Getting ready for New Year's Eve with your pet

It's New Year's Eve and that means that you're probably going to be having a big party tonight! Good for you! We here at the MediPetBlog, SA Pet Lovers, all wish you and your pets a very happy New Year's celebration and a 2009 that is filled with success and happiness!

Don't forget about your pets this new year's eve celebration – most pet owners simply lock their furry friends inside before going out to celebrate, but they seldom realise how terrifying it can be when you're very small and there are a lot of big noises out there! Here are some things to think about this new year's eve before you go out on the town:
- Is there anyone nearby, such as an elderly friend or trusted neighbour, who is not going out tonight? Would they be available to give your pets the reassurance they need when firecrackers are being let off outside?
- If your pets are going to stay home alone, why not leave the TV on to soften the noises that are happening outside?
- Give your pets an extra tasty treat to keep them occupied while it gets very noisy outside
- Double check that all of the doors and windows are closed before you leave – you don't want any neighbourhood kids to get into your home while you are out, and you don't want your pets roaming outside unaccompanied.
- And, don't forget to let them know that you're home safe and sound, and that they're still number one!

MediPet Insurance

If you want to give your pet the gift that really keeps on giving, then give them their very own MediPet pet insurance policy. This might sound like something they won't appreciate, but if something happens in the new year and you don't have any extra money to cover medical bills, well, you can be certain that they're going to need all the love that they can get. MediPet insurance is an affordable product that ensures that your favourite furry family member is always cared for when things go wrong.

MediPet knows pet owners, so they have specially created an insurance package for cats and a separate one for dogs:
Dogs can have special life-long cover from as little as R125-00 per month, and cats get the same attention for only R115-00 per month. You can make sure that your pet is always in good hands for the same cost as two movie tickets or half of what it might cost you for dinner for two at a restaurant.

There's one thing that you need to remember: your pets are your best friends, and consequently they become your responsibility. Give your pet as much love as they give you, and make sure that they'll be taken care of if something had to happen.

Christmas Leftovers

If you have heaps of leftovers after Christmas dinner, and you're quite sure that none of them fall into the three groups that we spoke about a few days ago, then why not put them together in a delicious combination and give your dog and cat some tasty treats? You need to be careful about what you put into their food bowls, but here are some good ideas:
- Lamb, beef, gammon, chicken and turkey meat are all delicious treats for your pet. Make sure that you trim the meat of excess fat and gristle, and that you remove all bones. Give this meat in small amounts because you do not want to spoil your dog, only treat them.
- If you have a big leg bone from lamb, for example, then your large dog might enjoy chewing on it because it will probably be extra tasty!
- Avoid giving your pet any 'stuffing' – this usually contains nuts and will be very dangerous.
- Vegetables like carrots, peas and green beans are fine for dogs, and can be added to pellets in small quantities for a bit of a treat.
If you are unsure as to what you can and cannot feed your dog, then why not send us an email and we'll get back to you with the answer? You can also contact your local vet.

Getting ready for Christmas with your pet

Christmas is here and the geese are getting fat! Hooray, it's finally that time of year that means Good Food and Great Friends! Don't forget about your furry friend this holiday season though, your pet might need a little bit of attention as things start to heat up around the home.

Your dog or cat might start to feel a bit unsure about everything if mom and dad are suddenly home all day and they don't want to play all the time – preparing for a big family function is no easy task, but your pets don't understand that there is a big dinner coming soon! Make sure that you reassure your pets with love and attention, and perhaps even a treat or two for good behaviour!

Although it might be tempting to give your dog or cat some of the leftovers from your delicious festive dinners, be sure to think carefully about this first: turkey bones can be quite small and can choke your pet, if not removed correctly first. There are also three food types that are considered to be big NO-Nos for your dog that you need to be careful to avoid:
1. Chocolate
2. Grapes (and derivatives like currents and raisins)
3. Nuts
These food types act as a poison to dogs, and although they all might be quite delicious, they're to be avoided at all costs.

Hot summer days and your dog

Well summer is finally here and you know what that means! A lot of lazing around for you and your dog when you have any spare time! Dogs have got fur coats and that means that they're going to be getting really warm this summer time with all of that extra winter wear. Here are a few tips that you can use to help cool your pooch down when it gets really warm outside!
- Always make sure that there is plenty of clean, fresh water available for drinking. Remember, the water will evaporate quickly in this warm summer weather, so put down an extra bowl when you go to work or out for the day.
- Put a sprinkler down on the lawn when you go and play outside. Your dog will soon realise that this fun water feature is not only entertaining, but also a good way to cool down.
- Not all dogs like to swim, but why not take some time out before you go swimming to show your pup that standing on the step of a pool is safe and secure, and that it is nice and cool too? Don’t force your dog; slowly coax them nearer until they are confident that it is okay to be that close to water. Don't rush this integration process because your dog can get frightened very easily. Some owners like to put their dogs on the shallowest step in a swimming pool and then use a handful of cold water to cool off warm tummies!
- Finally, don't forget to take extra water (and a bowl!) with you when you go out to walk your dogs. They will really appreciate the extra cool reward when they're out having a good time.

Walking Your Dog

A dog is more than just man's best friend: your friendly pooch is a living, breathing, happy animal who needs all the reciprocal love and attention you can give. Your dog also needs a lot of specific attention to make sure that he stays healthy and happy all year through. Walking your dog is one of the most important things that you can do this summer – make sure that you walk your dog every day, or as often as you can. It is essential that you get a nice, sturdy lead and collar combination that is appropriate for the size of your dog, and that you learn how to use this lead properly. It is required by law that your dog always has a lead on him or her when you go out walking in public areas.

You can choose to use a harness combination which is great for dogs and puppies who are learning how to walk with a lead – it distributes the pressure equally around the harnessed area instead of focusing it on your dog's neck like a collar would.
A plain collar and lead combo is great for well-trained dogs as it gives them a good idea of where they are supposed to be when you hold on tightly to the other end.

There are some places where you can let your dog off of his lead to let them have a jolly good run around and let off some excess steam, but always make sure to have them securely collared up before you leave again! A collar and lead will make sure that you can guide your dog through forests, parks, roads and other public areas without endangering your dog or other motorists and pedestrians.

Finding a vet in Johannesburg

Getting to the right Johannesburg vet for your pet is critically important and finding a Johannesburg vet in good time, whether it be for emergencies or for a check up is vital to the well being of your cat or dog. Whether you live in Johannesburg, have recently moved or if you and your family are on holiday with your pets in Johannesburg then you will need to have or find a good vet that is also in good proximity to wherever you and your pets are staying.
A secure way to find a vet if you are going on holiday or if you have recently moved, is to ask your vet back home if they could recommend a Johannesburg vet. You could also chat to your new neighbours and find out which vet they take their pets to and check out the various Johannesburg vets in the area you are going to be or are staying in.
If you are planning on a holiday in Johannesburg and are taking your pets with you be sure to know ahead of time of needing a vet where you can find one.
Here are a few useful Johannesburg vet contact numbers to help you find a vet where and when you need one:
SPCA: 011 681 3600
Vet to Pet: 011 462 7366
Ivy rd vet: 011 728 9385

Taking care of cat health

Looking after a pet is not only a fun experience but it also comes with a few serious responsibilities. A few of these responsibilities include making sure that your animal is happy and healthy. Taking care of these responsibilities however can add to your relationship with your pet and can be fun and rewarding rather than a hassle or troublesome. Cat health is one of the most important factors to your cat’s life and by ensuring that your pet’s cat health is in order you can simultaneously ensure their happiness and over all value of life.

Cat health begins with the simple things – making sure that your cat is properly fed, and that they are eating the right foods in the right amounts. Speaking to your animal’s vet with regards to the best food to ensure cat health can be the best way to go about choosing what to feed your cat. Another key factor to good cat health is to make sure that your cat is kept free of fleas, ticks and is in a generally good physical condition. This means an occasional bath if needed, playful exercise and yearly check up visits to the vet – who will notice any changes in your cat’s health that may need some attention.

Cat food for your new little kitten

Cat food can be a little complicated if your cat is a particularly fussy. That is why it is rather important to start your kitten off on eth right cat foods when you first start to feed your kitten whole and shop bought foods. Kittens will start off their dietary life on milk and they will slowly start eating cat foods as they wean off of their mother. By the time that you get your kitten they should be around the age of 6 to 8 weeks old and you should be able to start feeding them on kitten appropriate cat food.

Many well known cat food brands make specially formulated kitten cat food that contains the extra and necessary nutrients that your kitten requires for a good and healthy start to life. These cat foods have extra calcium and other minerals to ensure that your kitten gets all that they need from their cat food for strong and healthy bones and for a good immune system that acts as a base for their health for the rest of their lives.

Finding the right cat food for your kitten is essential and an occasional treat here and there does wonders for their playfulness too!

Taking care of animal health in the heat of summer

Summer is well and truly upon us and two important things that we can learn really early on in summer is to keep cool and to keep extremely well hydrated! That means drinking lots and lots of water to keep our bodies well replenished and able to tolerate the heat. Animal health is also dependent on water and coolness, to get your pets though summer with good animal health you need to make sure that they can escape the blaring heat and that they have a constant source of fresh water available to them.
If your pet spends most of its time indoors you need to make sure that the room that they are in is well ventilated so that they can keep cool. If they are spending their summer days outdoors then make sure that your pet is able to retreat to a shady area. Animal health in summer requires most importantly that your pet is well hydrated and so the best way to keep your pet’s animal health in check is to make absolutely certain that they do have access to clean, fresh and cool water right through the day and even through the night.

Finding a vet in Durban

Finding the right Durban vet for your pet is a very important choice and finding a Durban vet in good time, whether it be for emergencies or for specialist medical treatment is crucial to the well being of your pet. Whether you live in Durban, have recently moved or if you and your family are on holiday with your pets in Durban then you will need to have or find a reliable vet that is in reasonably good proximity to wherever you and your pets are staying.

A trustworthy way to find a vet if you are going on holiday or if you have recently moved, is to ask your vet back home if they could recommend a Durban vet. You could also chat to your new neighbours and find out where they take their pets and scope out the various Durban vets in the area you are living in.

If you are planning on a holiday in Durban and are taking your pets with you then your best option would be to know ahead of time of needing a vet where you can find one. Here are a few useful Durban vet contact numbers to help you find a vet where and when you need one:

SPCA: 031 579 6500
Durban North Veterinary Clinic. 031 564 2338
Glenashley Veterinary Clinic. 031 562 8406

Providing the basics for good dog health

Looking after your dog and their health does not have to take up a lot of time or effort, it can in fact be great fun for both you and your adorable pooch! Good dog health is pretty basic and once you have a few of the basic principles in place you can have a ton of fun keeping your dog well exercised in a very healthy condition.


The first places to start when looking into creating a good base for your dog’s health is their food, their living spaces and their daily exercise. Dog health is extremely well catered for in a wide range of specially formulated dog foods. Many of these dig foods come with vet approval and you are sure to find a range and dog food flavour that suits your dog health needs as well as your dog’s taste buds.


As far as exercise goes you can score a double whammy with keeping your dog fit and healthy because a good walk to the park or the beach will also keep your in good shape! And the quality time spent with your dog will also contribute greatly their happiness which in turn only benefits their overall state of good dog health!

Finding a vet in Cape Town

Finding the right Cape Town vet for your cat or dog is a vital choice and finding a Cape Town vet in good time, whether it be for specialist treatment or in emergencies is crucial to the well being of your pet. Whether you live in Cape Town, have recently moved or if you and your family are on holiday with your pets in Cape Town then you will need to have or find a reliable vet that is in reasonably good proximity to wherever you and your pets are staying.

A good way to find a vet if you are going on holiday or if you have recently moved, is to ask your vet back home if they could recommend a Cape Town vet for your. This way you have a sound recommendation. Otherwise you can chat to your new neighbours about where they take their pets and scope out the various Cape Town vets in the area you are living in.

If you are just on holiday in Cape Town and have your pet’s with you then your best option would be to know ahead of time of needing a vet where you can find one. Here are a few useful Cape Town vet contact numbers to help you find a vet where and when you need one:
SPCA: 021 700 4141
Vet-Clin Table View: 021 557 8876
Tygerberg Animal Hospital: 021 9191191
City Vet Sea Point: 021 434 1596

Finding animal help where and when you need it

Animal help is something that you can suddenly need and the type of needs can be quite unexpected. Animal help may range from you needing a vet, a pet sitter, a pet food stockist that is open till late, or animal help may even be needed in a more simple form of just being able to talk to fellow pet owners about certain animal habits and other pet related things.

When it comes to medical animal help your best bet is to first and foremost be covered with the ultimate type of animal help that you can find in Medipet’s pet health insurance cover. As a great way to ensure that your pet will always have access to medical help that you can afford, Medipet assures you that they will step in with reliable and effective animal help when you and your pet are most in need of it.

With your pet’s health needs assuredly covered you can then sit back and give consideration to the other areas where animal help may be needed. Do so by finding a store near to your home that stocks the right pet food for your dog or cat, talk to fellow animal lovers and if you specific animal help queries feel free to send them through to us for quick and helpful responses!

Breed profile: the elegant Afghan

The Afghan Hound, as its name implies, is a dog breed that originates from ancient Sinai and exists in cave paintings in Afghanistan dating back 4000 years. The Afghan dog breed comes in two different types: the short haired variety and the more popular long haired variety. The Afghan Hound is beautiful and visually arresting but the looks and long fur take work to maintain, but once you find the winning way of correctly grooming this gorgeous dog it will pay off greatly.

The Afghan breed’s temperament matches up to its regal looks. This dog is aloof, dignified and one of its great breed characteristics is that it does socialize very well. Thus the Afghan Hound makes a very good family pet. An Afghan does need a fair amount of exercise due to its size and build. The long legs that help give the Afghan its regal appearance ideally need about half an hour of good exercise a day.
Afghan Hounds grow to about 70cm in height and way around 30kg as adults. Afghans are a healthy breed without any known risks and can live to the age of 14 years. Making them an ideal and beautiful dog to own.

Litter box cleaning tips

If you have a pet that spends all or most of its time indoors chances are you also have a litter box – which, unfortunately spends all of its time indoors. However, having a litter box is not the end of the world, after all it is there to make your life easier and not any harder. There are a few simple tricks that you can use to make the up keep of your pet’s litter box much easier to do.
One obvious way is to regularly clean it out and to keep it clean. When you do completely clean out the cat litter from the litter box it is a good idea to clean out the box afterwards with warm water and bleach. The bleach will help to clean out any bacteria in the bottom of the litter box and it will also get rid of any smells.
You can also use litter box liners to protect the bottom of the litter box, the liners also make for easier cleaning and removal of the cat litter. If you do not use liners you could try newspaper but this could prove to be messy as your cat might get carried away with scratching.

The Benefits of Medipet Insurance

Insurance cover is one thing but insurance cover that protects you where and when you most need it is the best kind of assurance of health and safety that you could ever wish for! And with Medipet insurance cover for your animals you, your family and your pets can enjoy the upcoming holiday season free of any worry!
Medipet insurance covers costs of veterinary bills and will cover your pet’s medical needs and costs wherever you are in South Africa. That means that with reliable and always-there pet health cover with Medipet insurance you can feel absolutely free to travel right across our beautiful country with peace of mind and assurance that should your pet need any sort of medical treatment form a vet you will be covered.
Medipet insurance costs only R115 per month for your cute little cat and R125 per month for your gorgeous dog so it is easy to afford and well worth every penny! And with countrywide pet health cover Medipet insurance is the best way to make your holidays with your pets as fun and as relaxing as is possible!

Getting to know your new little kitten

Your home and you are all new to the cute little kitten that has just recently entered the world. Some things need to be taken slowly and your kitten will likely set his or her own pace as to how much to explore in their new worlds and their new homes.
At the age of around 6 weeks old kittens are ready to leave their mother. Having been around their mother for the first 6 weeks of their lives kittens have developed both physically and socially to the point that the kittens are able to leave her and cope in a new environment. Kittens adapt quickly to change so long as they have lots of love and attention.
It is very important to spend quality time with your kittens when you first bring them home, show them around and get them feeling comfortable in their new home. The initial few weeks are also vital to you and your kitten making that very special bond that will act as a base for the rest of your lives together.
Kittens need to be able to explore and learn and it is best if you are there with them making sure they are safe and letting them learn with you around will add immense value to the start of your shared bond.

Kennels: Your pet’s home away from home

It is once again that time of the year – the sun is shining, the weather is great and you are probably deciding on how exactly to best spend your holiday! One unfortunate side to the great idea of going away from home is that you may have to leave behind your best friends – your pets. When you are leaving home for a lengthy period of time the best option to ensure that your dogs and cats are properly looked after is to book them into kennels while you are away.

Finding kennels near to home your may be the better option but do some research about kennels in the area before you make a final decision. Many kennels offer much the same services but there are some services that certain kennels may or may not have. For example if your pet is used to sleeping indoors you may need to find kennels that offers indoor or at least well protected shelter for your pet to stay in. also find out about playtime and the amount of attention given to the animals and find out about whether or not the kennels offer a dog walking service so that your pooch can still get their exercise.

If you are going somewhere nearby for your holiday or if you are fortunate enough to be able to take your dogs and cats with you on your trip then that is the ideal option otherwise finding good and reliable kennels can make your holiday much more enjoyable with the peace of mind that your pets are being well looked after.

New Dog Cushions for the Festive Season!

Are you sprucing up your home for summer and looking forward to having family and friends around during the holidays? Well there are even a few simple pet tricks you can look into to help you in making your home absolutely gorgeous for the festive season. Dog cushions are not generally perceived to be things of great beauty or style but they most certainly can be! Your dog is your best friend and your ultimate confidant and not only does your home deserve to look good but your pooch deserves to lie in style and amazing comfort too!

Dog cushions come in a wide range of sizes and you will need to match the size of your dog to the dog cushion. You can either buy a ready made dog cushion and do the matching up through colours and size or you could be more adventurous and make the dog cushion yourself! (or get somebody to make your dog cushion to your specifications!) Another idea is to get a dog cushion and make a unique cushion cover for it. This way you can use the material of the cushion cover to match up to and compliment your own furniture or you can have fun by choosing a colourful or themed material for your pooches brand new dog cushion! What ever you do make sure you have fun and your pet will be sure to appreciate their new style and comfort!

Animal assistance where and when it counts

You love and cherish your pet right? Well what would you do if your adorable cat or dog were ever to go missing? Just the thought of your pet lost and on their own out in the big wide world is enough to send shivers down your back but there is one element of good news in that you can have instant animal assistance to help you fid your lost pet!

Missing pets are a heart breaking thought but you can prepare yourself for the likelihood with Medipet’s insurance cover that will offer you fast animal assistance to help you to find your beloved pet. Medipet’s lost animal assistance means that Medipet will jump in to help advertise and offer a reward to help ensure that your pet is found and returned as quickly as is possible.

Medipet’s animal assistance offers you R250 cover per annum for the advertising and reward payment for both cats and dogs, with an added R1000 animal assistance cover per annum in the case of theft of you’re your dog. Helping you where and when you most need it with your pet is the greatest form of animal assistance that Medipet’s insurance cover can offer you!

Choosing between puppies and kittens

When it comes to choosing your pet and you are scouring through perpetual thoughts of kittens and puppies you may need to step back and really think about what you are looking for in a pet. Puppies, obviously grow up to be dogs and kittens eventually become fully grown cats so you need to have a clear view in mind o what you are looking for in a pet.
If you are wanting a large dog to run down the beach with the at this stage puppies are your best option. In choosing puppies also consider what size dog you want and make this decision with an eye on the space you have for the dog to live in, as puppies and larger dogs need space to run around in.
If you are looking for kittens that will grow up to be a lap cat or for a dog that will follow you around your home as your own tail then a smaller breed puppy or a gorgeous kitten is going to be your ideal pet. But do consider breed types and their respective personalities as well to be sure that you are well matched up to your new puppy or kitten!

Cat collar

Cat collars come in a very wide range of styles, sizes and colours and are made with a variety of functions in mind. Not only does a cat collar add finesse and pizzazz to your cat’s look but it has a multitude of functional purposes that will serve both you and your cute little cat!

The first and main objective behind a cat collar is to attach to it an animal tag. This tag should be engraved with your pet’s name and your contact details – whether it be a phone number, address or both. By having your contact details on your cat’s collar you are infinitely increasing the chance of having your pet safely returned to you if they were ever to run off or go missing. Another use behind the cat collar is to help prevent your cat from hunting too many birds, mice and other creatures you would rather your cat left alone. Such cat collars come with a bell which jingles with every step and pounce that your cat takes.

It is very important to fit your cat correctly with the right size cat collar to prevent discomfort, choking and to prevent the cat collar from just falling off.

Getting the right vet advice

When it comes to your pet’s health and their medical needs you do not want to be taking chances on any levels! That is why you as a responsible pet owner know to take your pet to a vet and to get reliable veterinary advice on their health needs. A vet is a trained and caring individual who has the know how and wear with all to give your pet exactly what they need. By getting vet advice on ailments, conditions, pet food and other pet related concerns you are assured the best pet advice possible.

When it comes to insuring your pet’s health, the same principle applies. Being covered by a Medipet insurance means that you are covered by people who care and have the best know how on taking care of your pet’s health and health requirements. Much vet advice also relates to the importance of being prepared to take care of your pet’s medical needs. Vet advice thus works hand in hand with a good medical insurer to work together to make absolutely sure that your pet and their health is put at the forefront and is handled with devotion, great insurance cover and highly effective vet advice.

Litter Box: Keeping it Clean

If you have a pet that spends the majority of its time indoors then chances are that you also have a litter box! And while the litter box adds a necessary convenience and cleanliness to your home it can also be the bane of existence for many pet owners. Cleaning out the litter box and coming home to an unpleasant odour is not in the least bit fun, but there are a few ways and means of ensuring that the value that the litter box affords is not forgotten.

Finding the right litter for your pet’s litter box is a key factor! Try out sand, gravel litter and silicone to find which works out best for both you and your pet. It has been said before – ‘Location, location, location!’ and the placement of the litter box in your home will prove this statement to be very true! If you have a balcony or well ventilated area then it is probably the best place for the litter box to be kept. But keep in mind that your pet needs easy access to the litter box and while ventilated areas help to reduce the smell the litter box still needs to be kept in a warmer area. And remember that scooping out dirty litter and using a great smelling air freshener are your best ways of keeping your home smelling good.

Taking care of senior pets

It is a fact of life that we all age as time goes by, and our pets too age with time and your once boisterous and inquisitive puppy will turn into a matured and loving adult dog who in turn will become a senior pet and staple member of the family. A marked change in cats and dogs as they join the ranks of senior pets is that they start sleeping more – if you thought that your kitten who sleeps most of his or her day away could not sleep more if they tried, well, your senior cat will have a run for your money. But as they get older your cat is also likely to start enjoying just being in your company and will sneak a lot of this sleeping on your lap and in their favourite sunny spots in the house.

A senior pet however can be as full of life and vigour as they were when they were puppies and kittens. Senior pets if in good health and offered lots of love and attention will only need the very necessary changes in lifestyle. Senior pets are generally well settled into their homes and families but can still adapt well to change. One change that is a good idea to talk to your vet about is a change in diet. Many pet food companies make ranges that are specifically designed for senior pets and these foods can add zest to and the right balance of nutrition to your pets well being.

Pet assistance when and where you need it

Medipet is a pet health insurance company that understands your needs as a pet owner. Medipet is determined not only to offer you great insurance cover for veterinary bills but they also offer you caring and supportive pet assistance. As pet owners pet assistance is something that we can appreciate and benefit from in many different forms! Medipet provides relief and peace of mind in a number of useful ways that ensure that you, as a pet owner, have reliable access to assistance in the forms of medical help, payment for prescription foods and much more.

If you were to fall ill and were unable to take care of your pets Medipet will give you assistance in having your pet housed in a kennel or cattery. This means that you can focus on getting back into the swing of things and take time to recover without having to worry about the well being of your pets. Medipet will also offer you pet assistance in helping to find your cat or dog if, God forbid, they were ever to go missing. Looking after you cat or dog is a great responsibility that can be made lighter and easier to bear with the wonderful pet assistance offered by Medipet.

Where fleas come from...

Fleas are pesky and horrible little parasites — we are all agreed on that! — but where exactly do they come from and how does your pet pick them up? Well, one thing for sure is that fleas definitely seem to appear faster than they disappear and it can take some effort and time to get rid of fleas once they have a foot into your home or a hold onto your pet. Your pet most likely picks up fleas from other pets or from romping around in the sand. Fleas can also be brought into your home by people who have been in contact with animals or have themselves romped in sand. Once fleas are in your home they tend to make themselves at home in your carpets, your pet’s cushions and beds and are best dealt with as soon as you spot them or even suspect their presence.

Fleas breed quite rapidly and not controlling them and getting rid of them altogether can lead to escalating problems and flea infestations! The first step is to bath your pets – all of them, wash out pet cushions and blankets and vacuum your entire home! You may even need to spray your home with anti-flea sprays as this will kill the fleas and help to control the larvae and eggs.

Inoculations: the how, when and why.

Inoculations are vitally important to both your cat and dog’s health. They are designed to boost your pet’s immune system to be able to fight off diseases and viruses that may otherwise cause long term or potentially serious health risks. By having your cat or dog inoculated you are not only following pet owner procedures but you are also investing in their long term cat or dog health. But just when should your pet’s have them and what inoculations are needed?

From the age of 8 or 9 weeks your cat or dog needs to have their first sets of injections, thereafter follow up shots will be needed four weeks later. Required inoculations will differ form place to place but in general your cat or dog will be likely to have inoculations guarding them against the following:

• Rabies/ Hyrdophobia - which is a disease that can be fatal to cats, dogs and humans
• Viral Hepatitis - which can result in long term damage to the liver, kidneys and possibly even lead to lung trouble
• Canine Distemper and Cat Flu - which is are viruses that attack the immune system of your dog or cat
• Leptospirosis - which is damaging to the liver and kidneys
• Kennel cough - which is passed on from animal to animal and is another disease that can be prevented with vaccinations if it is common in your area

Finding the right insurance package

Taking out insurance of any kind is a decision that needs to be made only once a number of factors are considered, and only once important insurance needs options have been considered and explored. An insurance package is meant to provide you with good cover that is both sufficient and reliable and affordable! So when shopping around for a pet health insurance package be sure to look into the details of what the package will offer you and your pet.

Before you choose an insurance package there are a few things that need to be asked: Firstly you need to ask what would you expect from your pet’s health insurance? What do you and you pet need to gain from having insurance and you need to consider the benefits of the insurance against the cost of the package.

An insurance package is supposed to make your life simpler and it is not meant to cause you strain or worry, which is why Medipet sets out to give you the best insurance package that covers all your veterinary and animal health needs. For more information on Medipet insurance packages or to apply for a Medipet insurance package send us an email or visit www.medipetsa.co.za.

What if your cat won’t eat?

Have you noticed that your cat does not eat properly? Or does not eat quite as much as you think they should be? Cat food packaging does give directions as to how much food cats of certain ages and sizes should be eating but you need to keep in mind that these measures are a generalization and your pet may differ from the norm. This is not necessarily a cause for concern but if your cat is refusing to eat their cat food or seems to be underweight then your best bet is to visit a vet and change around your cat’s food until the problem levels out.

Remember that cats, like children—and even some adults—are at times just being fussy. In this case their eating is not something to be too worried about, but you may need to invest some time and effort into finding a good cat food that your cat is happy and willing to eat.

If you are having trouble or any concerns over your pet’s cat food or eating habits you can feel free to send us an email with any questions or be sure to pop into your local vet to ask some specific questions relating to cat food options.

Specialised and Prescription Dog Food

Specialised dog foods are a highly effective way to ensure that your dog is getting exactly what he or she needs from their food. A dog’s health is extremely dependent on their diet and by making sure that your dog is getting the right nutrients in doses that are specifically suited to his or her needs will make taking care of their dog health a whole lot easier! An added benefit of eating the right foods is that your dog’s current state of health can be sufficiently managed or even improved. Many vets will even prescribe or recommends a vet endorsed dog food for your pooch depending on what your dog’s dietary needs are.

The prescribed and speciality foods are designed to target and improve any ailments or deficiencies in your dog’s health. Speciality dog foods come in the form of foods that treat kidney problems or can be as simple as a food designed specifically for senior dogs. Some of these foods will be needed to boost your dog’s health for a short time period or they may even need to switch foods permanently. Your vet is the best person to advise you on these foods and which would be best for your dog and their health.

Finding a kitten to love

The suspense in on to see just what type of a puppy the Obamas choose to take with them to the White House. They have until January next year to make a final decision and find the next presidential puppy, until then we will keep you updated as to any news over their choice. But if puppies are not your first choice of pet then you should be looking around to find you next best friend in an adorable kitten!

Kittens will not grow up to be guard dogs but they can be just as loyal and even protective of their owners! The key to having a long term loving relationship with your kitten is to give them the right start to life. This means that if you treat them as best as you can form eth minute that they enter you life you are definitely set to have a friend for life!

Kittens will purr and run around looking adorable and with a bit of training and attention they will even learn to come running to a whistle or call. Kittens really do not need much more than lots and lots of love, which is a pleasure to give when you know that it will becoming back to you!

Animal Safety with MediPet Insurance

Your pets are like kids to you and that is why it is important to make sure that their animal safety is well looked after by both you and by Medipet insurance. Medipet insurance is determined to make your life easier and your animal’s health a lot safer. For just R115 per month for your cute little cat and R125 per month for your boisterous pooch you can work hand in hand with a top health insurer to protect the health and animal safety of your pet!

The last thing we as animal lovers ever want to see is compromised animal safety where an animal is in need, hurt or ill, but the reality is that these things do happen, with the right forward thinking and preparation you can be ready to handle anything regarding your animals’ safety. Medipet insurance will be there to cover your finances were anything to happen to your pet and they were in need of medical help. The assurance of not having to deal with piling vet bills and financial worries means that you can focus all of your concern, time and love into your pet who will need you and your tender loving care more than ever!

For animal safety with reliability apply for Medipet insurance cover by giving them a call on: 0800 6334738 / 021 701 2023 or apply online at www.medipetsa.co.za.

Puppies!

Puppies are always everybody’s favourite little critters! They can be cute, fluffy, crinkled, lazy or playful, and as puppies go, they could probably ignore all of those traits and still be adored by their owners and other admiring friends, fans and passers-by! Puppies just have that x-factor which we all seem completely unable to resist!


Even the white house will soon have one! In his acceptance speech, newly elected United States President Barack Obama told his two daughters that they deserved the new puppy that would be going with them to the White House. One thing that seems obvious, or at least should be obvious, is that puppies eventually do grow up to be fully-grown adult dogs. That is why it is vitally important to make sure that you give proper and well-reasoned thought into choosing your puppies!


If the cute little dog is what you are after then choose your puppy from a breed that stays small and cute. Think about Jack Russles, Maltese Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, etc. If however you are quite happy with the idea of a big dog then look towards puppies from medium to large dog breeds, such as Labradors, Dobermans, and Weimereiners. Do remember that puppies grow up faster than you think so enjoy them while they are small and learning about the world around them.

Planning your holiday when you have a pet

The December and school holidays are the perfect time to get away and to travel to new and far off destinations. Having the responsibility of a pet however can make going away seem like a luxury reserved only for those who do not have furry, extended family members. Going away means that you have to ensure that you pet will be looked after while you are gone. This means either finding someone to stay at your and look after you animals or you need to find somewhere for animals to go to.

Your pets will be missing you but you can still make their own pet holiday as comfortable as possible either by setting them up at home or by sending them a kenel or cattery. If you do not have a neighbour, house sitter or pet sitter around to feed, walk and spend time with your pets then your next best option is the kennel or cattery.

Many pet owners actually prefer to house their cats in catteries and their dogs in kennels while they are away. Kennels and catteries offer reliability and comfort in knowing that your animals are being well looked after.

Report Back on the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon

Yesterday, the 2nd of November, saw hundreds upon hundreds of dogs and animal lovers gathering for the annual SPCA Cape Talk Wiggle Waggle Walkathon. The walkathon, which is hosted by the SPCA, is aimed at bringing together animals and animal owners alike for a safe and fun day in the sun! Not only does the day offer a great outing for families and their animals but also gives all those attending an opportunity to show that they care about their own pets, as well as giving support to the SPCA and every single pet that may not be living with a caring and loving family.

The SPCA woks very hard to ensure that animals are looked after and cared for in the necessary and appropriate ways and days such as yesterday’s Wiggle Waggle Walkathon go a long way in showing that the SPCA has the support of others too! If you missed yesterday’s animal walkathon you can still be involved in helping out animals – by taking good care of your own, volunteering or getting involved at a local animal shelter, or you can start today in getting those legs moving and ready for next yea’s Wiggle Waggle Walkathon!

Summer and your long haired pet

Summer is the time when you wan to be able to sit back and enjoy the weather, but of you have pest you know that summer is also the time that they moult! The shedding of fur keeps your pet cooler in the heat of the summer months but can be aggravating in a number of ways to pet owners – there are however a few ways to make fur shedding more bearable!

For one you can give your dog or cat regular baths as they start to shed their fur. This will help to wash out the already loose fur sending it down the drain rather than leaving it to be shed around the house. In between baths you can give your cat or dog a good brush down! Brushing your pet will have the same effect as bathing them and may be an easier option if your animal does not take too kindly to bathing!

Sometimes keeping your pet outdoors is not really an option so to keep fur off of your couches and carpets you could get your pet their own blanket or cushion to sleep on when inside. This cushion or blanket can then be thrown into the washing machine or vacuumed clean.


A great way to get rid of the fur on your clothes and furniture is to get hold of a sticky roller – these are available in most stores and with a few rolls over your clothing all the fur sticks to roller and your furniture and clothing will be absolutely fur free in minutes!

DARG Protest: Making the News!

Click on the image to make it bigger!

Puppy Training - setting the rules

So, you have just arrived home with a brand new puppy and the family is ooh-ing and aah-ing, and you are becoming increasingly enamoured by your pup! During all of this, you are convinced that your pup is the absolute cutest puppy ever to have graced the surface of the earth right? Right. Until the next morning that is. Puppies are new to the world and are even newer to your home, they do not know your rules, and to begin with they do not even know that there are rules. This is where your patience, unconditional love and fast growing, and very necessary, puppy training skills need to kick into action.


Puppy training does not have to be daunting or complicated, but even before you start your puppy on a puppy-training regime you need to decide first and foremost what you are willing to allow and what is not at all tolerable. Shifting the rules at a later stage will only lead to confusion and, from changing the rules, your inquisitive pup will only learn to test boundaries where and when they think they can get away with it.


Puppy training gives you and your new little critter a great chance to get to know one another, so make your puppy-training fun, remember not to shout but to talk firmly and rewarding your puppy with a game, a pat or treat when they do something right!

Medipet

Being part of a caring and responsible structure always pays off with good dividends and being a member of Medipet insurance pays off not only for your own peace of mind as a devoted pet owner but your animal’s health and medical needs score all the way! Medipet has created an insurance package for your cat and for your dog that will take care of their medical needs and costs without you having to worry about any piling-up veterinary bills.

Medipet offers you cover from illnesses to surgeries and will even step in to help you with advertising and rewards if your pet was ever to run off or go missing.
With Medipet you cat and dog’s health and medical requirements can be covered from the age of just 8 weeks and Medipet cover lasts for life. Most puppies and kittens are placed in their loving homes at around 6 to 8 weeks of age, which means that you can have your pet’s health covered by Medipet from the very start of their life with you and being in control of your animals’ health and medical needs right form the word go means that you are able to offer your pet the highest quality of life for their entire life!

Pet Health

Your pet dog or cat is probably strong and healthy and keeping them in tip top pet health is the best thing that you can do for them! Ensuring that your already healthy pet is kept in good health is something that you can do at home with just a few easy steps and with the addition of an annual visit to the vet your dog or cat is sure to maintain that bounce in their step and that sparkle in their eye.

Remember the saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness? Well, it is a good saying to live by if you want to keep your pets healthy! Give your cat or dog baths as and when they need it, check their ears and if needs be give them a cleaning from time to time. Cats and dogs are playful and occasionally they get into tussles that do not cause harm to their pet health but may cause little pet health niggles that if left alone may lead to more serious pet health concerns so make sure that any scratches are treated and kept clean, and wipe clean the secretion of a watery eye with a damp cloth. By keeping the smaller pet health risks in check, and by knowing your pet’s state of health you can go a long way in preventing any unwanted future pet health problems!

Becoming a vet

The end of the year is fast approaching and it is time for school leavers to be considering their careers and prospective studies. Well, if you are leaving school, or if you are in the market for studies or a career change have you ever thought of studying to become vet? If you like animals, care about them and their health, and you want to spend your professional career surrounded by pets or animals of just about any kind, size or shape then a professional veterinary career may be the right job for you!

Necessary and very useful Matric subjects to study veterinary science are Maths, Science and Biology. These subjects stand you in good stead to get into a university and the grounding they give you will go a long way in your vet studies. As long as there are animals vets will always be in demand, it is a great career with a wealth of opportunities for specialisation and you can choose whether or not you want to work with domestic pets or wild animals. So in the near future, you could be saving a dog’s life or doing research on elephants in the Kruger Park!

For more and detailed information on vet info visit the South African Veterinary Councils website at www.savc.co.za.

DARG's protest against the new animal by-law

DARG
Main Road – Hout Bay
Phone - (021) 790 0383 Fax - (021) 790 2050 Email - info@darg.org.za Web - www.darg.org.za


Dear Friend of DARG

You’ll doubtless know of the City of Cape Town’s new Animal By-law which is presently open for comment from the public. You’ll know too that there are many voices against the by-law, ours among them, and you will likely have seen some media coverage on the subject.

While we agree on the need to consolidate current legislation, we believe that the Animal By-law should result in improved animal rights, be easy to implement and should not render an already flawed system even more difficult to administer. (Some of our objections are noted in greater detail at the foot of this message.)

We need your support in voicing effective opposition to the By-law and in ensuring that the opinions of animal rights groups are taken into account by the City. You can help directly by –

• Attending our Promenade Parade on Saturday 25th October at 10:30. We’ll meet at Three Anchor Bay, opposite Sea Point Place and, at 11:00, will walk to the Pavilion to present a Memorandum to a representative of the Mayor;
• Circulating this message as widely as possible;
• Joining our Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42869030751;
• Downloading the Animal By-law at http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ByLaws/Pages/Draft_by-laws.aspx;
• Before 31 October, emailing frederick.venter@capetown.gov.za to directly voice your concerns to the City.

Let us put our collective voices together to ensure that the Animal By-law serves our City, its citizens, and our animals, in the best way possible.

We hope to see you on Saturday.

Sincerely

Joy Giovanini

________________________________________
Key Animal By-law Concerns
The by-law, as it presently stands, is unconstitutional and is a violation of animal rights. In particular –
• The by-law intends to unreasonably curtail the number of animals that may be kept on any premises;
• It suggests monitoring processes which will be at best, ineffective, and at worst impossible to administer;
• The draft document is silent on the qualifications of persons charged with enforcing the by-law;
• Where more than two dogs will live on the premises, a permit will be required, for a fee, and the consent of neighbours will need to be sought;
• The provisions to seize, impound and “destroy” animals are a disgrace and, far from encouraging responsible animal ownership, will have quite the opposite effect;
• The education of animal owners, as well as animal sterilisation and adoption campaigns have not been addressed by the by-law.

We have compiled a detailed schedule of objections and shall submit this to the City.

The internet and your pet

Nowadays the internet is the serious buzz word – not only can you access hard to find information, share information and connect with friends and family but you can also have immediate access to a wealth of other services too! From online pet shops to applying for Medipet insurance cover you really do have the entire world within reach.

Just beyond your fingertips lies a world where you can get the best animal health insurance cover from Medipet insurance just by filling in a simple on line application form. Having Medipet insurance cover already makes your life a lot easier and makes the safety of your pet’s health as secure as you could hope for! While you are taking care of your pet’s health and applying for Medipet insurance you can double up on your internet adventure and visit an online pet shop and buy a treat or two for your gorgeous little animal!

On line pet shops offer a wide range of pet products and the greatest benefit is that on line pet shops are never likely to be out of stock and they deliver to your home or local post office. So thanks to a little innovation and the internet you can treat your pet and along with Medipet insurance you can protect your pet’s health all in one day!

Adoption Tips

If you are planning and animal adoption you are bound to already know that you will be entering into a long term and loving relationship with an extraordinarily adorable little creature. But finding the right animal and going about the adoption process can prove to be a little tricky so here are 5 helpful adoption tips to help you go about finding the cutest and most loving animal!

1. Consider your space at home and whether or not you have a garden of the appropriate size for the animal you are considering for adoption. Cats and even small dogs can be kept indoors – but keep in mind that this means you will need to house train your animal.
2. If you already have your mind and heart set on a particular cat or dog for adoption make sure that you have the appropriate home for them and that you have plenty of time to spend with the animal. Dogs need regular walks and cats do need plenty of human company too.
3. If you already have an animal at home you need to be sure that your pets at home will be accepting of a new family member – the last thing you want is for you animals to be fighting or for your new cat or dog to be ostracised.
4. When you feel that you are ready to step into an adoption take a look around at a few animal shelters and speak to a local vet or breeding society about finding the right pet for you.
5. And lastly have fun! Enjoy the process of finding your new best friend!

Dog Health: your German Shepherd

German Shepherds, also known as Alsatians, are a strong and extremely popular breed of dog. Not only are they great watch dogs but they make a wonderful family pet as well and can easily be trained to obey simple and even more complex commands. Taking care of a German Shepherd’s dog health is something that does not need to take a lot of work and can be done with a few simple dog health tips!

Grooming your German Shepherd is best done on a weekly basis but during their shedding season the long haired Alsatians may need daily brushing. Bathing your dog once a month will also aide in reducing shedding and will help keep their fur in top condition! Another way to keep your dog’s health in good order is to give them regular exercise, walks in the park and even dog training can double up as a mental stimulator that will offer exercise and a bonding opportunity for you and your dog!

Dog health is something that can be taken care of in little doses and if you keep an eagle eye on your dog’s health you can prevent long term and dire problems.

Finding the right pet shampoo

So your snow white poodle looks more like a dark chocolate brown? Well then it is time for a bath! If your pet is a little smelly, a little (or a lot) dirty or just needs a pick me up to get their fur looking absolutely gorgeous a bath can do the trick! But what is the right shampoo to use? What shampoo will have a positive rather than a negative effect on animal health? And just because a shampoo says that is made for animals, how do you know that it is suited to your pet?

Shampoo is usually a chemically based product and some chemicals can have skin irritant factors, this is why it is important to make sure that you are using a shampoo that is approved for animal use. As with most pet related things the best way to assure that you are using a shampoo that won’t harm your animal’s health is to get your cat or dog shampoo from a certified vet or vet shop, this way you can even discuss the shampoo options with knowledgeable vets. Shampoos can also be great way to aide animal health and prevent your pets from fleas, ticks and even rashes.

Cat Quotes

Last week Friday we had a range of very candid and very cute quotes about man’s best friend – the dog. This week we venture into a few very true and very loving quotes about the regal domestic cat:

"Dogs come when they're called. Cats take a message and get back to you."
- Mary Bly

"For a man to truly understand rejection, he must first be ignored by a cat."
- Anon

"I love cats because I love my home and after a while they become its visible soul."
- Jean Cocteau

"There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats."
- Albert Schweitzer

"There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat."
- Tay Hohoff

"God made the cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger."
- Fernand Mery

"There is, incidentally, no way of talking about cats that enables one to come off as a sane person."
- Dan Greenberg

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats."
- English Proverb

"Beware of people who dislike cats."
- Irish Proverb

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
- Winston Churchill

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."
- Anonymous

"There are many intelligent species in the universe. They are all owned by cats."
- Anonymous

"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch."
- Leo Dworken

"One cat just leads to another."
- Ernest Hemingway

General CAT Information

We all of our own private intellectual stock piles of seemingly useless information but one day – or at least at the next party – we are sure to find a use…or at least great conversation topic…that will make all our accumulated facts extraordinarily useful! Well, for when such a time comes here is some ridiculously interesting information on our not so average feline friend: the domestic cat…

The scientific species name for the domestic cat is Felis sylvestris catus and the closest genetic relative to the domestic cat is the African Wild Cat, also known as the Felis sylvestris libyca. There are also European and Asian wild cat varieties that share very close genetic markers to that of our modern day domestic cat.

The cat is thought to have first been brought into cohabitation with humans in Egypt around 4000 years ago. Here the cat was highly regarded and held with god-like stature. Since humans started breeding and specialty breeding the cat has taken on new forms of its wilder origin. This means that certain genetic traits have been recognized in the cats and they have been bred in such a way that these features are brought out and with specificity have been made more prominent in breed to breed. In this way we now have a larger array of cat breeds, colors and temperaments than were originally found in the wild. We now have a range of Persians, short and medium hair cats that can range from pure black to mottled and striped in a wide range of colours, body shapes and sizes.

Medipet Insurance packages

Applying for your insurance package with Medipet is so incredibly simple and can be done online in five easy steps! Insurance packages are renowned for being troublesome but with Medipet’s insurance cover all the trouble and hassle of having taking out insurance is taken out of the equation! Your pet’s health and well being is Medipet’s priority and Medipet is committed to making sure that your pet’s health is properly taken care of with the best service and convenience to you. This means that by filling out on online application you can have fast and professional service that will cover your finances and your pet’s health for any unexpected accidents or illnesses.

The Medipet insurance package is designed to be affordable and comprehensive; this allows you as a pet owner to be able to give your pet a secure medical future without having to strain your budget. Insurance packages with Medipet cost just R115 per month for cover for cats and R125 per month for cover for dogs and give you health cover for up to R25 000 per year per pet.

To get a reliable and financially secure health insurance package for your pet visit the Medipet website at www.medipetsa.co.za and fill out the five-step online application form today!

Frozen Yoghurt for Dogs

Does your dog need a change in their eating habits? Want to be able to offer your pooch a wider variety of dog foods that will keep them happier and healthier in an all round sense? If you answered yes to these questions then you will be glad to know that Jody Rogers has started a new dog food feeding frenzy that is fast becoming a big hit with dogs and their owners! Called ‘Yoghund’ Jody found a healthy and simple way to add taste and variety to your dog’s diet. Yoghund is a frozen yoghurt meal that is made from natural products that offer the same benefits to dogs as good healthy yoghurt affords humans. New dog foods such as this frozen yogurt mean that now your dog can eat something tasty – and slightly more interesting than a regular bag of dog food – all while maintaining great health with a distinguished doggy pallet.

With flavours like banana peanut butter and blueberry vanilla your dog is sure to enjoy the coolness in the coming summer months, they will definitely benefit from the good health aspects of the frozen yoghurts and with a change in flavours and dog food this may be just the pick me up your dog has been waiting for.

Pregnant Cat Health

Deciding to breed your cats or finding yourself in a situation where your female cat is pregnant means that you have some work ahead of you, but it is fun work! And helping to bring a cute and healthy litter of cats into the world can be incredibly rewarding! Cat health is a huge priority in breeding as the health of both parents and especially the cat health of the mother will go a ling way in determining the overall – both short and long term – cat health of the kittens.

Before you start to plan breeding or if you have a female cat there are a few simple things that you ought to know. For one, a female cat reaches sexual maturity at around 6 to 10 months and a male cat reaches maturity a little later from about 9 to 12 months of age. It is very important to make sure that the female cat is in good health as she will need the strength of a good healthy body to be able to give birth to a healthy litter of kittens. Female cats are pregnant for about 9 weeks and usually give birth to litters of around 2 to 6 kittens.

A good place to start out, when you have established that your cat is in fact pregnant, is with the basic cat and cat pregnancy information, this means that it is good, useful and very interesting to consult with a vet or cat breeder. They will be able to give you vital information and will help to prepare you for the birth.

Dogs: man's best friends

Dogs are man’s best friend and right throughout history they have been acknowledged by some of the most influential people, writers and comedians who have captured the nature of our relationships with our pets in some very candid words:

"Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit,
you would stay out and your dog would go in."
- Mark Twain


"Man is a dog's idea of what God should be."
- Holbrook Jackson


"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."
- Andrew A. Rooney


"To his dog, every man is King;
hence the constant popularity of dogs."
- Aldous Huxley


"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."
- James Thurber


"Reverence: the spiritual attitude of a man to a god
and a dog to a man."
- Ambrose Bierce


"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend:
and inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
- Groucho Marx


"A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such."
- John Holmes


"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."
- Woodrow Wilson


"The disposition of noble dogs is to be gentle with people they know and the opposite with those they don't know...How, then, can the dog be anything other than a lover of learning since it defines what's its own and what's alien."
- Plato


"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make
a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you,
but he will make a fool of himself too."
- Samuel Butler

NEW: MediPET of the Week!

Medipet is all about the pets! As a pet insurance company Medipet is so much more than just any old insurance company – they care about you as a pet a owner and they care deeply about the well being and general happiness of your cats and dogs! With your animal’s health and medical needs well looked after by your medical insurance through Medipet you can sit back and enjoy the good times that you spend with your pet and Medipet is glad to be able to be part of the caring bond between you and your gorgeous animal! So much so that Medipet even wants to share in your joy and let others ‘ooh-and-aah’ over the extreme cuteness of your pet too, so why not show off your cat or dog in their Sunday best by sending a picture of your pet to Medipet and let your pet be the Medipet of the week.

This is a great way to show off your cat or dog’s good looks or to show them in a cute or funny situation. Visit the Medipet website at www.medipetsa.co.za to see all the Medipet of the week pictures and remember to mail pictures of your pet to either medipetblog@gmail.com or to register on the website to submit your pet pics!

MediPet Insurance for pets

The idea of pet insurance started as a safety net for your pet’s health but Medipet insurance goes far beyond just being a safety net. Medipet insurance has established insurance packages that take care of your pet’s health, their safety and do so all while offering you animal support with financial security.

If your pet were ever in an accident or in need of medical help the last thing you want to be worrying about is your finances. Medipet insurance knows this and is designed and committed to ensuring that your pet will receive the best medical treatment. Medipet insurance offers you up to R25 000 cover per year per pet, and this cover is free to be used for procedures such as hip replacements, tumor removals and any other treatment of a prolonged illness.

Medipet insurance payments are made out within ten days of your claim and this prompt and secure service means that you will be never be left with veterinary bills that could pile up into thousands of Rands of debt and you will always be able to feel assured that your pet’s health is being securely cared for by you, a professional vet and Medipet insurance.

DID YOU KNOW: Dogs in Space

Did you know that dogs were the first living Earth-borne creatures to enter space? During the 1950s and 1960s, the USSR launched a program that is commonly known today as the 'Soviet space dogs programme' which saw a number of friendly pooches finding out what it means to travel into the final frontier. They were used to determine whether or not space flight and travel would be safe for humans.

Scientists chose female stray dogs for this program for a number of reasons, but primarily because:
- dogs were best suited to the long periods of inactivity that they would experience on their trips
- stray dogs were more likely to cope with the stressful space traveling, and would not pine for their adopted family members like the average household pet might and,
- special devices were constructed to collect the dogs' waste matter that were particularly designed for female dogs rather than males.

Each dog wore special pressure suits and bubble helmets, just like you would imagine you might see in a cartoon drawing. These suits were specially designed to keep the dogs safe and healthy while the climate and environment changes around them.

Other creatures who were also included in space flights include rabbits, mice, rats, flies, and a number of plants and fungi.

2009 anticipates the release of the animated Russian feature film titled Star Dogs: Belka and Strelka which is inspired by the first successful Earth Orbit mission with the two legendary Russian dogs Belka and Strelka. As an interesting aside, Strelka went on after her successful space mission to have six puppies, one of which was presented to President J.F. Kennedy's daughter and continued to have her own puppy family!

DARG CALL FOR ASSISTANCE

Dog lovers in the Cape Town area will be pleased to hear that a local Hout Bay pooch was rescued this week by the friendly DARG team and Penzance Vet clinic. Please read the following story and see if you can contribute in any way to Buksie's case!



This old boy was attacked by a a group of dogs. His owner, who lives in Imizamu Yethu, rushed him to DARG on a Sunday afternoon.

He was soaked, bloodied, freezing and in shock. Jenny, the nurse, was quick to warm him up with the water bottle (donated by the kind public!) and then rushed him to Penzance Vet (they were closed so the vet on standby was kind enough to come in).

Buksie was operated on right there and then. He had 17 puncture wounds, 2 of which were in the lungs! We’re happy to say that Buksie survived and was able to go home with his very grateful owner who managed to contribute, very proudly, R100 towards his bill. While that was a great help, it still leaves an outstanding R600 to pay!

If you can help by donating towards Buksie’s vet bill, please contact us! (Ask for Jenny at 021 7900383) Also, check out DARG's great new website at www.darg.org.za

Give a dog a home this Sunday!

Note this Sunday, the 5th of October, off in your diary with a bright red pen! It is once again time for the annual Pedigree Give a Dog a Home event which will be taking place at the V&A Waterfront amphitheatre from 12 in the afternoon. The event sets out to show off the cutest, most adorable and most loving animals that find themselves in need of a home. The Emma Animal Rescue Society is an animal rescue organisation that holds firmly to its pro life policy and often houses up to 180 dogs and 120 cats at any given time. With these numbers of animals in need of a loving home it means that you could easily find the right cat or dog for your family strutting their stuff on the cat walk this coming Sunday!

The event will be presented by a host of celebrities from former Miss Universe Michelle McLean and Good Hope FM’s Bradley Knight to Western Province rugby greats such as Paul Delport, Schalk Brits and Ross Skeate, who will be walking down the cat walk with all the gorgeous pets!

After the Give a Dog a Home event you can also make your way with your new found cat or dog to the Blessing of the Animals event to be held by TEARS in the Company Gardens. This event is open to all and is held in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi and starts at 4pm.

For more information on these events and on The Emma Animal Rescue Society visit www.tears.org.za.

DARG: EARTHLINGS screening tomorrow night in Cape Town

The Labia Theatre has been given permission to screen the documentary EARTHLINGS... and has kindly offered to donate all proceeds to DARG!

Tickets cost only R30.00 and EMI has promised to supply some Moby CD's as give-aways. Pre-booking will be necessary - please call The Labia Theatre on 021 424 5927.

DATE: Friday, 3rd October 2008 - one night only
TIME: 8pm
VENUE: The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research)but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee JOAQUIN PHOENIX (Gladiator / Walk The Line) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist MOBY.

Kindly support us and invite all your friends, colleagues and family members to do likewise. All funds raised from tickets purchased (even if one does not attend the screening) will be used to pay for medication and Vets bills.

Your pet vet

We all know that a vet is our animal’s version of a general doctor but just what exactly can we expect of our pet’s vet and when is the best and necessary time to take our cats or dog to go see a vet?


Vets are their to take care of your pet’s health in every aspect that you cannot – that means that you can take care of your dog or cat’s health at home in terms of making sure that they get the right amount of exercise, ensuring that they are eating the right foods in the correct amounts, and as a pet owner it is also your responsibility to make sure that your animal is kept safe from harm.


How you do all of this is with some helpful vet advice on the do-s and don’t-s of what to feed your pet, how much exercise to give them, etc. but there are times when you need a vet’s professional hand to help keep your pet in tip top condition. This starts from the age of 6 weeks when your cat or dog needs their first round of inoculations. From there on out for the rest of their lives you pet will need vet check ups, booster inoculations and may even need a vet in an emergency situation.


Ideally your pet’s vet should be close to your home, and it is very helpful to keep a record of what your pet’s health history in case you ever move or change vets.

Pet health

Pet health can be a great concern for a lot of animal owners once their pets reach their senior years. After a long and good life as a strong healthy cat or dog your pet will start to mature and your dog may not be quite as eager for those romps through the park, or your cat might not be quite as quick to chase after that piece of wool. But your pet will still have their sparkle and by making certain adjustments to your pet’s lifestyle you can make their senior years as happy and as enjoyable as their days of spritely youthfulness!

One great benefit in having an older pet that has good pet health is that you have their undying loyalty and they will most likely start to really enjoy being around you! Looking after your animal and their pet health has it’s immediate as well as long term benefits and they do pay off. This means that your dog will not be far behind you whatever you are doing in the home and your cat will probably take every opportunity to sit on your warm, comfy lap!

Good pet health can be maintained and promoted into your animal’s older years with the help of a change in foods – many pet food ranges have foods specifically designed to aid pet health in senior pets.

Don't let rainy weather get you down!

Keeping your animal dry during downpours can be really difficult when the rain is unexpected and comes very suddenly! The best solution to making sure that your animal has dry, suitable cover is by either building or buying an animal pen, kennel or shelter. The main point in choosing what will best protect your animal is to make sure that they can be well sheltered from rain and wind, and in the summer months it may be useful to make sure they have a well shaded area to sleep in to escape the blaring heat of the sun.

In building or in choosing an animal shelter make sure that the materials are waterproof and that they keep the inside of the shelter dry as well, if the shelter is properly protected to keep the inside dry then your animal will also be protected from wind, just be sure to have an open area in the shelter that allows your pet to freely move in and out of their little home and leaves an area for fresh air to enter.

By having a shelter to keep warm and snug in your animal will be happier and with the assurance that your animal is safe and able to shelter from the weather you will be less pressed to get home when the weather suddenly changes or the rain starts to pour.

Dog Food

Dogs are said to have only around 2000 taste buds on their tongues, whereas humans have up 9000! This however does not mean that dog’s are not fussy about what they eat, if you have a dog you are sure to know that there are just some foods, and even some dog food, that your little pooch just won’t touch. So finding the right dog food for your dog can at times involve a bit of work.


Dog food is your pet’s best source of nutrition so when you are choosing a brand or type the best thing to do is to look out for veterinary endorsed brands of dog food. These will be guaranteed to have the essential ingredients to keep your dogs digestive system in check, to keep their internal organs filled with the correct minerals and nutrients and will also be foods that can sustain them right through life ensuring a healthy puppy that grows into a strong adult that will see through their senior years in good health.


Some vet endorsed and specialist formulated dog food brands available in South Africa are: Vet’s Choice, Royal Canine and Eukanuba. Remember that for specific health requirements you can speak to your vet about the best dog food options and try speciality dog foods such as Royal Canine Veterinary Diet that are designed to protect your pet’s health.

Drying your cat or dog after a bath

Most animals – especially dogs and cats – do not enjoy having a bath but even more than they dislike bathing, animals seem to deplore being dried off afterwards! With many animals the easiest and the best way to get them dry is to gently pat them down with a towel right after their bath. With animals that wriggle around a lot and with long haired cats and dogs this towelling dry may take a while but it is very necessary to get your pet’s fur as dry as possible as wet fur can make them feel cold very quickly.

To dry your animal you may even consider looking into buying a dryer – which is very much like a hair dryer but better suited to drying off your pet. Many animals don’t take too kindly to dryers because of the noise that they make, and the rush of air can be very off putting to animals as well. If you do use a dryer to dry your animal remember to keep the setting on a mid heat range and keep the nozzle a good distance away as to avoid burns.

If at all possible try to bath your dog or cat on a warmer day, but if the weather is not cooperating with your animal grooming plans then just be sure to keep the area you are in as warm as you can and keep your pet wrapped up in a towel.

Grooming your yorkshire terrier

A Yorkshire terrier is a beautiful little dog and with its long fur it needs expert attention and some really good and regular grooming to keep looking absolutely gorgeous. But this does not mean that you necessarily have to take your Yorkie to a professional pet groomer for pet grooming – you can do your dog’s grooming on your own, right in the comfort of your own home!

Grooming your pet is something that needs to be done regularly but it can be hassle free and by following these useful Yorkshire Terrier grooming tips you can be sure to be following the right grooming procedures.

Start your grooming regime by giving your Yorkie a bath – for this you will need a pH balanced dog shampoo that is readily available from pet stores and veterinary shops. Because your Yorkie also has long fur you should also use a dog fur conditioner to help keep their fur in healthy and glistening condition. When you are ready to start grooming and bathing your dog make sure that you have all you need in arms reach as you do not want to turn around or leave your dog unattended in the bath. Run in about 15cm of lukewarm water into a bath or basin and be sure to keep the shampoo out of your dog’s eyes as much as possible. Once your Yorkie is bathed place them on a dry towel on the floor and wrap them up straight away in another towel that you will also use to gently pat him or her dry. Remember to keep your doggy warm during grooming and comb out their fur afterwards to ensure a smooth and soft well groomed coat!

Puppy inoculations

We all surely know that our pets, especially as kittens and as puppies, need inoculations. But just what do they need and how often do they need them? Puppies and kittens generally require the same shots and the first shots should be administered at around the ages of 6 to 8 weeks. Inoculations are designed to protect your puppies and kittens form infectious and dangerous diseases and viruses. The vaccines that are given as shots to your puppies and kittens work to develop antibodies in your pet’s immune system that can protect your pets from a wide range of viruses form rabies to measles, cat flu, hepatitis and other diseases. After their first shots puppies and kittens will need booster shots for certain inoculations such as measles, and depending on where you live and on what type of animal you have you puppies or kittens may need extra shots in the future as well.

It is also greatly advised to keep puppies and kittens away from other animals for up to 5 days after their inoculations as they are more susceptible to bugs and infections right after the shots. The best way to find out about the inoculations that are needed for your puppies or kittens is to visit your vet soon after you adopt your new pet and keep a book in which your vet can write up what your pet has already been inoculated against.

Dealing with Fleas

Fleas vary as greatly as they are annoying – in size, type, lifespan and hardiness! Some fleas are easy to get rid of and others once around tend to stick or return again and again. As a pet owner you would definitely want to know how to get rid of fleas and also how to prevent them!

Your pets are at risk of picking up fleas anytime that they are outdoors – in bushes, grass and sand and also when they come into contact with other animals (or people) who are already carrying the pesky parasite. Fleas like to stick to warm skin areas so when you are checking your cat or dog, be sure to look in the key areas: their ears, the base of their tail, the stomach area and the top of the neck. Fleas will also usually keep close to skin so you will need to take a proper look under your pet’s fur.

An adult female flea lays white round eggs and she can lay up to 50 per day and can lay anything from 500-600 eggs over several months. It does not take major mathematical skills to work out that if fleas are not dealt with you could be sitting with a miniature epidemic on your hands!

Pet Grooming

A well groomed animal is a happy animal, and a well groomed animal is also far more likely to be a healthier animal too! Paying attention to your animal’s fur, skin and general grooming needs will add great value to not only their life but to yours as well! Grooming will make your pet look and feel good and for those blisteringly hot summer months your long haired pets may even appreciate a grooming hair cut to help keep them cool – and don’t worry their fur will be grown back by the time the coolness of Winter begins to set in.

One of the greatest health benefits that you will gain from regularly grooming your pet is that you will pick up on certain health risks a lot faster, as they will be easily and quickly spotted. This means that any parasites – such as fleas, ticks and even worms can be detected early on and you can get treatment for your pet before the onset of any more potentially serious problems.

Grooming also gives you a chance to spend some great time with your pet if you choose to do the grooming yourself, or your pet can enjoy a trip away from the house to a specialised pet grooming parlour.

Pet Picture

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Your dog's kennel

A dog’s kennel is their very own little space in the world – although your pet may think that your bed, your couch or their favourite spot in the kitchen is their actual space in the world! Pet kennels serve a multitude of purposes and can be used indoors as easily as outdoors as some animals enjoy the cosy and protective feeling of kennels and they sleep better in their own little houses. The obvious benefit of a kennel is to give your dog protection from the elements – these being rain, wind and the harsh summer sun.

Making your pet’s kennel as practical and as comfortable as it possibly can be will go a long way in making them feel more at home in your home. So being able to send your pet to sleep either on their own cushion or in their own kennel will also take the pressure off of you feeling like a horrible pet owner when having to chase your dog off of your furniture and carpets when moulting season arrives – which will start in the next coming weeks if your pet hasn’t already to started to shed! And cleaning out your dog’s kennels will be much easier than having to regularly vacuum fur from your furniture.

Breed Profile: The Seal Point Siamese

Marked by their seal brown and near black extremities (that is their noses, paws, ears and tails) and their light fawn velvety soft bodies, the Seal Point Siamese is a cat that looks regal in both colour and physical structure. As kittens these beautiful cats are as adorable as they are elegant as fully grown cats.

Their deep blue, perfectly shaped almond eyes are also one of their most noted and most striking features. It is also not unusual for Siamese cats to live well into their teens and are even known to live into their twenties! Siamese cats really enjoy company and if you are going to be out of the home regularly it is a good idea to have more than one cat – and it is best to get them both as kittens so that they can grow up with each other.

As kittens these beautiful cats may look a little more like aliens than cats, but as they grow up they blossom into elegant, sleek and velvety furred animals that are also one of the most recognizable and oldest cat breeds of all time! From the age of twelve weeks these kittens are ready to enter a new environment as the kittens will have their basic inoculations and will be sufficiently physically and socially developed to adapt to a new home and family.

Vet advice

Getting reliable and readily useable vet advice on dogs and cats can make being an animal owner a much easier job! More than just for sheer convenience for hat of the pet owner, getting good vet advice can also go a very long way in assuring a high standard of living for your pets as well! Vet advice is best sought from your animal’s own vet, whether you make a short phone call for brief question to the vet or if you make an appointment to take your cat or dog to see the vet, your pet’s vet already knows your pet and their needs and is best suited to hand out vet advice for your animals.

One thing to remember is not to be shy about asking questions and do not hesitate to ask for vet advice. If you are looking for a professional opinion on your pet’s health or if you just want some extra information regarding your animal, their food needs, habits or exercise routines then vet advice can go a long way in helping both your pet and you!

Having the extra support and they knowledgeable words of a good vet advice mean that you will have the right answers to all your pet questions!

Getting to know your pet

Chances are that as a pet owner you think of your pet as much more than just an animal and you know that the bond between the two of you is mutual and extensive! But have ever wondered about your pet’s range of emotions? Have you ever asked yourself whether or not your pet really has emotions? Or even more inquiringly – does an animal have emotions? As a pet owner myself my first response is yes of course they have emotions! I can notice mood changes and I swear I even notice changes in my cat’s facial expressions! And purring is not for nothing! They may be completely dependant on us but I don’t think that we should underestimate the capacity and emotional capabilities of our animals!

‘Emotion’ is a big word to understand, it is something we all know we have and that we all experience in great variety everyday – even towards our animals, but it is hard to fully explain what ‘emotion’ truly means and proving that emotion exists is even harder! But considering the loyalty we feel and considering the strength of the bonds that we share with our animals I think it is pretty safe to say that what we share with our pets is a mutually emotional bond.

Breed profile: Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora must be one of the must regal looking and all round gorgeous cats! So if you are looking into kitten adoption sometime in the future take a look around and speak to a breeder or two and consider taking home this beautiful cat! With its long coat of snow white fur and its huge sparkling eyes, the white Turkish Angora is an animal that commands attention is sure to stand out as a top breed during your adoption scouting.

One strong character trait of the Turkish Angora is what often leads to them being referred to as “dog like” as they tend to welcome visitors as the front door and take over visits as they inspect and steal the attention of your guests – this means that through adoption of a Turkish Angora you may feel like you were the one adopted and chosen by the cat rather than the other way around!

The white furred variety is extremely beautiful and make very popular show cats but when you are considering adoption be sure to also take a look at the just as gorgeous shaded, black, smoke, tabby, bi-color and parti-color Turkish Angora varieties. All of which share the elegance and great character traits of their snow white counterparts.

Summer time cushions for lazy day relaxing

With summer on its way you may want find something for your dog to lounge on during those warm summer days. You may also be looking to find a way to keep your furry friend off of your furniture and by finding a comfy seat all of their own for your cute little pooch you solve the problem of fur getting all over your couches without having to feel like a mean pet owner!

The easiest and most comfortable solution for both you and your pooch may just be to get your pet a snug and stylish dog cushion that they can cover in their own fur without it being a bother to anyone! A dog cushion is a very useful pet item as it gives your pet a sense of security and place that is there own in the house and it also will keep them and their shedding fur off of your carpets and chairs in the summer months.

With a wide array of assorted designs you can even find a dog cushion that fits in with your homes décor and colour scheme and remember to get a dog cushion cover for your dog’s new cushion, this will make cleaning much easier as you just need to take off of the cover and pop it into the washing machine.

Durban Vet

Medipet pet health insurance offers you affordable and completely reliable pet health insurance that will cover your veterinary needs wherever you are in South Africa - whether you are taking your animal to see a Durban vet, a Johannesburg vet or any other vet anywhere in South Africa. This means that when you are at home, when you are visiting with family or friends, or even when you are travelling around our beautiful country, you and your pet can enjoy Medipet’s sound medical insurance protection.

If you usually see a vet in your home town or city, if you live in Durban or if you see a Durban vet only when you are on holiday in Durban, you are do not ever have to worry about getting good medical treatment, and what’s more is that you are still guaranteed to be covered by Medipet’s insurance with a Durban vet just as you would be with your regular vet. If you are on holiday in the region or have recently moved and are in need of a Durban vet the best way to find a good Durban vet is to ask other pet owners that you may know – or send us a Durban vet query and we will find you some contact details for reliable a Durban vet.

Kitty litter boxes

Having your pet house trained can make life a lot easier for both you and your animal. The most usual form of having a house trained animal is to have them using a litter box or to have them trained to go outside when they need to do their business. However, at times, a litter box fails and your pet, when closed indoors, does not always seem to ask to be let out. In these instances you can still find mechanisms and methods that make housetraining and even the litter box work.

Cats in particular are animals that like to be clean, for this reason there are cats that will refuse to use a cat litter box. If this is the case with your cat or kitten then ideally you should leave a window open to give them constant and easy access to a garden. If the garden option is out and you can’t or don’t want to leave a window open then it will be essential for you to make the litter box option work. To make it more user friendly to your cat make sure that you regularly clean out the litter box and keep it in a non obtrusive setting where they can easily get to the litter box but can also have some privacy when using it.

It's Puppy Time!

When you have new puppies running around the home you are probably going to encounter one or two little snags that make living with your puppies a little bit of a challenge. Snags that frequently come with having puppies usually involve peeing in the house, biting and chewing on shoes and playing havoc with your household goods. But it really only ever has to a be little challenge and the challenge does not have to last if you can pick up on it quickly and can do something effective to curb unruly puppies’ behaviour.

Puppies are curious and lively, it is part of their cuddly lovable charm and when their bubbliness and energy is diverted into eth right things their exuberance will stay cute instead becoming a problem. To prevent some unnecessary mishaps with your puppies you can make your home puppy friendly in a few simple steps: start by picking up the odd things around the house – this will help your home look neater and will keep your possessions out of puppies’ mouths! Keep cupboards closed and room doors closed to keep puppies out and buy your puppies a few chewing toys of their own so that they know what they may play with till their energy is spent and their little hearts are content.

Missing puppy? get some pet assistance now!

The worst nightmare for any pet owner is the sudden heart wrenching discovery that your pet is missing! After a few seconds of hopeful denial and heart pounding we will tend to check around inconceivable corners and under sofas and beds and all around the home or garden but after some increasingly loud calling there may come a time when our pets have indeed just gotten away from our sight and protection. Pet assistance in this particular time is something that is absolutely invaluable. Medipet knows this and also offers you pet assistance in forms of covering advertising costs for cats and dogs and even a reward payment for found dogs.

The most important thing in a situation like this is to think clearly, call the local vets for pet assistance, and find out if anyone has reported your animal as found, if not then do give the vet your information with a description of your pet in case someone is still to report them found. Pet assistance can also mean rallying up the troops and going out on a search around the neighbourhood – your pet may just have wondered off down a nearby street and pet assistance from family or neighbours they can soon be home again.

For a great website that offers lost pets and their owners wonderful pet assistance visit www.lostdogs.co.za