A Toothy Tale – Pets dental Hygiene

 

Animal dentistryDental disease among pets is one of the most common problems diagnosed by vets in Australia. Reports reveal that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of three are likely to have some form of dental disease which can cause them discomfort and pain, and potentially have more serious impacts on their long-term well-being.

Just like humans, pets need to have their teeth brushed on a regular basis. Regular teeth brushing will help keep your pet’s breath smelling sweeter, and it will also help prevent dental diseases such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and tooth decay.  Continue reading “A Toothy Tale – Pets dental Hygiene”

The Power of Pet Meditation

Our lives can be fast-paced, and stressful and sometimes it can be difficult to achieve moments of tranquillity. However finding those moments of serenity and mindfulness have been found to reduce anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression, and improve relationships, sleep and focus.

While meditation has long been practiced to achieve mental clarity and relaxation, pet meditation is an emerging trend that is being embraced by meditation enthusiasts and pet owners alike. Continue reading “The Power of Pet Meditation”

The paw-some perks of taking your pet to work

Pet SpanielWhen a typical day in the office includes preparing for several meetings, mountains of paperwork and deadlines to meet, consider how the presence of the wagging tail of your furry friend might be an instant mood booster for your workday.

Many companies are embracing the idea of bringing pets to work and for good reason. Not only does having pets in the workplace improve the wellbeing of employees, but it also creates a positive and vibrant work environment.  Continue reading “The paw-some perks of taking your pet to work”

Destination Sydney – what to explore on feet and paws

Sydney – it’s been ranked the second best travel destination in the world, and we can certainly see why. Sydney is one Australia’s most beautiful cities, with a host of attractions and activities to explore. Couple all that Sydney has to offer with an Aussie love of sharing everything with our beloved animal companions, and you have the perfect recipe for a good time out.

If you’re planning a stint in Sydney and surrounds and want to make the most of your time – and your budget! – consider some of these top spots to visit on your own or with a pet-pal by your side. Continue reading “Destination Sydney – what to explore on feet and paws”

5 ways to recognise National Pet Day

With an estimated 30.4 million pets delivering a dose of love, loyalty and companionship in households right across the country, it’s no wonder that Australia is known as an animal-loving nation.

National Pet Day in Australia is celebrated on April 11, and it’s a time to recognise the role pets play in our lives each and every day. Research on the benefits of pet ownership tells a clear story of ways in which our pet pals can help boost our moods, improve our health, and truly become a member of the family. Continue reading “5 ways to recognise National Pet Day”

Fussy and frightful eating habits

Fussy eatersOur pets can have the most bizarre eating habits. Some prefer certain textures and flavours over others, and some choose to ingest things you rather they wouldn’t. We’ve listed tips from Dr Jo Righetti from Pet Problems Solved to help you work out how best to address your pet’s interesting eating habits.

Fussy eaters – Just like humans, our pets can have a preference for one food over another. However, it can become problematic if they aren’t having a balanced, diverse diet to suit their age, size, and health requirements. It’s best to speak with your vet about your pet’s diet. Some smaller dogs can be pickier eaters, and so too can some cats. If your dog or kitty is noticeably eating only certain textures and flavours, try mixing their preferred food with one that you would like them to eat. Then gradually increase the portions until they become accustomed to the taste and texture. Continue reading “Fussy and frightful eating habits”

Top tricks to teach your dog

pet sitting

Spending time with your canine companion can be a learning experience as well. Here are some basic tricks to teach your dog that will encourage good behaviour and also strengthen your bond.

Trick: Sit

  • Teaching your dog to sit is probably the most important trick for them to learn.
  • Get a treat in your hand and show it to your dog; without giving it to them.
  • Hold the treat above your dog’s head so they must raise their head upwards – making the action of sitting the only way to reach the treat.
  • As soon as your pet-pal sits, reward them with the treat and praise them for doing the correct action.
  • Introduce the word “sit” when you give the treat to your dog for performing the correct action.
  • Continue to practice, so your doggo understands how to respond when they hear the word “sit”.

Purina gives their tips about introducing hand gestures instead of treats once your pet has ‘sit’ down pat.

Trick: Shake Hands

  • Make sure your dog is in a sitting position to start this lesson.
  • Have some dog treats in your hand and hold the treat in front of them so they know the treats are there.
  • Some trainers recommend trying to put your dog off balance by holding their treats to one side so they raise their paw. At the point they raise their paw, use a cue or word to signal that they have done the right action, and give them a treat. For instance, the cue could be “shake hands”, “yes”, “good boy/girl”.
  • Repeat these steps until your doggo will raise their paw for a shake simply by hearing your cue/word.

Here are the Gentle Modern School of Dog Training’s tips for teaching your dog to shake hands.

Trick: Playing Fetch

According to Petbarn, the first two most important words that your doggo has to know before they learn to fetch are “come” and “drop it”.

  • Teach them to “come” by using the word with your pooch’s name, speaking in an upbeat, positive tone. Praise them when they come.
  • To teach them “drop it”, start in a contained area such as the laundry and have your pet’s favourite toy in one hand and treats in the other. Give your pet their favourite toy, then with the treat close to their nose, say “drop it”. They will soon realise that they need to drop the toy to receive the treat.
  • Now move to a larger area, such as the backyard, and throw your dog’s favourite toy a few metres. Say “come” and make it more enticing with a treat.
  • Repeat “drop it” when your pet returns, and provide a reward when they do. Once you pet gets the hang of the game, increase the distance you throw the toy and practice, practice, practice to ensure your pet-pal understands how to play.

Trick: Roll Over

  • Better Homes and Gardens has outlined a technique to get your dog to learn how to roll over, which involves your dog starting on their belly.
  • Put a treat in your hand and move your hand slowly behind your dog’s neck.
  • Aim to encourage your dog to turn their head backwards without standing up.
  • As your dog sniffs/goes for the treat, gently encourage them to roll. As soon as they roll over, give them a treat and praise them for doing the correct action.
  • Continue to practice. When your dog completely rolls over on cue, give them a treat. Again, practice is key to your doggo understanding what the word “roll over” means.

Pet sitters can reinforce any dog training pet parents are undergoing with their fur-kids. Browse the profiles of animal loving pet sitters to find the ideal pet sitter for your pet care needs.

Pet-Friendly Resolutions for the New Year

Pet New Year

The New Year is a time when we tend to make promises to ourselves and others about making the most of every day. This year, add a pet’s perspective to your New Year’s resolutions for a fur-friendly 2023.

Here are just some of the resolutions you might like to consider for this year, but the options are endless and can be designed specifically to suit you, your fur kids and your lifestyle. Continue reading “Pet-Friendly Resolutions for the New Year”

Avoid decoration disasters this Christmas

Pet Christmas

‘Tis the season for bright lights, colourful tinsel, glittery baubles and trinkets. While festive decorations set the scene for merry celebrations, here are some pet safety tips to ensure all members of the family have a good time.

  • Manage power cords – The number one tip for a pet-safe Christmas is to always keep power cords and power packs tidy and out of sight of your pet-pal. Lights will gain your pet’s attention and curiosity. Young pups and kittens may like to chew cords, so it’s best to take steps to hide cords, or eliminate the temptation all together.
  • Secure your Christmas tree – For cats who adore climbing, a Christmas tree will seem a mighty challenge! Make sure your tree is secured at the base, and regularly collect fallen tree needles to ensure your pet doesn’t get them stuck in their paw or think they’re a tasty treat!
  • Decoration choice – Baubles, tinsel and other decorations can have sharp edges, hooks and bits that easily fall off. Consider plastic ornaments to reduce the risk of breakages. Like a ball of string, your cat will love the long tinsel hanging loosely from your tree. But tinsel can be hazardous if ingested. If you suspect your pet has swallowed a decoration, seek advice from your vet immediately.

As we gear up for the festive season, remember some of the foods that are toxic for our pet pals and read our blog article about feeding leftovers to our pets.

 

Those puppy dog eyes are hard to beat when it comes to leftovers

Pet Diet

We’ve all been tempted to sneak a morsel of meat to our wide-eyed, lip-licking, four-legged best friend under the table at dinner time. But are we doing more harm than good in giving them leftovers?

Animal Medicines Australia research reveals that a quarter of dog owners and one in ten cat owners give their pets leftover human food. Women are pegged as the main culprits of feeding table scraps to canine friends, particularly those in larger households and owners of medium-sized dogs.

But of course, the question remains… should we, or shouldn’t we? While overfeeding our pet-pals leftovers or making it a daily occurrence can have negative effects, Dr Simone Maher has said that it’s ok to give our pets leftovers if it’s more of a treat on a special occasion.

Of course, there are things we must consider when giving our pets leftovers. Specifically, if the food contains ingredients that are toxic to animals, such as onions, chocolate, macadamia nuts, caffeine, sultanas and grapes.

Studies suggest that more education and information needs to be available for pet owners to learn about the quantities and types of foods pet owners are feeding their pets.

When leftovers become a daily meal for pets or added to their meal routine, this can have significant health impacts, including leading to obesity, diabetes or pancreatitis.

Many of us want to share celebratory meals with our fur friends. Occasions such as Christmas, birthdays and New Year’s are all times when excess food might make it to Benny’s dog bowl. However, rich, fatty foods can’t always be handled by the gastrointestinal systems of our pet friends, which can lead to pancreatitis – a severe inflammatory disease.

When you notice that your fur-friend has increased in kilos and needs to go on a diet, eliminating the routine of feeding them leftovers is usually a good place to start. Speak with your vet about following a calorie-controlled diet that suits your pet’s breed and size to ensure they are on track for a healthy, long life.

Always seek advice from your vet if you have any health concerns about your pet.

When engaging a pet sitter, ensure all health-related information is shared and outlined to the pet sitter before they start the position to ensure your pet can keep to their usual routine.

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