Inappropriate house soiling is one of the most common problem behaviours that vets see in cats, and, understandably, can be a pretty unpleasant issue for owners to deal with. Here’s why cats might start urinating inappropriately, and how “wee” can help!

“Why has my cat started urinating in the house?”

If a previously well-litter-trained cat has started to wee in the house, it’s important that we consider whether they’ve developed any medical problems that could directly or indirectly affect their urinary health or behaviour. These include:

• Conditions that could be causing bladder irritation, such as bladder inflammation or infection, bladder stones, or a bladder tumour.
• Conditions that are causing your cat to urinate more than usual, such as kidney disease.
• Conditions that make it difficult for your cat to use a litter tray, such as arthritis.

We would also consider other factors that could influence your pet’s toileting behaviour, such as:

• Reluctance to use their current toileting facilities, e.g. a change in their type of kitty litter or tray, or inadequate tray cleaning.
• The onset of anxiety in your cat, so that they feel the need to mark their territory with urine – this can be triggered by changes in people or pets in the household, or other environmental stressors such as building work.

“Can my cat’s problem toileting be treated?”

For any cat showing toileting problems, we will provide general advice on how to properly clean up the messes, and how to provide the most appealing “facilities” for your pet.

In the case of any underlying medical problem, we will advise on the best treatment option to resolve or help control their issue.

If your cat’s toileting issues appear to be due to underlying anxiety, they may require therapies such as:

• Calming supplements or pheromone spray
• Daily anti-anxiety medication
• An environmental enrichment program
• Retraining them to use a litter box

For more advice on keeping your cat feline fine, consult our knowledgeable team.

Have you heard of limber tail? It is definitely one of the stranger health conditions that can occur in dogs!

Given that the weather is getting cooler, here’s a brisk refresher on how to recognise limber tail, plus which dogs are most likely to get it and how we can help affected pets.

What is limber tail?

Limber tail is the common name given to a condition known as acute caudal myopathy. It is also called “swimmer’s tail”, or our (wholesomely sad) favourite name: “broken wag”.

This condition involves the sudden onset of pain around the base of the tail and is thought to occur secondary to overuse (that’s right – your pet can indeed wag too much!). It is most common in larger breed dogs, particularly working or hunting breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, Pointers and Beagles. Pets who develop the condition usually have a history of vigorous playing, working or swimming within the last 24 hours, particularly in colder conditions or cold water.

What symptoms does limber tail cause?

Pets with limber tail will be very uncomfortable when moving their tail (e.g. when attempting to wag it, stand up or lie down, or when lifting their tail to toilet) and will also react painfully when being touched around their tail base. They often hold their tail in an unusual position, either drooping or held out at a strange angle.

Can limber tail be treated?

The good news is that limber tail will usually resolve within a few days to a week. In the meantime, however, most pets will require a course of anti-inflammatory pain relief and as much rest as can be enforced. If your pet shows reluctance to defecate (due to discomfort when lifting their tail), it’s best to have a chat with our team.

For more advice about post-exercise discomfort in pets, consult our injury-informed vets.

With most pets spending more time indoors during winter, it’s particularly important to be vigilant about potentially toxic indoor plants.

Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the more common toxic indoor plants to avoid bringing into your house, plus some information on what to do if ever you think your dog has eaten something dangerous.

Toxic indoor plants for dogs

If you’re ever adding to your indoor plant collection, it’s a good idea to check first whether that plant is pet safe.

Whilst not an exhaustive list, below are some of the more common indoor plants that can be toxic to dogs if eaten:

• Aloe Vera
• Fiddle Leaf Fig
• Jade plant/Money plant
• Philodendron
• Peace lily
• Pothos/Devil’s Ivy
• Snake plant
• English Ivy
• Dieffenbachia
• Daffodils
• Tulips and hyacinths
• Cyclamen
• Sago palm

Depending on the type of toxic plant your pet eats, symptoms may include:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Abnormal drooling
• Reluctance to eat
• Weakness or wobbliness
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

What should I do if I think my pet may have eaten a toxic plant?

Firstly, remove any remaining plant material from your dog’s mouth, and, if you’re unsure what type of plant it is, take a photo of the plant for identification purposes.

Time is of the essence with the treatment of poisonings, so it’s best to contact our team or the Animal Poisons Helpline ASAP. Depending on what type of toxin your pet ate and when, recommended treatments may include:

• Carefully rinsing their mouth out with fresh water
• An immediate visit to the clinic so that we can induce vomiting to empty your pet’s stomach
• A full anaesthesia so we can flush out your pet’s stomach
• The administration of activated charcoal powder to help bind up any free toxin in your pet’s stomach
• Supportive treatment such as intravenous fluids and anti-vomiting medication
• Monitoring your pet’s organ function with blood tests

For more information on potentially toxic household plants or products for pets, consult our knowledgeable team.

If you’re resting up at home with the lurgy this winter, make sure to keep your cold and flu medications well out of reach of your pets. Unfortunately, paracetamol, ibuprofen and decongestants can cause pretty nasty unwellness in dogs or cats who consume them. Here we’ll go through the potential symptoms.

Paracetamol

Whilst paracetamol at a carefully prescribed dose is usually well tolerated in dogs with healthy livers, it’s vital to remember that paracetamol at any dosage is fatal for cats. This is because cats do not have the enzyme needed to safely metabolise paracetamol in their bodies.

When paracetamol is given to cats or administered at the wrong doses in dogs, toxic by-products are formed that damage red blood cells, making them unable to properly carry oxygen around the body. Severe liver damage can also occur.

Affected pets will show symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Tummy pain
• Rapid breathing
• Jaundice (yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes)
• Weakness
• Discoloured gums (pale, blue-tinged, yellow or even a muddy brownish colour)

Ibuprofen

Cats are particularly sensitive to ibuprofen compared to dogs. Overdoses of this drug in either species can lead to tummy upset, stomach ulcers, or severe kidney, liver or brain damage.

Symptoms of ibuprofen toxicity in cats and dogs include:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea, which may be bloody or tarry in appearance
• Tummy pain
• Increased or decreased drinking and weeing
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Pale gums
• Jaundice
• Seizures

Pseudoephedrine

The decongestant pseudoephedrine acts as a stimulant to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems (heart and brain), leading to symptoms such as:

• Agitation, hyperactivity or panting
• A rapid or irregular heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors or seizures
• An elevated body temperature

Unfortunately, any of the above medications could potentially be lethal to your pet.

The bottom line? Always keep your medications up in a high, secure cupboard that your pet can’t reach. For more information on common household toxins for dogs and cats, consult our experienced vets.

Pets bring warmth and joy to public housing families

In Victoria, pets like Bobby the kelpie and rabbits Ronald and Runner have brought comfort and companionship to families rebuilding their lives through social housing. Juliana, once living in a tent with her three children, fulfilled a promise when they moved into a house: “If we find a safe house... we're going to have a puppy.” For her daughter Leanna, having two rabbits turned a cold, empty house into a real home. “Runner is my sister and Ronald is my brother,” she said.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Pet custody now a legal priority in Australian family law

From June 2024, courts in Australia must consider a pet’s care, like who feeds, walks, or pays vet bills, when deciding ownership during separation. “Animals are sentient beings,” said law professor Katy Barnett, welcoming the move away from treating pets as property. The law also helps protect victims of family violence, with courts now required to consider cruelty or threats toward pets. “It is a really positive shift,” said Monique Dam of Lucy’s Project, noting many women delay leaving violent homes to protect their animals.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Therapy dog brings calm and hope to ICU patients

A five-year study at Canberra Hospital found that visits from therapy dog Harry helped reduce anxiety and even pain for ICU patients and their families. “It gave me a lot of joy, it made me feel human,” one patient wrote. Nurse Jess Kim said the program helped people relax before and after invasive procedures, while Harry’s owner added, “It’s actually quite draining for dogs to give this much love and care for one hour.” The research has now inspired similar programs in other hospitals.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Two years after platypuses returned to Royal National Park for the first time in over 50 years, scientists have introduced three more as part of the next phase of a rehoming program. Thirteen platypuses now call the park’s Hacking River home, after disappearing from the area due to a historic oil spill.

Researchers from UNSW say the original group is doing well, with one female likely raising a pup named Gillie. “We can now move forward with reintroduction and restoring waterways across other parts of the country,” said Dr Gilad Bino.

The project is funded in part by a $630,000 donation from Peabody’s Metropolitan Mine, made shortly after the company was fined for contaminating a nearby waterway.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

This email contains comments of a general nature only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please always consult your vet for specific advice on your pet's individual needs.

All content © Petpack 2025