The pet owner

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

The key to making your cat's trip to the vet, or any trip in their carry cage, a stress free one is creating a positive association with their cage, carrier or cat box. Here are some simple steps to help make your cat's excursions more pleasant for you and your feline friend.

Visiting a shelter, rescue home or a veterinarian to adopt a new pet is an exciting time for any new pet owner. There are so many things to think about when welcoming your new pet into your family, so we have picked five of the most important things to consider.

Our dog trainers at Vetwest understand how difficult it can be to manage a misbehaving dog. No matter whether you generally have a good dog that needs to learn a few more manners, or you have a dog

Good kennels and catteries fill quickly throughout the year particularly during peak travel periods such as school holidays and festive periods. It is also a good idea to plan your pet's health needs in advance. Most good facilities will ask for a current vaccination certificate and for your pet's to be fully vaccinated at least two to three weeks before boarding.

Many owners find the companionship of their dog so rewarding that they feel they would like to breed their dog, continue the bloodline and retain an offspring. This can occur with both male and female dogs. Others, especially first time dog owners, will acquire a female dog with the intent to breed her when she is old enough.

The arrival of a new baby can be very exciting. It can also be a time of immense change, with a new routine and lifestyle for the whole family – including your pets. With a little forward planning

For people who love animals, but don’t have the time or space to have a cat or a dog, a fish can be the perfect pet. Not only are they low maintenance and inexpensive, their bright colours and

With the growing popularity of canine fashion, we are often asked, does my dog need something warm to wear in winter?

So where can you legally take your pet for some off the lead exercise? A question we thought easily answered but after hours of surfing the web this seemingly easy task became quite a job.

Responsible pet ownership and teaching your family how to approach and be approached by an unknown dog are two key activities that will help reduce the incidence of dog bites in Australia.

With extended daylight and warm weather, the summer can be a great time to get active with your pet. However, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of heatstroke – a life-threatening condition,

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

Studies have shown that the nitrogen content and concentration in your dog's urine causes the yellowing or burning that results in dead patches in your lawn. Female dogs are the major culprits, as they tend to urinate in the same place in large volume puddles.

Celebrating your best friend's birthday with a party is a wonderful way to catch up with other canine pals and also treat your mate to a day of fun and excitement. And if you have adopted your pet, there's no reason why they should miss out.

Microchipping is a permanent form of identification for your pet. Inserting a microchip is like a vaccination, it only takes a few seconds. The procedure is very safe and your pet will feel little

So you are about to move house and concerned about settling your pets into their new environment. Here are some handy tips on making the transition stress free and as safe as possible for your pet.

A licence must be obtained for West Australians to keep reptiles and amphibians. For more information on keeping reptiles including snakes as pets visit the Department of Parks and Wildlife . There

It's a pet owner's worst nightmare when your best friend has suddenly taken ill, or been involved in an accident and you are facing a bill you hadn't budgeted for. Fortunately more pet owners are

Most puppies come into the world as "surprises", born from roaming house pets and sometimes sent off to animal shelters as orphans. Often adopting a crossbred canine is literally saving an unwanted dog's life and the odds are he or she will make a great companion. So what are the pros and cons of selecting a crossbreed companion?

Studies show, that having a pet in the house can improve health and reduce loneliness and boredom. If you are a senior citizen or will be approaching your senior years in the upcoming years then you should consider some basic characteristics including temperament and size.

Should we get a dog or a cat? Costs and benefits of pet ownership. Where is the best place to get a new pet? What to look for. You have made a decision what do you do next? Taking your new pet home

As a pet owner, it is not a hard task to find a fantastic photo opportunity. Capturing the moment on camera is often a little more difficult. Here's some hints and tips on taking great pet photographs.

A selection of our favourite pet related books which we can recommend.

Dogs can make the perfect running companions. They’re enthusiastic, energetic and they never say no when we ask. However, all too often we see dogs behaving badly en-route – herding their owners,

Why dogs wag their tails There’s a long-held myth that cats wag their tails when they’re angry, and dogs when they’re happy. But this isn’t always true. Dogs’ tails have a number of different

There are increasingly more opportunities to take dogs to pet friendly destinations including popular holiday locations. We have a medication which actually prevents vomiting from a wide range of causes, including motion sickness. Worldwide, it has seen thousands of dogs successfully treated for vomiting.

Are you planning to leave your pet at home with a carer whilst you go on holidays? If so, plan ahead so you can enjoy a well earned, hassle free holiday while your pet enjoys the company of their carer.

The answer to this question depends on your location and requires a mostly common sense response. Throughout Australia the laws surrounding dog restraint when travelling in or on the back of a car vary from state to state.

Consult with your veterinarian General health check Current vaccinations - copy of records Current medication/s Check for veterinarian in destination area Regular veterinarian address, phone,

Transporting your pet requires planning and organisation well in advance of your intended departure date. This information is intended to assist you in planning for a safe and stress free trip.

Consult with your veterinarian General health check Current vaccinations – copy of records Special needs – tranquillizers, travel sickness Current medication/s Check for veterinarian en route and in

Transporting your pet on long trips in the car requires planning and organisation well in advance of your intended departure date. To assist you in your planning here are some recommendations for you

If you are planning a getaway with your pet these holidays, you’re in for some good fun! But before you set off, there are a few things you need to consider. If you are travelling to a new

Your cat has unexpectedly soiled your carpet, or your dog has chosen your favourite sofa as a pee place and you want to know the best way to clean up the mess and to stop your pet from doing the same thing again. Read our hints and tips on cleaning pet stains here.

Summer is a great time to get your pet involved in family activities. The extended daylight hours mean more time for fishing, boating and playing on the beach. Whether you are going to the seaside, a

Across all communities in Australia we are being encouraged to save one of our most valuable natural resources, water. With this in mind, find out how you as a pet owner can do your bit to help out.

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed from animals to people (like ringworm) and include diseases that infect both people and pets (like giardia). Our pets provide us with many benefits including comfort and companionship. Research has shown that people who own pets are healthier and live longer.