FeLV, an acronym that will be familiar to those that are actively involved in cat rescue and adoption. Feline Leukaemia Virus, also known as FeLV, is a relatively common infectious disease in cats. Due to its common nature, it’s one of the diseases cats often get tested for, if they are rescued by adoption centers or rescue organisations, together with other diseases such as FIP and FIV. Knowing some basic information about FeLV as a cat owner is useful, so symptoms can be recognized, and infections prevented. FeLV Feline Leukaemia Virus is an infectious disease that is seen worldwide in arou ..read more

Incidents between pets and kids, sadly they are not uncommon, and the consequences can range from minor to devastating. As pet owners, it’s our obligation to keep both kids and pets safe, and there are several steps we can take to achieve that. Respect personal space and don’t force interaction One of the most important things when it comes to preventing incidents between pets and kids, is providing and respecting personal space and not forcing interactions between the two. As an adult, you are the voice for both, and the enforcer of boundaries. So what would that look like? When you notice t ..read more

Ever wondered if your dog experiences the world around him the same way as you do? Just like humans, dogs use the five senses: smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste, to understand their surroundings. However, dogs use their senses very differently than us humans, and while the primary sense of humans is sight, for dogs this is smell. In this article, we will have a closer look at the five different senses, and what role they play in the daily lives of our dogs. Smell The primary sense of dogs is their sense of smell. With about one eighth of their brains being dedicated to smell, and around ..read more

One of the leading causes of death in cats over 10 is kidney disease, and while this common problem is usually seen in geriatric cats, younger cats can also develop it. When caught in the early stages, the underlying cause gets treated, and additional management & lifestyle changes are applied, cats generally can live relatively normal lives. So let’s have a closer look at what kidney disease is, what the symptoms are, how it’s diagnosed, treated and managed.  The Kidneys Cats have 2 kidneys, which are located in the abdomen, one on each side. They are part of the renal system, and h ..read more

One of the things a new cat owner may ask themselves is, should I allow my cat to go outside? This controversial topic often leads to a heated debate between cat owners and the general public alike, and you will find on one side people who think cats should never be allowed outdoor access, while others believe cats should be free to roam. So, let’s have a closer look at the pro’s and con’s of allowing cats outdoor access, and the alternatives available. Pros of keeping your cat indoors While hazards can be found indoor and outdoor, cats will be safer inside a house. Additionally, homes, garde ..read more

Canine parvovirus, a dangerous and highly contagious disease seen in dogs that can turn deadly within 48 to 72 hours. While puppies under 6 months of age are most likely to contract the infection, dogs of all ages can get it. Detecting the disease and starting aggressive supportive treatment in a timely manner is vital to the survival chances of the dog. So, let’s have a closer look at what parvovirus is, what the symptoms are, how it can be prevented, how the diagnosis is made, and what treatment can be started when a dog gets infected with parvovirus. About parvovirus Canine parvovirus, als ..read more

Cats instinctively hide discomfort and pain, and knowing if they are experiencing it isn’t always easy. While signs are often obvious when the pain is sudden and intense, for chronic illnesses and pain the signals can be more subtle and easily missed or attributed to other reasons. The signs cats send indicating pain are diverse, and not every cat will respond in the same way, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your cat and be mindful about any minor changes. So, what behaviours and signs might indicate a cat is in pain? Signs seen in cats that experience pain and/or discomfort  Th ..read more

The eating of poop, also called Coprophagia or coprophagy, is a normal behaviour seen in  the young of most species. Dogs are no different, and the eating of poop isn’t uncommon nor abnormal for pups. Dog owners however are often less enthusiastic about this behaviour, and although most pups grow out of it, it can become a serious issue for dog owners when the behaviour continues into adulthood. In this article we will look at why pups eat poop, and what can be done to discourage and prevent it.  Why do puppies eat poop? There are many reasons why your pup might be eating stool, and ..read more

Docking, cropping, and declawing are outdated and controversial procedures which were still regularly performed not so long ago. Over the years, more and more countries have banned or restricted these procedures, and the general belief about the necessity of them has shifted. However, there are still many countries without any rules regarding docking, cropping, and declawing, and they are still commonly performed on pets. So let’s dive deeper into what docking, cropping, and declawing is, why these practices are outdated, and why one shouldn’t dock, crop or declaw their pet even if not forbidd ..read more

Most dog owners will be aware that high temperatures are dangerous for their dog, some of these dog owners will also know that high humidity levels pose a risk, but why exactly are they dangerous? Dogs use several different mechanisms to lose body heat, but high temperatures and humidity levels severely impact these cooling mechanisms. By being aware of the mechanisms dogs use to cool down, we can keep them safe, happy, and healthy year-round. Cooling mechanism of dogs Dogs use four main mechanisms to lose body heat, which are  Convection Radiation Conduction Evaporation Let’s have a c ..read more