Pet useful guidance

Help protect your pet and keep vet trips to a minimum with these handy tips and advice.

Tips on keeping your pet safe

Losing your pet is a traumatic experience. There are a few preventative measures than can reduce the chance of losing your pet.

• Ensure your dog is micro chipped, if they get lost or stolen it'll be much easier to reunite you with them
• Keep all documentation relating to your dog(s) in a safe place. Include clear photos of front and side profiles of your dog and make a note of unusual markings, it'll make it easier to find your lost pet
• Ensure your fencing is adequate and check it regularly for wear and tear and keep your dog in view when it goes out into the garden

Taking your pets abroad

If you are going abroad and want to take your pet dog or cat with you, the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) could help you avoid long quarantine periods when you return to the UK.

• Most EU countries and many outside the EU have joined PETS. You can check details and the full procedure for preparing your pet on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website
• To be eligible, your pet must first be fitted with a microchip. They need to be vaccinated against rabies and then wait 21 days from the date of their first rabies vaccination before travelling to another European country
• You must also ensure that your pet is issued with a pet passport by their vet

Health check for your pet

Make sure your pet is kept in shape with our helpful advice.

• Does your pet have a consistant lack of appetite? Is it whimpering or crying or has it become more aggressive? These and other changes in behaviour could indicate a problem that has no physical external signs
• If you are in any doubt about your dog's welfare, don't hesitate to call your vet and they will tell you whether to make a non-emergency appointment or whether you need to bring the dog in urgently
• You can help prevent your pet having health problems by making sure they have regular health checks and by ensuring that their vaccinations are up to date

Ensure your pets get the special level of protection they deserve with Select pet insurance.