Four Legged Friends

Yes, they can definitely feel the cold, especially small breeds and also young or old pets. Make sure your pet has a soft, warm place to rest and consider buying another warm blanket or two and positioning their beds in a warm spot inside the house.
Some breeds are also more prepared for the cold because of their coats (think Saint Bernard or Husky), so if your pet has short hair or is a small breed, think about adding a warm coat to its wardrobe!

Consider interactive toys like lasers, or fun hide-and-seek toys like tunnels or even cat teasers to keep them active and entertained when they don’t want to go out. Scratching posts are also great because they allow cats to express their natural behaviour without destroying any furniture!

Treat-dispensing toys can keep dogs happy for hours when stuck indoors on a very rainy day. When spending time with your dog indoors, go for a chew toy or tug toy rather than a throwing toy.

Check your indoor fish tank regularly during the winter months to make sure the temperature doesn’t get too low. Don’t let your outdoor pond freeze over – float a large ball on the surface so if the pond does ice over you can remove it and your fish will have a handy air hole to keep themselves topped up with oxygen.

Outdoor pets: Rabbits and guinea pigs
If your rabbits, guinea pigs or ferrets live outside, you can make their winter a bit more comfortable with these simple steps:
• Bring them inside in the worst weather. If temperatures drop, bring them inside. A porch or conservatory is perfect for them because they won’t get too hot. If you’re not able to bring them into your home, you could keep them in a car-free shed or garage. Remember: car exhaust fumes could be fatal. • Keep their hutch out of the rain and direct cold winds. • Put an old blanket or tarpaulin over their hutch to help keep it warm.
• Even in cold weather, your pets need natural light and exercise, so make sure they have constant access to an outdoor run to use, too.
• Give them plenty of bedding hay to snuggle into. Change it regularly to keep their hutch fresh. • A heating pad. Place an animal-safe heating pad under their bedding for extra warmth.

What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is the size of a grain of rice. This is implanted just under the pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The microchip is read by a scanner which will display an identification number.
What information is in the microchip? Microchips store your pet’s identification number, your name, contact number and address. They do not contain a GPS tracker to help find your pet. They have to be scanned at a vet or animal shelter to find out who the owner is and how to get hold of them.
How do I change my details on the microchip? If your address, email or phone number have changed, it’s important that you update this information at the company holding your pet’s microchip details. Firstly, check Identipet, Five Star and BackHome to find out which company has your pet’s microchip records. Then contact them and fill in the online form to update your pet’s details.
Is a microchip a replacement for a collar and ID tags? No. Collars and ID tags (with a name and phone number) are still a good idea, especially for adventurous pets, as they are at much greater
risk of going missing. Collars can be removed and some pets are skilled at escaping from them, unlike a microchip which is a permanent ID tag.

1. Rabbits are not short-term pets – they can live 8–12 years or more.
2. You can litter-train your rabbit.
3. Most rabbits do not like to be picked up and held – which means they’re not good pets for young children. When picking your rabbit up, you must support both front and hindquarters because doing otherwise could cause a spinal injury to the bunny. You also need to advise your children to never pull on or pick the rabbit up by its ears, as that is extremely painful for the pet.
4. Rabbits require plenty of space to stretch out and move around.
5. Rabbits are like cats in at least one way – they groom themselves all the time. If you notice that your rabbit isn’t grooming him- or herself at all, that may be an indication of illness.
6. Spaying and neutering is an essential part of rabbit ownership – both for their health/ longevity and your sanity.
7. You’ll need to rabbit-proof any rooms your bunny has access to – most bunnies love to chew and dig. Things like empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, old phone books, cardboard, and other paper products will help keep your pet active and engaged.
8. Rabbits purr when they’re happy. It’s not the same as a cat’s purr, though. It sounds like teeth chattering or light chomping.
9. Many rabbits love to live with rabbit friends – but proper bonding is key to avoiding fights and angry or scared bunnies.

Whether you’re a dog or cat lover, have a fondness for reptiles or love the company of a feathered friend, don’t miss the biggest pet exhibition South Africa has to offer! The World Of Dogs & Cats Pet Expo (WODAC) is back for the 2019 edition, offering everything you need to spoil and keep your animals happy and healthy. This is South Africa’s largest pet event, catering to all types of pet lovers, whether they own dogs, cats, horses, fish, snakes, lizards, hamsters, rabbits – you name it! WODAC will delight, educate and show you just how much fun you can have with your favourite pets.

When:

Friday, 19 July to Sunday, 21 July 2019.
Expo times are as follows: Friday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Where is it? Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate, 19 Richard Drive, Midrand, Johannesburg.

How much:

Tickets are available at Webtickets. Adults – R100 per person; Pensioners and students – R100 per person; children under 12 – free; Family package
(2 adults & 2 kids) – R300

Your pets are mobile heaters. It’s a win-win situation for all involved during the cold evenings … you’ll be cuddled warm while your pets will soak up the pure bliss of napping with their favourite human.