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The Sun
Wednesday March 30, 2011
The Sun’s guide to caring for your animals
Advice for new pet owners INCREDIBLE KITTEN SALE
Pets come in all shapes and sizes and all have different needs. Whether it’s a gold fish, mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, cat or dog, it’s important to know how to properly care for them. Our pets rely on us for food, water, shelter, hygiene, exercise,
Only $60 including: 1. What would you reccommend as Desexing • a five year old’s first pet? Vacinations • Remember that all pets call for responsibility A free desexing voucher for your existing cat
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Visit the SPCA at Foxes Island, Renwick Ph 572 9156 Open 10am - 2pm Tuesday to Saturday (later by appointment only)
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Sara Grigg Mighty Mix (Marlborough) Ltd P: (03) 575 7690 • C: 021 232 8873 • F: 0800 MIGHTY MIX W: www.mightymix.co.nz E: mightymix.marlborough@hotmail.co.nz
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and you can’t just leave a young child solely in control. If you want an animal that requires less effort for you (and your child) something like a Guinea Pig (careful it doesn’t get squeezed too hard!), a rat or mouse, or even some lizard varieties make excellent pets for children.
2. How often should I feed my pets? The better the quality of food you give your pets, the less you will have to feed them. Many cheaper brands hold little nutrition and are packed with fillers such as grains and corn so much more is needed for the animal to get adequate nutrition. Adult dogs are best to have a larger meal in the morning and a snack or small meal at night, especially if they are outdoor dogs in the colder months. Cats can have access to food at all times, although some may tend to feed too often and become overweight so it is best to use this method for non-greedy cats only. All animals should have access to clean (changed daily) water at all times. This is the law in New Zealand.
3. How do I look after my dog and cat’s dental hygiene? Some vets maintain that good oral hygiene in pets will add up to four-years longevity to the average cat and dog. It is important to get your pet checked by a vet regularly, especially after the age of three-years, as a build-up of plaque and tartar leads to gingevitis and eventually peridontal disease which seriously affects the overall health of the animal. There are plenty of ways to minimise
Is your dog registered? Is it wearing a current registration tag? Does your dog have proper food, water and shelter?
Please ensure that all your dogs are up to date with registration and are receiving appropriate care
Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership and Care
4. Do all pets need worming? How often? Yes, all pets need worming - including birds. The correct dosage tablets should be given every two to three months for cats and dogs. If your cat is a particularly good hunter, then worming more often is advisable. Did you know the most common cause for worms in your pets is fleas (the flea is the intermediate host for cats and dogs most common tape worm), so there is not much point worming unless you de-flea at the same time.
5. Do you recommend daily or weekly exercise outside the hutch for rabbits and guinea pigs? These small pets absolutely adore freerange time. Young rabbits and Guinea Pigs need a lot of exercise so daily exercise outside of the hutch is a must.
6. With winter approaching, how do I make sure my pets are warm throughout the day? Dogs in outdoor situations require an elevated kennel to protect them from cold, wind and rain. Placing clean, dry straw or blankets in the kennel helps insulate them from the cold too. For indoor pets, a draft-free area is really important for their sleeping area. Elderly or arthritic animals need a warm soft bed to lie in to prevent them suffering from painful stiff or inflamed joints. Most pet shops sell dog and cat coats and jumpers which are especially good for
smaller breed, or ones with very fine or short hair.
7. What environment best suits a pet bird? Inside or outside? Birds need exposure to direct un-filtered (that includes window glass) sunlight or UV light. Birds need sunlight or full-spectrum artificial light in order to synthesize Vitamin D for healthy bone growth. An outdoor enclosure is optimal, even for certain periods during the day, because, not only will your bird be part of an enriched environment, it will also enjoy fresh outside air and unbroken sunrays.
8. How often should I clean my tropical fish tank? At least once a fortnight, but once a week is ideal. You will need to replace 20% of the tanks water with fresh water. Clean out your filter in the old tank water so that the good bacteria living in it are not killed by treated or chlorinated tap water.
9. How do I make sure my pet does not have unwanted pregnancies? Please visit us at the SPCA and pick up a free de-sexing voucher for you cat (must be over six-months-old) if you genuinely can’t afford it (remember we are a charitable organisation with little funding from the government or council). If you have a female dog that needs to be speyed, bring your community services card and a donation and we will try to get her speyed too, although this is decided on a case by case basis. There are thousands of unwanted animals in shelters around New Zealand. The simple one-off act of de-sexing your animal saves the suffering of many more.
David Sim, Nick Hansby, Rob Ander, Katalin Banyay, Ben Dallas
Dogs will be checked for welfare conditions in regards to food, water and shelter and that dogs are registered for 2010/2011.
ANIMAL CONTROL
plaque and tartar build-up, including daily brushing of your pets teeth (sounds crazy but is becoming more and more normal in pet owning households), supplying specially formulated dental foods or products or even, for dogs in particular, providing the right kind of bone to chew on. Ask your local vet which product or practice would be best for your pet.
VETS ON ALABAMA
Animal Control will soon be commencing their annual random property inspections over the next few months.
Dogs can be registered at: Animal Control 82 Seymour Street, Blenheim PHONE: 520 9033 or: Marlborough District Council (Picton Office) High Street, Picton PHONE: 520 3200
grooming, healthcare and affection. When it comes to providing the best care for our pets, it’s important to take advice from professionals. Here are some commonly asked “pet questions” which have been answered by the Marlborough SPCA.
Full Town and Country Veterinary Services
165 Alabama Road, Blenheim Incorporating Sally’s Grooming Services & The Graham Vet Club
2010/2011
24 Hour Emergency Services Phone 578 6965 Monday - Friday: 8am - 5.30pm - Saturday: 9.30am - 4pm - Sunday: 10am - 2pm