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. 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.”
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Q) HOW can I stop my cat Heathcliff vandalising the Christmas tree?
Every year he clambers up it, so I don’t even have plug-in lights any more and he pings off the baubles.
I’m sure it’s just to annoy me.
Liz Holick, Reading
A) It’s definitely not to annoy you. In fact it’s a good illustration of what cats want — arguably need — in the home environment to carry out their natural behaviours — places to hide, things to climb, items to ambush and play with.
And the Christmas tree is an explosion of sensory overload for cats that appears once a year and is just too enticing to ignore.
The key is to provide alternative cat-safe opportunities throughout the year, rotating them to give novelty value.
Limiting his access to the tree and encouraging Heathcliff to explore other new objects and interactive zones in the home might spare you the stress this season.
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You could also use a pet-safe repellent spray on the tree and a cat attractant on what you want him to use for fun.
Q) OUR lurcher, Dodge, has numerous lumps on his body which the vet has said are fatty lumps and are nothing to worry about.
One is the size of a tennis ball and he has about six others, mostly under his belly.
Although they look unsightly they do not seem to worry him or impact his exercise or diet, so is it best to leave alone?
Mike Taylor, Southampton
A) These sound like benign fatty tumours called lipomas, which are harmless — unless they grow very large in an awkward location, affecting mobility or become uncomfortable.
There is nothing diet-related that cures them, although obesity can predispose dogs to them.
It’s another reason to watch our dogs’ portions and treats, and keep them trim.
It’s best to keep an eye on them and if there’s any change in appearance, get very hard, grow rapidly or get uncomfortable, see your vet about further investigation.
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Q) MY rabbits Milo and Mitch live outside all year.
But now they are getting older, should I bring their hutch into the garage for the winter?
Mary Church, Aberdeen
A) I wouldn’t say so. Any rabbits living outdoors need access to a warm, dry, sheltered area they can retreat to away from the bad weather.
In the wild, of course, this would be a warren of underground burrows and company from other rabbits.
Mimic that with cosy hutches and maybe “rabbit flap” access to a shed or garage where they can come and go from, and they’ll have the choice.
Plenty of warm, dry bedding and a cover sheet on outdoor housing to protect from bad weather is wise too.
Q) MY five-year-old cat Benni has started peeing at the back door quite a lot lately
His box is clean, although it’s shared with my other cat, three-year-old Snoopy, and I’d say there isn’t really a dominant one.
There is no change in his life to stress him out.
Greig Crawford Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire
A) Sharing a litter tray with another cat, even if you think they get along great, is stressful for most cats.
They’re quite complex little creatures, and very subtle with their behaviour and body language.
My guess is that Benni is a bit intimidated to use the same box as Snoopy so he’s picked his own spot to toilet out of sight.
Toileting is a vulnerable time for a cat and they don’t like to do it near another cat.
It’s best to have at least one tray per cat, plus one extra, at various spots throughout the house. Having just one is causing this problem.
Star of the week
UKRAINIAN dog Grad ran to a British aid worker’s van for shelter during a bombardment in Kherson – and he’s now the face of a Christmas campaign to help feed other abandoned animals in the war-torn country.
Thomas Hughes, 42, a volunteer for the Siobhan’s Trust and its partner U-Hearts Foundation, distributes food for humans and pets in east Ukraine.
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Thomas, of Hindon, Wilts, said: “In a massive revenge bombardment across the city, a missile attack came in close and this dog ran into my van and curled up.
“At the end of the day he refused to leave, and I had no time to argue, so home he came.”
The charity is appealing for donations for their Operation Paw-Pose appeal at: u-hearts.foundation/supportourwork.
WIN: Pugs game, £20
WE’VE joined forces with leading games firm Winning Moves to offer 15 readers the chance to win a giant Pass The Pugs game worth £20.
The popular party and travel game has been given a major update with a blow-up bumper version out for all of the family to play.
To enter, send an email headed PASS THE PUGS to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk no later than Dec25.
See winningmoves.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
Celebs’ shirts help keep cats cosy
ANIMAL-LOVING celebs have given the clothes off their back to help homeless cats this Christmas.
Cats Protection is using T-shirts donated by stars including Holly Willoughby, Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden and comics Jo Brand and Bob Mortimer to create DIY beds for their rescued moggies
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Cat-lover Holly, who has pet Bluebell, said: “Cats need a cosy hiding spot, so I love how easy it is to make one out of items we all have at home.”
Jo donated the red “Jo” T-shirt she wore as one of the Cheeky Girls alongside Ruby Wax for Comic Relief in 2002.
The campaign, Feels Like Home, will also raise cash to help abandoned cats over this festive season.
Cats Protection says families can make budget-friendly DIY beds for their pets, which cats love.
Simply cut two circular holes in a cardboard box – one in each side, cover it with an old, large T-shirt and place a blanket inside.
Watch the video at https://youtu.be/fE5ytFDg_wo.
