Does your cat enjoy wandering about your kitchen countertops, inspecting your cooking and getting their fur into inconvenient places? While some owners don't mind their cat doing this, for many others it's a common frustration that's not only a concern for hygiene but also the welfare of the cat. So why does it happen? Simply, cats are climbers. And because they are such avid enthusiasts of being up high, your kitchen counter is just another frontier worth exploring.   Cats like high vantage points because: They can observe their territory. They can escape other pets, or things that scare them (or annoy them too!). Certain 'up high' places like fridges and tables tops can provide warmth and/or sunny places to nap on. Kitchen counters often boast morsels of food, just waiting to be eaten up. Many owners would prefer to stop having their cat freely access their kitchen and it's a fair call because while the kitchen is certainly a tasty place to visit, substances like cleaning products and foods that are not kind to cats are always potentially within reach. So how do you stop it? Firstly, accept that your cat's desire to climb and explore up high are just part of their nature and if you try to prevent them from climbing altogether, the more they are going to do it. So, alternatives are what you'll need to supply! Choose interactive items that will invite your cat to climb, jump and explore and will hopefully reduce their desire to make their way into the kitchen. Cat trees and 'kitty condos' are perfect as many of them provide entertainment, comfort and perches in which they can observe their territory. If your cat is a big fan of watching out of windows, you can even buy shelves that attach to window sills which are specifically made for cats. If your problem is a hungry cat rather than one that loves to climb then you may need to address their diet to find a way to stifle their desire to much on crumbs in the kitchen. If your cat is being fed one or two meals a day, perhaps changing this routine to become several small meals so they always feel satisfied. Alternatively, if your cat is at a healthy weight then you could consider free feeding them - however if you choose to do this, keep a very close eye on your kitty's weight. And remember to be constantly diligent about keeping your food out of paw's reach. There are many methods you can adopt to keep your cat off the kitchen counter, but always bear in mind to never be cruel or put your cat at risk of hurting themselves especially if you're not always home. Some useful ideas to implement include applying sticky tape or aluminium foil along counter edges. Remember, never yell or hit your cat for going on table tops. Never push them off counters or use devices that could physically harm your kitty. And if your cat is quite nervous, be very cautious as to how you approach this situation because it might have an even worse effect than to begin with - even scaring your cat to the point where they won't want to go anywhere in your home.

A dog that pulls on the leash can make a walk in the park a battle rather than a pleasure. If your dog pulls the problem can be corrected with training and effort on your part, as well as a number of modern devices that can assist you in gaining control of your pet.   The foremost thing to remember when approaching this issue is that dogs are not born knowing how to walk on a leash. Like learning to obey the ‘sit’ command, or not to go to the bathroom in the house, a dog must be taught how to walk neatly with you on your walks.   Naturally, a dog exploring a new place will tend not to walk in a straight line at a consistent pace. They will wander side to side, pause to sniff something, run wildly for a few minutes, sniff something else and pee on everything they possibly can. The leash interferes with these behaviours, leading to tugging and a strained arm on your part as your dog tries to do as it wishes heedless of you and your wishes.   Generally speaking, a dog pulls because they find that it works. Pulling means they get to sniff that odd thing on the ground. Pulling means they get to talk to the other dog they wished to or get to the park faster. If pulling works from your dog’s perspective, why stop?   Teaching your dog to cease their pulling behaviour is centred around explaining to them pulling will not get them what they want. One great training technique is to put your dog on a leash and walk forwards as you usually would. As soon as your dog starts to pull, stop and start walking backwards. When the lead becomes loose again, walk forwards and give your dog a treat. If the pulling starts again, start walking backwards again. Pretty soon your dog will get the idea pulling doesn’t achieve anything, where as a loose lead means treats and the opportunity to go forwards.   Consistency is important when training no-pull behaviour. Once you begin, every time you go for a walk you must continue your training. If your dog succeeds once at achieving what it wishes by pulling, you are back to square one.   Headcollars or specially designed no-pull harnesses are also an option for headstrong dogs. Rather like a horse’s halter, headcollars work by giving the owner control over the dog’s head, making it difficult for the dog to pull. Harnesses designed for this purpose tend to have features which contract under the armpits, discouraging dogs from surging ahead and giving the owner enhanced control.   Feature Image Credit  

Cats and their owners often have remarkable bonds. It may sound farfetched to outsiders, but owners often insist their beloved cats ‘know’ when they are ill and behave differently around them as a result.   It turns out, it may not be a fantasy after all. Oscar, a cat that resides at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in Rhode Island in the United States, gained fame by apparently predicting the deaths of twenty-five residents of the home. Oscar, a generally aloof cat, has been known to all of a sudden curl up affectionately against certain elderly men and women, who pass away shortly afterwards.   According the a number of animal behaviour experts, Oscar is probably reacting to chemicals given off by the bodies of the ill and dying, rather than manifesting psychic powers. It is theorised, biochemical signals are released as the body shuts down, perceptible to cats and dogs before we are able to discern a change.   Numerous stories exist of dogs and cats alerting their owners to previously unknown cancerous growths by obsessive sniffing or otherwise unusual expressions around a part of their owner’s body. Cats have senses far beyond human capabilities – their sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than ours – enabling them to potentially detect illness through their enhanced sensory abilities.   Even when impacted by less serious ailments, it is likely cats are able to some extent discern a difference in the state of health of their owners. Independent of potential chemical signals, pets are keen observers of human behaviour. The way the ill person acts and the manner others in the family behave towards them may provide clues as to their weakened state.    Feature Image Credit   

Grover the pug really is having a BALL in his playpen which has been filled up by his owners. His reaction is priceless! Would your dog react in the same way?    

This resourceful little squirrel is getting ready to bunker down for winter and has found a rather interesting but not altogether effective place to hide nuts. You are bound to have a chuckle or two watching this!    

The ultimate battle has commenced among two fierce competitors but who will come out of this war victorious? In one corner we have the shark - a true warrior of the sea and not an animal you would want to mess with. In the other corner we have Maymo, the lovable pooch who's also a steely combatant. In an unlikely meeting, these two are ready to fight at all costs and only one will be left standing - but who will it be? You'll just have to watch to find out how this ends!    

Dogs are naturally territorial and like to patrol familiar areas. Therefore, most dogs are happy to patrol the yard or go for a walk to the park. However some other dogs feel the desire to explore further afield and will attempt to do it alone. Perhaps your dog has attempted to escape or has perhaps succeeded a number of times. The action of escaping, either by jumping or digging under the fence, managing to open the gate or even running through electric fencing may be all your dog needs to fulfil their desire and will then happily stay within your home's perimeter, while others will take off and go exploring. In either case, it can be gut wrenching for owners knowing their dog is trying to break free or has done so a number of times. First things first, before you figure out why your dog is escaping, you need to find out HOW they are doing it because your first priority is to keep them safe and contained. Is your fence transparent in any way? If your dog can see beyond your yard, it will give them a greater desire to escape and explore. Covering up the transparencies will reduce their urges. If your dog can jump great heights, introducing an electronic fence in addition to your actual fence is a good idea, and, vice versa, if your dog is able to run through electric fencing, doubling up with a physical fence can also reduce their ability to run away. Make sure any physical fencing you have is higher and sturdy enough to prevent your dog from jumping over it. Use materials that have smooth surfaces to prevent any potential climbing capabilities. Make sure there are no gaps that your dog can squeeze through. Fill in these gaps with chicken wire, large rocks or chain link - always be sure to keep any sharp points or edges out of reach from unassuming paws. Prevent your clever dog from opening fences by keeping them padlocked or alternatively install a self-closing system. Once your dog is extra secure, you can address the reasons why they are trying to or are escaping. Reasons why dogs escape: Separation anxiety Your dog's escaping act may be a symptom of a much larger separation anxiety issue. Your dog may be feeling anxious whenever they are away from you and this is just one way they display it. If signs like pacing, howling or trembling are present then your best option is treating the anxiety issues wholly rather than just the issue of them escaping. Chances are the desire to escape with be dulled once they are feeling more calm. Searching for a mate This reason is most prevalent in male and un-neutered or spayed dogs. What to do: If possible, have your dogs spayed or neutered! This alone might not the stop running away altogether but it does reduce the motivation. Exploration As mentioned at the start of this article, your dog may be simply fulfilling their natural desire to explore. What to do: If they haven't been, consider getting your dog neutered which decreases their roaming desires. Increasing amounts of exercise is a very good way to help your dog to stop escaping because a tired dog is more likely to take a nap than jump the fence! Fear Fear could be a very real reason as to why your dog is escaping. What they are fearful of varies, from certain people, the weather or even the location itself. What to do: Create positive associations with your yard, making sure every time your dog is there that something nice happens to them. If you know what the root cause of the fear is, eliminate it so it doesn't happen again. Also during this time, only allow your dog into the yard if someone is able to supervise them to make sure everything is going smoothly. If the problem persists, seeking anxiety medication from your vet is a good idea. Social contact Most dogs love other dogs and people and them escaping might be their way of finding some friends to play with. What to do: If your dog is spending more than three hours alone in the yard, the likeliness that they are lonely increases. A simple way to combat this is to spend more time interacting with your dog. The more time spent bonding and doing things together the less attractive running away becomes for your pet. You could also consider introducing a new dog to your household so your pooch has a constant companion. Importantly, remember to never punish or coddle your dog when trying to stop them from escaping. Feature image credit

Teaching your dog tricks such as 'sit' and 'stay' are not only fun to teach (and fun for them to learn) but are beneficial to your dog's temperament and overall obediance, keeping them alert and energetic - plus it's a great way for you to bond. Jesse, the adorable Jack Russell really takes his repetoire of tricks to the next level which have all been taught with positive reinforcement. It's evident he's having a great time - just look at his happy smile! You'll certainly feel inspired to try and get your pooch to learn a few of these everyday chores...  

Is your dog fond of digging in your yard? Is it driving you mad? Is your garden looking like a bombs gone off? Are you at your wit's end? Don't worry - we're here to help you! The first thing to remember is that dogs never dig to just be bad or to spite you. Simply, digging is in their nature. Dogs in the wild dig to create dens in order to protect and raise their young - keeping them out of harm's way and avoiding exposure to extreme weather conditions. Domestic dogs still carry out this behaviour by choosing to sleep in den like places or 'digging' and circling an area before they lie down. Chances are, you've noticed your dog do this too. However, just because it's in their nature, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a lovely landscaped yard. By figuring out why your dog digs, you should be able to implement methods to hopefully stop the behaviour altogether. If you wish to stop your dog from digging - which is unsurprising because who wants their yard to look a ramshackle mess, you need to identify the cause of the digging. There are a number of reasons why your dog digs - let's explore them now… Is your dog alone a lot of the time, lacking playmates or many toys, under three years of age or a terrier, herding or sporting breed? If you've answered yes to one or more of these then maybe your dog is digging for entertainment. Going for extra walks, teaching tricks, going to obedience classes or providing more challenging or interactive toys are some great methods to adopt to curb your dog's boredom related digging. Does your dog dig in localised locations, concentrating on trees and/or shrubs? Then it appears your dog may be digging for prey. The best thing you can do is to try and identify if there are animals coming into your yard and then look for humane ways to deter them. Does your dog dig near buildings, water sources or in shaded areas, doesn't have their own outdoor shelter, or using holes as places to lie in - then these are indicators that your dog is digging to seek out protection. To combat this, give your dog more access to the indoor areas of your home, particularly when you are experiencing extreme weather. In addition, give your dog a lovely dog house that is sturdy enough to offer adequate protection during hot, cold, wet and/or windy weather. And, always have plenty of fresh water available. If you witness your dog brazenly digging in front of you or perhaps you don't often get to see your dog due to long work hours then it's possible your dog's digging is as a result of a lack of attention. If this is the case, it's important to ignore this behaviour and only lavish them with attention when they are being a good dog to reinforce acceptable behaviour. You may also need to re-think your routine and try and fit in time every day to spend with your dog - taking them for walks, playing games and giving them plenty of attention. If the holes your dog digs are near, along or even under the fence then it might be a signal that your dog is digging to escape. Crucially, you will need to figure out why your dog is trying to escape. Is it to reach something attractive, to try and go somewhere, or to avoid something? Understanding and removing this incentive is how to avoid further digging. Once you've done this, you will also have to put in place better security measures so your pooch doesn't get away for real. Using chicken wire, large rocks or chain links buried along the fence are all good ways to help prevent any escaping from occurring but always be sure you don't leave sharp edges poking out. If after all of this, your digging dog is still prevailing, then you could potentially consider creating a 'digging zone,' an acceptable area of your yard where it is ok for your pooch to dig till their heart's content. To do this, you will need to make the area look attractive by burying toys and giving plenty of praise when they do dig in this area. A very important point to remember is to never punish your dog for unwanted digging. Rather than teaching your dog, punishment only increases the likeliness they will continue their digging. Also, remember to avoid using fertilisers, which can be attractive to dogs, as this can be harmful to your pet's health. Feature image credit

Cystitis is a feline lower urinary tract disease that affects the urinary bladder and urethra of many cats. Cats that suffer from the condition usually display a frequent and strained pattern of urination as if an obstruction is present – however urine is in fact being produced frequently in small amounts.   A number of causes of cystitis exist, including:  Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) Bacterial infection Urinary crystals and stones  Cats are far more prone to cystitis than other species such as dogs due to their shorter urethra which enables bacteria to ascend from the perineum to the bladder with greater ease. Female cats are more likely to be affected than males.   Diabetic cats are prone to the condition particularly due to the higher level of glucose and protein in their systems. These substances promote bacterial growth in urine, leading to a higher risk of infection.   Another at-risk group are senior cats that usually drink less water than younger felines. This results in concentrated urine with higher levels of bacteria present, increasing the chances of infection. Likewise, sensitive cats who hold off urinating due to stress, a dirty litter tray or a refusal to go outdoors due to rain can be affected as their urine becomes increasingly concentrated the longer they wait.    As mentioned, frequent urination of small amounts is the most telling symptom of cystitis. Other symptoms are: Blood present in urine Excessive genital cleaning far beyond normal grooming patterns Urine with a strong unpleasant odour Sudden urination in areas other than the litter tray or outdoor areas Yowling near litter box Cystitis is a serious issue that must be addressed immediately as failure to act in a timely fashion can lead to death. A veterinarian can generally diagnose the condition from the above symptoms, though may also use other methods such as urinalysis, ultrasound or bacterial culture to identify the issue.   Treatment is dependent on the individual case. Generally the cat will be encouraged to drink increased amounts of water and be put on a wet food diet to further increase water consumption. A course of antibiotics may also be prescribed as well as painkillers of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in more serious cases. In an emergency situation the bladder may be emptied using a syringe by a vet as well and fluids inserted intravenously into the cat’s system.    Feature Image Credit