Teaching your pet something new not only occupies him and keeps him from getting bored, but it also keeps his mind stimulated. You’ll also build on his confidence and strengthen your bond with him. When you teach your pet new cues, he also learns to understand what you want from him and, in return, you
Set training goals for your pets Read More »
Leaving your puppy all by himself when you have to go out is not easy to do, especially if your furball is still very young. As he grows older and wiser, he will learn that it is okay and that you will return – unless your dog suffers from separation anxiety and he cannot cope
How to handle separation anxiety in your puppy Read More »
Do you wonder why do dogs beg and how you can stop your furball from begging? Dogs learn to beg because they get fed titbits. If they never got the treat they wouldn’t carry on begging. The ideal is to start off your puppy as you mean to go on. If he begs at the
How to stop the begging Read More »
Q: How do I know if my dog is overweight? A: To determine if a pet is over- or underweight, we do body condition scoring. If you feel your dog’s ribcage, you should be able to feel the ribs with gentle palpation. There should be minimal fat covering the ribs. If you look at your
Q & A: Overweight dog Read More »
Having your puppy vaccinated can prevent him from contracting a potentially fatal illness. During the first few weeks of life, puppies receive antibodies from their mother’s milk. While this is a great start for their growing immune system, the immunity only lasts for a short time. By having your puppy vaccinated, you can prevent life-threatening
Puppy vaccination prevents potential fatal diseases Read More »
Q: Why do dogs eat grass? A: This is a commonly asked question which has led to a lot of speculation, but there is not much on it in veterinary literature. The various theories are that some dogs do it out of boredom, while others may have a dietary deficiency. Some may do it to
Q & A: Eating grass Read More »
Sometimes, we fill our lives to the brim with various activities, which at times also include our pets. We have become so used to being busy doing things, that we occasionally forget how important it is to spend some quiet time with our pets. Dr Nicoleen Coetzee, research psychologist and senior lecturer at the Department
Why relaxing with your pet is important Read More »
Puppies’ first life lessons start while they’re still at the breeder, with their mom and siblings, learning and observing all the time. When you fetch your puppy and arrive home, this learning process continues. He has to learn so much in the first few weeks. It is up to you, his pet parent, to ensure
Training timeline for puppies Read More »
It’s #DidYouKnowFriday!! Here are a few facts that you can share with your friends today. Did you know? Snakes are just one item on a honey badger’s prey list. The fearless honey badger loves snakes and will catch them. He is immune, or has a high level of immunity, to certain snake venoms. When a
Interesting info about honey badgers, pangolin scales, and sleeping dolphins Read More »
Without knowing the specifics of what ‘jealous’ behaviour is being displayed, here are a few general suggestions that may help. If there is someone else available when you are spending time with one dog, have that person take the other dog for a walk for around the same length of time you will need with
Struggling with a jealous dog? Read More »
Q: What is the most effective way to take a cat’s temperature at home? A: Before taking your pet’s temperature, it is important to know what is normal for cats and dogs, as they have higher temperatures than humans. The normal temperature for a cat is 37°C to about 39°C. Taking your cat’s temperature will
Q & A: Taking a cat’s temperature Read More »
With another year drawing to a close, we want to take this opportunity to evaluate our roles as responsible pet owners, to see whether we’ve met our goals for our pets this past year. Work through these important points and decide whether you should get an award for your dedication, or whether you need to
10 responsibilities as a pet owner to keep your pet healthy and happy Read More »
