|
Health Tips
For all animals:
Please ensure their environment is kept clean and clear of clutter.
All animals need easy access to fresh cool water in a clean bowl at all times. Keep water bowls out of direct sunlight, wash them at least twice a week, and refill every day.
If your pet has blood or pus coming from any orifice or wound or appears in their faeces, please take them to a vet as soon as possible - these are signs of potentially very serious health problems and if caught early may be fixed with a course of antibiotics but if left to fester could need surgery and a lot of time and money to heal properly. Not to mention you pet is probably in pain - note that the RSPCA's 5 Freedoms for Animals requires freedom from pain and owners are required to get appropriate medical treatment for any animal suspected of being in pain, ill or injured.
Please give your pet a toy or two to play with - not only will it make them happy and stop them being bored they'll be less likely to get into mischief if their suitably occupied.
Dogs
There is a heated debate currently in progress amongst Australian Vets about how often people should have their dogs vaccinated. Traditionally vets have recommended dogs be vaccinated every year; but overseas vets now recommend dogs only need to be vaccinated every 3 years. Before you make a decision on this issue, talk with your vet and take into consideration the places your dog visits (parks, walks, if they visit family members in different suburbs), and the rate of diseases like parvovirus and bordetella in your local area. For example, if you live in Bankstown or parts of Blacktown and parts of Rooty Hill an annual vaccination would be highly recommended as these areas often experience outbreaks of parvovirus. If you or a family member works or volunteers in an animal shelter or vet clinic, again annual vaccination is the safest course as it is extremely easy to carry dangerous viruses on your person and clothing home which may then infect your dog.
The start of Spring is a good time to have your dog given an annual vaccination against heartworm, before mosquitos start appearing. Heartworm isn't your average worm. Its like thin spaghetti and grows inside your dog's heart until it completely fills the area. Please take heartworm seriously and note that most* flea, tick and worming products do not protect your dog against heartworm - you usually need to give a specific medication to stop this parasite effecting your dog. *There are some exceptions, like Sentinel Spectrum.
Cats
Cats are 'obligate carnivore' which means they only need to eat meat. Don't worry about buying cat food jam packed with a variety of vegies as they give cats very little benefit.
Even if your cat lives soley indoors you can plant a little garden of cat grass, cat nip and cat mint for them to enjoy. Its a good idea to try and plant all 3, as some cats aren't at all impressed by cat nip.
Rabbits
You can clicker train rabbits to do tricks like jumping over low hurdles (try using your outstretched leg while you sit on the floor). Training is a great bonding activity that helps engage your pet's mind and body and goes a long way to prevent the development of neuroses.
Cavies/Guinea Pigs
coming soon
Native Australian Parrots
Keep you bird busy and sane by putting clean straw in the bottom of their cage. Most if not all native birds would spend time foraging on the ground for food and nesting material, so adding straw to their cage is a cheap and simple form of environmental enrichment. If you don't have any straw handy you could try clean fresh grass clippings; I put in a big bunch of lawn cammomile in by cockatiel's cage on the weekend a he loved it! Plus it mellowed him out a little (seems cammommile has a similar effect on birds as it does humans)! |
