Proper oral care is an important part of keeping your dog in tip-top shape.  Just like humans, brushing your dog’s teeth can be an excellent way to keep them gleaming and disease free.   Approximately 85% of dogs over five years of age are afflicted by periodontal disease. This condition develops when food particles and nasties like bacteria accumulate along the gum line and in soft deposits called plaque. With time, plaque transforms into tartar, which is rock hard and difficult to remove. Plaque has the effect of inflaming the gums and causing them to start to separate from the teeth allowing pockets of bacteria to form. Pain and abscesses may result, as well as a bacterial infection able to spread through the body and impact on the health of organs like the liver, heart and brain. Teeth brushing can help prevent issues such as these from developing and the practice should therefore be considered by all dog owners.   Dogs can be uncomfortable with teeth brushing, especially if they haven’t had their mouth handled much by their owners, and must be gradually introduced to the process if they display signs of distress.   At first, simply touching your dog’s mouth with your hands is ideal – lifting his or her gums, opening the jaws and so on. Continue this exercise until your dog expects it as part of everyday life and is quite relaxed with you fiddling around their muzzle.   Next it is time to introduce the brush. A number of different varieties of toothbrush are available, some of which look like human toothbrushes with handles and bristles, while others are fashioned from rubber which fit over the finger like a small glove. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and gently brush a couple of teeth easy to reach such as the canines.   Note: human toothpaste should never be used for brushing dog’s teeth. Instead, especially formulated pastes can be purchased in flavours such as chicken and beef.   If your dog sits quietly praise them and reward with treats or a play session. With time, increase each dental session until your dog happily submits to having all their teeth scrubbed. Performed correctly, brushing will ensure your dog will have a bright, healthy smile for years to come.   Feature image credit

Though cats are carnivores they are adapted to consume small amounts of grass as part of their regular diet.   Grass is a source of fibre that assists with digestive tract health by helping to prevent constipation and assisting cats to cough up hairballs. Grass is also an excellent source of niacin, folic acid and vitamin B.   In addition to these nutritional benefits, when grass is given to cats to chew on they tend to display less problem behavior that's usually linked to boredom. The more ways a cat is able to express natural behaviour the better for their state of mind – and yours.   Some owners become concerned after seeing their cat throw up after eating grass. However you may be surprised to know that this is one of the reasons cats eat grass in the first place. Cats lack the digestive enzymes to eats lots of grass, so after they have a serious munching session they tend to become a bit sick. But along with the grass comes up irritants like feathers, fur, parasites and bones, meaning your cat gets a clean up on the inside that results in long-term health benefits.  So why hydroponic grass? Hydroponic grass has a number of benefits - let's take a look at them now:   If your outside area doesn't have grass or you have an indoor cat, then hydroponic grass is a great way to provide your cat access to fresh greenery. No dirt is required - so there's no risk of spillages or dirt being spread all over your home. There are no additives, meaning it's completely organic. It grows within a couple of days, ready for munching. It saves your other houseplants from being completely ruined. Cats love it!     Feature image credit  

Some people are quite against the idea of installing a containment system for their cat. And that's OK. But it must be said, they can provide lasting solutions for a multitude of problems. And, more often than not cats react positively to them whilst achieving peace of mind for owners. First, you need to be clear about your motivation - why do you need to put a containment system in place? If you are clear about your goal, you are bound to choose the right containment system for you and your cat and will achieve your desired outcome. Note, before buying a containment system, always do your research and always have your cat's temperament in mind. In-ground fences How they work: In ground fencing systems work by installing a boundary wire either in-ground or fixed to an object, encompassing the boundary you want to set. Radio signals from a transmitter communicate with the wire, while your cat wears a collar that has contact points. When in use, your cat will receive a warning beep as they near the boundary. If they enter the boundary zone a static correction signal is sent to your cat who should be immediately deterred. Once your cat has learned where the boundary is (ordinarily it doesn't take that long) they then no longer need to wear the collar. Bear in mind, it can take a couple of weeks of daily training to get your cat used to this, but for many owners the outcomes are well worth the effort. Once trained, your cat should be quite happy with the redefined territory, however always take your cat's personality into consideration and if you notice any negative behaviour, stop using the system immediately. Who is it useful for? If your cat gets in to fights, is out all night or has had near misses with dogs, foxes or cars you are probably already feeling anxious about your cat being outside unsupervised, so a system like this can still allow your cat freedom to be outside but protected from dangerous situations.   Spray deterrents   How they work: Essentially, the device is able to detect when a pet is approaching the no-go zone and a harmless spray and/or alarm is released, startling your pet and causing them to turn away. It bears no ill effect on your pets, yourself or the environment. There are also outdoor repellants which can help keep cats out of your garden. Rather than a spray, it produces a high-decibel sound that sends cats running. Who is it useful for? Many cat owners dislike their cats jumping up on counters and food preparation surfaces - so this is a perfect solution for keeping them out of certain areas of your home. It's also great for parents of newborns, who want to keep their cat still accustomed to indoor life, but away from the baby's nursery. Just remember to keep any fragile items out of the spray zone because you can expect your cat to have all limbs akimbo! Be prepared, that you may need to retrain your pet every so often if certain areas become too irresistible again. Cages   How they work: Well, a cage is a cage - so you can imagine how it works! The beauty of using a cage as a containment system is that it doesn't take long to set up and there's no real need to provide any training! Who is it useful for? There are a number of reasons why a cage would be useful. These include: if you are introducing a new cat to the household or existing cats aren't getting along then this is a great way to isolate them (but make sure to swap who has to spend time in the cage as this helps break the cycle of aggression.) If you are travelling with your cat, you can keep them in the cage at your destination or at pit stops so they can still enjoy the benefits of being outside while removing the possibility of them running away. It's also a great way to give owners peace of mind because they can place their cats in the cage, knowing they are safe. Crates are big enough to keep all your cat's essentials in there with them, and once used to the idea of the cage, they quite often regard them as a safe zone and a retreat.   Feature image credit

As the nights become cooler, you're no doubt hunting out sweaters and blankets to keep yourself toasty and warm. You may even be putting an electric blanket on your bed to give you a comfortable nights sleep - but what about your feline companion? Cats respond really positively to warmth - no doubt you've witnessed your kitty acting like a sun dial, taking naps in only sunny places throughout the day - so of course they want to be kept as warm as possible all year round, if not definitely during fall and winter! So what about a heated bed? A heated bed is the perfect solution to keep your cat cozy. And believe us, they will love it. If you have a multi-cat household, watch them fight over who gets to have a rest in the bed first - they can be that enticing!   There are two main types of heated beds, thermo heated and self warming. Both are designed to provide ultimate comfort and warmth to your furry friend. Let's take a look at them now... Thermo heated cat beds Thermo heated cat beds are designed to match your cat's body temperature - roughly 10-15 degrees above ambient air temperature, so while some owners may think the bed's not warm enough - it really is. And how to do you know it's working? Just witness the queue of cats waiting (impatiently) for their turn! They are really safe to use and can remain plugged in all of the time - and the best news of all is that it doesn't impose on your electricity bills all that much.     Self warming cat beds Self warming beds like this one are super cute because they look like cat sized sleeping bags! The beauty of these types of beds is that cats can really crawl up and snuggle down- which they love doing. The self warming action is all thanks to the material which self-insulates, radiating their heat back into themselves.   Reasons why you should consider a heated bed for your cat Perfect for older cats who are more susceptible to the cold. Cats who have joint pain or arthritis, can be greatly soothed by the warmth. Is an attractive alternative for cats who like to sleep in bed with their owners (and for owners who would now like some peace and quiet). Are extremely popular with cats - some people in multi-cat homes have to buy more than one to keep up with demand! You are bound to get your money's worth as they are rarely empty and will be well used. If you think it's time to get your cat a heated bed why not check out the enitre range here.  

The great thing about agility training is that there are so many benefits for both owner and dog and best of all, any dog can learn it and excel at it! Agility training is a form of canine sport where the handler uses only hand and voice signals to direct their dog through obstacles. A quick pace and accuracy are the aims of the sport and competitions can be highly competitive. And while near enough any dog can enter these competitions, this isn't the only motivation as to why your dog should learn these skills. In fact, entering competitions shouldn't be the main reason why a dog takes up agility sports because these are activities that can be taught, practiced and enjoyed at home. Yes, at home! You and your dog can become agility superstars of your backyard - or even your neighbourhood!   Benefits of agility training:   There are so many benefits to agility training you'll be hard pressed to come up with a reason not to learn. Here are ten now: 1. A great way for dog and owner to bond. Agility courses cannot be done without both dog and owner working together. 2. Builds trust between dog and owner. 3. A way for your dog to use their natural hunting and chasing instincts. 4. Helps to get rid of excess energy. 5. A great form of exercise for your dog; it strengthens muscles, improves coordination and increases stamina and endurance. 6. Improves unruly behaviour. 7. Improves confidence. 8. Improves obedience. 9. Sharpens your dog's mind. 10. Improves communication skills. And there are benefits for you too: It also keeps you in shape, providing a great cardio workout. Improves your flexibility. Increases your perseverance. Plus, agility is just plain fun! Things to consider: Before you start learning agility with your dog, have them checked over by your vet to make sure they are physically capable and are not secretly suffering from any conditions that could be further impacted from such physical activity. If your breed of dog is prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and eye impairments, special attention should be given. How is your dog's mental health? Agility training is a great way to build confidence, however if your dog is quite shy and nervous already it may not be a great idea to get them into agility. Dogs under eighteen months of age should be checked over to make sure they have finished growing before starting any agility training to avoid any chronic injuries.   Feature image credit

It's not nice to think of something terrible happening to your dog, but the best thing you can do is to be prepared and know what to do in various medical emergencies - it may just save your dog's life. A great idea is to put together a first aid kit, filled with essentials to help soothe and aid various injuries. Consider the following in your kit: 3% hydrogen peroxide Adhesive tape Blankets/towels Bottled water Clean cloths Cotton batting Diphenhydramine Gauze bandages and pads Hydrocortisone cream Leash Muzzle    Nylon rope (to restrain) Pliers Safety pins Saline Scissors Thermometer Tweezers Wire cutters Wooden ruler (for tourniquet) Sometimes it can be hard to know when your dog would need immediate emergency care. The following signs are sure-fire symptoms of a medical emergency. Change in body temperature Difficulty standing Excessive bleeding Loss of consciousness Pale gums Paralysis Rapid breathing Seizures Weak or rapid pulse Another quick way to decipher the severity of your dog's situation is to remember your ABC's... A = Airways - are their airways free from blockages? B = Breathing - are they breathing normally and clearly? C = Circulation - are you able to feel a pulse or the heart beating? If you answer no to any of these then you need to get your dog to the vet immediately. What to do when your dog is: Excessively bleeding Elevate the area and apply pressure to the wound. Make sure you clean it out with saline to get rid of any dirt and debris and then apply a firm bandage. Choking Use your fingers to remove the obstruction. If this doesn't work you can try the Heimlich manoeuvre to try help dislodge it. Burnt Keep the affected area under running cool water for a LEAST 10 minutes. Poisoned Get in touch with your vet or a poison control centre. Your dog's age, general health, and what has poisoned them will all be evaluated to help give you a good recommendation. Depending on what they say, you may have to induce vomiting in your dog. Having a seizure Use a calm voice to comfort your pet but never try and stop the seizure - just make sure your pet is not able to hurt themselves. Seizures that last longer than five minutes will need medical attention and advice from your vet. Giving CPR to your dog CPR may be necessary in instances such as your dog has choked on something, the object has been removed but they are still unconscious. Check they are breathing If not, move them onto their side and extent their head and neck back. Holding their jaw closed blow into their nostrils once every three seconds - be careful to not allow air to escape between your mouth and the dog's nose. If there is no heartbeat you will have to perform a cardiac massage at the same time. You'll need to give three quick but firm chest compressions for every artificial respiration you give. Do this until your dog is again breathing on their own. REMEMBER Dogs who are hurt and are severely injured can act out aggressively, even at their owners, so you will need to do everything you can to protect yourself from injury. Always approach slowly and calmly. Kneel down to them and say their name. If there is any displays of aggression go get some help. If they are not aggressive you may approach with caution. Always be extra careful, especially around their neck incase of spinal injuries. Whatever the situation, make sure your vet gets to see your dog ASAP and if you are ever unsure about the severity of your dog's injuries - get in touch with your vet because it's always better to be safe than sorry. Feature image credit  

With the early release of the pumpkin spice latte (PSL), fall is coming faster than ever. Though your dog can’t enjoy a PSL, there are other fall foods that are okay to share with them. The following fruits and vegetables are considered in season for fall according to this site here. Of course there are many more produce items on the list, but these fives are the best ones to share with your dog: 1. Apples Apples are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Feel free to leave the skin on too; it’s full of plant chemicals that are thought to be cancer-fighting. The only part of the apple your dog can’t have is the core, which has seeds containing cyanide. They are only toxic in large amounts, so if they happen to eat a few, there’s no need to panic. 2. Beets Beets are packed with nutrition including vitamins A, B, C, iron, potassium, and magnesium, among other vitamins and minerals. If your dog has liver issues, beets are particularly beneficial because of their detoxifying qualities. 3. Cranberries Cranberries are rich with vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. They also promote urinary tract health, helping prevent UTIs. Too many cranberries could make your dog gassy, so only allow them to be eaten in moderation. 4. Green beans Green beans are filling and low in calories. In fact, they’re often fed to dogs as a main component in their diet to help with weight loss. 5. Pumpkin Pumpkin from the can is tasty and healthy, making it the ideal snack for your dog! It’s loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, and does wonders for the digestive system. If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or constipation, consider feeding them pumpkin. Remember, human food is best shared with your dog in moderation! If you’re ever unsure of what people foods are okay to give your dog, hold off until you do your research.  

Human beings have a number of nervous ticks that are easily noticed by other individuals. One of the most common is biting finger nails. Many individuals associate this behavior with nerves or higher levels of stress. Extraordinarily, this same behavior is exhibited in dogs. Have you ever noticed this behavior in your dog?   Dogs, like other animals, are constantly grooming themselves by licking various regions of the body. You'll notice your dog licking its paws, legs, hindquarters, and even its nails. However, there is a difference between regular grooming and chronic behavior. Dogs prefers to have their nails kept at a shorter length, so sometimes, chewing nails is a sign that it's time for some regular grooming. In this case, trimming your dog's nails should solve the problem.   However, if trimming their nails does not resolve this issue, it is time to consider a few deeper problems that could be causing this irritation.   Your dog spends the day roaming through a variety of natural environments. Between playing outdoors, running around the house and eating, your dog can be exposed to a number of different allergens. Allergies to grass, pollen, and specific ingredients can leave your dog with itchy paws and nails. In order to relieve that itch, your dog is going to chew at the source of the problem.   Likewise, whilst playing around outdoors and running through the house, it is possible for your dog to pick up small injuries or fungal infections. If your dog suffers an injury to their paw, the open wound could become infected and lead to nail chewing. Signs of an infection include red, swollen, or sensitive nails.   Sometimes, like humans, nail biting is a sign of a mental health issue. Your dog may have neurotic tendencies, feel anxious, or even just be bored and find nail chewing as a good use of time. Separation anxiety could lead a dog that is left home alone to chew their nails to relieve nervousness. Likewise, dogs with pent up energy may chew their nails out of a lack of anything better to do.   How you deal with your dog's nail biting and chewing depends upon the root cause of the behavior. For dogs with allergies or infections, a visit to the veterinarian's office is the best way to discover the source of the problem. In the case of infections, your vet will be able to treat the wound and provide any medications necessary for continued treatment of the infection. A vet may have a hard time identifying a specific allergen, which means you will need to begin paying attention to interactions (food or environment) that bring out the behavior in your dog.   When it comes to mental conditions, the power to curtail the biting behavior is entirely in your hands. If your dog suffers separation anxiety, you'll need to work on reassuring them each time you leave the house and providing toys for them to chew on instead of their nails. If your dog chews out of boredom, the best course of action is to introduce more exercise, as well as physical and mental stimulation into their day. Feature image credit  

Cats and their owners often have remarkable bonds. It may sound farfetched to outsiders, but owners often insist their beloved cats ‘know’ when they are ill and behave differently around them as a result.   It turns out, it may not be a fantasy after all. Oscar, a cat that resides at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in Rhode Island in the United States, gained fame by apparently predicting the deaths of twenty-five residents of the home. Oscar, a generally aloof cat, has been known to all of a sudden curl up affectionately against certain elderly men and women, who pass away shortly afterwards.   According the a number of animal behaviour experts, Oscar is probably reacting to chemicals given off by the bodies of the ill and dying, rather than manifesting psychic powers. It is theorised, biochemical signals are released as the body shuts down, perceptible to cats and dogs before we are able to discern a change.   Numerous stories exist of dogs and cats alerting their owners to previously unknown cancerous growths by obsessive sniffing or otherwise unusual expressions around a part of their owner’s body. Cats have senses far beyond human capabilities – their sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than ours – enabling them to potentially detect illness through their enhanced sensory abilities.   Even when impacted by less serious ailments, it is likely cats are able to some extent discern a difference in the state of health of their owners. Independent of potential chemical signals, pets are keen observers of human behaviour. The way the ill person acts and the manner others in the family behave towards them may provide clues as to their weakened state.    Feature Image Credit   

Hiding is common cat behaviour. However some overly shy and anxious cats can take to hiding constantly, and not just from strange visitors to the house but family members as well.     Reducing the stress levels of a timid cat is the best way to encourage them to emerge from their hiding places. Ask yourself what might be discomfiting them in your household. Is there another cat that might be bullying it? Or a dog? Are there loud noises outside due to construction next door?   If possible, remove the environmental factors that might be causing your cat distress. If you are unable to do so, try blocking it out. Playing slow rhythmic music has been suggested as a feline stress reliever which has the added benefit of masking outside crashing and banging. Strategically placed curtains can remove the sight of other cats and the view of strangers walking past the house that may be upsetting your cat.   Playtime is also important to relax nervous cats. Playing releases happy hormones that assist with reducing stress hormones. Plus – a cat that is fixating on a feather on the end of the string has less time to fret about the barking dog next door.   Pheromone technology can be a vital tool for cat owners with timid pets. By mimicking natural pheromones that relax cats, products that dispense the substance have been found to reduce anxiety related issues. Pheromone products include plug in diffusers, sprays, collars and wipes.    Feature Image Credit