Table of contents for Issue#69 2017 in Pets

Hi PETS readers, The cooler weather has officially arrived — it’s so hard to get out of bed on mornings like these, isn’t it? At my home, we’ve always loved snuggling up with our two dogs early in the morning but now that we have an infant as well, we’ve had to modify the way we live. Instead of having the dogs on our bed all the time, we’ve started to invite them up when we’re ready for a big cuddle session, and have them sleep on their own beds the rest of the time. This means that when we have the baby on the bed, we don’t have to worry about him accidentally getting knocked off (or how we’ll all fit — two Staffies, a baby and two grown-ups…

Leigh’s Zuri is a Border Collie x Poodle, or a Bored-doodle, as Leigh and her family call her, as she can never get enough love or exercise. Sharni loves Lollipop the lamb and Princess the mini pony because they are beautiful. We have to agree with you, Sharni. Lily’s Netherland Dwarf Lavendar loves sitting on people’s shoulders. She’s gorgeous! Ally’s Bitten started her life thrown over Ally’s fence and dumped, but now she is queen of the household. Billy is Poppy’s four-month-old miniature donkey. She adores him because of his sweet attitude. Michelle’s Kirby says “talk to the hand!” Renu reckons her little lion cub/pup, Cognac, is a stud muffin — and we agree! Bonnie is Naomi’s daughter’s BFF and Naomi’s favourite back-seat passenger. April and Bambi are Jasmin’s two…

Winter can be truly wonderful, giving you and your pet the perfect excuse to snuggle up on the lounge for some much-needed cuddle time. But it can also be a tough time of year for our furry friends and often brings with it a range of potential risks and unique care requirements. Regardless of whether you own a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig or horse, it’s vital that you make sure you give your pet all the love and care he or she needs during the colder months. Here are our top 10 winter care tips to help keep your pet safe, happy, healthy and warm right through to spring. 1. ATTACK ARTHRITIS One of the biggest winter worries for ageing dogs and cats is the pain of osteoarthritis. Just…

Raj, a three-year-old Akita, loved chasing ball and played regularly with his owner. One day, his owner threw the ball across to Raj but he didn’t even notice. Raj went for an examination at Melbourne’s Animal Eye Care clinic, where veterinary ophthalmologist Dr Robin Stanley discovered that his pupils were larger than normal and that they did not respond to lights. A deeper eye exam revealed bilateral retinal detachments, where the back part of the eye (retina) separated from the underlying, vascular part of the eyeball (choroid), which could be a sign of glaucoma, high blood pressure, exposure to certain toxins or a hereditary condition, Dr Robin explains. “We checked Raj’s blood pressure and blood tests were all normal. Some large-breed dogs have inflammation that causes the retina to detach…

The philosophy I live by as a dog trainer and what I always relay back to my clients is the simple notion that dogs want to feel good about you, about their environment and about themselves. When a dog feels good, it’s usually the result of a multitude of positive feelings — safe, engaged, nurtured, connected and confident. If we think about it on a very basic level, when a dog feels good, he will more likely be secure in his decision-making, obedient, receptive, driven, calm and self-controlled in high-stimuli environments, and trust his owner’s commands. There are many behaviours and activities owners can employ to help their dog feel good. Here are my top three. SOCIALISATION & NEUTRALISATION When you get a new puppy, the first thing most people…

WINTER PONY PREP Q:Hi Dr Jo, last summer, my parents bought me a Shetland pony. With winter coming up, I was wondering what do I need to do to prepare my Lola to make sure she’s ready to handle the cooler months? Lily, via email A:Hi Lily, just like humans, winter affects individual horses differently. The biggest indicator of how your pony will travel will be the degree of temperature fluctuation between summer and winter where you live. Mild summers and mild winters mean Lola is unlikely to struggle too badly, while hot summers and chilly winters will be very noticeable. For more information visit localvet.com. au/FurKids or visit Dr Jo’s clinic at Shop 11/2 Sheppards Drive, Greenbank Qld. Things you can do to make her feel more comfortable include…

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: Low maintence Moderate maintenance Requires regular attention Lots of work High maintainence 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.…

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 on July 20, 2017, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected on July 6, 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 to…

AUGUST 5-6, SYDNEY Sydney Dog Lovers Show The Sydney Dog Lovers Show is on again! This event will feature some of the best components from the 2016 event, including celebrity favourites Dr Chris Brown and PETS own Dr Katrina Warren with her team of Wonderdogs, as well as a host of new talent and delights. Be fascinated by the dock dogs and their amazing diving abilities; fall in love with a new fur-ever friend at the Rescue Dog Zone; learn more about dogs with jobs thanks to the Australian Working Dog Rescue; and get snap happy with the Insta-Pooch photo area, where you can share some photo time with some of the state’s most famous canines. You’ll also be able to learn a lot about the different dog breeds, find…

My Name is Joy and I live on a mini farm and have LOADS of animals, but I would have to say my favourite pet out of the lot would be my cat Pudge (yes, that is her name). We adopted Pudge from the RSPCA when she was three months old. She was the noisiest cat in the whole building, meowing her head off ! Every day when I come home from school, Pudge sits on her favourite fence pole waiting for me to come home. When I open the gate, the meowing starts! She sleeps on my bed every night and is my alarm clock in the morning. She meows and wakes me up at exactly 6.30am every day, telling me to hurry up and feed her. If I…

OUR DOG BENJI Author: Pete Carter Illustrator: James Henderson Publisher: Exisle Publishing RRP: $19.99 Available: Now, from all good bookstores A book with a message for young readers can be tricky to navigate. You want the kids to get the message without feeling as if it’s been shoved down their throats. Our Dog Benji straddles the fine line between offering a subtle message and a sermon and comes out on top. This story is all about Benji, the dog that will eat anything — but his young owner isn’t quite so interested in trying new foods. As Benji tries more and more new snacks, from Brussels sprouts to avocadoes, his owner gradually expands his diet, too — with pleasing results. Combined with beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read text, Our Dog Benji…

If you search for “bored pets” on YouTube, you’ll find more than 100,000 videos of dogs and cats doing what only they can do when bored: making chaos and domestic destruction look cute. We’ve all seen the videos. There’s that one with the cat obsessively unrolling roll after roll of toilet paper, or the one with the German Shepherd Dog sitting proudly amidst piles of white cushion wadding in a scene that looks very much like Thredbo in a lounge room. While bored animals make for very entertaining viewing, actually dealing with the problem is another matter. Our job as pet parents is to provide our pets with everything they need to live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. So how do you create an enriched environment that will keep your…

Has your cat ever had a funny tummy? Maybe he regurgitated his food, had a bloated tummy or seemed constipated? Gastrointestinal problems in cats really are no laughing matter — they can be minor, but sometimes they may be serious or even life-threatening. So, what is a gastrointestinal disorder? When a cat eats, food passes through its digestive system, and nutrients and fluids are absorbed to give the cat energy and support the immune system. But sometimes food isn’t digested properly or absorbed as it should be or there could be a blockage, or allergy, leading to pain and discomfort. Dr David Mason from AdelaideVet says if a cat is suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder, it’s likely to exhibit a range of symptoms. “A cat may vomit, have diarrhoea, no…

For a young person with special needs, a furry friend’s non-judgemental, unconditional love and affection can be extremely therapeutic. Companion animals allow children to easily connect with them and experience a bond they are sometimes unable to have with other humans. This is proven by research that shows pets have a positive impact on the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of children. Studies show that young people’s exposure to companion animals may ease anxiety (Beetz et al, 2012, “Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The Possible Role of Oxytocin”, Frontiers in Psychology). It can also reduce stress hormones and lower blood pressure, helping children cope through the added stresses of disorders such as autism (Grandgeorge et al, 2012, “Does Pet Arrival Trigger Prosocial Behaviors in Individuals with Autism?”,…

JUMPING CHARLIE Q:Hi PETS, I have a dog called Charlie who is one and a half years old. She’s really cute and really fun to play with. However, sometimes when I play with her, she gets really hyper and she bites and jumps on me. She’s not an aggressive dog and she doesn’t bark at all. So why is she getting aggressive and hyper and what can I do to help her? From Michaela, via email A: Hello Michaela, Charlie is still a young dog and may still have some playful puppy tendencies. Puppies can be a bit nippy and mouthy at times, especially during play. You can teach her not to get too hyper, which results in her jumping up and biting you, by immediately ending the game when…

The Miniature Schnauzer started its career as the perfect German farm dog. Bred from the Standard Schnauzer and the smaller Aff enpinschers and Poodles, the Mini Schanuzer was known for its excellence in ratting — and its ability to get into smaller spaces in pursuit of the vermin, too. Breeding halted in World War I and again in World War II, but resumed after both, with the Miniature Schnauzer now popular worldwide for its great companionship as opposed to its ratting skills. PERFECT PET The Miniature Schnauzer is known for being a great pet. This dog is generally classed as “dog friendly” and enjoys the company of other canines. It is perfectly suited for anyone from professionals through to families and the elderly. “They love children, hence I got one…

There are some horses that are famous as working animals, some that are right at home as show horses and yet more breeds that make great companion animals. Then there are some horses that excel at just about everything, which is exactly what the American Saddlebred is known for. This impressive all-rounder may have started life as a working animal but is now just as well known for its exploits in the show ring as it is for its friendly and curious personality. Chris Bahlo from Narrawin Stud in Victoria has been involved with this breed since 1995 and says the American Saddlebred was originally used as a working horse in the southern states of the USA. “They were ridden during the day and then pulled the light buggy to…

JUNGLE TALK TREAT DISPENSERS Keep your bird busy with the Jungle Talk treat dispensers. Available in small (four inch) or large (eight inch) sizes, this toy contains natural sisal rope, which is digestible, wooden dowels with food-grade colouring, and non-toxic plastic, making it a safe and fun toy for birds. Owners can fill the dispenser with a favourite treat and keep their pet mentally stimulated and entertained. The Jungle Talk treat dispenser is also fantastic for encouraging beak maintenance and preening, and is available now from all good pet stores near you. For more information, visit spectrumbrands.com.au LIFESTYLE DOG TRAINING Well-behaved doggies are of utmost importance to the PETS team, which is why we love the Lifestyle dog training program. This fantastic dog-training solution for Perth-based canines sees your dog…

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! FAVOURITE FURRY FRIEND Dear PETS Hello, my name is Dimitra and I have an adorable moggy cat called Snowball. She is four years old and she loves to sunbake in the afternoon. She’s very playful, stealthy and smart.…

“My boy keeps warm in his cat sleeping bag. Clearly here he was too tired to get in so he got under! LOL. He’s very happy.” - Son Podmore “My girl will have three beds. She has one that will be near the heater when I eventually get one, one for road trips and my bed! Everyone tells me not to let her sleep on my bed but I have always had my dogs sleep with me. Plus she has five jackets and my parents’ dog has a good-quality jacket too.” - Matina Daley “Sambo has a nice warm waterproof coat for walkies and lots of cuddles on the sofa with the heater on. Then it’s off to bed ... on OUR bed.” - Vanessa Pusey “Putting my central heating…

All you need to do to win is visit petsmagazine.com.au and enter online, telling us in 25 words or less why you and your pet would love to win. Alternatively, you can mail your entry to Furr y Freebies/ PETS, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670. Be sure to include your mailing address, phone number and email address, as well as the information on which competition you are entering. Entries close July 20, 2017. Please read the terms and conditions on page 97. Good luck! FITBARK Ever wanted to keep an eye on how much movement Fido gets during the day? Now you can with FitBark, a new piece of wearable technology that gives you a greater insight into how your doggy spends his days. Simply pop the bone-shaped…

PUG DOG HOODIE Keep your pet looking sharp and stylish in the Pug Dog hoodie from Hoobynoo. Made from soft fleece American Apparel fabric, this hoodie features a kangaroo pouch on the back, so you can store a few doggy essentials, and a hole behind the hood to allow you to attach a lead. Perfect for those winter morning walks! You can even have your dog’s name embroidered on the Pug Dog hoodie, although, since this is a UK company, the product doesn’t come cheap, retailing at £35 (approximately AU$60) plus shipping. For more information, visit hoobynoo.co.uk EASTBAY FUNK Does your dog have a bit of street cred and needs the outfit to go with it? Then you should get your hands on Eastbay Funk, available now from Fuzzyard. This…

With the chilly winter months upon us, there will be some days when the harsh weather prevents us from outdoor play with our dogs, but that doesn’t change their need for daily exercise. Dogs need daily mental and physical activity, and pent-up canine energy often results in destructive behaviour around the home. It’s time to get creative and find some fun indoor activities you can do with your dog rain, hail or shine. Fetch is an all-time favourite (for dogs and their humans) — it gets dogs active and you don’t really need a lot of space to play it. It’s important to choose a toy that is easy for your dog to retrieve and for you to handle and toss without getting covered in slobber. KONG Wild Knots are…

A huge thanks to Angus and Gail from Koobalies Miniature Schnauzers. For more information on their fabulous dogs, visit koobaliesminischnauzers.com…

Although the Beagle is said to have existed more than 2000 years ago in Ancient Greece, it’s known this dog was used as a hunter of hares and rabbits in Britain since the 14th century. While some serious Beagle owners still use their dogs for hunting purposes, today, this pooch is kept mostly as an adored family pet around the world and carries out this role with great zest and zeal. One minute this endearing pooch is driving you crazy by chewing up yet another pair of new shoes, the next you’re head over heels in love — again — with your little friend, knowing nothing could ever take his special place in your life. Speak to any Beagle owner about this breed and you’ll be inundated with stories on…

If you’d like an intelligent bunny that’s great with children, the Dutch rabbit makes an excellent pet, Joshua Benbrook, former Dutch rabbit breeder of Greenpatch Rabbit Stud in Springwood, NSW, says. He describes them as a hardy, docile rabbit, full of curiosity and blessed with a playful nature — all key reasons they are up to the vigours of a busy family life with children. As far as cuddles go, Dutches need them as part of becoming a happy, well-adjusted bunny. They’re also imminently watchable, with keen dancing skills. “A Dutch will often walk close to the ground on their tippetoes, preferring not to hop but sneak, and go off exploring. They will also appear to be dancing, with backwards flips and head tosses, when they go for a run,” Joshua…