As a cat owner, it’s important to pay attention to the signs of your cat’s health in order to ensure they are happy and well. While every cat is unique and may have their own specific health concerns, there are some general indicators of good health that all cat owners should be aware of. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 signs of a healthy cat, such as a shiny coat, healthy skin, and healthy weight, as well as how a diet rich in three powerful, natural ingredients can help promote your cat’s natural beauty. #1: A shiny coat: A cat’s coat is one of the first things people notice about ..read more

Giving your pets complete and balanced nutrition goes beyond just fresh ingredients. Ensuring their health also means being selective of their benefits for your dogs and cats too. One way to do this is to check the labels and see what your pet food formula is enriched with.   You can start by looking for New Zealand ingredients in your pet food. 3 of these are great at providing a boost to your dog or cat’s immune system.   Green-lipped Mussel   Bones work hand-in-hand with joints. For active dogs and cats, having sturdy bones and strong joints to support their f ..read more

Pet parents today are more attuned to their pets’ health. This has led to many manufacturing companies using new ingredients to keep up with the demand for humanized pet foods.    In this article, we will discuss a legume that has been eaten and trusted by humans for years and is now making its way into the pet food industry – Fava beans.    Vicia faba or broad beans are a type of legume. They’re light green pods known for their thick and flat seeds or beans inside. They’re in the same genus as Kidney beans, Chickpeas, Lima beans, and Navy beans.   Dr. Greg A ..read more

The Maine Coon is a large, affectionate and highly popular cat breed. It’s native to America, where it was named the official cat of the state of Maine. They’re defined by their large size and are also intelligent to boot. Before you take in one of these gentle giants, here are some important things to know about them.  Breed characteristics When it comes to appearance, Maine Coons have two distinct features: their large size and their shaggy coat, which comes in different varieties of colors like ginger, white, brown, or a combination.  Their size makes them the largest domest ..read more

More and more pet parents are now demanding the same high-quality diets they consume themselves for their pets. This includes using ingredients that were once only found in human diets, such as tapioca, potatoes, and chickpeas. The introduction of novel ingredients in pet foods leaves room for misconceptions. One good example of a novel ingredient that gets a bad rap are Fava beans.       When you type in the phrase “Are Fava beans safe for pets”,  most of the online answers say no. So, why is it making its way into pet food ingredients?     &n ..read more

Rodney the cat is arguably New Zealand’s most famous feline. He unwillingly rose to fame in 2020 after being dumped more than 10 kilometers away from his home in Marton. Rodney was left to fend for himself for more than a month until a rescue group found him. He was eventually adopted by Raye and Shane McDonnell, a couple based in Whanganui.  The second book, titled ‘Rodney the Cat Beyond Lost & Found’, is the sequel to ‘Rodney the Cat World Famous in New Zealand’. Both are written by Linda Deane, writer and publisher.  The first book talks about Rodney’s journey of finding ..read more

Being part of a family just to be separated from them after a year is nothing short of heartbreaking.   This is the story of Malibu, a Singapore special given up for adoption for not fitting into the “ideal” size.  From the moment Malibu was let go by his first pet parents,  he has been moving from one foster home to another. It was hard for him to find a long-term foster home as he required lots of roaming space. Not to mention people who can guide him through his behavioral issues – the consequence of Malibu not being provided proper puppy training.    Love the ..read more

The British Shorthair Cat is believed to be one of Britain’s oldest domestic shorthair cat breeds, refined over time. It’s also one of the most easygoing, child-friendly pets around in a mild manner, making it a great companion. While not as big as a Maine Coon, these cats are big enough if you want a large feline companion. Here are a few things to know if you plan to get one of these cats for yourself.   Breed history   There are many theories regarding the origins of British Shorthairs, but most agree that they started as shorthaired street cats in Britain. Breeders eve ..read more

Urinary tract infection or UTI can be a serious problem for cats. This condition can target your pet’s bladder or urethra, where the urine gathers and exits. It can prevent proper urination and can cause pain when its symptoms manifest.    What is a UTI   UTI can be characterized as either an infection in the bladder where the urine gathers, the urethra where the urine exits the body, or both. In other cases, UTIs are also caused by blockages to the urinary tract, preventing most, if not all, the urine from exiting the body.   Usually, this disease happens w ..read more

Hairballs are a problem that usually happens with cats, though dogs are also susceptible to this. In this article, we take insights from Dr. Emma Bermingham of AgResearch and try to understand what causes hairballs to form and how to prevent them.    Why hairballs happen    Hairballs happen when pets swallow fur when grooming themselves by licking.    According to Dr. Bermingham, “this fur passes through the digestive tract of the cat and do not cause any issues. However, in some cats, especially those with long hair, hairballs (or trichobezoars in the scient ..read more