| DISCLAIMER |
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| The staff at A Pet's Life (www.apetslife.co.za) are not trained vets or behavourists. We publish information on the site gained from other sources (and reference them) or from personal experience. We cannot be held responsible for any pet related issues related to the information or advice that is given. When in any doubt, please consult that your veterinarian or behaviorist. Animal Behavourist details are published on the links page. |
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| DOGS |
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| Behaviour modification |
| Behaviour modification items for dogs |
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| My dog is about to come on heat, but I don't want her to have puppies yet. Will the Bitch! spray be enough to keep our male dog away from her? |
The two dogs MUST be kept in separate rooms as the masking spray will not be enough!!!! A chastity belt is not enough, if you can get one!
Preferably the bitch should go to kennels or be put in a locked kennel/room at the home for 3 weeks (the time she’s on heat). The masking spray is a good idea as well as it will help the male to not get so frantic (and other males in the neighbourhood). The bitch can only be taken outside when supervised on a lead (at least twice a day) and when the male is kept in another room away from her. It’s amazing how quickly they can “tie” and the next thing she will be in whelp.
Answer with thanks from Karen Gray-Kilfoil |
| Electronic and static stimulation devises are quite controversial. Why do you sell them? |
We believe in responsible pet ownership, where pets are loved and cared for and trained appropriately. Occasionally some pets either do not get the training they need, or are trained but have unresolved obedience and behavioral issues and are in danger of being put down as their owners have come to the end of their tether.
When used correctly, as a training device and not as a punishment tool, these devices are a better solution than having to destroy your dog.
Please note that A Pet's Life showcases all products that are available and believe it is up to the owner to make a responsible decision regarding these products.
All pets are different and react differently to various training devices. Your dog's breed and personality needs to be taken into account before using any device.
Please also consult your vet prior to embarking on training to ensure that there is no health issues causing your pet to behave inappropriately.
Please review the fact sheet on static and electronic stimulation devices for more information.
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| Travelling with a dog |
| What's recommended, tips & hints for travelling with a dog |
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| Can I leave my dog in the car when I need to make a toilet stop for myself? |
If you absolutely must leave your pet in a parked car, make sure it is only for a few minutes at a time! Even if the windows of the car are open, dogs and cats can quickly die of heat exhaustion. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120° in a matter of minutes, even with the windows opened slightly
If you must leave them for a short period of time, make sure to lock all doors, park in a shady area, and open windows wide enough to provide ventilation without enabling your pet to jump out or get its head caught. Be aware of weather conditions. You should never leave your pet in a parked car when the temperature and/or humidity are high or when temperatures are near or below freezing.
Also be aware that an animal left alone in a car is an invitation to pet thieves.
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| What red flags should I look out for when on holiday with my pet? |
It's a good idea to do a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home.
In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, unusual lumps, limping, loss of appetite, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption.
Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes. |
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| What should a pet first-aid kit consist of? |
A simple pet first-aid kit should include: a variety of bandages, antiseptic cream, antidiarrheal medication, gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in the area.
Ask you Vet for any other medication or paperwork that might suit your pet's health history |
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| My dog is flying for the first time: should I feed him before the flight? |
It's probably better to ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions.
For your pet's comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended.
The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet's regular dietary routine should be considered when feeding recommendations are given. |
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| Can I feed my dog before a long road trip? |
Stick to your regular feeding routine and give your dog its main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your final destination.
Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your dog is used to and enjoys it. If you are feeding your dog canned food, always dispose unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated.
Always take along fresh cold water foryour dog, in case reliable water sources are not available.
Depending on how long your trip is, give small portions of food and water and plan to stop approximately every four hours to exercise you dog. |
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| How does magnotherapy work? |
Bioflow magnotherapy products have been designed to promote and maintain good health through the application of their unique magnetic fields to the blood flow.
The Bioflow products mimic the action of “Electrically generated magnotherapy equipment “ used so successfully by Physiotherapists.
What is unique about the Bioflow product is the arrangement of the poles of their magnets. Below one can see the difference between a normal static magnet and the patented “Central reverse polarity” Bioflow magnet.
Blood flow increases immediately as it passes under the magnet-the iron molecules in the haemoglobin (blood) are subjected to a “triple spin”or pulsing effect, resulting in improved circulation and oxygen dispersal.
As 70 % of the human body consists of water, it is vital that the correct Ph balance is maintained. Just like a swimming pool which is lovely and blue-if it rains heavily, this results in the pool going green, as the Ph has gone out of balance. Chemicals have to be added to make it blue again and bring the Ph back into balance.
The action of the Bioflow magnets help to correct and maintain the right Ph balance in the body by helping the cells work more efficiently to get rid of waste products such as Lactic and Uric acid amongst others and to transport larger amounts of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
The patented Bioflow range is imported from the U.K. where is registered as a Class 1 medical device. It has been proved to be effective by a scientifically reviewed clinical trial, the results of which were published in The British Medical Journal. |
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| Arthritis solutions for dogs |
As your dog gets older, he may begin to feel the cold a bit more and start suffering from sore joints and arthritis.
There are numerous remedies and supplements on the market, the below just a few that are available on A Pet's Life.
One sure way to care for your dog as they get older is to keep them warm: the Sleep Right Self-warming blanket reflects the pet's own body heat back to it and is recommended for pets with arthritis or suffering from separation anxiety. The Snugglesafe Heatpad is a microwaveable 'bag' that retains a comforting level of warmth for 10 hours or more, making it ideal for convalescing and geriatric animals as well as puppies and kittens. Also available on A Pet's Life is a huge range of warm fleece blankets and warm jerseys and raincoats.
For a natural alternative for pain relief, the Magnotherapy collar will apply magnetic fields to the dog's body, to relieve the effects of arthritis, pain, joint and muscle stiffness and even fatigue.
There are also a lot of supplements on the market but we advise you speak to your Vet before you start your dog on any of these options.
One such supplement is Nutureline Rejuvadog: this supplement helps to alleviate the arthritis and protects the joints from further stiffness and even helps to repair the joints. The ginseng also gives them a bit of a lift in their old age. And the Boswelia helps to protect the tummy so that is not affected as it can be with other anti- inflammatories.
For larger dogs, there's also Mobiflex, a supplement that is added to the dog's food to improve mobility or help towards inflammatory conditions.
If you are more 'hands-on' and want to massage your dog's sore muscles, then consider Arthritis Blend, a natural aromotherapy massage oil which has powerful pain reducing properties as well as calming components.
The Electric Pet Massager gives a soft massage to relieve strains and tensions, and alleviate aches and pains. |
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| Post Surgery - what you can do for your pet |
We had a very concerned customer contact us about her dog that had broken his leg and what products we could recommend to help it during convalescence and shorten the recovery phase.
The following products were recommended to us:
"Herbal Pet Joint Formula: Because the cartilage will no doubt also need repairing. Also contains calcium for bone growth."
Nurtureline recommend: Rejuvadog with added calming additives e.g. 5-HTP, Passiflora etc.
If the poor dog has to be in kennels then perhaps the (added) calming additives will help the Rejuvadog do it's job of helping to repair the bone.
Note: Nurtureline has offered to add these additives to the RejuvaDog mix on special request.
“PetHeal, which is not specifically for bone healing but will speed up healing in general and also help with pain relief, was suggested by PetAlive. It can safely be used together with most conventional medications given post operatively. She could also speak to a homeopathic vet about using Symphytum to help with bone healing.”
Please remember that these responses are based on the manufacturer's product knowledge only, and was given with no prior communication or inspection of the injured dog. I would definitely recommend you speak to your Vet if you are interested in using any of these products to assist your pet's recovery in a similar situation.
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| How do I know if my pet has gum disease or tooth decay? |
Bad breath is usually the first clue that your pet’s teeth and gums need attention.
Bacteria in the mouth and the development of calculus produce foul-smelling breath in pets (much worse than harmless ‘doggy breath’!)
Regular inspection of your pet’s teeth is a good idea to establish the level of dental health. Healthy teeth should be shiny white all the way to the line of the gum. Any deposits or build up of a dark yellow or brown substance on the teeth, especially near the gum line indicates a problem with calculus.
Chewing on hard food generally cleanses the teeth of calculus especially the tips of the teeth.
However, be aware that the gum line is slightly indented and can provide a perfect hiding place for the calculus-causing bacteria – a perfect breeding ground for months on end.
Healthy gums are pink in color and there should be a clear delineation between gums and teeth.
Gum disease in pets is characterized by:
A bright red line that marks the spot between gums and teeth
The straight, sharp edge of the gum has become rounded or swollen
Content supplied by PetAlive |
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| Beds and blankets |
| Beds and blankets |
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| I’m getting a puppy, how do I choose a bed? |
Dogs, just like humans, have very individual tastes in beds. Some like to curl up when they sleep, some like to stretch out. Some like soft and fluffy and some just prefer a little harder.
So how do you choose a bed?
How does your dog sleep?
If he’s curled up, chances are he’d prefer a round bed with a lip. Have a look at Ruff Raff Round beds. Does he stretch out? A flatter rectangular bed may be better like these sheepskin beds.
An interesting fact is that dogs can only achieve REM / dreaming sleep when they are sleeping on their side, with their legs stretched out in front of them. Even a round bed needs to be able to accomodate a dog that is stretched out. Alternatively, give your dog the option of a round bed when they want to curl up and a flat mattress when they want to lie stretched out.
Does your dog insist on sleeping on your bed or the couch? Perhaps he isn't being "naughty" but just feels safer when sleeping in a higher position. Consider getting a bed that is raised off the ground, or some blankets you can put on your couch for his special position.
How big is your dog?
Bigger dogs will need bigger padded beds. Measure your dog to check that he will fit comfortably into the bed. If you have a puppy, see how big his parents are to get an indication of the size bed you should get.
Is it machine washable?
Some beds come with removable cushion covers making for easier washing.
Where will the bed be placed?
If the bed will be outside, check that it has a PVC base to prevent the bottom from getting damp.
Quality
As a rule of thumb, quality costs a little more. You need to ensure that your bed will withstand claws (some dogs like to fluff up their beds) and repeated washing.
Older or arthritic dogs
Selfwarming blankets are ideal for older or arthritic dogs as they reflect the dogs’ heat back on him.
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| Teething puppy - suggestions from Animal Behaviorists |
There are a huge variety of products and toys available that can help soothe a new puppies gums.
Here are a few guidelines that we've received from our Network Animal Behaviorists:
Karen suggests the following:
“I usually recommend any natural products for puppy chewing, like cowhooves, rawhide and ostrich sinews – lots of them all over the house.
....(you) should ignore the pup when it chews anything else and distract it with a “legal” toy. If you start to reprimand the puppy it may result in worse chewing as the pup starts to look for attention by chewing.
Of course puppy classes are a must (starting before 16 weeks).'
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| Dental product suggestions for Cats & Dogs |
Did you know that the most common ailments seen by vets in dogs and cats are those that affect their teeth and gums?
And that more than half of all pets suffer from gum disease, dental calculus or similar dental problems?
In fact, dogs and cats make much fuller use of their teeth than humans do: Our pets use their mouths and teeth as we use our hands – to ‘feel’ out their surroundings, carry objects and groom themselves.
At A Pet’s Life Online Pet Shop we have a wide range of pet dental care products that can greatly reduce tartar and plaque formation, thereby effectively helping to elimate bad breath, loose teeth, swollen gums and gingivitis.
Some example products to consider include:
Mikki Oral Hygiene Kit
- a toothbrush and gum massager set that will fit over your finger for an effective teeth brush and a gum massage.
Pet Dent Oral Gel
- a highly palatable flavoured gel, containing a powerful antibacterial agent used for the treatment of gum diseases.
PlaqueOff® Animal
- fights tartar and plaque on tooth surfaces and reduces bacterial presence.
PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth
- a 100% safe and natural combination of herbal and homeopathic ingredients in capsule form for preventing gingivitis (gum disease) and tooth decay as well as improving general dental health in your pet.
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| Dental Toy suggestions |
Chew treats & toys can also keep teeth strong, and help clean gums and teeth, particularly in teething puppies.
Below are a few examples of products that are available on A Pet's Life:
Petstages ORKA Gripper
- massages gums as your dog chews whilst the knotted denim helps remove soft tartar.
Petstages Cool Teething Stick
- Freeze it, and the Cool Teething Stick will provide a cooling relief for tender gums during play.
Rope toys
- we have a wide range of sizes, colours and styles of rope toys: all of which will floss your dog’s teeth during play time.
Dental Kong toys
- dental hygiene toys, in particular the Kong range, will reduce plaque and food debris while providing a gentle abrasive cleaning and conditioning of gums and teeth.
The great thing about Kong is that they are designed for the purpose of chewing and entertainment.
There is even a puppy kong range that can be stuffed with kibbles, moistened slightly with water and frozen! The cold will help with the soothing of the gums and the rest will help with entertainment. |
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| Chews and treats for teething puppies or older dogs |
| The benefits of chews and treats, how to choose the correct chew toys |
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| What are the benefits of Chews? |
| Dogs (especially puppies) need to chew. Always provide a good chew toy for your dog and praise him for using it. Rawhide and chews for dogs serve as gum and tooth cleaners, can help with destructive chewing and provide longer enjoyment than regular toys may. However, Chews don’t offer the same mental and physical benefits that a rubber toy or tug rope might offer and we recommend you use a Chew as well as a toy to keep your pet happy, healthy and exercised. |
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| Which chew should I choose? |
A chew should be slightly larger than your dog’s mouth. Roast bones and Smoky bones taste good, are safe and last a long time. But they can stain your carpet so they are best kept outside.
Sterilised bones are cleaner. Nylon and plastic chews are long lasting and do not require supervision. They come in a variety of flavours and sizes.
Rawhide chews are very popular with dogs, cheap to buy and fun to chew. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, including novelty chews. However, dogs should be supervised when chewing rawhide. Edges or sections that become soft should be trimmed off and the chews should be thrown away when they become smaller than your dog's jawbone (This will prevent choking).
Rawhide chews are very hard and should not be thrown for a dog to catch as they can injure the dog’s teeth or lips.
Puppies under 8 months should be given rawhide sparingly as they can cause stomach upsets to a developing digestive system.
Long lasting rope chews help floss teeth. They can be dampened and frozen to help relieve your puppy’s teething pain.
Pressed bones are good for obsessive chewers because they are tougher.
Content supplied by Marltons. |
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| Coprophagia |
| Why do dogs eat their own poo? |
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| My puppy keeps eating his poo! Help, why does he do this? |
A: As awful as this is to us, believe it or not it is a common and normal behavior. Dogs used to be scavengers in the wild and this behavior allowed dogs to maximize food absorption. It is also linked to the maternal instinct of nest cleaning. Our pets tend to have good food readily available so there are a few other explanations for this behavior:
a) dietary deficiency
b) a leant behaviour (developed during a period of boredom or because the puppy had to fend for himself)
c) food value left in the faeces (not all nutrients were absorbed during digestion)
d) a combination of factors.
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| How can I get my puppy to stop eating his poo? |
A: There are a variety of things you can try:
a) First chat to your vet to rule out any physical reasons for the behaviour
b) change to a premium dry dog food that may be better digested by your dog
c) add pineapple chunks to the dog’s food (pineapple contains an enzyme known to be effective in digestion)
d) adding sterilized bonemeal to the food (it makes it dryer and less palatable)
e) add more fibre (such as bran or green vegetables) to the dog’s diet
f) be careful of your reaction to your dog’s snacking habit – some dogs may view you rushing out to clean up straight away as competition to his additional meal. Instead try to keep an eye on your dog when he goes outside to do his business. As soon as he is finished, call him inside where he can’t see you from outside and give him a treat. Then go outside and pick up the poo. After a few sessions of this, your dog will anticipate getting a treat after his business outside and come inside for his treat. He will then not have access to the poo (it will be picked up) and you should be able to break the habit.
g) Another option is to throw a training disk or rattle close to the dog when he approaches the faeces, or even you clicker training.
h) don’t use chilli or pepper, as these are not good for dogs, and these methods have been proven not to be that successful.
i) You can try a supplement like Active Dog or Immune dog which will add additional vitamins to the dog’s diet.
Please always speak to your vet before starting a diet or behaviour change program with your pet.
With thanks to Norpharm and Nurtureline for the information provided. |
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| What the Animal Behaviourists say about it: |
“To be honest, dogs are scavengers and eating droppings is not really considered to be abnormal behaviour with puppies and even older dogs. Most dogs will eat cat, baboon, porcupine and (horror of horrors) even human droppings.
Also, mother dogs eat all the feces of their pups for the first 4 weeks to keep the nest/den clean.
It is a revolting habit for humans to deal with, but not one that requires behavioural therapy.
Eating dog droppings (the dog's own in particular) is less common, but does happen. The best way to stop it is to break the habit by not allowing the dog to go to the loo on its own and immediately then picking up the droppings.
Feeding more small meals a day and providing lots of chews and stuffed kongs may also help.
I do think that it is possible that some dog food diets produce feces that still have some nutritional value and dogs are attracted to that. It may be worth trying a change of diet (Hills or Royal Canin?), but there is certainly no guarantee that this will work. Management really is the best option.
The only time a behaviourist might be in order is of the owners have been punishing the dog during house training - there is a thought that this might make the dog get rid of the "evidence" to avoid punishment, but this may just be a myth - I have never seen this and don't really believe that dogs are capable of such complex thinking.
However, severe punishment can cause all sorts of odd problems, so this may still be something to bear on mind.”
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Taryn Blyth
Animal Behaviourist & Dog Trainer (SABCAP Registered)
www.tarynblyth.co.za
If it’s a 10 week old pup I would ignore the behaviour and clean up as often as possible before the pup can get to it and when the pup isn’t looking. 90% of pups grow out of this behaviour if it’s not “encouraged” by the owner’s attention (positive or negative).
From: Karen Gray-Kilfoil
And another Animal Behaviorist and holistic vet in our network has advised the following:
“First things first, I would get him checked out by a vet. In our experience, coprophagia (the medical term for poo eating) is most commonly linked to diet or a digestive system not digesting food sufficiently.
He may be lacking some important trace nutrients and/or probiotics.
The important thing is that the owners don't panic. I have come across timid dogs that eat their own poo for fear of leaving their scent lying around - so much info left behind. But it is always good to do all we can so the dog feels safe in his world and is having all his needs met.”
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| Toys for dogs |
| What toys to choose, how to choose them, why they are important. |
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| My dog is a heavy/strong chewer so what do you recommend? |
Our German Shepherd loves his Kong and I would definitely consider him a strong chewer.
Of course, no toy is indestructible, but rubber toys are strong and durable and Kong is known for durability. Kong also offer a variety of sizes so that you can choose the right one to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated. We went straight to the Black option ;-) |
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| I have a German Shepherd puppy, what toys can you recommend? |
German Shepherds are gorgeous, intelligent dogs that need to be kept entertained and stimulated otherwise they may get a little exuberant with helping you dig holes in your garden and chewing your laundry from the line.
You need to look for a range of toys, but you will find that your dog will tend to prefer one kind over another as she gets older.
Chewing toys:
GSD's need to chew - look for toys such as the Kong range. Go for the black Kong (black is stronger for extreme chewers) especially when your dog gets a bit bigger. Not only is it a nice toy to chew, it can be carried, thrown (has an interesting bounce), and filled with peanut butter as a treat - our dogs spend a good half an hour trying to get the peanut butter out!
Carrying toys:
Look for toys that can be carried - Hollee Mollee Extreme's are good GSD toys as the teeth go through the holes and so they can be squeezed and carried and last longer.
Rope toys are great as well - beware playing tug with a GSD though until she has learnt the stop and drop commands. If she wins a game of tugofwar, she has learnt that she is stronger than you.
Balls:
They love chasing things - balls are great for puppies, but in my experience avoid tennis balls as your puppy grows as the DO destroy them, and can choke on small pieces.
Dumbells:
Beechwood dumbells are fantastic - nicely weighted for great carrying. Our dogs love carrying logs around with them, but I'm always worried about splinters. They have had dumbells since they were tiny, and have chewed them down quite a bit, and they don't seem to splinter as a normal log might.
PetBrands:
Toys like the RubbaGumma's are great for young GSD's - they have notches and interesting shapes (great for cleaning teeth (almost like flossing) and keeping your puppy interested).
The Petstages toys are great for puppies, but a GSD will quickly outgrow them. However, if your puppy seems to be struggling while teething, some of the Petstages toys can be popped into the fridge and help cool teeth.
A toy box:
Believe it or not, my dogs loved choosing their toys to play with from their toy box. I would drop all toys in before leaving for work and come home to find them scattered around the garden.
A sandpit:
GSD's will dig. If you have a cricket or a mole in the ground, they will find it. Plus it's a stress relieving excercise and helps relieve boredom. When it's hot, they will dig to create a cool spot to lie in (so would you with all that fur!) Create them an area under a tree where they can dig. Bury some toys in that area. Reprimand if you catch them digging anywhere else, take them to their sandpit and show them they can dig there (we found it useful to brick it in and fill with building sand and bonemeal.) Can't guarantee that they don't dig somewhere else, but our dogs definitely focused on their sandpit.
With all toys - look for the big to large to X large of the toys, even for the puppy. GSD's mouths get quite big, and you wouldn't want a small toy to disappear into the garden only to be found months later and choked on. Also there is no such this as an indestructible toy. Thats a challenge to a GSD, and they will destroy it. But some toys last longer (although they cost a bit more). |
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| What is an agility kit and what are the benefits of getting one for my dog? |
| A typical agility kit should consist of at least the following: - weave poles - high jump - open tunnel - pause box - start/finish line An agility course is like an amusement park for your dog. The og takes queues from you/a handler to make his way through an obstacle course while racing against the clock, or other dogs. This popular sport enhances the bond between dog and owner and keeps your dog's senses sharpened, body properly exercised and brain occupied. It is fun for your dog to do and is relatively easy to learn the agility basics. |
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| Why should I be giving my dogs toys to play with? |
| We believe toys are essential to your dog's happiness and well-being. Dogs have constructive fun with them - the right toys will keep your pet entertainment, busy, and provide much needed exercise. A good, durable toy will definitely improve the speed, agility and reflexes of your dog and keep them out of trouble for hours! Infact, toys can prevent or solve many behavioral problems. Some toys are also very good for dental care. |
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| Can I give my puppy toys? |
| Absolutely yes. Toys allow your puppy to exercise, play and entertain itself. Toy exercise should happen on flat and level ground so that it is not harmful to young, growing, incompletely formed bones. However, always check with your vet which toys are suitable for growing bones and teeth. Puppies, like children, go through teething stage which can last until they are over a year old. Be sure that you give your puppy a chew toy (eg a rawhide bone or hard rubber teethers) during the teething stage. |
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| Feeding requirements |
| Feeding requirements for dogs |
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| Dog on the mend from Cat Fever; stimulating his appetite? |
Q: "On Friday evening I realised Max wasn't his old self. He was a bit down. It bugged me so much that I slept most of the night by his side, couldnt leave him. He was getting worse, so on Saturday morning I phoned our Vet. I took Max in and they couldnt find anything wrong.
He started throwing up in the early mornings of Sunday, so I phoned the Vet again.
In the meantime, Max kept wanting water. We took him in and it turned out early stages of Cat Fever.
Max is doing better. The only problem is HE IS NOT EATING, drinking though.
Do you have any advice? How can I get him to eat. The vet said it will take up to 1 or 2 days, but I cant help but to worry. The both of us had a tough weekend and I just want the best for him and just to get better..."
A:
We are so sorry to hear that Max has had such a hard time and hope he is soon on the mend. One of the most common reasons for the dog not wanting to eat is that they have vomited so many times and feel so nauseous that they just don’t start eating again. You don’t want him to eat too much when he does start eating again either, because it may start him vomiting again.
The best way to try and encourage him to eat is to make him a chicken broth – this way he thinks he is drinking, but is actually getting nourishment at the same time.
Put in a pot of water, some skinless, boneless chicken – in small pieces, grated carrot, a little finely chopped celery leaves, a stock cube, some butternut cubes and some raw rice. Boil until the rice is cooked – there should be enough water left to make it like a soup. Blitz it up so that it is like a thick soup and let him lap it from a bowl if he will, slightly warmed. If not, you can get a 20ml syringe from your vet and syringe feed him.
You can also get a prescription diet from your vet which is specially formulated for recuperation if it is easier for you.
To help him recover and start eating again, we recommend PetAlive Parvo-K, which is a 100% natural blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected for the treatment of Parvo virus in dogs. Presented in fine, easily dissolved lactose granules, Parvo-K is very easy to administer, even to ill animals that will not swallow tablets.
Once he has completely recovered, we also recommend Immunity and Liver Support capsules, which contain a combination of especially selected herbs known for their ability to cleanse and purify the system, improve immune functioning and support liver health. Used as a general tonic or to protect against disease, Immunity and Liver Support capsules are also very effective during convalescence and shorten the recovery phase after illness.
Answer supplied, with our thanks, from Cathy at PetAlive.
If your dog is showing any signs of illness, please visit your Vet immediately.
AN UPDATE ON MAX
Thank you so much for your reply. Before I got your email, I spoke to my vet again and she said I must try cat food, it is very rich in supplements. Well we bought him a small packet of whiskers and had to help him eat a little bit and I am so happy. This morning he ate on his own. He looks so much better. It is amazing what little food can do to your body. He just needed some encouragement. He is getting back to his old self. Trying to play etc. So that is really good! Im also going to try the chicken broth. He lost so much weight etc that he really needs to get rich supplements into his body. Im also going to buy the Parvo-k for Max. Thank you so much for all your help aswell as Pet Alive. Max is a real fighter!! Im so proud of him! |
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| Why is fresh water so important for my dog? |
| Water is the most important nutrient for survival on a short-term basis. Water is involved in practically every reaction in the body. Voluntary water intake will usually range from 2 to 3 times the dry matter intake. Content reproduced with thanks to Kunduchi Pet Products who offer a seaweed supplement in a variety of quantities. |
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| Can I give Fido milk instead of water? |
| Milk is a food and NOT a substitute for water. As a food, milk is incomplete and does not provide a balanced diet. It can be useful as a treat for some dogs; however, large quantities of milk may not be well tolerated by most dogs. Milk contains Lactose, which requires the enzyme Lactose for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient Lactose, consumption of a high level of Lactose can cause diarrhea in most pets. |
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| How do I choose the right dog food brand? |
| There are a couple of things that you can look for in a dog food to ensure it's the healthy option for your best friend: 1. Dogs need vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Make sure your dog food brand has a composition that is well balanced and contains all the essential vitamins and minerals. 2. Ingredients of high quality make dog food easily digestible. Large droppings are proof of poor quality. 3. The protein level must be at least 18%, because dogs are omnivores - they need meat or other natural protein sources for their well-being. Animal protein is highly digestible and raises the palatability level. Make sure that your choice of brand contains atleast 18% of protein. 4. Is the dog food tasty? Go on, smell it! Good quality doesn't smell bad, because it consists of high quality ingredients. 5. Artificial colourants and flavourants in dog food are undesirable, because it can cause allergies. But natural ingredients like good quality animal protein are very appetizing. Dogs can smell real meat from afar. With thanks to Complete Pet Food for content. |
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| I've heard about bad bacteria in dog food - what should I be looking out for? |
| If your dog starts suffering from diarrhoea & infections, then it might be because he's picked up a harmful bacteria inside his intestines. If you think your furry friend has picked up something, then contact your vet immediately. |
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| What causes the growth of bad bacteria? |
| The growth and spread of harmful bacteria in your dog's intestines could be the result of poor diet / eating disorders, ageing, stress and certain drugs (eg: anti-biotic, Steroids etc.) Harmful bacteria will cause toxins, carcinogens & putrefactive substances in your dog's intestines, resulting in diarrhoea & infections so if you think your dog is suffering in any way, please contact your vet for advice. Content kindly supplied by Complete Pet Foods. |
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| My poodle is 10 years old. I want to change her dog food brand but I've heard I've got to becareful of just changing overnight? |
| Whenever a change in diet is made for dogs (young and old), it must be done gradually. This helps avoid any digestive upsets and food refusals, which can occur if a diet is changed too quickly. The best method for switching foods is to gradually mix an increasing amount of the new product with the old product over a seven to ten day period until the animal is receiving only the new product. |
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| Why is Protein important in my dog's diet? |
| Protein is essential for numerous functions in the body including growth, tissue repair, immune functions and energy. Your dog will get it's energy from its food, in the form of: • Meat & Bone meal (if biologically available and digestible); • Corn gluten meal; • Fish Meal |
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| Why are Minerals important in my dog's diet? |
| Minerals are important as they help with bone & cartilage formation, enzymatic reactions, maintaining fluid balance, transportation of oxygen in the blood, normal muscle and nerve function and production of hormones. |
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| What are the benefits of supplementing my dog's diet with granulated seaweed (kelp)? |
| Kelp is the ideal supplement as it is nature's multi-vitamin. Did you know the following about Kelp: - Contains 46 minerals including iodine, potassium, sodium, selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron, cobalt and copper, as well as a wide range of vitamins and trace elements, often lacking in processed land grown feeds. - Organic iodine helps regulate the metabolism and enhances the assimilation of food, more particularly it causes better retention and utilization of the essential minerals calcium and phosphorus. - Kelp provides a natural source of biotin that is essential for healthy hair growth. - Kelp promotes a naturally healthy coat colour and coat bloom(shine), and has been shown to assist in the treatment of skin and coat disorders. - Kelp boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of deficiency diseases. |
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| Choosing the right Rogz harness for your dog |
Rogz would like to assure you that Rogz caters for most dog breeds by offering 2 styles of harnesses.
Rogz introduced the step in harness due to numerous requests from the market place.
Although both harnesses are available in all 4 sizes, Rogz recommend the H-Harness for small breeds as they are unable to back out of it, whilst the Step-In Harness is a more sturdy design for bigger breeds.
Due to the complexities of dog size and shapes, Rogz leave the onus on the consumer to decide which type of harness would be better suited for his/her dog.
To measure your dog for a walking harness, you need to measure its girth dimensions.
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| Flea collar pesticide banned |
An article on the News24 web site about flea collars concerned us.
As we sell a wide range of tick & flea repellents, we voiced our concern to the manufacturers of Plushpet tick and flea collars and got the following helpful response:
"The ban on Chlorpyrifos does not affect the PlushPet, Equiline or Scatterkill ranges of products as none of the products in any of our ranges contain Chlorpyrifos.
Our Tick & Flea collars contain the active Propoxur, whilst our shampoos, dips & powders contain Cypermethrin & Piperonyl Butoxide" |
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| Urinating inside |
| Urinating inside |
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| Q: Why are my dogs urinating inside? |
A: Please note that we are not trained vets or animal behaviorists, please always consult a professional if in doubt.
This is quite a common problem and there are a few things you can do, however it is also important to see if it is large puddles or small ones – the difference being accidents (dog couldn’t get outside in time / aren’t properly housetrained yet) or marking (smaller puddles).
Marking
Dog’s mark territory for numerous reasons – with “unfixed” dogs being more of a culprit than dogs that have been spayed or neutered. Unless you are planning on breeding with your dogs, you may want to chat to you vet about getting the males neutered. A group of dogs may be “fighting” for dominance and one way to do that is to mark their territory. Dogs also “mark” things that have strange smells or are new / unfamiliar, and finally another reason is separation anxiety.
There are a few things you can do if it is marking territory that is the problem:
• Clean the areas sprayed on with a product specifically formulated for removing pet stains and odours like Instaclean or Wash and Get Off Spray . The reason for this is that some household cleaning products annoy the dogs and thus attract them to mark the spot again to get rid of the smell (or contain ammonia (as does urine) and dogs see the need to urinate on top of that ammonia smell to mark it with their own smell).
• Ensure that your dogs have sufficient toys at night and when you’re not at home, including activity toys and treat balls (a Kong stuffed with peanut butter works wonders with some dogs). One animal behavourist suggested to us to keep a toy box of different toys. Before you go out put all the toys into the box and let your dogs “unpack” the toys. You’re basically looking for activities to keep them busy. Also, leaving them something that smells like you may aid in separation anxiety.
• If they are marking a specific area, try using a Scraminal or Scatmat or even an indoor pet repellent to keep them away from common “marking” areas. There are other things you can do (like putting their water bowl in a common marking area, or putting tin foil on the objects they are marking – but these only work on some dogs and not all)
• The ideal of course is to “catch them in the act” and reprimand (and praise when you see them marking an acceptable spot – not possible when they do it when you’re not home.)
If it is a new behavior, you may want to get them checked out by your vet as small puddles are sometimes caused by something as simple as a bladder infection.
House Training
There are numerous ways to house train a dog:
• Take your puppy outside as soon as he wakes up and after a meal.
• If you catch him weeing inside, reprimand him with a quick sharp no and take him outside to the spot you would prefer him to wee on. You shouldn’t reprimand if you don’t catch him doing it, as he may not associate the reprimand with the action (in a similar manner, I used to reprimand my GSD whenever she would shoot off barking at something, but I would do it when she came back. A behavourist helping me with her pointed out that what she was seeing was a reprimand for returning – not for running off. The reprimand needs to happen at the exact moment of the inappropriate behaviour)
• Give him loads of praise when he wees in the correct spot.
• Put down puppy pads (something like the Penn-Plax Dry-Tech Doggie Pads or Simple Solution Jump Start Puppy Pads). These contain pheremones that attract the puppy to the pad, and help solidify the wee quickly (they are in effect like big flat nappies). The idea here is that once you have him using the pad, move the pad closer to the door each day, until you are eventually outside
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| Dog doors |
| How safe are dog doors and what sizes/types are popular |
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| Is a pet door a security risk? |
There's no easy answer to this question: if someone wants to break into your home, they're going to find a way of doing just that.
We've had 1 customer who used both feet to smash open the dog door when she locked herself out her home. But then again, she not only completely broke the dog flap, but she also did serious damage to the entire door and set off the house alarm. It would have been a lot cheaper for her to get a locksmith!
However, the smaller cat/dog flaps are probably too small to allow someone's head to poke through, and most flaps, even the bigger dog flaps, have a lockable interior barrier that you manually slide over the dog flap when it's not in use, for additional security. |
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| Do you have a pet flap that can be fitted into a glass door? |
We have a number of cat and dog flaps that are either specifically made to fit into a single or double glazed glass window or door (eg the Petmate Easydoor Glass Fitting Flap,or the Cat Mate Glass Fitting Cat Flap), or that have a universal fitting for glass and sliding doors, like the Staywell Big Cat / Small Dog Door
However, please note that we do advise that you get a glazier in, or at the very least a DIY person who knows how to install a pet door into glass, when installing.
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| How easy is it to install a pet door myself? |
The installation instructions and necessary screws are all part of the pet flap packaging and if you follow the instructions logically, it is reasonably easy to install a pet door yourself. It should take you about an hour to intall and the trickiest part is to ensure that the flap is at the right hight above the ground for the pet. We have also written a Guideline to measuring your dog and what to consider when installing a new pet door.
However, if you are not confident to do it yourself, we do recommend you contact a DIY person to do the installation.
Note:
A glass-fitting dog flap or cat flap is a bit trickier to install and most of the installation instructions that we've seen suggest that you use a Glazier or experienced DIY person to install a pet door into a glass sliding door or window. |
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| Do you have a pet door that is suitable for a both cat and a small dog? |
Yes, we have a number of pet doors that can be used by both a big cat or a small dog.
There's the Staywell Small Pet Door , and also the Staywell Big Cat / Small Dog Door for a start.
However, to see a full range of our pet doors, visit the Dog Door category and review a more complete range of pet doors to meet any requirement.
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| Do you have pet flaps that are more 'aesthetically pleasing' than the usual plain white flaps? |
We pride ourselves in having one of the most extensive ranges of pet doors on the market, including pet doors that are clear/transparent (eg the Staywell Big Cat / Small Dog Door, or ones that are in a dark chocate 'wood' or metallic silver-grey finish (eg the Staywell Medium or Small Pet Doors).
We even have a range of pet doors that can be painted.
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| Can I fit an aluminum pet door into a glass sliding door? |
Our Staywell agent has the following advice on installing glass fitting pet doors:
The type and size of dog must be taken into consideration; a boisterous breed like a Staffie or Bull Terrier is definitely not to be treated the same as a smaller dog breed like a Yorkie or Maltese.
For a smaller, quieter dog, you should be able to install an aluminum door into laminated glass.
Most large panels of glass in sliding doors are tempered or armour proof glass which will shatter if you try to cut an opening, which is why a glazier/glass company should be called in to do the installation. They might want to replace the glass panel that the door is going into with either an aluminum panel, or even a thicker laminated glass which they can be cut to accommodate the pet door.
The problem with installing one of the bigger pet doors into glass is that the glass becomes much weaker with such a large hole in it and if the dogs charge through the door, the glass would break. |
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| What's the difference between between 2-way and 4-way locking? |
A 2-way locking mechanism means that the flap can only be locked or unlocked (manually) all the time. So in other words, if the flap is locked, the cat/dog can not use it to get outside (if it is inside your home already), nor can it get inside (if it is outside).
The 4-way locking mechanism is more accomodating for you and your pet. It can be set so that if the cat or dog is inside, it can go back outside when it wants to, but then can't get back inside. It can also be set like the 2-way mechanism so that it's either locked/open all the time, but this "In Only/Out Only" setting is great, for example, if you have a pet that sleeps inside but wants to go out in the early morning to wee and you don't want it back inside after that! |
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| What pet door do you recommend for a very stocky, big dog? |
| If you have a bigger dog or are nervous that your little dog is going to charge through the pet door and take it with him, then we would definitely recommend the aluminum pet door. It comes in a variety of sizes, is suitable for cats and dogs, and is perfect for boisterous dogs. |
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| Greyhound collars |
| What they are & why they work so well, how to measure your greyhound |
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| How to measure a greyhound for a custom-made specialized collar: |
You need to take a measuring tape and put one end at the very top of the dog's head (see photo).
Then take the tape around the head, behind the dog's ears, until it joins up again at the top of the dog's head. This means that you're measuring the neck dimensions quite far 'up' the neck, towards the mouth. This is because the collar will need to move around smoothly if it is to protect the soft under-side of the Greyhound's neck.
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| Greyhound & Whippet jackets |
Greyhound & Whippet jackets and dog jerseys and masuring your dog for a custom-made jacket:
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| Measuring your Whippet or Greyhound for a custom-made jacket: |
Take your measuring tape, and while the dog is in a standing position, measure from just below the base of the tail (ie at the top by the hips) to the start of the dog's neck. See picture.
Do NOT measure to end of tail.
You can have the Whippet jacket made up without the extra-long neck part or with it, similar to the traditional Greyhound jacket style.
To see photos of these jackets, please look under Dogs > Clothes > jackets |
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| CATS |
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| Catnip |
| What is catnip and why does my cat enjoy it so much? |
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| What exactly is catnip? |
| Catnip is a nontoxic, non-addictive herb, belonging to the mint family Labiatae. It sends most domestic cats into states of kittenish, friskiness and euphoria. It is safe for cats to chew on, roll around in, or eat. |
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| Why should I give my cat Catnip? |
Catnip has been used to entice cats to play for decades: it is good for inactive cats, or those living indoors, to keep them active and exercised.
It can also be used to comfort sick or anxious cats that may be recovering from surgery or getting used to a new home. We recommend stuffing catnip into toys to make them more enjoyable to carry, kick and throw around, or adding a bit of catnip to old toys to revive interest. |
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| How does Catnip work? |
Catnip contains nepetalactone, a product that seems to act like a feline aphrodisiac to both female and male cats.
When cats sense catnip they exhibit a range of behaviors that may include drooling, sniffing, pawing, rubbing, licking or chewing it, getting into silly positions, gazing up at the ceiling, chasing invisible friends, leaping about and purring.
Some cats will also growl and meow or even settle into a dreamy, sleepy pose and not move for awhile.
This psychosexual reaction lasts for 5-15 minutes before the cat loses interest and will then lie around fully contented. It takes an hour or two for the cat to "reset" and then it can come back to the catnip and have the same reaction all over again. |
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| My kitten doesn't seem to react to catnip - why not? |
| If your kitten is less than 6 months old it will probably not respond to catnip. Also, 10-30% of the cat population does not respond to catnip at all, at any age because they have not inherited the appropriate genes to find catnip ‘appealing’. |
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| I've heard I can use catnip with my cat's toys - please explain how? |
My cat, Bobi, loves to play with toys stuffed with fresh Catnip leaves – even if the 'toy' is an old sock that has been filled with the herb. However, Bobi doesn't often enjoy those toys sold as "with catnip", if they have been on the shelf for a long time and the Catnip has gotten a bit stale.
I do buy Bobi toys which are made with fresh Catnip and even when they have ceased to carry the odor, he will still play with them, purely out of habit.
If you think the Catnip in your toy is stale, refresh it by storing the toy overnight in a baggie with fresh (or from my supply of properly stored catnip) catnip, or spray it with a catnip oil spray. You can entice your cat to play with old toys in this way too. |
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| Can my cat overdose on Catnip? |
You should only need give your cat a pinch or 2 of Catnip to see a reaction, and the fresher the product, the more the reaction.
You don't need to worry about allowing your cat access to Catnip because there are, for the most part, no negative side effects.
However, if your cat does eat an extremely large quantity of fresh catnip, it could result in vomiting or diarrhea, but this is rare and self-limiting. If your cat is old and has heart troubles, we don't recommend giving him Catnip as he may become over excited. |
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| Crepuscular kitties |
Q: Dear Bobi
I have a one year old female cat who refuses to sleep past 4:30am / 5am. She is relentless in her mission to get us up. If you close a door she sits and cries like someone is killing her and she jumps for the door handle. She walks all over us, talking and “slaps” us until we get up. She has food and water down all the time, a clean toilet, an open window, loads of toys… Is there any way we can alter this behaviour? Am I missing something that she is asking for?
Hope you can help
Sleep Deprived
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| Cat not sleeping past 5am |
Q: Dear Bobi
I have a one year old female cat who refuses to sleep past 4:30am / 5am. She is relentless in her mission to get us up. If you close a door she sits and cries like someone is killing her and she jumps for the door handle. She walks all over us, talking and “slaps” us until we get up. She has food and water down all the time, a clean toilet, an open window, loads of toys… Is there any way we can alter this behaviour? Am I missing something that she is asking for?
Hope you can help
Sleep Deprived
A: Dear Sleep Deprived
I’m the kind of kitty that loves nothing more than to be curled up asleep on the bed until the rest of the household is awake. But then again, I’m a male and I’m on the wrong side of middle age (but don’t tell anyone I said that, trying to keep up impressions of being a spring kitty and all that!). It sounds like your young female though has different priorities to me…
There are some things to consider: we kitties are a highly social species with related females and their young, typically forming the core of the colony or social group. We are also naturally crepuscular (no, that’s not a word us kitties use often - it means most active at dawn and dusk).
When you’re talking about a young female, there are hormonal changes taking place that kick start the drive to start maintaining a territory. In light of this, the drive for a maternal social group would be very high too. This would be especially true if she has not been spade. So although at 1 year of age, she is still too young to take on full responsibility of a territory with her maternal social group, the drive will be kicking in, and this may contribute to her early morning wake up calls.
With this in mind, consider:
What does she do as soon as she manages to get you up? Despite the fact that there is always food available, does she go and eat? Eating is a social behaviour in us felines (does she need you around before she is comfortable enough to eat?), perhaps leaving food in your room may help
Does she choose an alternative route to go outside other than the window provided? Does she go outside and go straight to the toilet (by the way, we need access to at least two litter trays).
Are there signs of territorial challenges she is struggling with? For example, does she mark or choose to spend most of her time inside despite having permanent access to outside?
Are there periods through out the day when she finds herself alone? A kitty companion (another female, not necessarily a kitten, would be great to meet the drive for a maternal social group and social needs in general.
Is she an anxious cat in general? You can provide lots of warm places of varying heights around the home to help her feel more secure
Does she have a "patrol route" - a set route she patrols at specific times of the day? Is she confident enough to do this? Are there any neighbourhood cats that she may be scared of?
Spading may help - but only if the behaviour is stemming from the drive to keep a territory and establish a maternal social group.
I hope this helps you get a little more sleep, I personally am a huge fan of it. Would love to take credit for all this information, but Cara Williams from Being with Animals (www.beingwithanimals.org) did all the hard work (it shows in words like crepuscular, doesn’t it?). If you think that your kitty’s wake up calls may be more along the lines of territorial or anxiety related challenges, the best would be to chat to a professional behaviourist.
Kind regards
Bobi |
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| Litter tray issues |
| All about kitties using their litter trays - and why they sometimes don't. |
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| My kitten prefers my potplant to her litter tray. How can I get her to use her litter tray instead? |
Cats are very private creatures generally, you may find that her litter tray is placed in an area where she either doesn’t feel comfortable or feels too exposed. Changing the position of the litter tray may encourage her to use it instead (such as placing it next to the potplants that she does prefer). She may just prefer the potplant due to overhanging leaves.
You may also find that she doesn’t like the litter, and would prefer something softer or finer than the litter you are currently using, if she prefers the soft sand of the potplant. You can try using kitten litter which is finer.
Another thing you could try is to give her a cat toilet – a closed in litter tray (looks a bit like a cat carrier, with a flap to let her in and out). This would give her additional privacy.
Finally, a little bit of training may show her what you have in mind with the litter tray. After she has eaten, or just woken up from a nap, take her to the litter tray and gently help her paw the sand. She may just get the idea.
Another thing is that they may not like the feel of the crystals on their feet. Cats use urine (not just spraying) and faeces as a communication device, and in the act of covering it up, leave scent marks from their feet as well. Perhaps try a different brand of cat litter, one that is more similar to soil and with a different scent. You can try taking some faeces / clump of urine marked soil to their litter tray (don’t let him see you doing this) so they can smell their own scent there, and may attempt to “re-mark” the spot.
Finally in houses with multiple cats, you need multiple litter trays – in fact even one cat may like multiple trays. Cats use faeces to mark territory, and two cats may have a dispute over who the litter tray “belongs” to, or who the potplant belongs to. Moving the litter tray to the potplant may also solve territory problems, if that’s the issue – they’d still be marking their territory in the area where the potplant is.
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| Travel carriers & kitty crates |
| Choosing and training cats to use a travel crate as a comfortable sleeping space and safe travel option |
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| How do I get my cat calmly into his travel carrier so we can go to the Vet? |
| Spray the inside of the carrier and car with Feliway 20 minutes before you're ready to go. This mimics the pheromones that cats leave when they're comfortable and relaxed in their territory. It should soothe your cat on the ride. |
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| How do I get my kitty used to a travel carrier? |
| Once you bought your travel crate, place it in the house with the door open, put a little treat and a small litter box in it, and then ignore it. If you don't make too much of a fuss of it, your kitty will get curious about the safe dark space and it's just a matter of time before he's exploring the crate - and his new home. |
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| Cat spraying issue |
One of our customers sent us this query about their kitty, Ginge, who suddenly started spraying on her son's belongings.
Cara, an animal behaviorist from Happiness Is, gave us this input that was really useful.
Ginge’s spraying, as with most behavioural challenges we face with our cats, will have a reason behind it. It can be difficult to appreciate this through our human senses, but spraying will be serving a function for Ginge. If we can discover the function, we will have a good chance of finding a solution.
To do this, we ideally need a little more information, but by remembering - or discovering - the true nature of our cats we can go along way to understanding and overcoming such behaviours.
What is spraying?
Let’s begin by asking ourselves what is spraying and why do cats spray? Spraying involves a cat backing up to a vertical surface of an object. While standing, he/she lifts their tail, quivers the tip and directs a fine spray at the object - usually 1-2 feet from the ground.
Why do cats spray?
The main purpose of spraying is communication. Contrary to popular belief, cats - while territorial - are in fact social animals. Some of the most up-to-date scientific studies have revealed that - as long as resources are plentiful - life long bonds can develop. Adult females seem to form the core of the cat’s social system, where they will even nurse each other’s kittens. The bonding of male littermates, or males of similar ages, also occurs.
Therefore, scientists now believe that the cat’s social system is similar to that of the lion. This is in contrast to the prevailing idea in the general cat owning community that cats are solitary. However, unlike the lion, our domestic cat will hunt alone.
So cats spray to; outline a territory (e.g. the edges of the garden) and to provide information about themselves. It avoids confrontation, plays a role in mating, and tells other cats that this is their hunting area.
Therefore, spraying is an important and normal behaviour for cats. This is in comparison to other forms of urinating in the home - such as avoiding the litter tray, illness or marking (which involves small pools of urine being deposited around the home. Shoes and behind furniture are favourite places).
When spraying becomes abnormal:
Although spraying is normal it too can become abnormal. As a guide consider the frequency, intensity and context of the behaviour. For example, if spraying it is occurring too much and out of context, it may be considered to have become an ‘abnormal’ behaviour.
The most common reasons for spraying to become ‘abnormal’ are competition and territorial disputes between cats in a multi-cat household/neighbourhood, moving, the arrival of a new baby/another pet and situations where the cat feels unsafe. In such situations cats can feel the need to reinforce his/her territory through spraying, thereby reducing any feelings of insecurity.
This may sound strange considering we have just discussed the fact that cats are in fact social. However, we need to remember that in multi-cat households we choose who our cats must live with, often forgetting to consider the matriarch structure. Also, we may not be aware of the most appropriate ways to introduce new cats.
Why is Ginge spraying?
So in Ginge’s case - despite needing a little more information such as his age, whether he is friends with other cats in the household, whether the spraying coincided with fathering Lou’s kittens or other factors – we do know he lives in a multi-cat household with more males than females and he has recently been diagnosed with dermatitis.
So, we have two possible scenarios. Firstly, the spraying may have started at an age when hormonal changes were taking place that kick-started the drive to begin maintaining a territory. But after neutering he is still spraying. Although spraying is more common in queen cats and toms, it can persist in 10% of male cats after neutering (and in 5% of female cats). Spraying is also not all about reproduction. There can be a strong learning aspect to it too. So if triggers – like the smell of previous sprays - are still present they need to be removed.
Secondly, Ginge may be feeling a little insecure in his environment. The fact that his territory seems to have shrunk to the house and he has recently been diagnosed with dermatitis, suggests this (skin conditions can be stress-related).
What can we do?
1. Clean all affected areas with a non-ammonia based cleaner. The smell of previous sprays will keep triggering the behaviour.
2. Ensure resources are plentiful in multi-cat households:
a. Provide at least 7/8 food and water stations around the home (there are 7 cats currently in the home).
b. Provide each cat with various sleeping places of varying heights around the home that can provide privacy and hiding places (consider igloos, cardboard boxes, shelves & wardrobes).
c. Provide each cat with at least one clean litter tray. It is a good idea to have an additional tray in the house too. Litter boxes should be deep and try to use natural substrates – remember they toilet in soil outside.
d. Offer various lookout posts
e. Provide scratching posts – both vertical and horizontal. Scratching is another important communication strategy and doormats make good horizontal scratch posts.
f. Ensure the oopportunity to move, explore and investigate. If Ginge won’t do this when other cats are outside, provide a time for him to do so alone.
3. Identify triggers
4. Remove triggers from the environment to make him feel as secure as possible and reduce the need to spray. For example, if Ginge does not get on with one of your other cats, separate them until the spraying stabilises, then gradually re-introduce them.
5. Take into account the learning element – this may need to the assistance of a behaviourist – but will involve gradually re-introducing the triggers that have previously been removed.
6. If possible between children and work, try to factor in positive time with each cat, even if it is only 5 minutes every day.
7. When introducing new cats to the household, take all of the senses into account, remember the territorial nature of the cat and use a step-by-step approach to introduce them.
Conclusion:
So to conclude, modern living can make it tricky for cats to achieve wellbeing. When they find themselves unable to express their true nature, they can experience an element of stress. They can communicate their stress in many ways, with inappropriate spraying and skin complaints being very common methods.
Therefore, by understanding the cause of behaviours, that don’t necessarily bring us humans happiness, and by educating ourselves on what cats really need to be healthy and happy we can get creative and encourage our cats to be true to their nature as much as possible everyday. In this manner we discover effective ways to overcome behavioural challenges and more importantly, avoid them from occurring in the first place. |
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| Tick & flea control |
Q: I am looking for a liquid form to give my four cats. I have 4 Persian cats, weighing between 8kgs to about 2.5kgs each. I currently am giving each cat a ¼ Capstar tablet every 4-5 days in order to keep flea control. However, the neighbor's cats keep coming into my garden and I think that's where my cat's are getting newly infected each time.
A: Promeris Large Cat and Promeris Small Cat are probably ideal for your situation if you want a liquid solution. There are 3 pippettes (treatments once monthly) in a pack and you apply to the back of the cat's neck on the skin.
You should also get Flego Aerosol and spray the areas where the cats sleep/recline ie on sofa's, under beds etc to control the fleas that aren't directly on your cats, but in their environment.
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| RABBITS |
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| BIRDS |
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| I want to get my son a bird as his first pet, but am worried that looking after a bird may be too difficult for a 9yr old? |
| I think a bird can make a great pet - they offer a great deal of companionship and are typically friendly, affectionate and very low maintenance. Caring for a pet bird is actually quite easy as they are very clean animals. The main caring things to remember will be: - Fresh food and water to be given daily (or more often if necessary); - Cage paper to be changed daily; - The cage should be scrubbed and disinfected weekly. |
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| What are the advantages of getting a pet bird, instead of, for example, a dog? |
| I love dogs, and of course, for security and companionship, a dog to me is the perfect pet. However, if you've got limited space, a tight budget, and not too much spare time, then a bird is probably the ideal pet for you. Birds do not need to be taken for walks; they are not susceptible to fleas or any other parasites; they do not have an odor; and because they are small, do not need much room. Birds are also reasonably cheap to own and manage. The initial cost of purchasing a bird varies depending on which bird you get and the cage needed. Then the only other costs you'll have is any toys and accessories you get, and of course, the bird seed. As for caring for your pet bird, all it takes is a few minutes a day to refresh the food and water in the cage and swop out the cage paper. And then on a weekly basis, you need to give the cage a good clean out and disinfect it. We cut our budgies wings so he can walk around the lounge and have some exercise, without us worrying about him flying out an open window or door. If you want to do similar, just check first with your vet or whoever you buy the bird from. |
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| HORSES |
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| Why is garlic a recommended feed supplement for horses? |
| Garlic is a well-known health tonic rich in Vitamins A, B2, B3 and C, sulphur, minerals and elements. Makes an excellent immune booster and antibiotic. Helps to alleviate respiratory disorders, allergies and colds, due to its expectorant and stimulant properties and will help with any infection present. It detoxifies, stimulates circulation and acts as a blood cleanser. It encourages the development of bacterial flora so vital to a good digestive system. N.B. Do not feed to nursing mares. Content reproduced with thanks to Kunduchi Pet Products. |
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| Can I use Plushpet horse shampoo on my own hair? |
Actually, a lot of our customer's buy horse shampoo to use themselves.
The Horse Shampoo is made up of the standard ingredients that are used in any human shampoo (it does not contain pesticides or "human-unfriendly" ingredients).
It is a very basic product and does not contain any fragrances or perfumes.
The shampoo works as a deep-cleanser, leaving your hair very clean and silky after use.
Although it says conditioning shampoo on the bottle, this refers to use on horses- so it is important to use a moisture-rich conditioner after use. |
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| What are the benefits of Devil's Claw as a feed supplement? |
| Devil's claw has the following advantages as a supplement: - Contains excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is well recognized as an effective tonic for relieving pain and discomfort for conditions such as arthritus, rheumatism and/or poor joint mobility. - Tests have shown the effects of Devil's Claw to be comparable with cortisone and phenylbutazone, without the side effects. Its diuretic properties promote liver, gall bladder and kidney function. Devil's Claw is one of the few African plants listed in the European pharmacopoeias. N.B. Do not feed to pregnant mares. |
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| GENERAL |
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| Cancer and your pet |
Nobody knows exactly what causes cancer in cats and dogs but a number of risk factors have been identified including genetics, stress, pollution, colourings, preservatives and a nutritionally inadequate diet.
These factors and others can damage your pet's immune system and a compromised immune system damages the body's natural ability to fight cancerous cells.
Finding out that your pet has cancer is devastating. But before you give way to grief, first get pro-active. You need to find out as much as possible about your pet's condition so that you can provide him/her with optimum care. Find out what type of treatments are available and consider which would be suitable for your pet's condition. In addition to conventional treatments (which are often effective although extremely harsh) there are a number of alternative treatments which have proved extremely helpful in treating cancer in pets, including acupuncture, aromatherapy and homeopathy. All may be used on their own, or in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments as supportive therapy.
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| Can animals feel depressed? |
Of course they can – dogs and cats are just as vulnerable to feelings of fear, anxiety and depression as we are.
There can be all kinds of reasons for this – moving house, a divorce, fighting, boredom, crime – pets are just like us.
Watch your dog or cat carefully, and you will soon see if there are signs of anxiety or depression.
That frisky little kitten that you bought home will mature into a quieter, calmer cat. This is not a problem.
But if your dog suddenly starts to chew things or dig up your garden or whine through the night – start to watch more closely.
If your cat suddenly shows a decrease in appetite, loses interest in playing and decreases grooming – there might be a problem.
Just as in humans, treatment varies enormously. Sometimes, a simple increase in affection and attention from owner to pet can be all that is needed. Sometimes (often) the depression can be related to diet. And sometimes, the problem is more complicated and requires medication and a visit to the vet.
The Herbal Pet product, Serenity Formula, helps when the depression is related to nutrition or when the pet needs medication but a natural remedy is preferred.
It contains a blend of nutrients which, when deficient, cause anxiety problems. And it also contains a blend of herbs, which gently calm your pet without causing drowsiness.
Content supplied by Beryl Shuttleworth of The Herbal Pet
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| What are the health benefits of having a pet? |
1) Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure
A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
2) Pets Help to Reduce Stress
Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
3) Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease
Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
4) Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs
People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
4) Pets Help to Fight Depression
Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)
Extract from American Pet Products Association |
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| Flea collar pesticide banned |
The pesticide Chlorpyrifos, an ingredient in some dog shampoos and flea collars, has been banned in South Africa by the department of agriculture, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) said on Monday.
Read all about the ban here:http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Flea-collar-pesticide-banned--20100531 |
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| Are collars important? |
Absolutely yes.
Collars provide a place for ID tags and licenses, and can even be a fashionable accessory. (See our range of bling bling collars on sale)
We recommend you also have a range of leashes for your pet. Leashes provide security and control when walking your pet or leaving him unattended. Visit our Fact Sheet area to find out how to select the most suitable collars and leashes for your cat, dog or even rabbit. |
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| Keeping our Leopard Toads safe |
July and August are the months in which our Western Leopard Toads become active as they migrate to our local ponds to breed. This happens once a year, on rainy nights.
Their breeding season is short – around five days – but you will see a lot of movement of the unsuspicious kind. If toads are on the road, take them across the road, in the same direction in which they are going.
If you are keen to help with research on the endangered toad, contact Evanne on 021 782 6144 or 084 711 5413 and tell her what toads you have seen where and when; also about squashed toads (which they collect for DNA testing).
These beautiful animals are listed as “Critically Endangered” on the Red Data list of species.
Here’s what you can do to save the lives of this important member of our ecosystem:
1. Drive slowly after 6.30pm on rainy nights.
2. If you see a toad, put your hazard lights on and park behind the toad. This will protect you and it from being hit by on-coming traffic.
3. When safe, place the toad on the side of the road towards which it was facing.
4. Try not to run over volunteers (dressed in lime green reflective suits this year). Perhaps consider waving encouragement at them as you pass!
5. Join us and become a Toad NUT – you can make a real difference in your community!
Please don’t think that this is a job for “someone else”. Saving this species is the responsibility of everyone who lives in these suburbs:
· Noordhoek/The Lakes
· Sun Valley/ Milkwood Park
· Fish Hoek
· Clovelly
· Capri
· Imhoff and Blue Waters
· Kommetjie
· Glencairn and Welcome Glen
· Simonstown
For more information and to become a volunteer in your area contact:
www.toadnuts.co.za
Alison: 0827716232
Suzie: 0824761016
Or contact the WLT Hotline 082 516 3602
Information supplied by ToadNuts, with our thanks |
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| Leopard Toads & our pets |
| Find out how to prevent a serious pet/toad encounter by clicking HERE |
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| ONLINE BANKING |
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| Trouble shooting common credit card failure bank codes |
It's very frustrating when your credit card payment is rejected unexpectantly. Typically, it's because the Bank is down, or you've mistyped your account number or expiry date and you just need to try again. Where in doubt, always phone your bank to find out what's going wrong!
This is not a complete list, but might help you figure out why your credit card payment has been rejected on A Pet's Life.
ACCOUNT CLOSED
The credit card account has been closed.
'Amount large
Or
INV TRAN AMT
An invalid amount / excessive transaction amount / an amount with a currency indicator / a comma instead of a decimal point might have been submitted.
AMOUNT NOT NUME
Same as “'Amount large” response.
Bad track 2 data
The credit card details submitted for authorisation is incomplete / incorrect.
BATCH FULL
This response only applies to merchants submitting batches in the off- line environment. The maximum batch size has been reached and a new batch has to be created.
'Bin Table not Found
VCS needs to fetch / load the bin table from the acquiring bank.
CALL
Authorisations exist to protect the cardholder and the merchant against fraud. The call response is a request, by the issuing bank, to the cardholder, to verify details before the transaction can continue. This is simply a security check and is not indicative of any cardholder risk. Therefore this response indicates that special conditions have been applied by the card issuer / it is a restricted card / the referral limit has been exceeded / an incorrect budget amount may have been submitted.
The merchant may prefer to regard this response as a declined transaction,
however should the merchant intervene bank approval can be obtained:
1) The merchant has to contact the cardholder to confirm that if any budget amounts have been submitted that they are not less than allowed or greater than allowed by his issuing bank or the cardholder can give the merchant permission to do a voice authorisation and supply his card details to the merchant (name, number, expiry, cvc).
2) The merchant must call the acquiring bank’s authorisation centre.
3) If the authorisation centre authorises the transaction they will issue a voice authorisation number that must be submitted to VCS to obtain settlement.
CALL VOICE OP
Same as “CALL” response.
'Card No Length
Or
'Card Number Short
Or
INV CARD LENGTH
The card number length is incorrect. The maximum length for a card number is 16 digits with no spaces and no zero filling for short numbers.
CARD NOT ALLOWED
Or
Card not supported
The merchant agreement entitles the merchant to accept MasterCard and Visa. Should the merchant wish to accept Diners Club International and American Express cards then separate agreements must be signed.
Forward the American Express and/or Diners merchant numbers to VCS so that these transactions can be presented through the VCS system.
'Comm Busy
Or
FEP to Host comm
We cannot connect to the acquiring bank.
Retry the transaction later.
DECLINED
Or
Do not honour
The card-issuing bank has refused to authorise the transaction.
DECLINED &
IMPOUND
This credit card has been listed as lost / stolen / restricted / an incorrect CVC has been submitted. No further retries should be attempted with this card.
Online merchants need to take note of the details of this transaction (e-mail address, delivery address, names and phone numbers) and watch for similar details in other orders as it might point to possible fraudulent activities.
FRAUD CARD
Or
HOLD AND CALL
Same as “DECLINED & IMPOUND” response..
Lost card, pickup
Same as “DECLINED & IMPOUND” response.
PICK UP CARD
Same as “DECLINED & IMPOUND” response.
EXCESSIVE TRANS
The usage count limit for the card has been exceeded for the day.
FAILED MOD 10
Or
INVALID CARD NO
An invalid card number has been submitted.
VCS uses the MOD 10 method to verify the accuracy and validity of credit card numbers. By running the MOD 10 algorithm VCS can verify that all the digits of the credit card number make a valid combination before sending it out for authorisation. The transaction can be retried, by submitting the correct details.
INTRF T/OUT
Or
SBSA INTRF T/OUT
Or
TIMEOUT
It means that the acquiring bank’s authorisation system answered our call and accepted the authorisation request. However while they were passing the authorisation around their internal systems they had a 'Timeout'. This means the system failed to respond within a time limit. The switch / issuer system could be inoperative. The transaction has not been successful and may be retried.
INV TERM
An invalid acquirer terminal ID has been used for the authorisation request.
INV TRAN CODE
An invalid transaction type code has been used for the authorisation request.
INVALID TRAN
Same as “INV TRAN CODE” response.
INVALID CARD
Or
INVALID SERVICE
A card with an invalid card prefix and the issuer / acquirer is not permitting this type of transaction. A possible debit card.
INVALID PERIOD
An invalid budget period has been submitted.
ISSUER NOT AVAIL
The card issuer is not available to authorise the transaction.
MULTIPLE ERRORS
There were multiple errors in the transaction submitted.
No account connected
Or
No card record
The card issuer is unable to locate the record of the credit card account.
No Positive Balance File
Insufficient funds
RECORD NOT ON FL
The acquirer has no record of the merchant.
REFER TO ISSUER
The issuing bank wants the cardholder to contact them. No further retries should be attempted.
Response code 83
No account connected to this card number
Unable to authorise
The acquiring bank is unable to authorise the transaction.
'Unknown record type
An invalid card number has been submitted and the card failed the MOD 10 check.
The transaction can be retried, by submitting the correct details.
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| PETFRIENDLY TRAVEL CLUB |
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| How do I get my 5% Travel Club discount when I shop at A Pet's Life? |
Place your items in your shopping basket and checkout as normal.
If you haven't registered an account with A Pet's Life before, you will now need to register before you can request a Delivery Quote.
Simply mention in the COMMENTS section what your Unique Membership card number is, and we'll give you a 5% discount on your final shopping basket invoice.
Note: this discount does not cover delivery charges |
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| Where can I find out more information about the establishments/businesses offering member's discounts? |
Members will also have access to the exclusive Members Only page on the website www.petfriendly.co.za, where new Participants are added regularly.
A Pet's Life Online Pet Shop offers a 5% discount on all purchases made by TravelClub members! |
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| What sort of discounts & benefits do Travel Club members get? |
The list of participating suppliers and establishments that are willing to give TravelClub members a discount is continually growing!
Visit the exclusive Members Only page on www.petfriendly.co.za to see a full list of all new Participants.
The discounts range from 5-15% on purchases, depending on the Supplier and in some cases, also involve free samples and other special offers!
A Pet's Life Online Pet Shop offers a 5% discount on all purchases made by Travel Club members |
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| Do I get a discount if I purchase membership and a copy of the PetFriendly Directory? |
Yes, you do. The 6th edition of the PetFriendly directory will be available before the end of August 2010.
If you buy the combination pack (ie the 6th edition and the Travel Club membership), you will benefit from a reduced price of R250 (excl postage) for both. |
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| Is the Pet Travel Club and A Pet's Life the same thing? How does it work? |
The Petfriendly Travel Club has been launched and is operated by the publishers of The South African Pet-friendly Directory and is simply sold as a product via A Pet's Life Online Pet Shop.
A Pet's Life offers all Travel Club members a 5% discount when shopping on our web site |
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| I have the SA PetFriendly book already, can I get a discount off the price of the Membership. |
| No, I'm afraid not. But don't forget that you a host of other benefits as well as great savings now that you are a member of the Travel Club. |
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| Who will I get discounts from when I sign up as a member of the Travel Club? |
A Petfriendly Travel Club Membership number guarantees you exclusive members’ benefits and advance notice of special travel savings and pet travel product deals.
Visit the membership page on www.petfriendly.co.za to view a full listing of the discounts on products and services from other participating businesses and service providers such as groomers, kennels, pet-sitters, dogwalkers, animal healers, pet photographers and artists, doggy daycare centres, animal behaviour consultants, dog trainers, vets, vetshops, online stores and more.
Note: A Pet's Life offers all TravelClub members a 5% discount off your shopping basket on checkout. |
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| How do I get these discounts and freebies, when I become a member? |
You will be issued with a Petfriendly Travel Club Membership Card with a unique membership number that you will need to use in order to receive the exclusive members’ benefits available to the Club members.
If you want to get your 5% discount when you shop on A Pet's Life, then on checkout, simply indicate your unique membership number in the COMMENTS section and we will automatically reduce your invoice amount by 5% .
This discount does not apply to delivery prices. |
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| Can you email me a list of participating members, specific to my geographical location? |
Absolutely. The list is continually growing so when you become a member, the PetFriendly team will send you an initial listing of participating members (don't forget that A Pet's Life is one of the original member's and offers you a 5% discount each time you shop online with us).
There is a huge (and growing) range of participating businesses and service providers such as groomers, kennels, pet-sitters, dogwalkers, animal healers, pet photographers and artists, doggy daycare centres, animal behaviour consultants, dog trainers, vets, vetshops, all willing to give Members a discount or freebie! |
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