Dog care guides
Short, practical guides for new dog owners. General information only — always consult your veterinarian.
Walking your dog in hot weather — temperature and pavement safety
Is it too hot to walk your dog? Use the pavement hand test, walk in the cool of the day, and know the heatstroke signs that mean stop and call a vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-25
Dogs and Fireworks: A Safety Guide and Step-by-Step Checklist
A calm, practical guide to keeping your dog safe and settled during fireworks and loud celebrations. Includes when to expect fireworks, a preparation checklist, how to build a safe space, and when to talk to your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-22
Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Dogs: A Simple Guide to Walking, Heat, and Potty Training
A plain-English guide for owners of flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Shih Tzus. Why they overheat, how to walk them safely, whether potty training is different, and the breathing warning signs to know.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-18
How much to feed a puppy — portions, treats and switching foods
How to find the right portion for a puppy using the feeding chart and body condition, how to fit treats into the daily total, and how to change foods gradually.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-16
Puppy feeding schedule by age — meals per day from 8 weeks to 1 year
How many meals a day a puppy needs at each age, why the count drops from four to two, how breed size shifts the timing, and set meals vs free-feeding.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-16
Weaning a puppy safely: a week-by-week feeding guide (3 to 8 weeks)
A calm, safety-first guide to weaning a healthy litter from milk to solid food between 3 and 8 weeks — and a clear steer to a vet or rescue for orphaned, very young, or unwell puppies.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-16
GDV (Bloat) in Dogs: Symptoms, Risk Breeds, and How to Prevent It
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (bloat) is one of the most dangerous emergencies in dogs. Learn which breeds are at risk, why vigorous activity after meals is a trigger, and what signs to watch for.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
How long can dogs hold their bladder? By age, size and day vs night
How long a dog can hold its pee by age (the "months plus one" hours guideline), how size and day-vs-night change the window, and when to ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
How much exercise does my dog need? Daily activity by breed group
How much daily exercise a dog needs, why it varies by breed, age and health, the 5-minutes-per-month puppy rule, and when to ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
Night-time potty training — how long until a puppy sleeps through
How long night-time potty training takes, why young puppies need an overnight break, a simple bedtime routine, and when to ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
Puppy potty frequency by age — how often a puppy really needs to go
How often a puppy needs to potty by age — the trigger events (after waking, eating, drinking, playing) and a rough daily count of potty breaks, with when to ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
When can puppies go outside? Vaccination timing and safe socialisation
When puppies can go outside, how the vaccination series timing works, and how to balance early socialisation with caution. General orientation; ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-14
Puppy walk length by age — the 5-minute-per-month rule explained
How long to walk a puppy by age, using the widely-cited 5-minutes-per-month rule of thumb, with a quick age table and when to ask your vet.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-12