The Vet Equation (2025)

01/04/2025

The Vet Equation believe that owners need all the facts to be able to give their pups the best in life. Omega-3 is a supplement many people have heard of, but why can it be beneficial for our dogs?

Fish oil is not the same as Omega-3! A higher concentration of Omega-3 is needed to make sure it works effectively than is normally present in fish oil supplements. These benefits can include:
🦴 Supporting natural inflammatory modulation, to help maintain healthy joint function
🧥 Supporting a thick and healthy coat and skin barrier layer
🧠 Maintaining cognitive function into old age

Speak to your vet and check out our Omega 3 chews here 👉 🔗 http://bit.ly/3Q0WJ35

31/03/2025

Don’t just take our word for it, our canine testers are advocates for our joint and mobility support supplements too!

Proactive support of healthy joints is always the best way to go. (Plus, they taste great!)

If your dog is:
👉 A breed prone to joint disease or arthritis
👉 A large breed
👉 Very physically active
👉 Mature or over the age of 7
👉 Struggling with mobility issues

If any of these apply to your dog, it’s worth having a check-up with your veterinarian. Then, talk to them about dietary supplementation to help maintain healthy joints. Check it out! 🔗 https://thevetequation.com/en/products/joints-+-mobility-support

30/03/2025

What is a heart murmur?

❤️‍🩹 A heart murmur is simply an abnormal sound produced by turbulent blood flow within the heart. There are many different causes.

❤️‍🩹 The loudness, also known as the "grade" of a murmur does not necessarily correlate with severity; a loud murmur can sometimes indicate a less serious condition, while a softer murmur may signal a more significant heart issue.

❤️‍🩹 Sometimes, heart murmurs arise from reasons totally unrelated to heart disease, such as anaemia.

❤️‍🩹"Innocent" or physiological murmurs are more common in younger animals and typically resolve as they mature.

❤️‍🩹 After a physical examination, the most useful next step to check if a murmur is really an issue or not is to perform a heart ultrasound to look at the heart structure.

If you are concerned about your pup’s heart, talk to your vet.

29/03/2025

Here, at The Vet Equation, we’ve put together three simple tips to making your pup’s space more fun.

🐶 Towel Twist Treats - hide small treats inside a twisted towel so your pup can use it as a snuffle toy!

🐶 Frozen Muffin Tray - put treats or dog-safe fruit into the compartments of a muffin tin and pour water/dog-safe broth over the top and freeze - once frozen, let your pup lick at the tray to reach the treats! *Tip – the more treats in each section, the longer your pup will play!

🐶 Learn a new trick - Interacting with you is one of the most rewarding things for your pup! Try a new skill like "Place" which can be so useful for settling your pup in unfamiliar places.

Have you tried these? Which one did your pup enjoy the most?

28/03/2025

Everyone knows that teeth brushing helps prevent dental disease in humans, and dogs are no different. Here are our tips:

🦷 Equipment! Speak to your vet about toothpaste recommendations and get as comfy a brushing instrument as possible - we often suggest soft, small, bristled toothbrushes, or a thin cloth may also work for pups who don't like brushes.

🦷 The right location and training - find a quiet place where your pup will be able to sit (e.g. on a sofa/ bed, on someone's lap) for at least 1-2 minutes while you can brush their teeth. Make it a routine. When beginning with training, start with only a few seconds at a time, and gradually build up to brushing all teeth. Include lots of praise and rewards.

If your pup already has heavy tartar build up, tooth infections, or gingivitis, it is important to have this assessed and treated appropriately by their vet first.

Do you brush your pup’s teeth? Share any other insider tips, we’d love to hear them!

17/02/2025

At The Vet Equation, we feel that it is worth considering joint supplements at any stage of your pet's life, with earlier intervention being beneficial. Certain risk factors have been identified that increase the likelihood of developing degenerative arthritis, including:

🦴 Obesity
🦴 High-intensity activities
🦴 Breed predispositions to joint issues
🦴 Recovery from injuries

Research indicates that up to 50% of middle-aged dogs may already have arthritis, highlighting the importance of proactive joint health management.

For more information on protecting your dog's joints, check out our blog and our J+M Health Bites! https://bit.ly/3Aj2kx8

14/02/2025

Did you know there is such a thing as good bacteria?

Encouraging beneficial bacteria to flourish in your dog's intestines positively impacts not only their digestive system but also their overall health. Probiotics can be easily added to your dog's food, helping to maintain healthy gut bacteria without yeast overgrowth.

In addition to probiotics, dietary fiber plays a crucial role in supporting gut health. Fiber helps maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. It promotes regular bowel movements and can prevent constipation by adding bulk to the stool.

By using our P+P Health Bites, you can incorporate both probiotics and fiber into your dog's diet, to take proactive steps to support their digestive health and maintain a robust immune system. Start today to help your furry friend thrive!

12/02/2025

Recognizing dehydration in your pup can be tricky, but knowing clues or signs is important for their health. Here are some things to keep an eye on:

💧 Decreased Water Intake: Needing to refresh the bowl less frequently is always a marker that your pet isn’t drinking as much.

🤒 Being unwell: issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or low appetite can quickly lead to dehydration, particularly in older pets or those that have concurrent health issues.

🦷 Sticky Gums: They should be moist on the surface and pink. Dryness or stickiness is abnormal.

🌟 Tiredness: A sudden decrease in activity or playful behaviour may accompany dehydration.

💧 Skin tent sign: Gently lift the skin on the back of their neck and release. If it doesn’t bounce back quickly, this can indicate loss of elasticity of the skin related to dehydration.

👀 Sunken Eyes: Look for eyes that seem to be sunken or dull, which can indicate dehydration.

If you notice significant changes in your dog’s drinking habits or any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian for a check-up. Your pup’s health is worth it! 🐶❤️

10/02/2025

Working together with your vet is the best way to maximise your pup's health. There are certain things that you can monitor that can help your vet.

Such as:

🍲 Appetite and Eating Habits: Note any changes such as decreased interest in food or sudden overeating, or getting more picky with food. Any new foods or snacks?

🐕 Energy Levels and Behaviour: Is your dog more lethargic than usual or less inclined to play?

🐩 Grooming and Coat Condition: Look for signs of excessive shedding, bald patches, or skin irritations.

🚽 Bathroom Habits: Keep track of urination or defecation. Frequency, consistency, or colour, can provide important clues about your dog’s health.

By observing these aspects of your dog’s lifestyle, you can provide valuable information to your veterinarian, ensuring a thorough and effective check-up. It's also worth considering if functional supplements can benefit your dog.

07/02/2025

Adding our O+ Omega and J+M Joints and Mobility soft chew supplements to your dog's diet can make a world of difference to their overall health. Omega-3 fatty acids support a shiny coat and healthy skin and joints, while joint supplements help maintain mobility and comfort as they age.

At The Vet Equation, we believe in making wellness enjoyable for our furry friends. Our soft chews are not only tasty but also packed with essential nutrients. ❤️

Is your pup ready for a boost? Let’s make mealtime a little more special and nutritious! 🐶✨

02/02/2025

We’ve all heard the term ‘Omega-3 fatty acids,’ but why are they beneficial? These fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions, including immune function, brain development, and inflammation regulation.

Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can promote healthy:

🐾 Skin and Coat: Helps maintain smooth skin, reducing dryness, itchiness, and excessive shedding.

🦴 Joints: Supports healthy, supple joint function while reducing pro-inflammatory mediators.

🧠 Cognitive Function: May enhance cognitive health, learning ability, and aids the maintenance of cognitive function into old age.

❤️ Heart Health: Aids in regulating blood pressure, reducing triglyceride levels, and promoting healthy heart rhythms.

🛡️ Immune System: It can maintain immune function, helping your dog fight off infections and reducing the severity of certain autoimmune conditions.

Check out our blog for more! Read here

30/01/2025

🍲 Proper Nutrition: a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients.

💧 Encourage Hydration: always have fresh water available.

🐕 Regular Exercise: helps to maintain a healthy weight and supports joint health as well as mental health!

🦷 Dental Care: daily brushing of teeth with a dog-safe toothpaste.

🐩 Routine Grooming: regular brushing not only keeps your dog's coat looking great but also ensure that you can keep an eye on their coat health!

What things do you for your pet to keep them feeling good? Share your tips with us below

29/01/2025

Dogs thrive on a balanced diet! 🐾 They need the right amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support their growth and maintain their health throughout their lives.

Each life-stage brings unique nutritional needs. Ensuring your dog gets the right nutrition is essential for their well-being—inside and out!

Puppies and Juniors: A higher-energy diet is required to support their rapid growth and development.

Adults: A diet that maintains their weight and health is needed, including high-quality protein and a mix of carbohydrates for energy with regular portion control.

Mature: As dogs age, their metabolism slows. They typically need fewer calories whilst receiving essential nutrients in an easily digestible format.

Seniors: They may have specific dietary needs. Focus on easily digestible foods and consider specialized diets for joint health or other age-related concerns. It's also worth considering if functional supplements can benefit your dog.

17/10/2024

Vaccines are important for keeping our furry friends healthy, especially for puppies whose immune systems are still developing and need extra support to fend off serious infections. 🐶💪

Most pet parents know their pups need vaccines, but how do you figure out the best vaccination plan? The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has you covered with their updated guidelines. Here’s what you need to know:

👉 Start Strong: Begin with the distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza (DHPPi) combo vaccine, plus the leptospirosis vaccine, at 6 or 8 weeks old, depending on your puppy’s lifestyle and health risks.

👉 Follow-Up Doses: Most pups will require 3 shots to complete their vaccination series, but depending on when the vaccines started, they may need anywhere from 2 to 4 doses spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. The final shot should be given at 16 weeks or older to ensure full immune protection.

👉 Ongoing Vaccination: After the initial series, most dogs will need a booster at 1 year old, followed by DHPPi every 3 years and leptospirosis annually.
If you have any questions about your puppy’s vaccination schedule, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet! They’re here to help keep your pup healthy and happy! 🐾🩺

References:
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), 2020. Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), n.d. Vaccines: Protecting Your Pet.

14/10/2024

At The Vet Equation, we’re dedicated to partnering with dog parents to support their pups' health! 🐾❤️

Get to know us a little better with these five fun facts:

1️⃣ Vet-Founded: Our team is led by a vet who understands your dog’s health needs—both from a professional perspective and as a dog parent.

2️⃣ Tailored Recommendations: Unsure which supplements might benefit your pup? Our proprietary vet-designed algorithm matches you with the best health recommendations for your furry friend!

3️⃣ Science-Based Approach: We ground our recommendations in the latest dog health research, making vital information accessible to all pet parents.

4️⃣ Made in the USA: All of our products are crafted in the USA and undergo third-party quality testing for your peace of mind.

5️⃣ Exciting New Products on the Horizon: We have some innovative new products launching soon, and we can't wait to share them with you!

Is there anything else you’d like to know about us? We’d love to hear your questions—hit us with your best! 💬🐶

11/10/2024

Your dog’s annual vet visit is a vital opportunity—not just to keep their vaccinations up to date, but also to discuss any concerns with a doctor who knows your furry friend well. It’s easy to forget important questions during appointments, but being prepared can make a big difference!

Here are our top five questions to consider asking your vet:

🩺 Did you spot anything concerning during the examination?
🩺 Is my dog’s weight and muscle mass within a healthy range?
🩺 Do you think their current diet is appropriate?
🩺 What other preventative health measures can I take?
🩺 Are there any specific signs I should watch for?

We know it can be overwhelming, so jot these down before your appointment, along with any unusual behaviors or concerns you’ve noticed since the last visit.

What other questions do you typically ask? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! 💬🐾

08/10/2024

In our last post, we discussed how much water your dog should be drinking daily. But what if your pup needs a little help staying hydrated? 🐶💧 Here are our top four tips to encourage your furry friend to drink more:

🐾 Incorporate Wet Food: Boost their diet with more wet food or mix some water into their dry kibble to make it more enticing.

🐾 Serve Up Broth: Offer plain, low-fat broth made from chicken or fish—just be sure it’s free of any seasonings!

🐾 Get Creative with Ice: Mix ice cubes into their water bowl or pop frozen treats into toys for a fun, refreshing surprise.

🐾 Revamp Their Water Setup: Try a pet water fountain for fresh, flowing water (and don't forget to clean it regularly!). You can also set out multiple bowls to give them options.

Have we missed any great tips? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below! 💬✨

04/10/2024

🐾 Wondering if your dog is drinking enough water—or maybe too much? 🤔 Understanding your pup's hydration habits starts with knowing how much water they should be getting each day.

Here are some key factors to consider when assessing your dog's daily water intake:

💧 Size, Age, and Activity Level: On average, dogs need about 40 to 60 ml of water per kg of body weight daily. But remember, this can vary based on their lifestyle—active dogs will need more!

💧 Diet: The type of food your dog eats plays a big role. If they mostly munch on dry kibble (which contains about 6-10% moisture), they’ll need to drink more water compared to those enjoying wet food, which can be over 70% water!

💧 Weather Conditions: Hot and humid days can increase your dog's water loss. They pant to cool down, which can lead to more fluid loss alongside salivation and a bit of sweating.

💧 Health Concerns: If you notice changes in your dog's drinking habits, it could signal underlying health issues. In some cases, like dogs prone to forming urinary crystals or stones, your vet might recommend increasing their water intake to help prevent these issues.

Having trouble getting your pup to hydrate? Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll share tips on encouraging your furry friend to drink more! 💧🐶

The Vet Equation