February 2014 - The Lab AU | VetShopAustralia.com.au Official Blog

5 Spring Cleaning Tips with Your Pet

February 27, 2014
By Unknown
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Even if there are still signs of winter in your neck of the woods, it is time to don a pair of rubber gloves and find the mop because it is time to spring clean! For every pet owner, taking extra care while you get every cranny and nook to gleam will mean pet-friendly sanitizing and scrubbing methods.

It is important that your cleaning chemicals and supplies are not left in places that are accessible to pets as these can have ingredients that are very harmful to pets. There are many ecologically friendly products that are safe for pets and it will pay off in the long run when you look for these when you are shopping for new spring cleaning products.

Spring Cleaning Benefits

You keep your pet healthy and safe when you spring=clean. This is due to the fact that all the mess and fur that your pet has left all over the place will be washed away. All the mud tracked in from the outdoors will help you remain less frustrated with your pet now that spring has come around the corner. Due to the ground thawing, melting snow and frequent rainfalls, dogs will track in more dirt than usual and the way to keep yourself and every member of the family sane is to do some cleaning.

Mud Seekers

Dogs naturally do seek out mud and it is important to get some of your pet pooch’s energy out through Agility and Obedience, AKC Rally and other training activities. You might want to check your community bulletin board for possible activities that your dog can partake in. This way, he lets some of his energy out while making new dog friends.

Slip Covers

To prevent mud on your favourite lounge, now is the time to sew your own or buy some furniture slipcovers. A mat or two near the entry way and floor runners on carpets are easy to replace or wash.

Paw Prints

If you truly do not like a floor smudged with paw prints, wipe the paws of your dog while he stands at the door. Use a damp, soft cloth and do not forget to wipe between each toe.

Fur Shedding

The entire year, pets do she fur but this becomes very obvious in the springtime as the winter fur gets shed. At this time, frequently brush your pet to collect more of the hair being shed before it gets stuck on the carpet or couch.

Mark Perissinotto has been a practicing veterinarian for over 20 years, 14 years of which he was the owner and principal of a busy multi-vet mixed animal hospital. One of the two co-founders of Vet Shop Australia, graduated from the University of Queensland with Bachelor of Veterinary Science and one of the best retailer of pet supplies Australia.

Noosa Festival of Surfing

Teach Your Dog To Surf!

February 27, 2014
By VetShop
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Hitting the Australian waves and pristine river ways with your pooch is becoming increasingly popular. So much so that getting your dog out riding the waves is now considered a sport!

Founded on the shores of Hawaii, dog surfing was officially launched in Australia as the feature attraction at the 2012 Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Now in its third year, the VetShopAustralia.com.au Surfing Dog Spectacular is the main attraction of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, attracting large crowds; even more than the professional surfing events!

Chris De Aboitiz, former tandem world surfing champion and professional dog trainer has been involved in the event since its inception and believes that dog surfing is a great way to spend quality time with your dog while you are doing something you both love.

For those of you who want to experience the sun, surf and sand with your pooch, Chris has provided us with some simple steps to follow to get your dog on a board and out into the waves.

How to teach your dog to surf.

1.    First, put your dog in a ‘sit and stay’ position on the beach.

2.    Now invite your dog onto the board. Once on the board get them back in the ‘sit & stay’ position.

3.    Let your dog stay there for a few moments then invite them off the board. Use a lead if required.

4.    Put your board by the water’s edge and invite your dog onto it then slide your board into the water with your dog staying on the board in a ‘sit’ position.

5.    Let your dog float around on the board for a few minutes and then bring it back onto the beach. Invite your dog off the board.

6.    Congratulations! You’re now ready to take your dog for a paddle in the flat water.

7.    Paddle your dog to a ‘happy place’ – for example a sand bar where you can run and play with your dog.

8.    After one or two trips you’ll have trouble keeping your dog off the board!

Chris and his pack of surfing dogs will once again be appearing at this year’s 2014 VetShopAustralia.com.au Surfing Dog Spectacular on Sunday 9th March, First Point, Noosa.

Come along and be amazed and entertained at the skill level of these hot-dogging dogs; you’d be barking mad to miss it!

20% off Heartgard Plus

February 21, 2014
By VetShop
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Advantage

Win a Boat PLUS a Stand Up Paddle Board

February 20, 2014
By VetShop
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4 Ways to Deal with Pet Aggression

February 20, 2014
By Unknown
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For many reasons, aggression can sometimes develop in your pet. Many times, aggressive behaviour has to do with the way the owner of a pet raises them. Dog owners with the best intentions may set the stage for a pet to be aggressive. The moment you notice this type of behaviour in your pet, you might want to find a dog training professional to help your dog be safer to be around.

Aggression that involves strong jaws and sharp claws is sometimes something that cats and dogs with dominant personalities sometimes use to get their own way. In a very short time, considerable damage can be the result. This is why it is considered a serious problem when you notice signs of aggression in your pet. While it is advisable to call a pet psychologist or the vet regarding the issue, there are a few things you can do to get your pet to feel more secure, happier and take the edge off your pet’s anger.

Blow Off Steam

Aggression is shown by some pets since they do not have enough to do and yet have too much energy. Helping your pet blow off steam by wearing him out can often curl early aggressive signs. Jog or go for longer walks as long as you see that your dog is able to do this. Get your cat to run with a game of chasing strings. Throw a ball or run in circles. As long as you get your pet to move for a minimum of twenty minutes daily, he won’t feel like causing trouble as he will be feeling quite exhausted at this point.

Ease Their Mind

Cats and dogs are able to sense when their owners become upset and aggressive behaviour may be the result of this concern. Attempting to calm your own emotions and dealing with your own stress might do wonders in easing the mind of your own pet.

Touch Works

Cats and dogs that act in an aggressive way may get more relaxed and a lot calmer if you trace circles on their tail, mouth and ears with the tips of your finger for a few minutes daily. If this does not seem to work, back off a little bit to give your pet some space.

Scent Works

Due to strong emotions such as anxiety, pets can get so wound up. Aromatherapy treatments might help their brains get re-set. Put bergamot on a handkerchief or scarf and tie this around the neck of your pet. Until the aggression begins to fade, repeat this treatment one time each day.

Noosa Festival of Surfing

Official VetShopAustralia.com.au Surfing Dog Spectacular Teaser 2014

February 14, 2014
By VetShop
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The Benefits of Grooming Your Dog

February 12, 2014
By Unknown
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Beyond just making your dog look better, there are many benefits to dog grooming. For one thing, you get a dog with a better mood when he is well-groomed. When a dog has overgrown hair, for instance, there is a risk of his vision becoming impaired and fleas to find many hiding places in his fur. This can cause your pet to be quite irritable and uncomfortable, not to mention being at risk for diseases that fleas and ticks can bring.

Your Dog’s Health

Generally, a well-groomed dog means better health for both your dog and yourself. Dead hair is removed by regular brushing. Plus, you protect your dog from parasites, mites and bacteria when you regularly brush him. Once you find that there is indeed a flea problem that is developing in your pet, you might want to check and see what treatments are offered at the vet. In addition, getting professional flea treatment will ensure that this condition is put under control and even the impending eggs get killed.

A Bonding Experience

For both you and your pet, grooming gives you the opportunity to bond. In time, Fido may feel more relaxed than he would otherwise. As a matter of fact, grooming can hasten the pace your new puppy gets ‘used’ to you. The benefit of this is that a calm, relaxed dog will be more positive. Generally, there will be less insecurity, less fear and less aggressive behaviour in a dog that feels more secure. Being in close contact with your pet benefits you as well. Many studies show that owners of pet tend to go through better well-being psychologically and less health issues. As a matter of fact, dogs have specifically been categorized as therapeutic and part of the preventive measures against stress every day. Grooming your pet regularly can be thought of as a great form of prevention medicine for your own well-being.

Thorough Grooming

Spending a few minutes daily to truly groom your dog will help you keep tabs on whether or not anything is wrong. For instance, checking your dog’s mouth, teeth and ears will give you a clue the moment your dog shows signs of a tooth infection. Rather than having to spend hundreds of dollars in surgery when the problem has become quite aggravated, you can catch the issue while it is minor and nip it in the bud, so to speak.

3 Tips for Caring for Your Pet Cat at Home

February 07, 2014
By Unknown
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Congratulations on your new cat! Now that you have decided to become a full-fledged cat owner, you will need to provide proper care for your pet. This way, you can rest assured that your will grow up to be a healthy, happy cat. When keeping a pet cat in the house full time, you will need to care for your cat properly. This involves watching out and taking measures to prevent fleas and ticks, making sure your cat gets enough exercise and sunshine as well as protection from cold weather and making sure your cat gets good oral hygiene. Brand new cat owners may feel overwhelmed at the responsibility of having to care for a pet. On the other hand, the rewards of a loving, healthy cat companion in the long run make this all worth it.

Ticks and Fleas

When cats live at home, ticks and fleas can be an issue. Not only can fleas and ticks cause your cat to be allergic, these also tend to carry diseases. To reduce the chances of a tick or flea home infestation, wash your cat often and clean your home thoroughly. Remember that your cat can catch fleas from other pets outdoors when you go for walks. You can opt for a preventive measure by using tick or flea collars as well as powders and soaps that are ‘anti-flea.’

Exercise

When a pet cat lives at home with her owner, your cat will have a tendency to eat a poor diet as it may eat all sorts of human food. Plus, she is likely to get less exercise opportunities. For this reason, going the extra mile in making sure your cat is eating the right diet and getting enough exercise will benefit your cat’s health greatly.

Oral Health

Caring for your pet cat properly involves total care, including checking her oral health. Aside from having the vet check her teeth and whether or not these are growing properly, your cat should also get a weekly tooth-brushing. In addition, it pays to know that cats that are healthy will have no bad breath and completely white teeth. The moment you notice that your cat has bad breath; it is time to get a check-up as this could be a sign of another underlying medical condition. You might also want to give your cat a diet of cat food that is dry, as this discourages bacteria from being able to develop in your feline’s mouth.