When was the last time you had a good look in your pet’s mouth? Is their breath, for the most part, fresh? Do they gnaw a raw bone a few times a week? Do you have regular teeth cleaning rituals in place? We remember to pay attention to our own pearly human teeth but, somehow,…
Continue readingImmunity for your pet is incredibly important. Vaccinations are necessary, but we should only use them when they are really needed. Kim, a vet and owner of Ringwood Vet Clinic, says being more discerning with vaccinations is about practising better medicine. It is about not over-vaccinating. All drugs have side effects. No drug is risk-free…
Continue readingIn our last newsletter, we focused on helping cats feel more comfortable at the vet—so it’s only fair we give our canine companions the same attention this time around! Did you know that 26% of dog owners feel stressed just thinking about taking their dog to the vet, and 37% say their dog hates going? The good news…
Continue readingDo you own a pet who is slowing down, or looking stiffer? Older pets can often look stiffer, stretch more (until they are too sore to do so) and have trouble jumping up or down, but then confuse you by suddenly being able to play, chase balls or do zoomies. Adrenaline can over-ride soreness and…
Continue readingDoes the thought of taking your cat to the vet fill you with dread? Does your cat seem to miraculously disappear into thin air at first sight of the carrier coming out? If so you are not alone, many feline owners feel the same way. Statistics show that feline owners are significantly less likely to…
Continue readingIt’s not acceptable, healthy behaviour for a cat to scratch and bite you. Such behaviour may mean your cat feels bored, frustrated or distressed. It can also be inappropriate play behaviour. In some circumstances, it may mean your cat is in pain and needs a health problem investigated. If scratching and biting are a problem…
Continue readingPeriodontal disease is inflammation and infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth, leading to tooth decay, chronic gum inflammation, and, if allowed to advance, tooth loss. Dogs are particularly prone to gum inflammation, leading to destruction of the bone surrounding their teeth. This means older dogs, in particular, are more likely to lose important teeth…
Continue readingOur pets have modern diets and cushy lifestyles that their ancestors did not. They also have an increased lifespan. We can’t expect our pet’s teeth to stay clean from diet alone. We must clean their teeth regularly to protect them from dental disease. If left unchecked, dental disease can have some far-reaching health effects, so…
Continue readingCats are very adaptable and it’s not always easy to spot pain, discomfort or restriction in their movements. This means it can be hard for cat owners to detect the early stages of arthritis. Cats are agile creatures that make full use of their supple joints in a lifetime. Pets are also living longer thanks…
Continue readingIt’s easy to forget about it when we are wearing shoes or thongs. On warmer days when the sun is out, some surfaces heat up dramatically and will easily burn the sensitive, vulnerable pads on your pet’s feet. A puppy’s tender young paw pads will burn even faster. Even on a mild spring day of…
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