Wet food in a tear open pouch is to my cat what a sushi platter is to me. Pure heaven. But since all the advertisements out there tell me my cat only needs dry food - and my boy has put on far too much weight lately - I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't be changing...
Grieving is something every one of us will experience in our lifetime, whether through the loss of a family member, friend or pet. Yet many of us are surprised by the depth of our grief when a pet dies. We knew it was coming (we generally outlive our pets) but now...
Hamsters are adorable to look at and take up very little space. However, like all animals they do have particular needs to stay healthy and happy. Here’s a guide to the basics: Hamsters as pets: what you need to know If you are thinking about getting a hamster for...
Snail bait poisoning (Metaldehyde poisoning) in dogs can lead to respiratory failure and death if not treated urgently. For most of us Spring brings pure joy; warmer weather and new growth everywhere. But, as buds and bulbs spring into action, so do snails and slugs...
Pet vaccinations cover the most serious viral diseases and some bacterial diseases. It is not possible to vaccinate animals against all diseases, thus the most common and/or serious diseases are included in the vaccines. These vaccines are divided into core and...
Cataracts in pets occur for several reasons, the most common one being hereditary. Breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, French Poodles and Boston Terriers are at higher risk. Cataracts: what are they? The function of the lens in the eye is to focus and...
Overweight pets are increasingly common the world over, and in South Africa. Why? Because most pet owners show their love for their pets by overfeeding or handing out treats. So much so that obesity in dogs and cats has become the number one health problem experienced...
My pet has diarrhoea. Should I see my vet? Vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms and are not diseases in themselves, but are symptoms of underlying disease. It is important to look at the pet and the other symptoms in order to make a diagnosis and choose the...
Hypothyroidism in dogs occurs when there is a decrease of thyroid hormones in the body. Thyroid hormones are very important as they affect almost all functions of metabolism. The cause of hypothyroidism is not usually known, but we do know that most of the time the...
Eye problems in pet may go unnoticed, especially in busy and boisterous animals. If your pet is showing any of the following symptoms, he or she may have eye problems that necessitate a visit to the vet. Eye problems: symptoms Squinting or holding the eye closed (the...
Ticks don't go into lockdown. They ignore the fact that you can't walk your dog by infecting your garden. Haven't seen any? You probably won't. Ticks are masters are tucking themselves into tiny spaces - until your dog comes by. Unfortunately, one of the first habits...
Pets in pain are different to humans in pain. While we vocalise our pain, they go to the other extreme, hiding their pain to protect themselves from predators. However, rehabilitation and pain management specialist Dr Janice Huntingford says knowing what to look for...