Taking your pooch to the beach on a hot summer's day is a great way to relax, enjoy the sunshine and cool off. No one likes to cause a scene so don't forget your beach etiquette! 

• Remember that not all beaches are dog friendly. Check with your local council before you go. Find out if your dog is allowed off leash
  
  
• Always make sure you are in control of your dog, never let your dog bound up to strangers or annoy others
  
  
• Always pick up your dog's poo - no one likes to go swimming with a 'Barker's Egg'!
  
  
• Keep dogs off dunes and native vegetation areas. Shore birds such as Oystercatchers, Plovers and Terns nest along the high tide mark and will not breed if disturbed. Look out for signs warning you of sensitive nesting areas
  
  
• Take care near the water, dogs that swim in the surf can easily drown if they are swept under by a wave; consider a canine friendly life jacket 
  
  
• Don't let your dog eat any dead fish or birds, these can be toxic if ingested (such as the puffer fish)

Last month we introduced you to 3 funny looking canines, now meet the felines! 

1. Sphynx: This naked little guy has very little hair and originated in Toronto in 1966. The very first Sphynx was apparently nicknamed 'Prune'! Because the Sphynx cats have no coat to keep them warm they huddle up against other animals and people. They even tend to cuddle up and sleep with their owners under the covers!

2. Scottish Fold: The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat with gene mutation that causes its ears to bend forward and down towards the front of its head. The original Scottish Fold was a white barn cat named Susie, who was found at a farm in Scotland in 1961. These little furballs are playful and affectionate and make great pets. 

3. Manx: The Manx has long hind legs, a very small tail and appears to hop so some suggest it is the offspring of a cat and a rabbit! But the Manx has a natural spine mutation leading to either none or a very short tail. Manx cats are known as skilled, fearless hunters that will take down much larger prey and thus they are often sought by farmers with rodent problems.

Every month we put the names of all the animals that have visited us into a hat, and we draw out a name to be Pet of the Month. That pet then has its photo taken, and given a nutritional consultation and complimentary bag of premium pet food appropriate to its health and life stage.

Last month’s winner was Sophie, a 22 month old desexed Labrador. You can tell from the photo that she can hardly keep still! She is a healthy and active dog, but came in for treatment after putting her nose in the wrong place and being stung by a bee!

Sophie has finished growing and is in great shape, and it is really important that she stays that way. Labradors, like all large breed dogs, are prone to hip and joint problems, and the simplest thing is to maintain a healthy body weight. This isn’t easy in a Labrador – we know, because we have one! From information gathered in the nutritional consultation, Lauren determined that the best food for Sophie was Royal Canin for large breed neutered dogs. Happy chow down, Sophie!