Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

Grain-Free Dog Food

August 21, 2019 in , , , , , /by

Published by Steven Novella under Science and Medicine  This is a great example of the unintended consequences that can result from making decisions based on scientific conjecture and preliminary hypotheses. In this case, the hypothesis was never a good one. If you are a pet owner, you may have noticed the recent trend toward grain-free dog or cat food. The justification for this trend is the notion that since dogs are essentially wolves, and wolves are pure carnivores, then we should not be feeding our dogs grains. This is basically the paleo diet for dogs. It should be noted, however, that many carnivores do […]

Pawsome Tails: My pet has bad breath!

August 17, 2019 in , /by

“My pet has bad breath!” This is one of the very common complaints vets hear from pet owners. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, has many causes, but is most often related to dental disease. Our pets are an integral part of our families; they snuggle up next to us on the couch, sleep with us in our beds, and we even take them with us on holiday. As a result of this close companionship, we notice problems like bad breath much quicker, especially as a pet gets older. As unpleasant as this may be, there is an easy solution […]

Dogfishing: When online daters pose with adorable pets that aren’t theirs

August 16, 2019 in , /by

By: Terry Nguyen On Tinder, Avery Chuang developed a bad habit: She almost always swiped right on guys with a ridiculously adorable dog photo. It’s not a high standard to go by, the 25-year-old in Elk Grove, Calif., admitted, but it helped her find men who are dog owners like herself — presuming that, of course, the featured pup is theirs. She encountered her fair share of dog-baiters on dating apps (which she no longer uses since they are “addictive and demoralizing”). Most men were upfront in conversation with Chuang, but a few did slip through the cracks until she pieced […]

Why Do Cats Meow at Humans?

August 15, 2019 in , , , /by

by Ibrahim Raidhan, creator of Catsloverhere.com. Have you ever seen your cat at meow at other cats? Probably not. But your cat meows at you, right? Sometimes non-stop? There’s a reason for this. In this article, I will talk about why cats meow at humans. I will then talk about what they are trying to tell you when they Meow.  Why Do Cats Meow at You? Your cat meows at you because she is trying to tell you something (obviously).  You see, adult cats don’t meow at other cats. Instead, they communicate through scent, body language, facial expression, and touch. The meow is […]

Do Horses Like Humans? A New Study Shows That They Understand Our Emotions

August 14, 2019 in , /by

By:  Jessica Booth If you have ever owned or spent a lot of time riding with one particular horse, chances are good that you’ve felt some sort of special connection with them — and wondered if horses even like humans. Maybe you’ve felt like they were actually your friend, or a small part of your family, and wanted to know if the feeling was reciprocal. Research is now confirming that that connection isn’t all in your head — and anyone who has ever had a pet before, horse or not, definitely won’t be surprised at some of these recent findings. A […]

Kennel Cough in Dogs – It’s More Than You Think!

August 13, 2019 in , , , , /by

Almost every dog parent has heard the term kennel cough before. Perhaps their dog went to daycare or was recently boarded. Perhaps their fur baby played with some new dogs at the dog park or visited a grooming facility. Then, their dog started to cough about a week later. So, they brought the pet to their family veterinarian where the dog was diagnosed with kennel cough. But what is kennel cough? Well, this week I answer this question because this disease is actually quite complex. So, let’s dive right into this topic. Happy reading! Kennel Cough – What is it? […]

Pet pigs can communicate with humans – especially when food is involved

August 12, 2019 in , /by

By: Liz Langley Compared with dogs, little research has been done on how domesticated pigs interact with people. Pigs and dogs share a lot in common—they’re both intelligent, friendly animals that often makes them attractive as household pets. Ongoing research on how dogs communicate with people have revealed that canines are closely attuned to our emotions, and can detect even the most subtle of feelings. But little similar research has been done in other domesticated animals, such as “mini-pigs,” a catch-all term that characterizes just about any small-breed pig. (See amazing photos of wild, warty pigs.) Pig ownership has increased in […]

Ectopic Ureter – A Cause of Urinary Incontinence

August 10, 2019 in , , , /by

Ectopic Ureter – What is it? To best understand ectopic ureter, one needs to have a basic understanding of urinary tract anatomy. Dogs and cats have two kidneys. Each kidney is connected to the urinary bladder by a tubular structure called a ureter. The urinary bladder is also connected to the outside world by another tubular structure called the urethra. At the beginning of the urethra are two sphincters or circumferential muscles that constrict to occlude the urethra. Think of these sphincters as doors. When the doors are closed, a pet can’t urinate. The opening and closing of these sphincters […]

Stand Up for Your City & Give Disadvantaged Animals the Gift of Good Health

August 7, 2019 in , /by

The saying goes, “Dog is a man’s best friend”. This is true for everyone, regardless of age, race, sexuality, or financial status. Sadly most disadvantaged dog owners cannot reciprocate financially and, as a result, are unable to get their dogs vaccinated annually or even sterilised. To ensure that everyone can benefit from the unconditional love of a pet, fellow Capetonians need to band together to make sure that our city is a healthy and happy place for both two-legged and four-legged residents. According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham; “It is absolutely vital to have your […]