Basic health and care

Shampooing your dog for the first time, or not sure how often your pet should be washed, and what about hydrobathing? Check out our tips for shampooing here.

Most breeds have a characteristic list of inherited defects. Some of these defects occur at an unacceptably high frequency. Being aware of specific breed defects can help potential pet owners to make informed decisions when buying puppies.

Microchipping is a permanent form of identification for your pet. Inserting a microchip is like a vaccination, it only takes a few seconds. The procedure is very safe and your pet will feel little pain. Once done, your pet's details, your contact address and phone numbers are entered on a national database.

Understandably nail clipping can be a stressful if not frustrating time for dogs and dog owners. However keeping your dog's nails neat and tidy is essential for preventing potential breaks, tears, ingrown nails and soreness as well as other problems related to posture and back care.

Pregnancy (or the gestation period) lasts for 58 to 63 days in bitches. Individuals may vary but you should inform your veterinarian should your bitch exceed 64 days.

When does a female dog first come into heat?

Puberty or sexual maturity in the female dog usually occurs around six months of age. The smaller breeds tend to go into oestrus or "heat" earlier and some females can have their first "heat" cycle as early as four months of age. On the other hand, the large and giant breeds can be up to two years old before they come into heat for the first time.

If your pet is scratching or nibbling at their fur does this mean they have fleas? No, not necessarily. Irritated skin can be a result of many problems such as skin diseases, allergies, ear problems and other illnesses. However, it is a good idea to rule out fleas as they are extremely  irritating and when left to breed and multiply, they can cause other related issues such as a flea allergy. Not to mention the fact your entire household and backyard will become a breeding ground for fleas. So how do you tell if your pet has fleas?

Skin is a wonderful invention - it guards against dehydration; protects man's best friend from exposure to the weather and provides follicles for hair growth; and last but not least makes pets very huggable. So what's the difference between human and his best friend?

Obtaining a urine sample from your pet can be tricky business. If your veterinarian or veterinary nurse has asked you to collect a urine sample from your pet at home, here are some handy tips on how to go about it.

Before you even get your new puppy or dog home there is a good chance that they may have worms. Worms can have a serious health effect on puppies, so intestinal worming should never be overlooked. As a rule, all puppies need to be wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months of age. After six months of age an adult dog needs to be wormed every 3 months.