Places to Take Your Dog in Melbourne

Places to Take Your Dog in Melbourne | PetAir UK

Sometime it can be difficult knowing where you can take your dog so we’ve created a list of places to take your dog in Melbourne.  From trail walking, to dog-friendly parks and cafes.

Dog Walks

Merri Creek Trail

One of the places to take your dog in Melbourne is very popular among cyclists and walkers alike, Merri Creek Trail is the perfect place to give your dog a good runaround. You’ll never have to cross a road while travelling across the 21km stretch (of course, you don’t have to walk the whole 21km!) and the trail follows the creek, so most of the time you’ll be right next to some lovely cold water for your pooch to splash around in. The path goes through parks, Coburg Lake, Brunswick Velodrome and the CERES environmental park which has a great coffee shop, so you can take a well-needed break. You can start the Merri Creek Trail anywhere you like along the way.

map

Princes Park

Located in the Inner-Melbourne suburb of Carlton North, Victoria, Princes Park has two designated off-leash areas for your dog to make use of. The park has many features, including Carlton’s football club training ground, sports clubs, children’s playgrounds and barbecue/picnic facilities. The more popular of the two off-leash areas is Bowen Crescent; you and your pooch can get involved in a bit of socialising before setting off for a jog on the circuit.

Princes Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC, Australia

princess park

Dog-Friendly Pubs & Cafés

The Flying Duck Hotel

On Monday nights, The Flying Duck offers dog owners a night to bring their furry best friends along with them. While owners tuck into delicious food and drinks in the outdoor dining area and have a catch up with friends, the dogs socialise among each other, share bowls of water and get complimentary doggy treats. If your pooch, like many others, is very energetic and finds it hard to settle down, you could take them to the park (only a few minutes away) before heading over to the Flying Duck.

The Flying Duck Hotel, Bendigo Street, Prahran VIC, Australia

the flying duck hotel

Argos Loves Company

Named after Ulysses and his dog Argos, this café is great for any owners looking to chill out and have a bite to eat. There are water bowls set out for your pooch by the tables in the street, and they can even indulge in some lovely, chewy snacks. The walls are covered in dog photos, too. We get the impression this café loves dogs, just a little.

Argos Loves Company, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC, Australia

argos loves company

Dog Exercise & Training

Fitdog Training

It’s often hard to fit in your own exercise between taking your dog out for walks. The Fitdog program combines a workout for you and your dog and is run by a fully qualified person trainer and dog trainer. This means that while you’re exercising to reach your fitness goals, your dog is also getting their own workout. Fitdog caters for dogs of all sizes, ages and obedience levels. The sessions run in 6 week blocks (one session per week) and start at 6:30am on Wednesday mornings in Gasworks Park, so you can fit in a great workout for you and your dog before starting your day. The training program total for the 6 weeks is $150.

More Information: underdogtraining.com

fit dog training in the park

Flyball

Now, this is fun. Flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs. It involves the dogs racing side by side, jumping over four hurdles, triggering a ball launcher, retrieving the ball and going back over the hurdles to the start/finish line, all while the owners are going crazy with encouragement at the sidelines. The first team to have all of their dogs complete their run and get back to the start line, wins the heat. It’s the perfect team sport, allowing your dog to do what it loves: run, jump, and fetch. All dogs are welcome.

To learn more about how to get started, click here: flyball.org.au

flying dog training

 

PetAir UK – Using your own crates or not?

PetAir UK - Using your own crates or not? | PetAir UK

Own crates or not – that is the question!

Many clients call us to arrange the movement of their pets and advise us that they have their own crates, which is perfectly fine. Using your own crate saves our clients the cost of buying a new crate, but most importantly means that your pets are going to be travelling in something which is familiar to them, so all in all if the pet travel crate can be used then fine.

Quite often a pet has flown in to UK in the crate and now wants to fly out again. The problem with this is that the airline check in staff in UK seem to be much more strict on deciding if a crate is adequate of not. So even though your pet has flown perfectly well into UK, we may get to check in and then be refused travel out of UK. Then there are all sorts of last minute dramas trying to get things arranged and planned, which is not good for the pets or the owners.

We know it seems like we are being overly pedantic in checking that crates are adequate, but the main reason behind it is to try as hard as we can that there are no last minute dramas. PetAir UK team are just the messengers in this and we are trying to predict and solve a problem before it becomes unsolvable, so please don’t get cross with us – we are trying to help. Many other pet shippers don’t bother to check this and put in their terms and conditions that if the crate is not adequate then you will need to pay for a whole new flight. Which adds to stress and cost at a time when you really don’t need any more stress or extra costs. PetaAir UK takes the pro active stance that we investigate and check the potential problem before ti happens rather than react to it once it has happened.

The rules regarding if a crate is adequate or not tells us that the pets must be able to turn around in the crate, lie down on their fronts with their legs stretched out (in the “sphynx” pose) and stand up in a “natural” position without their heads touching the roof. The easiest and simplest way to check if a crate is going to be adequate is to measure your pets head height from the floor to the top of the head and then measure the internal crate height. If your pet is taller than the size of the crate then it is not going to be adequate.

The team at PetAir UK help with around 2500 pet moves each and every year and we will do all we can to help and advise on what is going to keep your pets safest and most comfortable. But also we want to give the very best advice to try to reduce the chance of any last minute hiccups in the very difficult and complicated process of flying your pets abroad.

 Upgrade to Complete Care for unlimited vet-led wellness support with real vets, 24/7. With included cabin training and nutrition advice, it’s perfect for keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Why are cats scared of water?

Why are cats scared of water? | PetAir UK

It is a common myth that cats are scared of water. This isn’t actually true at all and some cats love the opportunity to stretch their sea legs and will eagerly jump in voluntarily. It’s less of a fear, and more of an aversion.

Cats are actually natural born swimmers. If a cat was to fall into a body of water, its instincts would take over and it would swim automatically. Cats do not have to be taught how to swim. Many cats choose to avoid water out of personal preference and lack of necessity rather than fear. If a cat was in a dangerous situation and the only way out was to swim, it would jump straight in.

If you look at the relatives of today’s house cats, there are some that enjoy a good dip to help keep them cool. For instance, tigers, leopards and lions that live in hotter climates will happily get in the water to cool off. Some cats, like jaguars, are happy to enter the water to catch their dinner and are actually quite accustomed to swimming. The fishing cat of Southeast Asia is another good example. Living in wetlands alongside rivers, streams and mangroves, the fishing cat has no trouble diving into water to catch their prey and are said to be able to swim quite long distances, even underwater.

cat looking at water from tap

However, taking a look back at the ancestors of our domestic feline pets will give us a better insight into why our furry friends prefer to avoid water. Originating from the dry, arid lands of Egypt and the Middle East, cats would have had very little contact or experience with water and almost no need to go near it at all. Cats do not require water for keeping clean as they are able to do this themselves using just their tongue and they would not have relied on water for survival, as their owners would have provided sufficient sustenance.

While they are natural swimmers, a cat with longer fur would avoid getting wet as their coat isn’t waterproof and would become heavy and make it difficult to stay afloat and a cat with shorter fur may get cold very quickly as it would be in direct contact with their skin. Cats are also very sensitive to smell and they would soon sniff out any chemicals in our water supply or any funky odours coming from a natural source that may cause them harm.

Much like humans, a cat’s love of water is a personal choice. If your cat enjoys playing with running water from the tap then let them carry on but don’t try chucking them into a bath or you might get a less than favourable response!

Keeping your pet entertained on a rainy day

Keeping your pet entertained on a rainy day | PetAir UK

It’s always nice to have an arsenal of indoor activities under your belt that you can use to keep your pet entertained if the weather is a bit too wet to venture out into. If you’re the owner of a puppy, a kitten or a very active dog, you will definitely be thankful of having some alternative ways to help burn off some of that extra energy if you’re all stuck inside the house.

Cardboard cat castle

Cats may not always want to play as they are much more low-maintenance than dogs when it comes to entertainment, but there are still some ways you can keep things fun for them inside the house if they are in a playful mood. It’s no secret that cats LOVE cardboard boxes so if you’ve ordered anything recently then be sure to keep hold of the box because it will come in handy if your cat is looking for somewhere to play. If you’ve got kids, you can kill two birds with one stone and keep them entertained at the same time as they can help you ‘decorate’ your cats new playhouse and turn it into a fort or a princess castle.

Ping pong balls

Another easy win for a playful cat game is to find a nice, clear area in your home and chuck a couple of ping pong balls around. Your cat will love chasing and batting them around the room and it’s a great exercise for building up their agility too.

tabby cat looking out of window with rain on

Hide and seek

This is another great game that you can get the kids involved in too. Find a good hiding place around your house, like under a bed, behind a door or in the bath or shower and call your dog’s name. He’ll have loads of fun trying to work out where you’ve gone.

Obstacle course

Use everyday items in your house like chairs, coffee tables and blankets and make an obstacle course for them. Encourage them around the route using their favourite toy or snack. You could even time it to see how quickly you can do it. But be sensible about your pet’s ability and don’t make it too precarious!

With so many great ideas to keep your pets (and kids!) entertained in the rain, you won’t have to worry about a less than perfect weather report again!

Everything you need to know about feline pneumonia

Everything you need to know about feline pneumonia | PetAir UK

Pneumonia is something we generally associate with humans; older humans to be more precise, but you may not realise that your cat could be suffering with it too. Adult cats rarely suffer with pneumonia, but kittens and senior cats are at risk due to their weaker immune systems. It’s important to know what to look for because if left untreated, the consequences could be very serious.

Pneumonia can occur when fungal, bacterial or viral organisms get into the windpipe or nostrils of your cat. The organisms cause infection and inflammation that can travel down into the lungs and a build up of pus, fluid or cellular debris eventually leads to pneumonia. It can also happen if your cat accidentally inhales foreign fluids or irritating substances, like a seed or vomit.

Many of the symptoms that are present with pneumonia are similar to that of a human cold; green or yellow discharge from the nostrils, fever, a dry or mucus-y cough, lethargy, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. If your cat displays any of these symptoms, you should visit your veterinarian immediately. The most common symptom of feline pneumonia is a moist cough and difficulty breathing but it’s worth bearing in mind that not all cats will show respiratory signs.

ginger and white cat laying on red and white sheet

Your veterinarian may have to do several tests in order to establish a full diagnosis. A blood test will give your vet a clear picture of your cats overall health as well as highlighting any underlying conditions. A chest x-ray may also be required to confirm the diagnosis and sometimes further tests will be needed to establish which organisms are responsible and whether it is bacterial, fungal or viral pneumonia.

Feline pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics in most cases but if your cat is having trouble breathing then they may require oxygen therapy as well as fluid therapy if they are showing signs of dehydration. Once at home, try and keep your pet as well rested as possible.

While pneumonia isn’t entirely preventable, there are some steps you can take to lower your cats risk of contracting it. Ensure your cat is fully up to date with its vaccinations and has regular trips to the vet to check its general health. Never force your cat to eat or drink as this could put them at risk of aspiration pneumonia if they were to inhale food or saliva into their lungs. If you are bottle feeding a kitten, don’t hold them on their back like you would with a human baby, make sure their stomach is pointing downwards towards the floor.

With these points in mind, you’ll be able to keep your cat in top health. Feline pneumonia is recoverable if the signs and symptoms are caught on time and correctly assessed and treated by a vet.

How to keep your dog safe near busy roads

How to keep your dog safe near busy roads | PetAir UK

The daily dog walk can become a nerve-wracking experience if it involves taking your dog along a busy road. There are so many noises and distractions happening all at once with cars, bikes and lorries whizzing past that it can be a confusing and stressful time for dogs and owners alike. As a dog owner, any road traffic accident caused by your pet will ultimately be your responsibility and you’ll be liable to pay any associated vet bills as well as any necessary vehicle repairs too. With this in mind, it’s in everyone’s best interests to ensure that your dog is comfortable near busy roads and can act in a safe, calm manner when instructed.

One of the easiest steps you can take to ensure your pets safety near a busy road is to use a lead, and the shorter you can keep it, the closer your dog will have to stay to you. If your dog is prone to pulling when on the lead then it’s worth taking the time to get them out of this habit. The last thing you want is for them to pull you into the path of oncoming traffic when they see something interesting on the other side of the road. Keep the lead short and no matter how well trained your dog is, don’t let them off the leash when you’re in a high-traffic area.

small dog standing on street of houses

You can use specific demands or keywords to help teach your dog to cross the road safely. In the same way that you’d use ‘sit’ or ‘stay’, you can teach your dog commands like ‘cross’ or ‘walk’ to help him understand when it’s best to start moving. Alternatively, teaching them phrases like ‘stop’ or ‘come away’ will also help to keep them under control.

During the winter months, or if visibility is poor, it’s a good idea for you to wear a high-visibility jacket or sash so that drivers can easily spot you and your dog. You could invest in an LED collar, reflective lead or a matching high-vis coat for your dog too to make sure you really stand out in the dark.

And lastly, make sure your dog can be properly identified with a microchip, or clearly labelled collar, and that you have sufficient pet insurance should the worst happen.

1 in 3 people prefer their pets to their partners

1 in 3 people prefer their pets to their partners | PetAir UK

According to new research carried out by pet food maker, Fresh Pet, us Brits REALLY love our four-legged friends. The survey, carried out via OnePoll, revealed that more than a third of owners favour their pets over their partners.

The survey questioned 2,000 cat and dog owners and some may find the results quite shocking. More than half the people surveyed said that they prefer spending time with their fur babies with reasons cited including that they are always in a good mood, don’t nag and that they never talk back. In fact, three in 10 adults said their pet was a better listener than their other half and 45% said that they liked the fact that their pets don’t judge or question them.

And even when it comes to giving affection, our pets still win with 29% of those surveyed saying their pets are better at snuggling than their partners and 44% would rather cuddle up to their furry friend. Nearly half of the pet owners questioned admitted giving their pets more attention every day than they gave their partners. A third have also been known to post more pictures of themselves with their cats and dogs on social media than with their human significant other.

dog snugged asleep on human arm wearing jumper

Most surprising may be the finding that 14% of the people surveyed said that they would rather spend the rest of their life with their pet rather than their partner.

Senior Marketing Manager for Fresh Pet, Hannah Edwards, told The Independent:

“Whilst some of the findings of this research are on the surface rather surprising, what they actually demonstrate is just how much us Brits love our pets and why they’re such an important part of our families”.

She went on to add:

“It’s clear our beloved pets mean the world to us…it seems even more than our other half at times!”

Black cats less popular due to Instagram

Black cats less popular due to Instagram | PetAir UK

Black cats have always had a bit of a hard time. First it was their association with witchcraft back in the Middle Ages, now it’s because they’re not photogenic enough to satisfy the “selfie” generation. The RSPCA has reported that of the more than 1,000 cats currently in care in the UK, 70% are black or black and white. The Moggery, a rescue centre in Bristol, says that all of the 40 cats currently in its care are black and owner Christine Bayka says that the situation is worse that it has ever been during the 21 years that the centre has been open.

Bayka told The Times: “It’s worse now because black cats don’t show up in selfies”. She added: “It happens all the time, I will go through the questions and say ‘are you flexible about colour?’ Then they will say ‘yes, as long as it’s not black.’”

The Moggery urged Bristol-based black cat owners to have them neutered back in February to try and prevent any unwanted future black cats from being abandoned and stuck in rescue homes.

The animal charity Blue Cross said that between 2007 and 2013 there had been a 65% rise in the number of black cats it took in annually.

cat on a chair

A north-east London branch of the RSPCA said that black cats receive less inquiries on social media than other cats. A representative told The Telegraph:

“We had some photos of a single eight-week old tabby kitten on our Facebook page and received around 30 calls in two days from people keen to adopt him. We had maybe one call in relation to the black kittens which were posted for rehoming on the same day.”

The owner of a Nottingham-based cat rescue centre told The Telegraph that ginger male cats are the most popular. Dr Jane Tyson, a scientific officer for the companion animals department at the RSPCA said: “Ginger and tabbies have the distinctive markings making them look more attractive to some but we would urge people to look beyond what an animal looks like. Their fur makes no difference to how much love they have to give.”

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for our dark-furred friends. Rachel Saunders, London Cattery Manager at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home said that while black cats do tend to take around three or four days longer to rehome, they do all go to loving new homes and some people even specifically ask for a black cat.

Law says mother must be present for buying puppies

Law says mother must be present for buying puppies | PetAir UK

Theresa May has announced a ban on the sale of puppies without their mother present. She hopes the move will end the “disturbing” multi-million pound illegal trade of puppy farms. Animal charities welcomed the announcement but said that enforcement would need to be tightly monitored.

Marking the biggest change in the way pets are sold in 66 years, the new legislation will mean that all sellers are required to show the puppies alongside their mothers to potential buyers. Theresa May hopes this will ensure that people can welcome a “happy, healthy” puppy into their families.

The internet has been one of the main catalysts for the trade as this allows people to buy puppies without seeing the conditions they are being raised in or where they’ve come from. Many puppies are smuggled into the UK on fake passports having been mass-produced on farms in Central and Eastern Europe.

puppy dog asleep on womans arm

The trade peaks in November and December when the Christmas season begins and The RSPCA says that criminal gangs have been known to make as much as £35,000 a week. Puppies bred on the illegal farms are often separated from their mothers far too early and often die soon after reaching their new home. Many of them suffer from being kept in poor conditions and require expensive treatment to deal with health and behavioural problems.

The new legislation also affects licensed dog breeders who will now only be able to sell puppies that they have bred themselves and any online advertisements will be required to include the seller’s license number, as well as the country of origin and residence of the dog. The government has also pledged to tackle the increase of careless overbreeding of popular dog breeds that are known to suffer lifelong health issues, like many flat-faced breeds including pugs and French bulldogs.

Help your pet adapt to living in a warmer climate

Help your pet adapt to living in a warmer climate | PetAir UK

Whether you’re moving somewhere sunny or just visiting a tropical destination, a dramatic change in climate can have an effect on your pet. When you first arrive, it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet and try and keep them nearby. As they are unable to communicate how they are feeling to you, you will need to be vigilant when looking for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

In many ways, going from cold place to a hot place is much worse than starting off hot and going somewhere cold. If your pet is too cold, it’s relatively easy to warm them up by sticking a jacket on them or getting them extra blankets to cuddle up in. Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do about humidity other than staying inside in a well air-conditioned building.

But there are ways that you can help your pet acclimatise. If you have a dog, you should take them out for short walks during the day and longer walks in the evening or at nighttime to help them adjust to the difference in temperature. The length of the daytime walks can be increased gradually as they adapt to the warmer weather. If you have a cat, let them out for short periods and try and keep an eye on them so that you can get them back inside if they start to look affected by the heat. It goes without saying that your pet will require constant access to water.

dog climbing out of sea

Try and create a shaded area that your pet can retreat to if the sun becomes too strong for them. Even if you can’t afford, or don’t have space for, a dog house, try tying up some tarpaulin to create a shaded space for your pet. You could add ice cubes to your pets water bowl or freeze some of their food to make them their very own ice lolly!

Another thing you can do to help your pet is brush them regularly. This will help them to shed their thick, heavy winter coats. If your pet is a long-haired breed, consider giving them a trim to help cool them down. It’s also a great opportunity for your dog to have a bit of fun with a sprinkler in the garden! A children’s paddling pool filled with lukewarm water can also be used for a dog, just make sure the base is sturdy enough to cope with claws!