From giving a dog a pedicure to a chunky cat – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.
He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Q) NOW she is 12, my dog Cherry’s claws are getting long and she can’t walk as far.
They are really difficult to trim as she hates it.
Should I get the vet to do it?
Or what can I do to make it less of a trauma?
Ed Bartlett, Leeds
A) I think if it’s becoming a real battle and Cherry is distressed by the thought of a pedicure, then it’s best to let your vet clinic team tackle this important maintenance task.
They will be more skilled at handling her and keeping it as safe and pain-free a process as possible.
If she is getting really worked up by the prospect of a nail trim at the vets, there is also the option to give her a little bit of sedation via tablets before you make the trip.
She might even begin to enjoy it then.
Q)WHICH bedding material is best for rats?
I have two (Ratty and Hattie) and someone told me pine sawdust can be harmful.
Is that true?
Kate Anderson Cleethorpes, Lincs
A) Yes, the fine dust particles in many wood shavings can aggravate the airway and leave pet rodents prone to respiratory or breathing problems.
Rats in particular can be affected by something called mycobacteria, and many of them carry it.
It flares up and causes inflammation, sneezing and a reddish nasal discharge when the rat is stressed or unwell.
For that reason I recommend a dust-free, absorbent bedding made of compressed paper.
There are several brands around but Carefresh is a good choice. Ask in your local pet shop.
Q) MY cat Petey is getting really chunky.
I’ve not changed his diet.
I’m suspicious he’s getting snacks somewhere else.
What do you suggest, as he’s getting roly poly?
Esther Brown, Dartford, Kent
A) Yeah, that can happen with visits to the neighbours.
The best solution is to pop a paper collar on his neck for a period of time saying: “DO NOT FEED: Medical condition.”
Hopefully, whoever is feeding him will then stop.
If he’s going into other people’s homes and stealing food then it’s a little more tricky.
Maybe pop your number on the collar too, asking whoever he visits to give you a call and see if you can work something out.
It’s really important to get this under control as excess weight can lead to serious health issues for Petey.
Q) MY dog Ted gets really itchy feet on grass, even though I try to wipe them down after walks.
Can you recommend anything as Ted, who is three, licks them and they get red.
It has to be uncomfortable.
Kate Adams, Exeter, Devon
A) Hay fever in dogs gives different symptoms to what it does in humans.
As you’ve seen, it’s far more common for dogs to get itchy skin than the runny nose, irritated eyes and sneezing that we suffer from.
Wiping Ted down all over is a great idea after being outdoors when pollen counts are high.
Pollen anywhere on his body can result in his itchy feet — it doesn’t have to be directly on the site of the itch.
You can also try certain dog-safe antihistamines from your vet, but bear in mind their effects can vary from dog to dog, so a bit of experimentation may be necessary.
Anti-itch medication is also an option, but if it’s getting really bad year-on-year, consider immunotherapy.
This dampens down the overactive immune system and can banish such allergies to the history books.
Star of the Week
FREYA and her three little piggies are much-loved pets who are teaching children about animal welfare.
This first-time mum and her triplets – Olia, Helga and Popcorn – are the star attraction at Kew Little Pigs farm (kewlittlepigs.com) in Amersham, Bucks, as she loves showing off her brood.
Owner Olivia Mikhail said: “Freya is an amazing mum and her three babies are thriving.
“She loves showing them off to visitors when they come, and the piglets are getting very outgoing too, just like their mum.”
On August 25 the farm will be holding an Alice In Wonderland themed summer fun day, to celebrate the new arrivals.
WIN: Vacuum bundle
WE have teamed up with Gtech to offer one reader a Gtech System K9 cordless pet hair vacuum bundle, worth £429.
It comprises both upright and handheld vacuums, with a run time of one hour.
And they glide from carpets to hard floors with no settings to change.
To enter, send an email headed GTECH to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by August 18.
See gtech.co.uk.
T&Cs apply.
Don’t sweat it with summer sunshine
AVOID hot dogs and have cool cats this summer, with top tips shared by the RSPCA.
Esme Wheeler, pet expert at the charity, said: “There are plenty of fun and creative ways we can keep our pets cool at home, such as creating homemade frozen treats and a cool den indoors and providing paddling pools or cooling mats for pets to lie on.
“While many of us can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the sun, it can pose a big risk to our beloved pets.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry, and we ask people to remember when it comes to dogs, if in doubt, don’t go out.”
Here are the RSPCA’s top tips for summer days . . .
- Use a pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of their skin.
- Freeze edible treats to keep pets busy, and cool.
- Avoid walkies during the hottest part of the day.
- Make sure furry friends have access to shade and constant fresh water.
- Use ice cubes in their water bowl as a cooling treat.
- Give them damp towels to lie on in the shade.
- For more advice on other pets this summer, see rspca.org.uk/adviceand welfare/seasonal/summer.