Dogs and cats are placental mammals that carry their foetuses in the uterus to full term, giving birth to a litter of live offspring that are almost fully developed. Offspring are initially fed on milk secreted by the bitch or queen’s mammary glands, with puppies and kittens suckling on the five or four pairs of teats, respectively.

The musculoskeletal system of dogs and cats is a complex, multi-part, multi-functioning system that gives animals their shape, size, health, flexibility and speed. It can be fed and protected to turn a dog or cat into a biological machine… or it can become painfully dysfunctional, affecting their health and quality of life.

The lymphatic system is one of the lesser talked-about, but equally important systems in your pet’s body. It works alongside the circulatory function of the cardiovascular system, the elimination function of the digestive system and the defence function of the immune system. There are several important organs in your pet’s body that make up the lymphatic system and its network of vessels, ducts, lymphatic fluid, lymphocytes and lymph nodes.

The cardiovascular system comprises the heart (cardio) and veins (vascular) that pump and transport oxygenated and deoxygenated blood throughout the body. While the respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into- and carrying carbon dioxide out of the blood, it’s the heart and veins that circulate the oxygen throughout the body. Just like humans, dogs’ and cats’ cardiovascular system performs the same function, is also controlled by the autonomic nervous system and is also susceptible to disorder and disease.

Breathing is an essential function of life, but it is just one function of the respiratory system in our pets. The respiratory system brings air into your dog or cat’s body, humidifies that life-giving air, heats it up and filters it, and then uses the components of that air to energise cells and balance the body’s pH levels. It then removes the resultant waste products. All of this is done involuntarily – your pet doesn’t have to think about breathing; it just happens. 

As we explore the bodily systems of our furry and purry friends, there is one system without which all the others would not be able to function: the nervous system. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves and connective tissue that runs between them and the rest of the body’s organs. Think of the nervous system not only as the electrical wiring that powers the house, but with its own power source and smart system – the brain – that maintains equilibrium in every room.

Your dog’s skin and coat make up a multi-functional super system. They are a barrier of protection, a convenient thermostat and water meter, as much as they are a barometer of your dog’s internal health. Your dog’s skin and coat also function as his largest sensory organ, as well as a very important communication tool.

Your cat’s skin and coat make up a multi-functional super system. They are a barrier of protection, a convenient thermostat and water meter, as much as they are a barometer of your cat’s internal health. Your cat’s skin and coat also function as her largest sensory organ, as well as a very important communication tool.

The feline digestive system is similar in form and function to the canine digestive system. However, there are some differences in their diet that account for variances in how they absorb and use energy, and how long their digestive process takes.

Dogs require not only high-quality food, but – equally importantly – healthy digestion in order to absorb the maximum amount of goodness from their nutrition. Let’s take a closer look at your dog’s digestive system: the organs it’s made up of, how it works, how you can help your dog’s digestive system to remain healthy, the issues that could arise, and when to see the vet about your dog’s digestive system.