1. DO: Make sure parasite control is up to date

Common parasites in pets include fleas, worms, and ticks:

• Fleas may be tiny, but they can cause intense itching, hair loss, and skin infections—and once they infest your home, they can be difficult and costly to get rid of!

• Ticks don’t cause severe skin problems, but they can transmit serious diseases through their bites. 

• Intestinal worms steal vital nutrients, making it harder for dogs to maintain a healthy weight. While severe illness is uncommon, puppies, untreated dogs, and dogs that scavenge are at higher risk.

Why year-round parasite control is important

All of these parasites can cause problems throughout the year, so it’s important to keep your pet’s parasite prevention up to date. Prevention is always easier—and far less costly—than treatment.

Treating and preventing parasites

You can find fast, effective, vet-recommended parasite treatments in the Joii shop, with current offers such as your first month free or your first order free.

Dogs

• Spot-on flea & tick treatments: Fast-acting and easy to apply. These kill fleas and ticks on contact, break the parasite life cycle, and help prevent future infestations. They should be used every 4 weeks; otherwise, you risk an outbreak. And avoid bathing or heavy rain for 48 hours after, as this can reduce effectiveness.

• Worming tablets: Effective against common intestinal worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Should be used every 3 months, or as advised by your vet.

Cats

• Spot-on flea & tick treatments: Fast-acting and easy to apply. These kill fleas and ticks on contact, break the parasite life cycle, and help prevent future infestations. They should be used every 4 weeks; otherwise, you risk an outbreak.

• Worming tablets: Effective against common intestinal worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Usually given every 3 months, or as advised by your vet.

2. DO: Organise vet vaccinations and annual check-ups

Vaccinations help protect your pet against serious infectious diseases. These illnesses can be expensive to treat and, sadly, some can be fatal or leave lasting health problems.

Vaccines are highly effective and have an excellent safety record. As a bonus, your vet will also give your pet a thorough health check at each vaccination visit (checking their teeth, heart, lungs, ears, and overall condition). These routine checks are vital for spotting early signs of illness, when treatment is often simpler, and outcomes are much better.

3. DO: Embrace indoor enrichment 

Cold and freezing temperatures are common in January and February in the UK, and it’s only natural for the whole family to spend more time indoors. 

While those extra sofa snuggles are wonderfully heart-warming, it’s important to remember that pets still need plenty of mental and physical enrichment. Without it, boredom and frustration can creep in—and that’s when naughty habits may start to appear.

Shop enrichment toys for pets

Our Joii shop has lots of fun options to help keep your pet entertained and beat the boredom.

Dogs

• Interactive toys like treat puzzles, lick mats, fetch toys, and reward-dispensing toys help keep your dog mentally stimulated when they’re spending more time indoors. 

• These enrichment toys encourage natural behaviours such as problem-solving, foraging, and licking, which can help calm anxious dogs and support their overall wellbeing.

Cats

• Interactive puzzle toys, lick mats, and treat-dispensing toys help stimulate your cat’s natural hunting and problem-solving instincts, keeping their mind active and engaged—especially for indoor cats.

• Catnip-infused toys encourage play and can help relieve stress, supporting both mental and emotional well-being.

4. DON’T: Change food suddenly

Changing your pet’s food is sometimes necessary, but their tummies need time to adjust. A sudden switch can often cause an upset stomach, so we recommend introducing new food slowly over about a week.

You can follow this simple plan:

Day 1–2: 75% current food + 25% new food
Day 3–4: 50% current food + 50% new food
Day 5–6: 25% current food + 75% new food
Day 7 onwards: 100% new food

The Joii Shop has a special Repeat & Save, with a wide selection of dry and wet foods available on a convenient subscription discount. You can explore the full range here: https://www.joiipetcare.com/collections/repeat-save.

5. DON’T: Be fooled by fads 

It’s easy to get swept up in the latest pet care trends on social media—we all want the absolute best for our furry friends! However, many of these "viral" ideas aren't backed by science and might not suit your pet’s individual health needs.

Take herbal skin remedies, for instance. While they might seem like a gentle choice, they often leave the underlying problem untreated, making it much harder to manage later on. Plus, products from unknown online sources can be unreliable or even harmful.

Tips for peace of mind

• Source wisely: Only purchase treatments or supplements from recommended, reputable sources.

• Check with your vet: If you're curious about a new supplement or remedy, a quick chat with your vet is the safest first step.

6. DON’T: Judge your pet’s weight by the number alone

Weight alone doesn’t tell the full story of your pet’s health. Factors like breed, body shape, muscle mass, age, and activity level all play an important role in what’s healthy for them. Two pets can weigh the same but have very different body conditions. A body condition score and regular vet check-ins are a far more reliable way to understand whether your pet is at a healthy weight.

To get a clearer picture at home, take a look at our guides on body condition scoring. It’s a simple, hands-on way to check whether your pet is in an ideal condition, beyond the number on the scales.

• Click here to view our dog body condition score guide, and 

• Here is our cat body condition score guide

As we move into the new year, remember that small, consistent choices can make a big difference to your pet’s wellbeing — and you don’t have to get everything perfect to be doing a great job. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet, speak to our online vets. They’re available 24 hours a day, so you’re never on your own.