Goddard Vet Group

14/10/2026

🎆 🐾 Bonfire Night is coming… how will your pet cope?

Fireworks can be stressful for dogs, cats and small pets, and with Bonfire Night getting closer, now is the time to start preparing.

💭 Ask yourself… how did your pet cope with fireworks last time?

Did they hide, tremble, pace, pant or struggle to settle? Perhaps they became unusually clingy or went off their food? Signs of firework anxiety aren't always obvious, so it's important to recognise when your pet might be feeling worried.

🏡 Start preparing a safe space now. Somewhere calm, comfortable and familiar that your pet can retreat to when things get noisy. Getting this ready ahead of time can help them feel more secure.

🐾 If your pet struggled with fireworks last year, don't wait until the first bang. Speak to your local Goddard Vet Group practice in advance. Our veterinary teams can discuss your pet's individual needs and help you plan ahead.

💙 A little preparation now can make a big difference when Bonfire Night arrives.

11/08/2026

Nothing better than a cuddle and a few air biscuits! 🐱💕🐾 Safe to say someone was feeling very happy and relaxed during their visit 😻

📍Kennington, SE11 4QE

29/07/2026

16/07/2026

Protect the ones we love with our vaccination offer!

(Re)start their course for the price of a booster.*

Speak to a member of our team to book an appointment or for more information.

*subject to clinical judgement. Offer expires 31/12/26. Standard terms and conditions apply to all services

09/07/2026

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☀️ Hot weather is here – here are our top tips to help keep your pet safe 🐾

When temperatures rise, a few simple steps can make all the difference.

✔️ Keep fresh water available
✔️ Provide plenty of shade
✔️ Walk dogs in the early morning or late evening
✔️ Avoid hot pavements – use the 5-second rule
✔️ Never leave pets in a parked car
✔️ Know the signs of heatstroke
✔️ Check rabbits and guinea pigs daily for signs of flystrike

Swipe through for our top tips to help keep your pets safe during hot weather 👉

If you’re worried about your pet or notice any signs of heat-related illness, contact your local Goddard Vet Group practice for advice.

04/07/2026

☀️🥵 The temperatures are rising again, so it’s important to help keep our four-legged friends safe.

Simple things like providing plenty of fresh water, finding shady spots, avoiding the hottest part of the day and never leaving your dog in a parked car can make all the difference. 🐶💙

Watch our top tips to help your dog stay happy, healthy and cool during the heatwave.

📲 Save this Reel for later and share it with a fellow dog owner!

25/06/2026

⚠️ Hot weather warning ⚠️ Repost ⏩ Share ⏩

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of burnt paw pads.

✔️ Do the 5-second hand test before every walk.
✔️ Walk during cooler parts of the day.
✔️ Take plenty of water.
✔️ Watch for signs of heatstroke.

A little planning can make a big difference 🐶💙

18/06/2026

Annual vaccinations are important to protect your pet from harmful diseases.

Your pet’s health is important to us. If your pet’s vaccination protection has lapsed and a course of two vaccinations are needed to re-start immunity, we’ll bring their vaccinations up to date for the price of a regular annual booster.*

Speak to a member of our team to book an appointment or for more information.

*subject to clinical judgement. Offer expires 31/12/26. Standard terms and conditions apply to all services

01/06/2026

Grass seeds may look harmless, but their barbed shape means they can travel in one direction only - into your dog’s skin, ears, eyes, paws or nose. Take a minute after every walk to check your dog over, especially during the summer months ☀️

If you notice excessive licking, head shaking, sneezing or a painful eye, contact your vet promptly 📞

22/05/2026

☀️🐶 Heatwave incoming! Before walking your dog this weekend, try the five-second pavement test 🖐️

If you can comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds 👍, it should be safe for your dog’s paws. If not, it’s too hot! 🔥🐾

Remember to walk early morning or later in the evening, bring water, and keep your pets cool 💙

22/05/2026

☀️🐶 Is it too hot to walk your dog?

As temperatures rise this weekend, it’s important to know when a walk could become dangerous for your pet. Heatstroke can happen quickly — especially in puppies, older dogs, flat-faced breeds, larger dogs, and overweight pets.

Swipe through our guide to see what temperatures are considered safe, when to take extra care, and when it’s best to avoid walks altogether. 🌡️➡️

💧 Top tips for hot weather:
• Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
• Always carry fresh water
• Stick to shaded routes where possible
• Avoid hot pavements — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws
• Never leave your dog in a parked car

If you notice excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse, contact your vet immediately.

Stay safe and keep those tails wagging this summer 💙

15/01/2026

We’re proud to support the BVA In Safe Hands campaign, raising awareness of the incredible work vets deliver every day behind the scenes to protect animal health and welfare.

In this video, Sam, a vet at our 24-hour hospital in Northolt, helps Max after a grass seed becomes stuck in his ear — a small problem that can quickly become serious without expert care.

24/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 24 – Sugar-Free Sweets (Xylitol): Dangerous for Dogs 🍬

Could your good intentions be unintentionally harmful to your dog? Xylitol, a sugar substitute often used in baked goods, sweets, peanut butter, jams, chewing gum, and even dental products, is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can be fatal.

Ingestion causes a rapid drop in blood sugar, which can lead to:
🔸lethargy and wobbliness
🔸confusion
🔸vomiting
🔸collapse
🔸tremors or seizures

In some cases, dogs may go on to develop acute liver failure. Fortunately, cats do not appear to be affected by xylitol.

🎄 Tip: Always check labels and keep sugar-free products well out of reach of dogs. If you suspect ingestion, contact your vet immediately — fast action can save lives.

23/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 23 – Salt: A Hidden Danger to Watch For 🧂

As Christmas gets closer, pets are spending more time around decorations and festive displays. Homemade salt dough decorations may look harmless, but they contain very high levels of salt, and even one ornament can cause serious poisoning if eaten.

⚠️ Signs to watch for include:
🔹vomiting or diarrhoea
🔹reduced appetite or lethargy
🔹poor coordination
🔹excessive thirst or urination

In severe cases, tremors or seizures may occur.

🎄 Top tip: If you have salt dough decorations, make sure they’re securely out of reach and check regularly that none have fallen or been chewed.

If you think your pet has eaten a salt dough decoration, contact your vet immediately.

22/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 22 – A Safe Space: Helping Pets Feel Secure 🏠

The festive period can bring changes to routine, extra visitors, and more noise — which can feel overwhelming for some pets. Creating a safe, quiet space gives them somewhere to relax and feel secure when things get busy.

💤 How to create a safe space:
▫️Choose a quiet area away from visitors and noise
▫️Add familiar bedding, blankets, or favourite toys
▫️Allow your pet to come and go freely — never force interaction
▫️Make sure children and guests know to leave them undisturbed

Providing a calm retreat helps reduce stress and allows your pet to enjoy the festive season at their own pace.

21/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 21 – Raisins & Sultanas: A Serious Festive Risk 🍇

Grapes and their dried forms — including raisins, currants and sultanas — are highly toxic to dogs, whether raw or cooked. Ingestion can lead to acute, potentially fatal kidney failure.

Christmas treats such as mince pies, Christmas pudding, cakes and festive bakes often contain dried fruit, so it’s important to keep them well out of reach. Even just a few grapes or raisins can cause severe illness.

If your dog ingests any amount of grapes, raisins, currants or sultanas, contact your vet immediately.

20/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 20 – Onions & Garlic: A Hidden Food Hazard 🧅

Did you know that onions and their relatives are toxic to dogs and cats? The Allium family — including onions, garlic, spring onions, chives and leeks — can damage red blood cells, which may lead to lethargy, weakness, or collapse.

Even small amounts can be harmful. In cats, as little as one or two garlic cloves may cause serious problems, and repeated exposure to small amounts over time can also build up and cause illness.

🍗 Festive tip: Gravy is a common hidden source at Christmas. Many instant gravies contain high levels of onion or garlic powder, so avoid offering gravy or seasoned leftovers as treats.

When it comes to festive food, it’s safest to stick to pet-friendly treats only.