Your questions about pet care answered by our veterinarian

What vaccinations should my puppy or kitten receive and at what age?
Both puppies and kittens should be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. Pups need rabies, distemper, measles and a canine parvo virus vaccine. This provides temporary immunity and the pup should be vaccinated again 3 weeks later against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough, canine parvo virus and leptospirosis and thereafter every year. Kittens should have a simultaneous vaccination against snuffles, rabies and cat ‘flu at 6 weeks. These vaccinations require a booster 3 weeks later and should be repeated on an annual basis.

What should I feed my dog or cat?
Dogs and cats need a well-balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Most commercial pet foods – both canned and dry – contain all the nutrients necessary for your pet’s well-being. Dry foods also help to keep the teeth clean. The amount your dog needs varies according to size, breed, age, and level of activity – check the packaging for the manufacturer’s recommendations. If in doubt, please consult your vet. Puppies and kittens particularly need careful feeding up until the age of about seven months. Cats can be very fussy eaters, so it’s a good idea to establish a regular feeding area and provide them with clean bowls and water. An occasional special treat like a chew is very good for keeping your pet's gums and teeth healthy.

I heard you shouldn't give a dog chocolate. Is this true?
Dogs like the taste of chocolate and will gobble it up. But it is highly poisonous to both cats and dogs and may result in death. This is because the cocoa in chocolate contains theobromine which they are unable to break down quickly. Cats are less prone to poisoning as they can’t taste the sweetness and are less likely to eat chocolate. Cooking chocolate is the most toxic, followed by dark and semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, and lastly white chocolate. Chocolate cake and chocolate icing are also extremely toxic as they contain cocoa. Pet owners may assume their dog is unaffected after eating large quantities of chocolate as it can take several hours for symptoms to appear. Death can follow within 24 hours. If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate, take him directly to your vet.

Are there other ‘human’ foods that pets shouldn’t eat?
Onions, garlic, grapes and raisins are all poisonous to dogs and cats and can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, pain, liver or kidney failure, coma and death. If you suspect your pet has eaten any of these foods, take it directly to your vet. Other foods to avoid are raw fish (which may contain tapeworm and have high levels of the enzyme thiaminase, resulting in a Vitamin B1 deficiency), canned tuna and bones (raw and cooked) which may cause choking or lacerations to/blockages of the gastrointestinal tract. Never offer your pet chicken or chop bones, as these are very brittle and shatter into sharp pieces. Do not give your cat milk, as some cats are unable to digest the lactose in cow's milk, which may lead to diarrhoea.

My dog/cat is overweight. How do I solve this problem?
Excess weight is a result of overfeeding and too little exercise, and this can lead to heart disease, liver problems and arthritis. You will need to cut down on the amount of food or put your pet on a special diet prescribed by your veterinarian. If you are feeding your pet correctly and it is still gaining weight, make sure it is not getting extra treats from your neighbours! Excessive weight gain may also be an indication of a hormonal imbalance, in which case you need to visit your vet.

Is it really necessary to take my dog for walks outside of the yard? And if so, how long should the walk be?
For optimum health, it is essential that you exercise your dog for about 30 minutes daily. Most dogs get far less exercise than they need which often leads to destructive behaviour. Research suggests that dog owners who regularly exercise their pets suffer less heart disease, so walking the dog is good for both you and your pet!

What grooming care does my dog need?
Apart from bathing, grooming such as brushing, nail clipping, ear, eye and teeth-cleaning, cutting/stripping the coat should be carried out regularly. Be sure to use a dog shampoo when bathing your dog as human shampoos may contain irritants.

At what age is appropriate to begin training my dog?
Training to respond to commands should commence as soon as possible with short, daily lessons. Reinforce correct behaviour with praise and by rewarding with tasty treats! Never hit a dog as punishment for failing to obey - rather withhold the reward to show your dissatisfaction. When issuing commands, use short words in a clear, precise tone of voice. Never vary these command words but do try to make the lessons fun for both of you!

How do I house-train my kitten?
You can teach a kitten as young as four weeks old to use a litter tray by immediately placing it in a litter tray as it begins to crouch. If a kitten relieves itself outside of the tray do not rub its nose in the mess - the odour will tell the kitten that this is its toilet and it will return to it.

How do I stop my cat from ripping up my furniture?
Provide scratching posts to stop kitty from ruining your furniture by scratching it. If your cat is allowed outdoors it will probably find a piece of bark on which to sharpen its claws, otherwise a vertical post covered in carpeting is ideal.

What Is sterilisation?
Sterilisation refers to the surgical removal of the reproductive organs – the ovaries and uterus in the female (called spaying) and the testicles in the male (called neutering). These procedures are performed at around six months of age.

Isn't it unfair to sterilise my pet?
Not at all - your pet is likely to be more relaxed, easier to train and less aggressive if it is not being driven by the strong urge to find a mate. Sterilisation also eliminates or reduces sexually-related behaviour such as spraying urine to mark their territory, straying to seek sexual partners, fighting and howling. There are also long-term health benefits for sterilised animals. Spayed females have a far lower incidence of mammary cancer, and pyometra (a serious, even life-threatening infection of the uterus) and ovarian cancers are completely eliminated. Testicular cancer in males is also eliminated. If all this is not enough to make you take your pet straight to the vet for sterilisation, consider this: In just 6 years, one female and her offspring can produce 67 000 dogs – only a quarter of which will find permanent loving homes. The rest are euthanased.

Won't my pet get fat after spaying?
Only too much food combined with too little exercise will make your pet fat. Remember most pets are sterilised near the end of their period of rapid growth when food intake needs are levelling off. If dogs are fed as though they are pups they will probably get fat regardless of whether they are spayed or neutered.

I've heard a dog should have a litter or at least come into season before being spayed.
There is no valid reason, medical or other, for doing so. If you allow your pet to have a litter you may be able to find homes for all the puppies or kittens - but you have no control over what happens to them or their future litters. Every year, the SPCA is forced to euthanise hundreds of healthy dogs and cats because there simply are not enough homes for them.

Why does the Durban & Coast SPCA not catch dogs on freeways?
This is the jurisdiction of Metro Police, who should be contacted on 031 361-0000. It is imperative that Metro Police are present as traffic usually has to be redirected. The SPCA will assist where possible.

How long does the Durban & Coast SPCA keep stray animals for?
Healthy animals are sheltered in the stray section for a 7 day period during which time the rightful owner has the opportunity to claim their pet. If the pet has not been claimed after this period, it will be transferred to the adoption section, where it may remain for weeks or even months. This will depend on the animal’s age, personality and the amount of space available.

What can be done about feral cats?
Traps can be hired from the Durban & Coast SPCA. Contact 031 579-6505 for more information. Cats and kittens may be brought to us for possible re-homing or to be sterilised and returned to the area in which they were found.

Can the Durban & Coast SPCA help with the problem of barking dogs?
No. This is the responsibility of Metro Police, as it is against municipal by-laws. Contact 031 361-0000.

How much does it cost to spay/neuter cats and dogs at the Durban & Coast SPCA?
You need to qualify to use the services of the Durban & Coast SPCA Animal Hospital (see below). A dog spay costs R770; dog neuter R530. A cat spay costs R560; a cat neuter R420. These prices are subject to change.

Do I qualify to use the SPCA clinic and hospital?
Unemployed and pensioned pet owners automatically qualify. Salaried pet owners are asked to fill in an income declaration form in order to determine if they earn enough to utilise the services of a private vet. Contact the Animal Hospital to see if you qualify: 031 579-6547.