Table of contents for Issue#66 2017 in Pets

Pets|Issue#66 2017

from the editors

Hi PETS readers, Welcome to our annual Easter/Small Animal issue. As an absolute animal lover, I’ve owned (and befriended) a number of different species throughout my lifetime, from cats and dogs to birds and rabbits, all of which have made great companions in their own unique ways. We all know the special bonds we can form with pets such as cats and dogs, but humans can form innate relationships with all kinds of animals, big and small (search for Christian the lion and cuddly rats on YouTube and feel your heart melt into absolute mush). Every animal possesses its own unique traits, which makes each relationship beautiful and rewarding in its own way. For example Gogo, the family cockatiel we had when I was young, would squawk with excitement when…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

MY pet

This photo of Allyson’s Percy enjoying the warmer weather is just stunning. We wish we could cuddle up right alongside him! Scarlett adores her two guinea pigs, Nutmeg and Ginger, because they are very affectionate and just love to hang out. Dale’s dog Buddy is super sweet and makes him smile, even when he feels down. What a paw-some pet! We love this pic of Inara and her cat, Kitt. What a gorgeous photo! Alana and Wendy’s Paris is seen here catching up on some quality reading. Thanks for sharing the pic! Luna’s Zahlia has been her best friend since the day they met. How sweet! When it gets cold, Campbell’s Billy loves being wrapped up in blankets. We love Nicole’s pic of the gorgeous one-eyed Tinky, the Chihuahua with…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

pet NEWS

MILLION PAWS WALK Dust off your sneakers and mark your calendar as the annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk takes place on Sunday, May 21. Whether you get around on two feet or four paws, the Million Paws Walk is entertaining for all. Not only will you enjoy a lively day filled with fun, food and festivities, you’ll also be raising money to help the RSPCA care for the thousands of animals that come into the organisation’s shelters each year. There are walks taking place all around Australia and the PETS team is definitely excited to support the cause on all fours! Get in quick and sign up to be part of the most paw-some event of the year. For more information and to get involved, visit millionpawswalk.com.au Treating kitty this…

9 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Bunny boot camp

Elle-May Michael knows there’s more to being a bunny parent than supplying carrots and grass. ObiWan, one of her house bunnies, has learnt to respond to commands such as “up” (he jumps up onto something), “spin” (he spins around in circles) and “around” (he runs around her legs). Elle-May taught ObiWan using a simple clicker trainer and rewards. “He picked it all up pretty quickly (mostly spin) and even though we did most of the training a few years ago, he still remembers it,” she says. ObiWan, a rescue bunny, has his own blog (houseboundbunnylife.com) and Elle-May keeps him in her home full-time without an enclosure. “[Bunnies are] too smart and sensitive for caged life,” she says. Indeed, there’s a whole world out there of rabbit parents enjoying a variety…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Burrowing bunnies

All the experts agree: you simply can’t stop a rabbit from digging. Veterinarian from Greencross Vets Dr Dharsh explains that one of the main reasons rabbits dig holes is because they’ve inherited the instinct. “One of the primary reasons is a natural instinct that has been passed down through the species, transcending from ancestral English hares,” the vet says. According to Dr Dharsh, as rabbits are prey animals, they dig holes to hide food, create a safe space or sometimes to nest. “Female rabbits are sometimes driven to dig holes either to nest when pregnant, or even with a false pregnancy.” Wendy Parsons has had pet rabbits for many years and says the reason rabbits dig is quite simple. “They naturally live in burrows, and burrows have to be excavated.…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

THREAT TO HIMSELF

As a dog owner, you’ve probably had a few encounters with threatening or antisocial canines. You know the type: the minute you step into the dog park, they accost you with unbridled energy and gnashing teeth and they pay your dog a little too much in-your-face attention. Or perhaps it’s your dog being a little too much to handle. Regardless of the scenario, aggressive dogs can be difficult to deal with. We want our dogs to thrive in social situations, but sometimes getting to that point means admitting we need help. So how do we help dogs that exhibit aggressive behaviours? NATURE OR NURTURE Environment plays an enormous part in a dog’s development, just as it does for humans. Trainer Brydie Charlesworth says the environments that foster bad behaviour in…

5 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Do cats always land on their feet?

There is no doubt you’ve heard a lot of myths and idiomatic expressions about cats: black cats are bad luck, cats have nine lives etc. One of the most common — that a cat always lands on its feet — is something we humans have been pondering for quite a while. Cats are certainly agile and graceful. They can walk along the thinnest edge without a wobble in sight, but can they fall from a great height, land unscathed and live to tell the tale? HISTORICALLY SPEAKING It’s believed that domesticated cats have been living among humans for millennia. Evidence supporting this came from an archaeological dig on the island of Cyprus, where a cat’s jawbone that was estimated to be more than 8000 years old was found. This suggests…

5 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

NAUGHTY OR nice

IN OR OUT? Q: Dear PETS, I have a Border Collie named Malta. Malta is seven years old. We recently adopted her from the RSPCA. I was wondering, when we’re not home, should we be leaving Malta inside or outside the house? Our yard is secure, but surely she’d be more comfortable inside, especially after being at the shelter? Are there any problems either way that you’ve come across? Lisa, via email A: Hello Lisa, Wow, lucky Malta! It’s so lovely that you adopted a dog needing a home. In general, most dogs prefer to have access to inside the house when home alone, especially in winter when it’s cold and wet. Allowing a dog access to the house can also help reduce the chances that Malta will develop separation…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

HOME-GROWN HERO

Vivacious, intelligent and somewhat mischievous, the Australian Silky Terrier dates back to the 19th century when it was known simply as a Rough or Broken-Coated Terrier. The breed is the result of crosses between various larger British terriers including Paisley/ Clydesdale (now extinct), Dandie Dinmont and Skye Terriers, and later with the Yorkshire Terrier, which contributed to the silky coat and small size of the Australian Silky Terrier that we see today. Due to the prominence of the breed in Sydney, it was originally also known as the “Sydney Silky”. However, Victorian and Tasmanian breeders also laid claim to the origins of the breed so, in 1956, the official name, Australian Silky Terrier, was adopted. BRAVE AND ASSERTIVE Full of energy, the Australian Silky Terrier isn’t your typical lap dog…

3 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

A ROGUISH RODENT

Domesticated rats are very different to the ones you might find ferreting around in rubbish bins in the city, or the bush rats that climb on your roof if you live in the country. These much-maligned small mammals do in fact make wonderful pets. Just ask breeder Yvette Mackail from Carawatha Rodents, who has been breeding them for nearly 30 years. “They have all the good qualities of a cat and dog rolled into one,” she says. One of Yvette’s rats, Rosie, has a very special place in her heart. “She is so affectionate, she wants to be with you all the time,”Yvette says. “After we’d just trained her to come when called, we couldn’t find her and called out to her, then we heard this ‘plop, plop, plop’, and…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

CRITTER CALENDAR

APRIL 16 EASTER Everywhere It’s hard to believe that Easter is nearly here. It feels like just yesterday we were opening Christmas presents and now we’re gearing up for the big bunny’s arrival and with it a whole heap of choc goodies. While Easter does bring a lot of fun and games, one thing we should never joke about is chocolate and our pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, a bitter component that is toxic to dogs and cats and can prove fatal if ingested in certain quantities. PETS recommends keeping your sweet snacks well out of the way of your furry friends (if you’re not eating it straight away, that is. Chocolate for breakfast, anyone?). APRIL 28-30 ROYAL BATHURST SHOW Bathurst, NSW The Royal Bathurst Show is on again, and we…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

TALENTED NELLIE

Hi, I am Scarlett and this is a true story about my pet Nellie. Nellie is almost two years old, nearly 14 in dog years. I have always wanted a puppy and got one for my birthday last year. We also have two cats, Enkei and Nina, who she adores and licks, and they’re used to it now. Nellie is very friendly to other dogs and loves people. Nellie loves a run so much that when we say the word “park”, she will go and pick up her lead in her mouth. When we take her to the beach for a run she loves to swim, but she doesn’t like to swim in pools.She’s so cute, she created her own way to talk to us. When she whimpers, she needs…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

roaring REVIEWS BOOKS

WORKING DOGS Publisher: Macmillan Australia RRP: $29.99 Available: Now, from all good bookstores There’s something majestic and spirited about a working dog. The wisdom behind those soulful eyes can touch the hardest heart, and that’s no doubt what publisher Macmillan Australia was counting on with Working Dogs, a collection of images of some of the most remarkable dogs in our communities and on our farms. This hardcover coffee-table publication showcases more than 300 beautiful photos of the canines that play a big part in the Australian rural scene. From Kelpies and Collies to Heelers and many crossbreeds in between, Working Dogs shows canines at play, with their owners, riding tractors and utes and, of course, doing what they love to do best: working. These photos were sent in from both…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Training day

When someone tells you they’ve been training their pet, you’ll most likely assume they’re talking about a dog or, at a stretch, perhaps a cat. But you might be surprised to learn that it’s actually possible to train some of the smallest, cutest pets around: cavies. That’s right, from fetching objects to using a litter box, you can train your guinea pig to perform a wide range of tricks and tasks. “I believe most guinea pigs can be trained,” Steph Smith, vice president of the Capital Country Cavy Club and breeder and shower of pedigree cavies at Kaldari Cavy Stud, says. “They definitely recognise your voice as well as certain noises that they associate with food — my guinea pigs start ‘wheeking’ when they hear plastic bags rustle.” Steph is…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

PORTENTS OF PAIN

It’s sometimes said that one of the best things about dogs is that they don’t talk back. While this undoubtedly has its benefits, there are some situations when life would be a whole lot easier if our furry friends could just sit down and tell us exactly how they’re feeling. A perfect example of this is when a dog is in pain. As an owner, you always want to give your pet the best possible care and take immediate action whenever something is wrong. But if your dog can’t tell you he’s hurting, how can you give him the help he needs? “It is not always easy to tell if a dog is in pain,” Dr Bronwen Slack, a veterinarian from PETstock, says. “Some signs of pain are easier to…

6 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

DOGGY DETECTIVES

When you consider that dogs have more than 250 million scent receptors in their noses, is it any wonder they can track down a leftover sandwich at the bottom of your school bag or a bone that was buried years ago in the garden? To put this into perspective, human noses contain roughly five million scent receptors. Tapping into your dog’s power of scent is a great way to let him use his natural instinct to hunt. “Anybody knows that all you have to do is drop a crumb and a dog will find it,” Marion Brand, certified Nose Work instructor, says. Marion, who runs the K9 Nose Work odour training games in Australia, says the scent work classes and events were inspired by professional sniffer dogs such as Beagles…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

KONG TIME

Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your family is always an exciting time — these cute bundles of fluff will keep you entertained for hours with their funny antics and playful curiosity. The more time you spend with them in those early days, the more you can guide them to play appropriately and help set up good play habits that will last a lifetime. KONG has a huge range of toys designed specially for puppies and kittens to nurture their curiosity and satisfy their urges for play. PUPPIES Puppies love to explore with their mouths and this can get them into all sorts of trouble when they chew or play with items that are dangerous or inappropriate (such as your favourite shoes!). You can guide your puppy to play…

2 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

creature FEATURES

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:…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

PURRSONALITY PLUS

There are few cat breeds as easily recognisable as the elegant and uniquely beautiful Siamese. With striking blue eyes and graceful, stealthy movements, the Siamese is one of the most distinctive — and one of the most popular — cat breeds in the world. For Sharryn Hilton, who runs Fullcircle Pure Siamese Cattery and is also secretary of the Siamese Cat Society of NSW, the breed’s beautiful looks are just one of the many things she loves about it. Ask her to name her favourite things about the Siamese and Sharryn could probably go on forever, but she nominates the breed’s “aristocracy and the utter disarming ways of their clown antics” as highlights. “They will almost insist on a note when you arrive home late — they will follow you…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

REAL MEAT DOG TREAT

PRIME100 JERKY TREATS Available in COLES stores throughout Australia Prime100 SPT™ Australian Jerky and Fillet varieties are a new treat for dogs and containing 100% premium cuts of real meat providing a rich single source of an advanced novel protein. All ingredients are sourced within Australia and contain no preservatives or fillers. PRIME100 FILLET TREATS Available in PETSTOCK stores throughout Australia Visit our website to see the complete range of Prime100 all Australian, all natural pet food products. www.prime100.com.au…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Pets LOVES

MEOW N WOOF MESSY PETS FOOD BOWL Created to help flat-faced breeds such as Persians and Pugs eat more and waste less food, the Meow n Woof Messy Pets food bowl is a product we’re definitely excited about. This bowl is perfect for anyone that has a pet with not-so-perfect table manners as it features a high rim, which enables animals to push the food against it and scoop it up, rather than push it over the edge. The Messy Pets bowl is also good for any pet with mouth or teeth problems, especially elderly animals that have trouble eating. Not only is it great for cat and dogs but it can also be used for small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits for green foods, as less ends…

2 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

Paws FOR thought

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! TRICK OR TRIO Hi PETS, I’m writing to tell you about my three weird, athletic and mysterious cats! My first cat, Archie, is a Scottish Fold and his tail is like a raccoon’s tail and he has tiny front…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

WIN A PAWSOME PRIZE PACK!

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!…

1 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

furry FREEBIES

RUBIK’S SPARK Have you ever spent hours puzzling over a Rubik’s Cube? Take your fascination with matching colours to a whole new level with Rubik’s Spark, an electronic version of the popular toy. Simply turn and tilt the cube to light up the LED display, with special sensors knowing when and where the lights are as you move the cube. How fun is that? Rubik’s Spark comes with six challenging games for you to get your head around. For more information, visit crownandandrews.com PETS has two Rubik’s Spark toys to give away. RAVERA RAGDOLLS CAT CARE PACKAGE Easter is just around the corner and some of us will be spending the long weekend away visiting family and friends. If you are planning to travel this Easter and are parent to a…

2 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

IS THE FERRET FOR YOU?

Ferrets are intelligent, loving and playful animals that make excellent pets for people who have plenty of time to devote to them — they don’t cope well with cages and need to be part of your daily life. A highly entertaining and funny creature that makes for a fab companion (you can even train them to be comfortable on a leash to take for walks), ferrets are curious, lightning fast and can get into just about anything, and any kind of mischief, so you’ll need to be prepared to supervise your critter with a closer-than-average eye. Ferrets have copped a bad rap in the past and part of this is because they are considered biters. However, while they can bite like any other animal with teeth, they can also be…

6 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

The heart of the matter

Your cool canine or fabulous feline is your best buddy. And you already know to feed him or her a healthy, well-balanced diet, make sure she gets enough exercise, is properly socialised and house trained. Being a responsible pet owner also involves regular vet checks and doing what you can to prevent harmful conditions that can impact on your pet’s health. One of those is heartworm, a potentially fatal disease that is largely preventable. Heartworm stops the heart from doing its job properly, which is to pump blood around the body and into and out of vital organs. Heartworms are skinny, spaghetti-like worms that attach to the inside wall of the heart in dogs, cats, dingoes and foxes. The worms can be up to a whopping 20-30cm in length and,…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

PRAISE VS . TREATS

There is little doubt that positive reinforcement is probably the most popular form of animal training in the world. Robert Dollwet, the trainer behind Didga and Boomer, YouTube stars with more than 51 million views to their names, is a staunch supporter of positive reinforcement. Over the last 34 years, it has served him very well: not only has he successfully trained countless dogs and cats, he has also used positive reinforcement to train animal actors in Hollywood. “It’s science based,” he says. “They’ve done extensive studies on how animals think and learn and what is best. I can assure you it’s much fairer and [more] fun for the animal than dominant training techniques.” So why does positive reinforcement work? It all boils down to rewards. Rewards are given to…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

ask YOUR vet

BEEFY BULLDOG Q: Hi Dr Jo, I have a four-year-old British Bulldog, Sam, and he is sadly a little overweight. My vet said I should take him for more walks but every time I put the lead on and we stand out the front of our house, Sam stops and refuses to go any further. Do you have any advice on what I can do to either get him moving or get him healthier another way? I don’t want to put his life in danger due to his size. Kyra, via email A: Hi Kyra, Bulldogs are one of my passions (along with brachycephalic breeds in general — squishy faced dogs, that is). They are prone to obesity and tend to spend every moment at our feet, generally persuading us…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

LOVING A LAB

The Labrador Retriever is thought to have developed from the Newfoundland. After catching the eye of travellers, thanks in part due to the dog’s keen sense of smell, ability to track down birds and speed, the Labrador was brought to the United Kingdom where the Earl of Malmesbury took a fancy to it, using it to hunt in the swamplands surrounding his estate. It was he who coined the name Labrador, and the Kennel Club in England made the breed official in 1903. Since then, the Labrador has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity. It is now one of the most common breeds in Australia today — and it’s not hard to see why. “They’re such beautiful dogs,” Selena Purcell from Chashtal Labradors says. Selena started breeding these delightful dogs…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

LOVABLE LOP

The Mini Lop looks a lot like its cousin, the Dwarf Lop, yet the difference is in its size. This pint-sized bunny only weighs on average 1.5kg, while the Dwarf Lop averages 2.1kg. Breeder Kirstin Ma-Bickley from Dandelion Rabbit Stud says they’re called Mini Lop because of their super-cute chubby little faces, soft cuddly bodies and floppy ears. “Instead of saying floppy ears or mini flop, it’s called Lop,” she explains. Kirstin says the Mini Lop is a beautiful, lovable bunny in a slightly smaller package than most. “They have a very happy nature, are high on energy and have a much more placid temperament than some other breeds.” A HAPPY, HOPPY BUNNY These bunnies are also smart — they can be taught to walk on a harness and lead.…

4 min

Pets|Issue#66 2017

TERMS AND CONDITIONS ...

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 May 5, 2017, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected on May 19, 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…

2 min