Category: Vet Advice & Dog Safety

By Dr Niall Thompson, MVB CertAVP(GSAS) PGCertVPS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon at Ashwood Vets and Best Bark’s Resident Vet & Dog Safety Expert For many dog owners, fireworks season is a stressful time of year. While some dogs barely react to the noise, others become frightened by the sudden bangs, flashing lights and vibrations. If your […]

We have teamed up with Ashwood Vets to share a friendly autumn safety note for dog owners. Autumn is a great time to get out with your pup. Northern Ireland has lots of lovely woodland walks to explore and we have listed our favourites in our guide to autumn forest walks in Northern Ireland. If […]

Spring has properly arrived in Northern Ireland. The weather is finally picking up, the days are longer, the gardens are coming back to life, and most dogs are making the most of it by getting their noses into absolutely everything! It is also the time of year when we start to see a steady stream […]

Dog dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs, and one of the easiest to miss. Many of us are surprised when a vet raises concerns about a dog’s teeth, especially when they are still eating well and behaving normally. But dog dental disease often develops quietly, and dogs are experts […]

Advice from Niall at Ashwood Vets Christmas is a busy time for dog owners. Most of us want to include our dogs in the celebrations, and Christmas stockings, treats and toys are an easy way to make them part of the day. But according to Niall from Ashwood Vets, a bit of care goes a […]

Christmas dinner is a big part of the festive season. While we enjoy turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings, most dogs are right beside us hoping for a bite. As a vet, this is also the time of year when I see more vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis and toxic food cases than any other time of […]

Fireworks are a dazzling part of celebrations, but for many dogs, they can be a nightmare. While we’re enjoying the colours and sparkle in the sky, our dogs are often hiding under the sofa, trembling, or barking in distress. The loud bangs, bright flashes, and strong smells can be confusing and frightening especially since dogs […]

We’re thrilled to share that Best Bark was recently featured in the Belfast Newsletter, celebrating one of our incredible verified partners, Ashwood Vets, who have just been named Best Vet in Northern Ireland for the third year running 🐾 You can read the full article on the Belfast Newsletter here. A Well-Deserved Win for Ashwood […]

With high temperatures expected this bank holiday, we’ve launched a new Dog Safety campaign in partnership with Forestside Veterinary Clinic, because sunny days should be safe ones for our dogs too. The campaign tackles common but often overlooked warm weather risks for pets, like hot pavements, heatstroke, and beach hazards. It’s full of simple, practical […]

We’re honoured to share that Best Bark has been featured in the County Down Spectator in a moving article that highlights both the tragic loss of a much-loved dog and the launch of a campaign that could save many more. Earlier this month, Betsy – a beautiful beagle with a gentle nature – sadly passed […]