Dogs - Basic health and care

With a spring in our step, there is a new found feeling of motivation to get back into being active. We all know what comes with this change in season… hay fever.

Leaving your pet with someone you don't know can be a daunting and confronting task however for some pet owners it is a matter of necessity. Here are some tips on how to select a facility for your pet and make their stay as comfortable as possible.

Bringing a new family member into the home is often a much awaited event for existing members of the family. However, there are many factors that need to be considered to ensure your new pet settles in to the family including introducing existing pets, house and toilet training and healthcare.

Our pets can hear sounds at a much higher frequency than us mere humans and rely on this ability for different needs. Therefore, it is important as pet parents that we familiarise ourselves with their ears so that we can notice any changes as well as prevent any infections that may develop.

Introducing the basics on pet healthcare for your dog from check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control, bathing your pet, socialisation and training, travel, pet insurance and things to watch out for.

Information provided to help you with all the necessary health care your new puppy will require, including vaccination, check-ups, worming, flea control, dental care, nutrition, desexing, microchipping, bathing, socialisation and training, home environment, and pet insurance.

Collars and/or a harness are an essential accessory for every pet and a fashion highlight for some too. It is however essential that you should choose carefully as a poorly selected and fitted one may cause unnecessary injury.

Surgical desexing involves removing part of the reproductive system of an animal whilst under a general anaesthetic. There are many different names to describe this procedure but the correct word in

Desexing and neutering are umbrella terms for the surgical sterilisation of both male and female animals. Females are ‘speyed’ by removing the ovaries and uterus, and males are ‘castrated’ by

There are important medical and behavioural benefits to consider when deciding to desex your pet.

Exercise is as important as feeding a healthy, well balanced diet to your pet. Not only will it provide essential health benefits but it will also provide mental stimulation and important social contact with other canines and people.

Ideally you should expose your puppy to as many of the things he/she is likely to encounter as an adult as possible. Whether it be with other boisterous puppies, excitable (friendly) adult dogs, children, loud people, loud noises or even the sound of traffic.

Get familiar with your pet's ears, so that you know what they should look like. Look out for changes on a regular basis, note changes and find out what you should do, treat ear problems and learn how to clean your pet's ears

At home eye cleaning and eye checks will keep your pet comfortable and free from eye related problems. Homecare is particularly important for pets that are more susceptible to eye problems such as dogs with flat noses and cats with long hair that can irritate the eyes. White coated pets will also benefit from regular cleaning to prevent tear staining.

There are many reasons why pet's turn their nose at the food bowl, and there is unfortunately no 'trick' to feeding a fussy pet, however here's some tips on how you can encourage eating.

Removal of organs that produce hormones will slow your pet's metabolism down.

If your dog jumps to the sound of the word 'schmako' or your cat lives for a special treat then it is likely you are one of many pet owners who are tempted to sneak their pet a snack. For most pets,

A dog's dietary requirements change depending on its stage of life, activity level and physiological state. For instance, a growing puppy requires high levels of many nutrients, like protein, to develop strong bones and muscles. Older dogs do not require nearly as much protein, in fact high-protein diets can over-tax body organs such as the kidneys and actually shorten the dog's life.

The feeding requirements of a puppy vary depending on a number of factors including breed type, sex of your dog, age and their activity level. From birth to about 3-4 weeks of age, a mother's milk should satisfy a puppy's nutritional needs. From 4 weeks onwards a puppy will need solid food supplements.

Maintaining healthy skin and coat is an extremely important part of your dog’s overall health. To keep your dog happy and healthy and their coat in optimal condition, just follow these five steps.

Let’s talk about a stinky subject that plagues doggy loving households everywhere; pet flatulence. We have all experienced that moment of shock during a snuggle with our furry family member, when suddenly a less than unpleasant smell engulfs the room.

Fleas are tiny dark brown parasitic insects that infest the coat and skin of pets. Find out how to tell if your pet has fleas, how pets get fleas, prevention and why it is important all year round. The flea lifecycle and the products that can help destroy the flea lifecycle.

Flies carry bacteria and are capable of causing not only damage to the body of your pet, but serious stress and discomfort if not repelled. If flies have access to infected skin, they can lay eggs inside the wound and these eggs are what will hatch to become maggots.

Both dogs and cats need to be regularly treated for worms. The most common type of worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Most of the time your pet can be infected with worms without you even knowing.

Shampooing your dog for the first time, or not sure how often your pet should be washed, and what about hydrobathing? Check out our tips for shampooing here. Thoroughly wet your dog all over. The

From time to time your dog or cat will require medication such as worming tablets, or antibiotics. Giving tablets to your pet can be tricky business so here's a few tips that can help make medication time less stressful for you and your pet.

The most satisfying task to accomplish is getting the house nice and clean! We all enjoy that first sip of a hard-earnt cup of tea after sitting down and appreciating all your hard efforts. These moments are often short lived, especially with our furry friends around!

Feeding your dog a balanced diet of both good quality pet food and fresh food, twice a day, helps your dog's digestion and gets them the right amount of nutrition.

Where do we begin with nutrients for our curious canines? There are a lot of things we need to remember for our pet, vaccinations and parasite control to name a few, when it comes to food it seems like a whole new game. And it is!

We have all been in that position before. Keeping a watchful eye on that one spot that our furry friend keeps itching. Then the internal fight begins on whether you should take them straight to the vet or are you just overthinking this?

Hibernation season is upon us! As the temperature outside is dropping, all we can think about is getting cosy with our favourite winter blanket, a nice cup of tea and staying as close to the heater as possible.

The world of pet food is as confusing as ever. From different brands to new and interesting treats, it is difficult and stressful to make the decision on what the best food is for our fur child.

Helping your furry family member to maintain a healthy weight not only improves their quality of life but significantly reduces the risk of serious conditions associated with obesity. To help you keep your pet on track, we’ve answered some common questions on weight and nutrition.

Understandably nail clipping can be a stressful if not frustrating time for dogs and dog owners. However keeping your dog's nails neat and tidy is essential for preventing potential breaks, tears, ingrown nails and soreness as well as other problems related to posture and back care.

January is the month of motivation; we are getting everything in order to prepare for a prosperous and positive year. This new beginning is usually a reminder for most pet parents to get all their pet’s vaccines updated...

We all love our pets and without perhaps realising it we may be loving them to death. Sneaky snacks, an oversupply of food and a lack of daily exercise has made obesity the most common health issue vets see...

Raising an orphaned litter of puppies can be a time consuming exercise but one that is associated with many rewards. Puppies may be orphaned for many reasons such as rejection by their mother,

All puppies are super cute, but can also be very naughty. These behaviours can be very simple to eliminate, here are some tips to help you out with some common problem puppy behaviours

Playing with puppy-friends in a new environment such as the local park or beach is a very exciting time for any puppy. However, there are a number of highly contagious diseases which exist in the

You should expose your puppy to as many of the things he/she is likely to encounter as an adult as possible. Here's how you can have peace of mind for your pet's safety and give them adequate opportunities to socialise.

Irritated skin can be a result of many problems such as skin diseases, allergies, ear problems and other illnesses. However, it is a good idea to rule out fleas as they are extremely irritating and when left to breed and multiply, they can cause other related issues such as a flea allergy.

The epidermis is the body's environmental shield that works as a barrier against injury, disease, and damage from ultraviolet light and is constantly replaced. Canine epidermis has a turnover rate of 20 days ...

Spring can be a challenging time for pet parents and their fur babies due to a range of symptoms that can arise from the warmer weather, spring flowers and a high pollen count.

The new year is a great time for resolutions and new goals, it is also a great time to make sure your pet is set for the year ahead. We’ve created a handy check list to make sure your pet is set for 2020.

Dogs and cats are full of energy and that energy needs to go somewhere, otherwise problem behaviours may start and your pet will become more prone to health issues.

Your vet can give you advice on how to look after your pet, but as a pet owner the responsibility is with you to make sure your pets are fit and healthy.

Do you know what the ideal body weight is for your pet? Use this handy list to find your dog's breed and their ideal weight range. If you think your dog is overweight make sure you see use our body condition score report.

A balanced and nutritious diet equals a happy and healthy pet, but getting the right amount of nourishment can be a tricky business.

Each year at your pet’s annual check-up, your vet may recommend getting a blood test. Ultimately you have the final decision if you would like the test completed and that choice should be respected.

Vaccinations are an extremely important element of your pet’s health and wellbeing. This article will give you the reasons why vaccinations are so important in giving your pet a happy and healthy life.

Tick Paralysis can be a common case depending on the areas people visit with their pets. There are a number of types of ticks, some of which are a nuisance such as the bush tick, right through to Paralysis Tick which causes many fatalities each year.

Obtaining a urine sample from your pet can be tricky business. If your veterinarian or veterinary nurse has asked you to collect a urine sample from your pet at home, here are some handy tips on how to go about it.

The life of a pet parent can be summed up in three simple words: messy, stressful and (above all) rewarding. We would do absolutely anything to keep our furry child safe...

Is your pet a healthy weight? Use the visual indicators to select a Body Condition Score for your pet.

Worms can have a serious health effect on puppies, so intestinal worming should never be overlooked. As a rule, all puppies need to be wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months of age. After six months of age an adult dog needs to be wormed every 3 months.