How to keep your animal healthy

Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series on tips for living with a pet in Korea.

Ensuring a healthy and long life for pets is one of the biggest concerns for owners, from vaccinations to finding medical care when animals fall sick.

Before adopting a pet, prospective owners should consider whether they have allergies, enough time to care for the animal and a suitable home environment. They should also check the animal’s eating patterns and basic health conditions.

When taking pets outside, owners are advised to make sure they wear identification tags that carry the owner’s name and contact information, as well as the animal registration number.

Dogs and cats should be vaccinated from a young age to protect them against common infectious diseases. Rabies vaccination is legally required, while other vaccines are strongly recommended for pets’ health.

For dogs, owners are generally advised to begin vaccination when the animal is around 6 to 8 weeks old. One of the core shots is the DHPPL vaccine, which protects against canine distemper, hepatitis caused by canine adenovirus type 2, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. Booster shots are usually given two to four weeks after the first injection, followed by annual supplementary shots.

Other vaccines for dogs include those for canine coronavirus and kennel cough. Rabies vaccination is usually given at around 3 months of age.

For cats, the standard FVRCP vaccine is recommended to protect against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. The first shot is generally given at 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by boosters two to four weeks later.

Vaccination against feline leukemia can be given at 9 to 11 weeks of age, with boosters two to four weeks after the initial injection. Annual supplementary shots are generally required.

Other vaccinations for cats include those for feline infectious peritonitis, usually given at 16 to 18 weeks of age, and rabies, given at around 3 months of age.

Pet owners are advised to consult a local veterinarian for detailed vaccination schedules, as timing may vary depending on the animal’s age, health condition and previous vaccination history. More information is also available through the website of the state-run Daejeon Animal Shelter.

Regular health checkups are recommended for dogs and cats by around age 7 at the latest, followed by annual examinations. Cats may become vulnerable to certain diseases from around 4 years old, making regular checkups advisable.

Korea has seen a steady increase in animal hospitals. Government data shows 5,312 animal hospitals across the country, 3,815 of which are operated by a single veterinarian.

Pet owners can search for nearby hospitals through the Animal Protection Management System website.

Although Korea has many animal hospitals, most specialize in treating cats and dogs, which account for 94.9 percent of all pets in the country. Owners of birds, reptiles, guinea pigs and other "special animals" may need to look for clinics that provide care for those species.

Private information platforms such as Animal Doctor provide search services for specific types of animal hospitals.

For example, a lizard owner living in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, can visit the website, select “reptiles,” then choose Seoul, Gangnam-gu and Daechi-dong to find nearby clinics that treat reptiles. According to the site, Daechi Seongsim Animal Hospital is one such option.

Animal hospitals affiliated with veterinary colleges also provide medical care for some special animals. Owners are advised to check information online and contact the hospital in advance to confirm whether it can treat their pet.

Some pet owners call 119, Korea’s emergency hotline, when their animals need urgent care. However, 119 is primarily a service for human emergencies, not animal medical care.

Under official guidelines, dispatches involving animals are generally limited to cases that pose an immediate threat to humans, such as the capture of wild or potentially dangerous animals. Helping injured animals is categorized as a nonemergency matter, and emergency operators may refuse dispatch in such cases.

Authorities advise residents to call the integrated government call center at 110, which provides round-the-clock assistance for various complaints and public service inquiries.

Owners should also keep contact information for nearby animal hospitals, including 24-hour clinics where available, in case their pets require urgent medical attention.

There are some emergency signs owners should be aware of. Dogs and cats have limited sweat glands and mainly cool themselves through panting or grooming. Overheating can pose a serious health risk.

Warning signs may include excessive panting, thick drooling, lethargy or changes in gum color. Cats do not normally pant to cool down, so panting in cats can be a red flag. If such symptoms appear, owners should move the animal to a cooler place and contact a veterinarian immediately.

Chocolate and some other foods can be toxic to dogs and cats. If a pet eats chocolate or another potentially harmful substance, owners should contact a veterinarian immediately and avoid trying to induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinary professional.

Emergency measures for animals are available on the websites of some local emergency authorities, including fire stations. But in serious cases, contacting a veterinarian should be the first step.