Don’t you just love spring? There is a certain buzz in the air and so much going on around. We find ourselves woken up at the crack of dawn to the chirping and squawking outside our windows by all the birds. As we clean out our own nests and peel off our winter layers, we too prepare for spring

You will also notice a change of behaviour in your pets. As spring sets upon us, we need to pay extra attention and protect not only them, but our environment as well. If your pet isn’t de-sexed consider getting it done as soon as possible. Male cats in particular become very territorial and there is a lot of fighting going on in the neighbourhood as they compete for territory and for female cats that are in the area. It’s always good practice to keep cats inside (or in the garage) overnight, especially now. Try to let them out after dawn and bring them in before dusk. This is when they particularly like to hunt for our precious birds and wildlife. The same goes for dogs. Please keep them in a fenced area where they are not roaming the streets and threatening innocent passers by. Dogs are also a threat to our wildlife, more so during spring and summer. And last, but not least, your pets will be starting to shed their winter coats so they really need us to keep up daily brushing to help them along.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.

As we start to pull out our winter woollies and electric blankets let’s not forget that our pets feel the cold too and most of them will appreciate a little bit of protection from the cold as well.

For pets that sleep outside, an insulated doghouse is ideal to protect them from the wind and rain. Place it in a position where it faces away from any prevailing winds. If your pet sleeps in the garage or shed be sure to provide them with a bed that is kept off the cold concrete and in an area that is draught-free and dry. This is particularly important for those pets that suffer from arthritis. Give them an old blanket, towel or rug to snuggle up to (choose materials that can be easily washed). It is also important to ensure that you give very young pets extra warmth and protection.

For those pets that have a very short coat and not much body fat, coats are highly recommended. They will love you for it. You can buy woolly coats or rainproof coats which are great for walks in winter. Just be sure never to leave your pet in a wet coat for long periods of time. Also, if your pet gets wet, dry them off thoroughly.

Older cats should be kept inside during the cold nights. They tend to really like the “cubby-house” type beds that are fully enclosed to keep them cosy. In-door cats really enjoy sitting in a sunny spot during the day for some extra warmth. I think that winter is the perfect time to snuggle up to your pet. I know that my cat is better than a hot water bottle because he never goes cold on me.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.

Thank heaven for our pets. We love to be greeted by their purrs and wagging tails after a hard day at work. Life certainly wouldn’t be the same without them being around to comfort and relax us. No matter how much we take them for granted and don’t appreciate them, they are always there when we need them.

Pets are good for humans in many ways. Over the years much research has been done to show just how beneficial they are to our lives. Pet owners have better health and wellbeing and visit the doctor less than non-pet owners. They have lower blood pressure and sleep better. Pets and mobile farms are often used to visit patients in hospitals, particularly childrens hospitals because the animals put a smile on their faces and boost their self-esteem. Animals play such an important role in helping people to recover from illness.

Pets that are treated as part of the family can help to improve the quality of family life through fun and laughter. They also teach children to be caring and responsible and have a respect for life.

If you are a devoted pet owner I’m sure you would agree that they rank high on our priority list. They bring us back down to earth and remind us to enjoy nature, fresh air and the simple things in life.

We definitely have a lot to learn from our animal friends but I think the best thing that animals can teach humans is how to receive and give unconditional love.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.

Does your pet rule your household?
Does your pet barge in front of you when you walk through a doorway?
Does your pet lie in front of a doorway and make you step over them?
Does your dog push in to get a drink from the tap while you are using it?
Does your dog step all over your feet?

These are some of the signs that display dominant behaviour. Dogs in particular are social animals who normally live in groups or packs. They view their human families as their social group.

In every group there is a pecking order and the Alpha figure is the dominant one in the group. Your pet may think that he holds this dominant position. Chances are that you have taught them that this type of behaviour is acceptable without realising it.

All you need to do is bring them down a notch to let them know that you are the dominant one. If they barge in front of you, pull them back and make them sit or stay until you have walked through the doorway first. Make them get up and move if they are in your way. Make them wait their turn at the tap. Don’t let them walk all over you. The key is to make them be patient and wait their turn. Hopefully you will see a change in their attitude. They will show a little more respect for you which will make them easier to train.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov

It used to be thought that 1 dog’s year equalled 7 human years. It is now known that this is not terribly accurate as dogs and cats age at different rates compared to humans. Research has shown that the first year of a pet’s life is roughly equivalent to about 15 years for a human and 2 pet years are equal to about 23 human years. After that, each year for a pet is equivalent to four years. Confused? The table below can help you work out your pet’s age.

1 year = 15 people years
2 years = 23 people years
3 years = 27 people years
4 years = 31 people years
5 years = 35 people years
6 years = 39 people years
8 years = 47 people years
10 years = 56 people years
12 years = 65 people years
14 years = 75 people years
16 years = 86 people years
18 years = 98 people years

A dog’s average life span is about 12 years. Cat’s perhaps live a little longer on average. Breed can also make a difference. Some giant breeds will only live about 8-10 years, whereas others commonly live to 15 years old or more.

As an animal ages many of the normal organ functions gradually begin to decline, just as in humans. The eyes, ears, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys may start to function less optimally, possibly leading to significant medical problems. It is more difficult for older animals to fight infections and problems such as arthritis frequently set in. It is ideal for senior pet owners to catch problems early and seek veterinary advice.

We wish that our beloved pets could live forever and we dread the day they leave us. The main thing to remember is to love them and enjoy them every precious day that they spend with us.

Information supplied by Antech Diagnostics and Endeavour Hills Veterinary Hospital.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.

Those of us that share our lives with our furry, fluffy and fuzzy friends have probably accepted the fact that our home will never be hair-free again. Even forcing our pets to live outside doesn’t solve the problem completely because every time we pat them, play with them or pick them up, our hands and clothes tend to be covered in hair. Dogs that love car trips also leave behind shedded hair on the car seats, which then makes its way onto our good clothing. And as much as we love our cats, we don’t want them to rub up against us when we’re nicely dressed and on our way out the door. Those generous pet owners that suffer from allergies due to animal hair getting up their noses have given up easy breathing and clear nostrils forever!

Shedding is normal for our pets, even the short-haired ones. Though most of them shed their winter coats in Spring/Summer, some can shed all year round. Daily brushing is essential! When curly haired and fluffy pets shed hair it tends to remain in their coat and become tangled and matted if it isn’t removed. Metal combs are great for removing this dead hair because they penetrate down to the skin. This means less fur for your cats to swallow when they clean themselves. There is a large range of brushes and combs on the market these days.

Keep a set of ‘play clothes’ in the laundry to change into when you go out for a play session with your dog or a snuggle with your cat. This will also protect you from the dribblers, droolers and slobberers of the family.

Adhesive lint rollers are an effective way to lift pet hair from your clothes, car seats and furniture. Keep one in the car or at work for those last minute tidy ups.

Remember to love your pets.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.

Most of us have heard of, or know of a pet that has been sick or died from a Paralysis Tick. In some parts of Australia Paralysis Ticks are common not only in the warmer months but all year round. They are deadly to both dogs and cats.

The best way to prevent our precious pets from ticks is to check their entire body every day, or at least every second day. Take time out and make it a routine, it only takes a few minutes. A good time is when your pet is calm or relaxing beside you. Run your fingers through the fur and feel for any lumps on the skin. Because ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide, the most common areas to attach themselves are the head, neck, ears and chest. However, ticks can be anywhere on the body and can even sneak in between the toes. Gently poke your index finger in between each toe to feel for lumps there. If your pet is uncomfortable at first, do it in stages or give them a little treat for being so good. This process is a great way to bond with your pet and build trust.

If you find a tick, remove it by grabbing it with your fingernails as close to the skin as possible and plucking it out. You can also use a pair of tweezers or purchase a tick remover from your local vet or pet shop.

Frontline have a range of products which can help in the prevention of ticks. Proban tablets are good for cats because they go a long way for the price. These products also help the prevention of fleas. Check with your vet or pet shop to find out which product is best for your pet.

Signs of severe tick paralysis are staggering in the hind legs, vomiting or difficulty breathing. If you notice these symptoms contact your vet immediately for advice and take your pet in for treatment. Do not wait till morning because it may be too late.

Remember to love your pets.

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov

Is your cat destroying your couch, rugs and other furniture around the house? It is natural for a cat to scratch so unfortunately this is a behaviour that your cat will not grow out of, or eventually stop doing one day. Cats’ claws grow continuously so they need to scratch to file them down. It is also a way of marking their territory and stretching their muscles.

Cats tend to scratch and claw after they have woken up from a nap so it is ideal to place scratching posts in these areas of the house. If you don’t want to buy scratching posts, you can make your own by wrapping carpet or sisal around a piece of wood or by using a log. If you don’t mind what your interior decorating looks like, another alternative is to strap a strong piece of bark to a table leg. Whatever you decide to use, make sure that it is stable and won’t topple over onto your cat. Make the scratching post positive and enticing by tying your cats’ favourite toy to it or by rubbing catnip leaves onto it. You can also play with your cat and feed it beside the post for a while.

If your cat refuses to give up its old scratching spot try placing aluminium foil, plastic or double sided tape in that area. For another option, water pistols or spray bottles are quite effective too (no super soakers please!). It is vital that you catch them in the act and squirt them with water while they are scratching in the undesirable area. If possible, try to hide so they don’t associate you with the water pistol otherwise they will continue to do this while you are not around.

Cats CAN be trained. They may not be as eager to please us as dogs are and may seem a lot more stubborn, but it’s up to us to be persistent. Having a good relationship with your cat (one where there is mutual respect) will help. The key to training any animal is to be consistent and patient. Believe me, the time you spend really will pay off!

This article was written by Natasha Rodionov.