Did you know that 400g of extra weight on a cat is the same as an extra 10-15kg on an average woman that’s 1,70m tall? But what is a healthy weight for cats, and when is it time to worry?

In most households, cats rule the roost and get what they want when they want it. But the problem with succumbing to the charm of those pleading eyes when it comes to food can put your furry friend’s health at risk. Overweight cats are four times for likely to contract diabetes and two times more likely to develop urinary stones that call for surgical intervention. So when does your cat’s weight become a problem?

How to determine a healthy weight for cats

Although your veterinarian may have your cat step on the scale at her next appointment, they’ll use more than this number to assess her health.

Veterinarians use a Body Condition System (BCS) to visually and physically assess whether your cat is too heavy or too thin. You can see the criteria your veterinarian uses when evaluating your cat’s weight here.

If you’re not sure if your kitty is a little overweight, you can make use of online tools to calculate it. We especially like Hill’s Pet Nutrition Calculator, which can be used before you consult with your vet about your cat’s diet. That being said, here are some tips you can implement to bring your cat back from the brink of becoming the next Garfield!

Tips for your cat’s weight

1. Offer smarter food choices

Cutting back on the amount of food you feed your overweight cat isn’t the solution to the problem. That’s why it’s better to chat to your vet about foods that’ll rev up your cat’s metabolism before you start restricting kilojoules.

2. Introduce new food gradually

It’s not wise to suddenly change your cat’s food since it can lead to an upset tummy or point-blank refusal to eat it from your cat’s side. You need to introduce your cat to the new food gradually, over a week. Try mixing the new food with your cat’s old food at a ratio of 3 to 1 with the majority being the old food and slowly shift the ratio until you’re at 100% new food.

3. Plan carefully when you’ve got two cats and only one cat’s weight is a problem

The last thing you want to do is give your dieting cat access to your healthy cat’s food bowl. Make sure they have separate feeding areas and that your overweight cat doesn’t have access to food throughout the day. If need be, use a cardboard box and cut a hole in it that’s only big enough for the slimmer cat to fit through.

4. Pump up his physical activity

Exercise is an essential part of staying healthy, for all cats, not just the ones that have issues with their weight. But of course, you’ll need to be the one that encourages active play if your overweight cat is on the lazy side. Perhaps it might be a good idea to invest in some interactive toys that encourage play. Something as simple as a cat tickler can help promote hunting, running, and jumping, but so will a tall scratch post.

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Here’s a look at how those furries can help boost emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development in young humans!

Top benefits of pets for kids

Pets assist with learning

According to Mary Renck Jalongo, Ph.D., author, and professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, educational animals can help developmentally-challenged kids learn. Dogs, especially, can actually benefit ALL children during the learning process. Children tend to be more relaxed in learning setups when animals are in the room. And this can significantly enhance their concentration levels.

Domestic animals comfort kids

In one study, kids were asked what advice they’d give less popular kids for making friends. The top answer? Get a pet! Animals give kids something to talk about and a shared interest with other kids. They’re also an excellent source of comfort. Kids report feeling better after spending time with their pets after experiencing sadness, anger, and fear.

They encourage nurturing

Nurturing isn’t a quality that only adults spontaneously develop. And we also don’t learn the tricks of the trade because we were nurtured as children. We practice being caregivers when we’re young. And in our modern world, there’s little opportunity to care for other living things aside from our pets. This is something that’s especially important for boys because it’s not “girly” to take care of animals.

Pets can help keep tiny humans healthy

According to a study by Dennis Ownby, a pediatrician, and head of the allergy and immunology department of the Medical College of Georgia, having multiple pets decreases a kid’s risk of developing certain allergies. His study found that kids with dogs and cats in the home were less than half as likely to develop common allergies compared to kids who have no pets in the house.

Animals build family bonds

Arguably, one of the most significant benefits of pets for kids is that they can help families bond and stay closer together. Kids see pets as members of their families. And this is why many families focus on including their pets in their family activities. Everyone takes the dog for a walk. They all help to groom and feed him. And they surely all like playing with him. Did you know that you can also reap the benefits just by watching a cat chase its tail? Spending time with pets helps kids slow down and soak up the essence of the here and now. And in this era of over-scheduled everything, this is something we all need in our lives!

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Although it might be easy to fall in love with a puppy or kitten, it’s not as easy to find a vet. On this page, we will be taking a closer look at how you can go about finding the right pet-care professional for your four-legged family member.

How to find a vet that works for you and your pet

Take a look at community involvement

Does the veterinarian you have in mind get involved with the community? Are they open for dogs and their owners to visit their clinics socially as well as during hours of need? The best vet in South Africa will be involved with their community and won’t stop at just “bringing home the bacon” as part of their careers.

Medical equipment and services

When choosing a vet in South Africa, you need to ensure that your service provider of choice has access to the best medical equipment and delivers great service. Great hospitals have access to quality x-ray, ultrasound, dentistry, in-house lab tests, IV pumps, blood pressure, and eye pressure monitoring equipment. They also have the ability to send out labs and refer to specialists. If your cat or dog needs special health care services, be sure to inquire about whether your vet offers those services.

Techs and assistants

Do your chosen vet, and his or her assistant(s) seem knowledgeable and sensitive to animals? Ask them about the longevity of their nursing staff. If the team has been with the practice for a long time, they feel empowered to do good medicine and nursing care.

Hours

The veterinary clinic of your choice has to be open during times that are convenient for you. Long hours are often not nearly as important as great communication and animal care. Ask your vet about their emergency hours as well as their standard operating hours. If you can’t get your pet to the vet during their operating hours, do they offer late night or weekend alternatives?

Accreditation and experience

Before you consider any veterinary practice, check that they’re accredited by the South African Veterinary Association. You may also want to check out the qualifications that the vet holds, as well as those obtained by the veterinary assistants and nurses.

Attentiveness

The level of attention that a vet gives to you and your pet is a crucial factor for finding the right vet in South Africa. If they aren’t attentive enough, they can easily miss vital clues of potentially more serious conditions. How does the vet and practice staff interact with animals? Do they look like they genuinely love animals and have a deep concern for them? How much time are they willing to spend with your pet in order to assess any issues?

Location

Even if they claim to be the best vets in SA, it won’t be of much use to you if the practice isn’t easily accessible. It makes sense to choose a vet that’s within a reasonable distance from your home. You’ll be able to quickly and easily get there in case of an emergency.

Specialist services

Some veterinary practices have access to specialist vets for services like dentistry, dermatology, and ophthalmology. Some practices specialise in diagnostic imaging, critical animal care, or animal cardiology. But, having these specialisms may not be a factor in your search if your pet is in relatively good health.

Need some more help?

Over at Petz.co.za, we love helping pet owners find solutions they can use. We know what the best vets look like, and we’re more than willing and able to help you find them. Head on over to our vet directory and start browsing our listings today!

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Quick grooming tips for families with dogs

Have a quick workout before the session starts

We’re not referring to you or the kids. You’ll burn enough calories while you’re busy with pet grooming. If your doggie gets anxious or excited during grooming, it might help to let them burn off some energy ahead of time. Exercise will help keep them calm during bath time, especially if you own a younger dog.

Trim up the paw area

If the fur around your dog’s paws is long around and between the pads, it’s time to trim things down a bit. This will ensure your dog has better traction when he or she is indoors and will also help keep excess dirt out of the house. It’s a win-win. NOTE: This is NOT a task for kids. They can watch you do it, but we all know what happens when kids play with scissors.

Brush before you wash

Combing or brushing your dog’s coat every second day usually helps to keep dreadlocks at bay, so make sure you do this regularly. Always start at the head and work your way through the tail. If you happen to notice some Rasta dreads on your pup that simply can’t be brushed out, it’s okay to grab the scissors and snip them off.  Again, never let the kids do the snipping.  Unless you’d like your dog to look like a chop shop product.

Don’t use your Tresseme for Tootsie’s fur!

This one pretty much goes without saying. Still, it’s super essential only to use products specially formulated for dog grooming when doing dirty work. Even though it looks gorgeous, your dog’s coat is NOT the same as human hair, and your products can be toxic to them.

Rinse and repeat!

You need to get every last bit of shampoo or conditioner off when rinsing your dog. Double up the job just to be on the safe side and always use lukewarm water. Yes, it’s a tedious task, but it’s absolutely necessary because the leftover product can lead to weird skin irritations.

Use some Perfume de Pooch if the need calls for it!

There are so many excellent pet products out there that can help your dog smell fresher for longer, even on those days where it’s simply too cold to give them a bath. Eau de Pooch is just one of the great options you can use to keep your dog smelling, well, a little less like a dog.

Final thoughts

Pet grooming isn’t something that comes as an optional extra to pet owners. It’s an essential task that has to be performed regularly to keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible. By showing your kids the ropes, you’re equipping them with the skills to master this art. The tips we’ve shared here should help keep the panic down to a minimum while ensuring that your dog looks and smells as pleasant as possible when visiting the groomer simply isn’t an option.

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How to tackle pet messes fast

Dirty cages

Hamsters, rabbits, and other small animals are notorious mess makers and cause more pet messes than any other pets. But a daily wipe-down with a damp paper towel is all that’s needed to keep the problem at bay. Just be sure to dry any moisture in the cage, as a damp cage can be a mould breeding ground. Once a week, mix a little dish soap with warm water and scrub the surface of the cage with a nylon-bristle brush. Allow to dry in the sun for at least an hour before putting hamster back in his home again.

Stinky pet beds

You can keep the dog smell at bay by bathing your pet at least once a month. The same goes for your dog’s bed. This is much easier if you have a machine-washable shell and cushion for your pet’s bed. To get started, vacuum the shell to get rid of the excess fur. Clean the shell and cushion with laundry detergent and add some odour eliminator.

Nasty litter box

Keeping the cat’s litter box clean is cringe-worthy but very necessary. Even the smallest traces of pet waste can be a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and parasites. Not even mentioning the odours! To keep the litter box fresh. Scoop out any clumps at least once a day. Once a month, the litter box needs a deep clean with hot soapy water and a nylon-bristle brush.

Fur-covered furniture

Your best friend here is a rubber squeegee, which will get the floor coverings clean. When it comes to upholstered furniture, opt for a damp rubber glove. Rub the glove over the couch to push the hairs into easily disposable piles. To keep this problem at bay, brush your cats and dogs once a week if they have short hair and twice a week if they have longer coats.

Stained carpets

Mud is easy to remove if you let it dry out first. As soon as it’s dry, brush off or vacuum up as much as possible before treating the stain with some laundry detergent, blotting it with a damp paper towel. To get rid of fresh urine, lay some paper towel over the spot and press down to let it soak up the liquid. Then use a cotton cloth to apply a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Blot with a paper towel and then repeat until no smell or colour is present anymore.

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“The updated animal keeping by-law is now far more comprehensive and provides a very clear guide on the ‘duty to care’ principle for all animals within the city’s jurisdiction. The by-law sets out the responsibilities of animal owners, caregivers, breeders of animals, and the public at large,” the Mayco said.

Here are the new rules for pet owners that everyone needs to be aware of:

Animal Care

A basic duty of care that animal owners need to adhere to includes:

• All animals need sufficient accommodation, food, water, and shelter. Pet owner rules are set out according to the animal keeping by-law and other relevant legislation as determined by the authorised official who may consult with animal welfare inspectors.
• Any form of animal cruelty is prohibited. This includes animal fighting, neglect, and violence towards animals.
• Public spaces where animals can be exercised are necessary. These include free-run public spaces for dogs and public spaces where horses are permitted to be ridden. These public spaces should be signposted and must form part of the urban landscape.
• The locations of these public spaces should be communicated regularly via the city’s communication channels to the public.
• Dogs are otherwise required to be on leashes or under the control of owners. Owners are individuals 18 years and above.

Registration of Animals

The city said that pet registration is essential. This is because it enables it to monitor animal populations. It also gathers vital data to improve animal-related interventions. Furthermore, it ensures that inspections can be carried out to ensure the responsible keeping of animals. It also enables the city to reunite owners and lost pets or assist when pets have been stolen.

For this reason, the owners of certain pets are required by the city’s by-law to register their pets. This will be qualified in the city’s by-law relating to the keeping of animals and subsequent administrative instruments such as standard operating procedures.

• The permitting of small and large animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, is compulsory. The city will determine the format and process of registration.
• Registration may be done online via the city’s website or by submitting a registration form to a city office or as a part of a registration drive run by the city from time to time.

“Registration is required to ensure that pets can be reunited with their owners in the case of separation,” the city said. “In the case of a stray animal, the first step in the process is for the animal to be reunited with their owner; this will be done by accessing the registration data by the welfare organisation. If the pet is not registered and the owner cannot be found, the pet will be put up for adoption.”

Nuisance and Noise

The City of Cape Town has a responsibility to attend to reports of nuisance and noise caused by pets. But the “neighbourly living” rule must first be applied when a case is not severe.

Neighbourly living means attempting to solve issues between residents through conversations and mediation in order to promote harmonious living environments.

If no resolution between residents can be found after conversations and mediation, the complainant can approach the street committee. They can also approach the neighbourhood watch, or body corporate with their complaint.

If the above mentioned do not remedy the situation, the City of Cape Town may send an authorized official to investigate the nuisance situation.

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With the use of pet-safe sun care products, we can help minimise the risk of our pets contracting skin cancer and sun-related tumors.

Why Not Use Regular Sunscreen?

Many sun protection products for humans contain zinc, which is toxic for animals. It should be avoided at all costs. Zinc oxide irritates the stomach and can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and depression when ingested. Long-term exposure to zing can cause severe intravascular hemolytic anemia, blood in the urine, jaundice, weakness, organ failure, and even death.

More About Petscreen SPF23

Petscreen SPF23 is available online and in stores. We love this stuff because it contains 4 different sun protection agents and is quick drying. With its broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB, this sunscreen is safe for daily use on light-skinned pets.

Because most dogs don’t dig being sprayed with sunscreen, it’s best to spray some product into your hand and then apply it to your dog’s skin.

Petscreen SPF23 helps ensure that your furry friend doesn’t burn in the sun. it also helps prevent an array of skin cancers like malignant melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma, and hemangiomas.

Does my dog really need it?

Think about it this way: Some humans are more susceptible to sunburn. The fairer your skin, the higher your risks. Dogs are exactly the same. If your pup is fair-furred, he or she carries a higher risk of getting sunburnt. But this doesn’t mean that dark fur is in the clear. It never hurts to bring out some extra precautions. If you’re about to spend the outdoors with your dogs, dog sunscreen is the best way to prepare for it.

When is the best time to apply dog sunscreen?

Again, human rules come into play where dogs and sunscreen are concerned. Apply some canine sunscreen just before your dog heads outdoors, and make sure to reapply it throughout the course of the day. The sun’s rays are at their most potent between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and this is the time during which your dog is most likely to get burnt.

Where should I apply it?

Your dog has a few sun-sensitive areas, which have less fur or no fur at all. The checklist looks a little something like this:

• Nose
• Tips of the ears
• Groin
• Around the lips
• Belly

Be sure to patch test the sunscreen before applying it to your dog’s whole body, and for the love of all things furry, please avoid the eye areas. If your pet doesn’t show any weird reaction to the lotion, feel free to apply it generously to the areas that need coverage. Allow the sunscreen to soak in for a few minutes before exposing your dog to the sun and check to ensure that your pet doesn’t lick the lotion off.

If you’re ever in doubt, the best way to protect your dog from sunburn is to limit the amount of time they spend outside in the sun. doggie hats, goggles and shirts can also be great additions to your sun-defence stockpile.

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Facts About Kids and Dogs

1. Puppies and babies don’t mix well.

Sure the idea of mixing babies and puppies can lead to an adorable explosion, but it is just wrong. Babies and puppies should not occupy the same space. In fact, they can be a deadly combination. When kids under the age of four fall prey to dog attacks, the family dog is responsible for it 50% of the time. Yes, dogs are great for kids. But older kids. Kids who have the impulse control to keep them from inadvertently causing the dog to lose his marbles and bite.

2. Dogs need to learn how to deal with kids.

Most couples start out by raising a dog before they dive in and have kids. And, in many cases, parents feel like their “oldest” family member – a.k.a the canine – has been such a good boy that he will weather life with a kid just fine. But even the best dogs benefit from some training before they’re introduced to kids.  Before you had a kid, your dog was the centre of attention. Now that there’s a baby around, he might feel threatened. Even after you’ve trained your pet and had him socialise with kids, you still need to keep an eye on him.

3. Dogs don’t make kids sick.

If you have any idea what your baby puts into his mouth when you’re not watching, you’ll never blame Fido again. Sure there’s slobber and fur, but dogs can actually increase a child’s health outcomes in some pretty cool ways. Kids and dogs just go so well together. Kids that grow up with dogs are colonised with Ruminococcus and Oscilluspira. Both of which are good bacteria. The bacteria are linked to lower obesity rates and allergies in kids.

4. Your kid needs to know if your dog crosses the rainbow bridge.

Telling your kid that Fido went to live a happy life on a distant farm sounds like a good idea. But it is a lie that won’t give them the opportunity to mourn the absence of their pet. Kids as young as three can start to grasp that death is a natural part of life. And if the opportunity presents itself, parents should have open conversations with their kids about it.

With so many misconceptions flying around, it’s easy to understand why people don’t always praise the special bond between children and their pets. Kids (both human and canine) can complete a family, but it’ll require some parental guidance along the way.

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Tips for taking care of a pet fish

First, decide on the tank size

If you’re about to be a first-time pet fish owner, investing in a large tank seems like one hell of an issue to deal with. But there are actually plenty of good reasons to buy a larger tank instead of a small bowl. One reason has to do with the filter clogging up or the heater breaking. In the event of any of these situations, the water in a bigger tank remains stable for much longer than it would in a small tank.

Plan every move you’re about to make

Freshwater fish are much easier to maintain than saltwater fish. Naturally, this should be the first stage of your planning: deciding on which species. Go ahead and ask the guys from the pet store for some tips for pre-treating the water. If you don’t want to ask random strangers, pick up a fish care book. You’ll need to learn more about setting up a filter and how to create a healthy environment for your finned friend.

Pick winner swimmers

Neon and cardinal tetras, cory cats, gouramis and zebra danios are best. These small and peaceful guys always do well with first-time fish owners. Goldfish need LOADS of attention, so steer clear.

Opt for frugal feeding

Don’t overfeed your fish. Regardless of whether they eat flakes, pellets, or freeze-dried live treats, too much is never a good idea. Any uneaten bits can make the water in the tank dirty. If your kid insists on handling feedings, make sure they measure out the right amounts every time.

Just go with the flow

Every week, you’ll need to change at least one-fifth of the water in the fish tank. If you can change half of it, even better. But stick to half and no more. You don’t want to disturb the ecosystem balance in the tank and flush out the beneficial bacteria that keeps your fish healthy.

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