Pets

Question: I am looking after my parents’ Maltese terrier for the next three months. Last night was the first night I had him and when it was time to put him into his basket he cried continuously. What can I do so this does not occur and my neighbours don’t complain? I know it will […]

Question: My dog is sneezing a great deal and has a very sniffly nose. Is it cold or hay fever, and what can I do to ease his misery? He is approximately nine-years-old. Elizabeth Answer: It could be either, and he probably needs to be seen by a vet if he is off-colour at all. […]

Question: To avoid bacteria infections in dogs’ paws during rainy days, dry them off when they come back indoors. Answer: Julie Schofield

Question: We seem to have a never-ending flea problem and it’s costing an arm and a leg! Is there anything we can do in one big bang that will help bring the problem under control? Peta Salmon Answer: Fleas can be very difficult to eradicate, as you have found out. I’m sure you have used […]

Question: To avoid bunny boredom, hide some food around his or her quarters. Carrots, parsnips etc, hidden in places where your bunny will find them (with a little effort on their part) will keep them occupied and an interested rabbit is a happy rabbit! Answer: Hayley

Question: We have a nine-year-old female Jack Russell terrier who is terrified of loud noises, especially thunderstorms. How can we let her know it’s okay? Concerned, Wellington NSW. Answer: Noise phobias are a very common problem in dogs. It’s very frightening for them and what they’re experiencing is essentially a panic attack. Often they’ll hurt […]

By Lucy Hine Fleas are a common parasite which most pet owners are no doubt very familiar with. The flea may seem like just a small nuisance, but it is responsible for a lot of skin disorders on dogs and cats. Flea bites make your pet uncomfortable and extremely itchy! Because of their minuscule size, […]

You may not realise it, but your goldfish has a rather exotic past. Perhaps bought as a simple pet or just something to look at, your goldfish was actually the first species of fish prized for its decorative looks. As early as 970 AD, a red coloured goldfish known as the carp was developed in […]

Question: My 11-year-old Maltese has cancer on her inner back leg. It is starting to get quite large — it’s the size of a tennis ball and now is developing blisters. Is there anything we can do to make this less irritating for her? I am really worried. The blisters are starting to burst. The […]

Question: I have two miniature poodles that are one to two kilos over the recommended 10kg weight for their breed. How much food should I be giving them? I like to give them dry and tinned food daily, with raw bones once a week. The suggested amounts on the commercial food packets differ with each […]