Despite their dirty reputations, some pigs clean their food before eating it, a recent study shows. Researchers at University College London and Basel Zoo in Switzerland made their discovery after a zoo employee spotted several wild boar bringing dirty apple chunks to a stream and sloshing them around before eating them. Follow-up experiments confirmed the
Are pigs dirty animals when it comes to their food? Read More »
Q: A friend said I should not give my young dog any bones to chew. Can bones be harmful, and is there any difference between raw and cooked bones when it comes to a dog’s health? A: Bones can indeed be harmful when fed to dogs, and it doesn’t matter if they are cooked or
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There are many factors to consider when feeding a pet to ensure a complete and nutritionally balanced diet is provided – one of them is sourcing the ingredients yourself to prepare the raw food. I would not recommend this. The source of the raw materials or ingredients is important, as the quality of the raw
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Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in various human products and is extremely dangerous for most animals. Even the smallest amount can cause low blood sugar, liver failure and even seizures in dogs and cats. In higher doses, xylitol can be fatal. Hidden danger Always read the labels carefully and look specifically for sweeteners and
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Some of South Africa’s most memorable and endearing adverts have been ones featuring animal actors. Think of the Buddy the Boxer with his sassy wit on the Toyota ads or Dulux paint and its iconic Old English Sheepdog. Life on the set When Charlie, a Jack Russell/Beagle cross (known as a Jack-A-Bee), won M-Net Family’s
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Q: My five-month-old puppy seems to want to chew all the time and does not only stick to his toys. He chews our furniture, shoes and anything else he can find. What can I do to discourage him from chewing my valuable items? A: All dog lovers with a new four-legged addition to the family
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Kittens and adult cats are generally playful animals, and tail-chasing can be a normal, playful behaviour. They also like to hunt prey, and seeing their tail moving can stimulate that prey drive to chase. They don’t realise that it is their own tail – it’s moving, so they grab at it. When bored, some cats might
Why do some cats play with their tails? Read More »
When Sandra James decided to teach her 12-year-old Fox Terrier cross to lift her paw before getting a treat, her husband, Tommy, thought it was a futile exercise. Sandra persisted with a short training session every day and finally, after three weeks, Candy lifted her paw and waited proudly for her treat. Sandra did not
How smart is your dog? Read More »
Q: I deworm my dogs every four months and I am worried that the worms may build up resistance. Should I switch between products with different active ingredients? A: Firstly, deworming is very important. Many parasites are present in South Africa and cause a variety of diseases. I would recommend deworming more regularly, at least
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Cat parents frequently ask if a dry, warm nose means their cat is sick. The answer to this question is: ‘No.’ A healthy cat’s nose can vary between wet and dry several times during the course of a day. There are many reasons why your cat can have a dry, warm nose that have nothing
Cat noses – should it be wet or dry? Read More »
One of the most heartfelt stories about a special bond between a dog and his owner is that of Hachiko, a Japanese Akita, and his owner, Eizaburo Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. A bronze statue of the dog stands near the Shibuya Station in Tokyo where the dog waited for Eizaburo every
Building a stronger bond with your dog by knowing him Read More »
Q: My cat is now 15 years old. Should I continue to have her vaccinated annually? She is an indoor cat and never has contact with other cats. A: Due to ever-improving nutrition and medication, thanks to the research and development of the food and pharmaceutical companies, cats are living to a much older age
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