Experts are already predicting an increase in human illnesses as a result of the extreme weather conditions being experienced around Australia so what does this mean for your pet? Warmer weather plays host to a number of parasites which commonly affect pets such as fleas, heartworm and in the more northern and north eastern parts of Australia, ticks. Here's a snapshot and some further reading for the most common warm weather parasites you should be aware of.

Visiting a shelter, rescue home or a veterinarian to adopt a new pet is an exciting time for any new pet owner. There are so many things to think about when welcoming your new pet into your family, so we have picked five of the most important things to consider:-

Why do I want to breed?

Many owners find the companionship of their dog so rewarding that they feel they would like to breed their dog, continue the bloodline and retain an offspring. This can occur with both male and female dogs.

Bringing a new family member into the home is often a much awaited event for existing members of the family. However, there are many factors that need to be considered to ensure your new pet settles in to the family.

The arrival of a new child into a family is a very exciting. It means a lot of changes for you and your pet as well. However with a little planning it is possible to ensure that stress and change is kept to a minimum for your pet.

As you are probably aware, the controversial topic of dog attacks and biting has dominated news headlines over the past few months. Responsible pet ownership and teaching your family how to approach and be approached by an unknown dog are two key activities that will help reduce the incidence of dog bites in Australia. There are many reasons why a dog may bite: fear, to protect territory, to establish their dominance over the person being bitten, or as a form of play.

Studies have shown that the nitrogen content and concentration in your dog's urine causes the yellowing or burning that results in dead patches in your lawn. Female dogs are the major culprits, as they tend to urinate in the same place in large volume puddles. Whereas male dogs will mark their territory in several places, and tend to pleasure trees and vertical objects with their waste.

The first step in controlling a mosquito problem is to remove any unnecessary still water sources on your property as possible; this will help lower mosquito reproduction and hopefully reduce their numbers locally.

So you are about to move house and concerned about settling your pets into their new environment. Here's some handy tips on making the transition stress free and as safe as possible for your pet.

Cats

Cat owners are often concerned about the best way to settle their cat into a new home. Cats form definite attachments to places and often try to return to their old home, but a few precautions can ensure that your cat will accept their new address.