HE is on a mission to help our pets. . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, chief veterinarian at tails.com, a bespoke pet food company, has been helping with owner questions for ten years. He says, “If your pet is acting weird, is bad, or you want to know something about diet or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy. “
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Q) WE have a purebred bengal cat named Luna. It came from a relative of ours who had a baby that kept waking up when the cat meowed.
She’s a lovely cat, but the screams just go on. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason.
She can be very funny with her noises, but if the meowing continues it wears us down. There is no reassurance for them.
We have researched Bengals and found that this is common. So is that just what they do?
She is also a house cat, but likes to sit outside under a tree and mainly watch birds. But she has been with us for about 18 months now, finds her way around and every now and then jumps over the fence into the neighboring garden.
We are afraid that it will go further away and be lost or stolen as it is very beautiful. Shall we make it harder for her to get out?
She won’t be the only cat in creation who won’t find her way home, but I still don’t want to risk it.
Rona Roberts, Kilmarnock
A) This is a classic Bengal thing. You’re nothing but a talkative hangover.
In terms of their safety when leaving the garden, you can find some great solutions to attach them to the tops of fences and walls that lean into your yard to keep them in your space.
Leaving her out of the garden is risky – she runs the risk of getting hit by cars, arguing with other cats, being attacked by other animals, or developing diseases.
In the US there is a trend towards not letting cats run around – for reasons of cat protection, but also because of the harm they cause to wildlife and the problem of toilets in neighbors’ gardens.
Do cats like walking around? Yes. Shall we allow them? Are up for debate.
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Q) Do you have any advice on saving my garden from my dog?
I have a 13 month old poochon named Yvie who keeps digging large holes in my lawn. She also ate my bedding flowers.
I tried sprinkling cayenne pepper on top but it only works when it’s not raining.
Angela Morrison, Glasgow
A) You could offer Yvie her own burial area in a sandpit or dedicated area of the bed and train her that this is the only place she can do it.
Digging is natural, but she’ll resort to it more often when she’s bored or under-stimulated
So try different games with her in the garden.
Create an agility course, take long and varied walks with her, let her stop and sniff.
Do you have a question for Sean?
SEND your inquiries to vet@the-sun.co.uk.
Q) I recently adopted a ten week old kitten, Katie, from a local animal shelter.
She was found straying with her mother and siblings. We tried to settle her in, but she’s very shy.
We put her food down and she has her litter box, but she only comes out of her cat den when no one is around.
I try to be gentle with her, but I’m a little worried that she won’t bond with me.
What do you think i should do
Alice Gregson, Bolton
A) Just wait It will take time.
Katie sits back and watches the world to see how it works.
Some will take a few days, some a few weeks, some months, but it will come and it will grow in confidence.
Don’t overcrowd or press her, just encourage her to play occasionally, sprinkle a few goodies, speak gently and don’t force her if she doesn’t want interaction.
One day she will rub against you to cuddle and your heart will melt.
Star of the week
BRAVE greyhound Amaya is recovering from a leg race
The five-year-old suffered a serious injury on the track but is enjoying life again and is even taking agility classes at Canine Hoopers UK.
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Her owner, Rachel Jackson, 52, a veterinary physical therapist from Stockport, nursed Amaya back to health after adopting her from the Forever Hounds Trust.
Rachel says, “Amaya takes every opportunity. She is such a happy dog. We love her so much. “
Winning: party packages
PETS also like to party.
At iwantoneofthose.com, you can get pet party packages with hats, streamers, toys, confetti, and other goodies.
There are also birthday gift boxes and a dappy doggy bow tie set and bandanas to make them look stylish for special occasions.
We have five £ 50 vouchers to give away to iwantoneofthose.com.
To enter, send an email to sunday pets@the-sun.co.uk with “IWOOT” in the subject line.
- The closing date for entries is July 18th. The terms and conditions apply.
Hay! Pollen is torture for pets too
Does your pet have a summer runny nose?
Our humid May and dry June resulted in a peak in pollen counts, says the Met Office.
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Cats and dogs can get hay fever too – and they wear it on their fur and skin too, causing more irritation
Rachel Andre of cat litter brand Natusan says, “Allergic runny nose – or hay fever – is an allergic reaction to pollen. It usually occurs in the warmer months when the pollen count is high and can affect animals as well as humans. “
Watch out for cats who groom themselves more than usual and dogs who bite or scratch their skin, causing sores or bald spots.
Pets may also sneeze more, have itchy or watery eyes, and may chew on their paws
If you are concerned, get your pet checked out by a veterinarian.
Treatments include eye drops, nasal sprays, injections, creams, and medicated shampoos.
But DO NOT give them any human hay fever remedies.
Avoid grassy areas when walking, wash your paws afterwards, trim the lawn and weed regularly, keep your home clean, and don’t buy cut flowers.
Rachel adds, “Our pets do so much to support us and make us feel better.
“It is of the utmost importance that we do the same for them.”
