Environment
the need for
a suitable
environment
Diet
the need for
a suitable
diet
Health
protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Behaviour
the need to be
able to express
normal behaviour
Companionship
the need to
live with, or apart from, other animals
Environment
the need for
a suitable
environment
Diet
the need for
a suitable
diet
Health
protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Behaviour
the need to be
able to express
normal behaviour
Companionship
the need to
live with, or apart from, other animals
special report
Focus on:
Vaccinating your pet
The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report is the leading insight into pet wellbeing in the UK. Every year, we survey thousands of pet owners and vets to find out the key issues facing pets today and what we can do to tackle them and improve animal welfare.
Nobody likes to see a lively Labrador laid low or a tough Tabby needing treatment. Our pets are a big part of our lives so we should be doing everything we can to keep them happy and healthy – and that includes protecting them from common illnesses that cause pain and distress and can even kill.
According to the latest PAW Report far fewer cat, dog and rabbit owners than last year are taking their pets to the vets for a primary vaccination course when their pets are young. This means that their pets are at risk of suffering from potentially fatal diseases that could be prevented by regular vaccinations. Vaccines contain a harmless form of the virus or bacterium that causes a particular disease. This teaches your pet’s immune system to deal with it in a safe way. If your pet then comes into contact with the disease for real, its immune system ‘remembers’ how it dealt with the vaccine, so it can fight the disease.
The PAW Report shows that around a third of cat, dog and rabbit owners are not ensuring that their pets get the vaccinations that they need which are a primary vaccination course when young followed up with regular booster vaccinations.
Your pet’s immunity to some diseases fades over time so a primary course of vaccinations won’t protect them forever.
Making sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date keeps them safe and gives you peace of mind when they are out and about with other animals. Speak to your vet about the best ways to protect your best friend and keep them by your side for longer.
Other preventive health measures
Keeping your pets safe and healthy isn’t just about vaccinations. There are lots of things you can do to improve your pet’s life and reduce the number of trips to the vet.
Neutering
79% of owners have had their pet neutered.
Neutering your pet doesn’t just prevent unwanted litters, it can also prevent some serious illnesses. Unneutered dogs, for example, can develop breast or testicular cancer. Male cats that haven’t been neutered are more aggressive and prone to fighting, putting them at risk of feline AIDS, which is spread through bites, while female rabbits are at high risk of developing cancer of the uterus. Your vet can give you advice about the right time to have your pet neutered.
INSURANCE
43% of owners have insured their pet.
Insuring your pet can save on vet’s bills should the worst happen, and help you avoid unexpected strains on your pocket. Accidents or illness can come out of nowhere and costs can easily rise, especially if your pet needs hospital treatment – a road accident, for example, can run to thousands of pounds.
Dog owners: make sure your policy includes third party insurance so you’re not hit with a huge bill if your dog causes an accident.
REGISTERED WITH A VET
85% of owners have registered their pet with a vet.
Register with a vet as soon as possible after bringing your new pet home so they can get a check up to make sure everything is OK. Your vet can then create a care programme for them, including vaccinations, to keep them safe and healthy throughout their lives. You can register with a PDSA vet if you’re eligible and live in a PDSA catchment area.
Pop in your postcode to check your eligibility at pdsa.org.uk/eligibility
MICROCHIPPING
75% of owners have microchipped their pet.
Microchipping gives you the best chance of being quickly reunited with a lost pet. Since April 2016, microchipping has been a legal requirement for dogs, but cats and rabbits can go missing as well, so it’s a good idea to microchip all your pets. Microchipping should always be done by a vet. PDSA offers microchipping for eligible pets in our Pet Hospitals or via our mobile PetCheck service – check our website for details in your area.
TREATED FOR FLEAS AND WORMS
78% of pets have been treated for fleas, 79% have been wormed.
Regular treatment for your pets will also protect you, as fleas and worms can harm humans as well. Get treatments from vets or pharmacies, as these are safer and more effective than ‘over the counter’ products from pet shops or supermarkets. With fleas, you’ll need to treat your pet, your home and other pets to make sure they don’t come back – and never give dog flea treatment to cats as it can cause poisoning.
Dogs are social animals who enjoy being around other dogs. This is great for their socialisation but can bring them into contact with diseases and can spread diseases to other dogs.
Your puppy can begin a primary course of vaccinations at six weeks old and should receive regular boosters throughout their life.
Some vaccinations will need updating every year to keep your pooch protected.
Cats are often out and about without you so vaccinations are essential to keep them safe when you can’t see what they’re up to!
Gaining experience of everyday sights and sounds in the world around them is vital for your kitten’s development.
Primary vaccinations can be given as young as nine weeks, with regular boosters throughout your cat’s life.
Top preventable illnesses by vaccination
Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis
Kennel cough
Leptospirosis
Cat flu
Feline chlamydia
Feline infectious enteritis
Feline leukaemia virus
Myxomatosis
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)
Rabbits get a poor deal, compared with dogs and cats, when it comes to protecting them from diseases. This could be because if they don’t come into contact with other rabbits, owners believe they are safe from disease. However, some life-threatening illnesses can be spread by biting insects or even carried on the wind.
Speak to your vet about the best time to get your rabbits vaccinated.