Tabla de contenidos para October 2015 en Pets

ATTENTION ALL PET LOVERS! Tell us why you love your furry, fluffy, feathered, slippery, scaly or slimy friend for your chance to win a cool prize. CONGRATULATIONS, CLAIRE! You have won a 12-issue subscription to PETS magazine. This means you’ll have every issue of PETS delivered to your door, free of charge for the next year, keeping you up-to-date with all the latest and greatest pet-care information and advice. For more information, visit universalmagazines .com.au Congratulations again. We hope you enjoy your prize. I have a cute Crested guinea pig named Cheesecake. Let me tell you how he became mine. We went travelling around Australia for six months. I really wanted a guinea pig named Cheesecake. Then I found just the one. When it was near the end of our…

Paralysis ticks are the single most dangerous parasite for dogs on the eastern coast of Australia, with just one tick capable of causing paralysis and even death. They usually live in bushy coastal areas and are most prevalent from spring to autumn but, worryingly for pet owners, in some areas, they may occur at any time of year. The paralysis tick causes paralysis in a variety of forms but typically starts with weakness of the rear legs and a wobbly walk, progressing to total paralysis of all four legs and death due to paralysis of the muscles that enable breathing. Other early symptoms include the appearance that the dog has something stuck in its throat (gurgling), vomiting or heavy, loud breathing and not being able to bark properly. Paralysis ticks…

INTRODUCING A NEW PET Q: Hi Kate. We have two hand-reared cockatiels that live inside the house with us. We want to buy a new puppy and a kitten — do you have any advice? Should we space out the timing of the new arrivals, or do you think they’ll get on better if we bring them in all at once? Shirley, WA A: Hello Shirley. It’s great that you are already thinking about how to introduce your cockatiels to a new puppy and kitten. Companion birds like a predictable routine and often experience fear and stress with the introduction of new pets. I don’t think it really matters if you space out the introductions or not. The most important thing is that you create a positive association between all…

If a little bling is your thing, and you love the idea of an easy-care pet, you can’t go past a Fighting Fish. Siamese Fighting Fish originally came from South East Asia, where you still might find them lazily floating along in streams (or even mud puddles), their long, flowing fins gliding through the water. Queensland Federation of Aquarium Societies president, Steve Baines, describes Siamese Fighting Fish as laid-back and just a little bit inquisitive. “They are a sedentary fish. They’ll casually cruise around the fish bowl but once they recognise you, they’ll swim on over.” FEISTY FISH Male Fighting Fish can get a bit cranky at times though, particularly when they are face to face with another male. In fact, that’s how they earned their colourful name. Males will…

For many pet groomers, representing their country in the European Grooming Association (EGA) World Teams Championships is like competing in the Olympics. In October, five of Australia’s top dog groomers will have the chance to compete in Milan, Italy, against nearly 20 countries from around the globe for international grooming honours. Winning the international title would be the pinnacle of their career. Formed in 2008, Groom Team Australia is the official national team representing Australia at international dog grooming contests. It is self-funded and relies on event fundraising, sponsorship and donations. This year will be Groom Team Australia’s fourth time at the EGA World Team Championships, held on October 24 and 25. Representatives on this year’s Groom Team Australia are groomers Melanie Newman from Spa Bark in Victoria, Sharon Hall…

The Asiatic black bear, or moon bear, is a big and beautiful creature. With a black glossy coat, this bear is easily distinguishable by the white patch on its chest, often in the shape of a V . Yet it seems good looks aren’t enough to save this bear from hunting. Sadly, it’s estimated that the Asiatic black bear’s population has declined 30 per cent in the last 30 years, all due to the healing properties of bear bile. This substance has resulted in mass hunting of this beautiful creature. “Bear bile contains high levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) known to be useful for treating liver and gall bladder conditions. Although bear bile has been used in traditional medicines for thousands of years, bear farming as an…

It’s a sight and sound familiar to every cat owner: the gagging, retching and all-round grossness of your feline friend coughing up a big hairball or furball. Not only is it enough to turn your stomach, but cats always seem to start vomiting in the worst possible places. But what causes furballs in our cats and how common are they? Could they be a symptom of a more serious health problem? To find out, PETS asked Dr Kim Kendall from the Chatswood Cat Palace for the best advice on how to deal with this hairy problem. WHAT CAUSES THEM? “When cats lick their coats (and other things), their tongue ‘barbs’ pull the hair into their mouths and they swallow it,” Dr Kim explains. “Cats who eat rats and mice also…

Obesity is a problem for many humans in Australia, but when it comes to our pets, we can sometimes turn a blind eye. Sadly, though, this can result in major health complications for your pet, meaning keeping an eye on your cat’s waistline is definitely a good idea. “Assuming you see your cat day in day out, it can be difficult to notice subtle weight gains” Dr James Crowley, a Sydney-based small animal veterinarian, says. “Regular weigh-ins are important for tracking your cat’s weight.” As well as weighing your pet to monitor any changes in body weight and condition, you can also do a more physical check. As a general rule, you want to be able to feel your cat’s ribs and vertebrae (“backbone”) but not see them. If you…

WRITE TO PETS! Do you have an amazing pet story or a hilarious animal joke to share? How about some feedback on one of our articles? Or did you recently get a new pet? PETS would love to hear from each and every one of you (and your furry buddies). Drop us a line at Paws for thought/PETS, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670 or email pets@universalmagazines.com.au with “Paws for thought” as the subject heading. Letters, poems, photos, collages and drawings are also welcome. Be as creative as you like! GET ME A GREYHOUND Hi PETS, I love your magazine! I try to buy it every month but sometimes I can’t as my local newsagent doesn’t always have your magazine. I was wondering if you are able to do…

KITTY KONG The team at KONG have done it again, this time creating the ultimate boredom buster for our feline friends! The Kitty KONG is a toy and treat dispenser that will stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts and play on its curiosity too. Simply load the KONG with some catnip, your cat’s favourite dry kibble or even a special toy. Then it’s just a matter of handing the KONG over and letting your kitty bat, roll and bounce the KONG to its heart’s content in an effort to retrieve the goodies inside! For more information, visit kongcompany.com. PETS has 10 Kitty KONGs to give away. YOURS DROOLLY NO MORE STAINS + ODOURS If you’re looking for a cleaning product that will get rid of those tough stains and take…

You’ve probably heard of anaemia — or a low red blood cell count — in people. But it’s a condition that can pose challenges for pets, too, especially when the cause of anaemia is not apparent. Internal medicine specialist Dr John Angles from the Animal Referral Hospital in Canberra sees several cases of canine anaemia every week at the 24-hour emergency hospital. “Anaemia is a condition in dogs that needs to be taken seriously. But once we understand the cause and develop a course of treatment, many cases can be successfully managed ” he says. Anaemia refers to a reduced number of red blood cells in the body. It is not a disease itself but rather a result of another disease process or condition. The red blood cells carry oxygen…

Direct descendants of the small toy Spaniels seen in many pictures from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a rich heritage interwoven with royalty. Toy Spaniels were deeply favoured by the court ladies of the United Kingdom and it has been reported that King Charles II was often seen with his Spaniels by his side. Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniels received their name because they were bred in a strain of red and white at the Blenheim Palace by the Dukes of Marlborough. Dogs were bred with a shorter face in following years to bring about the shorter flat face of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that we know today. Regal by name and royal in nature, this beautiful breed comes in a variety…

With their incredibly woolly coats, there’s no mistaking an Angora Rabbit! This unique breed demands a level of commitment from their owner that goes above and beyond what one would expect from any other rabbit — and it’s all because of that signature hairdo. A ROYAL BEGINNING Despite looking like a very specialised breed, the Angora is in fact one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in the region historically known as Angora, Ankara, in present day Turkey. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid-18th century and their popularity among the elite spread to other parts of Europe throughout the time. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, however, that they made it to the United States and, eventually, other parts of the world.…

1. START EARLY Setting up a good diet regime from a young age is essential to ensure your cat has the best start to life. “Kittens should be fed a nutritionally balanced diet with the correct amount of protein and calories to satisfy their energy requirements for growth,” Dr James Crowley, a Sydney-based small animal veterinarian, says. “A high quality dry kibble should form the majority of the diet, but exposing your young cat to a small amount of canned food, raw mince and the occasional treat is encouraged.” It’s also important to encourage variety at a young age to avoid your cat refusing to eat anything other than the one flavour and brand later on in life. Introducing new foods should be done gradually, with small portions of the…