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 »
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 »
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 »
Many dogs love to dig for various reasons. Some do it to find a cool spot to lie in; others are digging to unearth prey like moles, for example; others may just dig for fun. If they are digging as a predatory behaviour, the only way to stop that would be to get rid of
Why do some dogs dig holes? Read More »
Q: What is the best way to get pets to take medicine at home? A: This will depend on the medication type and formulation. Most pets will take tablets with ease if you place them in a tasty treat like a piece of chicken, cheese or a vienna. I find that fish paste also works
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Every festive season, we read about and hear heart-breaking stories of pets being neglected, forgotten and forsaken. Let’s all work together to reduce the likelihood of it happening this year. Below are some tips from the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) for responsible pet ownership during the festive season. When leaving your pet at home
What all pet owners should think about over the festive season Read More »
Resource guarding is a natural behaviour and is necessary for survival in any species, including humans. If we didn’t guard our resources, we wouldn’t survive. Dogs may resource guard their food, food bowls, bones, toys, beds, furniture and even people. None of these are unusual. That said, resource guarding can escalate, become extreme and dangerous,
When is a dog’s resource guarding unacceptable? Read More »
After almost two years of being in and out of various levels of lockdown, and a time of feeling very serious, it’s time to let down your hair and have some fun with your pet. The objective is to laugh and enjoy yourself – create moments when you’re sure your pet is enjoying himself just
How to bring some fun back into your lives Read More »
In recent times, new concepts from human medical science have been utilised in research on animals, to help improve the overall health of our pets. Here, we discuss how mental health in animals can impact their physical health – one of the new concepts being developed in modern-day veterinary medicine. How pet owners’ mental health
The link between mental and physical health in animals Read More »
Q: How do I deal with male-on-male aggression in dogs? A: While conflict is more likely to occur between dogs of the same gender, it’s more of a contributing factor than an ultimate cause or trigger. Inter-dog conflict can be incredibly complex and may span from mild tension and growling to full-blown fights in which
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One of the most exciting parts about getting a new puppy, is choosing his name. There are so many cute names out there, and although deciding on one is fun, it also requires careful consideration to choose the ideal name. He will, after all, have this name for the rest of his life, and you
10 tips for naming your fur-baby Read More »
Have you ever wondered why dogs bark? Causes for a dog to bark can include alerting 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, it is quite acceptable when a dog barks at an intruder or at
