Cats - FAQs

While the myth that cats have nine lives was debunked long ago, there remain a number of old wives’ tales that continue to steer many cat owners in the wrong direction. Myth 1. Cats always land on

Animals only see in black and white Myth It was once thought that animals, including cats and dogs, could only see in black and white. However, scientists have proven this to be a myth. In all

Often referred to as the Easter Lily this spectacular flower unlike its common name suggests is available at most florists throughout the year in Australia. However with Easter and Mothers Day just

A cold, wet nose is just one sign of wellness in cats and dogs and should not be considered in isolation as an indication of overall health. On occasion you will find a healthy pet with a warm dry nose, and on the other hand a sick pet with a cold, wet nose.

Dogs with long noses are at an even greater risk of developing certain nasal and sinus cancers, as they expose more tissue to the carcinogens when they inhale. Cats exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased...

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was first discovered in 1986, following a study of a cattery in the United States. This group of cats were found to be unwell as a result of infections that

One of the more common theories is that dogs, in particular, use grass for medicinal purposes to help them vomit. Other claims include eradicating intestinal parasites, a result of a dietary deficiency or just because they enjoy the taste of it.

The grooming process is an important part of the day for cats and most are able to keep themselves very clean without a bath. Unless there is a medical need to, you do not need to bath your cat, but

Multi-pet households are a challenge for those families who have pets who have specific dietary requirements such as overweight pets, fussy eaters or those with prescription diets.

The answer is early diagnosis and treatment which can be achieved by visiting your veterinarian for twice yearly check-ups. Dogs and cats age much faster than we do and as a result, health problems progress much more rapidly.

Observe the early warning signs of age related disease and discuss them with your veterinarian, be on the look out for weight loss or gain, change in appetite, inappropriate urination, confusion, coughing, difficulty moving, lumps or bumps ....

You have heard cats can be taught to walk on their lead, but is it true? It's true, cats can be taught to walk on a lead or harness. Although like most things it's much easier to teach a kitten.

Cats are living longer than ever. With improvements in nutrition and veterinary medicine including vaccines and therapeutic agents, cats are living to over 15 years of age and in some cases over 20

You may need to adjust the frequency and intensity of your daily exercise regime as a pet ages but it is important to maintain a regular exercise program. If your pet doesn't use their muscles, and move freely on a regular basis, they will lose muscle mass and tone.

Queens come into oestrus otherwise referred to as ‘heat' or ‘call' many times a year. Each oestrus lasts approximately one week and if a female cat is not mated she will usually return to oestrus

Whilst some Australians give their cats the freedom to come and go as they please there is a growing trend for cat lovers to keep their companions indoors. In a recent online poll we found over 77%

Similar to humans, dogs and cats can suffer from lactose intolerance and unfortunately for our companions it is a very common problem. Lactose intolerance is essentially the absence of the beta lactamase enzyme which assists in the breakdown of sugar found in milk.

The safest answer is no. We strongly recommend to carefully read the instructions of any product you intend to apply to your pet, as many supermarket dog flea treatments are extremely toxic to cats.

Many a parent has been known to say “If you kiss the cat, you’ll wake up with whiskers!” While this common falsehood might prevent small children from getting too close, the question remains what are

If your cat’s appetite has changed recently, it could be due to something as simple as fussiness. However it could also be an indicator of an underlying medical problem. While the causes of appetite

Whilst catching a mouse or a rat may be a natural activity for cats and in some cases dogs, eating rodents can have undesirable consequences. These can include contracting intestinal worms, the disease toxoplasmosis and secondary rat bait poisoning.

Desexing can be performed at anytime throughout a cat's life. However there are major health and behavioural benefits of having this procedure done at 5-6 months of age. As well as reducing the

Pets age much faster than people do, and their rate of ageing depends not only on the species type but also on the size of the breed. Cats are generally less than 10kg and are considered senior citizens after the age of 8. Dog breeds, however, display a wide variety of weights.

We often get phone calls from clients who are concerned about the symptoms their pet are showing, but are unsure whether it is a sign of something more sinister or if things will resolve on their own

The best way to identify which litter and litter box suit your cat is to try a variety of types and styles. If your cat is struggling with toileting issues leave more than one box out, trying

Whether it's the bedspread, carpet or a companion, kneading is a very common behaviour for cats. But why do they do it? Well there are all kinds of theories, some say kneading originates from

Tips on things you can do to make your older pet's life easier such as changes to diet, dental care, exercise and environment