Over Sixty Winter 2022 Digital

20 LIFESTYLE WINTER 2022 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU WIN! Cat stash ANGELA LUZ PEREZ My cat Heihei, a short-haired domestic, ignores most of the food we give him – even cooked chicken, beef and certain types of fish. To teach Heihei a lesson, my boyfriend, Ronald, decided to stop giving Heihei any food until he finished the dry food in his bowl. A couple of days passed by and we noticed that Heihei was eating whatever food we gave him. Needless to say, we were thrilled to see him try so many different types of food. We were so happy that we decided to buy him some treats and new toys as rewards. Happy kitty, happy life. Or so we thought. That Sunday, four days into Heihei’s new diet, I noticed a stash of food under our sofa. Specifically, the food that Heihei hated. Thinking that it might be a coincidence, I gave him some dry food. Heihei proceeded to eat it. Before leaving the room, I set up my phone to record a video of him eating. When his bowl was empty, I checked my phone. The video showed our charming pet putting food into his mouth, walking over to the sofa, dropping the food on the floor and then kicking it under the sofa. He did this multiple times until the bowl was empty. I showed the video to Ronald, thinking he would be angry. “That is impressive! My pet is smart,” he exclaimed. I have to say that I was also very impressed. Upping the ante MAVIS MERRICK Sitting on some old cement steps, I noticed an ant carrying a leaf on its back. The leaf was many times bigger than the ant and I wondered what purpose it could possibly serve. The ant finally came to a big crack in the cement that it couldn’t cross, so it stopped. It had two options – it could either turn back or drop the leaf and proceed down the crack without it. The solution it came up with was far superior. The ant dropped the leaf on the crack and made it across the gap by walking over the leaf. It had made itself a bridge! Once on the other side, the ant picked up the leaf and continued on its way. That’s problem-solving for you, on the smallest scale. For this reason you might be amazed to learnthesesociable,livelyfishcanactuallylive for a decade, with some living an astonishing 30 years.The reasonsomanydie young comes down to poor breeding and care. In general, go for the biggest tank and filter possible. A 10 to 20% water change and a gravel clean per week keeps themhealthy. Don’t over-populate the tank or overfeed the residents, and check regularly for ammonia and nitrates. Tropical fish need specialised care, so only buy them from a reputable source and research theparticular species youarebuying. Fish tanks need to be regularly cleaned and well maintained. SITA SIMONS PETS T here’s no doubt living with an animal enriches our existence and brings huge rewards. Pet ownership is a rite of passage for a child, a source of lifelong memories and a comfort and companion to all. Even before the pandemic, Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, and those figures have boomed since 2019, with 69%of households owning at least one pet. Cats and dogs are themost popular choices for their obvious people-friendly qualities, but birds, fish, rabbits and various reptiles and rodents are also found inmany homes. It’s easy to go for big eyes or a fluffy coat but owning a pet is about more than this. Our quick guide will help you make the right choice for you and your family. Four-legged friends Dog ownership is high Down Under, at an estimated 4.6 million. While dogs can be the most rewarding pets, they also need the biggest commitment. Take the time to honestly assess your lifestyle when choosing a pet. As tempting as it is to get a dog for the kids, experts recommend waiting until children are at least six or seven years old. The huge variance in breeds means there is one to suit most people, but mismatch at your peril. An estimated 25 per cent of the pets we buy each year in Australia end up in animal shelters, the majority being dogs. Your perfect pet Pets will give you and your family hours of fun – but make sure you choose wisely When it comes to our threemillion pet cats, it’s a slightly different story. Less demanding, cats are great pets for unit dwellers, singles and retirees, and many breeds are child- friendly. Personality is important for making a match with a cat as their natures vary widely. Birds of a feather As pets, birds can create an emotional connection no other animal can match, particularly species that can be trained to talk, but the reality of caring for one canbe a shock. Bigger birds can live staggeringly long lives, even reaching the 100-year mark, and care can be very demanding, especially in regards to food requirements and mess. Birds have specific dietary requirements that vary from breed to breed, and failing to provide the exact nutrients they need can spell disaster. They can be very messy too, necessitating frequent cage cleaning. Generally, the larger the bird, the more interaction and exercise it needs. Smaller birds like canaries, budgies and finches are more independent but can still live for up to 15 years. Going swimmingly Almosteveryonewillhaveowned,andpossibly mourned, a goldfish or three at some point. Bigger birds can live staggeringly long lives, even reaching 100 Finding a pet When it comes to finding your pet, adoption is a great way to ensure you’re giving a dog, cat or other animal a second chance at a happy forever home. The RSPCA’s Adopt a Pet service (rspca.org.au/adopt-pet ) is a great starting point, otherwise look for reputable dog shelters and rescue services in your area. Above: While dogs can be the most rewarding pets, they also need the biggest commitment Photo and illustrations: Getty Images Share your tales of clever pets or wildlife and you could win a $250 voucher from House of Pets. See page 9 to contribute LIFESTYLE ANIMAL ESCAPADES These canny creatures run rings around their owners