Pet health

Swings may prompt dogs to bite
Rocking your baby to sleep in a mechanical swing may trigger a deadly attack on the child by the family dog, a coroner warns.

Dogs and babies can be friends
Many parents are concerned about having their pet dog around their new baby, and so they should be. But there are several things you could do to ensure your newborn's safety.

Protection from pet diseases
Regardless of how much you love your dog or cat, these and other animals can still transmit certain diseases to you and your family.

Treating animal bites
For some animal bites, self-care is adequate, but others are serious enough to require emergency medical attention.

Fitness buddy with a bark
Dogs can be extremely motivating workout partners with jogging or walking. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they're persistent about nudging couch potatoes off the sofa!

Dogs resemble their owners
When selecting thoroughbred dogs, people tend to pick canines that resemble themselves.

No fleeing Fido's fur
If you think your child's asthma will be cured if you find Felix and Fido another home, think again.

Dogs get people walking
Dog ownership nearly doubles the amount of time spent healthily walking.

People and animal cruelty
Every now and then cases of animal cruelty are reported in the news. What sort of person can do this to an innocent animal?

The gift of death
A pet is a friend and a living companion. But when is it the humane thing to do to have it put down?

Which dogs are likely to bite?
In many families dogs play an important role as guards. Unfortunately this partnership between owners and their trainees is sometimes not without consequences.

SA.MAST is making a difference
Hundreds of unwanted puppies and kittens are born into poor communities daily. Tamsin Nel and SA.MAST have taken on this issue and saving lives and making a big difference.

Where to buy a dog
If you are thinking about buying a dog or puppy the first thing to do is to realise the commitment you are going to have to make to look after it properly.

Train your dog for holiday gatherings
If you typically go everywhere with your dog, it's no wonder you want to bring your best pal with you on holiday visits. Here's how to prep them for the experience.

Housetraining puppies and kittens
Kittens are easier to housetrain than puppies. But there are ways to make both these processes easier for yurself - and your new pet.

Fight these animal infections tooth and nail
Certain bacteria commonly found in dogs and cats are harmless to your pet's health, but may be deadly to humans.

Dogs protect epileptic kids
Proving again that they're man's best friend, many dogs apparently have the ability to alert families minutes or even hours in advance of a child's oncoming epileptic seizure.

Beware of dog
Whether a dog is prone to biting or not, any dog may lash out if it feels threatened.

When a dog's bite is worse than his bark
In the unfortunate event of your child being bitten by an animal, here is what you should do.

Animal and human bites
Dogs are the most likely pets to cause animal bites. However, cat and human bites are far more dangerous.

Fido's dander goes places
The truth about pet dander is it may be more ubiquitous than you think.

5 tips on pet health - and yours
Have pets? How much do you know about pet diseases and caring for an animal? And what about diseases they could give you?

Toddlers and pets
Toddlers can hurt pets badly. And pets can hurt toddlers badly. It is up to the parents to control this potentially destructive situation.

Pets a health plus
The companionship of animals is comforting. And studies are now finding that pets can have real therapeutic benefits.

Call yourself an animal lover?
But real animal welfare goes way beyond your backyard and even your neighbourhood. Sure, it starts there, but that's not where it ends.

The illicit world of dog fighting
The popularity of dog fighting is reportedly growing, driven by dog owners who are getting younger and younger.

Rabies, dogs and people
Rabies, which is found more often in dogs than cats, can be spread when any rabid animals bite humans. Once symptoms appear, rabies is always fatal to both animals and humans.

Why your cat rubs against your leg
Cats are very scent-orientated and they rely on scent marks to recognise territory.

Coastal fleas and your pets
Many pet owners living along the coast may find themselves at a loss when it comes to fighting what often seems to be an uphill battle against these home invaders.

13 rabies facts
Rabies is a truly frightening, possibly fatal, disease. Most people who are infected by rabies, are bitten by infected domestic cats or dogs. Immediate treatment is eseential.