Table of contents for Issue#52 2016 in Pets

To PETS, Here is a poem I wrote about my dog. Her melting brown eyes Begging for a sausage Are just too cute! Stop it, Molly; you’re making me give in! She always comes trotting up to me for a cuddle And lick! I nicknamed her the Licking Explosion As I’m writing this, she’s got her innocent look on And cocks her head to the side. When she’s being naughty, She is so adorably guilty That I never get cross at her, Whatever she does. And when she’s tired, she’ll lay down With her head on her dog toy And she’ll whimper for a pat. She loves affection. When she was a puppy, she was a fluffy lightning bolt And would jump on you when you came home. Now that…

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!…

We love our equine friends and truly believe they deserve the very best when it comes to dinner time. That’s why we like CopRice horse feeds. CopRice has been producing horse food for more than 30 years, so you know the company has a whole heap of experience behind it. This group of products is pelletised and specially formulated to cater for your horse’s specific dietary needs, with lines including Cool Conditioner, CopRice M, CopRice G, CopRice P and Rice Bran. Made using high-quality ingredients, CopRice horse feeds are also economical as, when you’re feeding a premium product, you often don’t need to feed as much of it. For more information, visit coprice.com.au…

It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the weather is warm and vacation is on your mind. However, when it comes time for holidays, having a pet can make things rather tricky. Thankfully, things aren’t like they used to be. As well as the many convenient boarding options available, now many holiday properties let you take your pet away with you — in fact, some even encourage it! One such place is Culburra House, on the New South Wales south coast. I was recently asked to judge the Best Pet-Friendly Property in the Stayz 2015 annual awards — and it was my pleasure to name Culburrra House the perfect getaway location for those looking to take their pooch on holiday with them. Featuring an open-plan living area,…

Kittens and young cats are very inquisitive and usually take the initiative when it comes to play time. They are very active and will often find their own entertainment to keep them occupied and play with pretty much anything they can make move such as shoelaces, string and houseplants. Just like with puppies, encouraging your kitten to use toys that are safe, durable and engaging will set them up to use these types of toys as adults. It is far easier to encourage a kitten to use interactive toys than a mature cat because at that age they are very alert and curious and once they have mastered the way to use a particular toy, they will tend to enjoy these same toys as an adult. Setting up good habits…

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…

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 March 2, 2016, unless stated otherwise. The entries will be judged by the PETS editorial team and the winner(s) will be selected on March 16, 2016. 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…

ACT 26-28 FEBRUARY ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW The Royal Canberra Show is on once again in February at Exhibition Park, ensuring that you get your fill of cute animals to pet, show bags to indulge in and rides to enjoy. An event on the Canberra calendar, the royal show is great fun for the whole family and, best of all, kids under the age of six get in free. As always, the PETS team enjoys the petting zoos and animal attractions most of all. The Farmyard Nursery is especially memorable with baby lambs, chickens, alpacas, pigs and more on hand to make you go “awwww” with cuteness overload. If you’re a fan of animals and competitions, then you can watch the dog, cat and cavy (guinea pig) competitions, while those interested…

Emerald’s dog, Limo, is always there for her and is “the best dog in the world”. Lucy’s cat, Panda, is so sweet! He loves sleeping at the door and cuddles — and we love this gorgeous pic! Thanks so much for writing in. This pic of Harriette’s mother’s rescue cats, Louis and Bonnie, went straight to our hearts! Butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. Melanie loves Frosty because he is loving and trusting, and is a very loyal pet. Teresa’s Gabe is just too sweet for words. Who could say no to that face? Zoe’s Louis likes a room with a view — and we can’t blame him! Great shot, Zoe. Jaime’s Max and Henry getting into the spirit of things this Halloween. We love Summer’s pic of Bean and…

OUR DOG KNOWS WORDS Author: Peter Gouldthorpe Illustrator: Lucy Gouldthorpe Publisher: Hachette Australia RRP: Paperback $14.99; hardback $24.99; ebook $11.99 Available: Now, from all good bookstores and digital retailers One of our favourite picture books of last year was undoubtedly Our Dog Knows Words. Created by father–daughter team Peter and Lucy Gouldthorpe, this glorious book clearly originated with a love for all things dog — something Peter and Lucy truly do have. The story follows a “dog that knows words” — but whether he acts on them or not is a very different story! Illustrated in a sweet colour-scape with lovely paintings, Our Dog Knows Words would make a lovely first book for all new readers. WET DOG Author & Photographer: Sophie Gamand Publisher: Aurum Press RRP: $24.99 Available: Now,…

If you’ve ever walked an untrained dog, you’ll know that some of our canine companions love to pull when on a lead. In fact, rather than you taking your dog for a walk, it’s your dog that walks you! And at the end of a walk, you’re left with a sore shoulder and a feeling that you’ve just been dragged all over town. “Pulling on leash is one of the most commonly experienced issues reported by dog owners ” says Jade Fountain, an animal behaviour consultant with Animal Behaviour Matters as well as puppy supervisor/trainer for Assistance Dogs Australia. “Dogs can learn to pull in any kind of walking equipment so it is important to seek guidance in teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash if you are…

DOGGY DENTAL CARE Q: Dear Dr Jo, my dog has a chip on his tooth from biting another dog (it was play biting, and no pooches were harmed — well, aside from the tooth, of course). I was wondering, should I be brushing my dog’s teeth to help keep this chip in check? Or is just the occasional bone enough? Noah, via email A: Hi Noah, the structure of a dog’s tooth is very similar to ours, as they have the hard outer enamel protecting the dentine and nerves inside. So if the chip is severe enough it may require a trip to the doggy dentist for correction, or to your regular vet for extraction as exposed nerves can be painful and lead to root abscesses. But, in general, a…

Who could say no to this face? To eat or not to eat, that is the question. And they call it puppy love “They’ll never know that it was I who pooped in the refrigerator!” “So … much … candy!” “I’ve just decided I love boxes. Boxes are cool!” “Wait … I’m not allowed to eat the flower?” When your mum dresses you for school. “I’m fabulous.” “I’ll be in my trailer.” “Did you say beads?” Eyes that melt your heart. A huge thanks goes to Kirsty from Daneholz Great Danes for providing the gorgeous pups for this shoot. For more information on Daneholz dogs, visit daneholz.com.au…

Great Danes have a very colourful history. In fact, many believe the lovable breed can be traced as far back as 3000 BC, with several drawings depicting Dane-like dogs appearing on Egyptian artifacts and monuments. There is also evidence that these dogs were drawn on articles in Babylonian temples, some dating back to 2000 BC. Many depict Assyrian men walking alongside huge dogs. Some zoologists believe Great Danes could have originated in Tibet as there is a similarity between Tibetan Mastiffs and the Danes. Similarly, it has been debated over the years whether or not the Irish Wolfhound or Irish Greyhound played a role in the Great Dane’s development. Whatever their true origins, it’s clear Great Danes have been much-loved and loyal companions to many families throughout history. And, today,…

The Ragdoll’s coat is silky smooth and medium length. Although their coat is non-matting, Mandy suggests regular brushing (at least once a week) is essential to remove dead hair, and prevent hair balls and any small tangles. • Using a slicker brush and/or wide-tooth comb, gently brush with long strokes through the back to the tail. • Pay attention behind the ears, neck, hind quarters and armpits as these areas may be prone to small knots. • Keep the experience short (10 minutes tops), pleasurable and stress free and your cat will enjoy the attention.…

BUSTER INCREDIBOWL Mealtime can be a stressful event for many dogs, but there’s good news on the horizon as the Buster IncrediBowl is here to help! This feeding solution is perfect for long-eared dogs, as the bowl’s shape avoids the dog’s ears coming into contact with the food. This same conical shape is also great for those dogs that simply wolf down their food, as it forces them to slow down. Coming in at 1L and 2L sizes, and four brilliant colours (magenta, lime green, dark grey and navy blue), the Buster IncrediBowl definitely gets the PETS tick of approval. For more information, visit dlc.com.au TUSSLE DUMMY If your dog likes to tug like our dogs like to tug, you should definitely check out the Tussle Dummy from our good…

Meeka is a loving girl. We got her from Geraldton Dog Rescue and as soon as we laid our eyes on her, we took her home. She was still a young puppy when we got her. She was so special and I wanted her to have the best life. When we took her home, she met our other dog, Dash. After a few weeks, Meeka started chasing him, even though he was twice her size. We have celebrated the dogs’ birthdays, Christmas and Easter with them. I am glad both dogs are happy and healthy and I hate leaving them for a day. I am sorry for all the dogs that are at Geraldton Dog Rescue, but Meeka stood out from the rest. I am so glad she is ours.…

You can’t afford to ignore your pet’s health in 2016. The RSPCA has come to the rescue with these essential New Year pet resolutions: • Microchipping is the best way to make sure you’re reunited with a lost pet, but only if you keep your contact details up to date. The New Year is a good time to check that yours are still current. • Desexing your pet will prevent unwanted litters and can also reduce wandering and undesirable behaviour such as urine spraying. • RSPCA Pet Insurance can help you reduce the cost of vet bills, plus a portion of your premium goes to support the RSPCA’s efforts to care for and protect animals around Australia. • Protect your pooch or kitty against heartworm with the RSPCA Monthly Heartworm…

Last year saw an increased awareness of the quality and country of origin of ingredients contained in our everyday foods. This awareness also extends to the food and treats we give our furry family members with more pet parents checking the back of packs for ingredients information. At love’em, we want to assure you we only use the finest, human-grade liver and grains sourced from Aussie farmers we know and trust. It’s all about happy people and healthy pets. It’s exciting times at love’em. We’ve recently refreshed our packaging and I hope you’ll agree that our new look is fresh, natural and contemporary. We have new, exciting products for both dogs and cats coming in the very near future. Keep an eye out for these in supermarkets or drop into…

• Have your dog on lead when introducing the two animals. • Ensure your cat has a safe exit route at all times and can escape/avoid your dog if needed. • If either animal is demonstrating avoidance behaviours, take your time and don’t push the situation. • If your dog is demonstrating excessive excitement and/or is highly focused on your cat, again, take your time. • Crate training your dog can be of huge benefit in these types of situations to see how both of your animals behave in each other’s presence while ensuring the safety of all involved. • Having a good, strong level of obedience under distraction with your dog can also be of great help. • Seek experienced and professional advice when needed. • Be prepared to…

Even if you have a mature pooch that likes pulling on leash, it’s never too late to teach your dog to walk beside you. “Older dogs have more practice at pulling on leash, so we have to reteach your dog where you would like him to walk, instead of straining at the end of the leash,” Jade explains. “We use the same principle of reinforcing the behaviour we want in a low-distraction environment, such as in the house. Aim to set him up for success by teaching in a quiet area and gradually reintroduce the walks outdoors; starting back in an unfamiliar area where the dog doesn’t have a history of pulling can help.”…

Hi, I'm Jenny Brearley. If you're feeling anxious about finding someone to look after your dog while you're away, I'm glad you found us because 22 years ago I had the same problem. That's why I started "Don't Fret Pet!" — holiday dog minding. You see, I felt terrible taking my eccentric Ridgeback, Sophie, to a boarding kennel. I wanted a more natural and homely alternative for my girl. I hated the thought of Sophie having to cope with the barks and behaviours of a hundred other dogs of all breeds and backgrounds with no lap to sit on and no couch to curl up on. I knew there was no way I would enjoy my holiday as I would feel guilty leaving her in such an unfamiliar environment So…

We asked Dr Kim Kendall, feline expert from the Chatswood Cat Palace, for her opinion on this fluffy feline. “Ragdolls are rapidly taking over the couch for people who want a fluffy cat. Those fabulous blue eyes drag everyone into their depths. Under that fluff, though, can lie a real cat. Some hunt — even catching rats — but most just get lunch brought to them. They are another of the breeds that can get hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — some quite severely — and there is a genetic test for it now. The other health issues they may suffer from are allergies — they have sensitive intestines and are commonly atopic (allergic to pollens etc) so they do benefit from regular washes. Aside from that, they are excellent manipulators of their…