From a peeing cat to a destructive dog – 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.

Alamy

Grizzly the cat has been peeing on a reader’s luggage[/caption]

Q) I HAVE to travel a lot for work, but every time I’m getting ready for a trip, my cat Grizzly pees on my luggage.

Why does he do this and how do I stop it happening?

Dave White, Camden, North London

A) He’s probably peeing on your luggage because he is picking up the scent from when he previously peed on your luggage.

It may not be detectable to humans, but cats smell incredibly well.

And this very prominent object that gets wheeled out of storage and has a lingering scent on it just screams, “Mark me, mark me again and proclaim your territory here!”.

So you have three options. One, have your luggage deep cleaned and use a pet-safe deodoriser spray afterwards. That might break the cycle.

Two, replace the luggage (don’t bin the old bag — charity shop it, please).

Or three, perhaps the most simple solution, don’t let Grizzly access your luggage when it comes out.

Q) OUR gorgeous new puppy Alfonso seems unusually frisky.

When we’re playing, he starts mounting my leg, soft toys or cushions. Is this unusual and can you suggest ways to help?

Pauline Platt, Hull

A) So many people get a puppy not realising quite how crazy and boisterous they can be.

On the flipside, they sleep a lot as they are developing physically and mentally at such a rapid rate. But those crazy, zoomie periods definitely keep us on our toes. Frisky indeed.

What you describe is all totally normal puppy behaviour. You don’t mention Alfonso’s age, but I’m guessing his humping is overexcitement and stimulation rather than a hormonal or sexual response.

That may change with time as he goes through his teenage phase.

If his mounting really bothers you, try to redirect him from your leg to toys or other activities with plenty of calm, reward-based training.

Puppy classes with a good trainer or behaviourist will show you how to manage him and help him become well socialised, too. Win win.

Q) MY dog has almost destroyed the fence in the back garden trying to escape.

Do you have any advice to make sure he doesn’t do it again?

Daniel Hartley, Guildford, Surrey

A) Let’s explore why your dog is destroying the fence and address the underlying cause, not just the symptom and hope for the best.

My hunch is that he’s bored, and that there are far more exciting sights, sounds and smells on the other side of that barrier.

Multiple daily walks, interaction and training, enrichment with toys and games, even exercises or challenges that harness your dog’s individual and breed preferences, are all going to help stimulate his mind.

Q) ARE there any words of wisdom when it comes to introducing a new rabbit?

I am planning to surprise my niece with a bunny for her birthday, but she already has one and I’m worried there might be issues around socialising and bonding.

Mary Sellers, Durham

Sean says: They are very much individuals, with personality preferences, but highly sociable.

Maybe make the surprise element the announcement that you’re going to help find her bunny a companion, rather than rocking up with a new one that may not be compatible.

Most rescue places will help with this. See the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website, rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pairing-up-rabbits-bonding/.

Star of the week

DANCING dog Chester refuses to let his hip op cramp his style.

The eight-year-old Long-Haired Collie has felt the rhythm since he was a pup, swaying and bouncing when he hears music.

But arthritis in his right hip put the brakes on bopping until owner, Dawn Sutcliffe, took advice from a vet – Chester needed a hip replacement in order to groove again.

Mum-of-two Dawn, 38, from Exeter, Devon, says: “For as long as we can remember, Chester has always reacted to music. He also loves dancing one-to-one, with his paws on my shoulders.

“The difference in his movement after the operation in September is amazing.

“He is now out of pain and rocking again.”

THERAPY DOGS GIVE POORLY KIDS A LIFT

THE Christie NHS Foundation Trust has introduced therapy dogs to comfort anxious child cancer patients having treatment.

Zac Keyworth, three, was the first to meet lovable pups Lilo and Luna which he and his little sister, Elodie, one,  loved.

Zac has a brain tumour and was at the Manchester hospital for daily proton- beam therapy – a type of radiotherapy.   Walking the dogs there was also a form of physio following surgery.

The visit was such a success, the hospital has now arranged for the pups – from Inspiring Animal Therapy in Macclesfield, Cheshire (animaltherapy. co.uk) – to pop in every fortnight.

Zac is now back home in Lichfield, Staffs, but his teacher parents Jake and Keeley say the pups helped his recovery.

Jake added: “It was great to see Elodie and Zac having fun with the dogs, while also knowing that it was helping.”

Therese Smith, health play specialist at the Christie, said: “Pet therapy is a wonderful distraction and it reduces anxiety and stress.

“It gives children confidence, allowing them to speak to the dogs and tell them their worries in a non-clinical way.”