Guide to FOGO (Food Organics Green Organics) sourced with thanks to the Moyne Shire. Check with your local Council as some have different bin content requirements
The CIty of Melville Guide to the FOGO 3 Bin system - The Way to Go is FOGO!
Check with your local Council as some have different bin content requirements.
Video source
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Today Australia hit a grim milestone. The nation’s confirmed coronavirus cases have soared past 4,107* as people fail to comply with social distancing measures and community transmission rises.
Here at Tailz we’ve been inundated with hundreds of queries asking whether pets can get COVID-19.
Researchers around the world are frantically trying to understand this new virus, which attacks the lungs and has claimed thousands of lives, but questions still remain.
Can pets get COVID-19? Can humans spread the virus to one another after petting animals? Are we allowed to walk our dogs?
The other day when I was picking my dog up from the vets, I was told to stand 1.5 metres away from the counter to comply with social distancing.
As I stepped back, a woman was handed her recently de-sexed cat. I heard her quietly ask, almost ashamed, “Can he get Coronavirus?.
“No, we don’t think so,” the vet nurse replied.
This is not a question people should be afraid of asking. The fact is this is a new virus and we are learning about it daily.
Heartbreakingly it’s been reported that some owners are giving their pets up for adoption due to virus fears, so it’s time to bust some myths.
Can dogs and cats get coronavirus?
While dogs contract certain types of coronavirus, multiple experts have said the new novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is not a health risk to animals - including cats.
They’re unlikely to spread it between one another, and catch it from a human.
The RSPCA has said there is no risk of catching the virus from a companion animal.
And the World Health Organisation issued information on Thursday 13 March saying, "at present there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.
While experts think the risk is low, in mid-March mild panic began after 17-year-old Pomeranian in Hong Kong tested a weak positive to the virus.
The dog’s owner, a now recovered COVID-19 patient, reported the animal has since passed away.
Yesterday, veterinarian Chris Brown also dismissed claims that dogs can get the virus and said in this case, it was more likely the elderly dog was in shock after being sent away for repeated tests and quarantine.
Veterinarian Katrina Warren also said peoples’ fears are unfounded on Chanel Nine’s breakfast program Today over a week ago.
Warren urged people to exercise caution around their pets all the same, and said you should isolate from them if you’re diagnosed with the virus.
Why? While you’re unlikely to give the virus to your furry friend there is a chance germs can live on their fur and spread human-to-human.
Renowned immunologist Peter Doherty appeared on Today this morning and said the virus could survive on cardboard for about 24 hours and plastic for perhaps three or more days.
While no mention was made of an animal’s fur, pet owners should exercise caution all the same.
Warren recommended that people comply to the same common-sense hygiene practices people are displaying around one another, and wash hands after every petting, reduce kisses and cuddles (however hard) and not share food.
What should I do when it comes to walks?
Dog owners too should be mindful of social distancing while taking their animals for walks, as we know community transmission is increasing.
After Scott Morrison announced restrictions to mass gatherings on Sunday, RSPCA cancelled their widely popular public event Million Paws Walk on Sunday, 17 May.
This is because humans can spread the highly contagious disease to each other.
However the RSPCA has said dogs still need walks; so what should you do?
When walking a dog stick to your local area, walk your animal at night or early morning when less people are around, and maintain the 1.5 metre distance from others as recommended by the Federal Government.
As the whole family stays home you may even find your dog requires less walks, because they have more people willing to play with them.
The message here is not to be scared of animals, just cautious, like you would be around any family member.
In fact, in times of stress a furry friend can actually be a benefit.
Companion animals have been proven to reduce stress, improve mental health, and can provide entertainment for adults and children alike during long periods of isolation.
This is a message echoed by the RSPCA who are urging self-isolating Australians to adopt one of the thousands of animals they have in shelters around the nation.
From everyone at Tailz, please take care and try to remain calm during this time 😌
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]]>AORA Demonstration Day Proves ABA Certified Compostable Materials Meet Australian Composting Requirements.
The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) and its Members participated at the 2018 Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) Annual Conference Demonstration Day Held in Brisbane by putting certified compostable bags and food service ware to the test.
Participating ABA members supplied their certified compostable bags and food service ware with the AORA team to establish time required for items to compost under AORA established conditions. ABA member certified compostable bags and food service ware were buried in an open windrow. Windrow composting is the production of compost by piling organic matter in long rows (windrows).
The AORA team built a windrow of composting FOGO (Food Organics Green Organics) consisting mostly of green waste removed from normal processes at around two weeks from establishment and at around seven weeks prior to the demonstration. Once built, the windrow was not turned again.
The certified compostable items supplied by ABA members were buried in the windrow and staked out at 6/4/2/1 weeks to test decomposition time. At 6/4/2/1 weeks and around 10 days prior to the demonstration the AORA team placed fresh food waste (lettuce and other green leaves) in ABA member certified compostable plastic bags and placed them and some ABA member certified compostable plates, Take-out containers, Clear cups, Paper Coffee Cups and cup lids into holes dug to a depth of around 400-600mm in the windrows. These were re-buried and marked with stakes. The windrow was not otherwise touched. The windrows were temperature tested weekly at 62-65C.
On the AORA Demonstration Day in front of AORA Conference attendees, the AORA team dug up the areas marked with the stakes to check the certified compostable materials state of decomposition. At none of the marked stakes were AORA able to find any evidence of the buried material.
The results, of the decomposition trial of ABA member supplied certified compostable material, were conclusive that all the materials buried during the trial period were composted. The rate of decomposition particularly from items buried at the 1/2/4 week stakes demonstrated the speed of decomposition of certified compostable items. Further investigation, by the AORA team, using a Komptech turner and trommels to ensure nothing was missed, again confirmed that all ABA member supplied certified compostable items had composted.
On completion of the test, ABA Executive Warwick Hall and ABA Committee Member Rivka Garson spoke to AORA members on the stringent process that compostable products need to go through to achieve certification and have the ability to carry the seedling or home compostability logo. Hall and Garson, also spoke on the importance of ensuring that only certified compostable bags and products are used for in composting processes and how to easily identify these items, through the seedling logo and home compostability logo as well as the identifying number supplied to each ABA members products. Without the logos and identifying numbers, material is not considered certified compostable.
Martin Tower, Executive Director AORA stated, “I have to say I was amazed (and a bit embarrassed) that we could find no evidence of anything we buried. I was paying particular attention when the Komptech turner went through the pile to see if we had missed anything but again I saw nothing then or subsequently before the trommels got to work on the windrow. This conclusively proves that Australasian Bioplastics Members supplied certified compostable bags and food service ware decompose under AORA specified conditions.”
About the AORA Annual Conference
The AORA Annual Conference is well established as the principal conference in Australia for the recycled organics industry. Each conference is a forum for education, discussion and networking related to Organics Recycling. It is also an opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievements in the industry. www.aoraconference.com.au
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My dog Gussie is enviably regular. She makes around four poops a day. This means that, in an average week, I use and discard 28 plastic bags to pick up and toss her poop.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pet owners pick up their animal waste instead of leaving it on the ground, for sanitary reasons. The agency recommends using a bag to avoid getting pathogens from the waste on your hands. It doesn’t specify that you use plastic for this. But most people do.
It’s pretty well established that plastic bags are a major source of waste that inflames the Earth’s tremendous plastic trash problem. In the U.S. alone, 14 billion plastic bags are consumed annually. When these bags escape into the environment, they can have devastating effects on wildlife, especially marine animals like whales and sea turtles.
So why am I — and ostensibly the other 60 million dog-owning households in the country — using this pernicious material for the sole purpose of picking up shit?
Two reasons. First, plastic poop bags are convenient and easy to use. Second, disposable, single-use bags can be obtained cheaply, sometimes for free.
“We make the cost invisible, so when it looks like something is cheap or free, someone else is paying the price for it,” said Andrew Dobbs, program director for Texas Campaign for the Environment, a policy-oriented organization fighting pollution.
“There is no such thing as a free lunch and there’s no such thing as a free bag,” Dobbs added.
Reusing plastic grocery bags for poop collection, for instance, seems like a practical and cost-effective thing to do. Many dog owners in my circle do just this, hoarding ugly bundles of bags beneath the sink for when duty calls. Repurposing a grocery bag for dog doo disposal does provide a second life to what might otherwise be called a single-use item, but the bag ultimately ends up in the trash, destined for the landfill, where it could take hundreds of years to break down.
Plastic grocery bags are still free for most consumers, though grocery stores in a number of locations across the country charge a small amount of money for them. While dozens of municipalities weigh new proposals to ban plastic bags or other types of single-use plastic, it’s dog poop cleanup that causes many citizens to resist such legislation, Dobbs told HuffPost.
So are there more ethical poop bag options? Sure, there are lots of biodegradable bags available for dog owners ― but the big problem here is that you can’t always be sure you’re buying the real thing. And the real thing can often be very expensive.
An Amazon search for “dog poop bag” returns more than 3,000 products. And while there are brands that claim to be biodegradable or compostable, these categories aren’t well-defined, and sometimes they’re downright meaningless. In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission warned 20 dog waste bag manufacturers in a letter that their products’ environmental claims could be deceptive.
Anything that purports to be biodegradable is supposed to “completely break down into its natural components within one year,” the letter stated. “Most waste bags, however, end up in landfills where no plastic biodegrades in anywhere close to one year, if it biodegrades at all.” Even before this warning, the state of California had enacted strict laws for companies to be able to claim biodegradability, but there is much less clarity in other states across the country.
The miscategorization of so-called “biodegradable” bags is a case of industry greenwashing that has led consumers to mistrust eco-friendly claims, said Achyut Patel, operations analyst for Biodogradable Bags, a company that sells ― you guessed it ― biodegradable bags.
Products made of plastics that allege to decompose naturally in the environment are often “oxo-biodegradable,” meaning they contain chemical additives that break down plastic into smaller fragments. There’s no evidence that these materials completely degrade, and experts don’t believe oxo-biodegradable plastic products are a sustainable solution. Ultimately, oxo-biodegradable products become less visible but can cause the same damage to the planet that any other plastic can.
Truly biodegradable bags are different; they tend to be made from maize flour and vegetable oil, said Patel. The materials allow the product to break down naturally and be consumed as food by microorganisms. Whether the bag of poop is thrown into a trash can or a bin dedicated to composting, it will naturally return to the earth within a few weeks.
Getting consumers to rely on this type of product would take a ton of education and resources. Plus, there’s the fact that a box of 200 Biodogradable-brand bags costs $23.99, while you can score a 600-count box of conventional doodie bags for $19.99. It’ll take a lot to get consumers to agree to pay more for a product that handles literal crap.
But wait, you might be thinking, can’t we nix plastic altogether by simply composting our pets’ waste or using it as fertilizer? It’s complicated. Dog poop is a tricky thing to compost because it requires higher temperatures to kill the pathogens it carries. To do it right, you need to put the poop in a special composter designed for animal waste. And you shouldn’t use pet waste to fertilize a vegetable garden ― or anything you might eat ― though you could use it for your flowers or shrubs, according to Patel.
There are other creative and planet-friendly methods to take care of business, though they have a much more limited reach. A lamp at a dog park in Malvern Hills in the U.K. gets its power from feces turned into fuel. A local man named Brian Harper was sick of seeing poop bags littering the area, so he invented the contraption that uses the methane produced during the breakdown process as energy. A similar device powers a dog park in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Less tech-involved solutions, like pooper scoopers or plain old shovels, surely work for dog owners with yards, but for city dwellers, lugging something like this around the block isn’t as feasible.
Dobbs also said that using paper is an obvious, viable solution.
In a zero-waste Facebook group I’m a member of, people suggest using large leaves, scraps of junk mail or tissue paper to pick up the poop and transport it to a toilet. But convenience comes into play here: Sometimes your dog doesn’t poop according to plan. It’s pretty easy to keep a few flimsy bags stuffed in your coat pocket or purse. The alternatives don’t make as much sense.
But the bottom line is, being a more responsible pet owner means putting up with some inconveniences and, for those who can afford it, probably paying a bit more money. Grrrr.
This story is part of a series on plastic waste, funded by SC Johnson. All content is editorially independent, with no influence or input from the company.
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We humans have a habit of avoiding our waste. We find organic waste particularly unpleasant. We bag it and dispose of it as soon as possible.
Even the most environmentally conscious person would rather not handle something like decomposing food or dog poo with their bare hands. Plastic bags are often the first step we take to disconnect ourselves from our waste – until we can get rid of it somewhere else.
Traditional plastic bags are made from ethylene, derived from petroleum or natural gas. Ethylene does not degrade easily. So these types of bags are major contributors to plastic pollution.
More than three-quarters of plastic ends up in landfill, while up to 5% finds its way to the ocean. Only 9% of plastics are recycled.
Read more: Is your dog happy? Ten common misconceptions about dog behaviour
Many environmentally conscious pet owners are turning to biodegradable bags as the solution to their doggy-doo woes, but many brands won’t break down in landfill, compounding the problem. Alternatives are at hand, though, with compostable bags and community sharing programs that can help non-composters.
“Biodegradable” means something that can potentially be broken down naturally in the environment, particularly by microorganisms but also by other factors such as heat, light and oxygen. We usually think of biodegradable materials as derived from natural sources such as plants, but synthetic materials can also be biodegradable.
But there are issues with the term “biodegradable bag”. Bags can be labelled biodegradable, but after being used and discarded they might only partly decompose because the conditions are not right for full decomposition. Or else the decomposition might take a long time.
Full decomposition means complete conversion of the bag into simple substances such as carbon dioxide and water that can be re-used by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
The biodegradability of plastic can be measured in a laboratory using methods such as carbon tracking. There are international standards for testing biodegradability of plastics. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed these standards.
Unfortunately, ocean and landfill environments are not conducive for degradation of biodegradable plastic. Marine environments often don’t contain the right types of microorganisms needed to break down plastics, or there aren’t enough to be effective in a reasonable time frame. Landfill conditions often lack oxygen, which limits the types of microorganisms that can exist there.
Compost, however, provides an ideal environment for biodegradation. Compost contains a diverse range of organic materials that support the growth of many different varieties of organisms.
DNA sequencing has revealed the huge diversity of microorganisms that exist in compost. These include bacteria, fungi and invertebrates that can digest a wide range of organic materials. In particular, fungi are found to possess enzymes that are capable of breaking down many different organic substances.
You can now buy compostable bags. These are a type of biodegradable bag that is suitable for disposal in compost only (not in the ocean or landfill!).
How can you tell if a compostable bag can actually be fully broken down in compost? Standards Australia produces standards for the biodegradability of plastic bags. Code AS 4736-2006 specifies a biodegradable plastic that is suitable for overall composting (which includes industrial processes) and other microbial treatment, while AS 5810-2010 specifies home composting.
Standards Australia provide a brief overview of the testing carried out for AS 5810-2010. Other countries have similar standards – for example, the US has ASTM code D6400, which certifies that the material meets the degradation standard under controlled composting conditions.
The Australian Bioplastics Association administers a voluntary verification scheme. This enables manufacturers or importers to have their plastic materials tested and certified.
There is a double arrow logo you can watch out for on bags that have been certified as home compostable and there is a seedling logo for certified compostable. If you cannot locate a certified compostable bag in your area, you can source them online. Make sure they have have the certified compostable logo of the country from which they come.
It is interesting to observe the biodegradability of a plastic bag in your compost heap, as I did with a compostable bag full of dog poo. After two weeks buried in the compost, the only evidence of the bag was some small black fragments. These looked like leaf mould except they had the print from the bag label on them. In comparison, a normal plastic bag buried at the same time was completely unaltered. Of course, this experiment is not proof of total bag degradation – proper laboratory testing would be required for this.
Read more: Are you walking your dog enough?
If you cannot compost, you will probably be relying on your local council to dispose of your waste. If the council uses landfill for waste disposal then there may be no point in using compostable bags for your waste, as landfill does not have the right conditions for composting to occur.
If you have a kerbside green waste collection that is composted, this service most likely will not accept food waste at the moment – which means dog poo is very unlikely to be included. Nor may compostable bags be allowed in green waste collections. Some councils, however, are working towards food organics/green organics waste collections for the future, and these may include compostable bags.
Moyne Shire in western Victoria, for instance, provides compostable bags for dog poo and accepts it along with green waste in its fortnightly “FOGO” collection.
If you have material for composting but do not have a compost heap, you can join Sharewaste. Sharewaste links people who want to recycle their organic waste with their neighbours who can use the waste for composting, worm farms or chickens. So this is a way to avoid sending your organic waste to landfill.
Composting your organic waste is like harvesting rain into your water tank or tapping into sunlight for your energy needs. These things are meaningful beyond their utility; they connect you to nature and give insights into the natural cycles of life on planet Earth.
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What are you looking for?
Ticks and Fleas can be tricky to spot. Sometimes you may even notice the bite or aggravated areas on your dog's skin before the bug itself.
Fleas measure around 0.6 to 1.5 centimetre’s long. Once they find a home (your dog) they stay there and start laying eggs. They prefer heat to cold and can bring with them other issues, like tapeworm.
Ticks look like little spiders and are a little easier to spot as they are bigger than the flea (up to 2cms long). Unlike fleas, they move from dog to dog and can sometimes live for as long as three years. They can also lay thousands of eggs at once and prefer cold temperatures.
Heartworm Vs. Ringworm
Before we get to the flea and tick tips, let's talk about the worms. Ringworm, weirdly enough, isn't actually a worm, it's a fungal infection that is harmless but highly contagious to humans! To treat, there is a range of creams and ointments that can be applied to the affected areas of your dog’s skin. If it spreads quickly, you can also use an antifungal shampoo.
Heartworm, on the other hand, is an actual worm, and you won't be able to see it. Heartworm disease is easily preventable with heartworm medication and is strongly recommended for all dogs. Dogs who unfortunately have heartworm disease can be treated depending on the severity of their case but preventing this from happening is far easier.
Heartworm medications and ringworm creams, as well as all of the things we are about to mention in our top 10 list of flea treatments for dogs, are readily available at online pet outlets such as My Pet Warehouse and Jumbo Pets so stock up on the things you need to ensure your best friend lives a long, healthy and happy life.
Top 10 Tips
1. Shampoos
It seems like the most obvious one but bathing your dog with a medicated shampoo is an extremely effective method of killing ticks and fleas straight away. This cost-effective flea treatment also works as an excellent preventative measure against more little bugs housing themselves on your pal. It is recommended that you wash your fur baby roughly every two weeks to ensure they are always covered. Fido’s Flea Shampoo from Jumbo Pets comes in a range of sizes depending on how big your dog is and is always available.
2. Proofing your home
Ticks and fleas love wood, and significant green areas and garden maintenance will reduce the chances of them setting up shop in your yard. To help combat infestation, you can purchase a range of house and yard sprays but it important to note that these solutions can be harmful to animals. If you find you have a large infestation somewhere in your home, call the exterminator!
3. Medications
Another effective form of flea treatments for dogs comes in pill form that can be taken monthly. You may want to consider this avenue if you come across the issue mentioned in the point above about skin allergies. These medications will often disrupt the life cycle of ticks and fleas and are a straightforward solution. These can be easily administered as a chewable treat, like Bravecto tablets available from Jumbo Pets, which your dog will actually enjoy munching on!
4. Natural Remedies
It doesn't have to be all medications and chemicals; there are plenty of natural remedies to get rid of these pests as well. Natural chamomile, for example, can be infused with warm water and applied to your dog's skin, particularly the affected area. Another popular home remedy is apple cider vinegar. Ticks and fleas absolutely hate this stuff making it the perfect repellent. Much like the chamomile you simply mix with water and apply to your dog's skin with a cloth.
5. Sprays
A flea treatment that is great for a quick kill, but only a little bit of protection after the fact. You may want to use a spray as a preventative if you are heading outside with your dog, kind of like sunscreen, but ensure you don't apply near the facial region of your pet.
6. Tick Dips
Dips are potent chemicals that you can apply with water and a sponge. Refrain from rinsing them off allowing the compound to dry onto the skin. Also, keep in mind, these are powerful solutions that are not recommended for puppies under four months, or for pregnant/nursing dogs.
7. Powder
Powders are a little lower on the list as while they are very effective; they are also messy. You will also want to ensure that the product you buy is suitable for your dog's specific age. Use small amounts of powder and carefully rub it into the skin, once again keeping it away from the facial areas. Powders need to be applied weekly and can also be used on areas like bedding or wherever your buddy likes to hang out the most. The main benefit of the powder option is how suitable it is for prevention of both ticks and fleas, it’s like an all round cover.
8. Tick Collars
Tick collars are an easy way to repel ticks however it is essential to keep in mind that they mainly protect the neck and head areas. They also need to be in contact with your pet’s skin to be effective. As with most collars, you won't want much more than two fingers of room between the collar and the neck. These collars are often customisable, so you will want to cut off any excess length, so it doesn't become a chew toy. Always read the label before purchase as some pets may have an allergic reaction to the collar which you will notice if they scratch at it too much. My Pet Warehouse readily stocks the Seresto Tick Collar, available in a range of sizes.
9. Pet check
Regular surveying of your fur-friends, especially after outdoor play, is necessary. These issues are much easier to deal with in their early stages. The main areas to check are:
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When it comes to our mental and physical wellbeing it seems we’re inundated with strategies to help us live our best life. Every day a new diet, wellness brand, meditation technique or exercise program hits the market and we, in our quest for a fulfilled life, lap it up. But for some reason, we don’t seem to extend this way of thinking to our animal companions.
Our pets deserve the best life we can give them. Yet too often, owners feed their animals stock standard mass-produced pet food, day in and day out, or follow the same daily play routine. Variety is the spice of life, and it’s time we step things up for our furry family members. From eating, sleeping, playing and loving – this is what your dog and cat needs to live their best pet life.
Eat
Did you know, soy is a top food allergen for dogs? Or that the high grain content of many pet foods is a primary contributor to the growing obesity and allergy problems in cats and dogs?
Despite this, grain and soy feature heavily in mass-produced pet foods so manufacturers can cut costs. Dogs and cats are designed to eat a variety of meat-based proteins. Failure to provide this can result in a myriad of health problems, including: malnutrition, skin allergies, obesity, joint problems and digestive issues. We don’t mean to scare you.
The upside is that in the wake of such revelations, the pet food industry is now paying closer attention to what we feed our pets. Many brands offering quality, natural products are starting to emerge on the market. For instance, celebrity chef Pete Evans, has launched his own brand “Healthy Everyday Pets”, which caters to both cats and dogs. His all-natural, Australian-made, grain and soy free food contains nutrient-rich ingredients like kale, lamb, kangaroo, green lipped mussels, beef, turkey and a mixture of selected herbs. Sounds pretty tasty, right?
Petzyo is another brand that offers Australian made, grain-free dog food. They champion four key values that include: environmental sustainability, better value feeding solutions, 100% natural ingredients and excellent customer service. They work via a monthly subscription plan, and with a rating of 4.5/5 stars it’s clear that customers are loving it!
If you want to learn more about what you should be feeding your pet. Check out this interactive feeding guide.
Sleep
Look, we get it. Sleeping in the same bed as your dog or cat is tempting. You may think it is a great stress reliever, or just plain cute, but we must burst this bubble…sorry.
Sleeping with pets is known to cause sleep disruption. Who hasn’t been woken at the crack of dawn with a lick to the face, or a paw tapping at your forehead for food?
To guarantee a good night sleep for each of you, sleep separately. A pet bed is one of the smartest investments any owner can make; not only will you feel well-rested, your companion will too.
Now, when picking a product, we recommend choosing something that is elevated from the ground. You don’t want your dog or cat sleeping in dirt, sand or grasses as it puts them in proximity with ticks, fleas and worms. Plus, if they’re not going to be sleeping with you, you still want to ensure they are happy and comfortable.
JumboPets’ Cara Pet Elevated Trampoline Pet Bed: Long-lasting and comfortable, this trampoline-style bed is a durable, functional way to ensure your pet gets rest.
JumboPets’ Purina Petlife Lounger: Waterproof nylon and reinforced stitching makes this bed resistant to tearing…and chewing. It’s also superbly comfortable and flea-proof!
JumboPets’ Purina Petlife Orthopedic Sofa: With ultra-soft quilting and ortho foam this bed is optimised for comfort. It will also protect against odour and bacteria.
Sausage Dog Central’s Moo + Twig Snag Pack Bed: This oversized raised, pillow-style bed suits dogs of all shapes and sizes. Best of all, Sausage Dog Central sponsors rescue groups, so you can rest easy knowing you’re giving back to other in-need pooches.
Cats:
JumboPets’ Pet Sofa: What little king/queen cat wouldn’t want their very own sofa? This raised bed offers comfort and security…and makes for a cute addition to your home too!
Play
All pets, no matter if they’re a dog or cat, an indoor or outdoor animal, young or old, need a stimulating, enriching environment. Fetch, while fun can get repetitive after a while.
To keep brains healthy, they must be challenged. A puzzle feeder is a great way to engage your dog’s brain, while enabling controlled feeding.
To keep your hound safe and stimulated to and from the park during car trips you should also consider getting them a booster seat. We’re a fan of Sausage Dog Central’s Travelling Pooch Booster Seat. It consists of two adjustable leash attachments so two dogs can fit safely inside. It also has two straps that can be used around the headrest and back of the seat. This way your pooch can travel in comfort and safety, while watching the world pass by the window.
Now, when it comes to play-time with smaller dog breeds you must minimise how much they’re jumping. Whether it be on and off furniture, or just for sticks, jumping is notorious for causing joint and back problems. To minimise this damage, we suggest getting your pooch a ramp, and training them to wait to be lifted off and onto furniture. Sausage Dog Central’s DachRamp series, consists of a range of portable, handmade ramps featuring adjustable heights. It’s a much safer way for your hound to travel up and down furniture.
Love
Finally, don’t forget to love your pet! It may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes the little guys can be easy to take for granted. Your pet will love you unconditionally, and much like a trip to Bali, their presence is a calming and grounding one in your life. So, give them lots of cuddles so they know they’re appreciated.
This article is to be used as general information and a guide only. The Tailz website makes no claims that the website is 100% accurate and suitable for your particular pet. We recommend you seek medical advice from your local vet professional.