Dog First Aid West Berkshire and Hampshire

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Dog First Aid West Berkshire and Hampshire

Dog First Aid offers the UK's only CPD accredited Emergency Canine Care™ Course. Developed by vets
Find a course near you:- www.dog-first-aid.com/finder
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We've taught thousands of dog owners and professionals, across the UK and our courses are consistently 5* rated. CPD accredited and Trading Standards approved. Content regularly reviewed and updated by members of the RCVS. Delivering regular classroom based courses and online training, to suit you.

18/01/2026

You’ve been asking — and here they are 🐾

I’m really excited to share new Dog First Aid Training dates for February and March in Swindon, Basingstoke and Marlborough.

If 2026 is the year you want to know what to do in a four-legged emergency, this course is a great place to start. It covers the essentials every dog owner and dog professional should know, including:

🚨 What to look for in an emergency
🩺Taking your dog’s vitals
🫀 CPR
🩸 Bleeding, seizures and shock
☠️Choking, poisoning, burns and heat stroke
🐕 GDV (bloat)

Each session is £60 and runs for around 4.5 hours, with plenty of time for questions and practical learning.

🎫 Full details and booking here: https://www.dog-first-aid.com/finder

Any Qs, just drop it in the comments below or DM — happy to help.

16/01/2026

🐕 🧥 Not every dog needs a raincoat — plenty are perfectly happy getting wet. But for some dogs, staying dry can make a big difference to how comfortable they feel on a walk, especially in persistent rain.

Raincoats can be particularly helpful for:

☔️ Short-haired dogs, like whippets, greyhounds, staffies or boxers
☔️ Small dogs, who lose heat more quickly and are closer to puddles and spray
☔️ Older dogs, who may feel the cold and damp more in their joints
☔️ Dogs with health conditions, including arthritis or skin issues
☔️ Dogs with clipped or shaved coats, whose natural weather protection has been reduced

A coat isn’t about fashion — it’s about comfort.
If it helps your dog enjoy their walk rather than rush it, it’s doing its job. And if your dog is perfectly happy without one, that’s fine too.

14/01/2026

It might be getting lighter in theory, but it still feels like there are a lot of grey, gloomy days around at the moment. Low light, dull weather and poor visibility all increase the risk of road traffic accidents. That’s why it’s so important that dogs are seen and kept safe on walks. Here’s a refresher on how to keep your dog visible – and safer – on walks:

• Use reflective or high-vis jackets or harnesses
• Choose bright, reflective collars
• Light-up or reflective leads help drivers and cyclists spot you sooner
• Stick to well-lit routes where you can
• If visibility is really poor, keep your dog closer on the lead

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to staying safe on darker walks 💡

11/01/2026

It’s that time of year when many households have cough and cold medicines close to hand. While these can help us feel better, human medicines aren’t designed for our four-legged friends — and some can be extremely dangerous for dogs ☠️

Tablets, capsules, syrups and sprays often contain ingredients that can cause serious harm if a dog chews, swallows or is given them in the wrong dose.

⚠️ Never give your dog human medication unless your vet has specifically advised it. And always keep medicines safely out of reach of curious paws. If you’re ever unsure – or suspect your dog has ingested human medication – contact your vet straight away.

09/01/2026

With snow and ice on the ground, it’s worth keeping an eye on your dogs for signs of frostbite.

❄️ What is frostbite?

Frostbite is damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged exposure to extreme cold. In dogs, it most often affects paws, ears and tails. Ice and snow can collect between paw pads, increasing the risk.

🐾 Who’s more at risk?

Dogs with wet fur, short coats, smaller bodies, existing health conditions, or older dogs may be more vulnerable.

🔍 What to look out for:

Red or pale skin, swelling, pain when touched, skin that feels cold or brittle, blisters or blackened skin.

If you’re concerned, move your dog into a warm, dry area and contact your vet for advice. A quick check after snowy or icy walks can really help keep dogs safe and comfortable.

07/01/2026

❄️ Dangers of road salt ❄️

With the recent icy weather, there’s a lot of road salt and grit around at the moment. While it helps keep us safe, it can be hazardous for dogs. Road salt can irritate and crack paws, be toxic if ingested through licking, and worsen existing cuts or injuries.

🐾 How to protect your dog
Wipe or wash paws after walks to remove salt and chemicals. Try to steer your dog away from heavily salted areas where possible and use pet-safe de-icers at home.

⚠️ If your dog shows severe symptoms such as extreme pain, collapse or seizures, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

04/01/2026

With overnight temperatures dropping to around –5°C in parts of Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire at the moment, we’re seeing some brutally cold starts to the day.And it’s not just us that feel it – our dogs do too.

Cold mornings can be particularly tough on small dogs, puppies, older dogs and those with thin coats. Just like during very hot weather, there are days when the kindest choice is to shorten a walk or skip it altogether, depending on your dog’s breed, size and health.

This veterinarian-approved guide offers a simple way to judge when it’s safe to head out and when it’s better to stay warm at home.

It’s also worth remembering that the temperature on your weather app doesn’t tell the whole story. Wind chill, rain or damp ground and low sunshine can make it feel much colder for your dog than the number suggests.

If in doubt, keep walks short, add an extra layer, or let your dog toilet in the garden instead. Staying safe and well always comes first.

01/01/2026

The temperature has dropped sharply over the past few days, and it looks like we’re heading into a very cold spell over the weekend and into next week.

Here are a few simple ways to help keep your dog warm and comfortable when you’re heading out for walks:

❄️ Dog coats
Thin or thin-coated dogs will benefit from a well-fitting coat. For dogs with thick or fluffy coats, a jacket isn’t always needed and can sometimes interfere with their natural insulation.

❄️ Keep walks shorter
Reducing time outside and heading out during the warmer part of the day can help limit exposure to the cold, especially for dogs not used to low temperatures.

❄️ Stay active
Gentle movement helps dogs generate body heat, so keep them moving while outside rather than standing still for long periods.

❄️ Watch out for road grit
Salt and grit can irritate paws and noses, particularly if dogs are sniffing. Rinse or wipe paws when you get home.

❄️ Protect paws
Paw balms can help protect against cold and dryness. Some dogs may also benefit from dog-friendly booties in icy conditions.

⚠️ Be aware
Signs of cold-related illness include shivering, whining, reluctance to move, lifting paws, seeking warmth, or acting disorientated. If you notice any of these, head home and warm your dog up. If symptoms persist, contact your vet for advice.

30/12/2025

🎇 New Year’s Eve advice for dogs 🎆

It’s that time of year again! New Year’s Eve can be a stressful evening for our dogs, as their routine shifts and fireworks start at the stroke of midnight.

A little preparation can go a long way in helping your dog feel safer and more settled:

• Walk your dog early — ideally before dusk, when fireworks are less likely
• Make sure your home is secure — close windows, doors and cat flaps in case your dog tries to escape when scared
• Create a safe space — a quiet den with familiar blankets or toys can help your dog relax
• Mask the noise and light from fireworks — play music or the TV and close curtains or blinds
• Offer calm reassurance if your dog seeks comfort
• Stick to their usual routine as much as possible the next day

If your dog finds fireworks particularly difficult, it’s worth speaking to your vet in advance about ways to support them.

Wishing you and your dogs a happy and safe new year 🎉

21/12/2025

🐾 Keep children and dogs safe this Christmas 🐾

Christmas can be a busy, noisy time at home — with more people, excitement and disruption to routines. That can be a lot for dogs to handle.

Whether it’s your own children or visitors, a little extra awareness can help keep everyone safe.

Any dog can bite if they feel worried or overwhelmed, and most bites to children happen at home with a dog they know.

This Christmas, remember our three simple steps:
• Stay close
• Step in
• Separate when needed

A little supervision and space can make all the difference — keeping children safe, dogs comfortable, and Christmas calm for everyone.

18/12/2025

Thinking about getting your dog a Christmas present? Here are some ideas they’ll love — and that are safe, practical, and enrichment-friendly too.

🧠 Puzzle toys
Great for mental stimulation and helping dogs feel calm and focused.

🍽️ Slow feeders
Perfect for dogs who gulp their meals — these encourage slower, safer eating.

🐶 Lick mats
A simple way to calm and entertain your dog. Try spreading a little mashed banana or cooked mashed sweet potato.

☔️ A new raincoat
Ideal for dogs with fine or short coats who need a bit of extra protection in the wet.

💪 Tough toys
Designed for dogs that destroy everything — look for concealed, double-stitched seams and embroidered/stitched details rather than plastic ones.

💧 Portable hydration
A designed-for-dogs travel water bottle to keep your dog hydrated on the go – essential on long walks or warm days.

💛 And the best gift of all… your time and attention.
A longer walk, more time to sniff, a proper play — it’s what they really want.

Address

Telephone

+447434668590

Website

http://www.dog-first-aid.com/berkshirehampshire

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