Small habits, healthier animals.

Choose the bowl by weight, not by size

A heavy stoneware bowl with a cork foot stays put through an enthusiastic meal. Fill it about two-thirds full so gulpers slow down, and keep water topped up in a second bowl.

Fit the collar with two fingers

You should slide two fingers under the strap without effort. Re-check monthly on puppies and long-haired dogs — fur hides a loosening collar, and a loose collar slips off during a startled pull.

Walk on six feet, gather at the curb

Let your dog have the full lead to sniff — it tires them out far better than a heel drill. Shorten your grip to about half at crossings and around other dogs, then let it out again.

Beds are for elbows, not just old hips

Foam over three inches takes pressure off elbows and hips for any dog, and low entry matters once a dog hesitates to step up. Size up if your dog sprawls rather than curls.

Change food over seven to ten days

Start with a quarter of the new food and add another quarter every three days. A sudden switch is the most common cause of an upset stomach in an otherwise healthy dog.

Cats drink more from moving water

A fountain placed away from the food bowl and the litter tray gets wary cats drinking. Rinse the reservoir every few days — cats refuse stale water long before you'd notice.

One scratching post per cat, plus one

The post has to be tall enough for a full stretch, and heavy enough not to wobble. Put it where the cat already scratches — near the sofa, not hidden in a spare room.

Play in two short bursts a day

Five to ten minutes of chase-and-pounce, then let your cat catch the toy, does more than one long session. Rotate toys so the ones in the drawer stay interesting.

Scoop twice, change once a week

Most litter-box refusal starts with a box that is too small or too dirty. The box should be one and a half times your cat's length, and full litter changes keep odour down.

Hay is the diet, not a side dish

Around eighty per cent of a rabbit's or guinea pig's intake should be a constant supply of fresh hay. Pellets are a supplement, and treats should fit in a thimble.

Give them somewhere to disappear into

Small pets need a hide they can turn around in, plus something safe to chew daily — untreated apple wood, willow or plain cardboard. A bored small pet chews the cage instead.

Watch water bottles and bedding daily

Bottle spouts clog silently, so touch the ball each morning. Spot-clean bedding every day and do a full change weekly — small pets are far more sensitive to ammonia than dogs or cats.