CHICKENSChickens make great companions

PARASITES & YOUR PET

Be vigilant and aware of Ticks, Fleas & Heartworms

FREE 6 POINT PET HEALTH CHECKWe check 6 important areas of

pet health for your pet

FREE

PURR,CLAW,CROW

2015/2016

INTO

PLUS:RATS - Is a pet Rat for you?CANINE DEPRESSION - Dogs suffer the loss of a loved one just as humans do

PET OBESITY - Tips to keep your pet in tip top shape

FISH - Australian native fish for your pond

Summer&Spring

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance to our dogs. Fleas can cause skin irritation, while ticks can result in severe illness and even death. With so many flea and tick products available, pet owners can be confused about how best to protect their dog.

There’s now a simple solution to flea and tick protection for dogs.

NEXGARD® is the first tasty chew that kills fleas AND ticks, including deadly paralysis ticks for a full month. Protecting your dog from these dangerous parasites is now as simple as one chew, once a month.

NEXGARD® can be given to puppies from 8 weeks of age and >2kgs in weight, with or without food.

NEXGARD® won’t wash off when your dog goes swimming or is bathed. NEXGARD® doesn’t just kill fleas, it also kills deadly ticks which is important for people who live in paralysis tick areas or travel with their dogs to high-risk tick locations.

kills fleas kills ticks one chew once a month

tasty chew

introducing the next-generation of flea & tick protection

is a registered trademark

MRL0071 NexGard Advertorial x3 v06.indd 1 7/11/2014 2:21 pm

WELCOMETo another edition of the Just For Pets Magazine.

We love pets and it is our passion and purpose to help Australian pet owners have the best relationship with happy and healthy pets all their lives long. So we believe in empowering pet owners with the knowledge, services and quality brands they need to take great care of their pets.

Many of our stores have been owned and run by the same Aussie families for generations. Our experienced and highly trained staff are pet experts and can also refer pet owners to local independent vets. So for good old-fashioned friendly service and quality advice, come in and see one of our friendly pet experts. It’s free!

Just For Pets magazine is available each quarter, bringing to you, up to date seasonal information, new products and more. Why don’t you be a part of it? We welcome any animal stories and funny photos!

Please send us anything you want to share with us and other pet owners, these can be sent to daisy@justforpets.net.au

We look forward to seeing you in store very soon!Karen JusticeGroup Manager

What’s inside this issue... CONTENTS

INSIDE04 PET TALES

05 PARASITES & YOUR PET

09 BACKYARD CHICKENS

12 PET OBESITY

16 KIDDY FUN

18 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISH

21 THE DANGERS OF DOGS IN HOT CARS

23 STORE LOCATIONS

24 PET HEALTH CHECK

26 RATS – RODENTS OR PETS?

28 CANINE DEPRESSION

COVER STORIES

05 PARASITES & YOUR PETSpring and Summer aren’t just about lovely days spent at the beach, they also mean Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm.

09 KEEPING BACKYARD CHICKENSChickens are no longer just kept on farms, discover how keeping chickens as pets is great for your backyard.

18 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISHSelecting a suitable community fish that can be mixed with other larger community species

3

28 CANINE DEPRESSIONDogs suffer the loss of a loved one just as humans do

4

All ready for summer.

Innocent sweet Barney.

In a hurry to get to their local Just For Pets store!

talespet

It’s a Cruzy life for Cruz the

Anatolian Shepherd.Winter this year has felt

like an Ice Age says Izzy

The Frenchie!

Kaos loves a visit to his local Just For Pets Store, Brontosaurus.

Angel

Great outdoors

BarneyHi Ladies

Cruz

Kaos

Izzy

Anyone up for a play date?

5

Spring and summer are all about great weather and longer days, but they also mark the arrival of parasites and an ever increasing risk of our pets suffering from an infestation.

PARASITES It is time to be vigilant and be aware of whether you are in a tick affected area, protecting your pet from mosquitoes and warding of fleas and worms. We have broken down the common parasites that affect our pets for you to better understand them.

HEARTWORMS Heartworm is a parasitic worm that is transmitted by mosquitos and infects both dogs and cats. An infected mosquito bites the pet and injects a larval stage of the worm under the skin. This larval stage matures in the pet’s organs for 5 to 6 months before becoming an adult worm and migrating through the organs to the heart and blood vessels of the lungs. These adult worms then breed to produce microfilaria (baby heart worm) in the bloodstream which are then drawn up by a mosquito when it feeds on an infected pet.

And so the cycle begins again.

This disease is potentially fatal yet completely preventable. Pets living outdoors are at higher risk of developing heartworm disease however, mosquitoes can find their way into most houses, fly screens or not, this means that even completely indoor pets are at risk of infection from heartworm.

SYMPTOMS OF HEARTWORMDogs rarely show immediate signs of heartworm infection as the adult worms take 6 to 7 months to develop from larvae transmitted by a mosquito bite.

Some commons symptoms:• Coughing• Lack of energy• Reluctance to exercise• Weight loss

PREVENTING HEARTWORMStart heartworm prevention for your dog from 6 weeks of age. It should stay on preventative treatment for life to

avoid canine heartworm disease. Your vet can test for the presence of heartworm infection before starting ANY

heartworm prevention for the first time, or if heartworm prevention has been missed.

There are 3 methods of prevention to choose from: • Monthly topical application: • Monthly tablets or chewables

• Annual Injection (for dogs only)

6

FLEASHumidity and warmer temperatures create the perfect setting for fleas to finish their breeding cycle – and trigger an outbreak in your home.

The adult fleas you can see on your pet represent only 5% of the total flea population. The other 95% lurk in the pet’s home environment as eggs, larvae and pupae, waiting for the right conditions before they hatch and wreak havoc.

Although they may not be visible, fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day. These eggs are shed from your pet into the home environment. Eggs hatch into larvae which could be hiding in your carpets, rugs or cracks in the floorboards. Larvae develop into pupae which may be lingering in your couch until the summer weather prompts them to emerge as adult fleas.

Without prevention your home may be at risk of a flea infestation, and it may be from causes beyond your control. Fleas thrive in damp, shady areas found in your garden and especially under your house. Their eggs can be shed from neighbourhood pets, rodents or native animals that have access to your garden or home.

To prevent your home becoming a summer breeding ground for fleas, it’s crucial to treat your pets regularly during the summer season – and every season. Missing just one monthly treatment can quickly lead to a re-infestation. For complete protection against infestation, you need a treatment that combats every stage of the flea life cycle. Talk to your local Just For Pets Pet Expert for advice on what best will suit your pet. TICKS

WEIRD FLEA FACTS• A female flea can lay at least 50 eggs a

day. Half the eggs will be female which can eventually produce about 20000 new fleas in 60 days

• Fleas put Olympians to shame. They can jump 110 times their length.

• When a flea jumps it accelerates 20 times faster than a space shuttle

• Fleas have been on the earth for at least 165million years. Flea fossils date back to the Mesozoic era, which includes the Jurassic period. At the time, they were giants compared to today’s fleas, and their victims would have been dinosaurs.

• Winter does not always kill fleas. Many larvae can survive short periods of freezing temps as long as they are wrapped snuggly in their cocoons. The lucky ones find warm spots to hide out until temperatures are more hospitable.

Deadly paralysis ticks are active in spring and summer and present a risk to your pet. Veterinarians across Australia are urging pet owners to be on high alert. Fortunately, there are some simple steps every pet owner can take to prevent the fatal consequences of paralysis ticks.

Paralysis ticks are among the most dangerous parasites that can affect your pet. They can be found on the eastern seaboard, from North Queensland to Eastern Victoria. The trouble starts when a paralysis tick transfers on to your pet in bush land, scrubland, thick grass or vegetation. Once it has latched on to your dog or cat, it sucks blood and secretes a venomous toxin. If left undetected or untreated, the toxins from the tick’s saliva can cause paralysis and even death.

Many of these signs and symptoms can be confused with other pet ailments and cause pet owners to delay visits to their veterinarian. Searching your pet’s skin and coat is the most important preventative measure you can take to protect your pet against deadly paralysis ticks. Remove your pet’s collar and run your hands against the coat. Search your pets every day for ticks and always remove ticks immediately when detected. (Check out the Just For Pets Website on how to examine your pet for ticks).

Fortunately there are some simple steps you can take to prevent potentially fatal tick toxicity:• Avoid tick habitats• Search pets everyday• Remove any ticks immediately and contact your vet• Apply tick preventative to your pets - Speak to your local

Just For Pets store to see which would suit your pet best!

TICK FACTS

• Tick are arachnids, meaning they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than insects

• Ticks do not fly, jump or fall from trees. They generally crawl up their hosts from the tips of grasses and shrubs

• In many hard ticks, the saliva also acts like cement, helping to anchor the tick in place and making it harder to remove

• There are more than 850 species of ticks on the planet

7

SIGNS OF TICK TOXICITY MAY INCLUDE: • Loss of coordination in the hind legs• Retching, coughing or vomiting• Laboured or rapid breathing

THESE SIGNS OFTEN DO NOT APPEAR UNTIL THE TICK HAS BEEN ATTACHED FOR THREE TO FIVE DAYS.

OTHER SIGNS MAY INCLUDE:• Change in voice or bark• Loss of appetite• Noisy grunting or respiration• Excess salivation• Anxiety and distress

8

We understand peace of mind comes from

knowing he’s protected inside and out

Visit theadvantagefamily.com.au/advocate for more information

We understand each other™

T H E A D V A N T A G E F A M I L Y ™

There’s no more thorough protection than Advocate. It is the closest thing to a vaccine against Australia’s most common parasites.1

Reference: 1. Cruthers LR, et al. New Developments in Parasite Protection. Proceedings from 2008 NAVC Conference, Supplement to Veterinary Forum Vol 25, No.3(B), March 2008. © Bayer Australia Ltd 2013. The Advantage Family™ and We understand each other™ are trademarks, and Advocate® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Customer Information Line – Toll Free 1800 678 368 from anywhere in Australia 9.00am to 6.00pm EST. Monday to Friday. ghg/BAY2774/GW. 01/14. GHG.

9

We understand peace of mind comes from

knowing he’s protected inside and out

Visit theadvantagefamily.com.au/advocate for more information

We understand each other™

T H E A D V A N T A G E F A M I L Y ™

There’s no more thorough protection than Advocate. It is the closest thing to a vaccine against Australia’s most common parasites.1

Reference: 1. Cruthers LR, et al. New Developments in Parasite Protection. Proceedings from 2008 NAVC Conference, Supplement to Veterinary Forum Vol 25, No.3(B), March 2008. © Bayer Australia Ltd 2013. The Advantage Family™ and We understand each other™ are trademarks, and Advocate® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Customer Information Line – Toll Free 1800 678 368 from anywhere in Australia 9.00am to 6.00pm EST. Monday to Friday. ghg/BAY2774/GW. 01/14. GHG.

KEEPING CHICKENS AS PETSYou don’t need to live on a farm to enjoy the benefits of keeping chickens at home.

The keeping of backyard chooks is not a new thing; it dates back over 5,000 years!

Apart from providing you with delicious eggs all year round, there are so many benefits to keeping chooks.

They’re a great source of manure for fertiliser. They control insects and pests in your garden, adding to their natural diet in the process.

Mass production of eggs and chickens in huge sheds, and changing lifestyles, saw the decline of backyard poultry, but it’s making a huge comeback.

Many Australian families have also recognised that a few chickens work splendidly in a symbiotic relationship with the backyard vegie patch.

10

CAN YOU DEDICATE SOME TIME EACH DAY?Although low-maintenance, chickens do require a small amount of daily care as well as some monthly and semi-annual maintenance. Plan on spending 10 minutes a day on your pet chickens.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE?Some local councils may have restrictions on the keeping of poultry (especially Roosters). It is wise to enquire about your local council requirements.

Chickens don’t require a ton of space. To determine the appropriate size for your chickens, allow approximately 4 sq.ft. of floor space per bird.

HOUSINGIt is important to provide your chickens with protection against the weather and direct sunlight. The house must be ventilated; however it must also provide shelter from draughts and very hot winds.

Protection from foxes and other predators is essential. Ensure that your enclosure is locked well, is free from any gaps and does not have any soft areas of flooring that can be dug up or burrowed through.

Convenient access to fresh water is important. If using dam or river water it must be sanitised to be suitable for consumption by domestic poultry. This is to reduce the risk of infection with serious emergency poultry diseases (i.e. Avian Influenza) from water contaminated by wild birds, particularly waterfowl.

NESTINGKeep nests clean to avoid soiling the eggs. Hens can be trained not to sleep in nests by providing perches and excluding them from the nests in the evening.

PREVENTING PARASITESBackyard chickens can become easily commonly infested with types of worms including the intestinal worm, caecal worm and tapeworms.

External parasitic infestation such as ticks, lice and mites causes undue irritation and stress to your birds, which can result in a severe drop in egg production.

TREATING WORMS IN CHICKENSChickens are most often affected by roundworms, tapeworms, and gapeworms. Chickens that have worms may look

unhealthy and thin. They may gain weight slowly even though they eat more feed than chickens without worms, and they may lay fewer eggs. Many species of worms, however, can live in chickens and not cause any problems. If you notice worms or your chickens don’t seem to be as healthy as they could be, it may be time to check for worms and treat if necessary.

Generally, treatment for chicken worms consists of worming the entire flock. It is recommended at a minimum of twice yearly preventative as a precaution, even if you don’t see worms or symptoms. It doesn’t hurt to worm as a preventive measure if you follow the directions for the worm medication.

POULTRY LICEPoultry lice are wingless, straw-coloured insects that feed on dry skin scales, scabs, and feathers. A poultry louse spends its entire life on its bird host; if it falls off the bird, it won’t survive long in the environment!

Poultry lice can be treated by cleaning the entire chicken coop and treating the flock in one entire treatment, speak to your local Just For Pets store for options on dusting powders to best achieve eradication of lice & mites.

FEEDING YOUR CHICKENSChickens are omnivores, meaning it is in their nature to consume meat and vegetable material. In the wild this would consist of insects, worms, carcasses, seeds and other plant material. Chickens will not survive on vegetable scraps alone.

To achieve good health, well-being and egg production, the laying hen must receive a balanced diet.

Ample, cool, clean water should always be available as this is essential for maximum egg production.

11

5 TOP REASONS TO HAVE CHICKENS

32Great-tasting,

nutritious eggsChickens have personality galore – seriously!

One man’s unappealing leftovers are another chicken’s feast

A healthy lawn without the chemicals

The very definition of low-maintenance

12

Studies with dogs have shown those on a controlled diet with lower weight and body fat can live two years longer than dogs whose diets and weights aren’t controlled.

But many of us don’t realise that our pets have a weight problem, and even when we do, we may not be aware of how much it can affect their health and well-being.

So, what are the signs of an overweight pet?1. Is it difficult to feel his / her ribs or spine?2. Is it difficult to see your pet’s waist?3. Is his / her abdomen sagging?4. Does his / her face look more round with larger cheeks?

When people want to lose weight, they usually do so by eating healthy food in the right amounts. The same is true for your pets. They need specific diet foods to help them lose weight without losing out on the essential nutrients they require for good health.

Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect Weight is a new breakthrough weight management technology that works in a different way to other weight loss pet foods. Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect Weight works to activate pets’ natural ability to burn fat and increase appetite control and is formulated with

a blend of natural ingredients that put pets in calorie-burning mode. Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect Weight is completed and balanced for adult maintenance and can continue to be feed to your pet once they reach their goal weight.

If you think your pet is overweight you should speak to the Pet Expert at your local Just For Pets store about Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect Weight available for both dogs and cats in a dry and canned formula.

Extra weight is a significant danger to their health, increasing the risk of serious diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, painful osteoarthritis and urinary disease in cats.

WEIGHT GAIN IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR AUSSIE PETS.

13

DOES YOUR DOG...Often appear tired and lazy?

Lag behind on walks?

Pant constantly?

Need help getting in the car?

Resist playing games?

Bark without getting up?

1. McGreevy PD, Thomson PC, et al. 2005. Prevalence of obesity in dogs examined by Australian Veterinary Practices and the risk factors involved. Vet Rec 156:695-707;

2. 2 McGreevy PD, Thomas PC, et al. Overweight or Obese Cats Presented to Australian Veterinary Practices: Risk Factors and Prevalence. Aust Vet Practice 38(3) 98-107.

TM Shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc ©2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited.

It’s not just more Australian’s who are suffering from obesity. More pets are too, with over 40% of dogs and over 30% of cats estimated to be clinically overweight or obese, that equates to potentially 2.15 million overweight Australian pets1,2.

DOES YOUR CAT...Often appear tired and lazy?

Hesitate when jumping onto furniture?

Have difficulty grooming properly?

Have matted hair on the back or tail area?

Resist playing games?

EXERCISEAchieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is not all about diet!

Regular exercise is good for slimming animals (and owners!) as it increases the number of calories they burn.

When used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet, exercise helps the animal to shed those excess kilos faster. For dogs, start a daily exercise routine, gradually building up to a minimum of two 10-15 minute brisk walks per day (unless your dog has health problems which restrict their movement).

Cats can be encouraged to exercise more by playing with toys and providing more access to outdoor areas.

14

* *

Healthy Weight for Longer Life

SP3808 * Data on file, Hill’s USA (2011). ™ shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-DN-1438416. HPA2280. 08/14. GHG.

NEW Hill’s™ Science Diet™

Perfect Weight• A breakthrough blend of

natural ingredients

• Helps your pet shed excess weight

• No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, tastes great

Hill’s #1 Brand recommended by Australian Vets

15

* *

Healthy Weight for Longer Life

SP3808 * Data on file, Hill’s USA (2011). ™ shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-DN-1438416. HPA2280. 08/14. GHG.

NEW Hill’s™ Science Diet™

Perfect Weight• A breakthrough blend of

natural ingredients

• Helps your pet shed excess weight

• No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, tastes great

Hill’s #1 Brand recommended by Australian Vets

kids*just for

kids

Make meall colourful

Chickens are able to remember and recognise over 100 individuals; they can also recognise humans!

The chicken is the closest living relative to the great Tyrannosaurus-Rex!

18

The taxonomy of the group is somewhat confused and fish

from different river systems often have different colours. To

help with identification, they are distinguished by including the

source in the name e.g. Goyder River.

Larger adult sized fish generally have better colours than

juveniles and display well in planted tanks.

EXCELLENT COMMUNITY FISHRainbowfish are excellent examples of fish for beginners because they are extremely hardy and are not prone to many diseases common to other tropical fishes.

They are a suitable community fish that can be mixed with other larger community species.

Australian and New Guinea Rainbowfish are members of the family Melanotaeniidae and are one of the more important Family groups in Australian waters.

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISH

19

WATER QUALITYThese small freshwater fish are found in a variety of habitats which include streams of all sizes, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and swamps.

Most Rainbowfish will fare well in aquariums with a neutral pH (7 - 7.5), soft to hard general hardness 100 - 350ppm and slightly warm waters (22 - 28oC).

Murray River Rainbows can tolerate quite low temperatures and are suitable for ponds in most areas of Australia.

FEEDINGRainbows will feed on a wide range of artificial and frozen foods. They readily accept most standard aquarium fare like Tropical Flakes, and live foods like brine shrimp and ants. They also enjoy feasting on mosquito larvae!

LONGEVITYGiven the right conditions, some Rainbowfish can survive for 6 years or more in captivity.

BREEDINGThese fish are easy to breed but aquarium owners should not keep spare males of one species with females of another species as they can interbreed readily.

Rainbow fish are great for planted tanks and a good community fish.

For more information visit aquariumindustries.com.au where you will find hundreds of free care sheets to keep your scaly friend happy!

20

Bay FishLive Aquarium Fish

Pumps For small ponds the general consensus is that you must turn your water over twice per hour, whilst a large pond requires the water to be turned over once per hour. (The more fish and plants the greater the turn over needs to be). So when planning your pond or upgrading your pump keep this in mind, look at the flow rates not horse power or pump size as the flow rate can vary greatly between units. We recommend Eheim Universal Pumps which have flow rates between 270 and 3400 Litres per hour. Using a fountain during the summer months will help cool the pond as the breeze and airflow will cool the spurting water, this will also aerate the water as well.

General MaintenanceManaging a pond is similar in many ways to managing a fish tank. With any fish keeping method, fish waste and plant material cause ammonia to build up. The good bacteria then convert this to Nitrite then Nitrate which can then be back flushed from the pond. Regular cleaning of the bottom of the pond via a suction hose will also help this process.

Seachem produce a specialty pond range of products that can also help with your pond maintenance.Pond Prime: Removes chlorine, chloramines, detoxifies ammonia nitrite. Provides ions and enhances slim coat of the fish.Pond Stability: Rapidly establishes beneficial bacteria to new ponds or systems that have been altered.Pond Clarigen: The ultimate clarifier for ponds, clears all types of clouding Pond Flourish: Liquid growth stimulator for pond plants, helps strengthen stems, leaves and increase flowersPond Healthguard: A safe disinfectant that controls parasite, bacterial, fungal and viral infections in fish.Pond Phosguard: A non-herbicidal, environmentally sound way to control phosphate in ponds

With some general maintenance and the use of a correctly sized pump you can minimise the time required to keep your pond clean and tidy, allowing you to relax and enjoy your garden oasis.

With spring well and truly arrived it is time to think about our outdoor living areas. By following a few simple rules for the garden pond you can create a watery oasis that requires minimal maintenance. Water management is the key, this can be achieved by ensuring your pump is working correctly and keeping your water parameters in check.

“There is nothing more relaxing after a big day than to sit near your garden pond, watching the fish swim in their rhythmical pattern and admire the water plants in full bloom”

Overheated dogs can become life threatening very quickly. It may also lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration and even death from irregularities in the heart.

HOT WEATHER TIPS:• Have water available at all times: this

one seems quite obvious, but it is all too easy for a dog to knock over the bowl and then they are left without water until someone gets home. Be sure to have numerous water bowls if you are planning to be away for the whole day. Consider purchasing a Drinkwell water fountain. Not only are they difficult to knock over, but they keep the water moving and therefore keep it cooler.

• Leave bottles of frozen water around the yard. Dogs can use this to lick the cool exterior of the bottle if they are excessively hot, but some pets will even choose to lay against the bottles to help regulate their temperature.

• Ensure adequate shade in several areas of your outdoor space. Better still, allow them access to the inside with a doggy door so they can access the cooler environment.

• Take frequent breaks during particularly hot periods of the day if you are out walking your pup.

• Time your walks around the weather.

• Don’t walk during the hottest stretches of the day. The pavement is too hot for your dog’s paws, and they could get burned. Aim for early morning or late evening for walks, when the pavement and weather is a little more comfortable.

• If your dog seems hot, cool him down with a cold towel under his armpits, or by playing with the garden hose or in the pool.

• Never leave your dog alone in a hot vehicle where they can quickly get overheated.

21

DOGS IN CARS

Every summer, we hear the warning about dogs in cars dying from heat exhaustion, yet it still happens. Besides overheating in cars, dogs can overheat in many other ways too. Here are some tips for keeping your pet cool.

22

SIGNS OF OVERHEATING• Panting excessively, fast noisy breathing• Disorientation• Collapsing or convulsing• Bright red or blue gums• Vomiting and diarrhoea

Be aware that dogs are not likely to stop activity such as playing or hunting due to overheating, so the onus is on the owner to be aware at all times during the hotter months of the year.

MY DOG HAS OVERHEATED, NOW WHAT?Keep calm, but act quickly! Every second counts when dealing with a dog who is overheating. Move your dog to shade or air conditioning immediately. Put cool (not cold) water over your dog, focusing on the groin area. Offer your pup small amounts of cool water to drink, and get in touch with your vet urgently if he doesn’t start to improve fairly quickly.

KEEP CANINES COOL! DON’T LEAVE DOGS IN HOT CARS

Parked cars are fast-acting deathtraps for dogs: On a 25 degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 38 and 49 degrees in mere minutes, and on a 32 degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 71 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Our best hope for eliminating this tragic trend is to increase awareness, pledge to spread awareness, and to act if we see any animal left alone in an unattended vehicle.

23

MEM

BERS

LIS

T NSW

AniPET Pet & Aquarium Warehouse 40-42 Kalaroo Rd, Redhead 2290 P 02 4944 8844 anipet.com.au

Armidale Pet Shop 109 Beardy Street, Armidale 2350 P 02 6771 1040

Bishops South Nowra 21 Bellvue St, South Nowra 2541 P 02 4423 2359 bishopsonline.com.au

Brontosaurus Pet Super Centre Coffs Harbour 2/3 Gerard Drive, Coffs Harbour 2450 P 02 6652 4308 brontosaurus.com.au

Claws Paws & More Shop 8, 19-23 Turner Road, Berowra Heights 2082 P 02 9456 0255 clawspawsandmore.com

Harrison’s Horse Pet Rural 89 Queen Street, Moruya 2537 P 02 4474 3269 harrisonsrural.com.au

Junction Pets Pantry 13-15 Gray Street, Bondi Junction 2022 P 02 9387 1912

Mik’s Pet Barn 8 Enterprise Court, Forster 2428 P 02 6557 5520 mikspetbarn.com.au

Pet Care 2000 240 Taren Point Road, Caringbah 2229 P 02 9542 7473 petcare2000.com.au

Pet Care 2000 Unit 3/18 Victoria Ave, Castle Hill 2154 P 02 9659 1522 petcare2000.com.au

Pet Care 2000 12 Rennie Street, Wetherill Park 2164 P 02 9757 1322 petcare2000.com.au

Pet Care 2000 1/165 Rookwood Road, Yagoona 2199 P 02 9708 0472 petcare2000.com.au

Poplar Petfood and Produce 6 Kingston Town Dr, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 P 02 4272 6252 poplarpetfood.com.au

Port Stephens Pet Barn 6/5 Bagnall Beach Rd, Salamander Bay 2317 P 02 4982 7777 myportstephens.com.au

Squawks Pet Store 98 Showground Road, Gosford 2250 P 02 4339 2071 squawks.com.au

St Ives Purrfect Pets Shop 25c St Ives Village, Mona Vale Road, St Ives 2075 P 02 9988 0038 purr-fectpets.com.au

St Mary’s Pet Centre2 Belar St, St Mary’s NSW 2760P 02 9623 4611stmaryspetcentre.com.au

Superpetz Glendenning 670 Richmond Rd, Glendenning, 2761 P 02 9626 8485 superpetz.com.au

Superpetz Tuggerah 2/4 Mildon Rd, Tuggerah 2259 P 02 4351 7500 superpetz.com.au

Taree Pet Barn 19 Elizabeth Avenue, Taree 2430 P 02 6550 0055 tareepetbarn.com.au

Vet and Pet Centre 69 New England Highway, Aberdeen 2359 P 02 6543 7111

Woonona Petfood & Produce 47 Bellambi Lane, Bellambi 2518 P 02 4284 3162 woononapetfoods.com.au

QLD

Acacia Pet Supplies & Produce 96a Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong 4110 P 07 3372 4122

Capalaba Produce 3247 Old Cleveland Road, Capalaba 4157 P 07 3390 1433 capalabaproduce.com.au

Chinchilla Pet Parlour 3/4 Mayne St, Chinchilla 4413 P 07 4668 9709

Fernvale Produce Mitre 10 1452 Brisbane Valley Hwy, Fernvale 4306 P 07 5426 7300 fernvaleproduce.com.au

Highlands Pets & Produce Lot 1 Macauley Rd, Emerald 4720 P 07 4987 7699 highlands.com.au

Ipswich Pet & Aquarium 7 Hooper St, West Ipswich 4305 P 07 3281 3122 ipswichpetaquarium.com.au

Petforce BundabergShop 6, Homemaker CentreBundaberg, 4670P Coming Soonpetforce.com.au

Petforce Gold Coast 4/2 Treasure Island Drive, Biggera Waters 4216 P 02 6652 4308 petforce.com.au

Petforce Hervey Bay 99 Main St Pialba Qld 4655 P 07 4194 1633 petforce.com.au

Petforce Strathpine1/130 Gympie RdStrathpine, 4500P Coming soonpetforce.com.au

Pets Galore 8 Hodgson Street, Toowoomba 4350 07 4632 6917 petsgalore.com.au

Pets Unleashed Shop 5/630 Wynnum Road, Morningside 4170 P 07 3395 6668 petsunleashed.com.au

PJ’s Pet Barn 399 Yaamba Rd, Nth Rockhampton 4701 P 07 4928 0299

Smart Choice Pet Warehouse Shop 22, Miami One, 1934 Gold Coast Highway, Miami 4220

SA

Aldinga One Stop Pet Shop7-9 Lot 76 How Rd, Aldinga Beach 5173P 08 8557 7857

Hilltop Pet and Aquariums 43 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill 5158 P 08 8322 1888 hilltoppets.com.au

P & K Pets 19 Magill Rd, Stepney 5069 P 08 8362 2375 pkpets.com.au

TAS

Animal Tuckerbox Derwent Park 8 Lampton Avenue, Derwent Park 7009 P 03 6273 1366 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Devonport 7 Don Road, Devonport 7310 P 03 6423 1711 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Hobart 170 Murray Street, Hobart 7000 P 03 6231 3440 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Huonville 6 Coolstore Road, Huonville 7109 P 03 6264 1850 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Kingston 3 Mertonvale Circuit, Kingston 7050 P 03 6229 1850 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Launceston 41 Boland Street, Launceston 7250 P 03 6333 0665 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Mornington 98 Mornington Road, Mornington 7018 P 03 6244 7955 animaltuckerbox.com.au

Animal Tuckerbox Sorrell 7 Oak Crt, Sorell 7009 P 03 6265 2892 animaltuckerbox.com.au

VIC

Ascot Pet/ Ascot Saddlery 540 Racecourse Road, Flemington 3031 P 03 9376 5444 ascotsaddlery.com.au

Bacchus Marsh Farm Supplies P/L 126 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh 3340 P 03 5366 0600 bacchusmarshfarmsupplies.com.au

Claws N Paws Pet Supplies 210 Canterbury Road, Bayswater 3153 P 03 9036 1729 clawsnpaws.com.au

Passion For Pets-Bulleen 14 Templestowe Road, Bulleen 3105 P 03 9852 2077 passionforpets.com.au

Passion For Pets-Carrum Downs 3/544 Frankston Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs 3201 P 03 9775 1361 passionforpets.com.au

Passion For Pets - Thornbury 310 St Georges Road, Thornbury 3071 P 03 9480 3888 passionforpets.com.au

Paw Prints Pet Supplies & Services 32 Chute Street, Diamond Creek 3089 P 03 8418 6893

Petforce Sunshine 586 Ballarat Road, Sunshine 3020 P 03 9390 0123 clawsnpaws.com.au

Plenty Valley Stockfeeds 2434 Plenty Road, Whittlesea 3757 P 03 9716 1533

Warragul Pet Emporium 1/133 North Road, Warragul 3820 P 03 5622 0888 warragulpetemporium.com.au

Zoo Products 205 Glenferrie Road, Malvern 3144 P 03 9509 7943 zooproducts.net.au

WA

Esperance Pet Shop 79 Norseman Road, Esperance 6450 P 08 9071 2957

Head To Tail Pets 134 Albany Highway, Albany 6331 P 08 9841 7911 budgetpetshop.com.au

Manjimup Stockfeeds 2 Pritchard Street, Manjimup 6258 P 08 9771 1575

Margaret River Produce & Rural 19 Station Road, Margaret River 6285 P 08 9757 2447

Ocean Keys Pets 2/6 Ocean Keys Boulevard, Clarkson 6030 P 08 9407 7670

Planet Pet and Aquarium 169 Boulder Road, Kalgoorlie 6430 P 08 9021 2344 planetpetandaquarium.com

Select Pets Bicton 10-89 Petra Street, East Fremantle 6156 P 08 9339 3372 selectpets.com.au

South West Pets Bunbury 41 Albert Rd, Bunbury 6230 P 08 9721 6217 southwestpets.com.au

Wanneroo Pet Professionals 917 Wanneroo Road, Wanneroo 6065 P 08 9405 7117

LEGEND Pet Health Centre Store

24

JUST FOR PETS FREE 6 POINT HEALTH CHECK

WE CHECK 6 IMPORTANT AREAS OF PET HEALTH FOR YOUR PET: • Nutrition and weight management• Dental Health• Skin & coat care• Joint mobility• Parasites (worms, ticks and fleas)• Behaviour management

SO HOW DOES IT WORK? • Bring your pet in-store for its health check. We will find

out what you really need, based on your pet’s breed, gender and age.

• We have a directory of reliable, caring vets we can recommend should your pet need further assistance.

• No need to book – just come into the store.

• Get your children involved in your pet’s care. It’s a fun learning experience for them and a way to learn responsibility for pet wellbeing.

Just For Pets are the pet experts, with friendly experienced staff that really know pets.

The Just for Pets 6 point Pet Health Check is FREE, how can you NOT afford to get your pet checked?

To find the “Pet Expert” at your nearest Just For Pets store go to http://justforpets.com.au/pet-health-centre/

At Just For Pets we pride ourselves on understanding the needs of animals and their owners and we love sharing that understanding with you. We are not just another supermarket experience. As our names suggests, we’re just for pets. All our stores are independently owned and operated, so you can be guaranteed you’ll receive great service and most importantly, great advice with amazing pet supplies.Because we love animals so much, we created a FREE 6 point Pet Health Check to help you understand your pet’s needs and answer any niggling questions. Our new health checks fit into the market in the same way you might visit a pharmacist before you head to the doctor.

You will leave feeling confident that your pet is on the right track or advised to visit your local vet if it needs any further veterinary assistance.

✔ Nutrition & Weight

✔ Parasites

✔ Skin & Coat

✔ Joint Mobility

✔ Dental Health

✔ Behaviour

Nutrition & Weight

*Terms & Conditions apply. See www.justforpets.com.au for details. Offer available for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, mice, rats and rabbits and only in participating stores.

“Take my advice. See an expert!”

Simply drop into your local Just for Pets independent pet store. Find out more at www.justforpets.com.au

You and your pet will love Just for Pets FREE 6 Point Health Check. Our friendly pet experts will check and advise on their

JFP011_A5_Advert_v4.indd 1 24/09/14 7:14 PM25

26

RATS – RODENTS OR PETS

Rats are inquisitive and intelligent creatures that live up to 2-4 years of age and grow up to 12-15cm with a furless tail roughly the same length. The coat is glossy, sits close to the body and comes in a variety of colours such as white, black, grey, red, chocolate, champagne, fawn and more recently blue. Depending on coat colour, eye colour may vary from black, ruby to pink.

27

CHOOSING YOUR PETRats are sold from 4 weeks of age. Look for a pet that is lively, alert, plump, bright eyed, and has a sheen to the coat. Also check under the tail for signs of diarrhoea. The coat should be clean and soft with no bald patches or broken whiskers. A good, calm, curious baby rat should come and investigate your hand when you reach into the cage. Mice on the other hand will scramble away.

HOUSINGA large wire cage is best, especially one with horizontal bars that allow the rat to climb on the sides if they wish. A tall cage with ramps and platforms is ideal for providing room for multiple rats. As a minimum, a cage with 12 by 24 inches (2 square feet) of floor space is okay for two smaller rats, as long as the cage is tall and you provide shelves and/or hammocks for extra space. Larger is always better. Large aquariums are okay, but do not provide good ventilation (and must be cleaned more often).

The floor covering can range from clean, dry sawdust to cat litter, wood shavings or any other clean, non-toxic absorbent material. You can give your pet a nesting box to hide or sleep in. Always add some paper towels or cloths for your pet to chew up for nest building. Any chewable substance placed into the enclosure will be chewed and therefore should be non toxic. Always place the cage where your pet will have lots of human contact and away from drafts and direct sunlight.

CARECheck the food supplies daily and do not be fooled by what looks like a full dish, as often it is only empty shells and there is no food left. They eat a high percentage of their body weight every day because of their hot bodies and active nature. There should be clean water available at all times which is changed daily and a supply of dry mix food. Put in fresh bedding daily and add new nesting material, if necessary. This will protect their health, your health and minimise odour from droppings.

Remember, next to a good diet and clean water, a clean cage is the most important thing for your pet’s health.

If your pet shows signs of diarrhoea, cease all fresh/moist foods until the diarrhoea has cleared and then gradually start your animal back on fresh foods.

Never pick up a rat by the end of its tail. Rats should be grasped around the shoulders, just behind their front legs and the other hand should support their bottom.

Rats don’t smell and are in fact fastidiously clean animals. Claws can be kept blunt by placing a brick in front of the water container, as running over the brick will wear the claws down.

DIETRats love their food, and suitable mixtures are available at your local Just For Pets store. This dry mix should be supplemented with snacks from the kitchen for a balanced diet and include foods such as vegetable peelings, fresh corn on the cob, spinach and bits of fruit. Given a choice, a pocket pet knows what to eat and to avoid malnutrition. A water bottle is the best way to keep drinking water available. They have a slightly bent nozzle and have a ball bearing behind the opening.

TAMINGRats are easy to tame and can be taught many tricks, this will provide hours of fun. Once your pet is tamed, it must be kept tamed. Begin to tame when young as adults are more difficult. Just regular daily handling is all that is needed, in fact, essential.

Rats are “pocket pets” and are classified as rodents. All rodents do have sharp teeth and they need to gnaw the hard foods that are their basic diet. However, they rarely bite humans unless frightened or hurt.

They are easy to care for and to handle. As for “pockets”, the reason rats like them so much has to do with their normal way of life. They are nocturnal dwellers in holes and burrows. Pockets are simply snug dark holes, obviously a safe place for short naps.

28

It’s hard to know for sure if your dog is depressed because we can’t ask what they’re feeling, and have no tests to specifically gauge depression in dogs.

Leading the list, perhaps to no surprise, is loss of a family member. Research has proven that depression in dogs has been seen when there’s a death of a person or another pet in that household, or someone moves out.

But don’t dismiss seemingly small changes in everyday routine. The trigger for depression in dogs doesn’t have to be something we consider to be drastic

or life-changing. If a dog always lays on the couch and suddenly it’s replaced with a new couch, that dog could become depressed because it’s a life-changing event for the animal.

COULD THESE BE SIGNS OF DEPRESSION?SYMPTOMS OF DOG DEPRESSION YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE

Our dogs don’t display sadness as we would, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t feel sad or even depressed.

So, how do you know if your pooch is experiencing canine depression? Here are some common signs — many of which are similar to signs of depression in people.

Being down in mood and body. “The most common symptom is sadness — a lack of joy or interest in what the dog used to look forward to.

Change in eating habits. When some dogs are extremely sad, they lose interest in food and often lose weight. Alternatively, there are dogs that seem to use food as a kind of solace when they

CANINEDEPRESSIONA once perky pooch may now be listless and withdrawn. Or a dog who previously had the tolerance and patience of Job might have turned aggressive, snapping at the kids or destroying furniture.

29

are depressed and want to eat more, leading to weight gain.

Oversleeping. Dogs sleep a lot. That’s old news. But typically this happens when their owners are gone. If you leave your dog for a long time (say, for work) and he continues to sleep after you get home, barely reacting to your presence, something is possibly wrong.

Destructive and/or aggressive behaviour. Usually affecting normally calmer dogs, this usually suggests the pet isn’t getting enough exercise

Seeming “lost” at home. Particularly following the loss of a family member, some depressed dogs pace from room-to-room.

Household accidents. Pets without their usual get-up-and-go are less likely to get up to go, especially when they’re not eating and drinking normally.

Loss of interest. If your dog suddenly loses interest in playing, going for walks, and other things that would normally excite her, take note. Dogs that become less active, slow down, or seem to lose purpose may be suffering from dog depression.

Remember not to assume immediately that your dog is depressed. Often, issues that seem emotional really stem from physical or medical causes. The first thing to do if you notice a behaviour change is to speak to your vet.

THE BOND BETWEEN HUMAN AND DOG

KNOWS NO BOUNDS!

30

NOT JUST YOUR EVERYDAY RANGE OF DOG ACCESSORIES

www.doglite.com.au&PROUD SUPPORTER OF

UP TO 140KGSPULLING CAPACITYON BUCKLES AND CLASPS

POLYESTER DOUBLE WEBBING WITHREINFORCED STITCHING FOR MAXIMUM WEAR

LED MODE:REPLACEABLE BATTERYLASTS UP TO 80HRS ONMODES: ON & SLOW FLASH

EXCITING WEATHERPROOF LED FEATUREINTEGRATING PREMIUM EVERYDAY ACCESSORIES WITH VIBRANT LED TECHNOLGY

31HolisticSelect.com.au

Natural Pet Food

For more information, please call Pet Brands Connect on 1300 787 041

NOT JUST YOUR EVERYDAY RANGE OF DOG ACCESSORIES

www.doglite.com.au&PROUD SUPPORTER OF

UP TO 140KGSPULLING CAPACITYON BUCKLES AND CLASPS

POLYESTER DOUBLE WEBBING WITHREINFORCED STITCHING FOR MAXIMUM WEAR

LED MODE:REPLACEABLE BATTERYLASTS UP TO 80HRS ONMODES: ON & SLOW FLASH

EXCITING WEATHERPROOF LED FEATUREINTEGRATING PREMIUM EVERYDAY ACCESSORIES WITH VIBRANT LED TECHNOLGY

Just For Pets represents independent retailers in the pet industry providing a range of business services together with collective buying power. All stores are independently owned and operated, so you can be guaranteed you’ll receive great service and most importantly great advice. However as part of the Just For Pets buying group each store has the means to bring you more savings through everyday low prices and fantastic specials!

Our store owners believe that pets make life better! They are experienced operators who are genuinely part of their local communities. Many of our retailers are second or third generation family businesses that are passionate about customer service and of course animals of all shapes and sizes!

Through our collective buying power you will find your local Just For Pets retailer is able to provide fantastic prices across the store, whilst our regular Petalogues (catalogues) provide customers with some fantastic “over and above specials”, If you would like to receive our ePetalogue via email- please Join Us at our website and we’ll be in touch from time to time.

At Just For Pets we pride ourselves on understanding the needs of animals and their owners and we love sharing that understanding with you. We are not just another supermarket experience. As our name suggests, we’re Just For Pets, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

So drop in to your local Just For Pets store and experience the difference independence offers.

ABOUT US

> www.justforpets.com.au

> Find us on Facebook

> Follow up on Twitter