Pet Care, Training & Health FAQ
Straight answers to the pet-parent questions people search most — feeding, grooming, training, and when to worry about your dog's or cat's health. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice: if your pet is unwell or in pain, call your vet first.
| Aspect | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding | Usually two meals a day as an adult; fresh water always. Puppies need more frequent, smaller meals. | Usually two meals a day; drink less but still needs fresh water. Kittens need more frequent meals. |
| Grooming | Bathe every 4–6 weeks or when dirty; brush a few times a week. | Self-groom; brush short coats weekly and long coats daily to prevent mats. |
| Exercise & training | Daily walks plus play; responds well to positive-reward training. | Shorter play bursts; trainable but mostly on their own terms. |
| Litter & house rules | Needs consistent toilet trips and a schedule. | Needs a clean litter box — scoop daily, full change weekly. |
| When to see a vet | Lethargy, not eating, vomiting, limping, or a behaviour change. | Hiding, not eating, grooming less, or sudden aggression — see a vet. |
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day should I feed my dog?
Most healthy adult dogs do well on two meals a day, roughly 12 hours apart. Puppies need more frequent, smaller meals — usually three to four. Pick a consistent schedule, measure the portion for your dog's ideal weight, and always leave fresh water down. If you are worried about portion size or your dog is gaining or losing weight, ask your vet for a target rather than guessing.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Every four to six weeks, or only when they are visibly dirty or smelly, is plenty for most dogs. Over-bathing strips natural oils and dries the skin. Use a dog-specific shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and brush the coat well before the bath to loosen mats. Dogs with skin conditions or heavy coats may need a different routine — follow your vet's advice on that.
Do cats need baths?
Usually not. Cats groom themselves and can keep their coat healthy without a bath. Only bathe a cat when they are genuinely soiled (mud, oil, an accident), have a skin condition your vet recommended bathing for, or cannot groom themselves because of age or health. If you do bathe a cat, use a cat-safe shampoo, keep it quick, and dry them thoroughly.
How can I stop my dog pulling on the leash?
Reward the loose leash: the instant the slack is slack, mark and treat while you keep walking; the moment it goes taut, stop and plant your feet. Do not yank or jerk — make pulling simply useless and slack reliably rewarding. Build this indoors first, then on quiet walks, and be consistent for a couple of weeks before expecting a calm walk.
How much exercise does a puppy need?
A rough rule of thumb is about five minutes of structured on-lead exercise per month of age, twice a day — so a 4-month-old gets around 20 minutes, twice daily. Short, frequent sessions protect growing joints. Off-lead play and sniffing time count too. If you're unsure, check with your vet or breeder, since large or fast-growing breeds have different joint needs.
Why does my cat knead and purr?
Kneading is a kitten reflex from nursing, and many cats keep it as a sign of contentment — a happy, relaxed cat often kneads a soft blanket right before settling in. Purring is usually positive, but cats can also purr when frightened or in pain to self-soothe, so read the body language: relaxed posture means happy; hiding, flattened ears, or a tucked tail with purring is worth a look.
How do I introduce a new cat to my resident dog?
Go slow and scent-first. Keep the new cat in a safe room with food, water, and litter for a few days, swap bedding between them so each gets familiar with the other's scent, then do short, supervised meets with the dog on a leash and the cat free to retreat. Reward calm behaviour on both sides. Give it up to a few weeks — rushing the intro is the most common reason it fails.
How often should I clean my cat's litter box?
Scoop once or twice a day and do a full litter change and wash roughly weekly — or as often as the litter needs it. Cats are fastidious and a dirty box is the most common reason they start going elsewhere. Keep one more box than the number of cats, in quiet, easily reached spots away from food and noisy appliances.
How do I train my cat to use a scratching post?
Place the post where your cat already likes to scratch, make it appealing (catnip or a dangling toy), and reward them with a treat the moment they use it. Never punish scratching — redirect instead. If your cat keeps choosing a sofa or doorframe, cover that spot temporarily and move the post right there. Multiple posts in the rooms the cat lives in beat one expensive one.
What are the signs my dog or cat is in pain?
Common signs include a sudden drop in appetite, hiding or withdrawing, less grooming, limping or stiffness, panting without a reason, and reacting aggressively when a normally friendly pet is touched in a certain area. Changes in behaviour — a quiet pet going quiet, or a friendly pet snapping — are often the first clue. Trust your gut and see your vet if something feels off; it is always better to check.
