Dog talk

Is too much fat bad for our pets?

What we call ‘fat’ is medically referred to as ‘white adipose tissue’, but until recently we thought fat stored excess energy and just made your pet ‘big’. The idea was that fat was physiologically inert. But then scientists discovered that fat plays an enormous role in the body as producer of hormones and inflammatory agents.

Is too much fat bad for our pets? Read More »

Why do dogs chew rocks?

When an animal eats or chews something that is not food, we call it ‘pica’. It is often a deficiency of a specific nutrient, but it can also be an obsessive compulsive disorder or due to curiosity or boredom. The consumption of sand or rocks is called geophagia and is often because of a deficiency

Why do dogs chew rocks? Read More »

Pet food guide

In 2011, South African pet owners were struck with fear when at least 12 dogs died of aflatoxicosis after eating contaminated pet food. Serious incidents like these raise questions about the safety of pet food and how companies test their products. Why testing is important The choice of pet food is a personal one. You

Pet food guide Read More »

The Golden Retriever

A charming character combined with great loyalty makes the Golden Retriever an excellent companion for children. This trustworthy dog loves the outdoors and an active lifestyle. He’ll gladly retrieve anything you throw for him and he just loves the water too. A highly intelligent breed, the Golden responds very well to training. Avoid starting strenuous

The Golden Retriever Read More »

Annual Vaccinations

Should all dogs and cats receive booster vaccinations every year for their whole lives? I have heard people talking about so-called titre tests that vets can do to determine if a pet really needs a booster vaccination. Are these readily available in SA and what are the logistics involved? Puppies Puppies need to be vaccinated

Annual Vaccinations Read More »