How should I care for my pet ducks? Ducks are generally very social and curious birds who can bond closely with people when kept as pets. Ducks are...
My cat is being aggressive towards my other cat, what should I do? Aggressive behaviour (a threat, challenge, or attack) may include scratching, biting, and visual (e.g., changes in posture, erect fur), vocal...
How should I introduce a new cat or kitten to my existing cat? How well cats get along with each other is influenced by a range of factors related to the owner, the...
Should I get another cat to provide company for my cat? The way cats relate to one another varies. Some studies suggest that multi-cat households are more stressful for cats, others...
How should I introduce my new dog or puppy to my existing cat? Introducing a new canine member to the family is a special and exciting time, but it can be a little...
One of my cats has died, should I get a companion for my remaining cat? Losing a member of the family is difficult, both for human and non-human members of the household. It has been...
What can I do if my dog is anxious when I’m not at home? Dogs are highly social animals who generally prefer to live in groups. Many dogs can become anxious when separated from...
Will my newborn baby be safe around my dog? Never leave your baby and dog together unsupervised! Many dogs adjust well to the arrival of a newborn. Nevertheless, preparation...
My puppy is chewing everything, what should I do? Chewing is a normal dog behaviour, and dogs should be provided with opportunities to chew things. However, chewing can be...
Is it important to train my dog? What sort of training would you recommend? Training is an important part of any dog’s life, and is important for several reasons. It provides mental stimulation which...
What equipment should I use when teaching my dog or puppy to walk on a leash? It is important to have equipment that is safe and comfortable when teaching your dog to walk on a leash...
What is reward-based dog training and why does the RSPCA support it? The RSPCA believes that dogs should be trained using programs that are designed to facilitate the development and maintenance of...
What is the RSPCA’s view on dominance dog training? In recent years there has been resurgence in popularity of dog training methods that espouse “dominance” models of dog behaviour....
How can I stop my dog jumping the fence and running away? If your dog is jumping the fence and running away, the first step is to work out why. When you...
How can we help to prevent dog attacks in the community? Dog attacks are a serious problem that require a serious and effective long-term solution. Unfortunately, the reaction of many governments,...
How should I care for my pets during fireworks displays? Across Australia, there are many celebrations that may involve fireworks. Unfortunately, many animals are terrified by firework displays, and these...
My dog is being aggressive, what should I do? Aggression is defined as a threat, challenge or attack that is directed towards one or more individuals. Signs of aggression...
My dog is digging up the garden, what should I do? Digging is a normal dog behaviour. A dog who digs is not being disobedient. Dogs may dig to help them...
Can dogs be safely confined by tethering? Where dogs need to be confined outdoors, the best way to do this is in a suitable yard or enclosure....
How can I reduce the health risks for children interacting with companion animals? Interacting with companion animals can have many physical and mental health benefits for children and young people[1, 2]. However, there...