Table of contents for Issue#57 2016 in Pets

SEND US YOUR SNAPS! Do you want your photo to appear here on our “My Pet” pages? Email a clear, sharp photo (1MB or larger) of your pet along with your name, mailing address, contact number and a few words about why you love your pet to pets@universalmagazines.com.au  or send hard-copy photos to My Pet/PETS magazine, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670. Remember to make copies as the photos cannot be returned. Happy snapping!…

A health check for your pet at the start of winter, especially for older dogs, is important, as cold weather can worsen some medical conditions like arthritis. Your dog’s tolerance for cold weather varies hugely depending on coat type, body condition and general health. Consider a dog coat or jumper to provide extra warmth and protection for short-coated pets or those that feel the cold. If your pet is an “outside” pet, ensure there is a dry and sheltered area for him or her to escape from the winter chill, complete with a soft bed that is off the ground to minimise heat loss. Also, remember to check the water bowl on those coldest of mornings to ensure it has not frozen over! Dr Alex Hynes is an emergency veterinarian…

In the colder months, we often overindulge our cats with food to show them how much we love them. Vet and cat expert Dr Julie Summerfield provides some advice to keep your feline friend healthy this season while spoiling them with the finest taste. “The best choice of food for your cat to maintain and help keep a healthy weight is a wet food that is high in lean animal protein and low in carbohydrates,” she says. She recommends trying Ultimates Indulge Weight Management, an option close to the natural diet of cats and containing real animal protein with essential fats for the ultimate health and taste. For more information, visit ultimatesindulge.com.au…

Have you noticed that your dog or cat is starting to slow down? Perhaps they look stiff or awkward, or they are carrying themselves differently. Maybe they are not as keen to go for walks or perhaps they are crankier than usual. Just like humans, as dogs and cats age they become more susceptible to different ailments and diseases. One of the most common is arthritis. So what is arthritis and how do you treat it? Arthritis 101 Arthritis is a disease that causes painful inflammation and stiffness in the joints, and it can make even the simplest act, like walking, tough. While there are a number of different forms of arthritis, the most common is degenerative and it is brought on by overuse, genetics and, more commonly, age. While…

We love our pets very much and dread seeing them in pain. Unfortunately, while some dogs and cats show they are hurting, others are great at hiding it and suffer in silence. Sydney veterinarian Dr James Crowley and feline veterinary and behaviour expert Dr Kim Kendall explain how to identify the hidden signs of pain in dogs and cats and how we can give them some relief. Pets can suffer from a range of painful conditions, from dental problems, infections, arthritis and disease, to cancer and discomfort after surgical procedures. In dogs, fractures and cruciate ligament injures are most common causes of pain, followed by abdominal problems from primary gastrointestinal disease to liver, kidney, splenic disease, said Dr James, veterinarian at Allambie Veterinary Clinic. “Unfortunately, it can be hard to…

For thousands of years the Norwegian Forest Cat has lived in wild in the chilly Scandinavian country of Norway. No wonder they’re such a cool kitty cat! In some countries the breed is called Norsk Skogkatt, a Norwegian name which roughly translates to forest cat. Here in Australia, where we typically like to shorten names, they’re sometimes affectionately called “wegies”. If you’re looking for a breed that’s robust, easygoing and affectionate, breeder Loraine Smith from Borealis Norwegian Forest Cats says they’re ideal. “They make a great family pet, are very intelligent, friendly and very loving” she says. Loraine pioneered the breed in Victoria in 1998, after acquiring a kitten from the first litter ever born in Australia, a gorgeous little ball of fluff she called Prins Ymir — named after…

AUGUST 1 HORSES’ BIRTHDAY The first day of August has traditionally been recognised as Horses’ Birthday, a holiday of sorts which serves as the birthdate of all thoroughbred horses in the Southern Hemisphere. Due to a historical lack of records for horses’ birthdays, the date was standardised for all thoroughbreds. The date is not random however, as most mares conceive during September as the onset of spring brings with it warmer temperatures. Thus most horses in the Southern Hemisphere are born the following August, due to horses having 11-month pregnancies. The day was originally created for practical purposes for the racing and breeding industries but has since become a day to celebrate horses. If you’re lucky enough to own a horse or have access to horses then this is the…

Of course, we all would love to walk our dog as frequently this season as we do in summer, but sometimes, due to extreme weather conditions, it’s simply not possible to keep a 40-minute walk on your schedule every day. Winter can mean we exercise our four-legged friends less than we do in the warmer months, and that can result in one dreaded health problem — weight gain. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, PETS has a few tips and ideas for you to keep your canine in tip-top shape this season. • Take longer walks when the weather permits as a way to compensate for any missed days. • Exercise your dog’s mind with a product like the KONG. After all, a walk isn’t just about physical exercise,…

When it comes to water bowls, I’m quite fussy. I definitely don’t enjoy the stainless steel variety, that can heat up in the hot water. They seem to be more prone to evaporation in the summer months, and since I live near the beach, I also find they occasionally rust up a little, too. When I came across the Torus water bowl, I was instantly intrigued. Described as the “Porsche of pet bowls ” by Petstock General Manager Ann Riad, this product is not just your basic water holder — and with a price tag of $74.99 for the base model, nor would you want it to be! Instead of just acting as a serving medium, the Torus does a whole lot more. It has a hidden reservoir of water,…

TOP 5 WINTER CAREE TIPS FOR DOGS 1 STAYING ACTIVE When it’s cold, wet and absolutely freezing, finding the motivation to step outside and take your dog for a walk can be a monumental challenge. But regular exercise is essential for our pooches all year round. “Keeping up your pet’s regular exercise when it’s miserable outside can be a tall order, however it is important for your dog — both physically and mentally” says Bayer Technical Services Veterinarian Dr Liisa Ahlstrom. “Dogs can begin to put on weight if they lead a sedentary life through winter, as no matter the size of your yard, Fido is not going to be putting himself through a workout in the garden, so he is relying on you to take him for a walk…

1 Make protection a priority In Australia, puppies should be vaccinated for parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis as well as kennel cough. This usually involves a series of three vaccines, typically from the age of eight weeks old. It’s also important to make sure that your puppy is on heartworm prevention medication from twelve weeks old. As heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, it’s different to other worms and not covered by normal worming tablets. 2 Get out and about You want your pup to grow up into a loving, well-behaved and content animal later in life, but did you know that socialisation in the early days of your puppy’s life is crucial for ensuring that occurs? “Socialisation is critical for all animals because it allows them to become accustomed to other…

If ever there was a horse breed that perfectly fitted the description “jack of all trades”, the Australian Stock Horse would have to be it. From its gentle and steady temperament to its athletic ability and willingness to work, the Australian Stock Horse excels in a wide range of areas. In fact, this breed is known for its versatility and is even commonly referred to as “the breed for every need”. “The Australian Stock Horse is a very versatile breed and with sufficient training can perform successfully in many fields ” says Susie O’Brien, the Australian Stock Horse Society Registrar. “An experienced horse can suit the whole family, whether competing in events, pleasure riding, or being ridden for work purposes on rural properties. They suit my passion for polocrosse, campdrafting…

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! FARMING DREAMS Dear PETS team, When I grow up my dream is to be a farmer. So I was just wondering if you were able to put some creature feature articles in the magazine about some farm animals. For…

Does your cat share your bed sleeping right in the middle, taking up all the room so that you have to curl up around them? There are a large variety of cat beds available to free up some space in your bed and keep your cat warm this winter. Cat caves or igloo beds are wonderful for winter. These come complete with a hooded top so that your cat can snuggle away undercover. If your cat doesn’t seem interested in sleeping in their bed you can try and entice them by placing some treats in the bed and giving them lots of cuddles as a reward for using their own special space. Instead of buying a brand new bed for your cat you can always recycle an old wicker basket…

Dr Kim Kendall from the Chatswood Cat Palace gives us her best winter care tips for your feline friend. What is winter to a cat? Given their druthers, cats pre-fur 24›Celsius as their comfort zone when it comes to room temperature. That means the chill comes early for our feline friends. Those who have a fur coat already for winter, like the Norwegian, Siberian Forest cats, or the Maine Coon, come ready equipped. For the sleeker oriental types like the Burmese and Siamese — a slither under your doona will do nicely, thank you. Did you know a cat can save you $1.80 on your power bill — by warming your lap up? And often that is the desirable spot on cold nights. In fact, many feline friendships are formed…

FACT 1: POLAR BEAR Did you know that that the fur of a Polar Bear is actually not white? They have a lush thick guard coat, which protects the undercoat, and the hairs in this guard coat are mostly transparent/ see-through. They appear white thanks to an optical illusion, whereby the air spaces in each hair throw colour that is read by our eyes as white. Neat, huh? FACT 2: HEDGEHOGS These cute little critters hibernate during winter, but did you know that they’re one of the most dedicated cool-weather sleepers around? Hedgehogs can sleep almost the whole winter through thanks to their drop in body temperature. FACT 3: EMPEROR PENGUIN These beautiful birds are native to the southern hemisphere, and have a neat trick when it comes to keeping…

You can tell a whole lot about your dog by the way he barks. Some dogs have deep barks, others have high-pitched yelps; some dogs bark all the time, others only bark when they get excited or when something interesting happens; some dogs will even produce a distinctly different bark to represent just about every type of emotion. But do you know what your dog’s different barks mean? According to Katie Catherwood from Heads & Tails Pet Care Services, dogs bark for all manner of reasons. “Just as we have plenty of things to say, so do our dogs. After all, our voice is one of the key ways in which we communicate to others” she explains. “Although we speak a different language to our dogs, it’s often possible to…

COUCH-SCRATCHING CAT Q: Hi Kate, my cat Snowball scratches the couch, no matter what we do. She has two perfectly good scratching poles, but the second we turn our backs, she’s all over the leather. Do you have any idea how we can stop this behaviour? Maddox, via email A: Hi Maddox, scratching is a normal behaviour for cats and is linked to territorial behaviour. In the wild, one way cats mark their territory is by scratching trees which leaves a visual mark but also a scent mark to warn other animals that the territory is occupied. Did you know cats have scent glands in their paw pads, which leaves an olfactory mark as well? Even though you are on the right track by providing Snowball with two scratching posts,…

Shar Pei puppies cast a spell on all those who see them, with their irresistibly cute wrinkly faces. While those adorable puppy wrinkles may fade away as the pup moves into adulthood, the owner is rewarded with a wondrous dog that will amaze with its loyalty, intelligence, humour and love. Ask Shar Pei enthusiast Wayne Grace from Sydney about the breed and he’ll soon have you thinking seriously about welcoming one of these dogs into your family. “They have the most wonderful natures ” Wayne enthuses. “They are intelligent, not yappy, lovable, affectionate and they make me laugh.” Wayne has been involved with the breed for more than 10 years and had the first Grand Champion Shar Pei in Australia. Wayne points out that, like all dogs, some Shar Peis…