Exercising Your Pets

Whether it's a dog, cat, turtle or bird, this guide to exercising your favourite companion has got you covered

YOU know it's good for you. You know that exercise can give you energy, help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your muscles and joints flexible, help you live longer, and above all, make you feel better. For all the same reasons, your pets need to get up and get moving. Not only can exercise extend your furry friends' lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to chew on the living room drapes.

The thing is, nobody's filled pets in on all of these benefits of pet exercise. Without someone to lead the way, they're not going to run laps or do leg lifts in their spare time. So as a wonderful pet parent, part of your job is ensuring your animal family members get safe, enjoyable exercise on a regular basis―whether they're cats, dogs, turtles, or ferrets! All pets need some physical activity to live a happy, healthy life.

Read more on how to exercise your pets.

Healing Pets With A Holistic Approach

With so many people using alternative medicine, the demand for products and information on holistic veterinarian medicine has increased. Pawsitive Sensations’ Zoe Gan tells us how it works

HOLISTIC medicine is a practice that involves all aspects of the patients’ life when diagnosing and treating a particular condition. It is not a method of treatment but rather an approach to how treatment should be applied.

Just as holistic medicine applies to humans, it can also be a tool to treat animals. With so many people using alternative medicine, the demand for products and information on holistic veterinarian medicine has increased.

Zoe Gan, 29, an Engineering graduate who holds a certificate on dog massage from the Ohio-based PetMassage Training and Research Institute, is the owner of Pawsitive Sensations (which dubs itself Singapore’s First Holistic Canine Care Centre).

Pawsitive Sensations was started in California, USA, in 2004 to provide professional and qualified canine massage techniques to the numerous dog lovers in Silicon Valley. Zoe says, “having moved back to Singapore, we hope to provide to Singaporeans what many dog loving owners in America have taken advantage of for so many years.”

She opened her shop near Turf City in September and now treats an average of 15 dogs a week - including her youngest client, a three-month-old puppy.

Read more about alternative medicine for pets.

There's More To Dog Massage Than Pampering

Rhythmic strokes, joint movements and deep kneading-yes, dogs deserve a massage too, whether it's for therapy or relaxation, and they can get it at Pawsitive Sensations, $25 for 30 minutes
By James P. Ong

MONTY is an 11-year-old corgi who has been going for his weekly 40-minute dog massage since March 2007. The moment he enters the doors of Pawsitive Sensations, he goes straight to the dog massage room and assumes the lying position in front of owner and therapist Zoe Gan, who begins the session with long strokes on Monty’s body, and then progresses to rhythmic strokes, joint movements and deep kneading.

While Monty lies on his side, two ladies wait after him: Gemma, his master, and a helper. Every so often, the two pluck out fresh tissues from a plastic container and wipe the drool off Monty, who is fast falling asleep despite the constant rumble caused by two other dogs in the room.

For canine owners in Singapore, dog massage is something whose time has come. As more and more single people acquire dogs as a companion, those with a considerable dispensable income would like to pamper their bundles of joy not just with toys and accessories but also services.

Read more on There's More To Dog Massage Than Pampering.

Treat And Prevent Fish Tank Diseases

It’s important to observe your pet fish for signs of sickness if you don’t want them to die prematurely or infect other fishes
By Stephanie Marilyn Martin

WHILE it’s easier to identify health problems in pets like cats and dogs, this is not the case with fishes. For fish owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of neglect. In some cases, a fish tank is there solely for decorational purposes. The fishes in it are not paid much attention, except for the occasional time when the fish tank is being cleaned.

Veterinians say it is important to observe your pet fish for signs of sickness if you don’t want them to die prematurely or infect other fishes in the fish tank.

Visit 88DB.com to read more about how to treat and prevent fish tank diseases.

Proper Care For Your Hamster

All ye owners of pet hamsters and all ye future owners, buckle up and learn the proper techniques, tricks and trades of proper care-giving
By Stephanie Marilyn Martin

THOSE adorable furry animals called hamsters belong to the rodent family and are the most widely kept of small pets in the world.

Pet hamsters are interesting creatures that hibernate in low temperatures to preserve energy (often portraying the false notion of being dead). They are also creatures with ever-growing teeth, making gnawing a necessity to prevent overgrowing. Like most small animals such as rabbits, turtles, and fishes, pet hamsters require careful pet care and a proper environment to live in.

Read more about Proper Care For Your Hamster.

DIY Dog Grooming

Save at least $50 a month with our easy-step guide
By Stephanie Marilyn Martin


EVER wondered how much you can save if you cut down on your pet grooming costs every month?

Well, truth is, pet owners spend a minimum of about $50 each month to groom their pooches. That adds up to a total of $600 every year just for dog grooming! You can easily save on this by grooming your own pet. For many of us, this may seem like a daring venture to pursue. It’s much simpler than you think it is, though.

Here’s a guide on basic grooming for your pup. Follow it and I guarantee it will leave you several hundred dollars happier each year!

To read more about DIY Dog Grooming, visit 88DB Lifestyle.