Updated September 2026 Most dog walks are completely uneventful. But cuts, sudden limping, overheating, insect stings, grass seeds, and dogs eating things they shouldn’t can happen surprisingly quickly. You do not need to turn every walk into a medical inspection. What helps is knowing what is normal for your dog, noticing when something suddenly changes…
Updated July 2026 Broken glass is one of the walking hazards I regularly watch for on pavements, paths and grass verges around Finchley. It can be difficult to see, particularly in long grass, fallen leaves or poor light. A dog may step on a shard before you realise it is there. Some glass injuries are…
Updated July 2026 If your dog has eaten a cigarette, cigarette butt, loose tobacco or another product containing nicotine, contact your vet straight away. Do this even if your dog appears completely normal. Nicotine can affect dogs quickly, and the level of risk depends on the product, the amount involved, how the exposure happened and…
Adder Bites in Dogs: What to Do if Your Dog Is Bitten by a Snake in the UK Updated September 2026 [If you think your dog may have been bitten by an adder, contact a vet immediately and keep your dog as still and calm as possible. Carry your dog if it is safe and…
Every year, the grass seed season catches people out. It doesn’t suddenly arrive in the middle of summer. I start adjusting how I walk dogs from late spring, If your dog runs through rough grass, you need to stay on top of it. I’ve had walks cut short more than once because a dog suddenly…
If you walk your dog in parks, woods or overgrown paths, you will almost certainly come across stinging nettles. They grow quickly in spring and summer and often appear along footpaths, woodland edges and quiet corners of parks. In places like Coldfall Woods or the shadier parts of Parkland Walk, they can grow thick along…
Updated August 2026 Accidents can happen even when you are careful. A dog may cut a paw, pick up a tick, suffer an insect sting or become unwell while you are away from home. A dog first-aid kit gives you clean, useful equipment while you contact your vet and arrange appropriate treatment. It does not…
Updated May 2026 Yes, dogs can get sunburn. It is easy to think their coat protects them from everything, but that is not always the case. Some dogs have thin coats, pale skin, white patches, exposed noses, sensitive ears or areas where the fur is sparse. Those areas can burn in strong sunlight. I see…
