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…
Note: A companion animal is an animal that provides companionship to humans, also known as a pet. For many Australians a companion animal is an important part of the family. While having an animal as part of your family can be extremely rewarding, it is important to remember that caring…
Many common household items such as food, plants and medicines can be toxic to our companion animals (pets) and can even be fatal. It is important to familiarise yourself with toxic items commonly found in households so you can ensure that your pet can’t access them. A helpful resource for…
Note: Desexing is the term generally used in Australia to refer to surgical sterilisation that permanently renders an animal incapable of reproducing. However, the legal definition may differ depending on the jurisdiction. Hence, sterilisation is used throughout this article. Sterilisation is an effective strategy to prevent unwanted/unplanned breeding in companion…
Some of the most common garden dangers that pets need to be protected from include: Rat or mouse bait (rodent poisons) These are a common cause of pet poisonings. Most rat and mouse bait products use warfarin-like compounds (anti-coagulants) that kill animals slowly by causing uncontrolled bleeding. These baits are…
If your dog is jumping the fence and running away, the first step is to work out why. When you identify the reason(s), you can take steps to address the issue. Dogs jump fences for different reasons. They may be bored, lonely or scared to be left alone. They could…
Training is an important part of any dog’s life, and is important for several reasons. It provides mental stimulation which helps to keep your dog happy, and if combined with morning exercise your dog will be mentally and physically tired at the end and far more likely to sleep during…
In recent years there has been resurgence in popularity of dog training methods that espouse “dominance” models of dog behaviour. Dominance models suggest that wolves live in hierarchical packs with the alpha wolf at the top and that dogs evolved from wolves and also live in hierarchical packs and see…
The RSPCA believes that dogs should be trained using programs that are designed to facilitate the development and maintenance of acceptable behaviours using natural instincts and positive reinforcement. The RSPCA supports reward-based training methods whereby the dog is set up to succeed and then rewarded for performing the ‘good’ behaviour…