What is a Hairball in Cats? Hairball, or trichobezoar, is a damp mass of undigested hair, moistened by bile and other digestive fluids. A hairball is rarely ball-shaped, but usually a slender and cylindrical cigar-shaped sausage, that takes that form...
Almost immediately, The Problem presents itself… on your pale cream carpet. Your kids are hysterical. You could pull up your carpet and replace it with...
Cat Mange/Mites Various species of tiny mites naturally live in the hair follicles at the base of each hair; certain species of these can cause...
HISTORY OF DOG FOOD (Ref whole-dog-journal.com) When dogs, or rather wolves, were predatory carnivores, around 18,000 years ago, they hunted and killed in packs. The...
#1. Ticks are still a threat Many people believe that milder weather means less or no ticks but this is certainly not the case. Some...
Body language of a happy dog Each dog has a unique personality and temperament. It’s also possible for dogs of the same breed to be...
Behaviour basics Reward not punishment. Most animal training today, practiced and recommended by animal behaviourists (people who are trained to deal with various aspects of...
Body language of a happy cat Every cat has a unique personality and temperament. Some are more social, some are frisky and playful, while others...
We have always found comfort in our furry companions but being stuck at home has built our relationships with our pets who are receiving a...
What the National SPCA says While some pets have been travelling with their humans for years, the National SPCAs does not recommend packing a suitcase...
Cat Hearing We are led to believe that a cat’s sense of hearing is better than ours. In fact, your hearing is very similar to...
Emotional Trauma in Dogs and Cats Like humans, pets can develop fear and anxiety disorders. An unpleasant experience early in life can sometimes be the...
Dog Genetics The cause of your dog’s hair loss may be related to genetic make-up. Hair loss can result from a lack of normal development...
Historical study of pet emotions We all remember Pythagoras from high school maths. He was an ancient philosopher and mathematician who also studied animals. Pythagoras...
Foods to keep away from kitty Dairy It is a common misconception that you should give your cat milk, yet we are all used to...
The history of pet therapy Renowned 19th century nurse, Florence Nightingale is said to be one of the first to use pets to assist in...
Make the New Year the Best Year Yet With Your Pet It is only natural that with a new year comes a new list of...
Separation Anxiety and Dogs The COVID-19 pandemic has forced plenty of people to work from home, or at least spend more time at home. This...
2 Distinct Dog Breeds With Plenty in Common If Labradors and Golden Retrievers have been confusing you for years, don’t worry – you’re not alone....
Deworm a Cat and Ensure Good Health for Your Feline Friend and Family Don’t make the mistake of thinking that only feral cats are prone...
Familiarise Yourself With the Beagle Dog Breed Whether you’re already a proud beagle parent or are looking to add one to your family in the...
Farewell, Best Friend Grieving the death of a pet is an unfortunate reality all animal lovers have to deal with at some point in life....
An Introduction to the Service Dog For the longest time in human history, dogs have proven to be our best friends. These loyal animals play...
Understanding Your Four-Legged Friend Better Have you ever found yourself thinking ‘What on earth is my dog trying to tell me?’ Rest assured – you’re...
Your Dog May Have a Master, But Your Cat Has Staff… Go back in history and you’ll find that cats were seen as and treated...
How Do I Know If My Dog Has an Ear Infection? If your dog is profusely shaking their head or they can’t seem to stop...
Understanding the Canine Heat Cycle, Gestation Period and Birth Who doesn’t get excited about the prospect of puppies? It’s a good thing that the canine...
What to Feed a Puppy and When For the initial stages of their life, puppies should consume special food, designed to help them grow big...
The Purr Is a Sign of What? Nothing soothes the soul like the sound of cats purring. You may find that your cats commonly purr...
Wait – Does a Dog Year Really Not Equal 7 Human Years? Not if you want your estimate of how old your best friend is...
Ensuring a Long and Happy Nine Lives for Your Feline Friend Most of the world’s cat owners are fortunate, as it’s not an uncommon occurrence...
Humans and Dogs: In a Long-Term Best Friend Relationship for 30,000+ Years You can trace the relationship between humans and dogs way, way back. More...
When to Treat Your Dog One dog’s needs are different to the next. When determining how often to deworm your dog, there are multiple factors...
Dog Crates: What They Are and Why You Should Bother Using One A dog crate is a closed-in pen, that’s just big enough for your...
Don’t Be Discouraged If Dog Grooming Is Hard for Both You and Your Pup at First You may have had a bad past experience with...
The Importance of Deworming Parasites are organisms that live on or inside an organism of another species and lives off of that host. Prevention of...
Enlist Expert Support Mindfully parenting your dog or cat isn’t something that you need to do alone. Proper care requires expert support. That’s where the...
How Much Weight Is Too Much Weight? The average medium cat weighs between 3 and 6 kilos (7 and 13 pounds). If you’re unsure of...
Tick and Flea-Related Issues Are Heating up “I think one of the biggest concerns that you see within the published literature for ticks is that...
#1 Shelter Your Furry Friends It’s essential to help your dog or cat stay comfortable during extreme temperatures. Summer temperatures can be too hot, and...
What Is Pet Diabetes? Good question. Like humans, the cells in a dog’s or cat’s body need glucose for energy, but glucose cannot be absorbed...
Ticks and Fleas: Not Just a Warm Weather Problem We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the most common external parasites to...
Help Your Cat Enjoy Their Nine Lives to the Full As a dedicated pet owner, you want nothing but the best for your beloved fur...
5 Places Indoor Cats Can Catch Fleas Despite what you may think, indoor cats still run the risk of becoming flea-infested. Here are five of...
[image] 1. A Clean Dog is Top Priority Keeping your dog’s bed clean starts with your dog. If you’re not grooming your beloved pet daily...
Some dogs are indeed easier to keep from picking up unwanted hitchhikers than others. The reason why lies in their furry coats, behaviour and genetic...
Why Is My Dog Barking? Dogs communicate vocally by barking and it can mean a variety of different things, it all depends on the situation....
Signs and Symptoms of an Overweight Cat You may think that your precious feline friend is merely fluffy, not fat. However, even moderate obesity can...
Living With Pets: Times Are Changing People all across the world have had to come to terms with a new state of normal – extended...
What is Catnip? You may have heard about catnip’s effect on cats or its medicinal uses, but do you know what it is? The feline...
Ticks may be small, but they can cause life-threatening diseases. That’s why you need to take these tiny threats seriously. Many of these disease are...
Time to Debunk 10 Popular Tick Myths Stop the spread of misinformation and discover how ticks can really affect you and your fur baby. Myth...
Yes, cats can be trained. Cat training has a triple-edged benefit. Firstly, it mentally stimulates and entertains your cat – ‘bye-bye’ boredom! Secondly, spending time,...
Why do we always catch our cat sleeping near us ? The short answer is because your cat loves you and wants to be close...
Your dog may very well be the most cuddly creature on earth. You probably don’t mind having your dog sleeping in bed with you. It’s...
Cat Adoption, rather than shopping for a cat isn’t just a noble cause, but it’s also much cheaper than buying from a breeder or pet...
Ticks: The Tiny Parasite That Leads to Huge Problems These little blood suckers aren’t merely unpleasant to look at, they can do some serious damage...
Keep your pup healthy by supporting them every step of their ageing process. Did you know that a puppy’s needs differ from a senior dog’s...
No more dog fleas! Life has enough problems, fleas on your dog shouldn’t be one of them. An itchy dog is an unhappy dog and, as all...
Taking Care of a Cat Indoors and Out Your cat is a valued member of the family that adds an abundance of love and joy...
Ensuring Your Dog is Happy and Healthy, No Matter What Their Age The moment you decide to bring a new dog home, you commit to...
Can all dogs swim? A history of good swimming dogs 10 best swimming dog breeds 10 worst swimming dog breeds How to teach a dog...
Mango fly’s are pesky parasites – put a stop to them before they start a nursery underneath your or your pet’s skin! Read more about...
So your new furry friend is finally coming home? Exciting! Whether you’re an experienced or first time dog owner, your new pup will need a...
Give Your Feline Friend a Boost with Quality Cat Care Adopting a kitty is the start of a loving relationship filled with furry cuddles, playful...
What is Diabetes in Dogs and Cats? Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting the pancreas. It causes the afflicted dog or cat’s body to either:...
What Are the Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs? Ear mites – scientific name Otodectes cynotis – is a common parasite known to infect a...
A Guide to Sick Cats What is Typical Sick Cat Behaviour? Signs of a Sick Kitten Sick Cat Symptoms for Serious Diseases The Best Foods...
The Scratchy Situation: Ear Mites on Cats Ear mites (scientific name: Otodectes cynotis) are one of the most common parasitic infestations known to plague cats....
Why Homemade Dog Treats Are the Best Option. Homemade dog treats are a labour of love for your dear wet-nosed friend.
Can You Bathe a Cat Without It Turning into a Catastrophe? The answer may shock you, but yes, you can. Because most of our domesticated...
Guide to Ticks on Cats in South Africa What are ticks? Meet the tiny threat: types of ticks 5 signs of tick fever in cats...
Guide to Ticks on Dogs in South Africa What causes ticks on dogs? Where do ticks come from? Different types of ticks on dogs in...
Why you should expand your dog-family The only thing better than one dog, is two dogs. Although two dogs might mean double the mess and...
What is cat socialisation? Simply put, by socialising your cat, you are preparing them for life. It’s the process of introducing your cat to humans,...
Chilly nights are best spent snuggled up to your favourite pawed friend with popcorn and all the dog movies. If you agree, grab your pup...
Is your cat stressed out? Most of the time, it’s difficult to tell. Cats hide physical pain and inner turmoil very well, which makes it...
Guide Overview What are fleas on puppies? Common puppy parasites to monitor How can your pooch get fleas? Simple tips to take control of fleas...
Living in a free-standing house with a backyard for your doggo to roam free us not always an option when you begin your adult life....
We all know that cats are pretty much always in charge of the household and they have certain expectations and standards that they expect from...
Guide Overview Tips for treating outdoor and indoor cat fleas What are fleas, and where do they come from? Wrapping your head around the flea...
Ear mites in dogs are incredibly contagious. If your doggo enjoys playing outdoors and rolling themselves in the sand, unfortunately, they are more prone to...
Becoming a pet parent is no easy task, especially when you don’t know how to take care of a dog. If you’ve grown up with...
Flea control is challenging. These unwanted parasites can cause your pet a loss of energy, as well as affect their health and performance. And, the...
Many people assume that learning how to house train a puppy is an effortless experience. While a tiny furry friend will undoubtedly bring you plenty...
Cat adoption or acquiring a cat is a major responsibility. It’s a big step in your life, and it should be done by following the...
Fighting fleas without the right flea treatment for cats can be a long-term challenge. Whether you have cats or dogs, the experience is the same...
What is kennel cough? Kennel cough is a very contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by various viruses and bacteria. While it might...
Travelling with cats in the car can be a breeze if you’ve done your research and looked at the most popular and necessary tips for...
As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to look after your pet and ensure that you’re providing him or her with the best possible care...
Dogs are beautiful creations. From their little paws to their chubby rolls and drooling mouths, there is so much to love about dogs. With so...
Getting a new puppy requires planning and preparation. While you might consider buying or rescuing a puppy on a whim, you need to know what...
Itching for new party tricks to teach your dog? Here are some dog training tips to explore. When considering how to teach your dog new...
The holiday season is all about family! If you’re planning on traveling this holiday, it’s all the merrier if your pawed pal can join the...
Nothing beats sun, sand and the ocean! Now that the days are longer, you’re bound to spend more time tackling the beach with your family!...
Delicious dog biscuit recipes! Humans don’t have to be the only ones who can enjoy baked goodies this holiday season. Christmas time is around the...
With summer in full swing and the warmer weather, ticks, fleas and mites are also looking for some holiday treats for themselves. Unfortunately for them,...
Fleas are the most common parasite found on pets and is perfectly designed to be an all-around nuisance for both you and your dog. Their...
Hello, summer! Boy, have we been waiting for you? However, as summer starts to settle in, and we start preparing for more sunny days outdoors...
How does Bravecto work you ask? Below we will explain the entire process, but there’s a good reason to trust us. Staying tick, flea and...
Diabetes in dogs is not as uncommon as some may think! Unlike humans, our pets aren’t able to tell us when they’re feeling ill, so...
Packing, hitting the road and venturing to a brand-new adventurous destination - what’s not to love about family getaways? Family getaways are even more special...
There’s a reason why they call it the golden years. Yes, your senior dog might not be the young puppy from when he first became...
Now that the warmer weather is officially upon us, fleas have also, unfortunately, become more prevalent. Although fleas tend to stick it out all year...
It’s officially spring time! Gone are the gloomy days and out comes the sunshine, flowers and a whole lot of fresh, new energy. We’re pretty...
What comes to mind when you think of spring? Flowers! The days seem brighter and the mood feels lighter, all because of the beautiful blossoms...
Rabies cases in South Africa are around 600 – 900 annually reported, excluding all the numbers that go unrecorded. To minimise the risks of this...
Bring on the snacks, because it’s time for a dog picnic! Pack all your goodies in a basket, grab the biggest blanket you can find,...
Dog breeds are a specific type of dog that humans intentionally bred for different reasons over the years. Every fur-kid has personality traits that are...
Tip One: Vaccination vs socialisation Young pups are extra susceptible to diseases before their immune systems are fully effective. However, keeping your puppy isolated until...
Topics covered in this article: Keep the trash at a safe distance A designated puppy-pad Cover cords and electronics Store away any harmful chemicals Set...
Vaccinations aren’t an option, but rather a necessity. As soon as your puppy is weaned, it’s important that they don’t mix with other dogs or...
Everybody loves the smell of freshly baked goods filling up the house, especially your dog. Now, your fur- kid can also appreciate your baking skills...
Nothing beats cuddles on the couch with your champion of a furry best friend. World Dog Day is around the corner, and there’s still a...
Winter in sunny South Africa doesn’t always feel like much to worry about regarding temperature. We still enjoy relatively sunny days as well as the...
Topics covered in this article: Find the balance Keep to the routine Keep exercising Keep their coat healthy Stay hydrated Boost their immune systems Along...
Topics covered in this article: Go for a brisk walk Enrol in classes Playtime Take a hike Out to eat Road trip Bake cookies Everyone...
Adding a new member to the family is an exciting and special time for everyone. As soon as you hold the little ball of fluff...
The 14th of June is World Blood Donor Day, and to celebrate this important day, Dr Mats Abatzidis shares his insight on the topic. Sometimes...
Dogs are our best furry friends and unfortunately, they don’t always understand that certain things will hurt them. Luckily, however, we can help them stay...
Topics covered in this article: Exercise A variety of toys Gentle dog massage A steady routine Ignore him Ask your veterinarian Just like us, dogs...
Topics covered in this article: Breathing and heart problems Subclinical conditions Quantity and quality of life Arthritis Digestive disorders Heat intolerance Decreased liver function Dogs...
The month of May marks the start of winter, and with the cooler weather on our doorsteps, we're all about keeping you and your dog...
Topics covered in this article: True hyperactive dogs How to calm your dog Dogs are known for being full of life and energy and tend...
Playing fetch is a great way for your dog to have fun and exercise too. But, what if you initiate a game of fetch, throw...
Topics covered in this article: Appetite Changes Change in their Sleeping Routine General loss of interest Excessive Licking Avoidance What to do when your dog...
South Africa is known for its beautiful and scenic camping spots. You should be able to experience camping with the whole family – including your...
Ultimately, every dog has a unique personality, and as you get to know him/her better, you will learn to see which games your dog prefers...
With World Health Day on the 7th of April, we've been thinking about what this "picture of health" entails, besides protecting your dog from ticks...
Topics covered in this article: 1. Have your dog’s medical history ready 2. Check their safety certifications 3. Group Size 4. Caregiver Qualifications 5. How...
Topics covered in this article: Chocolate Alternatives for Dogs Carob Frozen Sardines Cabbage Brown Rice Quinoa Red Peppers Cauliflower Chocolate Alternatives for Dogs As we...
Topics covered in this article regarding dog activities in Easter: 1. Go on a Picnic 2. Day Trips 3. A special treat 4. An Easter...
Topics covered in this article: The do’s and don’ts Separate Hunts Plastic Eggs Strong scents Account for all the eggs The do’s and don’ts You...
So, it happened. A tick bit your dog, and even though you hoped it wasn’t what you thought it was – it most definitely was...
Knowing where to look for ticks on your dog is of great importance. Making use of their nifty heat sensors, ticks can sense their next victim...
Phase 1 The female tick lays the eggs. The eggs vary from 2 000 to 18 000. The male tick dies immediately after he has mated, whereas...
First of all, don’t panic. Secondly, don’t just scratch it off. It is also crucial to remember not to pinch, squeeze or crush the body...
Before looking out for signs in your dog should your dog have ticks, it is important to have general and frequent routine checkups to ensure...
Topics covered in this article: 1. Shake Hands 2. Fetch 3. Roll Over 4. Sit Pretty 5. Hug 1. Shake Hands The “Shake Hands” trick...
You should ask yourself these questions before you take the leap! Topics covered in this article: Can You Commit? Will Your Pet Fit Your Lifestyle?...
Topics covered in this article: Food and water Tags Collar and leashes Entertainment Vaccination Records Food and water Remember to pack your furry friend’s favourite...
Topics covered in this article: 1. Plastic Bottle Dog Toy 2. Rope and Tennis Ball Toy 3. Braided T-Shirt Dog Toy 4. Interactive Tennis Ball...
Topics covered in this article: Kranskloof, Magaliesberg Newlands Forest, Cape Town Huddle Park Golf and Recreation, Johannesburg Constantia Nek, Cape Town Buffalo Gorge, Middleburg Umhlanga...
That’s right, it’s 2018 and a brand new year is here! Hopefully, at this point, you’ve made your relevant resolutions, and you’re going strong. At...