According to veterinarian Dr Ewen Blaikie, dental disease, weight gain, and skin or ear issues are among the top reasons pets visit the clinic – yet simple lifestyle changes can make a significant difference.

Dr Blaikie explained how early action helps pets live healthier and happier lives.

Prevention Starts with Everyday Habits

A common thread connects many pet health concerns: lifestyle. Just like humans, pets are affected by diet, activity levels, and daily routines. “These are all preventable problems,” Dr Blaikie says. “If we get ahead of them early, we can avoid a lot of treatment later.”

Modern pet lifestyles, including softer foods and reduced chewing, play a major role in health issues that vets now see regularly.

Dental Disease: A Problem That Begins Early

Many owners believe dental disease only affects older dogs, but signs often appear by three years of age.

One major reason is diet. Domestic dogs typically eat highly digestible food that requires little chewing, unlike animals in the wild that naturally clean their teeth by chewing tougher materials.

Without enough chewing action, plaque builds up quickly and eventually turns into tartar, leading to gum disease and discomfort.

How to Support Better Dental Health

Pet owners can help prevent dental problems by encouraging activities that physically clean teeth, including:

• Providing safe chew toys or ropes
• Offering vet-approved dental chews
• Playing tug games that promote chewing
• Checking teeth regularly at home

While brushing a dog’s teeth is ideal, consistent chewing activities can still significantly reduce plaque build-up. Owners should occasionally lift their dog’s lips to check for signs of dental issues.

Do Natural Dental Products Help?

Some owners explore supplements such as seaweed products or coconut oil for dental health. While these may provide small benefits, they should not replace physical cleaning.

Removing plaque requires mechanical action – chewing, brushing, or other physical contact with the teeth remains the most effective method.

Pet Obesity: A Growing Concern

Weight gain is another widespread issue, with an estimated half of pets visiting veterinary clinics carrying excess weight. Obesity affects more than appearance, it reduces exercise tolerance and increases strain on joints and vital organs.

Why Dogs Gain Weight

Weight gain is not always caused simply by overeating. Factors include:

• Portion sizes and calorie intake
• Lifestyle and exercise levels
• Hormonal changes after sterilisation

Desexing plays an important role in population control but can also slow metabolism, making pets more prone to storing fat.

Feeding for a Healthy Weight

Whether a dog eats once or twice daily matters less than overall food quantity. Owners should focus on:

• Measuring portions carefully
• Avoiding gradual overfeeding
• Considering diets designed for sterilised pets
• Monitoring body condition regularly

Addressing weight early helps protect long-term health and improves quality of life.

Managing Allergies and Ear Issues

Food allergies are also common and often show up through skin irritation or recurring ear infections. Early warning signs include redness, itching, or sensitivity around the ears, and acting quickly when symptoms appear can prevent more serious infections.

Helpful steps include:

• Sticking consistently to approved diets
• Checking ears regularly
• Using vet-recommended cleaning products
• Seeking targeted treatments when needed

Early care is far easier than treating advanced infections.

The Key Takeaway: Act Early

The biggest message for pet owners is simple: prevention works. By paying attention to diet, encouraging chewing, monitoring weight, and responding quickly to health changes, owners can prevent many common problems before they begin.

Small daily habits can lead to healthier pets, fewer vet visits, and more happy years together.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Dr Ewen Blaikie, local veterinarian and small animal orthopaedic surgeon, recently spoke about the challenges arthritis poses for pets and what owners should watch out for.

Signs Your Pet Might Have Arthritis

Arthritis does not always announce itself with obvious symptoms like limping or stiffness. Sometimes changes are subtle:

• Pets might show small changes in movement or behaviour, such as reluctance to jump, difficulty climbing stairs, or appearing stiff after resting.
• Limping or stiffness can be signs, but these aren’t always obvious.
• Cats often show arthritis differently than dogs, tending to hide discomfort and showing less obvious symptoms, like reduced grooming or quieter behaviour.

Causes of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common form, occurs when joint cartilage gradually wears down. Certain conditions increase the risk:

• Cruciate ligament disease, hip dysplasia, or elbow dysplasia can lead to arthritis later in life due to joint instability or wear.
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a joint developmental disorder, may also increase arthritis risk.
• Some breeds are genetically predisposed to arthritis, so knowing your pet’s breed risk can help with early monitoring.

How Arthritis Progresses

Arthritis worsens over time as the joint’s cartilage erodes, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain.

• Pain often develops gradually but can flare up suddenly.
• Untreated arthritis can lead to chronic pain, decreased mobility, and muscle loss.

Treatment and Management Options

While arthritis cannot be cured, various treatments help ease symptoms and improve mobility:

• Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation, while disease-modifying drugs support joint health.
• Supplements: Nutraceuticals like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect joints and decrease inflammation.
• Weight control: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on affected joints.
• Exercise: Gentle, low-impact activities such as swimming or controlled walking help keep muscles strong without overloading joints.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair damaged joints or remove painful growths.
• Physical therapy: Specialist rehab programs can improve mobility and decrease pain.

With early detection and ongoing management, pets with arthritis can continue to enjoy an active and happy life. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to tailor treatments specific to your pet’s needs and ensure their comfort.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Adopting a rescue dog is more than saving an animal; it’s a journey of patience, healing, and unconditional love. Orlando Dos Santos, from Results Dog Training, shares why adoption matters and how it transforms both dogs and their families.

Ask “Why” Before You Adopt

“Before we adopt a dog, we need to ask ourselves why,” Orlando explained. “Why do we want a puppy? Why do we want a rescue? Do we know the history, and are we prepared for what could be ahead?”

He reminded listeners that adoption also means adapting. “It’s adopt and adapt. Our lifestyle will change, and we can’t expect the dog to instantly understand our unwritten rules.”

Give Space, Not Pressure

The first few days matter most. Orlando urged families to create safe zones for new pets. “The big rule is to give them calmness and space,” he said. “If we approach too quickly or demand too much, they can shut down.”

Whether it’s a six-month-old pup or an older rescue, patience is key. A smaller, controlled space helps dogs feel safe and confident.

Healing Goes Both Ways

Adoption doesn’t just change the dog it changes the family. Orlando compared it to cross-cultural communication.

“When we bring a dog home, it actually teaches us more about who we are,” he said. “Often, a rescue dog brings healing to the person or family.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Australians love their pets, but sleeping with them could be stealing hours of precious rest every year.

According to a recent survey, one in five Aussies (22%) let a pet sleep in their bed. Of those, 92% are woken at least once a week, and nearly a third are disturbed several times a week. For some, it’s every night. That adds up to an average of 1.3 hours of lost sleep per week or almost 70 hours a year.

“They take over the bed”

Sleep expert Amanda Slinger, admits she’s experienced it herself. “Whenever they are in the bed with us, they take over. We never get the sleep we’d like.”

Pets can wake owners by moving, licking, barking, meowing or simply generating extra heat under the covers. And while these disturbances may not always wake us fully, Amanda warns they can still disrupt deep sleep cycles.

Why lost sleep matters

Even small disturbances can have a ripple effect. “Sleep affects everything, emotional resilience, decision-making, reaction time, even how you communicate,” Amanda explains. “When I haven’t slept well, I’m grumpy and I don’t want to see anyone.”

The upside of sharing your bed

It’s not all bad news. Many people find comfort and reduced anxiety when their pet is close by.

“Sometimes I’ll grab one of my cats for a cuddle to help me get back to sleep,” Amanda says. “They can be hugely comforting.”

The survey also revealed women are more likely than men to share their bed with a pet (27% compared to 16%.) For some, especially those living alone, the presence of a pet offers an extra sense of security.

Tips for better rest with pets

Amanda says the choice to share your bed is personal, but awareness is key. Track your sleep with a wearable device, or simply notice how you feel in the morning. If you’re constantly tired, consider alternatives such as:

• Letting pets join only in the morning for cuddles
• Providing them with a cosy bed nearby
• Creating a calming bedtime routine

And if you do wake during the night, Amanda recommends having a “toolbox” of relaxation aids like a quiet podcast or soft music at low volume to help you drift back off.

Morning habits matter most

Amanda stresses that the best way to protect your sleep isn’t just about bedtime, it starts in the morning.

“Your morning routine is the most important for setting your body clock,” she says.

Her top two “morning anchors” are:

Get sunlight for 15–20 minutes, even on cloudy days.

Wake up at the same time every day, including weekends.

If you need extra rest, try a short afternoon nap instead of sleeping in.

The Takeaway

Sharing your bed with a pet can be comforting, but it may be quietly costing you dozens of hours of rest each year. The key is knowing whether the benefits outweigh the sleep disruptions, and adjusting your habits to get the best of both worlds.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

When we see a dog acting out, we often assume it’s being stubborn or naughty.

But Orlando Dos Santos, from Results Dog Training, says that’s the wrong mindset.

“Fear in dogs is a very, very real thing. All of us want to feel safe, dogs included.”

Before we can support our dogs, we need to shift our own perspective. If you assume your dog is misbehaving, you’ll treat it that way. But what if it’s scared instead?

The Link Between Fear, Anxiety, and Trauma

Fear is a response to a real or perceived threat. Anxiety is the anticipation of that fear. Left unchecked, it can lead to trauma: “A dog that once had a fearful experience might now expect to feel fear again,” said Orlando. “That’s anxiety.”

If your dog suddenly acts anxious around certain objects or situations, it may be reliving past fear. That’s why identifying the root cause is key.

Why Dog Behaviour Often Gets Worse During Adolescence

Dogs go through two major fear periods: one at around 8–11 weeks old, and one during adolescence – roughly 8 months to 3 years old.

“This adolescent phase is when things often fall apart,” Orlando says. “It’s just like teenagers. One part of the brain says, ‘I’m brave!’ The other part hasn’t finished developing.”

During this time, dogs may:

• Become fearful of new or familiar things
• Start barking or lunging unpredictably
• React with impulsive behaviour

“Around a third of dogs are rehomed by the age of three,” Orlando notes. “Mostly because of challenges in this adolescent stage.”

Are Dogs Misbehaving or Just Struggling?

“When we don’t understand what’s going on, we label dogs as stubborn,” says Orlando. “But the dog isn’t giving us a hard time, it’s having a hard time.”

Instead of punishing your dog, try understanding its behaviour. Often, the solution lies in giving the dog a different job or creating new routines.

“When the dog has predictability, it starts to settle. The human understands the dog. Everyone’s happier.”

Try Desensitization Instead

To help your dog overcome fear, Orlando recommends desensitization and counter-conditioning. For example, if your dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, break it down and gradually introduce it to the dog a bit at a time. The vacuum cleaner has three elements:

• Visual: what it looks like
• Movement: how it moves
• Sound: the noise it makes

Here’s the process:

1. Start with just the vacuum in the room (turned off).
2. Give your dog treats while it sees the vacuum from a distance.
3. Remove the vacuum, and stop the treats.
4. Repeat, slowly bringing the vacuum closer over time.
5. Eventually, add movement and sound, one step at a time.

“You’re creating new associations,” Orlando explains. “Vacuum equals food, which equals good things.”

Watch for Your Dog’s Threshold

A dog might get very still or show the whites of its eyes, a behaviour called ‘whale eye’. That’s a sign the dog is nearing its comfort limit.

“Always respect the threshold. Go slower if needed,” said Orlando. “The goal is trust, not tolerance.”

Bringing Peace Into the Home

For Orlando, it all comes down to one mission: bringing peace into the home by understanding pet stress.

“Most of the dogs I work with are adolescents. Once we help the humans understand what’s going on, everything changes.”

If your dog is showing signs of fear or anxiety, remember, they’re not being difficult. They’re asking for your help.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Photo by Michelle Tresemer on Unsplash