From dressing up dogs to a snake shedding skin – 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.

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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) I LOVE dressing my pug Eric up in fancy outfits including Christmas ones, but my boyfriend complains about it.

Eric loves the fuss and attention he gets and he definitely likes to look good. What’s your view?

Jane Barker, Stevenage, Herts

Sean says: I have to say, Jane, that I’m just not a fan.

I get that a nice coat that keeps a dog dry or warm in horrible weather, but I don’t see the point of clothing on dogs that isn’t functional.

And I especially worry about it in flat-faced breeds like Eric who lack the ability to cool themselves by panting, like other breeds with normal facial anatomy.

There’s an argument to say some dogs really enjoy playing at dressing up.

They don’t — they enjoy your attention and reaction to it.

Which you can still give — perhaps spending the money on interactive games and puzzle toys for him instead.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but you did ask for my view.

Q) MY cat Emma purrs all the time – like a little drill.

She’s eight and is eating OK but has definitely become more vocal recently. Could this be a sign of anything?

Claire Elliott, Barnsley

Sean says: Contentment, hopefully. It doesn’t sound like anything has changed recently, and you seem to think she’s in good health and relatively happy in herself.

So I’d just monitor for now and enjoy the buzz.

It’s a good time to mention to readers though that purring isn’t always a happy sign.

Sometimes cats purr when they are in pain or discomfort, or if feeling stressed.

The thinking is that it releases endorphins and other feel-good substances and can even be a bit addictive as a soothing mechanism.

Fascinating stuff, eh?

Q) IS it normal for Sid, my snake, to shed one month after he completed his last shed?

He’s a juvenile, doesn’t seem to have any health problems and is eating fine.

Beth Ronald, Hull

Sean says: Yes, perfectly normal in most cases — especially if it’s a young, growing snake.

There are lots of variables, with species, age, season and so on.

Sometimes snakes will go through a growth spurt, like in teenage humans.

If you are feeding Sid more often than usual this could play a role.

But one thing to check for — this can be a problem, causing snakes to shed more frequently than usual — is snake mites.

Inspect Sid carefully — especially around the eyes and vent, looking for tiny black specks between the scales — and ask your vet or local reptile specialist shop for treatment advice if you find any mites.

Q) MY year-old mongrel, Oakley, is obsessed with my family’s trampoline.

Whenever we turn our backs, he jumps on it — and he clearly loves it — but then he gets stuck.

We have tried to deter him but he’s very persistent and because of the trampoline’s size it’s impossible to seal off.

How can we deter Oakley’s fixation with bouncing?

Rachel Brown, Sevenoaks, Kent

Sean says: I’d ask: Why deter him in the first place? Is he doing any harm? Or is it just a bit annoying?

Lots of owners would love to find an activity their dog enjoys so much, that they get stimulation and fun from and that entertains them while you are busy.

So I say, let him jump on the trampoline as long as it’s safe and he’s not in any danger of injury.

Bounce, Oakley, bounce! Good dog!

Star of the week

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ARTHUR the two-year-old Sphynx mended the broken hearts of two young girls, after they lost their first cat.

He was given his name because his owner joked he’s only half cat, as he’s got no fur.

Sonia Hanna, 43, of Dartford, Kent, said: “Arthur is a very special cat.

“We had previously adopted an older Sphynx called Suki, but she passed away after a year and our girls Molly, 11, and 14-year-old Lilly were devastated.

“Arthur mended their broken hearts.

“He’s a character. He will try to pinch spag bol off your plate.

“But we wouldn’t be without him.”

UKRAINE PETS GIVEN HELPING HAND

ANIMAL-LOVING Ukrainians are saving the pet victims of war by giving cats and dogs a home.

They are being supported by U-Hearts Foundation, which provides animal aid to 13 regions across Ukraine, helping over 300,000 pets and, so far, providing over 1,562 tonnes of food – much of which has been donated by the UK.

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U-Hearts spokeswoman Anzhelika Babiiua said: “Our volunteers who are helping the pets come from various walks of life.

“An opera singer from the Kharkiv Opera has turned her balcony into a shelter for cats, an elderly man whose house was destroyed by Russian rocket attacks lives in a small summer house which he shares with the cats and dogs he cares for.”

In the city of Druzhkivka 70 per cent of the 54,000 residents have been forced to flee.

The pets left behind are being cared for by animal protection organisation Druzhkivka, which means Territory of Goodness.

A spokesperson said: “Thanks to U-Hearts, we can help people who’ve given shelter to these animals.”

U-Hearts is looking for donations to continue their work. Anzhelika added: “Winter is the most dangerous seasons for pets.”

See u-hearts.com.