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USA: U.S. Dermatologist Lowell Ackerman has discovered and used pictures from this website in his Veterinary Dermatology book

Australia Parts of our website are now being used for teaching vet nurses on Gilles Plains Campus

JAPAN: Our Firework Phobia leaflet is now in use in Japan!!
(Download Japanese version)

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	Pet Tips & Hints

	Cat Tips Your Dog's Annual Budget Your Cat's Annual Budget How to get the Best out of your Vet How to get the Best from your Pet's Health Insurance
	How to give your cat a tablet
	Guess your pup's adult weight
	Your dog's age in human years
	Your cat's age in human years
	Cat Litter you'll enjoy using
	House Training Your Pup
	Benefits of Owning a Pet

Guess your puppy's adult weight.....................

At eight weeks of age - Multiply the pup's weight by 4. If the number comes out greater than 20kg, add 5 to 7 kg. If the number comes out greater than 35kg, add 7 to 10kg.

At twelve weeks of age - Multiply the pup's weight by 3. Follow the above rules if it comes out greater than 20kg or 35kg.

At sixteen weeks of age - Multiply the pup's weight by 2. Follow the above rules if it comes out greater than 20kg or 35kg.

To be more precise, average the three weights you get at the different ages.

How old is your dog in human years?
Your Dog's Age	*Your Dog's Age in Human Years*
Your Dog's Age	7-13kg	14-22k	23-34kg	35-45kg	over46kg
6	40	40	44	47	55
7	44	46	50	56	65
8	48	52	57	64	74
9	52	58	63	70	82
10	55	63	70	76	90
11	59	65	76	83	98
12	62	70	81	90	106
13	66	75	85	98
14	69	79	91	105
15	73	84	95
16	77	88	99
17	82	95	104
18	86	99
19	91	104
20	97

How to read the "Age" table:
The table shows the equivalent age of a cross-bred dog, in human years.
For pedigree dogs add on 1 -2 years to your dog's age before doing the conversion.
The table assumes the dog is the correct weight.
Overweight dogs may age more quickly than the table suggests.

How old is your cat in human years?
Age of Cat	Age in Human Years
1	16
2	21
3	25
4	29
5	33
6	37
7	41
8	45
9	49
10	52
11	56
12	61
13	66
14	71
15	76
16	81
17	86
18	91
19	96
20	101

Overweight cats may age more quickly than the table suggests.

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Cat Litter you can enjoy using!

1. Reduce the amount of motion your cat produces.
Feed Hill's "Science Plan". You cat will produce less motion, you'll use less litter.
This also reduces the number of times your cat will need to use the litter tray, reduces the number of times you will need to attend to the litter, and, because you use less litter it saves you money!
2. Use Premium Choice "Clumping Cat Litter" - you'll never go back to the old stuff!
Call in at the surgery and ask for a quick demo of how it works.
a) Use a scoop to picks out clumps. Leaves the litter absolutely clean.
b) Once filled the tray only needs a complete clean out every couple of months!
c) Eliminates smell better than other cat litters.
d) Economical because none is wasted.
e) Most cats prefer clumping cat litter.
3.Use a large deep litter tray.
Use a plastic storage box from a DIV superstore (approx. 18"x14"x 8" deep).
Use the litter 2 - 3 " deep. It takes a full container of litter to set it up but it lasts for ages.
4. Position the tray in a private place ideally well away from the cat’s food, and, if possible, away from the cat door.
5. Scoop out the waste once a day and top up with more litter twice a week.

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House Training Your Pup
Adult dogs always like to keep their "den" clean.
Virtually all pups will become clean in the house even without training.
The suggestions below will help your pup to learn quickly.

1. Reduce The Amount Of Motion.
Feed Hill's "Science Plan". This will result in much less motion than most other foods (about a half or less). This makes it easier for your pup to "hold on". If there is a mess overnight, avoid feeding after 6.00pm.
2. Puppy House Cage.
When not under observation, keep your pup in a puppy house cage containing his bedding. A pup tends not to foul his den or sleeping area and will learn to "hold on". Gradually allow him access to more of the house as he learns that all of it is part of his "den".
3. No Punishments.
Shouting, anger, "rubbing noses in it" - none of these work.
In fact they make matters worse by confusing the pup and making him afraid of "performing" in your presence. This means that eventually he won’t do it on a walk but will wait until you have gone to bed!
4. Watch Closely and Take Him Out
Watch for the signs that he is just about to perform - sniffing, circling, thinking of squatting. Watch especially after feeding, as he wakes up, or is let out of the pen. Interrupt this behaviour immediately, but gently, and take him out into the garden / yard. Wait patiently and quietly for 3 minutes. If he does not perform then quietly take him back inside. If he does perform then REWARD him immediately. (see below).
5. Reward Your Pup Effectively.
Reward him with enthusiastic praise and touch. Jump up and down with joy. Express yourself just as your pup does to you. Your voice, facial expression and body language can all be used to make him feel good. Give him a tasty treat. He'll soon learn to perform outside just to get you going!
Once your pup is allowed to go for walks, a fun walk can be used as a reward, if he performs - he gets a walk! Remember not to end a walk immediately after your pup performs or he will learn to "hold on" so as to extend his walk. It is better to encourage him to perform before a walk and be rewarded with a walk.
6. Teach Your Pup To Perform On Command.
Choose a word or a sign. Use it every time you pup is in the act of performing. Soon he will associate the word with the act and will perform on command. Guide dogs are taught to respond to "Get Busy", but any clear word or phrase would do.
7. Cleaning Up In The House.
When there is a mess to clean up - do it calmly (don’t show anger or frustration). Pick up the bulk in kitchen towels, soak up the wet with old newspaper, then clean with a mild disinfectant in a pump spray. Ask reception for advice on disinfection. It is best to avoid strong disinfectants or bleach as the ammonia in them may attract the pup to perform there again. Use "ODOUR ELIMINATOR" spray after cleaning up to get rid of any smell . This will also stop the pup being attracted back to that place to perform again.
8. Poop Scoops.
When on a walk, be prepared to pick up any mess that is produced in the wrong place. Several types of poop scoop are available in reception. Veterinary Plan food help produce "pick-able" motions!

Newspaper Training? Pet behaviourists these days no longer recommend training to newspapers. If you train your pup to perform on newspaper you then have to "un-train" him a few weeks later.
If you feel happier using newspaper this is O.K. but do follow all the above guidelines as well.

How To Give A Tablet To Your Cat - and keep your fingers (download pdf)
The Vet Health Centre Method (for the Silly Internet Version click here!)

Method

1. Place your left hand on top of the cat’s head. Thumb and first finger go each side of the head in front of the ears. Middle finger does nothing! And the remaining two fingers go either side of the neck. Piano players have an advantage here! Hold the head firmly without squeezing hard.
2. Tip the head back (much more than in the picture above) - right back until the back of your left hand touches the cat’s back. The mouth will now be open a little and the lower jaw will be weak. Keep the nose pointing to the ceiling.
3. Holding the tablet between thumb and first finger of your right hand, use the middle right finger to pull down the jaw.
4. Aim well and drop the tablet far back in the throat into the groove on the back of the tongue. Let go of the lower jaw then gently release the cat. The tablet should go down.

Ask for a demonstration next time your cat is in to see the vet.

If your cat is nervous or difficult try this calming method before you give the tablet.

1. Place cat in cat carrier cage and wait 15 minutes (no sympathy!).
2. Take the basket (without any soft-talk) to a small unfamiliar room with no escape routes (something like our small consulting rooms).
3. Lift the cat out of the basket (still without speaking) and gently but firmly hold your cat on a small table (or, if you are agile, on the floor between your knees).
4. Give the tablet as above.

Notes

n If the tablet is placed wrongly i.e. in the side of the mouth or on the front of the tongue it will be spat out.
n If your cat holds the tablet in the mouth without swallowing it then try trickling a little water into the mouth using syringe or dropper.
n Cats don't choke as easily as we do - don't be afraid to give the tablet a little push down the throat with your little finger. Get your finger out quick!