PURR, CLAW, CROW 2015/2016

FREE
Spring
& Summer
INTO
PURR,
CLAW,
CROW
2015/2016
PARASITES &
YOUR PET
Be vigilant and aware of
Ticks, Fleas & Heartworms
FREE 6 POINT
PET HEALTH CHECK
CHICKENS
Chickens make
great companions
We check 6 important areas of
pet health for your pet
PLUS:
RATS - Is a pet Rat for you?
CANINE DEPRESSION - Dogs suffer the loss of a loved
one just as humans do
PET OBESITY - Tips to keep your pet in tip top shape
FISH - Australian native fish for your pond
introducing the
next-generation
of flea & tick
protection
Fleas and ticks are a nuisance to our dogs.
Fleas can cause skin irritation, while
ticks can result in severe illness and even
death. With so many flea and tick products
available, pet owners can be confused about
how best to protect their dog.
There’s now a simple solution to flea and
tick protection for dogs.
NEXGARD ® is the first tasty chew that kills
fleas AND ticks, including deadly paralysis
ticks for a full month. Protecting your dog
from these dangerous parasites is now as
simple as one chew, once a month.
NEXGARD ® can be given to puppies from 8
weeks of age and >2kgs in weight, with or
without food.
NEXGARD ® won’t wash off when your dog
goes swimming or is bathed. NEXGARD ®
doesn’t just kill fleas, it also kills deadly
ticks which is important for people who live
in paralysis tick areas or travel with their
dogs to high-risk tick locations.
kills fleas
kills ticks
one chew
once a month
tasty chew
is a registered trademark
What’s inside
this issue...
CONTENTS
COVER STORIES
INSIDE
05
09
18
28
PARASITES & YOUR PET
Spring and Summer aren’t just
about lovely days spent at the
beach, they also mean Ticks,
Fleas, Heartworm.
04 PET TALES
05 PARASITES & YOUR PET
09 BACKYARD CHICKENS
KEEPING BACKYARD
CHICKENS
12 PET OBESITY
16
KIDDY FUN
Chickens are no longer just
kept on farms, discover how
keeping chickens as pets is
great for your backyard.
18 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISH
21 THE DANGERS OF DOGS IN
HOT CARS
Selecting a suitable
community fish that can
be mixed with other larger
community species
23 STORE LOCATIONS
24 PET HEALTH CHECK
26 RATS – RODENTS OR PETS?
CANINE DEPRESSION
28 CANINE DEPRESSION
AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISH
Dogs suffer the loss of a loved
one just as humans do
WELCOME
To another edition of the Just For Pets Magazine.
We love pets and it is our passion and purpose to help Australian pet owners
have the best relationship with happy and healthy pets all their lives long.
So we believe in empowering pet owners with the knowledge, services and
quality brands they need to take great care of their pets.
Many of our stores have been owned and run by the same Aussie
families for generations. Our experienced and highly trained staff are pet
experts and can also refer pet owners to local independent vets. So for
good old-fashioned friendly service and quality advice, come in and see
one of our friendly pet experts. It’s free!
Just For Pets magazine is available each quarter, bringing to you, up to
date seasonal information, new products and more. Why don’t you be a part
of it? We welcome any animal stories and funny photos!
Please send us anything you want to share with us and other pet owners, these
can be sent to [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you in store very soon!
Karen Justice
Group Manager
3
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Hi Ladies
Anyone up for a play date?
Great outdoors
In a hurry to get to their local
Just For Pets store!
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PARASITES
It is time to be vigilant and be aware of whether you are in
a tick affected area, protecting your pet from mosquitoes
and warding of fleas and worms. We have broken down
the common parasites that affect our pets for you to better
understand them.
HEARTWORMS
Spring and summer are all about great weather
and longer days, but they also mark the arrival of
parasites and an ever increasing risk of our pets
suffering from an infestation.
And so the cycle begins again.
This disease is potentially fatal yet completely preventable.
Pets living outdoors are at higher risk of developing heartworm
disease however, mosquitoes can find their way into most
houses, fly screens or not, this means that even completely
indoor pets are at risk of infection from heartworm.
Heartworm is a parasitic worm that is transmitted by
mosquitos and infects both dogs and cats. An infected
mosquito bites the pet and injects a larval stage of the worm
under the skin. This larval stage matures in the pet’s organs for
5 to 6 months before becoming an adult worm and migrating
through the organs to the heart and blood vessels
of the lungs. These adult worms then
breed to produce microfilaria (baby heart
worm) in the bloodstream which are
then drawn up by a mosquito when
it feeds on an infected pet.
SYMPTOMS OF HEARTWORM
Dogs rarely show immediate signs of heartworm
infection as the adult worms take 6 to 7 months to develop
from larvae transmitted by a mosquito bite.
Some commons symptoms:
•Coughing
• Lack of energy
• Reluctance to exercise
• Weight loss
PREVENTING HEARTWORM
Start heartworm prevention for your dog from 6 weeks
of age. It should stay on preventative treatment for life to
avoid canine heartworm disease. Your vet can test for the
presence of heartworm infection before starting ANY
heartworm prevention for the first time, or if heartworm
prevention has been missed.
There are 3 methods of prevention to choose from:
• Monthly topical application:
• Monthly tablets or chewables
• Annual Injection (for dogs only)
5
FLEAS
Humidity and warmer temperatures create the
perfect setting for fleas to finish their breeding
cycle – and trigger an outbreak in your home.
The adult fleas you can see on your pet represent only 5% of
the total flea population. The other 95% lurk in the pet’s home
environment as eggs, larvae and pupae, waiting for the right
conditions before they hatch and wreak havoc.
Although they may not be visible, fleas can lay up to 50 eggs
a day. These eggs are shed from your pet into the home
environment. Eggs hatch into larvae which could be hiding in
your carpets, rugs or cracks in the floorboards. Larvae develop
into pupae which may be lingering in your couch until the
summer weather prompts them to emerge as adult fleas.
Without prevention your home may be at risk of a flea
infestation, and it may be from causes beyond your control.
Fleas thrive in damp, shady areas found in your garden and
especially under your house. Their eggs can be shed from
neighbourhood pets, rodents or native animals that have access
WEIRD FLEA FACTS
• A female flea can lay at least 50 eggs a
day. Half the eggs will be female which can
eventually produce about 20000 new fleas in
60 days
• Fleas put Olympians to shame. They can jump
110 times their length.
• When a flea jumps it accelerates 20 times
faster than a space shuttle
• Fleas have been on the earth for at least
165million years. Flea fossils date back to the
Mesozoic era, which includes the Jurassic
period. At the time, they were giants compared
to today’s fleas, and their victims would have
been dinosaurs.
• Winter does not always kill fleas. Many larvae
can survive short periods of freezing temps
as long as they are wrapped snuggly in their
cocoons. The lucky ones find warm spots
to hide out until temperatures are more
hospitable.
to your garden or home.
To prevent your home becoming a summer breeding ground for
fleas, it’s crucial to treat your pets regularly during the summer
season – and every season. Missing just one monthly treatment
can quickly lead to a re-infestation. For complete protection
against infestation, you need a treatment that combats every
stage of the flea life cycle. Talk to your local Just For Pets Pet
Expert for advice on what best will suit your pet.
6
TICKS
Deadly paralysis ticks are active in spring
and summer and present a risk to your pet.
Veterinarians across Australia are urging pet
owners to be on high alert. Fortunately, there are
some simple steps every pet owner can take to
prevent the fatal consequences of paralysis ticks.
Paralysis ticks are among the most dangerous parasites
that can affect your pet. They can be found on the eastern
seaboard, from North Queensland to Eastern Victoria. The
trouble starts when a paralysis tick transfers on to your pet
in bush land, scrubland, thick grass or vegetation. Once it has
latched on to your dog or cat, it sucks blood and secretes a
venomous toxin. If left undetected or untreated, the toxins from
the tick’s saliva can cause paralysis and even death.
Many of these signs and symptoms can be confused with
other pet ailments and cause pet owners to delay visits to
their veterinarian. Searching your pet’s skin and coat is the
most important preventative measure you can take to protect
your pet against deadly paralysis ticks. Remove your pet’s
collar and run your hands against the coat. Search your pets
every day for ticks and always remove ticks immediately when
detected. (Check out the Just For Pets Website on how to
examine your pet for ticks).
Fortunately there are some simple steps you can take to
prevent potentially fatal tick toxicity:
• Avoid tick habitats
• Search pets everyday
• Remove any ticks immediately and contact your vet
• Apply tick preventative to your pets - Speak to your local
Just For Pets store to see which would suit your pet best!
• Ticks do not fly, jump or fall from trees. They generally
crawl up their hosts from the tips of grasses and shrubs
• In many hard ticks, the saliva also acts like cement, helping
to anchor the tick in place and making it harder to remove
• There are more than 850 species of ticks on the planet
SIGNS OF TICK TOXICITY MAY INCLUDE:
• Loss of coordination in the hind legs
• Retching, coughing or vomiting
• Laboured or rapid breathing
THESE SIGNS OFTEN DO NOT
APPEAR UNTIL THE TICK HAS
BEEN ATTACHED FOR THREE
TO FIVE DAYS.
OTHER SIGNS MAY INCLUDE:
• Change in voice or bark
• Loss of appetite
• Noisy grunting or respiration
• Excess salivation
• Anxiety and distress
TICK FACTS
• Tick are arachnids, meaning they are more closely related
to spiders and scorpions than insects
7
We understand
peace of mind comes from
knowing he’s protected
inside and out
There’s no more thorough protection than Advocate.
It is the closest thing to a vaccine against Australia’s
most common parasites.
1
T H E
A D V A N T A G E
F A M I L Y™
We understand each other
™
Visit theadvantagefamily.com.au/advocate for more information
8
Reference: 1. Cruthers LR, et al. New Developments in Parasite Protection. Proceedings from 2008 NAVC Conference, Supplement to Veterinary Forum Vol 25, No.3(B), March 2008. © Bayer Australia Ltd 2013. The Advantage Family™ and We understand each
other™ are trademarks, and Advocate is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Customer Information Line – Toll Free 1800 678 368 from anywhere in Australia 9.00am to 6.00pm EST. Monday to Friday. ghg/BAY2774/GW. 01/14. GHG.
®
KEEPING
CHICKENS
AS PETS
You don’t need to live on a farm to enjoy the
benefits of keeping chickens at home.
The keeping of backyard chooks is not a new thing; it dates
back over 5,000 years!
Apart from providing you with delicious eggs all year round,
there are so many benefits to keeping chooks.
They’re a great source of manure for fertiliser. They control
insects and pests in your garden, adding to their natural diet in
the process.
Mass production of eggs and chickens in huge sheds, and
changing lifestyles, saw the decline of backyard poultry, but it’s
making a huge comeback.
Many Australian families have also recognised that a few
chickens work splendidly in a symbiotic relationship with the
backyard vegie patch.
9
CAN YOU DEDICATE SOME
TIME EACH DAY?
Although low-maintenance, chickens do require a small
amount of daily care as well as some monthly and semiannual maintenance. Plan on spending 10 minutes a day on
your pet chickens.
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE?
Some local councils may have restrictions on the keeping of
poultry (especially Roosters). It is wise to enquire about your
local council requirements.
Chickens don’t require a ton of space. To determine the
appropriate size for your chickens, allow approximately 4 sq.ft.
of floor space per bird.
HOUSING
It is important to provide your chickens with protection against
the weather and direct sunlight. The house must be ventilated;
however it must also provide shelter from draughts and very
hot winds.
Protection from foxes and other predators is essential. Ensure
that your enclosure is locked well, is free from any gaps and
does not have any soft areas of flooring that can be dug up or
burrowed through.
Convenient access to fresh water is important. If using dam or
river water it must be sanitised to be suitable for consumption
by domestic poultry. This is to reduce the risk of infection with
serious emergency poultry diseases (i.e. Avian Influenza) from
water contaminated by wild birds, particularly waterfowl.
NESTING
Keep nests clean to avoid soiling the eggs. Hens can be trained
not to sleep in nests by providing perches and excluding them
from the nests in the evening.
PREVENTING PARASITES
Backyard chickens can become easily commonly infested with
types of worms including the intestinal worm, caecal worm
and tapeworms.
External parasitic infestation such as ticks, lice and mites
causes undue irritation and stress to your birds, which can
result in a severe drop in egg production.
TREATING WORMS IN
CHICKENS
Chickens are most often affected by roundworms, tapeworms,
and gapeworms. Chickens that have worms may look
10
unhealthy and thin. They may gain weight slowly even though
they eat more feed than chickens without worms, and they
may lay fewer eggs. Many species of worms, however, can live
in chickens and not cause any problems. If you notice worms
or your chickens don’t seem to be as healthy as they could be,
it may be time to check for worms and treat if necessary.
Generally, treatment for chicken worms consists of worming
the entire flock. It is recommended at a minimum of twice
yearly preventative as a precaution, even if you don’t see
worms or symptoms. It doesn’t hurt to worm as a preventive
measure if you follow the directions for the worm medication.
POULTRY LICE
Poultry lice are wingless, straw-coloured insects that feed on
dry skin scales, scabs, and feathers. A poultry louse spends its
entire life on its bird host; if it falls off the bird, it won’t survive
long in the environment!
Poultry lice can be treated by cleaning the entire chicken coop
and treating the flock in one entire treatment, speak to your
local Just For Pets store for options on dusting powders to
best achieve eradication of lice & mites.
FEEDING YOUR CHICKENS
Chickens are omnivores, meaning it is in their nature to
consume meat and vegetable material. In the wild this would
consist of insects, worms, carcasses, seeds and other plant
material. Chickens will not survive on vegetable scraps alone.
To achieve good health, well-being and egg production, the
laying hen must receive a balanced diet.
Ample, cool, clean water should always be available
as this is essential for maximum egg production.
5 TOP REASONS TO
HAVE CHICKENS
Great-tasting,
nutritious eggs
3
2
Chickens have
personality galore
– seriously!
A healthy lawn without
the chemicals
One man’s unappealing
leftovers are another
chicken’s feast
The very definition of
low-maintenance
11
WEIGHT GAIN IS A
BIG PROBLEM FOR
AUSSIE PETS.
Extra weight is a significant danger to their health, increasing the risk of
serious diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, painful
osteoarthritis and urinary disease in cats.
Studies with dogs have shown those on a controlled diet with lower weight and body fat
can live two years longer than dogs whose diets and weights aren’t controlled.
But many of us don’t realise that our pets have a weight problem, and even when we
do, we may not be aware of how much it can affect their health and well-being.
So, what are the signs of an
overweight pet?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Is it difficult to feel his / her ribs or spine?
Is it difficult to see your pet’s waist?
Is his / her abdomen sagging?
Does his / her face look more round with larger cheeks?
When people want to lose weight, they usually do so by eating healthy food
in the right amounts. The same is true for your pets. They need specific diet
foods to help them lose weight without losing out on the essential nutrients
they require for good health.
Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect
Weight is a new breakthrough
weight management technology
that works in a different way to
other weight loss pet foods.
Hill’s™ Science Diet™
Perfect Weight works to
activate pets’ natural
ability to burn fat and
increase appetite control
and is formulated with
a blend of natural ingredients that put pets in calorie-burning
mode. Hill’s™ Science Diet™ Perfect Weight is completed and
balanced for adult maintenance and can continue to be feed to
your pet once they reach their goal weight.
If you think your pet is overweight you should speak to the Pet
Expert at your local Just For Pets store about Hill’s™ Science
Diet™ Perfect Weight available for both dogs and cats in a dry and
canned formula.
12
It’s not just more Australian’s who are suffering
from obesity. More pets are too, with over 40% of
dogs and over 30% of cats estimated to be clinically
overweight or obese, that equates to potentially 2.15
million overweight Australian pets1,2.
EXERCISE
Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is not all about diet!
Regular exercise is good for slimming animals (and owners!) as it increases the number of
calories they burn.
When used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet, exercise helps the animal to shed
those excess kilos faster. For dogs, start a daily exercise routine, gradually building up to a
minimum of two 10-15 minute brisk walks per day (unless your dog has health problems
which restrict their movement).
Cats can be encouraged to exercise more by playing with toys and providing more access to
outdoor areas.
DOES YOUR CAT...
DOES YOUR DOG...
Often appear tired and lazy?
Often appear tired and lazy?
Hesitate when jumping onto furniture?
Lag behind on walks?
Have difficulty grooming properly?
Pant constantly?
Have matted hair on the back or tail area?
Need help getting in the car?
Resist playing games?
Resist playing games?
Bark without getting up?
1. McGreevy PD, Thomson PC, et al. 2005. Prevalence of obesity in dogs examined by Australian Veterinary Practices and the risk factors
involved. Vet Rec 156:695-707;
2. 2 McGreevy PD, Thomas PC, et al. Overweight or Obese Cats Presented to Australian Veterinary Practices: Risk Factors and
Prevalence. Aust Vet Practice 38(3) 98-107.
TM Shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc ©2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited.
13
Healthy
Weight for
Longer Life
NEW Hill’s Science Diet
™
™
Perfect Weight
• A breakthrough blend of
natural ingredients
*
*
• Helps your pet shed
excess weight
• No artificial flavours, colours
or preservatives, tastes great
Hill’s #1 Brand recommended by Australian Vets
SP3808 * Data on file, Hill’s USA (2011). ™ shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-DN-1438416. HPA2280. 08/14. GHG.
14
15
just for
kids*
Chickens are able to remember and recognise over 100 individuals; they can also
recognise humans!
The chicken is the closest living relative to the great Tyrannosaurus-Rex!
Make me
all colourful
AUSTRALIAN
NATIVE FISH
Australian and New Guinea Rainbowfish are members of the family Melanotaeniidae and are one of
the more important Family groups in Australian waters.
The taxonomy of the group is somewhat confused and fish
from different river systems often have different colours. To
help with identification, they are distinguished by including the
source in the name e.g. Goyder River.
Larger adult sized fish generally have better colours than
juveniles and display well in planted tanks.
18
EXCELLENT COMMUNITY FISH
Rainbowfish are excellent examples of fish for beginners
because they are extremely hardy and are not prone to many
diseases common to other tropical fishes.
They are a suitable community fish that can be mixed with
other larger community species.
WATER QUALITY
These small freshwater fish are found in a variety of habitats which include
streams of all sizes, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and swamps.
Most Rainbowfish will fare well in aquariums with a neutral pH (7 - 7.5), soft to
hard general hardness 100 - 350ppm and slightly warm waters (22 - 28oC).
Murray River Rainbows can tolerate quite low temperatures and are suitable
for ponds in most areas of Australia.
FEEDING
Rainbows will feed on a wide range of artificial and frozen foods. They readily
accept most standard aquarium fare like Tropical Flakes, and live foods like
brine shrimp and ants. They also enjoy feasting on mosquito larvae!
LONGEVITY
Given the right conditions, some Rainbowfish can survive for 6 years or more
in captivity.
BREEDING
These fish are easy to breed but aquarium owners should not keep spare
males of one species with females of another species as they can interbreed
readily.
Rainbow fish are great for planted tanks and a good community fish.
For more information visit aquariumindustries.com.au where you will find
hundreds of free care sheets to keep your scaly friend happy!
19
“There is nothing more relaxing after a big day than to sit near your
garden pond, watching the fish swim in their rhythmical pattern and
admire the water plants in full bloom”
With spring well and truly arrived it is time
to think about our outdoor living areas. By
following a few simple rules for the garden
pond you can create a watery oasis that requires
minimal maintenance. Water management is the
key, this can be achieved by ensuring your pump
is working correctly and keeping your water
parameters in check.
Pumps
For small ponds the general consensus is that you must turn your water over twice per hour, whilst a large pond requires the
water to be turned over once per hour. (The more fish and plants the greater the turn over needs to be). So when planning your
pond or upgrading your pump keep this in mind, look at the flow rates not horse power or pump size as the flow rate can vary
greatly between units. We recommend Eheim Universal Pumps which have flow rates between 270 and 3400 Litres per hour.
Using a fountain during the summer months will help cool the pond as the breeze and airflow will cool the spurting water, this
will also aerate the water as well.
General Maintenance
Managing a pond is similar in many ways to managing a fish tank. With any fish keeping method, fish waste and plant material
cause ammonia to build up. The good bacteria then convert this to Nitrite then Nitrate which can then be back flushed from the
pond. Regular cleaning of the bottom of the pond via a suction hose will also help this process.
Seachem produce a specialty pond range of products that can also help with your pond maintenance.
Pond Prime: Removes chlorine, chloramines, detoxifies ammonia nitrite. Provides ions and enhances slim coat of the fish.
Pond Stability: Rapidly establishes beneficial bacteria to new ponds or systems that have been altered.
Pond Clarigen: The ultimate clarifier for ponds, clears all types of clouding
Pond Flourish: Liquid growth stimulator for pond plants, helps strengthen stems, leaves and increase flowers
Pond Healthguard: A safe disinfectant that controls parasite, bacterial, fungal and viral infections in fish.
Pond Phosguard: A non-herbicidal, environmentally sound way to control phosphate in ponds
With some general maintenance and the use of a correctly sized pump you can minimise the time required to keep your pond
clean and tidy, allowing you to relax and enjoy your garden oasis.
Bay
Fish
Live Aquarium Fish
20
DOGS
IN CARS
Overheated dogs can become life
threatening very quickly. It may
also lead to heat exhaustion, heat
stroke, dehydration and even
death from irregularities in the
heart.
HOT WEATHER
TIPS:
• Have water available at all times: this
one seems quite obvious, but it is all
too easy for a dog to knock over the
bowl and then they are left without
water until someone gets home. Be
sure to have numerous water bowls
if you are planning to be away for the
whole day. Consider purchasing a
Drinkwell water fountain. Not only are
they difficult to knock over, but they
keep the water moving and therefore
keep it cooler.
• Leave bottles of frozen water around
the yard. Dogs can use this to lick the
cool exterior of the bottle if they are
excessively hot, but some pets will
even choose to lay against the bottles
to help regulate their temperature.
• Ensure adequate shade in several
areas of your outdoor space. Better
still, allow them access to the inside
with a doggy door so they can access
the cooler environment.
Every summer, we
hear the warning
about dogs in cars
dying from heat
exhaustion, yet
it still happens.
Besides overheating
in cars, dogs can
overheat in many
other ways too.
Here are some tips
for keeping your pet
cool.
• Take frequent breaks during
particularly hot periods of the day if
you are out walking your pup.
• Time your walks around the weather.
• Don’t walk during the hottest stretches
of the day. The pavement is too hot
for your dog’s paws, and they could
get burned. Aim for early morning
or late evening for walks, when the
pavement and weather is a little more
comfortable.
• If your dog seems hot, cool him down
with a cold towel under his armpits, or
by playing with the garden hose or in
the pool.
• Never leave your dog alone in a hot
vehicle where they can quickly get
overheated.
21
SIGNS OF OVERHEATING
• Panting excessively, fast noisy breathing
•Disorientation
• Collapsing or convulsing
• Bright red or blue gums
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
Be aware that dogs are not likely to stop activity such as
playing or hunting due to overheating, so the onus is on the
owner to be aware at all times during the hotter months of the
year.
KEEP CANINES COOL!
DON’T LEAVE DOGS
IN HOT CARS
22
MY DOG HAS OVERHEATED,
NOW WHAT?
Keep calm, but act quickly! Every second counts when dealing
with a dog who is overheating. Move your dog to shade or air
conditioning immediately. Put cool (not cold) water over your
dog, focusing on the groin area. Offer your pup small amounts
of cool water to drink, and get in touch with your vet urgently if
he doesn’t start to improve fairly quickly.
Parked cars are fast-acting deathtraps for dogs: On a 25
degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar
to between 38 and 49 degrees in mere minutes, and on a
32 degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high
as 71 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Our best hope for
eliminating this tragic trend is to increase awareness, pledge
to spread awareness, and to act if we see any animal left
alone in an unattended vehicle.
AniPET Pet & Aquarium
Warehouse
40-42 Kalaroo Rd, Redhead 2290
P 02 4944 8844
anipet.com.au
Armidale Pet Shop
109 Beardy Street, Armidale 2350
P 02 6771 1040
Smart Choice Pet Warehouse
Shop 22, Miami One,
1934 Gold Coast Highway,
Miami 4220
Vet and Pet Centre
69 New England Highway,
Aberdeen 2359
P 02 6543 7111
Claws Paws & More
Shop 8, 19-23 Turner Road, Berowra Heights 2082
P 02 9456 0255
clawspawsandmore.com
Woonona Petfood & Produce
47 Bellambi Lane, Bellambi 2518
P 02 4284 3162
woononapetfoods.com.au
QLD
Junction Pets Pantry
13-15 Gray Street,
Bondi Junction 2022
P 02 9387 1912
Mik’s Pet Barn
8 Enterprise Court, Forster 2428
P 02 6557 5520
mikspetbarn.com.au
Pet Care 2000
240 Taren Point Road,
Caringbah 2229
P 02 9542 7473
petcare2000.com.au
Pet Care 2000
Unit 3/18 Victoria Ave,
Castle Hill 2154
P 02 9659 1522
petcare2000.com.au
Pet Care 2000
12 Rennie Street,
Wetherill Park 2164
P 02 9757 1322
petcare2000.com.au
Pet Care 2000
1/165 Rookwood Road,
Yagoona 2199
P 02 9708 0472
petcare2000.com.au
Poplar Petfood and Produce
6 Kingston Town Dr,
Kembla Grange NSW 2526
P 02 4272 6252
poplarpetfood.com.au
Port Stephens Pet Barn
6/5 Bagnall Beach Rd,
Salamander Bay 2317
P 02 4982 7777
myportstephens.com.au
Squawks Pet Store
98 Showground Road,
Gosford 2250
P 02 4339 2071
squawks.com.au
St Ives Purrfect Pets
Shop 25c St Ives Village,
Mona Vale Road, St Ives 2075
P 02 9988 0038
purr-fectpets.com.au
LEGEND
Superpetz Glendenning
670 Richmond Rd,
Glendenning, 2761
P 02 9626 8485
superpetz.com.au
Taree Pet Barn
19 Elizabeth Avenue, Taree 2430
P 02 6550 0055
tareepetbarn.com.au
Brontosaurus Pet Super Centre
Coffs Harbour
2/3 Gerard Drive,
Coffs Harbour 2450
P 02 6652 4308
brontosaurus.com.au
PJ’s Pet Barn
399 Yaamba Rd,
Nth Rockhampton 4701
P 07 4928 0299
Superpetz Tuggerah
2/4 Mildon Rd, Tuggerah 2259
P 02 4351 7500
superpetz.com.au
Bishops South Nowra
21 Bellvue St,
South Nowra 2541
P 02 4423 2359
bishopsonline.com.au
Harrison’s Horse Pet Rural
89 Queen Street, Moruya 2537
P 02 4474 3269
harrisonsrural.com.au
St Mary’s Pet Centre
2 Belar St, St Mary’s NSW 2760
P 02 9623 4611
stmaryspetcentre.com.au
Acacia Pet Supplies & Produce
96a Sherbrooke Rd,
Willawong 4110
P 07 3372 4122
Capalaba Produce
3247 Old Cleveland Road,
Capalaba 4157
P 07 3390 1433
capalabaproduce.com.au
Chinchilla Pet Parlour
3/4 Mayne St, Chinchilla 4413
P 07 4668 9709
Fernvale Produce Mitre 10
1452 Brisbane Valley Hwy,
Fernvale 4306
P 07 5426 7300
fernvaleproduce.com.au
Highlands Pets & Produce
Lot 1 Macauley Rd, Emerald 4720
P 07 4987 7699
highlands.com.au
Ipswich Pet & Aquarium
7 Hooper St, West Ipswich 4305
P 07 3281 3122
ipswichpetaquarium.com.au
Petforce Bundaberg
Shop 6, Homemaker Centre
Bundaberg, 4670
P Coming Soon
petforce.com.au
Petforce Gold Coast
4/2 Treasure Island Drive,
Biggera Waters 4216
P 02 6652 4308
petforce.com.au
Petforce Hervey Bay
99 Main St Pialba Qld 4655
P 07 4194 1633
petforce.com.au
Petforce Strathpine
1/130 Gympie Rd
Strathpine, 4500
P Coming soon
petforce.com.au
Pets Galore
8 Hodgson Street, Toowoomba 4350
07 4632 6917
petsgalore.com.au
Pets Unleashed
Shop 5/630 Wynnum Road,
Morningside 4170
P 07 3395 6668
petsunleashed.com.au
SA
Aldinga One Stop Pet Shop
7-9 Lot 76 How Rd,
Aldinga Beach 5173
P 08 8557 7857
Hilltop Pet and Aquariums
43 Main South Road,
O’Halloran Hill 5158
P 08 8322 1888
hilltoppets.com.au
P & K Pets
19 Magill Rd, Stepney 5069
P 08 8362 2375
pkpets.com.au
TAS
Animal Tuckerbox Derwent Park
8 Lampton Avenue,
Derwent Park 7009
P 03 6273 1366
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Devonport
7 Don Road, Devonport 7310
P 03 6423 1711
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Hobart
170 Murray Street, Hobart 7000
P 03 6231 3440
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Huonville
6 Coolstore Road, Huonville 7109
P 03 6264 1850
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Kingston
3 Mertonvale Circuit,
Kingston 7050
P 03 6229 1850
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Launceston
41 Boland Street,
Launceston 7250
P 03 6333 0665
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Mornington
98 Mornington Road,
Mornington 7018
P 03 6244 7955
animaltuckerbox.com.au
Animal Tuckerbox Sorrell
7 Oak Crt, Sorell 7009
P 03 6265 2892
animaltuckerbox.com.au
VIC
Ascot Pet/ Ascot Saddlery
540 Racecourse Road,
Flemington 3031
P 03 9376 5444
ascotsaddlery.com.au
Bacchus Marsh Farm Supplies P/L
126 Main Street,
Bacchus Marsh 3340
P 03 5366 0600
bacchusmarshfarmsupplies.com.au
Claws N Paws Pet Supplies
210 Canterbury Road,
Bayswater 3153
P 03 9036 1729
clawsnpaws.com.au
Passion For Pets-Bulleen
14 Templestowe Road,
Bulleen 3105
P 03 9852 2077
passionforpets.com.au
Passion For Pets-Carrum Downs
3/544 Frankston Dandenong
Road, Carrum Downs 3201
P 03 9775 1361
passionforpets.com.au
Passion For Pets - Thornbury
310 St Georges Road,
Thornbury 3071
P 03 9480 3888
passionforpets.com.au
MEMBERS LIST
NSW
Paw Prints Pet Supplies & Services
32 Chute Street,
Diamond Creek 3089
P 03 8418 6893
Petforce Sunshine
586 Ballarat Road, Sunshine 3020
P 03 9390 0123
clawsnpaws.com.au
Plenty Valley Stockfeeds
2434 Plenty Road,
Whittlesea 3757
P 03 9716 1533
Warragul Pet Emporium
1/133 North Road, Warragul 3820
P 03 5622 0888
warragulpetemporium.com.au
Zoo Products
205 Glenferrie Road, Malvern 3144
P 03 9509 7943
zooproducts.net.au
WA
Esperance Pet Shop
79 Norseman Road,
Esperance 6450
P 08 9071 2957
Head To Tail Pets
134 Albany Highway, Albany 6331
P 08 9841 7911
budgetpetshop.com.au
Manjimup Stockfeeds
2 Pritchard Street, Manjimup 6258
P 08 9771 1575
Margaret River Produce & Rural
19 Station Road,
Margaret River 6285
P 08 9757 2447
Ocean Keys Pets
2/6 Ocean Keys Boulevard,
Clarkson 6030
P 08 9407 7670
Planet Pet and Aquarium
169 Boulder Road, Kalgoorlie 6430
P 08 9021 2344
planetpetandaquarium.com
Select Pets Bicton
10-89 Petra Street,
East Fremantle 6156
P 08 9339 3372
selectpets.com.au
South West Pets Bunbury
41 Albert Rd, Bunbury 6230
P 08 9721 6217
southwestpets.com.au
Wanneroo Pet Professionals
917 Wanneroo Road,
Wanneroo 6065
P 08 9405 7117
Pet Health Centre Store
23
JUST FOR PETS FREE
6 POINT HEALTH CHECK
At Just For Pets we pride ourselves on understanding the needs of animals and their owners and
we love sharing that understanding with you. We are not just another supermarket experience. As
our names suggests, we’re just for pets. All our stores are independently owned and operated,
so you can be guaranteed you’ll receive great service and most importantly, great advice with
amazing pet supplies.
Because we love animals so much, we created a FREE 6 point Pet Health Check to help you understand your pet’s
needs and answer any niggling questions. Our new health checks fit into the market in the same way you might visit a
pharmacist before you head to the doctor.
You will leave feeling confident that your pet is on the right track or advised to visit your local vet if it needs any further
veterinary assistance.
WE CHECK 6 IMPORTANT
AREAS OF PET HEALTH FOR
YOUR PET:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nutrition and weight management
Dental Health
Skin & coat care
Joint mobility
Parasites (worms, ticks and fleas)
Behaviour management
SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
• Bring your pet in-store for its health check. We will find
out what you really need, based on your pet’s breed,
gender and age.
24
• We have a directory of reliable, caring vets we can
recommend should your pet need further assistance.
• No need to book – just come into the store.
• Get your children involved in your pet’s care. It’s a
fun learning experience for them and a way to learn
responsibility for pet wellbeing.
Just For Pets are the pet experts, with friendly
experienced staff that really know pets.
The Just for Pets 6 point Pet Health Check is FREE, how
can you NOT afford to get your pet checked?
To find the “Pet Expert” at your nearest Just For Pets store
go to http://justforpets.com.au/pet-health-centre/
“Take my advice.
See an expert!”
You and your pet will love
Just for Pets FREE 6 Point Health
Check. Our friendly pet experts
will check and advise on their
✔ Nutrition & Weight
✔ Parasites
✔ Skin & Coat
✔ Joint Mobility
✔ Dental Health
✔ Behaviour
Simply drop into your local
Just for Pets independent
pet store. Find out more at
www.justforpets.com.au
*Terms & Conditions apply. See www.justforpets.com.au for details. Offer available for dogs, cats,
guinea pigs, ferrets, mice, rats and rabbits and only in participating stores.
25
JFP011_A5_Advert_v4.indd 1
24/09/14 7:14 PM
RATS
– RODENTS
OR PETS
Rats are inquisitive and intelligent creatures
that live up to 2-4 years of age and grow
up to 12-15cm with a furless tail roughly
the same length. The coat is glossy, sits
close to the body and comes in a variety
of colours such as white, black, grey, red,
chocolate, champagne, fawn and more
recently blue. Depending on coat colour, eye
colour may vary from black, ruby to pink.
26
CHOOSING YOUR
PET
Rats are sold from 4 weeks of age.
Look for a pet that is lively, alert, plump,
bright eyed, and has a sheen to the
coat. Also check under the tail for signs
of diarrhoea. The coat should be clean
and soft with no bald patches or broken
whiskers. A good, calm, curious baby rat
should come and investigate your hand
when you reach into the cage. Mice on
the other hand will scramble away.
HOUSING
A large wire cage is best, especially one
with horizontal bars that allow the rat
to climb on the sides if they wish. A tall
cage with ramps and platforms is ideal
for providing room for multiple rats. As
a minimum, a cage with 12 by 24 inches
(2 square feet) of floor space is okay for
two smaller rats, as long as the cage
is tall and you provide shelves and/or
hammocks for extra space. Larger is
always better. Large aquariums are okay,
but do not provide good ventilation (and
must be cleaned more often).
The floor covering can range from clean,
dry sawdust to cat litter, wood shavings
or any other clean, non-toxic absorbent
material. You can give your pet a nesting
box to hide or sleep in. Always add some
paper towels or cloths for your pet to
chew up for nest building. Any chewable
substance placed into the enclosure will
be chewed and therefore should be non
toxic. Always place the cage where your
pet will have lots of human contact and
away from drafts and direct sunlight.
CARE
Check the food supplies daily and do
not be fooled by what looks like a full
dish, as often it is only empty shells and
there is no food left. They eat a high
percentage of their body weight every
day because of their hot bodies and
active nature. There should be clean
water available at all times which is
changed daily and a supply of dry mix
food. Put in fresh bedding daily and add
new nesting material, if necessary. This
will protect their health, your health and
minimise odour from droppings.
Remember, next to a good diet and
clean water, a clean cage is the most
important thing for your pet’s health.
If your pet shows signs of diarrhoea,
cease all fresh/moist foods until the
diarrhoea has cleared and then gradually
start your animal back on fresh foods.
Never pick up a rat by the end of its
tail. Rats should be grasped around the
shoulders, just behind their front legs
and the other hand should support their
bottom.
Rats don’t smell and are in fact
fastidiously clean animals. Claws can be
kept blunt by placing a brick in front of
the water container, as running over the
brick will wear the claws down.
DIET
Rats love their food, and suitable
mixtures are available at your local Just
For Pets store. This dry mix should be
supplemented with snacks from the
kitchen for a balanced diet and include
foods such as vegetable peelings,
fresh corn on the cob, spinach
and bits of fruit. Given a choice,
a pocket pet knows what to eat
and to avoid malnutrition.
A water bottle is the best
way to keep drinking water
available. They have a
slightly bent nozzle and
have a ball bearing
behind the opening.
TAMING
Rats are easy to tame and can be taught
many tricks, this will provide hours of
fun. Once your pet is tamed, it must be
kept tamed. Begin to tame when young
as adults are more difficult. Just regular
daily handling is all that is needed, in
fact, essential.
Rats are “pocket pets” and are classified
as rodents. All rodents do have sharp
teeth and they need to gnaw the
hard foods that are their basic diet.
However, they rarely bite humans unless
frightened or hurt.
They are easy to care for and to handle.
As for “pockets”, the reason rats like
them so much has to do with their
normal way of life. They are nocturnal
dwellers in holes and burrows. Pockets
are simply snug dark holes, obviously a
safe place for short naps.
27
CANINE
DEPRESSION
A once perky pooch may now be listless
and withdrawn. Or a dog who previously
had the tolerance and patience of Job
might have turned aggressive, snapping
at the kids or destroying furniture.
It’s hard to know for sure if your dog is
depressed because we can’t ask what
they’re feeling, and have no tests to
specifically gauge depression in dogs.
Leading the list, perhaps to no surprise,
is loss of a family member. Research
has proven that depression in dogs has
been seen when there’s a death of a
person or another pet in that household,
or someone moves out.
But don’t dismiss seemingly small
changes in everyday routine. The trigger
for depression in dogs doesn’t have to
be something we consider to be drastic
28
or life-changing. If a dog always lays
on the couch and suddenly it’s replaced
with a new couch, that dog could
become depressed because it’s a lifechanging event for the animal.
So, how do you know if your pooch is
experiencing canine depression? Here
are some common signs — many of
which are similar to signs of depression
in people.
COULD THESE
BE SIGNS OF
DEPRESSION?
Being down in mood and body. “The
most common symptom is sadness — a
lack of joy or interest in what the dog
used to look forward to.
SYMPTOMS OF DOG DEPRESSION YOU
SHOULDN’T IGNORE
Our dogs don’t display sadness as we
would, but that doesn’t mean that they
can’t feel sad or even depressed.
Change in eating habits. When some
dogs are extremely sad, they lose
interest in food and often lose weight.
Alternatively, there are dogs that seem to
use food as a kind of solace when they
are depressed and want to eat more,
leading to weight gain.
Oversleeping. Dogs sleep a lot. That’s
old news. But typically this happens
when their owners are gone. If you leave
your dog for a long time (say, for work)
and he continues to sleep after you get
home, barely reacting to your presence,
something is possibly wrong.
Destructive and/or aggressive
behaviour. Usually affecting normally
calmer dogs, this usually suggests the
pet isn’t getting enough exercise
Seeming “lost” at home. Particularly
following the loss of a family member,
some depressed dogs pace from roomto-room.
Household accidents. Pets without their
usual get-up-and-go are less likely to
get up to go, especially when they’re not
eating and drinking normally.
Loss of interest. If your dog suddenly
loses interest in playing, going for walks,
and other things that would normally
excite her, take note. Dogs that become
less active, slow down, or seem to lose
purpose may be suffering from dog
depression.
Remember not to assume immediately
that your dog is depressed. Often,
issues that seem emotional really stem
from physical or medical causes. The
first thing to do if you notice a behaviour
change is to speak to your vet.
THE BOND
BETWEEN HUMAN AND DOG
KNOWS NO BOUNDS!
29
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30
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WEBBING WITH
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Natural Pet Food
For more information, please call Pet Brands Connect on 1300 787 041
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31
ABOUT US
Just For Pets represents independent retailers in the pet industry providing a
range of business services together with collective buying power. All stores are
independently owned and operated, so you can be guaranteed you’ll receive
great service and most importantly great advice. However as part of the Just For
Pets buying group each store has the means to bring you more savings through
everyday low prices and fantastic specials!
Our store owners believe that pets make life better! They are experienced
operators who are genuinely part of their local communities. Many of our retailers
are second or third generation family businesses that are passionate about
customer service and of course animals of all shapes and sizes!
Through our collective buying power you will find your local Just For Pets retailer
is able to provide fantastic prices across the store, whilst our regular Petalogues
(catalogues) provide customers with some fantastic “over and above specials”, If
you would like to receive our ePetalogue via email- please Join Us at our website
and we’ll be in touch from time to time.
At Just For Pets we pride ourselves on understanding the needs of animals and
their owners and we love sharing that understanding with you. We are not just
another supermarket experience. As our name suggests, we’re Just For Pets, and
we look forward to seeing you soon.
So drop in to your local Just For Pets store and experience the difference
independence offers.
>www.justforpets.com.au
> Find us on Facebook
> Follow up on Twitter