Oday Vets

22/06/2026

Something as ordinary as a bunch of flowers or a bottle of hair treatment sitting on your bathroom shelf could be fatal to your cat and most owners have no idea.

Cats are uniquely vulnerable to household toxins because they groom themselves constantly. Anything that gets onto their paws, coat or fur can be licked off and ingested. By the time symptoms appear, serious internal damage may already have occurred.

This article covers seven common household toxins that cat owners in South Africa need to know about:

❌ Antifreeze
❌ Lilies
❌ Dog flea treatments containing permethrin
❌ Essential oils
❌ Ibuprofen
❌ Onions and garlic
❌ Minoxidil, the over-the-counter hair loss treatment that very few cat owners know is potentially fatal.

If your cat has been exposed to any of these, the single most important thing you can do is contact your vet immediately. Even if your cat seems fine.

With toxins, waiting for symptoms is one of the most dangerous choices you can make.

Read the full article by Sascha from Oday Vets from the link in the comments.

16/05/2026

Such great temperaments. They are stunning 😍 Pls contact Antonette if you can offer them a home 🏡

15/05/2026

02/05/2026

TOP TIP from Sascha Odayar at Oday Vets when bringing home a new dog or puppy and introducing them into the home.

Most conflicts between dogs happen around resources such as toys, food, beds and even people.

You can reduce a lot of tension by setting up the environment for success. Ensure that there are multiple water bowls, beds and resting spots for all the dogs to enjoy.

What did you find hardest when you brought home a new dog or pup?

20/04/2026

Most of us want a "perfectly behaved" dog that settles peacefully while we have coffee or watch TV. We often focus on commands like Sit or Stay, but we forget that Calmness is a skill that needs to be taught, especially to puppies and high-energy breeds! 🧠

The "Aha!" Moment: 💡

Did you know there is a massive difference between a dog being Calm and a dog being "Shut Down"?

True Calm: The body is loose, breathing is steady and they are emotionally relaxed. They might take a treat gently or wag a slow tail.

Shut Down: This is often mistaken for being "good." The dog is still, but it’s because they are overwhelmed or scared to move. Look for those subtle signs: lip licking, yawning or a refusal to take their favorite treat.

How to help them find the "Off Switch":
1️⃣ Start at Home: Practice calmness in a low-distraction environment before expecting it at a busy café.
2️⃣ Emotional Regulation: Practice "Ups and Downs." Get them excited with play, then practice a calm "down" with a treat. This helps them learn how to turn the volume back down. 📉
3️⃣ Listen to the "Misbehaviour": If your dog can’t settle, they aren't being "naughty". They are communicating that the environment is too much for them to cope with right now.

We believe in giving our dogs clarity. By teaching them how to be calm, we give them the confidence to navigate our human world with ease. It’s not about control; it’s about comfort! Sascha Odayar of Oday Vets wrote a brilliant article about teaching your dog calm.

TELL US: Does your dog find it easy to settle in new places, or do they need a little extra support to find their "chill"? Let's share some peaceful vibes in the comments! 👇🧡

I'll drop the link for the April magazine in the comments

03/04/2026

Our article is in the latest issue of We Love Pets SA magazine.

This one is all about calmness in dogs, what we actually mean when we ask for it, how to teach it, and when it’s not realistic to expect it.

Calmness is a trained life skill, not something dogs should automatically understand in every environment.

As always, the magazine is free to download here: https://fscj81.fg55.fdske.com/e/c/01kn92rt7jek4dbtk1h0mvrk21/01kn92rt7jek4dbtk1h8j8bkzh