3 Things Every Pet Owner Absolutely Needs to Do (According to a Vet Who’s Seen It All)

So, you’ve got a pet. Whether it’s a dog that thinks your sofa is its personal throne or a cat that plots your demise at 3 AM, there are a few golden rules every pet owner should follow.

As a vet, I’ve seen it all—from people trying to superglue a guinea pig’s broken claw (please don’t) to owners shocked that their Labrador actually ate four full Toblerones in one sitting (yes, that really happens). But if I could beg, plead, or bribe you with logic to do just three things for your pet, it would be these:

1. Insure Your Pet – or Have an Emergency Fund

No one thinks they’ll be the one whose dog decides to wrestle a wasp nest or whose cat picks a fight with the neighbour’s Rottweiler. But life is unpredictable, and vet bills can be, well… a little eye-watering.

Lifetime Policies Are Worth It

If you do one responsible adult thing this year (aside from paying your council tax on time), make it getting pet insurance. But not just any policy—a lifetime policy. Some policies sneakily exclude things your pet has been treated for in previous years, meaning you might end up footing the bill for long-term issues.

If Insurance Isn’t for You, Start Saving Now

If you’d rather not go down the insurance route, then start an emergency pet fund as soon as you bring your furry companion home. Set aside as much as you can afford each month—starting when they’re a puppy or kitten is ideal. You’ll be grateful when your dog inevitably eats something weird, and you don’t have to choose between rent and emergency surgery.

2. Brush Your Pet’s Teeth (Yes, Really)

I know what you’re thinking: “My dog barely lets me put a harness on—how am I supposed to brush his teeth?” And listen, I get it—trying to brush a cat’s teeth can feel like an extreme sport.

Dental Disease Is Expensive (and Preventable)

Dental disease is one of the most common (and costly) problems vets see, and it’s mostly preventable. You don’t need fancy equipment. Any old toothbrush will do, and if your pet won’t tolerate a big one, try a finger brush (yes, you may get bitten—it builds character).

Toothpaste Matters

The key is the toothpaste—use a pet-friendly one. Find a flavour they like (poultry? Beef? Fish? Gross, but whatever works), and you’re halfway there.

Aim for Every Three Days

More often is better, but we’re all human, and sometimes life gets in the way (or your pet just isn’t in the mood). Just don’t rely on those “dental chews” alone—some of them have the same impact on plaque as eating a biscuit and calling it a day.

3. Keep Your Pet’s Microchip Details Up to Date

Nobody thinks their pet is going to get lost—until they do. Maybe your cat decides it fancies a new life two streets away, or your dog bolts when a firework goes off in June (because that’s just Britain, isn’t it?).

A Microchip Only Works If It’s Registered Correctly

When a lost pet is brought into a vet clinic, the first thing we do—before offering them snacks, I promise—is scan their microchip. If your details are up to date, you get a call, and you’re reunited in no time.

If they aren’t, well… your pet might end up in rescue while you post “Missing” posters all over Facebook.

Take Two Minutes to Check Your Details

Make sure your microchip is:

✔ Registered to your current address

✔ Linked to an email and phone number that actually works

✔ Checked and updated when you move house or change numbers

It takes two minutes, and it could mean the difference between your pet coming home in an hour or being lost for weeks.

Final Thoughts (a.k.a. Please Just Do These Things)

Having a pet is amazing, but it also comes with responsibilities (I know, boring). If you do these three things—insure your pet (or save up), brush their teeth, and keep their microchip updated—you’ll save yourself a lot of stress, money, and potential heartbreak.

Got a pet care tip you swear by? Drop it in the comments—I promise to read them between pulling yet another sock out of a Labrador’s stomach.