Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer

During hot days and dry conditions, your four-legged friends will need all the help they can get in keeping their cool over summer.

Pets require many of the same conditions that humans need: a shady spot to spend the day, access to cool water and plenty of rest. They also require gentle exercise in the coolest parts of the day and a dab of pet-friendly sunscreen on pink noses if they are out in the hot sun.

Whether your pets are spending time indoors or outdoors this summer, remember that they need special care in warm weather.

• One of the best activities for you and your dog during summer is a walk in the cooler evening so find out from your local council where the best parks and open spaces are for dogs during summer. There can be restrictions during this period that don't apply during the rest of the year, so it is worth checking for the latest information.

• Most dogs love water but with restrictions in force in many parts of Australia, you will have to be careful about splashing the wet stuff around. Many dogs love ice cubes and this is a water-efficient way of keeping them cool.

• If you are away from home during the day and can't leave your pet indoors, ensure they have a shady spot outside with plenty of fresh water.

• Some dogs just don't know when to say no, so if you have an active dog it may be necessary to discourage high energy play on hot days.

• Keeping your dog's coat short and well-groomed during summer will help it to stay cool.

• Summer thunderstorms can be a terrifying experience for both dogs and cats. Ideally, your dog and cat should be kept inside with human company if there is a summer storm. Some dogs are very fearful in storms and may try to escape the yard, so take time to ensure your yard is secure and that your dog is identified with a collar and tag. In severe cases of storm phobias, your veterinarian should be consulted.

• We all know not to leave a dog in a car on a hot day - even with a window down, cars get very hot. Garden sheds and other small spaces also heat up quickly and can be dangerous if a dog is confined to that area.

• We may not all know that swimming pools can be as dangerous to dogs as they can be to small children. Make sure the gate is closed at all times. Better still, take your four-legged friend to a dog-friendly beach, river or lake and teach it to swim!

• If travelling with your pet, consult with your vet about any special requirements. Ticks can be found in many of the popular coastal holiday spots and can be dangerous to dogs. Also make sure all vaccinations are up to date and your pet's ID tags are securely fastened to their collar.

History Of The Domestic Cat

Cats have always been very fascinating creatures and they are no less so today. They have become one of the worlds most sought after pets over the years as they are perfectly suited to the lifestyles of everyone. Independent, beautiful and easily cared for, cats are the ideal pet for many people.


Lions and tigers, today’s wild cats, descended from miacids, which were early carnivores. The wild cat developed into 3 main types of cats. These are the European wild cat, the African Wild Cat, and the Asiatic Desert Cat. The African Wild Cat is believed to have evolved into the domestic cat due to the Tabby markings they possess.

The domestic cats of today still show many of their wild ancestors’ traits. Those intelligent, almost human appearing eyes, their body shape as well as their feeding and grooming habits all come from these ancestors. They also possess the ability to spring into action at a moment’s notice. These are some of the characteristics that seem to make the cat so fascinating.

Cats were first domesticated around 4,000 years ago. The first people to realize the value of keeping cats were the Ancient Egyptians. They used them to protect their stores of food from vermin and other pests. The cats were also quite revered by the Egyptians as hunters, as well as being worshipped as gods and goddesses. Cats living in Ancient Egypt were quite safe as anyone who dared to kill a cat was put to death. In addition, cats were mummified upon death before they were buried.

It wasn’t long before other ancient civilizations began to domesticate cats. Tame felines made their way to Italy and spread throughout Europe from there. Shorthaired domestic cats began in Egypt and longhaired cats had their origins in Turkey and Iran. Domestic cats also began spreading over the world from India and into China and Japan. Eventually, the Pilgrims brought domestic cats to the New World with them. Aside from a brief period of time during the Middle Ages, when some people believed cats to be in league with the devil, they had become the most popular house pets in the world.

There are 36 recognized breeds throughout the world, with the Siamese being at the top of the list. However, it is the non-pedigree domestic cat called the mixed breed that seems to be the most popular among house pets. Of these, the black and white cat is the most popular, with the solid black cat and Tabby following respectively. With the evolution of these cats, it is very difficult to find homes today that do not boast at least 1 cat as a pet.