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) MY donkey Rosy lives with our horses, but I’m wondering if I should consider getting her company of her own kind?
She seems really happy but I would like advice.
Mike Carter, Braintree, Essex
A) I would strongly urge you to get her a donkey friend. Then you will see how truly happy that makes her.
Did you know that in many European countries, it’s actually illegal to keep one donkey by itself?
Many people assume they are just small, quirky horses and fine to be used as equine companions.
But they are a different species with their own unique social behavioural needs.
So yes, please find Rosy another donkey to hang out with.
There are many in rescue organisations looking for a good home.
Q) FOR a long journey in my car, where would it be best to put my Labrador, Sam?
On the back seat with a dog seatbelt on, or in the boot in his bed? I worry he may overheat in the boot.
Nigel Brown, Solihull
A) The legal and sensible answer is that Sam should be strapped in with a doggy seatbelt on the back seat.
You CAN travel with a dog in the boot, but they either need to be in a crate or there must be a guard separating the boot so your dog cannot escape freely into the car, causing distraction, or catapult forward should you have to stop suddenly.
I’m less concerned about him overheating as long as the car temperature is controlled appropriately.
If he is in the boot, you would usually take the boot cover off, not lock him in the dark.
So even if he was lying down and you couldn’t see him, you would hear him panting.
Q) I AM looking to buy a pedigree Bengal cat but I’ve heard they can get heart issues.
Should I ask the breeder for documentation? What else can I do?
Fiona Bartlett, Brighton
A) It’s great that you’re researching genetic health before purchasing a pedigree pet.
I wish more people considered this as it would save a lot of heartbreak and perhaps encourage more responsible breeding.
Bengal cats are prone to a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM for short.
While there is no genetic test for it, a scan or echocardiogram of potential breeding animals is advisable.
You should not breed from affected cats, or kitties and bloodlines that have produced offspring that later develop HCM.
If a breeder isn’t aware of this condition, or taking active steps to prevent it in their lines, then I’d go elsewhere.
Q) AT the weekend, we feared my four-year-old cocker spaniel was going to die.
George had an “obstruction” in his bowel that the vet thought might be seaweed, which he loves.
Obviously I will try to stop him from eating it, but is it worth giving him probiotics?
Jaqueline Roberts, Blackpool
A) Oh dear, poor George! I’m glad he has recovered, but he may not be as lucky next time.
Probiotics aren’t going to do any harm, but they won’t stop this happening again.
The only real solution is to limit his access to seaweed.
That means avoiding places where it washes up, or popping a basket muzzle on him when you do visit those beaches.
I don’t think this is a deficiency or dietary problem, as long as you are feeding him a complete and balanced diet tailored to his individual needs.
Star of the week
SID may be one of the most pampered cats in Britain – he refuses to drink out of a bowl so has his own GLASS.
He was left outside a vet’s surgery as a kitten 11 years ago and taken in by owner Sally Casey, 49, from Leeds.
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She noticed Sid never drank out of his bowl and would only take cheeky slurps from any glasses of water left around the house.
He now has his own special Guinness pint glass, which they even take to the cattery for Sid when they go away on holiday.
Sally said: “It may be a Guinness glass but Sid does only drink water from it, thankfully!”
WIN: Scottish hotel trip
FANCY a scenic Scottish break with your four-legged friend?
We are giving away an overnight stay worth £400 at Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa, above, on the shores of Loch Fyne in Inveraray.
Breakfast and dinner at Cladach Mor Bistro is included too.
For a chance to win, send an email headed: LOCH FYNE with your contact details to [email protected] by September 29.
T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.
Valid until Jan 31, 2025.
Overnight stay in a Deluxe Double room, upgrades available on request.
See more details on Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa at crerarhotels.com.
Heat switched on for pampered pets
A FIFTH of people will be putting their heating on when they go out to keep their pets warm this winter despite the cost.
And a Paws & Claws survey has found a third of pet owners leave the TV or radio on to keep their four- legged friends company when they’re alone too.
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Research by heating provider Worcester Bosch has found pet owners spend an average of 20 minutes making sure their pets are comfortable before leaving home.
Pet tech is also on the rise with around 36 per cent of 2,000 cat and dog owners using home cameras to keep an eye on their furry friends.
Martyn Bridges, director of Technical Services at Worcester Bosch and proud owner of two rescue dogs Rita and Stanley, said: “Owners go to great lengths to care for their pets and they need to consider how to heat their homes to guarantee the welfare of their animals.
“If owners know their pet spends most of the day in one room, they could consider only keeping the heating on in that room while turning it off in others to not waste energy.”
For more information see worcester-bosch.co.uk/energy-saving-tips.
