Choosing the Right Pet

It's getting towards the end of school holidays and your children are all probably asking for a new family pet this year – why not give in and help give a dog or cat a happy home? It is essential that you think very carefully about what kind of pet you want before you go and get one, as a pet is a long-term commitment and will inevitably be a part of your family.

ADOPTING A PET: if you want to adopt a pet then you should go down to your local adoption agencies, such as the SPCA, TEARS or DARG, and have a look around at all of the dogs and cats that are kept there. You will probably find a pet that you bond with instantly! While you are being shown around, be sure to ask your adoption agent what type of dog they'd recommend for your particular circumstances (the size of your home, your family and your budget) and they'll help you to make the right decision.

BUYING A PET: if you want to buy a specific pet then it's time to get on your thinking caps! Do a lot of homework to ensure that you know exactly what kind of dog or cat suits your family, your home and your budget. You then need to find a breeder near you, and visit that breeder to have a look at their puppies/kittens and to have a good chat about whether or not that particular breed is ideal for you.

Late Holiday Tips

The Christmas/New Year's holiday rush has just come to a close, people are starting to go back to work, and some of us are lucky enough to get leave! Having a late holiday is great for missing out on all of the holiday traffic and hurly burly, even though this year when traffic officials have stated that holiday traffic is down by more than 10,000 vehicles! If you are planning a late holiday (but early January) getaway, then here are some pet tips for you!
- Be sure to book a kennel spot in advance for your pet, and go to visit the kennel before leaving to make sure that it is exactly what you are looking for. Never settle for second best pet-sitters just because all kennels are full. This is a good time to go away on holiday because most kennels are emptying out as people come back from their festive celebrations.
- If you are taking your pet away with you in the car, be sure to have the necessary secure seating arrangements for maximum travel safety. You should get a comfortable cat traveling basket for your feline friend, and invest in a special car harness for your dog (which looks much like a baby harness and seat, although it is designed for four-legged family members instead).
- Be sure to take with plenty of healthy snacks and extra water for your pets as traveling can be very stressful for them.
- It always helps to bring with a pet bed or special pet blanket when you are going away; it's a little bit of home that calms down a restless traveler!

Thinking About: Lassie Dogs

Who can forget that adorable dog who delighted our television screens so many years ago? Lassie was made popular by author Albert Payson Terhune in 1938, and has been the world's best loved pooch ever since! Lassie is better known in the dog world as a Rough Collie, and is considered to be one of the best family dogs. Rough Collies have a fantastic temperament, and are excellent companions for other dogs and even small children. They are said to have no fear, which is why they are fiercely protective of their owners and will always rush in to save them from any danger.

Rough Collies come in four beautiful colours that range from a beautiful caramel colour to a sleek black-and-white. Their faces are always lighter than the rest of their bodies, and are favoured by breeders for their particular shapes – the Rough Collie facial profile is long and neatly rounded, running from its cute ears to its little black nose.

Collies are very active dogs and so they need a lot of attention and exercise. It is advisable to never leave a collie unattended outside as they will become easily bored and will bark a lot which will annoy neighbours. If you are thinking about owning a collie then you should be sure that you could walk your Collie every day for at least 45 minutes. You might also consider getting your collie a furry friend so that they can entertain each other when you are at work and your children are at school.

Molting Cats

Your cat is probably going to be leaving a lot of hair lying around this summer as they begin to shed their winter coat – why not give your kitty a helping hand and get them a fun soft brush to help with the grooming process? Your cat will love all of the extra attention!

When choosing a brush it is important to get one that is soft and comfortable, and will get all of the extra molting hair out of your cat's fur without hurting them. You can get a brush that is on the inside of a glove, so that it feels like you are just stroking your cat, or you can get one that is more traditional and features a bristle head mounted on a handle. Either way, both types of brush are available from your local pet store. A few months ago you will remember a blog entry on a clever corner-brush that your cat can use himself – go back and have a look for a really great idea that is inexpensive and easy to make!

Your cat might put up a bit of resistance when you are brushing him or her, so be gentle and don’t force anything. Your cat will appreciate a soft, rhythmic brush with gentle talking and reassurance. Gradually ease your cat into a brushing pattern over a few days, and be sure to reward them at the end of a brushing session to ensure positive associations with this grooming technique!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our favourite blog readers! Thank you for your support, comments, pictures and stories this year and remember – anything that you want to know or share with us, your emails are always welcome! Email us at medipetblog@gmail.com with your pictures and stories to have them published here, and with your questions so that our trained pet experts can assist you with everything that you need to know.