17 May 2017
We all live busy lives, meaning sometimes our furry friends are left at home. This means our dogs are left to their own devices resulting in boredom. Even if your dog doesn’t create problems when they are bored, enrichment is still vital in stimulating their brain and providing them with opportunity to practice natural behaviour. This article will give you some tips on providing an enriching environment for your dog. Scavenger hunts Instinctively dogs are scavengers and problem solvers. Try hiding foods, treats and toys around the backyard or house. This will keep your dog busy and reward t…
16 May 2017
As more people are choosing to live in apartments, we are seeing more and more cats spending their days inside only. Eve, one of our vets, has just adopted two kittens who will live solely indoors. Here are a few easy things that can be done for your indoor cat to help them live happy, healthy and enriched lives. DESIGNING A CORE TERRITORY Core territory is the space where your cat’s essential resources are located. It is important to provide multiple resources for your cats or kittens, with easy access for each cat. Resources that are essential to cats include their food, water, toilet and r…
16 May 2017
Has your couch, carpet, bed or even wallpaper been the victim of your cats scratching attention? This is a common problem for cat owners, but the first thing you should know is that scratching is a completely normal behaviour for our feline friends. There are many reasons why our cats scratch, this article will tell you why and give you some tips to move their attention away from your innocent couch. Some common reasons for your cat’s scratching behaviour: Sharpening and grooming the claws This comes naturally to cats and can’t be stopped. Outdoors this is usually done on trees or fences, but…
21 Feb 2017
Have you ever been sitting down on a hot summer’s day indulging in a cool icy treat, with two hopeful eyes staring up at you? This article will give you some ideas for DIY ice treats to keep your furry friend cool this summer. Chilly tuna bites What you need: Tuna (canned is fine, just make sure it is in spring water) Baking paper Method: Place small bite size pieces in dollops on the baking paper, then place in the freezer. You can also blend this with any other ingredients your pet enjoys before freezing! Icy Kong soup What you need: Low sodium broth Any assorted meats (high in p…
21 Feb 2017
Meet Coco, an (almost) two year old French Bulldog. Coco had to visit our clinic because she had been vomiting after consuming a lily petal. Eating these causes a mild toxic insult to dogs and can be very painful for your pup. Initially, we gave Coco some bland food and medication to stop her vomiting. This improved her condition primarily, but once the medication finished she begun to vomit again. We then decided to run some tests on her to investigate further. Her blood tests came back fine and she had no signs of pancreatitis. Finally, we took some x-rays and discovered Coco had swallowed…
21 Feb 2017
Summer is a great time to take your dog out and about with you. We have compiled a list of the best dog friendly walks around your area so that you and your pup can get out and explore nature. Dogs love to run; sometimes we can’t always keep up. That’s why off-leash dog parks are a great way for your pup to burn off that excess energy and build on their social skills as well. The Wellington area has some great spots that both you and your dog will enjoy. Lyall Bay Beach This dog friendly beach has a dog exercise area available (off lead) all day long, giving your dog the opportunity to sniff and…
21 Feb 2017
Vaccinations are an extremely important element of your pet’s health and wellbeing. These should form part of their overall preventative health and wellness program to provide them the best possible care. As well as keeping your pet healthy, up to date vaccinations are required if your pet visits a boarding facility. This article will give you the reasons why vaccinations are so important in giving your pet a happy and healthy life! Is your pet ready for the next holiday break? If you’re planning on boarding your pet next time you go on holidays, now is the time to get things in order. Both cat…
16 Dec 2016
We all like to indulge a little over the Christmas period. We stuff out bodies full of good food and alcohol, which usually also means our four legged friends also get to indulge through scraps and left overs. However, not everything we eat over the Christmas period is good for our pets. So what foods should we refrain from giving to our pets over the Christmas period? Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake and Mince Pies There are three reasons as to why any kind of Christmas cake is bad for our animals. They are jam-packed full of dried fruits like raisins and sultanas which are a big no-no…