r/UK_Pets

Hello, I'm looking to get a puppy in early 2027. At first, I wanted to adopt a dog now, but after carefull consideration and realising I would be hit, without a doubt, by a puppy blues, I deciced it would be better to wait a few more month and be exposed as much as possible to puppies (and other reasons)

I'm based in London, and while I do see a lot of dogs, my main concern is early puppy stages. I just don't see many pups and I would love to have more exposure to them. Do you know what i can do to see more puppies, if there are spaces I can meet some, etc... ?

I'm a sensitive person, way too anxious and always preparing for the worst. I know I'll be a great mum to my dog, and I know a bond will take time but I'm fully comitted to make it work and just go with the insane puppy flow. So if you have any recommendation, please feel free to share !

And if you want to share your own preparation experience, please feel free to share ! I'm always curious about possessed baked potatoes with cute eyes. (puppy tax appreciated and recommended)

Hi all,

I just moved to the UK from Switzerland. My 5.5 female maltese (with no prior health issues) will join me here shortly and I'm looking into pet insurance. Digging around on this board, it seems like PetPlan is the gold standard although rates are fairly expensive, so I was expecting ~£100 per month, but the actual rates quoted seem crazy? Does this seem normal? Is Agria or ManyPets a good alternative? I want the best for my dog, but this seems extortionate, especially since there is also a £120 excess and it caps out at £12k.

For those who do have PetPlan - how much does it go up (approximately) per year? At this rate, it feels like I'll be priced out once she gets older, which would defeat the purpose of insurance. She has rarely needed any vet care (apart from regular checkups/vaccines) until this point.

https://preview.redd.it/1c0elg8rtg2h1.png?width=2286&format=png&auto=webp&s=554899dae8d2355a84c6cebc2db91511e61b92a5

Last week, I rescued two beautiful kittens who are 3 and 4 months old, since then my living room has always smelt like litter/waste.

I have friends that own cats and whenever I go to their homes it does not smell but I can’t seem to achieve the same.

Things I am currently doing:
• Using Worlds Best litter
• Scooping as and when they use the tray
• Air purifier next to tray
• Essential oil diffuser
• Enzyme cleaning powder after scooping
• Changing litter once per week
• Vacuuming around tray regularly

I plan to move the litter tray once they’ve got used to exploring the house a bit more so it will be out of the way but I assume the smell problem will just persist in a different room.

Is this something I just have to deal with until they’re spayed and go outdoors?

Hi everyone,

We’ll soon be traveling to the UK via the Eurotunnel in our mini-camper with our dog. We know that the dog needs a tapeworm treatment shortly before entry, a valid rabies vaccination, and a microchip. So far, so good.

But now I’ve read that, as of April 22, you need an Animal Health Certificate to enter the UK. Others say you only need it if you’re traveling from the UK into the EU. And now I’m just confused...

We live in Germany, have German passports, and an EU pet passport for the dog. So do we need an AHC for the dog or not?

I’ve also read that you’re not allowed to bring in dog food containing meat, except for chicken. But does that also apply to insect-based food without meat? And does imported dog food always have to be brought in its original packaging? Does the 2kg rule always apply?

And if all of that is true: Can I buy Greenpetfood brand insect-based dog food in the UK (specifically in Wales)? Does anyone know where?

Do you have any additional tips for us regarding entry or travel?

Thanks for the help!

ETA - husband just just checked and our excess is only £200

One of our spaniels hurt his paw on the weekend. Went to the vet today and he either has to have his nail cut off - £600 and we have to pay £500 excess so wouldn’t bother with going through insurance - or he might have to have his digit removed up to his knuckle. This would cost £1600. If it’s the latter, should we get it done and tell admiral after?

My husband is reluctant to contact admiral beforehand to talk about it because the last time we rang an insurance company (to just talk about a burnt carpet, not make a claim), we later got stitched up because the company classed it as actually making a claim! So our insurance increased. Does anyone have experience of what they’re like, even to talk about possibly having to make a claim?

All the rescues near me have big dogs and I want a small dog. I was registered with dogs trust and it timed out before they had any small dogs at all. Add in my other requirements of must be okay with small children, my other dog, and the nearby horses that walk past our garden, and finding a rescue has been really difficult.

I could buy from a breeder, but I don't really want a pure bred. I love the unique weirdos. Like a collie crossed with a dachshund, or a cavalier king charles crossed with a corgi. Usually the ones that aren't bred on purpose. So they aren't listed on kennel club or champdogs.

That leaves me with sites like pets4homes. Which is where you would go to advertise your pups if you had an accidental litter, so that seems to be where the weird crossbreeds are. But I've heard such bad things about the site that I'm wary. Are they actually bad or is it just puppy farms on the websites are bad?

Is there another option I haven't thought of?

Hey everyone, I’m kylix and I’ve got a 3 year old female Persian mix her name is willow, we recently just got our second cat his name is Charlie and he’s a seal tabby point ragdoll he’s 13 weeks old. I wanted to ask you all, is it wrong to have favorites? because prior to even looking for our second I kinda knew I wouldn’t feel the same way I do for willow, willow is CLINGY but not affectionate and is only affectionate if she’s left for a little bit e.g going in the shower, and I love her so much, like I would die for her! now I am in no way a crazy cat lady, 2 is my cut off for sure! Charlie is wonderful, however his “normal” kitten behavior has been a little bit of a put off, as willow was the epitome of a PERFECT first born, no crying, easily sleep trained out of being nocturnal, I definitely care for Charlie but I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same way I do for willow, will this change?? Is it wrong to feel this way? Also any advice for sleep training, willow was great I would stop all naps from 4-5pm and she would sleep all night even let me sleep in, no matter how early I stop Charlie’s naps he’s waking up around 6 which is pretty good considering we got him less then a week ago:)

We are currently on applaws but I feel my cat gets board crys alot for food in though we have given it her. Just looking for good alternatives. Every now and again I'll give her some fish and chicken cooked but is there any decent alternatives out there.

With all the recent and annoying changes wondering if anyone has recently traveled with an EU pet passport from the UK?

We’re travelling next month and our dogs are registered in France and have an EU passport. My partner has an Irish (EU) passport and both dogs are under her name in the passport.

We’re trying to work out if it’s worth 1) risking traveling with pet passports and her eu passport or 2) just paying the scam of an AHC.

If anyone has travelled recently it would really help!

We’ll be going UK ferry - Spain and then France back to UK

We have three pets: a senior dog (12, on three meds at different times of day), a younger dog (4, just food/walks), and a cat (8, on a special diet because of kidney issues).

The amount of coordination this takes between me and my wife is genuinely a source of stress. Last week she gave our senior his evening pill at 6pm because she assumed I hadn't, except I had given it at 5:30. He got a double dose. Vet said he'd be ok but it shook us.

Anyone in a similar situation? Multi-pet, multi-human household, where one of the pets has medical needs? How are you actually handling this in practice? Apps, paper, anything.

I'm a long term Zooplus customer, and have had no issues with them in the past. Recently ordered cat food and litter, the box arrived, with my name on the label, but the contents were someone else's order.

So I emailed them and they said they'd email me a return label so the box can be collected by EVRI. Meanwhile it's been a few days delayed and my order is still not delivered.

I do not own a printer, I said. Customer service said I could go to the library. It's a bus ride away, all transport and printing costs to be incurred by me.

Alternatively, they suggested I bring the box to my nearest EVRI drop off shop. No problem, except the box is oversized and easily over 10kg. I'm a middle aged, size 8 woman. They must be joking?

I then said ok to get a label printed but suggested a discount which they finally agreed to, a £ 5 voucher. It makes a difference to me who's unemployed.

I really want to escalate this. Not for more discount, I just think their customer service, this time, is diabolical. This was their mistake, also
delayed my order, and I'm getting stressed.

I just need a name to email to. Has anyone done this before?

Sorry that was a long one!