Ultimate Pet Supplies

I often get asked about agression in dogs - in particular male dogs.  Below are a few ideas you might like to try if you are experiencing these type of behavioural problems in your home!

There are a number of reasons why dogs can start acting agressively.  The first question I always ask my clients is whether their pet is desexed or not.  Male dogs can become very territorial (which is totally normal) and they can start to want to defend their territory - such as urinating on items, growling etc to show that they are the dominant one in their pack.

Coming into summer fleas can be become a problem in any household, so prevention can be the most effective means of ensuring your pet doesn’t become a flea breeding ground. Fleas are small, brown, wingless insects of between 2-6mm in length, using their hind legs to jump and they thrive in our spring & summer conditions. Fleas have a staged lifecycle so the pupae (cocoon stage) can survive months without hatching or feeding so even if you’ve just moved into a new house or haven’t had a problem through winter it’s time to take preventative measures.

Did you know heartworms are actually spread to our dogs by mosquitoes? Yes it’s true, when a host mosquito bites your dog it passes on the microfilaria (immature heartworms) these are produced by the female heartworm and are present in the blood stream of infected dogs. Heartworms require a mosquito to complete a part of their lifecycle as they are unable to mature only in the dog. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it ingests some of these microfilaria which then mature in the mosquito to become infective larvae, they then enter the mouthparts of the mosquito where they can then be passed on to the next dog it bites.

Cats are naturally inclined to scratch, they do this for a number of reasons including:

·         Claw sharpening

·         Territorial behaviour (marking territory through pheromone release from glands in their paws)

·         To loosen muscles & tendons in legs, shoulders and paws

This is why it is important to ensure your cat has the appropriate objects to scratch on. The best way to ensure your cat does not destroy your furniture is to provide it with a scratching post from day one. There are many types of scratching posts from basic to complex and it is it entirely up to you which you choose, but it is important that you choose one and encourage your cat to use it.

Protecting your pets against intestinal worms such as hookworm, tapeworm, whip worm and roundworm is very important as some of these worms can be transmitted from your pet to you through regular close contact and the risk is even greater if you have children, who are especially at risk.

Round worms can infect both dogs and cats, and may cause diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration. These worms are typically large (2-4 inches long) and live in the small intestine where they can feed on tissue.  Round worms are mostly a problem for puppies and kittens which often result in your new pet having a pot-bellied/ bloated appearance. It is important to ensure your pet doesn’t have them as they can be transferred to humans.

There are many reasons why our dogs develop destructive behaviours, some of these include:

·         Separation anxiety

·         Boredom

·         Play behaviour

Firstly it is important to note that physical punishment is generally not an effective way to put a halt to your pets’ destructive behaviours, punishment is only effective if you catch your pet in the act. Punishment after your pet has performed this behaviour usually has little effect as your pet does not understand why it is being punished.

There are many species of lizards, turtles and snakes that may be kept as pets within the household however there are restrictions on some species or permit requirements so be sure to check with the local authorities first. Most reptiles are reasonably low maintenance pets and do not necessarily crave human attention like other companion animals such as cats and dogs. However it is important to note that the initial setting up of enclosures may be a costly exercise depending on the type of reptile you’re looking to keep. You should also be sure to have a rough idea of the size your pet will reach as it grows into an adult before purchasing.

Rats or mice can make the perfect pet if you don’t have the space to keep a companion dog or cat. One of the many misconceptions about rats and mice is that they are dirty animals, in fact mice and rats carry few diseases and are extremely clean animals. You will find mice generally live up to 2 years and rats will live up to 3 years. Rats are slightly larger and heavier than mice so it’s up to you which size you prefer.

Ever thought about keeping a rabbit for a pet or are you already considering it? Here’s a few tips about how to create the perfect home for your new friend.

We’ll start with providing the right type of housing for your new pet. You can use a hutch or a small shed, which can be placed inside or outside depending on your preference. If placed outside you should ensure that you provide a solid roof to provide some protection from the weather and in particular for the hutch style housing ensure that is secure and cannot be overturned on a windy/stormy day. It is also a good idea to provide some sort of absorbent bedding as the flooring in these enclosures should normally be solid/water-tight, straw and some types of wood shavings are the most common types used. Don’t forget you will need to change the bedding regularly and clean your pets home out at least once a week.