Giants among us Despite their intimidating size, giant breeds such as bernese mountain dogs, dogue de bordeaux and mastiffs are often devoted, gentle and sensitive family members. It’s important to be aware that these “Big Friendly Giants” will naturally cost more to...
Lapping up the attention The companionship and comfort of a little dog curled up on your lap can be a real positive for mental health. Whilst many dogs love a good cuddle, breeds such as chihuahuas, poodles, shih tzus and maltese have a particular reputation for being...
Climate damage on the Great Barrier Reef: can we hit “reef-resh”? Image sources: the ABC, the Guardian Hope is in the air - or better yet, in the sea - after a recent coral spawning event took place in November last year. This annual spectacle in the Great Barrier...
Them rolls: dog breeds with excess skin Shar-peis, basset hounds, neapolitan mastiffs, bulldogs and dogue de bordeaux. What do they all have in common? Lots of skin folds and wrinkles! Whilst dogs with rolls can look appealing, their excess skin can, unfortunately,...
Snootiful sighthounds Whether you’re thinking of adopting an adult greyhound or welcoming a whippet pup into the household, you’re in for a treat! As well as looking like the perfect cross between a dog and a reindeer, sighthounds are generally gentle, sweet dogs who...
The dangers of bones! Whilst it is really tempting to share tasty Christmas roast leftovers with your pet, it’s safest to immediately dispose of any cooked turkey or ham bone remnants into a large, secure outdoor bin, where your pet can’t access them. Why? Firstly,...
The skinny on fatty foods and dogs Unfortunately, whilst most dogs would really love a hearty meal of Christmas ham and crackling, or a bowl filled with turkey meat, it’s best to be really careful about feeding these types of foods to our pets. How can fatty foods be...
What might Santa bring your cat? Looking for the “purr-fect” Christmas gift for your cat? Whilst there are some pretty excellent cat toys available online, it’s also possible to give your cat a great home-made present too! Cat furniture Cat furniture provides your cat...
What might Santa bring your dog? For a very happy canine this Christmas, consider organising one of these dog-friendly gifts for your four-legged friend! Toys If your pet loves playing fetch, you could consider a mouth-friendly toy made from tough, chew-resistant...
Toxic Christmas foods During the holiday season, many of us want to be able to treat our pets a little too! So, our team would like to provide an official “naughty or nice” Christmas food list, outlining which foods are potentially harmful to your pet, and which ones...
Shedding those excess canine kg’s! It’s estimated that up to 50% of dogs are overweight, and in many cases, their well-meaning owners may not actually realise! Body condition scoring is a useful way of objectively assessing your pet’s weight through comparing them to...
Fat cats Unfortunately, feline obesity is increasingly common, and brings with it an increased risk of issues such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, urinary tract disease and arthritis. If you think your cat may not be at their ideal healthy weight, it’s best to bring...
Not just a “lazy bones”! If your dog seems to be tiring quickly on walks, don’t just chalk it up to “laziness” or old age. Certain medical issues can also reduce exercise tolerance – here are a few common ones that are worth bearing in mind for any older pet who’s...
Keeping up with high-energy dog breeds High-energy dog breeds make for fun exercise and play buddies - and can also be great “workers” if their energy is channelled into a productive task. Within any breed, there is some variability in temperament. However,...
“Healthy pets don’t need to go to the vet, do they?” Yes. Healthy pets DO benefit from a regular vet check! We don’t want you to wait until your pet is unwell to book an appointment – we love to see them on a regular basis! This isn’t just because we love seeing your...
“Are flea and tick prevention products important for pets?” Yes! Flea and tick prevention products help keep your pet healthy by protecting them from parasites. With so many combination flea and tick prevention products now available, we frequently field questions...
“How do I know which vaccination is best for my pet?” That’s easy! We will discuss with you the appropriate vaccination protocol for your pet. Regularly vaccinating your pet is important to protect them against various potentially fatal or debilitating...
Can your dog join you for some summer beach fun? For many of us, the summer holidays wouldn’t feel complete without at least one trip to the beach. But can your dog join you for coastal fun? The answer is yes – with some planning: Check online to ensure your beach of...
Pet-safe festive foods Many of us want to involve our furry family member in Christmas celebrations - and festive meals are no exception! But do you know which foods are pet-safe and which can be dangerous? In the Christmas spirit, we’ve coded some common yuletide...
If loud noises make your pet anxious, summer storms and New Year's Eve fireworks can unfortunately be a terrifying time. For mild cases of noise phobia, it may be enough to “protect” your dog or cat from the noise by giving them a safe place to shelter. It’s generally...
Low-stress car travel for your pet Planning a Christmas road-trip with your pet? Don’t stress! Check out these anxiety-reducing pet travel tips. Safe travel Ensure your pet is properly secured in the car. The safest option for dogs is usually restrained on the back...
Keeping your pet busy on Christmas Day Christmas Day can be a pretty hectic day for most of us, with all of the meal preparations, family visits, last-minute gift-wrapping and the clean-up - but while we’re busy celebrating, our pets may be left just twiddling their...
Worming – what are your options? Regularly worming your cat or dog probably doesn’t rate first on your list of fun pet care topics but it’s important to stay on top of – for the health of your pet, yourself, and your family! Common animal intestinal worms such as...
Is your pet prone to heat stress? During the scorching summer months, our pets can feel a little hot and bothered too. Unfortunately, in some cases, this unpleasant heat stress can progress to dangerous heat stroke. Pets that are more at risk of overheating include:...