Are you wondering what to do about your pet fish when you go away on holiday? If you’re only going to be away from home a few days, don’t worry about having someone feed your fish. Healthy fish can easily go a week without food. You can buy fish feeders, which gradually dissolve to release […]

Question: What goes in must come out, right? No one knows this better than a dog owner whose pet lives in a restricted space. But feeding your dog a home-cooked dinner instead of tinned food can reduce doggy-do by up to 40 percent! Answer: To prepare, cook 500g of beef mince in a cup of […]

Question: Hello Dr Julie, We purchased a beautiful Maltese Cross-King Charles Cavalier called Charlie in February this year. Up until three months ago he was very placid and friendly. Now he goes for visitors to our home. I have tried removing him, telling him “NO”, and even giving visitors treats to give him but nothing […]

Question: How should I clean my hairbrush? Kelley, via e-mail. Answer: If you have a plastic or metal brush, you should remove the hair with your fingers or another brush, then soak your brush in a mixture of shampoo and tea-tree oil to dissolve any product build-up. The oil acts as a disinfectant. If your […]

The romantically named lovebird is native to the African continent and its surrounding islands. Members of the parrot family, lovebirds became popular in the late nineteenth century when they were imported into England and continental Europe. There are nine basic types of lovebirds, and a rainbow of different coloured feather combinations can be found within […]

Question: Look after your dog’s health and your own — give your dog its own seat belt restraint. There are some that fit like a sling and others that clip a harness to the seatbelt clip. Answer: Save a life — a dog’s life, or your own. If you are in an accident, 35kg of […]

Question: I was wondering if ferrets are ticklish? Our ferret, Jessie, opens her mouth and wobbles her head when we tickle her on the ribs and under the arms. Or are we just annoying her? Kelly, Raymond Terrace NSW Answer: Ferrets are quite tactile animals so I can imagine they might well be ticklish — […]

Question: I recently went shopping for a red lipstick and was totally overwhelmed by the number of shades [that] I didn’t buy anything. I have a fair complexion — what would you suggest is the best red to suit my skin tone. Sal, via e-mail. Answer: Soft berry reds with a bluish undertone go with […]

By Annette Campbell Geoff Graham was thrilled when the natural cream he developed eased the pain of his baby son’s eczema. He was delighted when it also helped his own battle with the frustrating skin condition. And now, he is over the moon that it’s helping hundreds of thousands of others. On May 17, 2004, […]

Eight years ago my long-term boyfriend and I broke up under amicable circumstances. He seemed to move right on to a new relationship but I sat around the house wondering how I was ever going to meet anyone new. At the age of 40 I felt I was past my prime and I didn’t have […]