PET HEALTH QUESTIONS EVERY PET PARENT SEARCHES

It’s normal for pet parents to worry about their pets if something seems off. This guide answers some of the most common pet health questions South African pet parents search for, explains why they happen, highlights when it’s time to worry, and points you towards more in-depth advice from vets.

How Do I Know If My Pet Is Healthy?

Healthy pets are active and alert, maintain a healthy appetite, have bright eyes, healthy skin and coat, and behave normally for their age and personality. Physical vitality reflects optimal internal organ function, a balanced immune system, proper cellular nutrition, and a lifestyle free from chronic pain or stress.

If your pet suddenly stops eating, becomes lethargic, loses weight, struggles to breathe or behaves very differently from usual, book a veterinary appointment.

Why Is My Pet Scratching So Much?

Persistent scratching (Pruritus) is commonly caused by parasites, allergies or skin irritation. When the immune system detects allergens or parasite saliva, it releases histamines. This triggers localised skin inflammation, redness, and an intense urge to scratch, bite, or lick the area. Scratching can sometimes be linked to seasonal factors such as increased bee activity in urban areas during summer months or sudden sensitivity to certain foods during certain times of the year.

If scratching causes hair loss, bleeding, sores or doesn’t improve after parasite treatment, your pet should be examined by a vet.

Why Is My Pet Drinking So Much Water?

Excessive drinking, known as polydipsia, can sometimes be an early warning sign of an underlying health condition, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders or kidney disease. However, increased thirst isn’t always a cause for concern. Hot weather, exercise and other normal daily activities can naturally cause your pet to drink more water than usual.

However, diseases such as pet diabetes create excess glucose in the bloodstream, which forces the kidneys to excrete more water, leading to dehydration. Similarly, failing kidney function in cats causes them to lose their ability to concentrate urine, forcing the body to demand more water to flush out metabolic waste.

If increased drinking is accompanied by frequent urination (polyuria), unintended weight loss, sudden blindness, poor coat quality, or chronic vomiting, schedule a veterinary examination.

Why Does My Pet’s Poop Look Different?

Changes in your pet’s poop consistency, colour, or frequency are typically caused by sudden dietary changes, intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, or stress. Irritation in the gastrointestinal tract accelerates peristalsis (the muscle contractions that move food), preventing the colon from properly absorbing water.

Take your pet to the vet immediately if you notice blood in the stool (dark tarry stools or bright red streaks), projectile vomiting, extreme lethargy, or if the diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours. Decode your pet’s digestive tract health with our specific breakdown on kitty poop and your pooch’s poop.

Why Does My Cat’s Urine Look Different?

Abnormal cat urine colour, such as pink, red, or cloudy brown, suggests inflammation of the lower urinary tract, bladder stones, or underlying kidney disease. Urinary tract infections, bladder inflammation, crystals, or kidney disease can cause severe inflammation and microscopic bleeding within the bladder wall, which discolours the urine.

Blood in the urine or difficulty urinating is considered an emergency, especially in male cats.

What Foods Are Dangerous For Pets?

Toxic household foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), alcohol, and specific common houseplants.

Animals lack the specific liver enzymes needed to metabolise certain human foods. This is why parents frequently search for the top foods dogs should never eat. For example, theobromine in chocolate overstimulates the central nervous system and heart muscle, while compounds in grapes can cause acute, irreversible kidney failure. Which leads to a spike in searches for “human foods cats can and can’t eat”.

Many common houseplants are toxic to pets, including lilies (especially dangerous for cats), cycads, aloe vera, peace lilies, and sago palms. Even nibbling a leaf or flower can cause serious illness, so it’s important to know which plants are safe to keep around curious pets.

Not to mention alcohol. Even small amounts of beer, wine, spirits, or foods containing alcohol can be toxic to pets, potentially causing vomiting, breathing difficulties, seizures, coma, and, in severe cases, death.

If you suspect or witness your pet consuming any toxic food or plant, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.

Is My Pet Overweight?

Your pet is overweight if you cannot easily feel their ribs, if they lack a visible waistline when viewed from above, or if they have noticeable fat deposits along their lower back and tail base.

Chronic weight gain occurs when an animal regularly consumes more calories than they burn through daily exercise, resulting in excess fat accumulation that presents dangers for pets. Obesity is a chronic disease that causes systemic inflammation, accelerates joint degeneration, worsens respiratory issues, and increases the risk of metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

Develop a healthy weight-loss management strategy by exploring vet advice on understanding pet obesity and analysing the long-term medical risks.

Why Is My Older Pet Slowing Down?

It’s normal for pets to become less active as they age, but a noticeable slowdown isn’t always just “old dog problems.” Osteoarthritis, reduced muscle mass, age-related cognitive decline, and joint injuries can all make movement painful, causing pets to sleep more, avoid stairs, hesitate to jump, or limp. Understanding how dogs age or your cat’s lifespan and care can help you recognise the difference between normal ageing and signs that need attention.

If your senior pet struggles to stand, slips on smooth floors, refuses to put weight on a leg, or seems confused or anxious, it’s time to speak to your veterinarian. Caring for senior pets means supporting healthy ageing throughout your pet’s lifetime. For pets with stiff or painful joints, our guide to the best joint care for dogs can help you keep them moving comfortably for longer.

What Diseases Should Pet Parents Watch Out For?

Pet parents should look out for any diseases that are highly infectious and contagious, meaning they spread quickly and make everything very sick.  These include bacterial infections such as listeriosis, where a pet has ingested contaminated meat and started showing symptoms, although this isn’t always the case.

Avian illnesses have also had pet parents type away on the search bar, especially on how to spot them early as birds are more prone to get seriously ill when contracting such diseases.

Cat owners are concerned about diseases such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in felines, with symptoms including increased thirst, decreased appetite, and bad breath or a sore mouth, to name but a few.

Rabies is another deadly disease searched for among pet owners. This zoonotic disease has no cure but is very preventable through annual vaccinations.

Pathogens can spread through contact with infected wildlife, contaminated food or water, and genetic vulnerabilities that cause organs to break down over time. Watch for neurological changes (such as aggression or a lack of coordination), unexplained high fevers, respiratory distress, or severe lethargy, as these require immediate veterinary diagnostic testing.

How Can I Keep My Pet Healthy All Year?

Preventative care is always better than cure regarding year-round health. It requires modifying your pet’s routine to protect them from seasonal challenges, such as freezing winter temperatures or spring allergen spikes.

Extreme cold can worsen joint pain and cause hypothermia, while spring brings high pollen counts and active parasites that challenge your pet’s immune system. Adjust your pet’s care routine if they shiver constantly during winter walks, show signs of seasonal allergies (like raw skin), or experience heat stress during seasonal weather shifts.

How Safe Are Dog Kisses?

While dog kisses are generally low-risk for healthy adults, dog saliva can carry zoonotic bacteria. Dogs naturally use their mouths to explore their environment, groom themselves, and inspect objects, which introduces bacteria into their oral cavity.

Avoid letting your dog lick your face, open wounds, or mouth, especially if you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, or have young children, as this increases the risk of bacterial transmission.

How Can Pet Health Problems Be Prevented?

Preventative pet healthcare relies on consistent vaccination schedules, regular parasite control, a nutritionally balanced diet, and routine veterinary checkups. Proactive measures help the body build a strong immune defence against dangerous pathogens before exposure occurs, and help catch chronic conditions early.

 If your pet misses their annual core vaccinations (such as the DHPP shot for dogs or the FVRCP shot for cats), they are left vulnerable to highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases such as Rabies or tetanus. 

While conditions such as kidney disease are often associated with older pets, early prevention through proper hydration, balanced nutrition, routine health screenings, and regular veterinary checkups can help protect kidney function for years to come.

Why Is My Dog Throwing Up?

Acute vomiting may be triggered by eating something inappropriate (dietary indiscretion), consuming toxic houseplants, underlying systemic illness, or food allergies. When the stomach lining is irritated by toxins, pathogens, or allergens, the brain’s vomiting centre triggers a reflex to quickly expel the contents of the stomach.

Take your pet to the vet if the vomiting is continuous, if your pet cannot keep water down, if they attempt to vomit but produce nothing or if the vomit contains blood.

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell Bad?

Bad breath (halitosis) is primarily caused by gum disease, plaque and tartar buildup, or foreign material caught in the mouth. Bacteria accumulate on the teeth and form a sticky biofilm called plaque. If left untreated, this plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums and leads to inflammation, infection, and tissue breakdown.

Schedule a professional dental cleaning if your pet has red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, drops food while eating, or rubs their face against furniture due to oral pain.

When Should I Take My Pet to the Vet?

You should take your pet to the vet whenever they show a sudden shift from their regular behaviour, ongoing physical symptoms, or signs of acute pain. Animals instinctively mask physical weakness and discomfort. A noticeable symptom often means an underlying health issue has progressed to a point where they can no longer hide it.

Rush to the vet right away if your pet has difficulty breathing, collapses, experiences seizures, cannot urinate, has persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, or suffers a traumatic injury. For less urgent concerns, such as ongoing itching, limping, weight loss or behavioural changes, book an appointment sooner rather than later.

Your Search Is a Great Starting Point, But Your Vet Knows Your Pet Best

Searching online is often the first step towards understanding what’s happening with your furry family member, but it should never replace professional veterinary advice. The sooner health concerns are recognised, the better the outcome is likely to be.

Regular check-ups, preventive care, paying attention to small changes in your pet’s behaviour, and pet insurance all play a vital role in keeping your pets healthy. And because even the most prepared pet parents can’t predict every accident or illness, having the right pet insurance can provide valuable peace of mind when unexpected veterinary costs arise.

At Dotsure, we’re passionate about helping pet parents make informed decisions, so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying every chapter of your pet’s life.