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) OUR tortoises, Gertrude and George, are coming out of hibernation.
What can I do to give them a health boost after their long sleep?
They are both 70 and I inherited them from my parents a few years ago. They are fit and well and I want to keep them that way.
Ann Edwards, Barnstaple, North Devon
Sean says: What a great age they are, Ann. With good care, they may well live to over 100!
The best thing you can do to ensure they emerge from hibernation now is to buy them a combined heat and UVB lamp to bask under.
Our springs are becoming more unpredictable, and these are Mediterranean reptiles. For the first couple of weeks I recommend keeping them indoors with access to this heat lamp.
The UVB element mimics natural sunlight and kickstarts their metabolism.
Of course, you can’t beat the real thing too, but that bulb as a fallback on overcast or cold days is a real tonic, especially as they are reaching their older years.
Q) NOW I’m six months pregnant, my miniature schnauzer, Ziggy, eight, has become needy.
When I leave, he howls and he is really interested in my bump. Does he know I’m pregnant?
What’s caused his change in behaviour and what do you recommend I should do?
Linda Bell, Bridgwater, Somerset
Sean says: He certainly does know you’re pregnant.
When you think how sensitive dogs are to sound, scent and even natural pheromones, Ziggy will definitely have figured out there’s something changing with “mum”.
We see time and again how dogs become more gentle, more protective and, in many cases, quite bonded with a growing bump.
I think, at least, these behaviour changes are an instinct to protect a more vulnerable pack member.
You may want to get Ziggy used to not being with you all the time. Baby gates can keep him in another room when you need him out the way.
Q) OUR terrier Fran is obsessed with foxes.
They scream in our garden every night — there’s about 14 in our street.
Fran goes berserk and stands barking at the window in fury, keeping us awake. How can I stop him?
Amy Waterman, Brighton
Sean says: As dog owners, we’re often surprised, annoyed even, when they behave in the way they were designed to.
In the case of terriers, this was to go after foxes and other animals underground.
So it’s hardwired into Fran’s DNA to be annoyed, fixated and hyperstimulated by foxes nearby. Especially when he can’t get to them.
You could look into ways to repel the foxes from your garden, but I suspect he will still hear them if they are close. The other option is to prevent him practising this behaviour.
You could try keeping him in a room away from the garden, or maybe start crate training him.
Q) MY cat Bob will ONLY eat salmon-flavoured food.
He turns his nose up at everything else.
How can I get him to try new things? I cook him fish and try to encourage a varied diet. But should I just let him have what he wants?
Sarah Peters, Exeter, Devon
Sean says: That depends if it’s a home-cooked meal or a complete and balanced cat food formulated by a reputable pet nutrition brand.
If it’s the latter, even if Bob only eats one flavour for the rest of his life, you can be sure he’s getting everything he needs, right down to trace minerals and balanced vitamins.
We might think Bob boring if he wants salmon for breakfast, lunch and tea. But that’s our view, not his.
Star of the week
BLUEY the cockapoo was rescued two years ago at Easter and will be doing an egg hunt today to commemorate the day he found his new family.
Danny, 32, and Hannah Thompson, 28, of Bexley, Kent, and their son Teddy, two, saved the two-and-a-half-year-old pooch when his owner was unable to care for him.
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Danny said: “We heard that Bluey’s owner was struggling to look after him so we welcomed him into our family.
“He’s become Teddy’s best friend and they are inseparable.
“They will be doing an Easter egg hunt together with treats to celebrate two years of being part of the family.”
WIN: Cat books
PUBLISHING house Prestel is offering 14 readers a chance to win a boxed set called Cats Of Japan.
Featuring the works of Japan’s most celebrated artists, it contains 70 prints and a booklet with details on each of the works.
It’s the perfect gift for cat lovers.
For a chance to win, send an email headed CATS, with your name, address and phone number, to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by April 14, 2024.
For stockists see prestel.com. T&Cs apply.
Watch out for dangers of treats
TWO of Britain’s animal charities have urged pet owners to beware of Easter treats that can harm our four-legged friends.
Cats Protection and the RSPCA warn that raisins, chocolate, wrappings and plants pose dangers.
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RSPCA Head Vet Vanessa Howie said: “Cats can die from ingesting even a couple of petals from lilies, and the leaves, pollen, and water from the vase can be deadly to them too. Chocolate can be extremely bad for dogs, even in small amounts.
“Another popular Easter food which can harm dogs is hot cross buns, because of the raisins in them.”
A spokesperson for the charity Cats Protection added: “Keep Easter egg or basket packaging and wrapping out of the way as ingesting can be dangerous.
“If you think your cat may have ingested something harmful, seek veterinary advice immediately.”
The RSPCA says signs that your pet could have been poisoned can include depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, bad breath, twitching and seizures.
If your pet has ingested any harmful substances, seek veterinary advice.
