A debate has been going on in recent years over the importance of vaccinations. In human medicine an increasing number of parents are opting not to vaccinate their children, which is causing concern for health officials. Veterinarians are also concerned that a growing number of unvaccinated pets increase the risk of a disease epidemic.

The importance of vaccination cannot be underplayed, and the success so far of the World Health Organisation’s ‘global polio eradication campaign’ is an illustration of the real value of large scale vaccinating. However, we also need to balance this with the risk of side effects. In the 1990s a type of cancer was linked to inoculations for rabies, necessary when exporting animals to some countries...

Guy Fawkes – A Helping Hand from Vetwise and Pet.co.nz

Unless your pet has had military training on how to cope in a war zone the chances are that they will suffer from some degree of anxiety and fear at Guy Fawkes time. This is because sudden loud sharp noises coupled with bright flashes are all reasons for animals to be afraid and seek safety. The fact that it only happens once a year and that Guy Fawkes turns your pets usual controlled environment into a battle ground adds to the confusion and anxiety most pets feel.

Our vet clinics always have a lot of enquiries this time of year from owners worried about how to help their pets cope with Guy Fawkes. It is worth remembering that our pets’ senses are far more sensitive than our...

Firstly, please remember that the best place for advice on any of your cats health issues is your local vet. Sometimes it is easier and cheaper to find a solution from your local pet store (just like we go to the pharmacy), but if your cat is really sick then you should always go to your vet.

However it is always a great idea to learn more about your cats health which can help prevent health issues arising. Below are some things it is great to know.  

Lack of Water

One of the most common ailments in cats is urinary tract crystals. It’s very important that your cat has easy access to clean water to help prevent this occurring. If you find your cat is not drinking from its cat bowl, you may find your cat prefers to drink running...

The death of a beloved pet can be hugely painful, and it’s difficult to plan for such a sad event. But think back to your early childhood memories of pets passing away. Goldfish flushed unceremoniously down the toilet. Guinea pigs and bunnies wrapped in old tea towels, and cats squashed into shoeboxes. Surely our furry family members are worth a little more thought?

So when the unfortunate time comes what's the next step? How do we provide a dignified burial?

Well… Rest In Pets wants to help make it a special moment for animal lovers and has designed a set of products that finally gives pet lovers an affordable option. 

A complete burial "kit" that can not only be personalized with a loving message, but is...

Sound extreme? Well just ask those neglected pot plants that have not been watered enough, if they could talk, I am sure they would agree! Now, I may be drawing a long bow when I compare dying pot plants to your faithful pets but water is the single most important nutrient to all living things and there are some very important things to know about the water requirements of cats and dogs.

• Dogs and cats need to consume 60-70ml of water per kilogram of body weight each day. This means that for an average 4.5kg cat it needs about 300ml per day. For a 25kg dog the water requirement is about 1600ml per day. 
• Dogs are naturally more inclined to drink than cats. They will drink enough water to replenish any dehydration within 24hours...