15 Nov 2017
Your pet spends a lot of time playing outside, so it’s important to know whether your garden is pet friendly. If you have a dog, it’s easy to fence off sections of your garden, but it’s a different story with an outdoor cat. WHAT ARE THE ISSUES TO BE AWARE OF AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN PET FRIENDLY? Remove poisonous garden plants Many of our garden plants are poisonous to pets. From daffodils to delphiniums, there are countless plants that you shouldn’t have in your garden. Cycads, like the Sago Palm, and even lilies are plants to avoid. The American Society for the Prevention of Crue…
15 Nov 2017
What does this mean? We are working towards gaining our first level of ISFM accreditation. We recognise that there are unique difficulties in bringing your feline friend to the vet clinic compared to (most of) our doggy patients. • Cats don’t travel well and feel unsafe away from home • Cats are highly sensitive to new sounds/ sights/smells • Most cats prefer quiet and solitude and are highly susceptible to stress • Most cats are highly stressed by nearby dogs in a vet clinic • Cats need to be handled gently and with respect in the clinic. • Cats like to feel in control of their environment a…
15 Nov 2017
Dogs and cats are full of energy and that energy needs to go somewhere, otherwise problem behaviours may start and your pet will become more prone to health issues. The great thing about exercising your pet is there are so many ways to do it. Dogs expend energy at the dog park being social and playing fetch. While cats use up energy playing ball and string, or figuring out a puzzle treat game. Even obedience training is a form of exercise. Exercise is fun for all the family and a great way to bond with your pet. How else does exercise benefit your pet? Exercise keeps your pet fit Coupled…
16 Aug 2017
Cats and dogs are very good at hiding pain. If they’ve got a toothache, chances are, you'd have no idea about it. Dental disease can progress quickly through four stages, from mild gum disease through to large amount of plaque, swollen gums, bleeding and tooth loss. Your pet could even become seriously ill as bacteria can go on to cause problems in organs like their heart and kidneys. What is startling is that 85% of our cats and dogs aged four and older have dental disease, so it's absolutely vital that you know what to look for. If your pet has a healthy mouth, its teeth should be white, i…
16 Aug 2017
Your cat's dental health is just as important as your own, and brushing your feline buddy's teeth is the most effective way to healthy oral hygiene – but, as most cat owners would know, that's easier said than done! While there are other ways to make sure they keep their purrfect pearlies, brushing is still best. Brush your cat's teeth to prevent a build up of plaque We know, you're probably reading this thinking ‘How on earth am I going to brush my cat’s teeth? Have you met her?!’ Truth is, you might only be successful if you start when they're a kitten, but give it a go anyway. Here's what to…
14 Jul 2017
Preventative healthcare for life Regular health check ups are the cornerstone of a preventative health program for your cat in the years ahead. We aim to see most patients at least twice a year. Regular check-ups allow us to catch potential problems early and inform you of the newest and best options in pet medicine pertinent to your individual situation. In the latter years of life these increase in frequency as age related problems become more likely. Every year that passes is 5 or 7 years for your four legged friend, let’s make each one healthy!! Vaccinations Vaccinations are very i…
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…