Going for a walk in the park with your dog can be fun, until you get home and realise that Rufus needs some grooming – especially if the walk was in tall grass and mud. But don’t despair, if you follow these tips, Rufus will soon be squeaky clean again. 1. Patience is a
Post-walk grooming Read More »
The Cape black-backed jackal most probably doesn’t know what it is to sit or stand still for a while, except when he sleeps. Let’s find out what else is cool about this sly animal. Night call Sitting around the campfire at night somewhere in the bushveld, listening to the night sounds, can be very relaxing.
10 cool things about the Cape black-backed jackal Read More »
Can you imagine being ‘locked up’ in a cage every day of your life? Even worse – can you imagine having no way of keeping yourself occupied? No human would want a life like that, and neither does any pet bird. He should be allowed out of his cage sometimes, and he should at least
Entertain your bird’s mind Read More »
Q: Is it normal for my diabetic cat to eat tissue paper? A: It is not normal for a cat to eat tissue paper, diabetic or not. It may be behavioural, that she does it to get attention, but because your cat is diabetic, there could also be a medical reason. Animals with untreated diabetes
Q & A: Pass the tissues Read More »
Spring is finally here, and we can spend time in our gardens, planting new seedlings and beautifying the outdoor areas around our homes. But you might find yourself asking the question: which plants are safe for areas that my pets frequent? This is especially important for homes with puppies, dogs who love to chew, kittens
10 plants that are pet-friendly Read More »
Consider yourself very lucky if you get a glimpse of these animals in the wild. They make it their business not to be seen. 1. Porcupine A porcupine is a huge rodent who feasts on roots, bark, fruit and other plant material. Although he is nocturnal, he can sometime be seen in daylight. Should you
10 of the shiest mammals in Africa Read More »
We all know, at some point in our lives, what it feels like to have an allergy. With symptoms ranging from a runny nose to itchy eyes or even a rash, it is an irritating feeling that makes us miserable. So why would we want to put our beloved pets through similar discomfort if we
Taking pet allergies seriously Read More »
Q: We just adopted a rescue dog who is extremely nervous. How can we help him? A: Nervousness is common in rescue dogs and may be challenging to overcome, but with time, patience and perseverance, it will improve. Acknowledging and respecting the dog’s feeling of nervousness is important when helping a dog overcome this. As
Q & A: Helping nervous dog Read More »
Thankfully, more families are deciding to adopt their pets from rescues or shelter facilities nowadays. This has been described as one of the most rewarding experiences, while also providing a much-needed home for a defenceless animal. While there are things to consider before adopting, like the animal’s size and age, it is important not to
How to spot a healthy rescue pet Read More »
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but some animals didn’t get the charming looks of others. We couldn’t decide which one of these animals is the ugliest. You can vote for the animal you think should wear the crown, by sending an email to animaltalk@panorama.co.za. Spotted hyena If there was a beauty pageant
10 ugliest animals in Africa Read More »
Scratch, scratch, scratch. Lick, lick, lick. Repeat. Just like when a CD glitches! And when your dog does it over and over again, it can become annoying. This is especially true when it’s not a medical issue but rather a behavioural one. Instead of losing your patience with your dog, get help so that both
Compulsive scratching and licking Read More »
Q: Is it a problem if my young dog ‘mouths’ visitors? Should I discourage his behaviour? A: Meeting visitors can be an exciting event for dogs, especially younger ones. Although mouthing is most commonly seen in puppies, adult dogs may also engage in this behaviour if they are feeling stressed or excited. Mouthing can be
Q & A: Discourage mouthing Read More »
