Table of contents for Issue#65 2017 in Pets

Hi PETS readers, I am so excited for this to be my first issue while the lovely Lauren is on maternity leave, as the theme is one that’s very close to my heart: old love. Three years ago, I lost my beautiful Maltese cross Shih Tzu, Pip. He was 14 years old and passed away peacefully during the night by my bedside. He suffered from a condition called Cushing’s disease, which is when the body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. The disease is very common in older dogs but there are treatments available and Pip was able to live a few extra years thanks to the support of our vet. But about a year later when the dust settled and the pitter-patter of four feet walking in succession…

Hannah loves Bindi as she is “soft and super playful.” Andrea says her Kaiser keeps her well exercised. What a gorgeous dog. Daisy, Cassie and Chase love their treats, toys, walks and cuddles. Corina’s Alice is a rescue dog that thinks she is a princess. Leila’s stepmother sent in this lovely pic of Leila’s dog, Pepper, who loves to play basketball with Leila! What a talented and beautiful dog. Our hearts melted at this gorgeous pic of Taylah’s Arlo sleeping with a soft toy. Lauren’s dog Buddy is just so playful and adorable! Rambo keeps Corina on her toes — she says he is naughty but very cute, which we have to agree with! Dale’s Buddy is always getting up to mischief! He loves dressing up for the camera —…

ARTHRITIS ADVICE FOR OUR OLDER FELINE FRIENDS Arthritis is a common issue in older cats that causes sore joints and general aches and pains. Signs that your cat may be suffering from arthritis include reduced activity and play or difficulty climbing stairs. To improve your cat’s comfort, ensure they have a warm, cosy place to sleep, as plenty of bedding will help protect any sore joints. Place a water bowl close by so your cat has easy access. An important aspect of managing arthritis in your cat is making sure they maintain a healthy weight, putting overweight cats on a diet if necessary. Cat Protection recommends consulting your vet about the variety of excellent veterinary treatments available to help minimise pain and improve movement. For more information, visit catprotection.org.au Treat…

Death is a fact of life. Just as we die, so do our pets. The loss is heartbreaking regardless of how long the pet has been in your life. Jen Regan’s British Shorthair kitten, Barbara, was only six months old when she fell ill and had to be euthanised on Christmas Day. “Her life was so short that it was even harder to say goodbye,” Jen says. The trauma of losing Barbara in such a tragic way, on that day of all days, is still being felt by her family five years later. We build incredible bonds with our pets and when they die, we are devastated by feelings of overwhelming grief and sadness. Every pet owner’s experience of death is different, but there are certain things we all must…

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a dog or cat person, we all want to be able to give our pets the best possible care. That’s why taking out pet insurance was one of the first things Jen McDermott did when she got her 10-week-old Pug, Frank. “It was always important to me that I was never in a situation where I couldn’t afford to save his life,” Jen says, and her investment in pet insurance has definitely been worth it. “Frank has had two surgeries, five years apart, to remove obstructions from his stomach. Each surgery was an emergency and required to save his life. They both also required extended stays for him in the vet hospital and cost over $3000 a piece,” Jen explains. “While I would rather he…

BAM BAM THE RUBBER Q: Hi Dr Jo, My six-year-old Staffy, Bam Bam, does something very weird — he’ll walk under a bush in slow motion. This sounds weird, so let me explain. It has to be a tree or bush that has a low-hanging branch around the height of his back. If he finds it, he will then walk through it so the leaves touch his back, very, very slowly. We bought a fake plant to see if he would do this at home, and he does, slowly doing laps around this tree for ages at a time. Is there a reason he’s doing this? The leaves would be touching him so lightly, I doubt it could be that pleasurable. Although obviously he enjoys it, since he’s doing it…

Elegant. Sweet. Fast. These three words could all be used to describe the Whippet, a breed of dog that suits many different people and lifestyles. The Whippet was first bred in the late 18th century, with the purpose of achieving a sighthound that had the strong Greyhound-like desire to chase, making the breed perfect for hunting down rats and other vermin. They were referred to as the poor man’s Greyhound and became very popular with Welsh miners. Of course, the Whippet we know today has long since evolved and now makes a loving family pet popular the world over — although the Whippet can still move fast when it needs to, as breeder Margot Quinn from Karnabay Whippets points out. “They’re pretty fast,” she says. “At the dog park, a…

1. Entry into the competition implies full acceptance of all conditions of entry, including the instructions on how to enter. 2. Entry is open to all residents of Australia and New Zealand. Employees and immediate families of the promoter, associated companies and agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible to enter. 3. Entries close with last mail and email on April 7, 2017, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected on April 21, 2017. The winners will be notified by mail, email or telephone. 4. Write the competition name on the front of the envelope and send to PETS magazine, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670 or enter via our website at petsmagazine.com.au 5. Prize(s) will be delivered…

APRIL 6-19 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW Homebush, NSW The biggest royal show in Australia has to be the Sydney Royal Easter Show. First held in 1823, the Sydney Royal has continued to house the finest animals and produce for delighted families from all across the nation. This year, we’re looking forward to the Baby Puppy Competition for two main reasons: 1. Babies! 2. Puppies! Apparently, pups aged between three and six months will strut their stuff in the ring, competing for a prize. How can it get any cuter than that? Of course, there’s a serious side to the show, too. The cat, dog and horse competitions are all run by industry professionals. Witness some of the best in breeds and skill levels as entrants are pitted against each other…

ARCHIE — NO ORDINARY SLOTH Author and illustrator: Heath McKenzie Publisher: The Five Mile Press RRP: $19.95 Available: Now, from all good bookstores There is something so charming about the cover of Archie — No Ordinary Sloth. We couldn’t resist opening up the pages to take a look inside! Of course, we weren’t disappointed. Heath McKenzie is a best-selling freelance illustrator and designer, and his skills are absolutely on show here in this gorgeous publication. Not only is his artwork stunning but the content is strong, too. Archie — No Ordinary Sloth tells the story of Archie, the sloth that just isn’t as lazy as his other sloth friends. When these friends get put in danger, will Archie’s fast-paced ways be enough to save them all? This book teaches children…

Sometimes there’s nothing more reinvigorating and therapeutic than a good massage. You can lie down and relax while a pair of expert hands knead, poke, prod and manipulate the stiffness, pain and stress out of your body. Whether you have a specific injury or you’re just feeling tired or anxious, a massage can help your aching muscles feel young and new again. But did you know that our four-legged friends can also benefit from regular sessions on the massage table? You can book your pet in for treatment with an animal massage practitioner to help relieve pain and tension, improve their range of movement and enhance their overall health and wellbeing. It’s most commonly associated with dogs, but cats can also enjoy a soothing, therapeutic massage. “Massage offers many benefits…

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! R BEAUTIFUL BUNNIES Hi PETS, I’ m a very big fan of your magazines. I have three rabbits, Ashlyn, Sasha and Fizz. They are all girls. In the picture is my bunny Ash. All my rabbits are one year…

Do you love your pet? Tell us a warm and fuzzy tale about the special bond you share with your best pal for a chance to win a really cool prize. TO ENTER: All you have to do is tell us in 400 words or less why your pet is so special and include a few clear, sharp photographs (1MB or larger) of your friend. Please also include your contact number and mailing address. Send your entries to Pet Tales/PETS, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670 or email your entries to pets@universalmagazines.com.au Please read the terms and conditions on page 97 before entering. Good luck!…

HORSE OF THE HILLS We love a good book about animals, and Imogen Reeves’ Horse of the Hills is no exception. What does make this book truly special, however, in our opinion, is that Imogen wrote it when she was in year six, making her one of the youngest authors we’ve had the pleasure of featuring within the magazine. Horse of the Hills tells the story of Elissa, a young girl who dreams of one day becoming a horse whisperer, and what happens when she spots a beautiful white horse cantering through the countryside. Is this her chance to make her horse whispering dreams come true? Horse of the Hills is available now via all good online retailers, including Amazon and Booktopia. PETS has three copies of Horse of the…

Our pets thrive on regular playtime — it encourages them to get active and offers a mental workout. Interactive play sessions with you are also a fantastic way to enhance the special bond you share with your furry friend — the more time you spend together, the more fun you will both have and the more relaxed your pet will be as a result of the extra activity. Be sure to change your games and toys around regularly to keep your pet keen and mentally challenged. The KONG Company is constantly adding new play toys to its vast range, all designed to keep your pet active and entertained. Here are some of my new favourites to hit our pet stores. DOG TOYS The KONG Gyro is a fun, new toy…

LOOKING FOR A NEW PET BUT NOT SURE WHAT TO GET? Whether you’re after something furry, fuzzy, slippery, scaly or slimy, PETS takes the hard work out of choosing your new family member. KIDS AND PETS Most of the critters we feature are family-friendly, though it’s important to remember children should be supervised when playing with any animal, whether it’s a dog, cat, bird, bunny or reptile. Keep an eye out for our “At a glance” boxes, where we rate the care and maintenance, grooming and exercise requirements of different breeds and creatures on a scale from one to five:…

The Somali is an active, though not exuberant, breed of cat, with a mild, even temperament. It is far calmer than its cousin, the Abyssinian. The breed’s playful nature and willingness to be around other cats make it a good choice for families. Breeder and Somali owner Debbie Thomas says they enjoy the company of children and, while they do demand attention, they are less possessive than the Abyssinian. According to Debbie, the Somali is extremely devoted, loyal and loving to its humans. If you’re not at home a lot during the day, it may be wise to acquire your Somali as a pair — as they are very playful, they will get bored and unhappy without constant companionship or activity, which is why Debbie leaves a radio on for…

Looking for a low-maintenance housemate that doesn’t require a lot in the way of room, doesn’t smell or make a lot of noise, or demand constant attention? If so, the Bearded Dragon may be the pet for you. Be warned, they are initially cost intensive as proper housing is key to their continued good health. You’ll need a specialist tank and lighting. However, once you get yourself all set up, the cost and physical maintenance is minimal, though you will need to clean out any faeces or shed skin, and change your Bearded Dragon’s water daily. BREEDS There are three types of Bearded Dragons commonly kept in Australia: the Eastern, the Pygmy and the Central Bearded Dragon. All three are fairly docile breeds, particularly the Centralian and Pygmy — though…