Hillbilly biscuit thief Dear Patches, My owners decided that it was time for a new puppy and brought home the most out-of-control dog they could find. I call him Tornado because he runs through the house as if the devil is behind him and leaves a trail of devastation. Nothing is safe where Tornado goes. […]
Ask Patches: Hillbilly biscuit thief and No bell prize Read More »
Most of us love comfy food on a cold day – anything from a hearty stew to a delicious soup could make us feel cosy. So, why not jazz up your dog’s food on a cold day as well? He will love you for it, and you can curl up on the couch and chat
Comfy food for winter Read More »
Bothersome bees Dear Patches, Why are there so many annoying bees flying around the garden? Don’t they have anything better to do? Last week, I saw one of those buzzing insects flying from one flower to the next. I was curious, so I followed him. My doggy brain wanted to know what was so fascinating
Ask Patches: Bothersome bees and food rations Read More »
In the ideal world, we could take our pets to the office with us. We won’t have to worry about them being home alone or whether they are doing fine. And of course, we won’t miss them so much, we won’t have to hurry home and we will all be happy at the office. Or
Pets at the office – is it ideal for them? Read More »
We normally associate allergies with springtime, when there are plenty of pollen and grass seeds in the air and a variety of creepy critters come out of ‘hiding’, causing allergies for some of us. But we often forget how dry the air can be in some parts of South Africa in winter and that our
Allergies in colder temperatures Read More »
It can be daunting for a pet owner to clip their dog’s nails for the first time. But once you’ve mastered the steps, you and your dog will become accustomed to the routine and it should get easier each time. Some dogs need their nails clipped every one to two weeks, while others only need
5 steps to easy nail clipping Read More »
Q: How will physiotherapy help my dog heal after surgery? A: Occasionally, surgery is the only option for dogs suffering from musculoskeletal problems. It can be a stressful experience for both the client and the patient, and often involves weeks of special care and activity restriction. Just like human physiotherapists who assist people after surgery,
Q & A: Post-operative treatment Read More »
Prof Karolina Westlund said: “Play seems frivolous and not serious. It really isn’t. It may be the emotion that you should take the most seriously.” Social species (like dogs) have seven primal emotional systems in the brain; these systems ‘light up’ when the animal is experiencing certain emotions. Let’s talk about the Play system. This
The power of play, and the science behind it! Read More »
Crazy cat Dear Patches, I think our cat has lost her marbles and has gone totally crazy. Tinkerbell will play with her marbles on the kitchen floor, and then I’m not allowed to play with her. But when one of her marbles rolls underneath the fridge, she calls me to help her. She will then
Ask Patches: Crazy cat and Sleepy heads Read More »
As a responsible pet parent, it is extremely important to continuously teach your dog new things. This will not only stimulate his mind, but also prepare you and him for a variety of scenarios. If you want your training sessions to be successful, it is also important to make use of positive reinforcement and reward-based
Why positive reinforcement training is beneficial Read More »
Q: My old dog suffers from hip dysplasia, and mornings are really tough for him. Are there any exercises we can do with him that will help him? A: This is a painful condition which causes an instability in the hip joints, and often results in arthritis later on in the dog’s life. Most dogs
Q & A: Exercises for hip dysplasia Read More »
Sneaky cat Dear Patches, My doggy brain just cannot comprehend how our cat, Tenacious, operates. Sometimes, he sneaks up on me while I’m minding my own business – like peacefully chewing my toy – and then he pounces on me as if I’m giant prey. I get such a fright and then my heart starts
Ask Patches: sneaky cat and TV junkie Read More »
