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The PetGrid Owners blog

Practical guides for caring for your pet: records, vaccines, travel, lost pets, finding a vet and the apps that help. For anything medical, ask your veterinarian.

Latest

Behaviour and trainingPuppy leash training: first walks, step by stepA reward-based plan for a puppy's first leash lessons: the gear, the steps the Ontario SPCA teaches, what to do when your puppy pulls, and what to avoid.5 min read

Pet care

Everyday care, emergencies and finding the right vet for your dog, cat or small pet.

Pet careToronto cat licence: yes, cats need one tooEvery cat owned in Toronto needs a licence and a tag, renewed every year. What the bylaw says, how to licence your cat, and how the licence and a microchip work together if your cat goes missing.5 min read
Pet careToronto dog licence: who needs one, cost and how to renewEvery dog and cat in Toronto needs a City licence and tag, renewed every year. Who needs one, how fees and discounts work, how to buy or renew, and why it helps if your dog gets lost.6 min read
Pet careKitten first vet visit: a calm, complete checklistWhat happens at a kitten's first vet visit, which vaccines and checks to expect, a packing list and the carrier habits that make every future visit calmer.6 min read
Pet carePuppy first vet visit: what to bring and what to askA checklist for your puppy's first appointment: what to bring, what usually happens, the vaccine and parasite plan, and the questions to write down before you go.6 min read
Pet careAnnual vet checkup: what happens and why it mattersWhy healthy adult pets still need a yearly exam, how often puppies, kittens and seniors should go, what happens at the visit, and how to prepare so it counts.6 min read
Pet careHow much does a vet visit cost in Ontario? What goes into the billWhy there is no single price for a vet visit in Ontario, the parts that make up a typical bill, your right to an estimate, and practical ways to plan for the cost.6 min read
Pet carePet insurance pre-existing conditions: what counts and what is excludedHow pet insurers decide what is pre-existing, why a vet note or a symptom before cover can count, how chronic, hereditary and curable conditions differ, and what to ask before you buy.6 min read
Pet careIs pet insurance worth it? How to decide for your petA plain way to decide whether pet insurance makes sense for you: the four questions that matter, how coverage types differ, what to ask an insurer, and the self-insure alternative.6 min read
Pet carePet insurance Canada: how policies work and what to ask before you buyA plain guide to how pet insurance policies work in Canada: the three types of cover, how deductibles and reimbursement add up, waiting periods, exclusions and the questions to ask before you sign.6 min read
Pet careEmergency vet cost in Ontario: what drives the billWhy an emergency visit costs more than a regular one, what you can ask for before treatment starts, and how to prepare so money is not the first thing you think about.6 min read
Pet careWhen to take your cat to the emergency vet: the red flags that cannot waitCats hide illness well. These are the signs that mean go to a vet or emergency clinic now, the ones that mean call your vet today, and how to get there calmly.6 min read
Pet careWhen to take your dog to the emergency vet: the signs that cannot waitThe red-flag signs that mean your dog needs an emergency vet now, the ones that can usually wait for a call in the morning, and what to do on the way.7 min read
Pet careRoad salt and dog paws: protecting pads on Canadian sidewalksHow road salt and ice melt affect a dog's pads, a before, during and after routine for winter walks, safe balms and boots, and the signs that need a vet.5 min read
Pet careHow cold is too cold for dogs? A Canadian winter guideThere is no single temperature that is too cold for every dog. Here is how coat, age and health change cold tolerance, the signs to turn back, and when a cold dog needs a vet.6 min read
Pet careDoes my dog need a winter coat? How to tell, and what else keeps dogs safeWhich dogs benefit from a winter coat, the signs a dog is too cold, frostbite and hypothermia warnings, and the paw and walk safety tips that matter in an Ontario winter.5 min read
Pet careKeeping outdoor cats warm in winter: shelter, water and foodHow to give outdoor, barn and community cats a safe winter: a small insulated shelter, straw instead of blankets, water that does not freeze, and the warning signs that mean a vet.6 min read
Pet careCan rabbits live outside in winter in Canada?Rabbits handle cool weather better than heat, but a Canadian winter brings deep cold, wet bedding, frozen water and hungry predators. Here is the case for bringing rabbits indoors, and how to protect any rabbit that stays out.5 min read
Pet careHalloween Pet Safety: Candy, Costumes and the DoorbellHalloween brings three risks for pets: candy, costumes and an open front door. Here is how to handle each one, and what to do if your pet gets into the treat bowl.5 min read
Pet careHoliday hazards for pets: trees, tinsel, food and guestsThe decorations, plants, foods and party habits that send pets to the vet over the holidays, with a simple plan for visitors and what to do if something goes wrong.5 min read
Pet careKeeping dogs safe on frozen lakes and pondsEvery winter, Ontario fire crews pull dogs out of icy lakes, rivers and ponds, and owners who go in after them can drown. Here is how to keep your dog off unsafe ice, what to do if your dog falls through, and how to warm them up and get them checked afterwards.5 min read
Pet careDo dogs need boots in winter?Boots are not a must for every dog, but on Ontario's salted sidewalks they are often the simplest protection. Here is which dogs benefit, what to use instead, and how to get a dog to accept them.5 min read
Pet carePet Safe Ice Melt: What the Label Really MeansA pet safe or pet friendly ice melt is usually gentler than rock salt, but the ASPCA warns it can still upset a dog's stomach. Here is what is in the bag, and how to keep your own walkway safe for paws.5 min read
Pet careWinter pet safety checklist for Canadian ownersOne list for the whole Canadian winter: cold and wind chill, paws and salt, antifreeze, ice, holidays and power outages, with the warning signs that mean a vet visit now.5 min read
Pet carePet Emergency Kit Checklist: What Canada Recommends, Plus the Papers Most People ForgetThe Government of Canada's list for a pet emergency kit, the water amounts to plan for, the pet file most people forget, and a plan for where your pet can go.5 min read
Pet careHow to Find a New Vet You Will Actually Stay WithA practical checklist for finding a vet: where to look, how to check a licence, the questions to ask on the phone, and what to bring to the first visit.5 min read

Health and vaccines

Vaccine schedules, rabies proof and prevention, from official sources. Your vet has the last word.

Health and vaccinesLyme vaccine for dogs in Ontario: who should consider itHow Lyme disease affects dogs, where the tick risk is in Ontario, how the Lyme vaccine fits with tick control, and the questions to ask your vet when deciding.6 min read
Health and vaccinesBordetella vaccine: does your dog need it for daycare?What the Bordetella vaccine protects against, why daycares and kennels require it, the three forms it comes in, and what it cannot do, with questions to ask your vet.5 min read
Health and vaccinesLeptospirosis vaccine for dogs: does your dog need it in Ontario?How dogs catch leptospirosis, why city dogs in Ontario are at risk too, how the vaccine schedule works, and the signs that mean a dog needs a vet now.5 min read
Health and vaccinesFVRCP vaccine for cats explainedWhat the letters in FVRCP stand for, what each of the three diseases does to a cat, how the kitten series and boosters usually work, and what to ask your vet.6 min read
Health and vaccinesDHPP vaccine for dogs: what each letter meansWhat D, H, P and P stand for on your dog's vaccine record, why puppies get several doses until 16 weeks or later, and how adult boosters are spaced.5 min read
Health and vaccinesWhen can my puppy go outside after vaccines?How to balance socialising a young puppy with the risk of infections like parvo before the vaccine series is finished, with a safe-places guide and a timeline to discuss with your vet.6 min read
Health and vaccinesDo indoor cats need vaccines? Why vets still say yesWhy indoor-only cats still get core vaccines, which ones, why rabies is the law in Ontario, and how your vet tailors the rest to your cat's real lifestyle.6 min read
Health and vaccinesCore vaccines for cats, including indoor catsWhich feline vaccines are core, what each one protects against, why indoor cats still need them, and how your cat's lifestyle shapes the rest of the plan.6 min read
Health and vaccinesCore vaccines for dogs: what they protect againstWhich dog vaccines are core and why, which ones depend on where you live and what your dog does, how the puppy series works, and the questions to bring to your vet.6 min read
Health and vaccinesHow often do dogs need a rabies shot? One-year vs three-year vaccinesWhy a dog's first rabies booster comes a year after the first shot, why later boosters are often three years apart, and why the date on the certificate is the one that counts in Ontario.5 min read
Health and vaccinesRabies vaccine Ontario law: what every dog and cat owner must doWhat Ontario's rabies regulation asks of dog, cat and ferret owners: the age it starts, boosters, the certificate and tag, medical exemptions, and what happens after a bite.7 min read
Health and vaccinesDog and Cat Vaccine Schedule in Canada: What the Guidelines SayWhat the international and North American guidelines say about core vaccines and timing for puppies, kittens and adults, what Ontario law requires for rabies, and the questions to ask your vet.6 min read
Health and vaccinesProof of Rabies Vaccination for Daycare and Boarding: What to BringDaycares, kennels and groomers ask for proof of rabies vaccination. Here is what counts as proof, what the certificate must show in Ontario, and how to have it ready on your phone.5 min read

Nutrition

Feeding your pet well at every age, from food labels to treats, with your vet's advice first.

NutritionRaw food diet for dogs: risks and what vets sayWhat Canadian public health authorities say about raw feeding, the germ and nutrition risks for dogs and families, how to handle raw food more safely if you choose it, and what to ask your vet.5 min read
NutritionGrain-free dog food and DCM: what the investigation foundA plain summary of the US FDA's investigation into diet and canine dilated cardiomyopathy, what it found and did not find, the signs to watch for, and how to talk to your vet about your dog's food.6 min read
NutritionHow to read pet food labels in CanadaThe parts of a pet food label that tell you something real, the parts that are marketing, and the naming rules that decide what beef dinner or chicken flavour means.6 min read
NutritionHow much to feed a cat: calories, portions and a healthy weightDaily calories for an adult cat by weight, how to split them between wet and dry food, how often to feed, and how to tell if your cat is at a healthy weight.5 min read
NutritionHow much to feed a dog: reading the bag and your dogWhy the feeding guide on the bag is only a starting point, how to check your dog's body condition at home, and how to adjust portions and treats with your vet.6 min read
NutritionHow much to feed a puppy, and how oftenMeals per day by age, how to set the first portion, why weekly weigh-ins matter, and when a puppy moves to adult food, from veterinary sources.7 min read

Behaviour and training

Training basics, new pets at home, and the behaviour questions owners ask most.

Behaviour and trainingPuppy leash training: first walks, step by stepA reward-based plan for a puppy's first leash lessons: the gear, the steps the Ontario SPCA teaches, what to do when your puppy pulls, and what to avoid.5 min read
Behaviour and trainingPuppy chewing: teething, safe chew toys and what to doWhy puppies chew, when teething happens, how to choose chews that are safe, and a simple plan to protect your shoes and furniture without punishment.6 min read
Behaviour and trainingPuppy crying at night: first-week sleep tipsWhy new puppies cry at night, the first-week setup that helps them settle, how to respond to whining without rewarding it, and when crying could mean something more.6 min read
Behaviour and trainingHow to choose puppy classes: what good ones look likeWhen a puppy can start classes, the vaccine rules good classes follow, the green and red flags in a trainer's methods, and the questions to ask before you sign up.6 min read
Behaviour and trainingPuppy socialization: the window that matters and a safe planWhy the first three months shape your puppy for life, how to socialise safely before vaccines are finished, a checklist of experiences, and when to ask your vet for help.5 min read
Behaviour and trainingPuppy biting: why puppies nip and how to redirect itPuppies mouth because they play and explore with their teeth. Here is how to teach a soft mouth, redirect nips to toys, avoid the mistakes that make it worse, and spot when it is not play.6 min read
Behaviour and trainingPotty training a puppy: schedule and accidentsA simple house training routine for a new puppy: when to go out, how to reward, how to supervise and confine, and what to do about accidents without punishment.6 min read
Behaviour and trainingCrate training a puppy: a step-by-step planA humane plan for crate training a puppy: choosing a crate, the steps from first sniff to a full night, how long a puppy can stay inside, and the mistakes that set training back.7 min read
Behaviour and trainingDog afraid of fireworks? Plan ahead for Victoria Day, Canada Day and New Year'sIf your dog panics at fireworks, the fix starts weeks before the holiday: a vet visit, a safe room, a walk before dark and up to date ID. Here is a plan for Canada's fireworks nights.5 min read

Travel

Crossing borders, flying and road trips with a pet, step by step.

TravelFlying with a cat: cabin, carrier and stress tipsA checklist for flying with a cat: booking, carrier training, the security checkpoint, feeding, calming and the paperwork your destination may ask for.6 min read
TravelFlying with a dog in cabin: rules in CanadaWhat Canada's two biggest airlines require for a small dog in the cabin: carrier sizes, minimum ages, booking steps, seat rules, documents, and how to get your dog ready for the flight.6 min read
TravelReturning to Canada with your dog after a trip: what the border needsYour dog is Canadian, but the border still treats them as an import. The rabies certificate rules, what to declare, and how to avoid a problem on the way home.6 min read
TravelBringing a cat into Canada: the CFIA paperwork and the borderThe CFIA's rules for bringing a pet cat into Canada: rabies certificates, kittens under three months, rabies-free countries, hybrid cats, and what happens at the border.6 min read
TravelBringing a dog into Canada: CFIA rules step by stepThe CFIA rules for bringing your own dog into Canada, by the dog's age and where you are coming from, plus what the CBSA checks and why commercial dogs are different.7 min read
TravelTravelling With Your Pet From Canada to the US: The 2024 Dog Rules and Getting HomeThe CDC changed the rules for dogs entering the US on August 1, 2024. Here is what a dog or cat from Canada needs to cross, what you need to come home, and what to ask your vet before the trip.6 min read

Lost and found

What to do in the first hours after a pet goes missing, and how to be ready before it happens.

Lost and foundDoes a microchip track location? Microchip vs GPSWhat a pet microchip does and does not do, how it compares with a GPS tracker, why registration matters most, and what to do in Toronto if your pet goes missing.5 min read
Lost and foundHow to update microchip information after a move or a new numberStep-by-step instructions for changing the address, phone number or owner on your pet's microchip registration in Canada, plus the other records to update at the same time.5 min read
Lost and foundMicrochip registration Canada: why the chip alone is not enoughA microchip only brings a lost pet home when its number is registered to you with current contact details. Here is how microchip registration works in Canada and how to check yours.6 min read
Lost and foundLost dog in winter: urgent search steps when it is coldCold makes every hour count when a dog goes missing. Here is what to do right away, where dogs tend to shelter, who to call in Toronto, and how to check a found dog for hypothermia and frostbite before getting it to a vet.5 min read
Lost and foundWhat to Do If Your Pet Is Lost: The First Hour, the First Day, the First WeekA calm, ordered plan for a missing dog or cat: who to call, what to check, where to post and how to keep the search going, with Toronto contacts and what to prepare today.5 min read

Records and your data

Your pet's medical records: who keeps them, how to get a copy, and moving them to a new vet.

Records and your dataWhat is in a pet medical record? A plain guide to your vet's fileEverything a vet clinic records about your pet, from vaccines and weight to exam notes, prescriptions and consent, based on Ontario's rules, plus how to read the shorthand.5 min read
Records and your dataLost pet vaccine records: how to get them backIf you lost your pet's vaccine records, the clinic that gave the shots still has them. How to ask for a copy, where else to look, and what your vet does if nothing turns up.5 min read
Records and your dataDigital vaccine record for pets: is a phone copy accepted?When a phone copy of your pet's vaccines is enough, when it is not, what a trustworthy record shows, and how to get your vet's version onto your phone.5 min read
Records and your dataPet vaccine certificate: what it shows and who asks for itWhat a pet vaccine certificate contains, using Ontario's rabies certificate rules as the model, who will ask you for one, and why an invoice or a reminder card is not the same thing.6 min read
Records and your dataWho Owns Your Pet's Medical Records? What Owners in Canada Can Ask ForThe clinic keeps the original file, but in Ontario the information in it belongs to you, and your vet has to give you a copy when you ask. Here is what that means in practice.6 min read
Records and your dataHow to Get Your Pet's Vet Records: A Simple Step-by-Step GuideCall or email your clinic, say exactly which records you need and where they should go. Here is what to ask for, a message you can copy, and what to do if it stalls.6 min read
Records and your dataHow to Switch Vets Without Losing Records (or Your Peace of Mind)Moving, a new clinic closer to home, or just a better fit: here is how to switch vets without losing records, in five steps, with a checklist for the first visit.5 min read

Pet apps

Apps for pet owners compared honestly, PetGrid included, and what each one is good for.

Pet appsLost pet app: how apps help find missing pets, and what they cannot doWhat a lost pet app or lost mode really does, what it cannot do, and how it fits with microchips, licences and Toronto Animal Services when a pet goes missing.6 min read
Pet appsPet medication reminder app: what to look for and how to stay on scheduleWhat a good pet medication reminder app should do, which features matter for daily pills versus monthly preventatives, and the habits and vet questions that keep doses safe.6 min read
Pet appsPet vaccine reminder app: what to look forWhy boosters slip, what a pet vaccine reminder app should actually do, how to set reminders from your vet's dates, and a checklist for choosing one.6 min read
Pet appsThe Best Pet Care Apps in Canada, by What You Need Them ForNo single app does everything. Here are the best pet care apps in Canada sorted by the job they do, including our own, with what each is good at and what to check before you sign up.6 min read