Conditioning and Socialising Your Pet: Setting Them Up for a Lifetime of Confidence

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The experiences your pet has early in life — and throughout adulthood — play a major role in how they cope with the world. Gentle conditioning and appropriate socialisation help pets grow into calmer, more confident companions and make everyday care, grooming, travel, and vet visits far less stressful.

While early exposure is ideal, it’s important to remember: it’s never too late to start. Older pets can also learn to feel more comfortable and confident — it may simply take more patience and time.

What Is Conditioning — and Why Does It Matter?

Conditioning is the process of gradually and positively exposing your pet to experiences they’ll encounter throughout their life. When pets learn that handling, travel, and routine care are safe and predictable, they’re far less likely to develop fear, anxiety, or defensive behaviour.

This is especially important for unavoidable experiences such as veterinary examinations, grooming, nail trims, and car travel.

Getting Your Pet Comfortable with Handling

From a young age, puppies and kittens should become accustomed to gentle, calm handling. 

This includes:

  • Touching and holding feet and toes 
  • Gently examining ears 
  • Lifting lips and looking inside the mouth 
  • Light restraint or short cuddles 

Start with very short sessions and always pair handling with treats, praise, or play. This helps your pet associate touch with positive experiences and makes vet examinations easier and less intimidating as they grow.

Conditioning at Home: Start Small and Build Slowly

Routine care tasks can be overwhelming if introduced too quickly. Gradual exposure is key.

Dental Care

Dental care is best introduced gradually so it doesn’t become a stressful experience.

  • Begin by gently touching around the mouth and muzzle 
  • Progress to lifting the lips for a few seconds at a time 
  • Once your pet is comfortable, introduce a finger brush or toothbrush 

To make the experience more pleasant, you can use pet-safe toothpaste or dental gels, which are specially flavoured to be appealing to dogs and cats. Some pets also tolerate a small amount of coconut oil, which can help with acceptance due to its taste and texture.

For pets that won’t tolerate brushing initially, dental wipes are another useful option and can be a great stepping stone toward full brushing.

Always keep sessions short, calm, and positive, and reward your pet afterwards to build a positive association.

 

Ear Cleaning

  • Start with simple ear handling 
  • Allow your pet to sniff the cleaning solution  
  • Clean small amounts initially and build up gradually 

Nail Trimming

Nail trimming should always be introduced using positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your pet for calm, relaxed behaviour so they learn to associate nail care with something pleasant, rather than something to fear.

  • Handle your pet’s paws regularly so they become comfortable with their feet being touched 
  • Introduce nail clippers or grinders by letting your pet see and sniff them, without using them at first 
  • When trimming, start with one nail at a time and immediately reward your pet with praise, treats, or gentle affection 

Keeping sessions short and ending on a positive note helps build trust and confidence. Over time, positive reinforcement teaches your pet that nail trimming is safe, predictable, and even rewarding.

 

Grooming & Bathing

  • Brush for short sessions before your pet becomes restless 
  • Introduce water slowly and calmly 
  • Keep early baths quick and stress-free 

For dogs, using a LickiMat or a thin layer of dog-safe peanut butter spread on the wall can help keep them calm and occupied during bathing or grooming

 

If your pet becomes anxious, stop and try again another day — forcing the process can create lasting fear

Socialising Beyond the Home

Socialisation is about more than meeting other pets — it’s about helping your pet feel comfortable in different environments and situations.

Car Travel & Vet Visits

Many pets associate car rides with stress because they only travel when something unpleasant is about to happen. To help:

  • Take short, positive car trips that don’t always end at the vet 
  • Reward calm behaviour in the car 
  • For cats, leave the carrier out at home so it becomes a familiar, safe space 
  • Occasionally place treats or bedding inside the carrier without closing the door 

Using a Leash & Basic Obedience

Learning to walk comfortably on a leash builds confidence and control:

  • Start indoors or in quiet areas 
  • Use positive reinforcement for calm walking 
  • Avoid pulling or punishment 
  • Short, consistent sessions work best 

Basic obedience training not only improves behaviour but strengthens the bond between you and your pet.

Socialising With Other Dogs, People & Environments

Expose your pet to:

  • Different people (adults, children, people wearing hats or uniforms) 
  • New surfaces and environments 
  • Everyday sounds like traffic, vacuum cleaners, and household noises 

This helps reduce fear-based behaviour and builds emotional resilience.

A Very Important Safety Note About Vaccinations

While socialisation is essential, it must be done safely.

We recommend waiting at least two weeks after your puppy’s third vaccination before:

  • Visiting dog parks 
  • Walking in high-traffic pet areas 
  • Allowing contact with unfamiliar dogs 

Before this point, puppies are vulnerable to serious diseases such as Parvovirus and Distemper. Early socialisation should be limited to healthy, fully vaccinated dogs you know well and controlled environments.

It’s Never Too Late — Conditioning Older Pets

While puppies and kittens learn quickly, adult and senior pets can absolutely benefit from conditioning and socialisation too.

Tips for Older Pets:

  • Move at your pet’s pace 
  • Keep sessions short and positive 
  • Use high-value treats or favourite toys 
  • Be consistent and patient 
  • Celebrate small wins 

Older pets may take longer to adjust, but gradual, positive exposure can significantly improve their comfort and quality of life.

How We Can Help at Bruma Lake Vet

Our team is always happy to help with:

  • Advice for anxious or fearful pets 
  • Making vet visits as calm and positive as possible 

Early effort — or even late effort — makes a lifetime of difference. A well-conditioned, well-socialised pet is easier to care for, more relaxed, and happier overall.

 

If you’re unsure where to start, or if your pet struggles with fear or anxiety, chat to us — we’re here to help.

The Hidden Dangers of Skipping Parasite Prevention in Pets

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Parasite prevention isn’t just about avoiding scratching or nuisance pests — it’s a critical part of protecting your pet’s overall health. Fleas, ticks and internal parasites can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening illness when prevention is missed or inconsistent.

Fleas: More Than Just an Itch

Fleas are extremely common, especially during warmer months. While many pet owners associate fleas with scratching, the risks go far beyond discomfort.

Fleas can cause:

  • Severe itching and skin infections
  • Flea allergy dermatitis, which can lead to hair loss, wounds and chronic skin disease
  • Tapeworm infections when pets ingest fleas while grooming
  • Anaemia, particularly dangerous for puppies, kittens and small pets

A heavy flea infestation can weaken young or elderly pets quickly — and once fleas establish themselves in your home, they can be very difficult to eliminate.

Ticks: Small Parasites, Serious Consequences

Ticks are more than just a local irritation. Certain tick species in South Africa transmit life-threatening diseases.

Tick-related risks include:

  • Painful local reactions and skin infections
  • Tick bite fever (Ehrlichiosis) — which can cause fever, bleeding disorders, weakness and organ damage
  • Babesiosis — a potentially fatal disease affecting red blood cells, leading to severe anaemia

These illnesses often require intensive treatment and hospitalisation. Preventing tick attachment is far safer — and far less costly — than treating tick-borne disease.

Worms: The Invisible Threat

Internal parasites are often overlooked because they’re not always visible, but they pose serious risks to pets and people.

Worm infestations can cause:

  • Weight loss and poor growth
  • Diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Pot-bellied appearance in puppies
  • Anaemia
  • Zoonotic risk — some worms can infect humans, especially children

Worm burdens increase during wet weather, and when new puppies and kittens are introduced into homes. Regular deworming is essential, even for pets that appear healthy.

Why Regular Preventative Treatment Matters

Parasite preventatives such as flea, tick and worm treatments work best when given consistently and correctly. Missing doses allows parasites to return — often unnoticed — until serious illness develops.

Preventative care:

  • Protects your pet’s health long-term
  • Reduces the risk of expensive emergency treatment
  • Helps keep your home and family safe
  • Supports healthier skin, coat and immune function

How Different Brands Work

Flea & tick options

Frontline (Fipronil)

  • Kills fleas and ticks on contact.
  • Applied topically once a month.
  • Fast-acting, safe for cats and dogs, widely available.
  • Effectiveness decreases with frequent bathing.

Bravecto (Fluralaner)

  • Chewable (dogs only) or topical form.
  • Lasts up to 12 weeks for fleas and ticks.
  • More expensive than monthly treatments

Simparica (Sarolaner)

  • Chewable tablet for dogs only.
  • Protects against fleas and ticks for one month (Simparica Trio offers comprehensive protection against fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms)

NexGard (Afoxolaner)

  • Chewable tablet for dogs only.
  • Protects against fleas and ticks for one month

Flea, tick & dewormer combination

NexGard Spectra (Afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime)

  • Chewable tablet for dogs only.
  • Protects against fleas and ticks as well as worms and heartworm for one month
  • More expensive option

NexGard Combo for cats (Esafoxolaner + eprinomectin + praziquantel)

  • Topical spot-on treatment for cats
  • Provides broad-spectrum protection against both external and internal parasites in one monthly treatment.

Revolution Plus (Selamectin + sarolaner)

  • Topical monthly treatment for cats and dogs.
  • Protects against fleas, some ticks, heartworm, and certain intestinal parasites.

Advocate (Imidacloprid + moxidectin)

  • Topical monthly treatment for cats and dogs.
  • Provides comprehensive protection against fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms, ear mites, lice, and mange mites
  • Lack of protection against ticks and tapeworms

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

When it comes to parasite prevention, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach — your pet’s lifestyle plays a huge role. 

Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, visit dog parks, or interact with other animals are at higher risk of picking up fleas, ticks, and worms. 

Cats that roam freely are more likely to hunt prey and encounter parasites, while indoor-only pets may have a lower risk but aren’t completely immune. 

Household factors also matter: if you have young children, other pets, or live in a region with high tick or flea prevalence, extra vigilance is important. 

Chewables are oral, long-lasting, no-mess, great for swimmers/sensitive skin, while spot-ons are topical liquids applied to the skin, offering broad-spectrum protection, but can wash off or cause skin irritation. 

The best choice depends on your pet’s habits (swimming, skin sensitivity) and your lifestyle, so consult your vet for tailored advice.

We’re Here to Help

Every pet’s needs are different. Our team can help you choose the right parasite prevention plan for your dog or cat based on their age, lifestyle and risk factors.

If you’re unsure whether your pet is fully protected — or if you’ve missed treatments — chat to us. Prevention is always better than cure.

Understanding Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease — Rollo’s Story

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When Rollo, a much-loved male cat, arrived at the clinic recently, he was in serious trouble. He was blocked — meaning a stone in his urethra had prevented him from passing urine. This is one of the most dangerous emergencies we see in male cats and forms part of what we call Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).

A urethral blockage is not something that can wait. Even a few hours can lead to:

  • Life-threatening electrolyte disturbances
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Bladder rupture
  • Severe pain and shock 

Longer-term complications may include chronic kidney disease and a hypotonic bladder (a bladder that can no longer contract effectively).

Fortunately, Rollo’s owner recognised the danger early and brought him in immediately — which saved his life.

How We Treated Rollo

On examination, it was clear that Rollo’s bladder was dangerously enlarged and he was unable to urinate at all — a red-flag emergency.

Here’s what we did:

  1. Cleared the blockage to allow urine to pass. 
  2. Passed a urinary catheter, which we stitched in place to keep it secure. 
  3. Started IV fluids to support his kidneys and flush out crystals. 
  4. Placed him in a collar so he can’t pull out the catheter. 
  5. Ran blood tests to check his kidney function and electrolyte levels. 
  6. Admitted him to hospital for monitoring. 

The catheter will stay in for about two days to keep the bladder empty and prevent it from overstretching — an important step in avoiding a hypotonic bladder later. After removal, Rollo will stay with us for one more day to ensure he doesn’t block again.

Thankfully, he is doing really well so far.

What Is FLUTD?

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. Male cats are particularly at risk because their urethra is narrow and more easily obstructed.

There are several different forms of FLUTD, including:

1. Urethral Obstruction (Blocked Cat)

Often caused by crystals, mucus plugs, or stones that block urine flow. This is always an emergency.

2. Urolithiasis (Bladder or Urethral Stones)

Stones can irritate the bladder, cause bleeding, or lead to full obstruction — as in Rollo’s case.

3. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)

A very common condition linked to inflammation, stress, and environmental factors. Symptoms mimic an infection but occur without bacteria.This disease also occurs in female cats.

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

More common in older cats or those with other health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes.

5. Urethral Spasm

Muscle spasms around the urethra can make urination painful or difficult.

6. Trauma or Anatomical Abnormalities

Less common but still part of FLUTD.

Signs of FLUTD You Should Never Ignore

Contact a vet immediately if you notice:

  • Straining in the litter box
  • Producing only drops of urine
  • Pain or crying while urinating
  • Frequent trips to the litter box with little output
  • Blood in the urine
  • Excessive licking of the genital area
  • Vomiting, lethargy, or collapse (late, severe signs) 

For male cats, straining to urinate is always an emergency. Even if they produce a few drops, they may still be partially blocked.

Can FLUTD Be Prevented?

In many cases, yes — especially when caused by crystals or inflammation.

Prevention may include:

  • Monitoring for early symptoms
  • Prescription urinary diets
  • Improving food quality, as less nutritious and unbalanced diets increase the incidence of crystals in the urine and hence blockages
  • Increasing water intake
  • Weight management
  • Reducing stress and improving environmental enrichment
  • Regular veterinary checks including urine evaluation and blood tests 

Your vet will recommend a long-term plan based on which form of FLUTD your cat has.

Rollo’s Prognosis

Thanks to early treatment, Rollo is recovering beautifully. He will stay with us for monitoring after catheter removal to ensure he doesn’t re-block — a risk in the first few days.

His story is a powerful reminder: If your male cat is struggling to urinate, act fast. It truly can be the difference between life and death.

Jolie

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