Most cats can learn how to use a litter tray from an early age and often do this on their own without any assistance. For the first few days after you bring them home, to help the process you can, place them in their litter tray within half an hour…
There are two viral diseases affecting bats that can also infect dogs. These are Hendra virus and Lyssavirus. There have been no cases in Australia, where dogs have been clinically ill from either of these viruses. People are reminded not to handle bats and flying foxes in Australia due to…
This question is not easily answered because it depends on the child. Some teenagers are not aware of the responsibilities of pet ownership, while there are many very responsible 7, 8 or 9 year olds who understand the commitments required. You will have to make your own assessment as to…
Interacting with companion animals can have many physical and mental health benefits for children and young people[1, 2]. However, there are also potential risks to consider, such as accidents, allergies, and disease. Accidents To reduce the risk of accidents or incidents (e.g., bites, scratches), ensure that your companion animals are…
Microchipping your pet is very important. A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck. Each…
Puppies are largely carnivores but will also eat some plant-based foods. Puppies naturally wean off their mother’s milk at around 8-12 weeks of age. Wild dogs feed their young with prey animal carcases. In the wild, when young dogs are old enough (around 7-8 weeks old) they start to eat…
Chocolate contains cocoa, and cocoa contains the compound theobromine. Theobromine is toxic to dogs and other animals at certain doses. Chocolate poisoning is a problem that occurs mainly in dogs but also occurs occasionally in cats or other animals. It is important not to give your animals any chocolate and…
Kittens are baby carnivores with specialised needs. Kittens naturally wean off their mother’s milk at around 8-12 weeks of age. When young cats are old enough (around 8 weeks old) they start to eat food on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother….
Cats are obligate or true carnivores, which means they are dependent on the nutrients provided by a diet based on consuming prey animals. This means they cannot be healthy or survive without the specific nutritional components in such a diet. In the wild, cats eat the carcasses of the prey…
There are currently an estimated 28.7 million pets in Australia and we have one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world [1]. Approximately 69% of households in Australia own pets, with dogs being the most common (48%), followed by cats (33%) [1]. What are the characteristics of Australian…