From growling Labrador to a house training a rabbit – 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) MY one-year-old Labrador Bob growls at big dogs when he’s on the lead.
He isn’t neutered yet and I’m wondering if that will help?
Once he’s off the lead he’s fine. What can I do?
Kay Edwards, Brighton, East Sussex
A) I always recommend getting a qualified animal behaviourist to advise on a case-by-case basis.
In general, aggressive displays like growling or barking on the lead are often due to fear or anxiety.
Feeling trapped without the ability to run from a strange dog, especially a bigger one might prompt Bob to communicate a “back off, I’m uncomfortable” message.
Secondly, we tend to see a change in behaviour and confidence levels around puberty particularly in male dogs.
The old advice was to neuter them if this is causing behavioural issues.
But new evidence shows that early neutering can actually worsen the behaviour if it’s due to fear or anxiety.
It’s complicated. A behaviourist is a great investment now.
Q) CAN I have your thoughts on a house rabbit?
Can they be toilet trained?
What are the essentials I’d need?
Sam Sherborne, Carlisle
A) Firstly, rabbits are a highly social species and need the company of their own kind so two is best.
Littermates of the same sex, or a mixed sex pair. Make sure they are neutered and spayed.
House rabbits can be as happy as outdoor rabbits with the right diet, and environmental enrichment.
They need to keep busy and have plenty of room to explore.
The house needs to be rabbit-proof as they will chew plants and cables.
And yes they can be litter trained easily and are clean house guests.
Q) MY cat Minky, 20, is reaching the end.
She’s eating, but is there a time to say goodbye?
What signs should I look for as I want to do the right thing?
Cath Brown, Leeds
A) It’s tricky to give advice without knowing Minky or doing a full health check.
Your own vet, who knows you and Minky, is the person to help you make the right decision.
It may be that Minky will have a good quality of life for the next two to three years.
Or maybe there are signs to watch for in the coming six months.
I always say it’s better to put an elderly animal to sleep peacefully a week too early than a day too late.
The aim is to prevent suffering and maintain a reasonable quality.
Eating is not always a sign of a good quality of life.
Sleeping lots, withdrawal from any interaction, odd vocalising, as well as signs of physical pain such as reduced mobility, toileting in new places or incontinence are all signs things are on the downturn.
My advice is a vet check and an honest discussion about your feelings, and come up with a plan together.
Q) I OFTEN walk my dog on Dartmoor and even though I use a supermarket-bought flea treatment Ed gets the odd tick.
Is there something I can do?
Pete Cox, Ashburton, Devon
A) Over the counter products from the supermarket or pet shop are often not as effective as those from your vet on prescription.
There’s some evidence that fleas are becoming resistant to certain products.
Parasite control is best advised on a case-by-case basis according to your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.
It may be advisable to switch to an oral tablet rather than spot-on liquid, in case Ed washes off the product.
Not only does this make the product less effective, it is really harmful to the environment and aquatic life.
Star of the week
LONELY dog Zara has been treated to a special photoshoot to help her find a forever home.
It took place at rescue shelter All Dogs Matter, where some of their older, bigger or less “photogenic” pooches are waiting for adoption.
Gentle Zara, a four-year-old Staffie who was abandoned by her owner after having puppies, lapped up the lens, with images taken by Wex Photo Video.
Ira Moss, founder of All Dogs Matter, said: “This photoshoot has allowed us to show that with a little love and the right photo, all of our wonderful dogs can shine brightly.”
Paul Wareham at Wex added: “Much like a dating profile, pictures tell a thousand words, whether that’s with people or dogs.”
WIN: Pet feeder
WE have teamed up with PetSafe to give away two Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeders – worth more than £200.
This nifty gadget can schedule, monitor, and adjust your pet’s feeding schedule remotely using the free app.
Alerts tell you when they’ve been fed and when food levels are low or its empty.
Send an email headed FEEDER to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by October 13.
See uk.petsafe.net.
T&Cs apply.
Howl to beat dog’s separation anxiety
OWNERS working from home are causing more dogs to have separation anxiety when left alone.
Jo Sellers, 54, from Guildford, Surrey, says she has seen a rise in pooches struggling to cope and urges owners to teach them to feel happy on their own.
She says: “Dogs are social and love being with their humans, but there are times we need to go out, and knowing how your dog responds is important, as so many owners don’t even know their dog is in distress.
“They come home to find they’ve chewed furniture or heard from neighbours that they’ve been howling, whining or jumping around.
“If you’re seeing this with your dog, you can help by watching them on a camera and then slowly build up their time apart from you.”
It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of the 12.5million dogs in the UK suffer separation anxiety.
Now Jo, a certified separation anxiety pro behaviourist, has even created a Dog Separation Anxiety Awareness Day on September 30.
She added: “Many owners are unaware just how upset their dogs can be, so the wider we spread this message, the more dogs can be happier.”
See pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/separation-anxiety.