Brought to you by Virbac Australia

As Salt N Pepa said sometime in the early 1990’s, “Let’s talk about sex baby,” so here we are, spreading the bark on medical castration for the doggos in your life – Yep, that’s right, we’re officially going there.

It’s always the great debate when you welcome a furry-friend into your family; usually the furmale in the group is advocating for the facts; reduced aggressiveness, lower risk of testicular and prostate cancers and of course, reducing the chances of backyard breeding.

But, if your family is anything like mine, (and I’m pretty sure it is) the male in your life is crouched in the corner, legs crossed, putting on the puppy-dog eyes and begging for your four-legged friend’s manhood to stay intact.

Well, we’ve got good news for you! They can!

Much to my doggo’s (and my husband’s) delight, there’s a medically administered product on the market which allows your male pupperino to receive contraception while keeping the testes fully intact, delivering all the benefits of surgical castration without the surgery!

 

The medical castration, or contraception as we like to call it, is delivered through a small implant administered by your veterinarian. Similar to microchipping, the implant is inserted between your dog’s shoulders, under the skin. Its simple administration means there’s no need for anaesthetic or surgery.

Once the implant is inserted, it begins to release an active ingredient which prevents the production of the sex hormones and testosterone.

So what exactly does this mean, and why would you go down this route (pun not intended)?

Perhaps you may be looking to (legally) breed your pooch one day, which means by using medical castration opposed to a permanent, surgical option, once the implant wears off your dog’s fertility will gradually return and breeding becomes an option once again.
Another reason may be to see the affect in your pupperino’s mood and behaviour before committing to surgery.

Medical castration can be a lot friendlier on your pooch rather than putting them through surgery. It provides for reversible reproductive control, plus there’s the added bonus of not having to force your doggo to wear a cone after recovery too!

While we think the idea of a non-surgical alternative to castration is a great idea, it’s important to chat to your vet about what works best for you and your pupperino before making any decisions, after all, castration is to benefit our pups – despite what my hubby may think!

Need to find out more? Watch this must-see video – it’s worth it for Buddy’s expressions alone!

What are your thoughts on medical castration? Have you already tried this out? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brought to you by Bravecto

Summer is one of -OK, quite possibly our favourite – time of year. From the long days spent at the beach to those warm balmy nights outside with the heat of the day still in the air, to the smell of everyone around you cooking barbeques and the sound of crickets in the background, Aussie summers truly are the best in the world!

But with the warmer weather also comes the pesky little buggers that drive us crazy too, you know the ones; the dreaded flies hovering over your antipasto platter, landing on top of your cheese just as you go to serve it, and then there’s mosquitoes with their irritating hum right past your ear just before you feel the sting on your shoulder.

And then there’s the increase in deadly paralysis ticks and annoying fleas.

These troublesome critters have a presence all year round, but are proven to peak in the warmer weather (can you blame them – who doesn’t like the warmth?). In fact, September to March is the peak season for paralysis ticks in Australia, and the time when vets see the most patients due to these potentially fatal parasites.

While you can do just about anything to attempt to keep mosquitoes and flies off you – citronella candles, insect repellent or those weird blue-light zappy-things – they still manage to find their way to you. But thanks to Bravecto, you can ensure your four-legged furry pals enjoy summer knowing they are well protected against paralysis ticks and fleas.

Bravecto is a tasty oral chew that provides three months protection against paralysis ticks and fleas for your doggo in a single dose. Which means not only is it easy to administer, but thanks to its long-lasting protection, you only need to remember to give it to your pooch at the start of every season.

With just one paralysis tick capable of causing paralysis or even death in a pupperino, it is absolutely essential as a fur parent that we are doing all we can to protect our fur babies from these deadly critters. No dog in Australia should die from tick paralysis when products like Bravecto are available.

So what are you waiting for? Pick your pooch up some Bravecto from any good vet or pet store and protect them against paralysis ticks and fleas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brought to you by Bravecto

It’s hard to believe that 2017 has come to a close and what a year it has been!

In the last few weeks of the year, we’ve been getting together at Doggo HQ to reflect on the year past, eat a lot of food, and plan for the year ahead. While we don’t like to commit to strict goals for the year, we instead focus on our New Year’s theme.

We began to think of what we wanted to achieve for the New Year and while sitting there – candy cane one hand, and scratching my pupperino behind the ear with the other – it got me thinking. So many of us aim to get ourselves healthy in the New Year but we rarely think of our furry friends who’ve had one too many ‘off-cuts’ of ham over the Christmas period.

So what exactly can we do to make sure our four-legged mates are kicking the year off with a healthy bark start? We’ve put together a few ways you can get your pupperino’s groove back in 2018!

Dedicate A Set Time For Daily Walks

I’ll be the first to put a paw up for this one and admit that my pup and I get out roughly three times a week for a walk when really we should be aiming to get out every day. Not only is it pawsome to get out in the fresh air – for both you and your pup, but it gives your furry friend an opportunity to meet and play with other doggies, run in the park, and keep stimulated by exploring new areas. Set your alarm a little earlier in the morning, or skip the Friends television repeats and go for a walk after dinner.

Beach Swims for Everypawdy

I don’t know about you, but if you asked my doggo their ideal weekend (and if they could speak English) they would tell you brunch at the local café followed by a day spent at the beach, paws in the sand and swimming to get the tennis ball out of the water. As many of us know, swimming is one of the best activities you can do to build fitness, and it’s even truer for our pups! Swimming works all muscles in your pooch’s body (did someone say full body workout?), cools them down on those sticky hot days and is excellent for cardiovascular health.

Keep Up to Date with Paralysis Tick and Flea Protection

with Bravecto

Look, I’ve heard it time and time again, “but my dog is clean” or “she’s an inside dog” or the one I particularly like, “Paralysis ticks and fleas are only out in spring”. Well, I hate to break it to you, but while the pesky buggers do have a higher presence in spring thanks to breeding season, they are out all year round. But fear not, you can protect your four-legged pal from paralysis ticks and fleas all year round with Bravecto – a tasty oral chew which delivers three months protection for paralysis ticks and fleas for dogs in a single dose. Plus, it won’t wash or rub off and there’s no mess to administer or liquids to spill or transfer. The fact is no dog should die from tick paralysis in Australia, so make sure your furry mate is fully protected all year round.

 

Two Meals a Day, Tops

You know how you can eat lunch, and then by the time you’ve put your rubbish in the bin you’re hungry again (only me?) Well, your pooch will never stop eating – even when they’re full. Just like humans, it’s impawtant that you keep your furry friend in a healthy weight range. So cut out the mid-morning snacks, and stop breaking off a piece of your sandwich for them. Limit your pupperino to two nutritious meals a day as per the recommendation for their breed and weight. When they’re showing off their slimmer figure at the dog beach, they’ll thank you for it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well the silly season is well and truly upon us, and if you’re anything like me, you had your Christmas shopping done, wrapped and under the sparkling tree in October… HA! If you’re really like me – and I’m pretty sure you are – then you’ve completely left everything to the last minute and are currently dashing around like a headless chicken (idiom only, we love animals around here!)

And while there is a heap to choose from; iPads, iPods, iPhones – you could do your Christmas shopping at Apple alone, there’s probably not too much on the market for the furry friend in your life – or so you thought. We’ve put together a list of must-have toys and gadgets that’ll have any pupperino’s tail wagging, and better yet? Most of these gifts you don’t even need to set your foot near a crowded car park!

Happiness is Dog Shaped book

Ugh, hello?! As if your pooch wouldn’t want a book featuring more than 100 of their four legged counterparts, who’s humans share tails of why their pupperinos bring them happiness. Bonus points if your pooch is one of our featured dogs!

A post shared by Aubrey ? (@aubrey_the_aussie) on Dec 11, 2017 at 4:33am PST

 

The Gift of Giving

Let’s face it, sometimes we go overboard with toys for our pupperinos, so why not give your pooch the gift of giving with a donation to Dachshund IVDD Support Australia or Pets of the Homeless. That way your four legged friend will be helping other pups in need.

A post shared by Dachshund IVDD Support Aus Inc (@dachshundivddoz) on Sep 19, 2017 at 12:46pm PDT

A post shared by Pets Of The Homeless Australia (@pothaustralia) on Nov 16, 2017 at 2:38pm PST

 

iFetch

I love my dog, I really, truly do. But man, trying to sip a summer cocktail by the pool and continually throw the ball is exhausting. I mean, they. Never. Tire. Out. EVER! iFetch is the brilliantly brilliant device that plays fetch with your dog – it’s like the godsend of an iPad for a toddler but in dog land.

A post shared by iFetch Australia (@ifetch_au) on Sep 21, 2017 at 3:28am PDT

 

FuzzYard Collar and Leash

You know how the saying goes, new year, new you, new… everything?! Start the year off with a snazzy brand spanking new collar and leash from our friends at FuzzYard. With colours and sizes to suit everydoggy, your four legged friend will be the talk of the town.

A post shared by Ami – FuzzYard CEO (@fuzzyard) on Dec 3, 2017 at 7:58pm PST

 

PetHaus Denim Vest

Denim is back, baby! Keep the hot sun off your pupperinos back with a stylish denim vest from PetHaus. The pawsome designs will give humans a laugh, and keep your pooch looking sharp. If you don’t think the vest is best, then try out a denim bandana to ease your pooch into the hipness.

A post shared by PetHaus (@hellopethaus) on Nov 13, 2017 at 1:06pm PST

 

Happiness is Dog Shaped Toys

Nothing makes us more excited than dogs doing human things (have you seen a dog eat an ice cream?!) Well, we think our range of dog toys are pretty barking great; whether your pooch is a jet setter, a fast food fan, or your fishing buddy, our gift packs have them covered with the coolest toys ever.

Whatever you get them, we’re sure they’ll be impressed! And don’t forget to share photos of your festive pups with us using #happinessisdogshaped

A post shared by Happiness Is Dog Shaped (@happinessisdogshaped) on Dec 6, 2017 at 11:06am PST