Vets Talking Pets

What are the options if you want to work with animals but not within the vet industry? Maggie and Vanessa discuss a myriad of different careers including animal physiotherapists, zoo-keeping, sheep shearing and even AI – artificial insemination! What does an equine dental technician do? What the difference between an animal behaviourist and an animal trainer? How do you get into conservation work?...

It’s many people’s dream to work with animals but it’s a very competitive sector, not often well paid and certainly isn’t all playing with fluffy kittens! Vanessa and Maggie discuss the trials and tribulations of working with animals and getting into vet school. Do you really have to be a straight A student or are there other routes to fulfil your ambition? Is it true that the most difficult thing...

It’s great to have varying perspectives so we’re pleased to have our first podcast guest, Nicky Trevorrow. Nicky is a qualified animal behaviourist at Cats Protection and a registered veterinary nurse. In this episode we chat about how she became a behaviourist and what her role involves. She tells us why cats are her passion and what are the main challenges of working with this intriguing species...

After all the planning and research, finally collecting your new pet is a very exciting time! Understandably your new housemate may be a little nervous or missing their mother, so you want to make this transition period as stress-free as possible.  Vanessa and Maggie give you tips on what you need to do to make things go smoothly including what information you need from the breeder or adoption cen...

For many years most cats were non-pedigree moggies, but things are changing and more people are acquiring purebred cats. Maggie and Vanessa discuss how some conformational problems in dogs are now being seen in cats due to the human desire to have a cute or unusual pet. They explain why flat faces, short legs, folded ears, being bald, wrinkled or tailless causes welfare issues in a species that ha...

Cats were once worshipped as gods and they’ve never forgotten it! But why did the Egyptians love cats so much and what part did they play in their domestication? Vanessa and Maggie delve into the history of how cats came to be such a widespread form of rodent control and then much-loved pets. They were already excellent hunters and clean, affectionate pets that didn’t need to be modified for human...

As animal lovers, there is nothing better than seeing animals in their natural habitats. Sadly, we don’t always get the opportunities to do this but there are other ways of interacting with wild animals including visiting zoos, aquaria, conservation projects or even getting a mobile animal exhibitor to visit your school or party. But what is the animal’s experience? Maggie and Vanessa discuss thei...

With summer holidays on the horizon, many people will be looking for activities to engage in. Animal lovers may be tempted by the array of animal-related activities available but how can we be sure that the animals’ welfare is put first? In this episode Vanessa and Maggie discuss activities involving domestic species such as bulls, horses, donkeys and camels. Is it OK to ride an elephant or trek w...

Most of us love the warm weather and so do many of our pets but there are dangers regarding heat and other seasonal issues that it’s important to be aware of. Did you know that your pets can get sunburnt or suffer from heatstroke? What about the risk of those pesky fleas, ticks, maggots and even snakebites? How can an innocent grass seed become a major problem? Maggie and Vanessa give you their to...

Maggie and Vanessa explain what extreme conformation is and why some dogs are bred with very flat faces, short legs or tails, no hair, or lots of wrinkles. They may look cute but often there are unintended consequences that affect the health and welfare of the dogs. These problems lead not only to more vet bills and heartache for you but lifelong issues for your pet.  We discuss what’s being done...

Where do dogs come from and why are there so many breeds? Vanessa and Maggie discuss how dogs evolved from the grey wolf to become man’s best friend and how dogs were selectively bred for different purposes like hunting and guarding. Learn how your pet dog today may have been born to be a companion but may still have the characteristics of their working ancestor. How does this affect your dog’s be...

There has been a lot in the news about the UK's Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA’s) investigation into the companion animal (pet) veterinary industry. Maggie and Vanessa discuss the changes that have occurred over the last few years, including the increase in the number of corporately owned practices and the impact this has had. They look at what changes have been suggested by the CMA, whet...

Vanessa and Maggie explain how you can get the best out of your vet practice and make the right choices for your pet. Making a real difference to the cost of treatment is not just by shopping around; it’s about what treatment options are best in each individual situation. Like any service, owners need to check what they are getting for their money – what is the best value, may not be the cheapest....

Never afraid to tackle difficult topics, in this episode, Maggie and Vanessa answer the question, ‘Why are vets so expensive?’. Medical care is expensive for both humans and animals and many people don’t understand the true cost of their own health care. Costs of similar procedures for people and animals are compared as well as looking at overheads and the salaries of vets versus other professiona...

So, you’ve decided which pet to get. You want to get them from a reliable source, but what is that – a breeder, a pet shop, a rehoming charity or even online? Should you visit them first? Is it sensible to get a pet via social media or from abroad?   Vanessa and Maggie consider the options available and discuss the pitfalls to help you make an informed decision when choosing where to get your new...

You’ve decided which species you want so what’s next? What age, sex or colour of pet do you want and where are you going to get them from? Do you want a playful kitten or an older lap cat? Do you want a pedigree pet? What are the initial costs you need to consider? Maggie and Vanessa discuss the pros and cons and give tips about how to get a pet that is happy and healthy and is right for you.  

You’ve decided to get a pet but which one? Maggie and Vanessa discuss the pros and cons of keeping both traditional and non-traditional species. What are the relative costs in terms of time and money? Do you need specialist knowledge? How easy is it to give some pets a good quality of life in your home? Do they need to be kept in pairs? Whether you’re thinking of a bunny or bearded dragon, there i...

Thinking of getting a pet? Do you know that people do more research when they buy a fridge than acquiring a new animal? It tends to be an emotional decision and may happen spontaneously such as a stray cat appearing in your garden. Animals add so much to our lives but getting a pet is a big step and there are many things to think about. Maggie and Vanessa discuss what to consider before taking the...

Get to know Maggie and Vanessa as they introduce themselves and discuss their passion for animal welfare. Learn why they became vets and how they know each other. Is Maggie really a mad cat lady? Is Vanessa a science nerd and why did she want to be a horse vet? What were their first pets? All will be revealed! New episodes weekly. Follow now and never miss an episode!