The pet owner

While many of us decide to make the most of the opportunity and spend our pubic holiday time away, some of us are then faced with the holiday that our furry family members will embark on.

The influx of all the delicious delicacies over the past couple of months, has brought us to the dreaded problem at the end of the festive season: the holiday weight gain.

Spring can pose a few problems for our feline friends. At this time of year there's an increase in pollen and pests and, with many of us spring cleaning the house or out weeding the garden, there's also an increase in the presence of chemicals.

Is a cat right for you? People with cats are known to have better general health, improved self-esteem and greater connection to their community. Whether you are a retiree, young professional or

Is a dog the right pet for you? It’s no secret that people with dogs are happier and healthier. Just looking at your dog is known to increase the amount of Oxytocin, the “feel good” chemical, in the

Visiting a shelter, rescue home or a veterinarian to adopt a new pet is an exciting time for any new pet owner. There are so many things to think about when welcoming your new pet into your family, so we have picked five of the most important things to consider.

Our pets are naturally inquisitive and use their mouths to sense and feel. Dogs are especially good at having a chew – and cats are too! It will come as no surprise then, that this can be a serious problem if you've got poisonous plants at home.

Pets and people go together like bread and butter, as much as we like to talk about enriching our pets’ lives with toys and play, the truth is the very presence of a dog can often enrich human lives.

If you’re going away on holidays and thinking of boarding your pet, you may need to start planning early. Kennels and catteries are often full over the festive season, public holidays and school

Many owners find the companionship of their dog so rewarding that they feel they would like to breed their dog, continue the bloodline and retain an offspring. This can occur with both male and female dogs. Others, especially first time dog owners, will acquire a female dog with the intent to breed her when she is old enough.

Healthy pets mean healthy people – when your dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig and turtle are well, they’ll enhance your life and not pose a health risk.

Dogs can make the perfect running companions. They’re enthusiastic, energetic and they never say no when we ask. However, all too often we see dogs behaving badly en-route – herding their owners,

Responsible pet ownership and teaching your family how to approach and be approached by an unknown dog are two key activities that will help reduce the incidence of dog bites.

Being a pet parent to a fabulous feline can be a lot of responsibility, especially when it comes to feeding them. It all starts with proper nutrition and free, ready access to H2O.

There’s nothing more spectacular than a fireworks display to bring in the New Year. We know it’s a joyful experience, but for our sensitive-eared pets it’s a bit like the end of the world. Explosions

Cats are known for their dismissive behaviour when it comes to showing affection. Your cat may actually love you a lot more than you think. Here are five signs that your kitty loves you.

Welcoming in the New Year and all our new resolutions (usually a back log from previous years), begins with the staple favourites; fireworks, dance hits and party poppers. We come together, loud and

As they say at this time of year, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! L et’s not forget about our furry family members during this time, as there are some hazards that we should be aware of.

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!

Getting your cat off your lap is easier said than done. The good news is they never lose their instinct to chase, pounce and catch prey, so it’s easy to encourage them to be more active.

Cats are one of the most popular pets kept as companions in Australia and NZ. They are beautiful, graceful, affectionate, but above all, highly complicated!

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!

Your pet spends a lot of time playing outside, so it’s important to know whether your garden is pet friendly. If you have a dog, it’s easy to fence off sections of your garden, but it’s a different story with an outdoor cat.

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.

With extended daylight and warm weather, the summer can be a great time to get active with your pet. However, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of heatstroke – a life-threatening condition,

Temperatures are heating up! This season is perfect for getting out and about with your furry friend, however we need to be prepared to protect our pets from the harsh summer sun.

Many a parent has been known to say “If you kiss the cat, you’ll wake up with whiskers!” While this common falsehood might prevent small children from getting too close, the question remains what are

KONGs are a fun, innovative way to feed your cat or dog. They are a tool that helps us engage in play with our pets, can help in the management of behavioural issues...

Studies have shown that the nitrogen content and concentration in your dog's urine causes the yellowing or burning that results in dead patches in your lawn. Female dogs are the major culprits, as they tend to urinate in the same place in large volume puddles.

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.

Celebrating your best friend's birthday with a party is a wonderful way to catch up with other canine pals and also treat your mate to a day of fun and excitement. And if you have adopted your pet, there's no reason why they should miss out.

So you are about to move house and concerned about settling your pets into their new environment. Here's some handy tips on making the transition stress free and as safe as possible for your pet.

So you are about to move house and concerned about settling your dogs into their new environment? Here's some handy tips on making the transition stress free and as safe as possible for your pet.

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...

It's a pet owner's worst nightmare, your best friend has suddenly taken ill, or been involved in an accident and you are facing a bill you hadn't budgeted for. Fortunately more pet owners are realising the advantages of pet insurance.

Most puppies come into the world as "surprises", born from roaming house pets and sometimes sent off to animal shelters as orphans. Often adopting a crossbred canine is literally saving an unwanted dog's life and the odds are he or she will make a great companion. So what are the pros and cons of selecting a crossbreed companion?

Studies show, that having a pet in the house can improve health and reduce loneliness and boredom. If you are a senior citizen or will be approaching your senior years in the upcoming years then you should consider some basic characteristics including temperament and size.

Should we get a dog or a cat? Costs and benefits of pet ownership. Where is the best place to get a new pet? What to look for. You have made a decision what do you do next? Taking your new pet home

As a pet owner, it is not a hard task to find a fantastic photo opportunity. Capturing the moment on camera is often a little more difficult. Here's some hints and tips on taking great pet photographs.

Christmas time means presents, family and food, lots of food for both you and your pet. This article gives some great post Christmas fitness ideas for you and your pooch!

Cleaning puppy poo off the bed or having the cat stand on your face at 5am can be a bit of a sneak peek into the joys of parenthood!

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

A selection of our favourite pet related books which we can recommend.

Socialisation is the special learning process that allows dogs to learn to live in society. They learn to accept the close proximity of people as well as other dogs and animals. This article written by animal behaviour expert Dr Kersti Seksel discusses socialisation.

Would you love to be able to take your pet away on holiday with you? Well it is possible - you just need to find the places that are welcoming to both you and your four legged friend. With careful preparation pets make wonderful travel companions.

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.

It’s no secret that Australians love their dogs. According to the Australian Veterinary Associated we have one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the world, with more 36% of households sharing

Australians love cats. According to the Australian Veterinary Associate, almost a quarter of Australian households have a cat – more than 2.5 million in total. Whether you’re a young family, a

Nothing is more adorable for parents than seeing the bonds formed between their children and a family pet.

Retired and looking for a furry companion? An extra special sidekick to spend your days with? It’s the time you’ve waited for when bumper-to-bumper in peak hour traffic, packed like a sardine on your

There are increasingly more opportunities to take dogs to pet friendly destinations including popular holiday locations. We have a medication which actually prevents vomiting from a wide range of causes, including motion sickness. Worldwide, it has seen thousands of dogs successfully treated for vomiting.

Transporting your pet requires planning and organisation well in advance of your intended departure date. This information is intended to assist you in planning for a safe and stress free trip including information on travel crates, anxious pets and more.

Follow these steps and enjoy a well earned, hassle free holiday while someone cares for your pet. Your pet's current health status Book your pet in for a full veterinary health check, including a

The answer to this question depends on your location and requires a mostly common sense response. Throughout Australia the laws surrounding dog restraint when travelling in or on the back of a car vary from state to state.

Some important tips and reminders for taking your pet with you on your well earned holiday. Your pet's current health status A pre-departure holiday health check is recommended for all your pets

If you are planning a holiday with your pet this summer, you’re in for some good fun! But before you set off, there are a few things you need to consider. If you are travelling to a new environment,

As the mercury has well and truly risen, we are constantly looking for new and inventive ways to keep our pet’s cool and entertained. Here are some cool icy treats for your pet.

Your cat has unexpectedly soiled your carpet, or your dog has chosen your favourite sofa as a pee place and you want to know the best way to clean up the mess and to stop your pet from doing the same thing again. Read our hints and tips on cleaning pet stains here.

Across all communities in our country we are being encouraged to save one of our most valuable natural resources - water. With this in mind, find out how you as a pet owner can do your bit to help

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

For people who love animals, but don’t have the time or space to have a cat or a dog, a fish can be the perfect pet. Not only are they low maintenance and inexpensive, their bright colours and

If you have ever lost weight on a diet, only to gain it back again, you will probably be familiar with the term ‘Yo-Yo dieting'.