Table of contents for Issue 72 2017 in Pets

Elisha adores her kitten, Racoon, because she is very cuddly and cute. Alice’s Shelly loves indulging in a spot of reading — of PETS magazine, of course! Beau is a three-year-old Toy Poodle cross Shih Tzu who loves lying on owner Rene’s lap. Caitlin and Courtney’s Patsy loves to snuggle with them on a cold day. Playful Ezra makes Mali and her sister laugh every day. Sarah’s Lily is loved by her and is loving in return. Izzy’s Luy loves reading PETS magazine almost as much as Izzy does! Alfia’s Kreme (guinea pig) and Brooklyn (budgie) are both very cheeky and fun to be around. Scarlett adores her guinea pig, Nutmeg, because he is really cute when he poses for close-ups. Pearl may look innocent, but Zoe assures us that…

“Playing in the back paddock.” - Asti Miln “We love spending summer at the river and enjoy finding nice spots for photos.” - Karen Cocks “Baylei loves to play in her little pool and I love to throw her water toy for her to keep her cool. She would stay in there and play all day if she could!” - Dana King “We take Shadow to the beach or for a swim in the creek.” - Heidi Chapman JOIN THE CONVERSATION Want to join in the conversation? Visit us at facebook.com/PETSmagazine and let us know what you think.…

Dr Zoo Natural Zinc-Free Sun Cream can be used on dogs, cats and horses that are exposed to the sun. This product uses edible oils along with titanium dioxide to provide sun protection. Titanium dioxide is an alternative to zinc, which is toxic for pets when consumed in large quantities. Animals that have light-coloured noses, thin or missing fur or that just like to sunbake upside down exposing their bellies are most in need of sun protection. For more information, visit drzoo.com.au…

“Let’s face it, the weather is becoming unbearable at times,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia (PIA) says. “Most of us two-legged varieties enjoy breaks from the blistering heat in air-conditioned retreats throughout the day; our pets, however, are not so lucky.” Pets can certainly suffer in this extreme weather, with the following most likely to be at risk: Older pets Young pets Certain breeds (brachycephalic breeds or those that have short noses such as British Bulldogs) Pets that suffer from conditions such as obesity “Heat stroke is very real and very deadly,” Nadia says. “It can happen suddenly and have devastating results.” To help protect your pet, make sure you always have: Fresh, clean water for your pet. Keep it in the shade, preferably in a plastic or ceramic…

KONG PRIZE PACK Here at PETS, we love the durable range of paw-some KONG products. Made from all-natural rubber, these toys are designed to stimulate your dog’s mind, making sure he is happy, healthy and satisfied. With a variety of different products suited to different animal sizes and chewing temperaments, KONG has a product to suit your pet. KONG even has a fabulous water range for those summer swimmers! For more information, visit kongcompany.com. PETS has five $50 KONG gift packs to give away. Make sure you specify your dog’s size and chewing temperament in your entry to ensure the perfect prize for your pet! GOURMET DELIGHT MULTIPACKS Does your cat love her meaty meals? Try the all-new Gourmet Delight with beef or chicken mince in gravy multi-packs, available in-store…

While expression is rarely the best way to judge your cat’s mood — even Grumpy Cat’s infamous sour face is caused by an underbite and feline dwarfism rather than unhappiness — there are plenty of other signs that mean your kitty’s mood may be more nay than yay. Signs of feline unhappiness are in many ways similar to those in humans. An unhappy puss will often voice their displeasure with low-pitched mournful yowls. Conversely, a formerly chatty cat may become unusually quiet when depressed. They may also show it by losing interest in other activities they usually enjoy. Other warning signs include your cat sleeping a lot more, or becoming clingy and insisting on sleeping on you (or switching their preferred napping spots), and becoming more attentive to you in…

The West Highland White Terrier was developed in Scotland, initially for its small-game hunting skills. The breed once came in an array of colours, including black, red and cream, until someone accidentally shot a reddish-brown-coloured Westie belonging to Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm while out in the field. It’s said that Colonel Edward then declared on the spot that all Westies would be white from that point forward so as to be easily identified while hunting. Today, this dog is recognisable as much for its striking coat as it is its huge amount of spirit. Despite coming in at just 13–15cm tall, as stated by the Australian National Kennel Council, the Westie is big when it comes to personality, as breeder Peter Jefferson knows all too well. “They don’t have much…

This is my adorable little Jack Russell named Indi. Indi follows me everywhere and is so cute! Indi sleeps in my bed at night — she is always under the doona and I can never find her when I wake up. One morning, I slept in for school and Indi was already up and about. My mum came in to turn on my light to get me up but Indi beat her to it. She licked my face to get me up. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! After I got up, she followed me everywhere. It seemed as though she was checking if I was getting ready right. Sometimes, Indi even waits in my bed at night before I come and go to sleep. Now Indi…

TIGER WATER TOY BY MAJOR DOG Perfect for water-loving dogs, the Tiger Water Toy will be well loved by your best friend. This robust dog toy is suitable for dogs of every age and size. Featuring a plush interior, this soft toy is perfect for outings at the beach, park or in your own backyard. It’s ideal for canines that love games of fetch and spending time getting their paws wet. The additional handle enables long-distance throws and is handy to carry, simply by sliding your arm through the loop. Shop online at west-coast.com.au TOO COOL COOLING PET MAT Keep your pets cool this summer with the Too Cool Cooling Pet Mat. Too Cool Cooling Pet Mats are the perfect size for any pet, can be used indoors or out…

With their clownish personalities, intelligence and ability to mimic sounds and speech, parrots make highly desirable pets. But not all pet parrots are equal. The main difference to consider when purchasing a parrot is whether a hand-raised or parent-raised bird is right for you. Either way, your new pet parrot may need some additional training and handling. Hand-raised vs parent-raised Hand-raised companion parrots are taken from the nest at a very young age, sometimes before they have even hatched, and raised by a human caregiver or professional breeder. Hand-raising baby birds is very labour intensive and involves round-the-clock feeds given by syringe into the crop. Hand-raised birds are typically much less fearful of people because they’ve been exposed to them during critical socialisation and developmental periods. They are therefore more…

Some dogs become anxious when left alone and this can result in behaviours such as excessive barking, pacing, chewing and toileting in the house. This can be very distressing for both the dog and the owner but there are some exercises you can do to help your dog cope and feel more relaxed when you leave the house. PROVIDE SAFE CHEW TOYS Help your dog learn to associate being left alone with something positive, such as receiving a treat-filled KONG every time you leave the house. The act of chewing helps dogs alleviate stress and keeps them occupied. KONG toys are made from durable rubber in a variety of formulas and provide an appropriate way to fulfil chewing instincts. INCREASE EXERCISE A tired dog is more likely to relax and…

A massive thanks again to Peter Jefferson for lending us his puppies for this issue’s shoot. For more information on his beautiful dogs, email peterjef@bigpond.net.au…

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 February 15, 2018, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected before March 8, 2018. 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 winners…

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!…

The KONG Classic offers mental stimulation and enrichment by helping satisfy dogs’ instinctual needs. KONG all-natural rubber toys are ultra-durable with an erratic bounce that is ideal for dogs that like to chew while also fulfilling a dog’s need to play. Be sure to stuff the KONG with tempting yummy treats and, for an added challenge, freeze the food-filled KONG before giving it to your dog. When selecting a KONG for your dog, consider that as young dogs mature, they give you an indication of their developing chewing temperament. This can be gauged by observing the level of destruction and longevity of their toys. Some dogs, regardless of breed and size, can be very gentle on their toys and these toys may last the dog many years. Other dogs may…

PUG (PHILOSOPHICAL UNIVERSAL GUIDANCE) HOW TO BE THE BEST YOU  Author/illustrator: Helen James Publisher: Exisle Publishing RRP: $19.99 Available: Now, from all good bookstores Despite first appearances, PUG (Philosophical Universal Guidance) How to be the Best You is not a children’s book. Instead, this is a book for adults full of positive messages that we can learn from animals and the world around us. The messages in this book are varied and strong, with ideas such as “be confident in yourself” and “always choose the right leader to follow” ringing true. I particularly enjoyed the message about perseverance, with the accompanying image of a cat trying to get a plate of cheese from the table. Overall, PUG (Philosophical Universal Guidance) How to be the Best You makes a fabulous gift…

PETS: Where did you come up with the idea for this exhibition? Kevin: Our new canine employee, Bailey Haggarty, assistant director for seagulls, whose job it is to keep our seagull population at bay, has captured the imagination of our visitors. People are intrigued by the thought of a dog living at a museum and climbing on board its ships. Not many people realise that in the 1900s, it was very common to find dogs, cats and other animals living on board vessels. The museum has a wonderful collection of images by prolific Sydney photographer Sam Hood, which showcases these on-board pets and the relationship they have with their fellow seafarers. We thought it would be good to have a bit of fun and let Bailey “curate” some of his…

FELINE FLEA PROBLEM Q: Dear Dr Jo, this winter I still couldn’t get rid of my two cats, Dewey and Phantom’s, fleas. We’ve been using Frontline Plus for Cats because it protects them from fleas and ticks. Our vet said it may protect them against ticks but it’s not as affective on fleas. The fleas have really taken over Phantom’s fur but there are only a few on Dewey. Dewey gets these really weird bumps on his skin from the fleas and I am very worried about both of them. I was wondering if you could recommend any good products that protect against fleas well? Georgia A: Hi Georgia. Fleas certainly can be a huge problem as their many life stages can be very hardy and, unfortunately, there is more…

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:…

Maine Coons are a native American breed, named for the state that first formally recognised them as a breed — Maine — where they were also named the official cat of the state. Now a popular cat across the globe, they’ve gone from being considered a glorified barn cat to a highly regarded pet. In fact, they are considered by many as being similar to dogs in that they are happiest in the thick of family activities. The size and placid nature of these supersized kitties was the draw for Townsville-based Maine Coon breeder Shireen Booyse. She says while she’d never considered becoming a cat breeder, she’d always been an animal lover. “My breeding journey started the day my sister gave me this moggy kitten. He was special and did…

RAVERA RAGDOLLS Mother Nature has blessed Ravera Ragdolls with the pitter-patter of tiny paws! The festive season is pending and bringing a kitten into the family can yield such joy. Always consider the responsibilities of pet ownership when making this important decision as a kitten is a lifetime commitment and all family members should be well informed and prepared. If you believe a Ragdoll kitten is for you and your family, please contact the Ravera team by emailing vera@raveraragdolls.com for further details. They also have an informative website, raveraragdolls.com , and social media presence for you to do some research. They are passionate about this special feline and have been breeding for more than 15 years, providing families with that special fur family member. That’s why the PETS team loves…