Pet Health

How to Prevent Dental Disease in Dogs Dental disease in dogs is extremely common, painful and potentially damaging to their overall health. Regular veterinary dental checks, daily brushing and suitable dental-care products can help prevent plaque from progressing to gum disease, infection and tooth loss. More than 80% of dogs over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease, with small dogs particularly...

Want to change dog food without causing tummy upsets? Changing your dog's food might seem straightforward, but switching diets too quickly can lead to an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhoea. Whether you're changing brands, moving from kibble to a fresh, gently cooked or air-dried diet, introducing wet food for the first time, or simply changing life stages, taking things slowly when you change dog food...

Superfoods for Dogs: Are they really good for our pets? Superfoods for dogs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with everything from blueberries and turmeric to spirulina and green-lipped mussels being promoted as the next miracle ingredient. But do dogs really need superfoods, or is it simply clever marketing? As a pet nutrition specialist, it's one of the questions I'm asked most often. The...

Why is Complete and Balanced Pet Food so important If you've ever looked at a bag of pet food and seen the words "complete and balanced", you may have wondered what they actually mean. Whether you're feeding your dog or cat a raw, home-cooked, gently cooked, air-dried, canned or dry diet, the most important question isn't simply what type of food you're feeding - it's...

While dogs technically don’t need carbohydrates in their diets to survive, there’s been a lot of research showing just how beneficial adding fruit and veggies, which are carbs, to our dog’s diet can be. Clinical Naturopath and herbalist, Narelle Cooke, from Natural Health & Nutrition explains how to improve a dog's diet with fruit and vegetables.  How fruit & vegetables improve a dog's diet Phytonutrients,...

Ear Mites in Dogs and Other Common Mites Ear mites in dogs are tiny parasites that live primarily inside the ear canal and on the surrounding skin. They can cause intense itching, head shaking, inflammation and a characteristic dark-brown discharge that resembles coffee grounds. Ear mites are also one of several types of mites that can affect dogs. Sarcoptes mites cause highly contagious sarcoptic mange,...

Anxiety in dogs is very complex topic to both understand and address and is recognised as a cause of many behaviour and physical problems. It is a major mental health issue, just as it is for us humans and is not to be dismissed as something "they will just have to get over." From fear-based aggression to Separation Related Behaviours (also commonly known as Separation...

Every year thousands of dogs across Australia require lifesaving blood to treat a variety of diseases and trauma, yet very few owners are aware of the need for pet blood donations. Just as human blood banks play a vital role in saving human lives, dogs and cats also rely on blood donations for their survival in times of need. From emergency blood transfusions to assist...

Many people may not realise the dangers of grass seeds in dogs and just how much of a risk, this tiny seed can pose for them, especially during the summer months. These seeds can easily get trapped in a dog's fur, ears, eyes, nose, and paws, and can cause a range of health issues, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms...

Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Signs, Treatment and Natural Support Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in older dogs and cats, although it can affect younger pets too. The most common form is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), which occurs when the cartilage cushioning the joints gradually wears away. This leads to inflammation, pain and reduced mobility...