Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

Extending Your Hand for ‘The Sniff Test’ Is Not the Way to Introduce Yourself to a New Dog

September 21, 2020 in , /by

By Kelli Bender  A popular Facebook post and a dog trainer to the stars are debunking the popular “sniff test” as the right way to introduce yourself to a new dog. Many learn, one way or another, that when you meet a new dog, the correct way to introduce yourself is by extending your hand towards the dog’s face and letting the pup sniff you. “In the human culture, extending a hand to someone we just met means a sign of friendship, so naturally we do it with dogs when we first meet them,” Tamar Geller, a dog trainer with A-list […]

Why people still buy flat-faced dogs despite major health risks

September 18, 2020 in , /by

SURVEY SAYS — Previous studies have looked at why dog owners first decide to get a brachycephalic breed, despite the risk of health problems. For example, the “baby schema effect” suggests that humans are drawn to brachycephalic breeds’ faces because they resemble human infant faces. In adult humans, those features trigger positive emotions and an impulse to nurture, research shows. The new study follows up to ask why dog owners keep coming back for more. The team of researchers surveyed the owners of pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs. They used statistical modeling to discover trends across owners of the brachycephalic breeds. The research […]

Residents urged not to dump bunnies in fields and parks

September 17, 2020 in , /by

Community members are being asked not to dump or leave their pet bunnies in parks and fields around Cape Town, as this has become a problem in recent months that has led to colonies and painful deaths. According to Bunny Tales Rescue, a local organisation that rescues and cares for bunnies in need, more and more people are abandoning their bunnies in fields and parks and putting them in danger. “We truly can’t understand why people will release house pets to live in the streets, let them fend for themselves and be out there under all sorts of elements and predators. […]

New EU rule says cosmetics MUST be tested on animals despite the chemicals being used in hundreds of ‘cruelty free’ products supported by ambassadors such as Leona Lewis

September 16, 2020 in , /by

Eurocrats said chemicals in ‘cruelty-free’ cosmetics must be tested on animals Protesters say it destroys the EU-wide ban on animal experiments for cosmetics The two chemicals are used by High Street brands Dove, Body Shop and L’Oreal Eurocrats have torpedoed the sale of ‘cruelty-free’ cosmetics by insisting that chemicals used in many popular High Street brands must be tested on animals. Protesters say the decision by the European Chemicals Agency effectively destroys the EU-wide ban on animal experiments for cosmetics. The two chemicals involved are used in hundreds of ‘cruelty-free’ products such as sunscreens, face moisturisers and lip balm, including […]

The court case all dog owners in South Africa should know about

September 14, 2020 in , /by

A new judgement from the Supreme Court of Appeal will have major implications on the rights and responsibilities of dog owners in South Africa. The judgement, which was handed down on Friday (11 September), revolved around a gardener and refuse collector, who was was attacked without any warning or reason by three dogs on the street. His injuries were serious and resulted in the loss of his left arm. He said that he did not do anything to provoke the dogs and he was lawfully present in the public road where the attack took place. He subsequently instituted a claim for R2.4 million […]

Drop It Like It’s Hot Spots – Pyotraumatic Dermatitis in Dogs

September 22, 2020 in , /by

Hot Spots – What are they? Pyotraumatic dermatitis has many names, including acute moist dermatitis and superficial canine pyoderma. When moisture – from humidity, bathing, swimming, etc. – becomes trapped under the hair coat, skin easily becomes macerated. The maceration leads quickly to inflammation and infection by normal skin surface (e.g.: Staphylococcus species) and oral bacteria. These changes account for the “pyo” component of the condition’s name. Understandably, skin inflammation and infection are quite bothersome for dogs, causing intense itchiness (called pruritus) and discomfort. Affected pets readily chew and scratch at the affected areas, further traumatizing the wounds ad account […]

Aspergillosis in Dogs – A Destructive Sinus & Nasal Disease

September 15, 2020 in , /by

No one likes having a runny nose. Primary viral and secondary bacterial infections are common in pets and people. Most of the time these infections are self-limiting or are treated without complications. Occasionally fungi cause serious infections in the frontal sinuses and nasal passages of dogs. The most common fungal disease that causes nasal discharge in dogs is called aspergillosis. This week I wanted to share some pertinent information about this relatively common sinonasal problem. Aspergillosis – What is it? Aspergillosis is a fungal infection most commonly caused by the fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Occasionally, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. deflectus, and A. niger are implicated too. […]

It’s Pet Insurance Awareness Month – the importance of pet protection

September 4, 2020 in , /by

September is Pet Insurance Awareness Month Highlighting the importance of pet protection New research from Fortune Business Insights reveals that the global pet insurance market is projected to reach $11.25 billion by 2026. With the market size standing at $6.05 billion in 2018, that’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. One of the most significant drivers in this exponential growth is a global uptake in pet adoptions. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats were parented in the US in 2018 – and that number […]

World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September; pets support mental health

September 9, 2020 in , /by

10th of September is World Suicide Prevention Day If one thing is unanimous in 2020 it is that Coronavirus has affected all our lives in one way or another, and sadly some more drastically than others. As World Suicide Prevention Day is recognised on 10th September, the seriousness of this pandemic’s impact on the mental health of all individuals should not go amiss.   Recent research in the UK revealed that the number of people suffering with depression has almost doubled during this time.  Hill’s Pet Nutrition has always recognised the important role that pets have in helping people who suffer […]

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs & Cats – Should You Be Worried?

September 8, 2020 in , /by

Reverse Sneezing – What is it? To understand this condition, one needs to have a little knowledge about the anatomy of the upper airway. The upper airway has many components: Nose | nostrils | nares Nasal cavity Mouth | oral cavity Throat | pharynx (pronounced fare-inks) Voice box | larynx (pronounce lare-inks) The simplest way to think about reverse sneezing is that the body is trying to get rid of airway irritants from the mouth and throat – the so-called oropharynx. It’s the equivalent of sneezing as way to expel irritants from the nasal cavity. What are these irritants? They […]