Pet Pals Magazine

02/09/2026

Move over, Travis! Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's new pup Wendy has made her modelling debut in Tommy Hilfiger's Fall 2026 campaign.

Read more here: https://petpals.co.za/travis-kelce-taylor-swift-dog-wendy/

02/09/2026

For every “good girl”, “who wants a treat?” and heart-to-heart conversation with your cat… someone is listening.

Researchers have found a way to measure the way we communicate with our pets, giving us fascinating new insight into the sounds, words and interactions we share with our furry companions.

Because while they may not always answer back, our pets are definitely part of the conversation.

Tap the link below to discover what researchers have found about the way we talk to our pets.

For every “good girl”, every “who wants a treat?” and every heart-to-heart conversation you have with your cat, researchers have found a way to measure it. Scientists at the University of Arizona have developed a tool to analyse how people actually speak to their pets during everyday life. A...

02/09/2026

Spring is coming… and your pet’s fur knows it!

Winter is receding, the days are getting longer, and suddenly there’s fur everywhere- on your clothes, furniture, carpets and probably places you didn’t even know your pet could reach!

Seasonal shedding is a natural part of your pet getting ready for the warmer months, but there are ways to keep the fur under control.

Ready to tackle the spring shed?

Tap the link below for tips on managing your pet’s seasonal shedding.

It’s that time of year. Winter is receding, the days are getting longer and you can tell we’re heading into spring by the amount of fur your pet is leaving on your clothes, furniture and carpet. Welcome to shedding season! Some dogs and cats shed more than others. And if you have a hairless cat,...

02/09/2026

Does your dog howl the moment you leave home? Does your cat suddenly p*e on your bed or refuse to eat while you're gone? They might not be misbehaving.

Read more here: https://petpals.co.za/pet-separation-anxiety-signs-how-to-help/

02/09/2026

A video sparked concern. The SPCA stepped in.

After animals featured in a documentary-style video raised concerns about their welfare, Cape of Good Hope SPCA teams entered a Cape Town community described as one of the city’s most dangerous.

Their response highlights the importance of speaking up when animal welfare is at risk - and the vital role of organisations working to protect vulnerable animals.

Tap the link below to read the full story and find out what happened when the SPCA stepped in.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Photos: SPCA Cape of Good Hope SPCA teams entered a Cape Town community described as one of the city’s most dangerous after animals seen in a documentary-style video prompted concerns about their welfare. The video, produced by Cape Town Audits, documented gang activity, violence, extreme poverty ...

02/09/2026

Big changes could be coming for animal welfare in Cape Town.

A proposed new animal by-law could introduce stronger protections for animals, including shielding working horses from extreme heat, preventing guard dogs from being chained on site, and banning glue traps.

The proposed changes highlight growing attention on how animals are treated, protected and cared for in the city.

Tap the link below to read more about Cape Town’s proposed animal by-law and what it could mean for animal welfare.

Working horses would be protected from extreme heat, guard dogs could no longer be chained on site and glue traps would be banned under Cape Town’s proposed new animal by-law. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has welcomed the City of Cape Town’s draft Animal Keeping By-law, 2026, which is open for pub...

02/09/2026

Licking paws. Nonstop scratching. Head shaking. Sound familiar?

If you live with an itchy pet, you probably know those little sounds all too well. While occasional scratching is normal, persistent itching can be a sign that something is bothering your furry friend.

So, what’s behind the itch - and when should you take a closer look?

Tap the link below to discover the common reasons pets scratch, lick and shake, and what you can do to help.

Licking paws, nonstop scratching, shaking their head. If you live with an itchy pet, you probably know the sound off by heart. Itching, also known as pruritus, is one of the most common reasons pets find themselves at the vet. But itchiness itself is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom, and where your....

27/08/2026

Your cat scratches the brand-new couch. Your dog destroys your favourite slippers. And then there’s the barking that seems to start for absolutely no reason.

Sound familiar?

Before labelling your pet as naughty or destructive, it may be worth asking why the behaviour is happening.

🐾 Scratching can be natural for cats.
🐾 Chewing can help dogs explore, relieve boredom or cope with stress.
🐾 Barking is often your dog’s way of communicating something.

Understanding the reason behind a behaviour can make it easier to respond in a way that works for both you and your pet.

Your cat scratches the brand-new couch. Your dog destroys your favourite slippers. Then there is the barking that seems to start for no reason. It is easy to label these behaviours as naughty, but pets rarely behave this way simply to cause trouble. Scratching, chewing and barking often communicate....

26/08/2026

“He knows he did something wrong. Look at that guilty face!” 😅

We’ve all said it after discovering a chewed shoe, a puddle on the rug or the cat casually sitting on the kitchen counter.

But does that guilty-looking face actually mean your pet knows they’ve done something wrong?

Those lowered ears, tucked tail, avoiding eye contact or looking away may seem like guilt - but they could be your pet responding to your tone, body language or reaction instead.

So before you hand down the verdict, it might be worth understanding what your pet is really trying to tell you.

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“He knows he did something wrong. Look at that guilty face.” You might have said this after finding a chewed shoe, a puddle on the rug or your cat sitting on the kitchen counter. Animal behaviour research from the past 30 years suggests a different explanation. The guilty expression is not guilt...

26/08/2026

Every tail wag tells a story of love, loyalty and companionship. Today, we celebrate dogs in all their wonderful forms.