Many of us love summer and look forward to those warm, long days. But spare a thought for your pet who might not enjoy the warmer weather as much as you do. Pet owners have to take special care in summer months that their pets are comfortable in the high temperatures. Your pet needs to […]

Question: My female blue heeler pup is 15 weeks old and still not toilet trained — is this too soon? We are trying very hard to teach her. Judy Pittard, via e-mail. Answer: Not at all! It may take a little while to toilet train but starting a consistent routine as soon as you get […]

Question: I have two indoor cats (aged four and 10) which hate dogs, but I really want to get a dog that can also come inside. Is there any way I can get my cats to be friends with a dog? Julie, via e-mail. Answer: If your cats have never been exposed to dogs before, […]

Question: When leaving your house, always give your dog a pat and say goodbye. If you get your dog used to this and let them know that you are leaving they are less likely to get annoyed and curious about why they are locked outside. Answer: Matt Linney, via e-mail.

Question: Dear Julie, My corgi is 7kg overweight. Could you prescribe a diet for her to lose weight? John Gardner, via e-mail. Answer: Dear John, I’d be interested in whether you are comparing your corgi’s weight to an average chart weight, or whether someone has told you this. Either way, you are definitely on the […]

Question: After an encounter with a cane toad one of my dogs was frothing at the mouth. I sat him down, poured three big handfuls of salt down his throat and gave him water to drink after hosing his mouth out to wash away the toad poison (point the hose towards the dog’s nose from […]

Question: We have a large, black cat who is usually very outgoing. Recently he has become afraid of everything, even the fridge door! He runs away and hides in any dark space. What is wrong with him? Kitty, via e-mail. Answer: Dear Kitty, If your “spooked-out puss” goes outside, maybe a new cat on the […]

Question: I have a Staffy who is a six-month-old female. What is the right age for her to be desexed? Rose, via e-mail. Answer: Dear Rose, If you’ve made the decision that you don’t want to breed your dog, then you can have her done any time now. She will have to stay in hospital, […]

A Dalmatian dog is instantly recognisable, thanks to its distinctive spotted coat. These handsome dogs sport spots everywhere – even inside their mouth and on the bottom of their paws! The Dalmatian was used as a carriage dog in 19th century England because the breed had a special affinity with horses and could keep up […]

Most cat owners will have had the “interesting” experience of taking their cat on a car trip. Many cats don’t like travelling at all but sometimes it has to be done, whether it be a trip to the vet or moving house. There are few things you can do to make a car trip with […]

The Hungarian vizsla is an athletic dog whose sleek appearance and distinctive gold coat makes them stand out in a crowd. Definitely a dog that likes to feel part of the family, the vizsla is known for its sensitive, loving personality. A breed originating in, you guessed it, Hungary, the vizsla was a sporting companion […]

Question: To keep your kitten passive when trimming its claws, put a clothes peg on the loose skin at the back of its neck. Answer: This makes the kitten feel as if its mummy is gripping it. Kerri Hudson, via e-mail.

Question: I have a beautiful one-year-old English chinchilla who is constantly scratching, mainly on my couch (which he is ripping into threads), but also on the carpet. He does have a scratching pole and lots of toys to play with, but he prefers the furniture. I have tried a number of different products on the […]

Question: Never know if your cat has swallowed their tablet? Answer: Once the tablet has been given to them, wait until they lick their lips and the tablet is gone – until then, they will spit it out! Leigha, via e-mail.

Question: My Irish setter pup, 12 months, loves eating charcoal. She just eats straight from the cold fireplace as much as she can. Part of her daily diet is eating grass. Can charcoal cause any problems or is this a natural thing for dogs to do? I’ve never seen any other of our dogs do […]

Question: I have recently bought a cockatiel and although she was hand raised, when you put your hand down for her to hop up onto, she usually bites you. Is there anything I can do to stop this habit? Nadine, via e-mail. Answer: Nadine, Your little feathered friend may have previously been frightened or handled […]

Question: From an early age, expose your puppy to having their mouths and feet handled. Always use words of encouragement when handling these areas — perhaps even use a common word so they associate the word with the action. Answer: When we want to look at our dog’s teeth we take her by the muzzle […]

Question: Does your cat have bad breath? Answer: I have found that letting your cat or kitten nibble a few sprigs of parsley helps with their halitosis. Vicki, via email.

Question: My six-month-old kitten Lucy absolutely refuses to wear a collar. Every time we put one on her, she goes absolutely mental, running around and acting bananas. I’ve not been brave enough to let her outside yet, as I don’t want to let her out without a collar. I’m also not sure how to go […]

Question: If your dog keeps stealing the kids’ food while they’re eating, leave out a sandwich laced with a bit of curry. The dog won’t get hurt, but will learn that human food isn’t nice. Answer: It worked wonders on my golden retriever and it is nice to be able to enjoy meals without her […]

Question: Little over a month ago, my dog of 16 years was put down due to suspected liver cancer. It is the first pet that I can remember leaving us. Although time heals all pain and I am getting over it quickly, it still hurts me to think she won’t be sleeping on the beanbag […]

Are you wondering what to do about your pet fish when you go away on holiday? If you’re only going to be away from home a few days, don’t worry about having someone feed your fish. Healthy fish can easily go a week without food. You can buy fish feeders, which gradually dissolve to release […]

Question: What goes in must come out, right? No one knows this better than a dog owner whose pet lives in a restricted space. But feeding your dog a home-cooked dinner instead of tinned food can reduce doggy-do by up to 40 percent! Answer: To prepare, cook 500g of beef mince in a cup of […]

Question: Hello Dr Julie, We purchased a beautiful Maltese Cross-King Charles Cavalier called Charlie in February this year. Up until three months ago he was very placid and friendly. Now he goes for visitors to our home. I have tried removing him, telling him “NO”, and even giving visitors treats to give him but nothing […]

The romantically named lovebird is native to the African continent and its surrounding islands. Members of the parrot family, lovebirds became popular in the late nineteenth century when they were imported into England and continental Europe. There are nine basic types of lovebirds, and a rainbow of different coloured feather combinations can be found within […]

Question: Look after your dog’s health and your own — give your dog its own seat belt restraint. There are some that fit like a sling and others that clip a harness to the seatbelt clip. Answer: Save a life — a dog’s life, or your own. If you are in an accident, 35kg of […]

Question: I was wondering if ferrets are ticklish? Our ferret, Jessie, opens her mouth and wobbles her head when we tickle her on the ribs and under the arms. Or are we just annoying her? Kelly, Raymond Terrace NSW Answer: Ferrets are quite tactile animals so I can imagine they might well be ticklish — […]

Question: After neighbours complained, we have been trying to keep our 14-year-old Burmese cat inside at night. He has everything he needs but he still miaows all night until we let him out at 5am. Is he too old to change his ways? Julie, Pelican Waters, Qld Answer: Cats are by nature more active at […]

Question: Socialise your dog off the lead as much as possible. This is getting easier and easier, with more safe, off-lead parks being made available. Answer: Dogs can’t interact with each other the way they like to when they’re on a lead and even really placid dogs can get over-excited if they can’t engage with […]

Question: I have a five-year-old cat and a boyfriend who is allergic to cats. He itches, has trouble breathing and can’t stay over because I share my bed with my cat. Please help – giving up either is not an option. Frustrated, Waramanga ACT Answer: If you want your man to stay over, you will […]

Question: Be positive! Try not to use your dog’s name in a negative way – such as when you’re reprimanding or warning your dog. Answer: You want your dog to feel it’s a good thing when you call his or her name – not a cause to be frightened or hesitant. Jeff, via email.

Question: My nine-year-old female terrier cross refuses her own food and is always stealing the cat’s food. Is it okay for her to be eating like this? Sarah, via e-mail. Answer: This is not an unusual problem – a lot of little dogs love cat food, particularly the fishy ones. It won’t do her any […]

Question: My 11-year-old dog has cataracts in her eyes. Is it possible for them to be removed by a vet? Emma. Answer: Cataracts (stiffened opacities in the lens of the eye) are a very common problem in ageing dogs. They can cause visual disturbances and pain if there is associated glaucoma, and can even lead […]

Question: I’m writing to you about my four cute mice. I have one that is extremely overweight. She refuses to do any exercise but loves her food. What can I do about it? Amanda, via e-mail. Answer: What you may need to do is supervise her feeding or separate her only at mealtimes, because she […]

Question: My dog, who is usually bright and chirpy, seems to be down in the dumps with a dry nose and runny eyes. Could this be a doggy flu? And can I give her human painkillers? Mary, Richmond, Vic. Answer: Yes, your pooch may have picked up a bug and be under the weather because […]

Nurturing that brilliant display in your garden and coaxing that indoor plant back to life…You may spend hours caring for your plants, and the last thing you want is your pet destroying the fruits of your labour. But it’s equally important to think about the damage your plants can do to your pet. Many outdoor […]

Training a budgerigar isn’t difficult – it just requires patience and a calm manner. At first, only one person should train your budgie. This person should be alone with the budgie to avoid stressing the bird and each training session should last from 10 to 20 minutes. Begin by slowly placing your hand in the […]

Bringing a puppy into your life is exciting, but be prepared to have that adorable wrecking machine let loose in your house. Before bringing your puppy home for the first time, it’s a good idea to puppy-proof your house and garden. Just like a home needs to be baby-proofed before a little bundle of human […]

It’s natural for dogs to bark, just as it is for birds to sing. But if your dog barks all the time it can drive you – and your neighbours – ‘barking’ mad! Having a dog is a bonus for home security, but dogs that bark constantly are not effective watchdogs because everyone just ignores […]

The temperature’s dropping, the leaves are falling, you have an extra blanket on the bed and the winter woollies out of mothballs. The humans in your house may be all set for winter but what about your pets? It’s important that your pet has somewhere warm to sleep in winter, free of draughts and protected […]

Everybody knows that cats purr when they’re content, but what about the other ways they communicate their feline feelings to us? Ever seen your cat rub its cheek on a sofa, a chair, a wall – even you? The cat is marking its territory and connecting to its network by leaving its scent. When you […]

Ever used up a whole roll of film taking photos of your pet, only to end up with a series of furry blurs when you get the photos back? Here’s a few tips for taking the perfect photo of your favourite animal friend. Happy snapping. Try to use a high-speed film and a fast shutter […]

Question: If you add vinegar or lemon juice to the rinse water when you bath your pet, it will wash away strong odours and cut soap film. Answer: Similarly, adding baking soda to the rinse water will make your pet’s coat soft and shiny, as well as free of odours.

Question: If your cat won’t swallow liquid medicine, there is a solution! Answer: Spill the medicine on your cat’s coat – your cat will lick their fur clean and have the medicine in spite of themselves.

Question: Cats love munching on grass for fun, and to aid their digestion. However there are a few types of plants and grasses they really love, which give them a natural high. Answer: A chemical called nepetalactone is released when plants such as catnip are eaten or rubbed, which stimulates most of our moggies. They […]

Question: Did you know dogs have 42 teeth in total while cats only have 30? The long canines are for holding and tearing meat, while the premolars and molars at the back of the mouth dice the food up into bite-size pieces for swallowing. Answer: The tiny incisors at the front don’t do much for […]

Question: If your puppy suffers from carsickness, take them on car journeys on an empty stomach. Answer: Take regular, brief trips to get your puppy used to travelling in a car – many pooches outgrow carsickness when they become used to car trips.

Question: Try putting a rubber mat at the bottom of the tub when you wash your pet. This will give them a more secure footing and they will feel safer and more relaxed. Answer: Also, place a tea strainer in the plughole to keep your pet’s hair from clogging up pipes.

These gorgeous wiry redheads are certainly not shrinking violets. Irish Terriers are confident, brave dogs, skilled at guarding and hunting, and they have a sensitive, affectionate side as well. Not a very common breed in Australia, Irish Terriers are definitely underrated as a fun-loving family dog. Irish Terriers are known as daredevils because of their […]

The Ragdoll cat has a tendency to go limp when picked up, hence the breed’s unusual name. This relatively new breed originated in America in the 1960s and today’s Ragdolls have inherited more than their fair share of gentle characteristics. Ragdolls can be very dog-like, following their owners around the house like a lovesick puppy. […]

The British Shorthair is a cat with a humble past. After arriving in Britain in Roman times, the cats were tolerated by humans as handy mousers. The cats ran wild until the 19th century when author and artist Harrison Weir decided he liked these street cats for their looks and smarts. Weir began a breeding […]

The Miniature Pinscher is a wonderful little dynamo of a dog – spirited, clever and very alert. The “Min Pin” (as these dogs are affectionately called) was originally bred in Germany to hunt vermin in stables. This required pluck and speed and Miniature Pinschers have both in spades. Although they resemble the Doberman Pinscher, these […]

The Pomeranian is a favourite among toy dogs and it’s easy to see why. Lively, bold and intelligent, ancestors of this fluffy dynamo were companions for Marie Antoinette, Mozart and Michelangelo. The Pomeranian is part of the Spitz group of dogs and the breed’s family tree begins with larger sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland. […]

SEARCHING FOR JEANS I’m looking for some jeans to replace my Guess Classic denims (style no 25052RG) that I bought about four years ago. I bought three pairs but they’re wearing out fast. I rang the Guess store but they don’t have any jeans like that anymore. Would you be able to recommend a jean […]

HUNTING FOR A DENIM JACKET I was wondering if you could help me with trying to find a denim jacket that looks quite elegant. I have asked a few shops in Mildura and they don’t know what I’m talking about. Lorraine, Mildura. Dear Lorraine, Here are some websites for stores I would suggest that are […]

MAXIMISE MY APPEARANCE Could you provide advice/suggestions in order that I might maximise my appearance? I am very mindful of my appearance by lack understanding and skill in being able to do much with it. I am 5’2″, 66 kg, wear a 14DD bra, have hair that is curly, dry at the ends, and a […]

MOTHER OF THE GROOM I am a 64 year young mother of 4 children and sadly lacking in the trim, taut and terrific areas. My eldest son is getting married in 6 months in the Cook Islands and I am in desperate need of some advice as to how to present myself in the best […]

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In a real family home with real kids, no room is sacred. It’s a myth that you can contain them and their gear and continue life as carefree grown-ups. It simply will not happen. The trade-off, however, is that a home without them would be less vibrant. It would lack the spontaneity and excitement that […]