Table of contents for Issue#61 2016 in Pets

Nancy’s Maple is a truly beautiful-looking dog. Thanks so much for sharing this photo with us, Nancy. We love this pic of Ally’s cat Polly saying hi. Who could resist this gorgeous pic of Melissa’s Bernie having a nap? What an adorable pic of Sarah’s Maluka. What’s not to love about a Daxie in a dress? We had a hard time deciding what we loved the most about this one — the beautiful rescue dog, the stunning photo, or Rhaegar’s name? Thanks for sharing, Rosemarie. Rosemarie rescued the Buntastic Rubeus Hagrid, a four-year-old Flemish Giant, a little more than a year ago, and hasn’t looked back since! What a beautiful rabbit, and what a kind-hearted person you are, Rosemarie. When dogs think they’re human … We love this pic of…

The day you bring your new puppy home is one that will stay with you a lifetime. It’s a day of joy and happiness as your new furry friend settles into his or her forever home. It’s also the day that the joy of puppy training begins and two of the very first things you should train your pup to recognise are his or her name and to come when called. Start those early days at home by getting pup’s attention by calling her name (for example, my pup is Lily). As you do so, show her a treat, bend forward slightly and hold out your arms to welcome her, calling “Lily come” as you run back a few steps. She’ll almost certainly come running towards you. Hold the treat…

All dogs deserve love, pats and playtime with their family. Sadly, dogs in puppy factories often don’t get hugs or treats because they’re locked away and forced to have litter after litter of puppies, which will then be sold online or in pet shops. It’s a miserable life for an animal we call “man’s best friend”. If you or someone you know is looking for a four-legged best friend, consider adopting from a shelter or rescue group. You’ll not only avoid supporting cruel puppy factories but you’ll be saving someone’s life. Share the puppy love by pledging to adopt, not shop! Find out more at knowyourbestfriend.com…

As pet owners, we need to talk about the birds and the bees, especially for our cats. When it comes to mating in the feline world, cats are prolific breeders who come into season multiple times a year. RSPCA vet Dr Laurie Milner says if one pair of cats is left to breed and all their kittens survive and go on to have kittens, within two years, it’s possible to have 20,000 cats. “Desexing is important for population control. There are far too many cats being surrendered, or living as strays or ferals ” Dr Laurie says. Gestation is 63 days, the length of time the cat is pregnant, compared to 40 weeks for a human. Why that’s important to note is that just 10 weeks after a cat gives…

As a pet photographer who works closely with dozens of rescue organisations, I hear many stories of neglect, cruelty and abandonment. The story of Jakk the dumpster puppy is shocking due to his young age and has exposed a practice that is barbaric and cruel — throwing animals away as if they were trash. I’ve been entrusted with the task of documenting Jakk as he grows, photographing him every two weeks. It is a privilege to spend time with this little fighter. Here is his story. It was 5:30 on a cold April morning when Jade Roberts, an employee of Hungry Jacks in Baldivis, WA, finished her shift and walked into the rear car park. As she walked past the dumpster, she heard crying coming from inside and initially thought…

Setting up good habits when your feline is a kitten will help you have a well-behaved cat later in life. Here are more tips on establishing proper play behaviour: Teach kittens to use a scratching post: Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats and it’s important to understand that all cats need to and will scratch something. Scratching is a way for them to mark their territory and it is also how they remove the outer sheath of their claws to expose the new sharper claw underneath. If a cat does not have a suitable option, he or she will choose your furniture or carpet to scratch, but you can train your kitten from an early age to use a scratching post and other scratch toys instead. Do this by…

• White spots/ich: Appears as small, white dots on the fish’s skin and fins. You might notice your fish rubbing its skin against rocks, decorations or the sides of the aquarium tank, or he may appear uncomfortable and have a loss of appetite. This can be caused by rapid temperature changes, pH differences or poor water quality. Your local fish pet store can provide medications for treatment. • Fin rot/tail rot: As the name suggests, you’ll spot it by the rotting fins or tails, which may look torn, ragged or have white-edged holes, red streaks or white edges. This is usually caused by bacteria that have infected a bullied fish’s fins and tails, while poor water quality can cause bacteria to grow. Again, your pet supplier can provide medicine to treat this.…

DECEMBER 2-3 FILM GOOD DOG FESTIVAL ! INTERNATIONAL , NSW Good Dog! is a unique film festival that showcases films containing dogs. If that doesn’t sound enticing enough, all profits of the event go to Australian and international animal charities. Good Dog! has been running since 2012 and has gained recognition as one of the best out-of-the-box film festivals in the world. This is a family-friendly event, with films suitable for all ages. It is held at the lovely Joynton Park in Zetland and, best of all, you can bring your dog along too — just make sure he’s on his best behaviour. For more information, visit gooddogff.com NOVEMBER 18-19 BULAHDELAH SHOW, NSW The Bulahdelah Show features all the rides, show bags, attractions and animals that can fit into one…

Hi PETS ! I’m Rose and I’d like to tell you about my beloved dog, Buddy. Buddy turned five on the 24th of July. Buddy is a wire-haired, cream and tan Jack Russell. Buddy is a playful dog and loves pats and dinnertime. Sometimes, if you scratch him in a spot he really enjoys and you stop, he will lick and nudge and scratch your hand to get more pats! At dinnertime, (which Buddy loves!) he will do this adorable little jig. He perks up his ears, wags his tail and stares at you with big, brown puppy eyes. Around July last year, our older dog, Lucy, ran away and didn’t come back. Buddy lost his little spark and sat on the deck, waiting for her to…

It’s all too easy to over-treat your puppy. However, for good health, treats should never be more than 10–15 per cent of your dog’s daily food intake, and you should complement treats with a quality complete diet. Yours Droolly chicken sticks are the perfect treat for puppies. Made from real chicken breast, they are soft and juicy and easily breakable into smaller pieces, perfect for your new little fur-baby. For more information, visit masterpet.com.au…

PREHISTORIC MARINE LIFE IN AUSTRALIA’S INLAND SEA Author: Danielle Clode Publisher: Museum Victoria Publishing RRP: $24.95 Available: Now from all good bookstores Have you ever wanted to learn more about life long, long ago? At a time when Australia’s red centre was underwater and populated by a host of prehistoric marine life? Thanks to Prehistoric Marine Life in Australia’s Inland Sea, this is now one step easier. This is the third title in Museum Victoria’s Nature series and contains everything you want to know about the fauna of the Eromanga Sea (the shallow ocean that once covered the centre of our country) and the coasts surrounding it during the Cretaceous period. Rich with illustrations, this book is factual and easy to follow. I have to admit, at first, I did…

Your puppy just can’t seem to grasp the concept? Be consistent in providing access to the desired spot. Keep offering lots of verbal praise and playtime afterwards. Set times to make sure you are taking puppy out often enough. Don’t ever punish puppy for accidents. A puppy that was successfully toilet trained is having accidents? Look for changes in your established routine. Is the toileting area no longer as accessible, have you added another new pet, or could your dog be suffering from separation anxiety because you aren’t around as often? If you have ruled out these changes, your dog may have a health issue such as a urinary tract infection. “Your first stop should be the vet if this is happening ” Dr Robert advises.…

It’s a fact: Rachael Hale McKenna has the patience of a saint. After all, her back catalogue of 13 books featuring a range of four-legged friends shows that the photographer is willing to stay calm and keep trying to nail that perfect shot — and that’s not even including the work she’s done with children. It seems this Kiwi-based photographer truly has turned the saying “never work with animals or children” on its head. As she, herself, says, “It’s incredibly rewarding to work with both animals and children, individually and together.” Rachael has combined her passion for photographing children and animals in her latest book, Little Loves, out now from Allen & Unwin. This gorgeous book saw the photographer travel throughout New Zealand capturing heartwarming shots of young people with…

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:…

Australia is home to many great things — Tim Tams, Ugg boots, koalas and Hugh Jackman, to name a few. But perhaps the most adorable Aussie (sorry, Hugh) is the Australian Mist. Now in its fourth decade of existence, this breed is gathering fans in all corners of the globe. So what is it about this cat that has the world hooked? CREATING THE PERFECT INDOOR CAT In 1977, Dr Truda Straede submitted a plan to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Cat Control (RASCC) to develop Australia’s first locally bred pedigree cat. In doing this, Dr Truda had a few goals in mind: she wanted to produce a spotted cat with a stable temperament that was content to be kept indoors. Dr Truda began her breeding program…

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 December 8, 2016, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected on January 13, 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 email your entry to pets@universalmagazines.com.au 5. Prize(s) will be delivered to…

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!…

In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of certain breeds of dogs, including Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shar Peis, Dachshunds and British Bulldogs. These dogs are known and loved for their big eyes, wrinkly skin, squashed faces and long bodies. But what many people don’t realise is that these exaggerated features can actually lead to serious health problems, ranging from breathing difficulties to eye trauma. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Visit loveisblind.org.au to help create a healthier future for these beautiful breeds.…

JOSEPH LYDDY EASY WASH DRY SHAMPOO Does your dog need a bit of a helpful spritz between bath sessions? Then you need to get your hands on Easy Wash Dry Shampoo, available now from Joseph Lyddy. Containing natural ingredients, this product is pH-balanced and paraben free, making it a great choice for your four-legged friend. Of course, that’s not the only reason we like it. Here at PETS, we’re so excited about all the fabulous scent combinations, including blood orange, cinnamon and bark, pomegranate, lime and lavender, and vanilla, honey and coconut. Delish! For more information, visit josephlyddypetindulgence.com.au GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2017 Impress friends and family members with a host of fun facts from the Guinness World Records 2017. Not only is this book full of fascinating world records…

GENESIS PREMIUM DOG FOOD Show your dog you really care with GENESIS premium dog food, available now. This delicious, complete and balanced meal for your pet is made from real meat for protein, vegetables for essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, superfoods for valuable nutrients and natural plant oils for essential fatty acids, making it a well-rounded choice for your canine friend. Developed in collaboration with Australian veterinary and dog nutritional experts, GENESIS is a product of choice for your doggy. genesispetcare.com.au AÏKIOU PET FEEDER The big difference between these and regular feeders is that, with the AïKiou (pronounced IQ) feeder, your dog needs to use his nose and paws to turn the wheel to have access to his food. Of course, this slows your dog’s ingestion and, as it utilises…

The art of animal photography is increasingly becoming a popular choice for many people in Australia and New Zealand. After all, we love animals, and in the age of insta-fame via social media, many people desire to get behind the lens full-time. For those looking to get the perfect shot at home, Rachael has a few tips. “The main thing is patience; never expect to get something instantly and always be prepared. If you want to capture something your dog or cat does regularly, know when that time of day is and be ready.” Rachael always keeps the happiness of the animals she shoots as a priority, which is something for everyone getting behind a lens to keep in mind. “Make sure the animal’s in the right frame of mind,…

POOWEE An unfortunate part of being a pet owner is dealing with unwanted stains and odours. Luckily, POOWEE is here to help with a new, Australian-made range of stain and odour removers. Safe and natural, this 100 per cent biodegradable formula removes odour from the source — it doesn’t just mask it, meaning your pet will be less likely to repeat his or her mistake in the same spot. POOWEE is available in 750ml Dogs & Puppies, 750ml Synthetic Grass, 250ml Small Animal Enclosures, 750ml Cats & Kittens, and a 750ml Deodorising Spray. Available at quality independent pet retailers. JUNGLE TALK It is essential for your bird’s wellbeing that it lives in an environment that enables it to perform natural behaviours, which are necessary to maintain a healthy and full…