First Dog publishes general educational information about puppy and dog health, safety and care. It is not a veterinary service and does not diagnose conditions or provide individual treatment plans.

When we use health information

Health information may appear in guides about vaccinations, first walks, insurance, nutrition, growth, exercise, walking equipment, sleeping arrangements, toxic or unsafe items, routine veterinary care and behavioural changes that could have a medical cause.

How we handle it

• Prefer current UK veterinary and animal-welfare guidance for factual claims.
• Avoid presenting general age ranges as rigid rules when timing depends on breed, health, vaccine type or local disease risk.
• Flag situations where a vet should advise on the individual dog.
• Do not recommend prescription medicines or present a web article as a substitute for examination.
• Distinguish general behavioural management from problems that may require veterinary or qualified behavioural assessment.

Seek veterinary help

If your dog is unwell, injured, in pain, struggling to breathe, showing significant changes in appetite or movement, or you are worried about a symptom, contact a veterinary professional. For urgent or severe symptoms, seek veterinary care promptly rather than waiting for information from a website.

Behaviour and welfare

Fear, aggression, severe separation distress and sudden behaviour changes can involve welfare or medical issues. Where appropriate, our guides recommend veterinary assessment or suitably qualified behavioural support rather than simply increasing punishment or confinement.

This policy should be read alongside How We Research and our Editorial Policy.