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) My rescue parrot, Peregrine, has a problem with my dad Paul.
When he sees him, he calls him names.
Dad has never done anything to him, so we can only assume he looks like someone Perry doesn’t like.
How can I stop this? My dad loves animals and I want them to get on.
Aimee Scott, Manchester
A) Bribery! But without overcrowding him. You want Perry to associate your dad with good things.
It’s important not to force interaction or stare Perry down, which can feel intimidating. Just get your dad to come in the room and let him out his cage for a treat that he can take in his own time. Then back off.
It’s useful to remind ourselves that just because a parrot is screaming obscenities, that doesn’t mean they hate someone or understand what they are saying.
They may have just been taught to do it for a laugh and even been rewarded for it in the past.
Your dad should only reward Perry when the name-calling stops.
Q) Bob, my six-year-old cat, has claimed ownership of the sofa.
He is very sweet, but he does think he rules the roost and is reluctant to budge.
My husband is relegated to the armchair at night.
How can I steer Bob clear so I can have a couch cuddle now and again without the cat being gooseberry?
Emma Holden, Newcastle
A) You could try the carrot and the stick approach — by which I mean making the couch less appealing and the armchair enticing.
Cats are fussy about surfaces they rest, or toilet, on.
So you could put a sheet of plastic or even tinfoil down on the section of sofa you want to reserve for you and hubster — Bob is less likely to want to sit on these surfaces and may find an alternative.
The carrot approach would be to tempt him over to the armchair, perhaps with some catnip, a calming spray designed for cats, or feel-good pheromone spray.
Q) My cat Percy, nine, has become more clingy since his pal died.
Dibble passed away at Christmas and now Percy has become a lap cat at night, sitting in front of the TV and meowing a lot.
Should I get him another friend? How do we best do this?
Carole Reed, Basildon, Essex
A) Oh, that’s sad for you and for Percy.
Some cats are very sociable and do really miss their companion if they pass away. It can be tricky to match a new cat to an existing one in the household.
I would suggest getting in touch with local rescues. They may help with a matchmaking service to find Percy a new companion.
Some have a trial period in which they will take the cat back if the pair don’t get on and hopefully find you another.
Q) How do you tell if a rabbit is sick?
One of my bunnies, Emily, seems to sometimes go quiet. She’s seven and stops eating for a day, but then she starts again.
I wonder if she needs a health MOT.
Sarah Edwards, Bristol
A) The problem with rabbits is that they are prey species and, in a bid to protect themselves, they tend to hide that they are unwell so predators don’t pick up on any weakness.
This means signs can be very subtle when they are ill, and owners don’t always recognise this. You sound quite tuned in to Emily’s behaviour and I agree it doesn’t sound normal.
I would worry about dental disease causing pain, and gut stasis or other digestive issues.
These can be very serious if left undiagnosed, so I definitely recommend a visit to a rabbit-savvy vet for a health check.
Star of the week
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SHARWOOD is a lifesaver – his blood donations have given dozens of sick dogs a chance to survive.
The Gordon Setter has attended more than 40 sessions at Pet Blood Bank UK, in Leicester-shire, since 2017 and holds the record for most contributions.
He also does support work for charity Pets As Therapy, whose animals visit hospitals, schools and prisons.
Now eight, he retires from giving blood this year and owner Sue Mitchell, from Eaton Bray, Beds, says: “I am immensely proud of Sharwood. He will now hand over the reins to his son, Brinjal, who has donated 12 units.”
Adrian Hadjopoulos from Pet Blood Bank UK (petbloodbankuk.org), says: “Every unit of blood can save up to four lives, which means Sharwood has saved around 172 lives.”
WIN: £125 gift card for Lucy & Lola
LUCY & Lola’s clothing and accessories are personalised with a custom embroidered portrait of your pet.
Two lucky readers can each win a £125 gift card to spend at Lucy & Lola – perfect for treating a loved one or yourself.
To enter send an email headed LUCY & LOLA to sundaypets@the-sun. co.uk by May 10.
See lucyandlolashop.com.
T&Cs apply.
Nosy barkers spy on pets next door
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WE are officially a nation of curtain twitchers – with 4.7million of us spying on the neighbours’ pets.
Most are making sure the animal next door doesn’t wreck their plants and patio furniture – or use their garden as a loo, a poll says.
But safety is also a concern, as few want unfamiliar creatures wandering into their garden, especially if they have kids.
London leads the pack, with 3.4million people admitting they snoop on nearby cats and dogs, followed by Birmingham with 148,850 keeping tabs, and Manchester, where 49,674 have eyes peeled.
Newcastle is among the most laid-back cities, with 6,004 residents on surveillance duty. In Edinburgh, it’s 10,229, according to research by curtain specialists Hillarys to mark National Pet Month.
A spokesman says: “With nearly half of Londoners owning a dog, it’s no surprise over a third like to make sure pets stay off their lawns.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Homeowners can create physical barriers to block strange pets’ access.
But the survey advises keeping peace with the neighbours, adding: “A friendly tone can go a long way and sharing ideas is always a good move.”
