Mientjie Kleinhans

Why certain animals chew so much

Chew, chew, and chew some more – that’s what ruminant animals do. And if you’ve ever wondered why they chew this much on the same food, here’s why. Ruminant animals eat grass and/or leaves and are called herbivores. Their digestive systems aren’t as simple as ours. The journey of food from their mouths to their

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Safe room for kitty’s arrival

To make sure that your kitten adapts well, she should have a safe room prepared for her at your home. The room should contain a comfortable bed, food and water bowls (not too close together – cats prefer their drinking water separated from their food), and a litter tray with fine litter (for delicate little

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Q & A: Constantly hungry dog

Q: My 15-year-old dog weighs 10kg and is constantly hungry. Should I feed him bit by bit every 30 minutes or so, or should I set out scheduled feeding times? A: If your dog is losing weight or has a poor body condition score due to weight loss and is still always hungry, he could

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Explaining cat kibble

Ever wondered what is in your cat’s kibble and what makes it nutritious? When a new food is produced, the recipe is perfected by the manufacturer and is based on the type of diet they are producing and the nutritional requirements of the pets for whom the food is produced. The ingredients are mixed together

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Understanding your puppy’s growth and development throughout his life

Just like a human child develops from a tiny newborn to a toddler, school-going child and later a teenager, so your furchild undergoes some important developmental changes that take him from rambunctious puppy to senior dog. The first two stages of puppyhood take place in the breeder’s home. You will likely pick up your puppy

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Why birds migrate

Have you ever seen huge flocks of birds congregating around March every year? They normally get together and fly in big groups on their long journey North before winter begins. Some birds don’t go too far, whereas others cover vast distances, up to 10,000km. There are over 100 species of birds who migrate, with over

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Supplement for shiny cat coat

For your cat to have a shiny coat, it is so crucial that your cat consumes important nutrients, and all of the essential supplements should be contained in her food. A balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is essential, as well as vitamins and trace minerals with biotin, zinc, copper and selenium playing a

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Q & A: Chasing tails

Q: Why do dogs chase their tails? A: Tail chasing is a complex behaviour that can have various environmental, physiological, genetic and psychological causes. Some dogs may do it when excited or confined, or they may have been heavily reinforced for the behaviour by human attention. Largely, however, it is a behaviour to be concerned

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Choosing a family dog

With so many breeds to choose from, you are bound to find a dog who will suit your lifestyle and requirements. While some people prefer an active dog as a jogging partner, other people need a dog who can adapt to townhouse living. In this article, we take a look at three potential family dogs.

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Why elephants remember so well

We all know that elephants have great memories, especially if we compare them to those of other animals. But you may ask why these giants remember so well? The answer lies in the way their brains are structured, which is very similar to those of humans, with a large frontal lobe. Relative to other animals,

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Why do dogs bark?

Have you also wondered why dogs bark? Some dogs bark more than others, and they bark for various reasons. Causes for a dog to bark can include alerting you to a stranger or threat in the dog’s territory, distress, frustration, irritability, separation distress, anxiety, boredom and insecurity, to name only a few. For the owner,

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