreditation does not remove the value of asking practical questions directly. Useful questions to put to a practice before registering include: what happens out of hours, and is emergency cover provided in-house or handed to a separate referral or emergency service; whether the same vet usually sees a registered patient for continuity of care; how appointments and repeat prescriptions are booked; and what the practice’s policy is on estimates for planned or unplanned treatment costs, since being registered does not commit an owner to using one practice’s every recommendation without a second opinion.

It is also worth registering before a pet is unwell. Some practices require a minimum period of registration, or a first health check, before they will treat non-emergency conditions or provide certain paperwork such as travel documentation, so leaving registration until treatment is needed can add delay at the worst possible time.

Registering more than one animal, or more than one species

A single practice does not have to treat every species an owner keeps. Rabbits, birds, reptiles and other exotic pets are often referred by general small-animal practices to a specialist exotics vet, and it is reasonable to ask directly whether a practice sees your particular species in-house or refers out, and where that referral practice is, before assuming one registration covers every pet in the household.

Frequently asked questions

Does PSS accreditation cost the owner anything? No, accreditation is a cost and process the veterinary practice takes on; it does not itself change what an owner pays for treatment, though fees vary independently by practice.

Can I register with more than one practice? There is no legal bar to being registered with more than one practice, but continuity of records and history is easier if one practice holds the primary registration and any second opinion is arranged through referral.

Is an unaccredited practice unsafe? Not necessarily. All UK veterinary practices are subject to RCVS professional conduct rules regardless of PSS status; accreditation is an additional, voluntary layer of checked standards rather than a baseline legal requirement to operate.

The bottom line

Choosing a vet practice is easiest to do well before a pet needs treatment, using the RCVS’s Find a Vet tool to check Practice Standards Scheme accreditation and asking direct questions about out-of-hours cover, continuity of care and species expertise. Registering early, rather than during an emergency, is what actually determines whether same-day care is available when it matters.

Sources

• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Practice Standards Scheme”
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, “About the Practice Standards Scheme” (Animal Owners)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Find a Vet”

A hutch alone is not a home for a rabbit. The two welfare bodies most often quoted on rabbit care in the UK, the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) and the RSPCA, both set out minimum space and companionship standards that go well beyond what a typical pet-shop hutch provides. Meeting them is not just good practice: rabbits are one of the five species named in England and Wales’ statutory five welfare needs, and getting housing and company wrong is one of the most common ways owners unintentionally fail to meet those needs.

The minimum footprint is bigger than most hutches

The RWAF’s published minimum recommendation is a single, continuously accessible living area of at least 3m x 2m and 1m high for up to two average-sized rabbits. Crucially, the charity stresses that the 3m length has to run in one unbroken block, “because it allows them to display positive behaviours, for example, to run rather than just hop.” A common shortcut, adding up hutch and run space to reach 60 square feet, does not meet the standard if no single run of the space is 3m long: the RWAF gives the example of an 8ft x 8ft (64 sq ft) run, which fails the guideline despite the total area looking adequate on paper.

This 3m x 2m x 1m footprint must be available at all times, not offered for a few supervised hours a day, and it applies equally to indoor and outdoor rabbits. Raised platforms, tunnels and connecting pipes are encouraged for enrichment but do not count toward the required footprint, and the upper floor of a two-storey hutch does not count either. The RWAF says its figures are based on research carried out with the RSPCA and Bristol University.

Sleeping quarters are separate from exercise space

Within that overall area, the hutch or sleeping box itself should measure at least 1.8m x 0.6m x 0.6m high (roughly 6ft x 2ft x 2ft) so a rabbit can take three consecutive hops from end to end and stretch fully upright without touching the roof. The RWAF is explicit that a hutch should never be the sole or main accommodation. The RSPCA’s own housing guidance aligns with this: it advises a living space “no smaller than 3m x 2m and 1m high” for two medium-sized rabbits, including both shelter and exercise areas, with solid, non-slip flooring in the shelter (wire floors can injure feet), good ventilation, and as many hiding places as there are rabbits, plus one spare.

Rabbits need rabbit company, not just human company

Both organisations are equally firm that rabbits should not be kept alone. The RWAF’s position is direct: “rabbits suffer if kept alone and should always be kept in at least friendly pairs,” and even a single rabbit still needs the same minimum 3m x 2m x 1m space as a pair, so a lack of room is not a legitimate reason to keep only one. The RSPCA’s guidance uses similar language, describing companionship as something owners should provide by keeping rabbits “with at least one other friendly, compatible rabbit.”

The RWAF specifically advises against pairing rabbits with guinea pigs as a substitute for rabbit company. It says this was historically done before neutering was routine, but is “no longer necessary” and goes against current welfare advice, partly because of disease risks such as Bordetella between the two species and the size and dietary mismatch between them.

Neutering comes before pairing

To be kept safely in pairs or groups, the RWAF says rabbits should be neutered, spayed or castrated, and this is recommended regardless of whether a rabbit will be paired at all. A joint policy statement from the British Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Zoological Society and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association supports housing rabbits in compatible neutered pairs or groups. Two unneutered rabbits, or rabbits that were not already a bonded pair when acquired, cannot simply be placed together and expected to get along; bonding is a managed introduction process, sometimes taking weeks, and the RWAF publishes separate guidance on how to do it and on using a bonding service. Reported success rates from RWAF-surveyed owners were highest for neutered male-female pairings and somewhat lower, though still generally successful, for same-sex pairings.

Why this matters legally as well as ethically

In England and Wales, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 places a legal duty of care on anyone responsible for an animal to meet its welfare needs, including the need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate to the species. Scotland’s equivalent is the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and Northern Ireland’s is the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Rabbits are explicitly included in RSPCA and RWAF guidance issued under this framework, which is why both charities frame adequate space and companionship as welfare needs an owner must provide, not optional extras.

Frequently asked questions

Is a large hutch enough on its own? No. Both the RWAF and RSPCA treat a hutch as sleeping quarters only; it must be permanently connected to, or opened onto, the wider 3m x 2m x 1m exercise area.

Can one rabbit really need the same space as two? Yes, according to the RWAF, a single rabbit needs the same minimum footprint as a pair, because the space is there to allow running and jumping, not just to divide between individuals.

Is a guinea pig a suitable companion for a rabbit? The RWAF recommends against it, citing disease risk and a poor match in size, diet and social behaviour, and says a same-species rabbit companion is what current welfare advice supports.

The bottom line

A hutch that looks generous by pet-shop standards can still fall well short of what rabbit welfare charities consider adequate. The RWAF and RSPCA both set the same baseline: a permanently accessible 3m x 2m x 1m living area, with sleeping quarters of at least 1.8m x 0.6m x 0.6m within it, and at least one neutered, compatible rabbit companion. Meeting the space standard first makes it safer and easier to meet the companionship one, since bonded rabbits need enough room to retreat from each other as well as to be together.

Sources

• Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, “Minimum Space Requirements for Pet Rabbits”
• Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, “Companionship”
• RSPCA, “Rabbit Housing and Environment”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Animal Welfare Act 2006, Section 9: Duty of Person Responsible for Animal to Ensure Welfare”

Some cats live indoors by choice or necessity. Cats Protection and the RSPCA publish guidance on what an indoor cat needs to stay healthy and content. This article summarises that guidance on when a cat may need to stay in, what to provide, how to play with an indoor cat and how to make balconies and windows safer. It is general welfare information from UK charities and does not replace advice from a vet or a qualified behaviourist.

When a cat may need to stay in

Cats Protection says there are many reasons to keep a cat indoors. A newly adopted cat is better staying in for a few weeks to settle, and a cat diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) needs to be kept indoors, away from other cats. A cat that has always lived inside may find going out frightening. Owners who want to protect wildlife can consider keeping a cat in only at dawn and dusk, when it is most likely to hunt, and playing with it to allow its hunting behaviour. Feral cats cannot be kept indoors because they are not socialised to people or the indoor environment.

The charity cautions that life as an indoor cat can be stressful for cats used to going outside. If such a cat shows signs of stress and has no medical or physical reason to be kept in, it suggests considering allowing outdoor access. It says adult cats used to the outdoors find the adjustment difficult and that in an ideal world all cats would have outdoor access, which is not always possible.

Is an indoor life cruel?

Cats Protection says that as long as a cat has the space and essential items to express its natural behaviours and is not frustrated by being unable to go out, there is no reason it cannot live a happy life as a house cat. It notes that indoor cats can live as long as outdoor cats: a healthy cat can expect around 14 years, and the charity says there is currently limited evidence that either lifestyle produces a significantly longer lifespan. Both carry different welfare risks. It adds that the indoor environment predisposes to obesity and to diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle, such as diabetes and lower urinary tract disease.

What an indoor cat needs

The RSPCA lists the basics of a cat-friendly home: a comfortable, dry, draught-free and quiet bed, a litter tray with a deep layer of litter kept separate from eating and sleeping areas, somewhere to hide, toys and space to play, and high places such as shelves. It says indoor cats need more to keep them entertained. Cats Protection adds several specifics:

• puzzle feeders to make food time more interesting;
• plenty of interactive toys;
• cat-friendly shelves and climbing places, with a hidden treat to encourage exploration;
• plenty of scratching posts, because scratching leaves the cat’s scent on objects, which is reassuring, and helps keep claws in check for cats that do not go out;
• a catio, if possible, to give secure garden access;
• in multi-cat homes, a set of essentials for each cat (bowls, litter trays, beds) plus a spare, and areas where cats can get away from one another.

The charity warns that if indoor cats cannot express natural behaviour, the resulting stress can lead to spraying or scratching in unwanted places, obsessive grooming or physical illness. This site’s guides to litter tray set-up and cat body language cover related points.

Play for an indoor cat

Cats Protection explains that hunting is not driven by hunger: the stalk, pounce and kill sequence releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, so play matters for mental stimulation and fitness. It says older cats will enjoy playing three or four times a day, and younger cats 10 times a day or more, with very short games of one to two minutes being fine. Suggestions include fishing-rod toys, cardboard boxes, catnip toys and swapping toys regularly, and it warns against leaving a cat alone with toys that could be shredded and eaten or that it could get tangled in. Feeding biscuits through a puzzle feeder or a plastic bottle with biscuit-sized holes makes dinner a challenge and slows eating.

The charity says indoor cats need more entertainment than outdoor cats and that a lack of play can be redirected onto people as play aggression. It recommends toys that keep distance from the body, such as fishing-rod toys or thrown balls, instead of fingers and toes. If an adult cat suddenly shows play aggression, it advises a vet check and then a qualified behaviourist. A wider look at enrichment is in this site’s article on games and enrichment.

Health checks and safety indoors

• Vaccination, microchipping and parasites. Cats Protection says indoor cats still need vaccinations and boosters, because germs can enter the home, plus microchipping in case of escape, and flea and worm treatments, because fleas can arrive on clothes and bags.
• Household hazards. The charity names wires, toxic house plants and bouquets, medications, cleaning chemicals and kitchen scalds or burns.
• Balconies and windows. It warns that an open balcony or window may entice a cat but that any cat can fall, and that young cats under two are especially susceptible to “high-rise syndrome”. If a balcony is used, it suggests wire mesh or netting from ceiling to floor or a sturdy cat-designed window screen, removing hazards, always supervising the cat and ensuring it can return inside. Loose netting can entangle a cat or leave gaps for escape.

The bottom line

Cats Protection and the RSPCA say an indoor cat can be content when its home replaces what the outdoors would supply: places to climb, hide and scratch, food that requires effort, and frequent short games. Cats used to going outside may find the change stressful, and indoor life brings risks of obesity and inactivity that need managing. Vaccination, microchipping, parasite control and safe windows and balconies still apply, and a vet or behaviourist should be consulted about persistent stress or behaviour changes.

Sources

• Cats Protection, “Our Guide to Indoor Cats”
• Cats Protection, “Cats and play”
• RSPCA, “Creating a good home for your cat”

Socialisation is the process of introducing a puppy to the people, animals, sounds and places of ordinary life so that they become familiar rather than frightening. Dogs Trust publishes detailed guidance on how to do this. This article summarises two of its pages: one on introducing a puppy to the world around them, and one on introducing a puppy to other dogs. It is general welfare information from a UK charity. A vet should be asked about vaccination timing, parasite treatment and any behaviour concern.

Why the first months matter

Dogs Trust says the first four months of a puppy’s life are vital. During this socialisation window a puppy is learning about normal life and working out what to make of new people and experiences. The charity says puppies need to be introduced carefully to a range of people, dogs, noises, objects and experiences so that they accept them as normal, which gives them the best chance of coping and feeling confident as they get older.

The introduction has to be gradual, controlled and done when the puppy is relaxed. Dogs Trust says that if a puppy shows high levels of arousal or signs of worry or fear, the activity should stop straight away. Puppies that are overwhelmed or have negative experiences in this period are more likely to be worried and develop behaviour problems as adults, and dogs are more likely to worry about things they did not encounter when young.

Starting at home before vaccination is complete

Dogs Trust says socialisation should start as soon as the puppy joins the family, but must begin in the home. Puppies should not walk in public until fully vaccinated, because serious diseases can be picked up from the environment and other dogs. It advises speaking to a vet about how long to wait after vaccination before going outside, and starting an anti-parasite regime before the puppy goes out. In the meantime, puppies can be carried outside, for example in a carrier or sling, to see, hear and smell the world without walking on the ground. For more on what vaccines cover, see this site’s guide to vaccinating a cat or dog.

A socialisation checklist

Dogs Trust suggests a checklist so that nothing is missed. Its items include:

• Other dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes, once the puppy is fully vaccinated.
• Other animals, including cats, horses and farm animals, met from a safe distance with rewards for calm behaviour. Other animals should not be scared or cornered, and walking past fields regularly is suggested for farm animals and horses.
• Handling. Puppies will be picked up, have paws cleaned, ears examined, nails cut and coats groomed by vets and groomers, so handling should start early.
• People of all ages and backgrounds. Getting a puppy used to the doorbell and teaching it to go to its bed or another room when it rings prepares it for visitors. Props such as a big hat, a wig, walking sticks, umbrellas, rucksacks or high-visibility clothing broaden its experiences, always with a treat or toy so the experience is positive.
• Sounds. These should be introduced slowly and carefully, including fireworks, and Dogs Trust recommends its Sound Therapy recordings. It says puppies gradually exposed to noises in early life are more likely to cope with unusual sounds later.
• Environments and objects. Different walking surfaces, everyday objects such as umbrellas, bicycles, suitcases, wheelchairs and buggies, the vacuum cleaner or hairdryer (switched off at first, then on, then moved around), and the car, including climbing in and out, wearing a safety harness and hearing the engine start.

Introducing a puppy to other dogs

Dogs Trust says meeting a variety of dogs helps a puppy understand other dogs’ body language and learn how to behave with them, and that a puppy that misses out may find other dogs difficult later. Some puppies are wary and others very excited. Its six steps are:

1. encourage the puppy to walk calmly on a loose lead and keep its attention on the owner, rewarding this;
2. walk at a distance from other dogs, keeping the puppy’s focus on the owner, with treats for calm behaviour;
3. over time, walk a little closer to other dogs;
4. once used to seeing other dogs, arrange a walk with a friend and their dog, both on lead to begin with;
5. if both dogs are relaxed, let them greet each other on lead, say hello and sniff, then keep moving;
6. when they know each other and are happy, let them off lead together, provided the puppy has been trained to come back when called.

The charity says to always go at the puppy’s pace: if it seems unsure or overwhelmed, go back to a stage where it was relaxed and progress more slowly. Understanding a dog’s signals is covered in this site’s guide to dog body language, and reward-based teaching in positive reinforcement training basics.

Day care and dog walkers

Dogs Trust says a puppy should already have started to walk and play with other dogs before going to day care. For a dog walker or day-care provider it lists things to check: relevant insurance, necessary training and experience, good reviews, appropriate equipment, a contract and schedule, and reward-based methods. It recommends meeting the provider first, perhaps going for a walk together, and doing a trial such as one walk or one afternoon.

The bottom line

Dogs Trust treats the first four months as the key window for teaching a puppy that everyday life is safe. The approach is gradual, positive and led by the puppy’s reactions: begin at home, carry the puppy outside before it is fully vaccinated, meet dogs, people, animals, sounds and objects one step at a time, and stop when the puppy is worried. A vet should advise on vaccination and parasite treatment timing.

Sources

• Dogs Trust, “Introducing your puppy to the world around them”
• Dogs Trust, “How to introduce your puppy to other dogs”

Losing a pet can be as painful as losing a family member, yet many owners feel their grief is dismissed. The RSPCA, Blue Cross and Cats Protection each publish guidance and run or point to support services for people grieving a pet. This article summarises what they say about the experience of pet grief, talking to others, helping children and finding support. It is general guidance from UK charities and is not a substitute for advice from a GP or a mental health professional.

Why pet grief can be so hard

The RSPCA’s Pet Bereavement Toolkit says that losing a pet feels like losing a family member yet many people feel their grief is dismissed. It cites its own Pet Grief Surveys, in which more than 4,000 people shared how they felt after a loss, and the 2025 survey figures it quotes include 57% saying they felt they had to hide their grief, 58% believing a stigma exists and 87% not feeling understood. It also says fewer than 1 in 10 people feel pet grief is taken as seriously as it should be.

A pet bereavement therapist quoted by the RSPCA explains why the loss can be disorienting: pets are often a daily routine and an emotional anchor. He lists reasons that can complicate grief, such as a lack of recognition from others, sole responsibility for the animal’s care, which can bring guilt, a sudden or unresolved loss like an accident or a pet going missing, and anticipatory grief, the anxiety felt when a loss is coming.

Grief is not a tidy sequence

The RSPCA says the familiar five stages of grief are rarely so tidy. Grief does not follow a straight line, and many people move back and forth between intense feelings and everyday functioning, a pattern it calls the dual process model. It says there is no right way to grieve and no rule for how long grief lasts. Cats Protection likewise says that as with any loss, there is no right way to feel, and that people may feel that no one understands, feel guilty or blame themselves, feel confused or angry, or feel they are burdening family and friends by talking.

Coping and talking about it

The RSPCA suggests small routines and acts of self-kindness:

• keeping up familiar routines where possible and making time for small enjoyable moments each day;
• using a grounding technique such as naming three things seen, two things touched and one thing heard;
• creating a memory box, journaling or taking a walk in the pet’s honour;
• using a simple “fact, feel, want” statement with others, for example, saying that the pet died, that the person feels heartbroken and that they would appreciate space.

The RSPCA says that if grief feels overwhelming, speaking to a professional can help. Cats Protection advises contacting a GP for additional support if grief becomes complex or prolonged and the person is not coping. On the workplace, the RSPCA’s survey found that 92% of employed respondents said pet loss affected their ability to work and 77.4% felt it is not taken seriously enough there.

Supporting someone else

The RSPCA’s guidance on supporting someone grieving a pet advises acknowledging the loss, listening, using the pet’s name, offering practical help and respecting the person’s need for space. It says to avoid phrases that belittle the loss, such as “at least it was just a dog” or “you can always get another one”, and to avoid “I know how you feel” unless asked, focusing on the grieving person instead.

Helping children

Blue Cross says a pet’s death may be a child’s first experience of losing something close, and that how a child and those around them handle it may lay a foundation for coping with later losses. It describes how understanding varies with age: children up to two have little concept of death, two- to four-year-olds find it hard to grasp that it is permanent, and by around nine most children know death is final. Its tips include:

• make sure the child does not hear about the death from someone they do not know;
• be honest, and do not pretend the pet has gone missing if it has died;
• use straightforward words such as “dead” or “died” in preference to “put to sleep”, which may confuse younger children;
• include the child in discussions and decisions, and encourage them to talk, write, draw or make a memory box;
• be prepared to talk about how the pet died without distressing detail, and inform the child’s teacher discreetly if the child is very upset.

On another pet, Blue Cross says timing is important, that a new pet immediately will not take away the child’s pain, and that a new pet should not be seen as a replacement.

Where to find support

These services are described on each charity’s page. Opening hours and contact details are set by the charities and can change.

• Blue Cross Pet Loss Support offers a free, confidential helpline, webchat and email service for loss through death, enforced separation or theft. The page gives the number 0800 096 6606 and daily hours of 8.30am to 8.30pm, with email replies within 48 hours. Outside those hours it points to the Samaritans on 116 123.
• Cats Protection’s Paws to Listen is a free, confidential phone line staffed by trained volunteer listeners for people who have lost a cat, including by euthanasia or because the cat has gone missing. The page gives 0800 024 94 94, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays, with a call-back service when lines are busy. The charity says it is a listening service and not counselling.
• The RSPCA’s toolkit collects guidance on coping, children, supporting others, whether pets grieve and pet loss at work.

The bottom line

Charity guidance is consistent that pet grief is real, non-linear and deserving of support, and that hiding it tends to make it harder. Small routines, honest conversations, careful language with children and the free listening services run by Blue Cross and Cats Protection are the tools it recommends, with a GP or professional support for grief that becomes overwhelming or prolonged.

Sources

• RSPCA, “Pet bereavement toolkit”
• RSPCA, “How to cope with the loss of a pet”
• RSPCA, “How to support someone through pet bereavement”
• Blue Cross, “Pet Loss Support”
• Blue Cross, “Pet loss support for children – missing my friend”
• Cats Protection, “Paws to Listen: Pet grief support service”

Leftovers, snacks and baking are easy to share by accident, and some ordinary foods can make dogs and cats seriously ill. Dogs Trust and Cats Protection each publish lists of foods to avoid. This article summarises those lists for dogs and for cats separately, because the two species differ. It is general welfare information from UK charities. It gives no treatment advice, and a vet should be contacted immediately if a pet may have eaten something on these lists.

Foods Dogs Trust says dogs must never have

Dogs Trust lists these as toxic:

• Chocolate, including cocoa powder and other chocolate products. Small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and higher doses can cause seizures or death. A vet can advise how serious a case is based on the dog’s size and how much was eaten, and packaging should be kept to hand for the vet.
• Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, which can cause anaemia even when thoroughly cooked. Dogs Trust notes that gravy often contains one or more of them.
• Ethanol. This is found in alcoholic drinks, some medications, perfume, mouthwash and hand sanitisers. Dogs Trust says it can also come from eating uncooked bread and pizza dough, which produce ethanol inside a dog’s body.
• Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants, fresh or dried, which can cause kidney failure. They can be hidden in fruit cake, mince pies, malt loaf, snack bars and scones, and any amount is potentially dangerous.
• Xylitol, which can be listed as E967, a sweetener used in sugar-free gum, mints, sweets, some baked goods, some peanut butter and dental products. Dogs Trust says it can cause a dramatic crash in blood sugar and liver failure, with signs sometimes appearing in under an hour and sometimes taking up to 12 hours.
• Avocado, which contains a toxin called persin. Dogs Trust advises treating all parts of avocado as potentially dangerous.
• Tea, coffee and hot chocolate, which contain caffeine and theobromine.
• Macadamia nuts, where even a tiny amount can make a dog seriously ill.
• Corn on the cob, because the cob can block the intestines, which Dogs Trust says needs emergency surgery and can be fatal.

For each item, the charity’s instruction is the same: speak to a vet, and for onions and related foods it adds not to wait and see.

Foods to be careful with

Dogs Trust says bones are not the safe treat popular culture suggests. They can cause constipation, block the throat or gut, or fatally pierce the gut, so family and friends should be told not to give bony leftovers such as chicken drumsticks. It advises asking a vet before giving any chew and supervising chewing. The page also lists foods dogs can usually have in moderation, such as bananas, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, and apples without the core.

Foods Cats Protection says cats should not have

Cats Protection says it generally does not recommend feeding cats human food, because many foods intended for people can be harmful and do not contain the nutrition cats need. It describes cats as meat eaters that need a diet made for them. Its list of human foods that are toxic or unsuitable is:

• alcohol and alcohol-containing products, including household products containing ethanol, methanol or isopropanol;
• avocado, which contains persin and is high in fat;
• chocolate, coffee and caffeine-containing foods, which contain methylxanthines. Cats Protection calls chocolate a “complete no-no”;
• grapes, raisins and currants, which can cause kidney failure in cats, with cats that have chronic kidney disease possibly at greater risk;
• onion and garlic and other members of the allium family, fresh, cooked or dried, which can lead to anaemia;
• raw meat, fish and eggs, which may contain harmful bacteria and parasites, and raw bones, which raise the risk of choking or blockage;
• dairy, since most cats are lactose intolerant, and lactose-free or plant-based cheeses that may contain ingredients toxic to cats;
• nuts such as macadamia, almonds and walnuts, which contain high amounts of oils and fats;
• raw yeast dough, which produces some alcohol and carbon dioxide and can expand in the stomach and cause an obstruction.

On cooked chicken, Cats Protection says it should be boiled where possible, free of bones and only part of the daily food allowance, because feeding only cooked chicken long-term can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Canned tuna made for people should not be fed regularly because it lacks essential nutrients and can be high in salt and mercury.

Differences between dogs and cats

The two lists overlap on chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, avocado, grapes and dried vine fruit, onion and garlic, macadamia nuts and uncooked yeast dough. Some items appear on one charity’s page and not the other, such as xylitol and corn on the cob for dogs and dairy and raw meat for cats. That difference reflects what each page covers and not necessarily that an item is safe for the other species, so a vet should be asked about anything not listed.

Preventing accidents

• keep chocolate, baking, sweets, sugar-free products and alcohol out of reach, including in bags and on low surfaces;
• ask visitors not to feed pets leftovers and check ingredient lists for xylitol, onion and dried fruit;
• keep dough rising out of pets’ reach;
• offer treats made for pets. Cats Protection suggests using a small portion of the cat’s usual food within its normal daily allowance, perhaps in a puzzle feeder.

Related guides on this site cover pet-safe houseplants and pet obesity.

The bottom line

Dogs Trust and Cats Protection agree that chocolate, grapes and dried vine fruit, onions and garlic, alcohol, avocado, caffeine and macadamia nuts should be kept away from pets, and that a vet should be contacted at once if any has been eaten. Dogs face additional risks from xylitol and corn cobs, and cats from raw foods, dairy and uncooked dough. The safest habit is to feed pets only food made for them and to keep human food out of reach.

Sources

• Dogs Trust, “What foods are toxic to dogs and the human foods you can feed them”
• Cats Protection, “Cats and Human Foods”

Cold, wet and dark weather changes what pets need from their owners. The RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection each publish winter guidance. This article summarises what they say about dogs, cats and rabbits. It is general welfare information from UK animal charities. It does not replace advice from a vet, who should be contacted about any illness, injury or suspected poisoning.

What is normal for pets in winter

The RSPCA says the natural behaviours of pets change through the seasons, and that knowing what is normal helps owners spot when something is wrong. In winter it describes it as natural for pets to seek warmth and shelter, prefer to stay indoors when it is wet or cold, huddle with companions, shiver after too long in low temperatures (more noticeable in smaller and short-haired breeds), and groom more. Some pets eat more and drink less, but the RSPCA warns that dry indoor air and heated rooms can lead to dehydration, so fresh drinking water should always be available.

Pets that need closer attention

The RSPCA lists animals that are more at risk of falling ill in winter and advises owners of these pets to speak to a vet about how best to protect them:

• flat-faced (brachycephalic) animals, which may have difficulty breathing in colder weather;
• short-coated animals, which may feel the cold more, and for which a coat outdoors or a heated blanket at home can help;
• animals with arthritis, because cold weather can make joint pain worse;
• animals with heart issues, because cold temperatures can make breathing and exercise harder.

For hairless cats, the RSPCA says a heated blanket in the home can help them keep warm. It also names dogs that are older, smaller, short-coated or puppies as more at risk of hypothermia and says a dog showing symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, pale gums or loss of coordination should be taken to a vet immediately.

Antifreeze, grit and rock salt

Antifreeze appears in all three charities’ advice. The RSPCA says antifreeze and rock salt on the ground can be fatal to dogs and cats, which may lick them from paws or fur, and that legs, paws and tummy should be thoroughly wiped after a walk or time outside in cold weather. It says never to “watch and wait” if poisoning is suspected: a vet should be contacted immediately. Cats Protection says antifreeze in car radiators, screen wash and de-icers contains ethylene glycol, which can be fatal, that only a small amount is needed and that a cat can be poisoned by walking through a puddle and grooming its fur. Its suggestions are to use screen wash or de-icer that does not contain ethylene glycol, wipe up any remaining radiator solution quickly and keep products out of reach. The RSPCA also lists antifreeze among common winter poisons for rabbits.

Winter walks with dogs

Dogs Trust advises a number of specific steps for winter walks:

• keep the dog on a lead in snow, because snow can cover unsafe areas, deep patches or holes;
• make sure the dog wears a collar and ID tag and is microchipped, with database details up to date;
• wipe the dog’s legs, feet and belly after a walk, as grit and damp can irritate the skin;
• never leave a dog in a car, whether the day is hot or cold;
• keep dogs off frozen ponds, since ice may not take their weight. If a dog falls through, the advice is not to go in after it but, if possible, to encourage it to swim back and call the emergency services;

For dark walks, Dogs Trust recommends a coat with high-visibility features, a flashing collar or a light attachment, introduced gradually so the dog is comfortable wearing it. It says some shorter-haired breeds and puppies may need a coat when it turns chilly, while some dogs grow thicker coats that could be left to lengthen. When parks close early, Dogs Trust suggests varying street routes, playing games indoors and providing enrichment such as long-lasting chews or food-releasing toys.

Cats in cold weather

Cats Protection advises that a cat with outdoor access should always be able to get back indoors, ideally through a cat flap, and that owners should watch the flap in heavy snow or ice because it can stick or block. Its other points are:

• provide plenty of fresh water indoors in case outdoor sources freeze;
• bring the cat in at night, and check sheds, outhouses and garages that it is not locked inside;
• keep the microchip details up to date, since cats may wander in search of warmth;
• tap the bonnet or check before starting a car, as cats can shelter under warm engines;
• provide a private litter tray, and screen open fireplaces and supervise a cat when a fire is lit.

The RSPCA recommends keeping pet cats indoors at night during very cold temperatures. Both charities note that central heating helps fleas thrive indoors, so parasite treatment should be discussed with a vet.

Rabbits in cold weather

The RSPCA says a temperature between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius is ideal for domestic rabbits, and that if temperatures drop below freezing owners may wish to move rabbits indoors. Outdoors, it advises a well-insulated, dry, draught-free shelter with plenty of bedding, kept out of the wind and rain, and a hutch raised off the ground and still well ventilated. Wet bedding should be removed daily because it can freeze on cold nights, and water should be checked at least twice a day to make sure it is not frozen. A bowl is less likely to freeze than a bottle.

The bottom line

The three charities agree on the basics: keep pets warm and dry, keep antifreeze and de-icers out of reach, wipe grit and salt from paws and fur, keep dogs on leads near snow and ice, make dark walks visible, and check that cats and rabbits have shelter, unfrozen water and a safe way back inside. Pets that are old, short-coated, flat-faced, arthritic or with a heart condition warrant particular attention, and a vet should be contacted at once about signs of illness or possible poisoning.

Sources

• RSPCA, “Keeping pets safe in cold weather”
• RSPCA, “Keeping your dog safe in winter”
• RSPCA, “How to keep your cat warm in winter”
• RSPCA, “Looking after your rabbit in winter”
• Dogs Trust, “Tips for Looking After Your Dog in the Winter Cold”
• Cats Protection, “Keeping Cats Warm & Preventing Hypothermia”
• Cats Protection, “Antifreeze Poisoning in Cats”

Handing a pet to a paid dog walker or sitter means trusting a stranger with the animal and the front door key. Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Cats Protection each publish checklists for owners. This article combines them and adds the English licensing position from GOV.UK. Licensing rules differ between the nations of the UK, so only England is covered on that point.

Is a licence needed?

GOV.UK’s statutory guidance for English local authorities says businesses that look after dogs in their owner’s homes, such as dog sitters and dog walkers, do not need an animal activity licence. The guidance describes licensed dog day care as providing daytime housing for other people’s dogs at a fixed location. A walker or sitter therefore does not have to hold a licence, and the owner cannot rely on one as a mark of quality. Dogs Trust advises owners to check local council websites, because regulations and codes of conduct vary.

Checks for a dog walker

Dogs Trust’s checklist includes:

• Knowledge: up-to-date, evidence-based understanding of dog behaviour and handling.
• First aid: a canine first aid certificate and a first aid kit.
• Insurance: third-party liability insurance, with details of how many dogs are covered and what veterinary cover applies.
• References: references or reviews from existing clients.
• Vehicle standards: if dogs are transported, the vehicle should be regularly cleaned and disinfected, with good ventilation and temperature control. Dogs should use a correctly sized seatbelt harness or a purpose-designed crate and never be left unattended except during brief pick-ups and drop-offs.

The charity also says the walker should meet the dog and understand its personality before any walks begin.

What a written agreement should cover

Dogs Trust suggests agreeing in writing:

• who makes veterinary decisions in an emergency;
• which leads, harnesses or muzzles are used;
• walk timing, length and route variation;
• permitted treats and food quantities;
• any training permissions and the commands the dog knows;
• the off-lead policy;
• what type of dogs may share a group;
• cancellation notice periods.

A pre-walk checklist from the charity adds identity tags, medical history shared with the walker and emergency vet contact details.

Checks for a pet sitter

The RSPCA recommends asking to see a sitter’s DBS certificate, confirming that insurance covers the pet in an emergency, asking for references and arranging an introduction between the pet and the sitter before the owner leaves. It says the sitter carries a legal responsibility for the animal’s care while the owner is away, and that a sitter staying in the home usually suits a pet better than daily visits because the routine is maintained.

The information to provide includes emergency contact details and the vet’s details, the daily routine and feeding schedule, any medication, the pet’s temperament, exercise needs and supplies such as leads, collars, toys and litter trays.

Extra points for cats

Cats Protection says a cat sitter should visit at least twice a day, and that very young or old cats, or those with health conditions, may need more frequent visits. It recommends meeting the sitter in the home as early as possible, or at least a few days before departure, checking references, reviews and insurance, and confirming the sitter can manage any medication. A backup sitter should be lined up in case of cancellation. The written checklist should include the feeding schedule, litter tray locations and cleaning, the cat’s personality, emergency contacts, the location of the carrier and backup key arrangements. The charity adds that home sitters tend to suit anxious or home-loving cats, whereas catteries suit cats that cope with strangers and require advance booking and vaccination checks.

Questions worth asking at the first meeting

An introduction gives the owner a chance to test the checklist in practice. Useful questions drawn from the charities’ advice include how many dogs are walked together and which types share a group, whether the walker has read the dog’s medical history, what will happen if the dog is unwell or slips its lead, and who the sitter would call first. Cats Protection also advises checking that a sitter can manage any medication and knows what to do if a cat becomes unwell or goes missing.

Red flags to act on

• A reluctance to meet the pet in advance.
• No insurance documents when asked.
• No references or reviews, or a refusal to provide them.
• Vehicles without secure restraints for dogs.
• Vague answers about emergencies or who will take the animal to the vet.

Frequently asked questions

Do dog walkers in England need a council licence?

According to GOV.UK’s guidance for local authorities, dog walkers and sitters who look after dogs in their owner’s homes do not need one. Dog day care is a separate, licensed activity.

How often should a cat sitter visit?

Cats Protection recommends at least twice a day, with more visits for very young, elderly or unwell cats.

Should the arrangement be in writing?

Dogs Trust suggests it, covering emergencies, equipment, off-lead policy, group makeup and cancellation terms.

The bottom line

Because English dog walkers and sitters do not need a licence, the owner has to do the checking. Insurance documents, references, first aid knowledge, a meeting with the pet beforehand and a written agreement covering emergencies and routine are the core steps, with extra attention to visit frequency for cats. A sitter who welcomes these questions is a better sign than any badge.

Sources

• Dogs Trust, “How to find a good dog walker”
• RSPCA, “Exploring Pet Sitting Options”
• Cats Protection, “Going On Holiday Without Your Cat”
• GOV.UK, “Dog day care licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities”

Family dogs and young children can live together happily, but the two do not always read each other well. Dogs Trust and the RSPCA both publish advice for households with children, built around close supervision, teaching children how to behave and giving the dog a place to retreat. This guide summarises that advice. It is general welfare guidance, not a substitute for a qualified behaviourist or a vet, who should be consulted about any individual dog.

Why the risk sits at home

The RSPCA says children are in the highest-risk group of being bitten by their own family dog, and that young children are far more likely to be bitten than any other population group. It explains that children communicate very differently from adults, with crying, yelling and running about, which dogs can find hard to understand, and that dogs find it hard to tell a child when they want to be left alone. Dogs Trust cites a figure of up to 91 per cent of dog bites to children happening at home with a dog the child knows. That is why both charities treat everyday household routines as the focus.

Supervision means paying attention

Dogs Trust says being nearby is not enough: the adult needs to stay close and actively watch how both the child and the dog are behaving, so that a problem can be spotted before it escalates. Its three-step approach is to stay close, step in early by redirecting or separating, and separate the two, using gates, playpens or different rooms, whenever an adult cannot give full attention. The RSPCA’s first rule is that a child should never be left alone in a room with a dog, even the family’s own. Dogs Trust frames the aim as increasing positive interactions and reducing negative ones for both child and dog, which helps a dog cope with the unexpected things children do.

The ABCs of being a dog’s friend

Dogs Trust teaches children three ideas:

• Affection: gentle strokes rather than hugs or kisses, which a dog may find confining.
• Busy: dogs need to be left alone when eating, sleeping, resting or playing with a toy.
• Choice: the dog decides when to interact and can move away freely, without a child following.

The RSPCA gives similar guidance. It says children should not climb on dogs, pull ears or tails, hug dogs, take food or treats from them, disturb a sleeping or resting dog, or scream and shout around them. It advises avoiding interaction when the dog is eating, playing with a toy, sleeping, unwell or has a sensory impairment, and teaching children to play in appropriate ways, such as learning simple tricks together.

Recognising the quiet warning signs

Dogs Trust describes early signals it calls “whispers”, which come before growling or biting. They include tucking the tail, lip licking, cowering, leaning away, yawning when not tired, narrowing the eyes and freezing. When an adult sees these, the guidance is to step in and give the dog space, for example by asking the child to move away or by letting the dog go to a calmer spot. The RSPCA also says learning to recognise important body language signals helps communication between a dog and children.

A retreat for the dog

Both charities recommend a quiet, private place where the dog can rest undisturbed. Dogs Trust suggests a den area, and the RSPCA says children must leave the dog alone there. A stair gate or playpen can keep the space child-free when an adult is not present. Dogs Trust adds that each dog needs its own space indoors and access to the outdoors.

Other people’s dogs

The RSPCA advises stopping children from approaching unfamiliar dogs in parks and other public spaces. The safe assumption is that a dog the child does not know needs the owner’s permission and a calm approach, with the dog given the choice to say no.

If a dog does bite

Dogs Trust says not to punish the dog afterwards, and to seek veterinary assessment and help from an accredited behaviourist before any decision about the dog’s future. Any injury to a child should be dealt with by medical professionals, which is outside the scope of pet-care guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to leave a child alone with a well-behaved dog?

The RSPCA says a child should never be left alone in a room with a dog, even the family’s own.

Should a dog be made to tolerate hugs?

Dogs Trust advises gentle strokes instead of hugs and kisses, and says the dog should be free to move away.

Should a dog be punished after a bite?

Dogs Trust says no. It advises seeking veterinary assessment and help from an accredited behaviourist.

The bottom line

Dogs Trust and the RSPCA agree that safety in a home with children comes from adult supervision, teaching children to be gentle and respect the dog’s choices, recognising a dog’s early warning signals and always providing a retreat. Because most bites to children involve a familiar dog at home, everyday habits matter more than any single rule, and a behaviourist or vet should be consulted whenever a dog seems uncomfortable.

Sources

• Dogs Trust, “Dogs and children: living happily together”
• RSPCA, “Children & Dogs – How They Can Live Together”