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www.thevillagenews.co.za
23 December 2020
MY PET
Festive season gifts for pets By Dr Hilldidge Beer
U
nlike humans, finding festive season gifts for pets is relatively easy. Here is your pet’s Christmas wish list: 1. Quality time Dog or cat, active playtime and cuddles with you is the best gift you can give your pet. All pets crave your company, even those apparently aloof felines. Make playtime for fun by investing in good quality toys that outlast even the toughest chew.
3. Sterilisation Spaying or neutering your pet is his or her best protection against mammary, uterine and testicular cancers. Each time your pet goes through a heat cycle, her risk rises. Cancer treatment is expensive; prevention is always better than cure.
EberVet Vetshops have a wide selection of ropes, balls, rings and puzzle toys that’ll keep you both entertained for hours.
4. A clean mouth We brush our own teeth every day but we tend to forget that pets have dental issues too. Plaque build-up can lead to gingivitis which, in turn, may lead to more serious illnesses like heart failure. A dental checkup at your veterinarian is free. To prevent tartar build-up, ask your EberVet Vetshop for pet-friendly chews that clean their teeth while they gnaw.
2. A microchip More dogs and cats stray during the festive season than at any other time of the year. A microchip is your best bet of being reunited with your pet should they wander. It’s inexpensive, takes just a few minutes, there’s no anaesthesia, and it’s painless for your pet.
5. Shade and water We would have thought it goes without saying but sadly, some pet owners neglect their pets’ water needs. All pets need clean water every day, and in summer it should be kept in a shaded area. If your pet is locked in a yard, ensure he has a shaded place to nap.
6. Protection from heatstroke Astonishingly, some pet owners still believe it’s OK to leave their dogs in the car while they shop. It isn’t. The temperature inside a car rises much faster than outside, even in the shade and even with windows cranked open. If you’re going to the shops, leave your pet at home. Heatstroke is deadly to pets and occurs very rapidly. Don’t risk your pet’s life. 7. Pet-friendly treats Feeding your pet from the table significantly increases his risk of obesity and tooth decay. An obese pet is at risk of diabetes which can be difficult and expensive to treat. Stock up on delicious ProBono biscuits in a variety of flavours, Pet’s Elite biltong for dogs, catnip or tiny Treatz biscuits in salmon flavour for cats. Your nearest EberVet Vetshop has a wide selection of pet treats that are as tasty as they are good for your pets’ health. 8. A new collar and lead Collars and leads that are worn or cracked provide the perfect breed-
ing ground for bacteria. Fill your pet’s festive season stocking with a collar or harness and lead from Rogz. Find Rogz at your EberVet Vetshop. 9. Ban the bugs Fleas, ticks and worms love summer. Heat and moisture provide the perfect breeding conditions and once infestation occurs, it’s really difficult to eradicate. A new summer bed, in cool, washable fabric will go
a long way to protect your pet. Add parasite control – available as chews, spot-ons, powders or collars – and your pet is assured of a healthier, more comfortable summer. 10. Love Whether you show it by cuddling your own pets, or by fostering or adopting a shelter pet, make it your top priority to give love. It’s what we all want for Christmas.
