Table of contents for 50 - December 2015 in Pets

Hi PETS readers, Wow. I am so excited to welcome you to our 50th issue of the magazine. We are thrilled to have reached the big five-zero after many years of researching, cuddling, learning from and discovering things about animals with you. It’s been such a fun ride! I’m lucky enough to have edited this magazine since issue 15. One of the best things about working on this title, though, is without a doubt, you. Whether you’ve sent us a letter or an email, interacted with us on Facebook or Instagram, or came and said hi at one of the shows and events we’ve exhibited at — working with such passionate fans has truly helped make the magazine what it is today. And my, how we’ve grown! Here are just…

We love this pic of Lucy with her super-cute cat, Panda. Nice pic! Lani gets up close and personal with her cute Jack Russell Terrier, Bella We have a serious crush on Jaime’s Monty. What a cute Pug! It’s hard not to fall for this gorgeous pic of Karli and her pygmy bearded dragon, Jabba! She loves her reptilian pet because he loves to climb and is her best friend. Great shot! Laura’s Sunkist sure has been busy! How sweet is Joanna’s buddy, Billy? That face … Photos like this are so sweet, we can barely believe they’re real! Thanks for sharing your pic of Maple, Zoe. Abbey’s Rexi and Henry are so sweet. We love our cavies! We’re suckers for dogs who dress in style — and Dana’s Bandit…

Pigs are known to be one of the most intelligent and sensitive animals on earth. They can learn their own name, play “fetch” and will seek out and show affection just like the family dog. Oh, and they LOVE belly rubs! So it’s sad to learn that most pigs in Australia live miserable lives in factory farms, where they can’t do anything that makes a pig’s life worth living. Join thousands of Australians who are taking pigs into their hearts and off their plates this Christmas, to begin a new tradition of compassion and kindness to all. Find out more at animalsaustralia.org/kinderchristmas…

Here at PETS , we’re celebrating our 50th issue — but it seems we’re not the only people tucking into the birthday cake! Snappy Tom has also turned the big five-zero this year. To help celebrate, we’ve asked him a few questions about what makes turning half-a-century so special. PETS: Happy Birthday, Snappy Tom! Tell us, what do you love most about turning 50? Tom: Well for one thing, by the time one turns 50, one is a lot older and wiser. For instance, I know that cats should only eat real meat and fish, yet we see so many of these youngsters nowadays including meat derivatives and cereal thickeners and all kinds of artificial flavours. Long term, this has a detrimental effect on cats’ health.…

MOVIE ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 4 Director: Walt Becker Distributor: 20th Century Fox Released: December 26, 2015 Alvin and his chipmunk friends are back in this fun-filled animated movie-length adventure. Perfect for the school holidays, this film offers some nostalgia for adults as well as entertainment for the younger family members who are yet to meet the cheeky little mammals. In this movie, Alvin, Simon and Theodore fall under the impression that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend, leaving them with a terrible stepbrother and a role as second place in Dave’s life. The three cheeky chipmunks then work to try and prevent the marriage coming through, with hilarious results. Alvin & The Chipmunks 4 is a great family movie the kids will enjoy this Christmas. BOOKS…

There is plenty of footage of prominent dog trainers walking with many dogs, none of them on leads, all of them huddled together as a well-behaved pack. It’s a fact — dogs can be great in a group. After all, they’re pack animals, wired to survive by relying on each other for food, shelter and safety. But what happens when we adopt one into our human families as a pet? Do they get lonely? Do they need canine friends for love, fun and adventure, just like we need human company? Animal behaviourist Joanne Righetti, who helps people solve pet problems, says dogs definitely need friendship — but it doesn’t necessarily have to be with another dog. “Dogs are definitely a social species so need companionship. This can be other canines…

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

LOVE’EM LIVER MINI COOKIES When we treat our pets, we like to do it the right way — that’s why PETS is a big fan of the love’em Mini Liver Cookies. These tasty morsels truly are one of the best ways to reward your pet for doing the right thing, or simply to do as the brand name implies — show them how much you love them. The Chicken & Cranberry flavour is light and tasty, and contains DHA Gold for immune system support, meaning you’re treating your pet with a tasty reward, but helping their insides, too. For more information, visit love-em.com.au DINGO BONES Chews plays an important role in ensuring that dogs get effective teeth cleaning and gum conditioning. The unique and patented Dingo Meat in the Middle!…

Our kitten, Alira, was rescued when she was a few weeks old, and the first time we met her she could fit on one hand. We went back to visit her a few times until she was finally big enough to come and live with us. Now she’s seven months old and she is the queen of our house! She does what she wants all day. She especially likes lying in the sun, and licking our dishes clean if we leave them on the sink! Alira is very playful and she loves to eat as much food as she can get. We had to get a new, cat-proof garbage bin because she kept eating our rubbish. She even ate part of a wooden kebab stick, which had us worried, but…

As the mercury rises, pet owners are being reminded to never leave their animals in a vehicle. Pets can overheat even when the windows are down or the car is in the shade. Temperatures in a car can rapidly rise to dangerous levels, reaching more than double the outside temperature even on mild days. Dogs travelling on the back of utes can also burn their footpads or bodies on the tray as these can get very hot in the sun. To help prevent this, cover the ute’s tray with a suitable material and provide a shaded area. For more tips visit justsixminutes.com.au…

We love hearing about new products here in the PETS office, which is why we were thrilled to read the news about ZiwiPeak’s new Rabbit & Lamb cat food. This is made using real meat, combining just the right combination of proteins and fat to create a balanced meal for your feline friend. With no grains or additives that can cause allergies in some cats, this is also a good food option for those cats who are watching their weight — and let’s be honest, at Christmas time, who isn’t? For more information, visit bowhouse.com.au DISCOUNT DEAL! Does your cat need some ZiwiPeak Rabbit & Lamb in its life? To receive your 20 per cent discount, enter “PETS” in the discount box at the checkout when…

We’re all about a summer Christmas spent by the beach — preferably with our four-legged friends in tow! If you’re celebrating Christmas on the sand with your pooch this year, here are some tips to consider: • Always take lots of plastic bags to clean up your doggy mess. Leaving it is not only disgusting, but can result in a hefty fine • Bring along a travel bowl and some fresh water for your dog to sip on when things get hot • If you’re setting up for the day, make sure you have an umbrella or tent for your dog to take some shelter under. Heatstroke and sunburn are two very real dangers for pets in the sun • If you plan on going swimming, make sure the current…

SPECIAL! Get 20 per cent off your ZiwiPeak Christmas gift pack. Simply order before January 31, 2016, and use the discount code “PETS”. 1 Looking for a gift that gives so much more? RSPCA gift cards are a wonderful way to celebrate those you love this Christmas and help animals at the same time. rspcagifts.org.au 2 KONG Squeezz Crackle Balls are the perfect gift to keep your pooch happy. With a unique subtle crackle sound, they’re the perfect toy for quiet play. kongcompany.com 3 While you enjoy tasty Christmas treats, your dog should too. Why not try a Christmas gift pack from ZiwiPeak? These treats and chews are natural products designed to make your dog feel good, from their gums and teeth to their body and bones. All natural and…

When you’re at work, it’s important to leave behind a dog that is well exercised. Additional stimulation can help keep your pet from turning to destructive behaviour, too. Chew toys stuffed with food are another great way to keep dogs busy when you’re not around. They also effectively direct a dog’s desire to chew towards an appropriate item. Toys such as the tough, rubber KONG Classic can be filled with all sorts of food treats — peanut butter, chicken, kibble, cottage cheese. Your dog will settle down and focus on chewing and licking the toy like crazy until they manage to access every bit of food. They come in different sizes and strengths to cater to all puppies and dogs, even really powerful chewers. To keep your dog busy for…

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 82 before entering. Good luck!…

When it comes time for Christmas, many of us love to give our pets extra treats, but it’s important to make sure we’re giving them the right stuff. That’s why we recommend feeding them a treat specifically designed for pets as opposed to fatty table scraps or treats full of preservatives and other artificial nasties. One such product are IAMS cat pouches. Not only are these great for long-term feeding, but also can be used as a nice Christmas treat for your cat. With high-quality meat ingredients and vitamin E, omega 3 and 6, as well as essential fibre, these truly are a tasty treat your cat will love. For more information, visit iams.com.au…

Give the gift of Glyde this Christmas with Glyde Mobility Chews. This natural product is made right here in Australia without shark cartilage. Glyde is a proven alternative that contains Green Lipped mussel for clinically proven anti-inflammatory efficacy. Plus it contains optimised levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to improve joint health and function. Your pooch will love these sweet heart-shaped treats! For more information, visit parnell.com…

Yawn-face is the new duck -face. “Seriously? You’re ruining the shot.” “I find these feathers to be an insult to my superior intellect.” “Who turned out the lights?” “Just sit still, they said. It won’t hurt a bit, they said.” It’s chew (bow)tie-me. Squished my face for a flower? Worth it. To posing with a table decoration, I say “bleugh”. “Is there something on my nose?” “All right, ribbon. You won this round …” “Pull a funny face, on three. One, two …” Other dogs see me, they’ll be like “chillin’.” A huge thank you goes to Linda from Goldbrior Golden Retrievers for letting us photograph and fall in love with her beautiful pups. For more information on this fabulous breeder and her dogs, visit goldbrior.com…

The Bloodhound, dating back more than 1000 years, is one of the oldest hound breeds. It’s believed the monks of St Hubert in Belgium perfected the breed, which was later taken by Normans to England and then to the United States. Believed to be derived from the old St Hubert and Talbot hounds, the Bloodhound’s name was derived from the expression “blooded hound”, meaning a hound of pure breeding. Today, all Bloodhounds are black and tan, liver and tan, or red. The Bloodhound thrives on trailing rather than killing, and has been used to trail animals, criminals and lost people. In the US, their testimony is taken as evidence in a court of law and they are used extensively by local law-enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)…