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Dogs
Canine Distemper
What is Canine Distemper?Also known as CDV, Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral illness that can be debilitating and even fatal. It not only affects dogs but can also be seen in certain species of wildlife including foxes, skunks and wolves. Puppies and non-immunized dogs are most commonly affected, but pets on immune-suppressants may…
Canine Parvovirus
What is Canine Parvovirus?Also known as CPV, Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral illness that can be debilitating and even fatal. It has two main forms, the more common intestinal variety and the less common cardiac variety. Puppies aged between 6 weeks and 6 months old are most commonly affected, but early vaccinations can…
Picking your Perfect Puppy
With the World Canine Organization recognizing over 300 different breeds of dog across the globe, it can be extremely difficult to know which is right for you and your lifestyle. When making the decision to bring a puppy into your home you are making a commitment to usually at least ten years of love, care…
Cats
Feline Distemper
What is Feline Distemper?Also known as FPV and Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can be debilitating and even fatal. Kittens aged between 2 and 6 months are the most vulnerable to the disease, followed by pregnant and immune-compromised cats. Surviving FPV comes with immunity to any further infections by…
Picking Your Perfect Cat
If you have decided that a cat is the right pet for you then you may think that the decision making process is complete, but in fact you are still at the very beginning. Cats, like humans, are all very different and selecting one to suit your needs and lifestyle is vitally important as it…
How to Bath your Cat and Survive Scratch-Free!
We all know that most cats like water as much as we like receiving a letter from the IRS! While they may spend hours grooming themselves to perfection, there are some circumstances that may mean that it is necessary to perform a thorough cleaning of your feline friend. Cats can find being bathed extremely stressful…
Why Cats Like to Relax and Sleep Up High
Cats are known for being notoriously fussy creatures. They demand attention when it suits them, but reject snuggling with their owner when it doesn’t. They are picky eaters, can appear aloof and indifferent to their owners and seem pretty happy to go it alone most of the time. This fussy attitude often even extends to…
Health
Reasons to trim your dog’s nails NOW!
Whether you have a dog that can easily tolerate having his nails clipped, or you have one that is absolutely petrified of the process, keeping your dog’s claws a sensible length is very important to their health and wellbeing. Regular trimming can: Prevent snagging on carpets and other flooring Stop them from curling round and…
Recognizing an Ill Pet
Just like humans pets can have days where they feel a little lethargic and under the weather, but it is the natural instinct of an animal to try and disguise any signs of illness. They do this in the wild as showing weakness leaves them vulnerable to predators and open to attack. Unfortunately this can…
Seasonal Care
Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a State with relatively consistent weather and temperatures. Just as humans change their behavior and diet with fluctuations in temperature, so do most animals. Here are our guidelines for seasonal care for your pets. WinterIf temperatures plummet and your pet usually likes to spend most of its…
Ticks
What are Ticks?Ticks are arachnids that belong to the same family as spiders and mites. They are parasitic and feed on the blood of host animals. They are visible to the naked eye, but start of around the size of a pin head before swelling with blood as they feast. Animals living in the Southern…
Vaccinations and Examinations
Regular vaccinations and examinations will help keep your pet healthy and happy. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you of the frequency that your pet should be examined, but most recommend either annual or six-monthly visits. This is because pets age an average of 7 times faster than humans and so by the time…
General
Bringing Your Pet Home
When it comes to bringing a new pet into your home, preparation is crucial in order for them to make a successful transition. It can take days, weeks or even several months for your pet to consider your home its new home. Here are our top tips for helping your new pet settle in. Supplies…
How to Stay Safe and Have Fun When Kids and Pets Play
Letting children, especially young children, and pets, especially new ones, play can be a little nerve wracking. The foremost worry is for the safety of the children, of course — it’s more likely that an animal would physically hurt a child than the other way around. Unfortunately, kids can hurt pets too, and what’s more,…
How to Adopt a New Pet
A new pet can be very exciting! But do you know where to find the pet that’s right for you? Choosing which pet you’d like can be hard, and not just because you have to choose between one kitten or puppy and another.We’ve got the tips to help you make the right decision — for…
Traveling With Your Pet
Our pets are a beloved part of our family and sometimes this means that they have to travel with us when we undertake long journeys. As a general rule cats seriously dislike traveling and are almost always better off at home in their own environment. Dogs are more amenable to traveling, but there are still…
Training Your Pet
Once your pet has settled into your home it is a good idea to think about training. Training your pet can help ensure that the behaviors that they exhibit are primarily desirable ones. Dogs in particular like to please their owners and doing so will help retain a lifelong bond between you. Training your DogWhilst…
Finding a Reputable Breeder
With thousands of unwanted dogs living in shelters and desperately looking for new homes, we highly recommend that you at least consider adopting a puppy or adult dog. You will be able to find details of your local shelters and rescue centers online. However if your heart is set on a purebred puppy then the…
First Aid for Pets
Accidents and emergencies aren’t just for humans. While first aid is no substitute for emergency veterinary care, it is important for treating certain injuries and preventing symptoms or situations from worsening. In critical emergencies opting to administer first aid before heading to your veterinarian could make the difference between the life and death of your…