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 »
It is a personal preference whether you allow your dog on the bed or not. But think about reinforcement for a second – sleeping on the bed is comfortable, it smells like his people, he’s close to his people, perhaps he gets cuddles on the bed too. Sleeping in his own bed simply does not
Teaching dog to sleep in his own bed Read More »
Medical doctors are quick to point out that obesity in humans is unhealthy and serious. They follow their narrative with a myriad of diseases, conditions and added risks for those carrying excess weight. The risks are real. The diseases can be deadly. Whether we heed the advice or not, is up to us… While many
The risks of obesity in pets Read More »
Holiday nightmare Dear Patches, What’s more interesting than finding travel bags on the bed? Getting inside and scrambling, kneading and unpacking the neatly folded clothing inside. I make sure that the softer fabrics are in one corner, knead the T-shirts into one heap and create a soft pillow for my kitty head. When Mom comes
Ask Patches: holiday nightmare and muddy games Read More »
Not much is as comforting as getting into bed at the end of the day or even taking a nap during the day. Most dogs share the same sentiment and love curling up in their beds for a relaxing snooze. But are you aware that the same comforting bed and bedding can cause your dog
What’s hiding in your dog’s bed? Read More »
Animaltalk Magazine.
