It is important to have equipment that is safe and comfortable when teaching your dog to walk on a leash so the experience is enjoyable for both of you. Remember that teaching your dog to walk on a leash can be a challenging skill to teach, as dogs often wish…
Rabbits’ nails should be trimmed as required with cat/rabbit nail trimmers, if they are growing too long. Keeping nails at a good length helps rabbits move normally, and reduces the risks of injuries, nails catching on things, and painful over-growth of nails into the footpad [1, 2]. Factors that influence…
Numerous studies have confirmed that in households with companion animals experiencing domestic violence and abuse, there is also a high probability of animal abuse. For example, echoing international research [1], a study in Victoria reported that 53% of women entering a refuge to escape domestic violence and abuse reported that…
Preventing unwanted/unplanned pregnancies through desexing is an essential part of responsible companion animal ownership. RSPCA Australia advocates the mandatory desexing of all domestic dogs and cats who are kept as companion animals, as a strategy to prevented unwanted/unplanned breeding and reduce the number of animals in shelters. Across different states…
The information presented here is not intended to be relied on for legal advice and you should seek advice from the relevant authority and/or a lawyer about your individual circumstances. Despite most Australian households (almost two thirds) having at least one pet, it is often difficult to find ‘pet-friendly’ accommodation….
Take some time to prepare for your road trip with your pet so that your holiday is safe and relaxed for both of you. Following are some basic points to keep in mind when taking your dog on holiday with you: Make sure your dog is microchipped and that your…
There are a number of important factors to be aware of when considering transporting your companion animal (pet) by air, domestically or internationally. The following general principles can be applied to air transportation of companion animals. Is air travel suitable for your particular companion animal? Not all companion animals are…
Introducing a new canine member to the family is a special and exciting time, but it can be a little overwhelming for all concerned – especially if you already have a cat! However, this can be managed with planning to help keep everyone safe and to minimise stress. It’s important…
Losing a member of the family is difficult, both for human and non-human members of the household. It has been suggested that cats experience symptoms consistent with grief (e.g., anxiety, depression) [1, 2], and many people agree that cats grieve the loss of a loved one [2, 3]. In these…
How well cats get along with each other is influenced by a range of factors related to the owner, the cats, the environment, and husbandry. In some situations, cats may learn to get along. In other cases, they may not be compatible. Patience is absolutely key; each cat is an…