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) PEEPS, my cat, pounces on everyone’s feet. We try to tell her “no” but she thinks it’s a game and she sometimes claws.
How can we stop her doing it? She’s a year old and also likes to climb curtains. I would love to have any tips for discouraging her.
Barbara Edwards, Newcastle
A) This is a common problem with cats who were encouraged to “hunt” fingers, hands and feet as kittens because it is quite cute at that age. But it becomes quite problematic later.
It’s made worse by people’s reaction to it later, as they either shriek and run (exciting!) or scold the cat and add a bit of tension and aggression into the mix, making the cat bite harder in fear.
Every time Peeps take an inkling towards her foot fetish activities, redirect the behaviour into hunting something more appropriate.
Fishing rod toys around the house at a reachable distance are a solid investment.
By keeping feet and legs still and offering her something more exciting, she should lose interest in time.
Q) MY 13-year-old husky gets really sore skin patches and also cysts.
I bathe Meeka once a month in Malaseb but sometimes it still doesn’t keep on top of it. What else can I do?
Sarah James, Sidcup
A) It’s difficult to say without knowing the specific type and location of the cysts, and also addressing the underlying cause. Are these diagnosed by your vet as cysts?
Skin problems can be complex, with many causes, and sometimes multiple factors all contributing — e.g. allergies can make things worse, even if the primary issue is oily skin or yeast or bacterial infections.
I highly recommend working with your vet to come up with a specific diagnostic and treatment or management plan.
Q) HOW often should I check my rabbits’ teeth?
Hoppy and Fluffy are both boys and a year old and seem to be fine.
But someone said I should be doing dental checks with my vet. Should I?
Sara Knight, Scunthorpe
A) Their annual vaccinations and health check is a good opportunity to do a dental check.
For healthy teeth, diet is super important. Feed as much high-quality hay and grass as possible to encourage lots of chewing.
Rather than feeding a traditional muesli rabbit food, choose a good uniform pellet diet which prevents selective feeding and also encourages chewing of a hard, balanced and complete diet.
Watch for signs like drooling or discomfort when eating, weigh the rabbits regularly to check for weight loss, and pay attention to their eating habits.
If anything changes or they seem out of sorts, a vet check is recommended. Rabbits are prey animals and hide illness well.
Q) I AM thinking about rescuing a cat from Cyprus.
Is there anything I should look out for health-wise or any checks I need to make for specific diseases before I bring her home?
MARK BROMPTON, Windsor, Berks
Sean says: There can be problems with importing rescue pets, particularly when it comes to accidentally bringing in diseases we don’t have here in the UK.
It’s also important to consider that we have tens of thousands of cats (and dogs) in UK rescue centres needing homes.
The big problem with stray cats in Cyprus needs to be tackled at source with better education and neuter campaigns, rather than shipping them to foreign countries for rehoming.
Some rescues routinely test their cats, with associated adoption fees but others just vaccinate. Insist on testing for FIV/FeLV and Feline Coronavirus at least.
Star of the week
TUNA the three-legged cat was saved from a hell hole and she has healed the hearts of her new owners after their family cat died.
Tuna, who has lost her back right leg, was crawling with fleas when rescued by the RSPCA in Grimsby alongside her six-week-old kittens who died due to hypothermia and anaemia.
Tuna’s new owner, Tracy Baker of Bridlington, Yorks, said: “The house just felt so empty when we lost our previous cat and Tuna came along at exactly the right time.
Her speed and agility with only three legs is quite remarkable, she’s the fastest cat we’ve had.”
WIN: Dog whistle
THE company that invented the dog whistle in 1870 is offering our lucky winners a pioneering design.
ACME’s Alpha whistle helps dogs to hear with more clarity – and the Birmingham maker has 26, worth £9.99 each, to give away.
To enter, send an email headed WHISTLE, containing your name, address and telephone to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by February 4.
See acmewhistles.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
Spellbinding name tops pet chart
LUNA is Britain’s favourite name for cats and dogs – inspired by the cheery child witch in Harry Potter.
Although it is not yet dominating the charts, Bambi – which Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury chose to call their baby daughter – has also entered the top 100.
Other popular picks include Wednesday, based on The Addams Family’s fictional daughter, and Margot, following box office hit Barbie.
The passing of TV dog lover Paul O’Grady has also led to a surge in the name Grady for pets.
And Milo is the second most popular name for dogs and cats combined.
The research is by Pets at Home’s VIP Puppy and Kitten Club, which has a membership of 7.7million.
The chain’s head of pets, Dr Karlien Heyrman, said: “Opting for brief, endearing, and easily distinguishable names will enhance your chances of a prompt response when summoning your puppy or kitten.
“Research even suggests that pets tend to respond best to one or two syllable names, making it easier for them to recognise and remember.”
- Top cat names: Luna, Milo, Simba, Bella, Nala.
- Top dog names: Luna, Milo, Teddy, Lola, Coco.