Easter is a time for fun with the whole family. It is also a time for traditions, treats and treasure hunts. Increasingly, families are including their dogs in these festivities, but sadly, some of the foods, treats and practices are not safe for canine consumption. But do not despair. A dog-friendly Easter is possible. Substitutes have been found for the potentially toxic ingredients in the traditional treats. Games and toys have also been devised to entertain your pooch or pack, and costumes have been designed for the family photo shoot. A happy Easter is just a few clicks away with online s ..read more

Dog is man’s best friend. They are however, friends that come with responsibilities, and chores. The least attractive quality of these canine companions is that seem to rent food, rather than consume it, and produce copious mounds of waste material wherever they happen to be. Which leaves us, their owners, with a disposal problem. Few options are open to urban dwellers. They can either place their pooch’s poo bags in designated doggy doo bins, or in the general refuse bins at home – which raises the question of whether it’s illegal to put dog poo in the garbage. To confirm, it is not illegal t ..read more

Bordetella is the bacteria that causes kennel cough. It is highly transmissible, from one dog to another, and even to humans and other species. In most countries, vaccination is not mandated. If your dog regularly comes into contact with other dogs, it’s possible to get it vaccinated against Bordetella, at least every six months. Most doggy day care centres and boarding kennels will insist on vaccination as a condition of entry to their premises and programs. Kennel cough is generally not life threatening. Healthy dogs with strong immunity should recover from a bout in good time. For those wit ..read more

We can often overlook a dog’s dental hygiene, without realising how detrimental gum disease and tooth decay can be to their overall health. Dental care, after the fact, can be very expensive and time-consuming so it’s important to take preventative measures where you can. Dental chews can help with your dog’s dental hygiene, while at the same time keeping your dog amused as they will brighten its day with the prospect of a treat. They are convenient prophylactics that work best when used once a day, after a meal. There are caveats though about how often you should your dog dental chews… and th ..read more

Dogs have a range of smells, most of which you can usually figure out. But if you’ve ever noticed that your dog smells like metal, particularly their breath, it can throw up all sorts of questions… below I will explain why your dog’s breath smells like metal and when to worry. But, before I go on, please don’t assume that the metal or iron like smell from your dog’s mouth is blood. Often, we associate blood with a metallic taste, so you might think your dog’s breath smells like blood… but that’s not what this is. Here’s the short answer first, then more detail lower down the page. Why does my ..read more

The old adage says you should let sleeping dogs lie, but is your dog is breathing heavily through nose while sleeping, is this wise? Well, yes, and no. Many dogs will breathe fast through their nose while asleep, and it can get very heavy sounding… and of course, that’s a worry. But please don’t panic just yet. Many dogs, and dog breeds, will breathe fast through their nose while sleeping, and there’s nothing unusual about it. Below you can find out what the rapid and heavy sleep breathing might mean, and whether you should act. Why does my dog breathe heavy when sleeping? In most cases, your ..read more