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.
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Q) POLLY my parrot has started plucking out all her lovely colourful feathers.
It looks awful and I fear she might be hurting herself in the process. Is it painful and how can I stop this?
SALLY ANN STEVENSON, Edgware
A) Sadly, it is likely to be painful if Polly is pulling them right out rather than chewing them off.
Feather plucking always signifies something is wrong.
Several possibilities range from infections, inflammation and nutritional deficiencies to stress, behavioural issues (eg, reward seeking or compulsive disorders) and even psychological or neurological problems.
Without a long, detailed conversation and physical exam it’s hard to give you even my hunch.
Find an avian vet specialist to look into this before it gets out of hand.
Q) WHAT is wrong with my ferret Fergus? He seems to sleep up to 18 hours a day.
Is he sick or depressed? I imagined he would be a much more playful pet and admit I am a bit disappointed.
KIM MAYNARD, Edinburgh
A) This is very normal for ferrets, and one of the reasons they make great pets for busy people. They tend to sleep all day, get active in the evening and then head back to bed. They are marathon snoozers.
I would suggest getting Fergus a ferret friend though, as they are playful and sociable creatures and he may be a little depressed on his own leading to more napping than usual.
Withdrawal or lethargy in pets can be a sign of depression or unhappiness with a lack of social interaction.
Q) I HAVE been saving up for a new aquarium for my tropical fish but I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the options.
Do I really need a special thermostat and artificial lighting and is “cycling” a new tank something that only needs to be done once?
MATTHEW BURNETT, Braintree, Essex
A) Tropical fish need a thermostatically controlled heater — just buy one suited to the size of the tank. Your local aquatics shop can advise.
Artificial lighting on a timer is also good for fish, mimicking natural day and night cycles. It’s critical if you want live plants — which I recommende as they oxygenate and clean the water plus provide cover for fish. “Cycling” is more tricky but only needs to be done once when you first set up your aquarium.
After that, careful filter maintenance and cleaning will maintain the aquarium’s natural cycle.
Read about the ammonia cycle in fish tanks. Once you understand that you are keeping water quality as much as you are keeping fish, you will find a routine that works.
It’s a delicate ecosystem, and a relationship between the number of fish, the amount you feed and the capacity of your filtration system.
Q) WE have just found out our rabbit Petra is pregnant.
While it is exciting, we are worried as they can have as many as ten baby bunnies. Is this right?
JAMIE COPLEY, Doncaster
A) Rabbit pregnancy lasts about a month, and although the average litter size is five to eight, they can sometimes have 12.
They can also get pregnant again within hours of giving birth so it’s important Petra is separated from whatever companion got her into this.
Once the babies are weaned and active, at about six weeks old, separate them into single-sex groups as they breed at a very young age too.
Before you know it you’ll have an army of rabbits. So I advise neutering after this little family parts ways.
Star of the week
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COCKAPOO Murphy spent years bringing happiness and joy to his family – until he sadly passed away this week at the age of 12.
The cheeky pooch persuaded the Bell family to give him toast and sausages at breakfast time.
And he barely used his dog bed – preferring to sleep next to his owners Matt and Siobhain or snuggle up on the sofa with their daughters Emily, Lucy and Maisie.
Matt said: “If we went out Murphy loved laying down with his head next to someone’s slippers or shoes and would race to jump up and lick the girls whenever they came through the front door.
“We will miss him, he was loyal and loving. We feel so lucky to have had him in our lives. Farewell Murphy – thank you for all the memories.”
WIN: £275 PET PORTRAIT
PET portrait artist Elaine Murray of Ash2Art.com can transform your favourite pet photo into a beautiful painting.
She can also incorporate the ashes of beloved pets that have passed away into the painting for a lasting keepsake.
One lucky reader can win a painting worth £275 (with or without ashes). For a chance to win this prize, send an email headed Ash2Art to sundaypets @the-sun.co.uk by March 2. See AshtoArt.com.
T&Cs apply.
Sticky issue of clingy ‘velcro dogs'
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A LEADING UK charity has vowed to reduce rising numbers of “velcro dogs”.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals says separation anxiety is rife in 2025, but a new guide can help prevent anxious pets clinging to their owners.
PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick explains: “These dogs may feel so dependent on their owner, they may suffer psychologically when left alone. It’s important to teach your dog to be comfortable by themselves.”
Changes at home, possibly a pandemic hangover as more owners work remotely, boredom, poor socialisation or a scare, all contribute.
Warning signs include pacing, peeing indoors, barking and whining and destructive chewing.
Walking your dog before you leave and adding a safe space with your scented clothing can help. So do chew toys and pet-safe puzzles to distract them.
Owners can build independence by gradually increasing their dog’s time alone in a separate room and rewarding calm behaviour with healthy treats.
Gemma, from pdsa.org.uk says: “Younger, older or unwell dogs should not be left for too long, while a healthy adult dog shouldn’t be left alone for more than four hours at a time.”
