We Love Pets SA

01/09/2026

THE BLOAT FILES | PART 3
Can small dogs get bloat too?

When we talk about bloat or GDV, most people picture a very large, deep-chested dog. And that makes sense. Those dogs are generally at higher risk.

But small dogs are not automatically safe.

GDV is less common in smaller dogs, but it can still happen. That means the most useful thing every dog parent can do is know the warning signs and understand that size is only one part of the risk picture.

Watch for signs such as:

🚨repeated retching without bringing anything up
🚨a swollen or tight abdomen
🚨restlessness or obvious distress
🚨excessive drooling
🚨weakness or collapse

If you suspect GDV, treat it as an emergency and contact your veterinarian immediately.

The takeaway?

Don’t assume “small dog = safe”. Know your dog. Know the signs.

📖 We unpack GDV, risk factors and what pet parents should know in our full evidence-based article.

Link in the first comment.

In collaboration with McMac Pet SA

Did you know small dogs could get bloat too?

31/08/2026

Super excited to welcome The Herbal Pet and VetsBrands Pty Ltd as Exhibitors at the All-Natural Pet Health Expo.

Date: 19-20 September
Venue: The Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch
Tickets: R50 per person per day (Quicket link in the comments)

The pooches can stay at home as this is an all-human event only.

See you guys there 🫶

31/08/2026

When we talk about improving our dogs’ diets, it’s easy to assume “better” has to mean expensive, complicated or filled with ingredients we’ve never heard of.

It doesn’t.

This September, together with Pawsome Raw, we’re looking at four simple, affordable ways to add a little extra value to your dog’s bowl.

Over the next four Mondays:

🥚 Add an egg
🐟 Add sardines
🥦 Add a little broccoli
🦴 Spring-clean the treat cupboard

The idea isn’t to turn every meal into a nutritional masterpiece. It’s about looking at the everyday bowl and asking:
👉 Is there one small, sensible change I could make?

Because feeding well doesn’t always have to mean doing more, sometimes it’s simply making better use of simple whole foods.

🌱 SPRING CLEAN YOUR DOG’S BOWL starts next Monday, 7 September.

In partnership with Pawsome Raw.

Which one would your dog vote to add first, egg, sardines, broccoli or treats? 😄

30/08/2026

We need veterinarians. We need their training, experience and expertise. We need them when our pets are sick, injured or when we simply don't know what the right decision is.

But respecting expertise shouldn't mean being afraid to ask questions.

Ask about raw feeding. Ask about supplements. Ask whether there are other treatment options. Ask why a particular product is being recommended. Ask what the evidence says. Those aren't disrespectful questions. They're part of making an informed decision for an animal who cannot make that decision for themselves.

There is a big difference between:

“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲.” and “𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞. 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞.”

One educates. The other shuts the conversation down. A vet does not have to agree with every choice a pet parent makes. In fact, sometimes the most valuable thing a good vet can do is tell us something we don't want to hear. But disagreement does not require ridicule. And expertise should be strong enough to withstand a question.

Pet parents should be able to ask: What are the risks? What are the alternatives? What is this recommendation based on? Is there another reasonable option? Would a second opinion be appropriate?

Sometimes the answer will still be: No, I don't recommend it. That's okay. What matters is that we understand why. Because a healthy relationship between a veterinarian and a pet parent should not be built on unquestioning obedience. It should be built on trust, evidence, communication and mutual respect.

We need vets. And we need to be able to question them. Those two things are not opposites.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻?

30/08/2026

Welcome Photizo Light Therapy and Resqtack - Hot, Cold and Magnet Therapy for Horses & Dogs. Both of them will be at the All-Natural Pet Health Expo waiting to chat with you.

Book your tickets from the Quicket Link in the comments.

30/08/2026

Worried that taking your time will delay bonding between your cat and a new pet? It's actually the opposite.

Cats given vertical space to observe from and the chance to build positive associations through scent swapping and calm distance, don't need to rehearse fear or defensive behaviour. They get to gather information at their own pace and that's what builds real trust.

Slow introductions aren't about holding pets back from friendship. They're what makes lasting, peaceful coexistence possible in the first place.

Have you seen this play out with your own cat? We'd love to hear your story.

Read the full article by Ilse Fourie of No Fret Vet and Pet from the link in the comments.

30/08/2026

29/08/2026

Something very special is coming to Stellenbosch this September.

If you’re interested in natural pet health, better nutrition, preventative care and discovering products and services that support your pet’s wellbeing, this one is for you.

The takes place in Stellenbosch from 19–20 September 2026, bringing leading voices in natural and integrative pet health to South Africa.

Running alongside the Summit is the All-Natural Pet Health Expo, which is open to the public for just R50 per person.

⚠️ Important: The R50 Expo ticket gives you access to the public Expo area only and does not include access to the African Pet Health Summit lectures or delegate programme.

At the Expo you can:

🌿 Discover natural pet-health products and services
🐾 Meet the people behind the brands
💬 Ask questions and learn more about the options available for your pets
🛍️ Browse, discover and shop
❤️ Support a good cause too. Profits from Expo entrance fees will be shared with animal rescue.

We’ve put together a guide to the African Pet Health Summit, who’s speaking, what’s happening over the weekend and what visitors can expect.

👇 Read more here:
https://welovepetssa.co.za/african-pet-health-summit/

🎟️ Want to visit the All-Natural Pet Health Expo?
Public Expo tickets are just R50 for either Saturday or Sunday.

We’ll pop the ticket link in the comments. 👇

📍 Protea Hotel, Stellenbosch
📅 19–20 September 2026

Who are we seeing at the Expo? 🐾

29/08/2026

... or has he fallen for Fake News hehe

28/08/2026

COULD YOUR DOG HANDLE THE THREE SISTERS TRAIL?

Three peaks. Uneven terrain. Rocky sections. A bit of scrambling. And some spectacular views over the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.

Lauren Ashman recently tackled the Three Sisters trail in Kleinmond with Sabalenka and Marmite and the two dogs couldn't have experienced the mountain more differently.

Sabalenka confidently tackled the steeper sections, while Marmite took a more methodical approach, stopping to investigate the fynbos, scents and anything else that looked remotely interesting. 😄

But this isn't an easy Sunday stroll.

The trail is better suited to moderately fit dogs that are already comfortable with longer walks, uneven terrain and rocky sections. Before heading out, pet parents also need to think about water, weather, rest stops and whether the trail actually suits their dog.

That's the important bit.

A dog-friendly trail isn't automatically the right trail for every dog.

📖 In the full guide, Lauren shares what to expect from the Three Sisters trail, what to pack, fitness and terrain considerations and what she learned hiking it with two very different dogs.

👉 Read the full Three Sisters Trail Guide via the link in the first comment.

And we'd love to know: What's the most memorable hike you've done with your dog?