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."
Charlie's Nighttime Woes
Q) CHARLIE, our 13-year-old cocker spaniel, wakes us up every night.
We let him out before we go to bed, but he can get up between two and six times after that.
The reasons can be anything from doing his business to having a drink or just standing at the door or patio.
Sometimes he just wants to be put on our bed.
He doesn’t seem to want to go on his favourite bed. Sometimes it is like he is in a trance.
We are getting very tired as each time it takes a while for us to get back to sleep. Please can you offer any advice?
BRYN PACKARD, Hertford
Sean says: Oh Charlie boy, this sounds to me like he’s experiencing some senior moments.
Specifically, it may be a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction or CCD.
It is the equivalent of "going senile" in elderly humans.
Common signs include agitation, absent episodes, confusion, seemingly wanting to go somewhere but not knowing where, getting stuck in corners, and excessive vocalization at night.
The good news is there are a couple of medications that can be really helpful at reducing these symptoms, which can sometimes be distressing both to dog and owner.
I’d highly recommend getting your vet to do a physical exam to rule out other problems, but I anticipate they may want to trial him on one of these medications.
Companionship for Rats
Q) I’M going to get a pet rat for my nine-year-old son James. Should I get two to make sure they are not lonely?
HELEN ANDREWS, Watford
Sean says: Yes, please do! Rats are social species and like the company of their own kind as well as that of humans.
When you are not around it’s good for them to have company.
The best thing to do is get an already bonded pair, or litter mates from the same family.
But choose two of the same sex. We don’t want any sibling matings or unwanted litters.
Rats make great pets, and James will have lots of fun taming and training them to do some basic tricks. Have a look on YouTube.
The sky’s the limit on what you can teach these intelligent rodents.
Advice for Penny's Dermatitis
Q) MY seven-year-old shih tzu Penny suffers from dermatitis. I’ve been using Peptivet shampoo and Apoquel, but after two days she is smelly again.
In the morning her skin is a pinky color but it gets red by evening. She eats dry food. Any advice please?
MARGARET BROWNE, Luton
A) This is a giant worm-hole that I may not be able to solve here.
With skin conditions, we are dealing with a very long list of possible underlying causes.
Getting to the bottom of the cause can be a slow process. It could be an environmental allergy, a food allergy, or a yeast overgrowth.
I would really need to examine her and work with you over time to figure out what’s up.
So I recommend you speak with your vet about the best way forward.
Helping Archie with Bullies
Q) MY cat Archie, 15, is being bullied by a young cat that comes through our cat flap or kitchen window to steal his food.
He’s living in terror. Is there anything I can do so he has a more peaceful life?
KATE ALMOND, Cambridge
Sean says: One solution is to change your cat flap to a smart one which only allows your cat in.
That way at least he can have some refuge inside.
I can’t help with the open window problem, other than to recommend installing a mesh screen on the outside so you can still open it but not have the other cat come through.
Star of the week
SIMBA the cat burglar likes to pinch things, but he’s filled his owner’s home with love.
The six-month-old kitty belongs to Samantha Bryan, 25, who has just moved into her first flat, in Cleethorpes, Lincs.
She said: "I found my flat was empty living on my own for the first time so Simba has become my furry flatmate.
"I recently broke up with my boyfriend so he has helped heal my heart. He’s very affectionate.
"But he likes to pinch things, including my sofa throws, socks that he finds and any bits of food he can claim as his own. I call him a one-cat crime wave."
Dread walkies? Give them a miss
DITCHING daily walks for a duvet day could solve dogs’ behavior problems, a leading dog trainer claims.
Niki French, 55, from Twickenham, South West London, has worked with hundreds of owners who dreaded walkies because they didn’t know how their dog might react.
According to a recent study by the Royal Veterinary College, 67 per cent of pandemic puppy owners said their dog pulled on the lead, while 57 per cent said their dog jumped up at people.
Niki says: "For dogs like these, skipping walks is the best idea as they’re not being exposed to the situations they simply don’t have the skills to cope with."
As well as reducing walks with her own rescue dog Bodie, a collie cross, Niki has surveyed 200 owners who have tried reducing walks.
Seventy per cent of those surveyed said it made life less stressful for them and their dog.
Niki, who has written a book called Stop Walking Your Dog, says: "Alternatives to the daily walk include sniffing games at home, digging in the garden, agility and trick training – and mental activities help them grow in confidence."
- For more about Niki’s work, see puptalk.co.uk.
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