Reading can be a transformative experience, taking us to incredible worlds, discovering unique perspectives, learning new information and skills, and much, much more.Interestingly, a good page-turner can also have a positive effect on our pets.
While there isn’t a great deal of evidence that tells us exactly how reading impacts our pet pals, real-life examples highlight that reading presents positive outcomes for people and our four-legged friends. Continue reading “Reading to pets”
Regularly checking the contact details linked to your pet pal’s microchip will ensure that if they find themselves away from home, a reunion with their loving humans is only a quick scan away.
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your treasured four-legged friend finds their way home safely: Continue reading “Microchip checks”
It is the season of Spring cleaning! It’s the perfect time to give our pet’s belongings a little clean-up to reduce odour, and parasites and to support the general well-being of our fur kids.
While our pets love familiar scents on their bed, blankets and toys, it comes a time when all these items need to have a good wash – or get replaced altogether!
Pet beds: Most pet beds can be washed in the washing machine, however, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions. But before the bed even makes it into the washing machine, remove as much pet hair as possible with a vacuum. Then give it another once over using wet hands or sticky tape wrapped around your hand to pick up any extra hair. Choose a hot or cold setting for washing, based on the manufacturer’s instructions and opt for unscented detergents to prevent skin irritations for your pet. Leave the pet bed to dry in the sunshine and ensure it is completely dry before your pet uses it again.
Food bowls: If your pet’s water bowl is looking a little green and slimy then it’s certainly time for a good scrub. Pet bowls that aren’t cleaned regularly can harbour bacteria that could cause skin irritations around the mouth and chin, or lead to upset precious pet bellies. Stainless steel food and water bowls are better options than plastic or ceramic bowls which are harder to keep clean. The simplest way to clean pet bowls is to soak them in hot soapy water, scrub them with a clean brush or sponge to dislodge any hidden food debris, rinse and then dry with a towel or cloth before leaving to completely air dry.
Pet toys: Wash soft toys in the washing machine or by hand but check the manufacturer’s instructions for the best wash setting. Review hard toys and discard any that have jagged edges or pieces that your pet can chew and dislodge. Cleaning hard toys can involve a good wipe-down with a clean cloth. You can also use equal parts vinegar and water to soak toys, then thoroughly rinse and allow to dry completely before giving back to your pet pal.
Animal-loving pet sitters can help maintain clean pet spaces during their stay. Find an experienced live-in house and pet sitter to provide personalised care for your pet.
There are various physical and mental health risks associated with excess weight gain for our beloved fur kids.
Worrying statistics reveal that in Australia over 40% of dogs and more than 32% of cats may be considered overweight or obese. These figures highlight the need for greater awareness and education about the causes of pet obesity and the steps to take, to help protect the health and quality of life of our pet pals. Continue reading “Hefty Paws: Pet Obesity and the next steps”
Violet’s journey into pet sitting started a few years back when a friend nudged her to “just give it a go.” Fast forward, and she’s now the go-to pet sitter in Sydney and Melbourne, known as The Aussie Cat Whisperer.
Growing up with a love for animals, especially cats, she’s built a solid reputation over the past year with Mindahome, charming even the pickiest felines. While she’s also cared for dogs, it’s her knack for connecting with cats that has pet owners raving about her online.
Currently, she’s enjoying a 12-month sit with two adorable kitties and loves sharing tips for anyone looking to dive into the pet-sitting world. Continue reading “The pet sitter with a fondness for felines”
With plants flowering, pollens spreading through the breeze, and our pets exposed to weeds and other grasses in the backyard or on walks, our pets might experience adverse skin reactions to these seasonal environmental changes.
As the weather warms and our pet pals spend more time outdoors, keep an eye out for signs that the change in season could affect your pet. Continue reading “Springtime pet allergies”
Animals use their sense of smell, touch, taste and sound to learn about their surroundings, find food, hunt, play and more. Their senses are attuned to their environments and just like humans, engaging the senses of our pet pals in various ways helps keep their minds engaged and sharp.
There are various ways to engage your pet’s senses. Many of which you may already do. Here are a few ideas to spark your pet’s imagination.
Sight:
Bright colours and moving objects are ideal forms of visual stimulation that will capture your pet’s attention. Interactive toys such as laser pointers for cats or the humble bouncy ball for dogs can serve as visual stimulation for your pet. Colourful bedding and toys not only add a splash of colour to your pet’s special space, it can also attract their gaze and intrigue.
Sound:
Pitch, volume and different noises serve as auditory stimulation for your pet. Many pet parents leave the radio on for their pet pal during the day for familiarity. Music and audiobooks can be another good source of auditory stimulation throughout the day. When a calming mood is needed, sounds of nature help soothe our fur friends.
Touch:
Our pet pals are always eager for a cuddle or a roll around in the backyard. Human touch plays an important role in providing a stimulating experience, in addition to strengthening our bond with our animal companions. Other ways to offer tactile stimulation for our pets include providing bedding or play mats with different textures.
Taste:
Feeding does more than fill our pet’s tummies. It is also an opportunity to engage their sense of taste. Treats and food puzzles make mealtime fun and engaging. Food puzzles also help challenge pets and engage their minds to work for their food. Offering a variety of flavours and textures during mealtimes is another exciting way to engage your pet’s sense of taste.
Smell:
Animals have a very powerful sense of smell. Scented toys can be used to intrigue or soothe your pet. Hiding treats for your pet to find using their sense of smell is also a clever way of keeping them stimulated.
Providing our pet pals with sensory experiences will help keep their minds and bodies active and engaged. Remember to suit the activity to your pet’s unique needs, age and breed. With a little time and thought, offering sensory experiences will enhance your pet’s environment and enrich their life, health and happiness.
For the times you can’t be there with your pet pal, engage a live-in pet sitter to provide sensory stimulation for your doggo or kitty while you’re away.
Their slithery scales and forked tongues may make many of us squeamish, but their cleanliness and easy maintenance make snakes ss-sensational pets.
Around 3% of Australian households play home to pet reptiles with an estimated 538,000 pet reptiles dotted across the country. Snakes are the top choice for reptile lovers with 36% of reptile owners welcoming one – or more! – into their home.
As the most popular reptilian pet amongst Aussies, let’s sense-check our skills in caring for our slithery snake friends to ensure their happiness and everyone’s safety. Continue reading “Sensible snake care”
As the winter chill begins to set in, it’s important to care for our pet pals’ comfort, health and safety needs as the temperature drops. Whether you have a playful pup, a curious cat, or a cuddly bunny, here are some tips to keep your beloved pets warm and cozy this winter.
The comforts of a warm bed
Blankets that pets can snuggle into will help insulate pet pals from the cold. Adding pillows or old towels to their sleeping quarters will help cushion their bodies and provide an extra layer of protection against the chill of the ground. Continue reading “Pawesome winter warming ideas”
Have you ever noticed that the soft, almost inaudible click signalling the TV powering up is enough to summons your pawesome pet pal from wherever they may be? Are your pet’s eyes transfixed on the screen as you watch the latest episode of Neighbours together?
In an age of digital entertainment, where streaming services are entrenched in everyday TV viewing and binge-watching is a cultural phenomenon, it’s not just humans who are attracted to the glowing screen. Furry friends across the country – and the world – are snuggling up on the couch with their humans to watch along for entertainment and stimulation. Continue reading “Do pets love TV as much as we do?”