From a crying cat to a dog who digs holes — 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. 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) WE have a pedigree Bengal cat called Luna. She came from a relative of ours who had a baby who kept being woken by the cat’s meows.

She is a lovely cat but the cries just keep on going. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason.

She can be very funny with her noises but when the meowing keeps up, it wears us down. There’s no pacifying her.

We’ve researched Bengals and found this is common. So is it just what they do?

Also, she is a house cat but likes to sit outside under a tree and watch, mainly birds. But she’s been with us about 18 months now, is finding her way around and occasionally jumps over the fence into the neighbours’ garden.

We’re terrified she may go farther afield and get lost or stolen, as she is very beautiful. Should we make it harder for her to get out?

She won’t be the one cat in creation who can’t find her way home, but still I don’t want to risk it.

Rona Roberts, Kilmarnock

A) This is a classic Bengal thing. They are nothing if not a chatty catty.

As regards her safety on leaving the garden, you can get some great solutions to affix to the tops of fences and walls leaning in to your garden that keep them in your space.

It’s risky letting her out of the garden — she’s at risk of getting hit by cars, getting in fights with other cats, attacked by other animals or picking up diseases.

In the US, there is a move toward not letting cats roam — on cat welfare grounds but also for the harm they do to wildlife, and the issue of toileting in neighbours’ gardens.

Do cats enjoy roaming? Yes. Should we allow them? Up for debate.

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Q) HAVE you any advice to help me save my garden from my dog?

I have a 13-month-old Poochon called Yvie who keeps digging big holes in my back lawn. She’s also been eating my bedding flowers.

I’ve tried sprinkling cayenne pepper, but it only works when it’s not raining.

Angela Morrison, Glasgow

A) You could offer Yvie her own digging area in a sandpit or devoted area of bed, and train her that’s the only place to do it.

Digging is natural, but she will resort to it more often if bored or under-stimulated

So try different games with her in the garden.

Lay out an agility course, take her for long and varied walks, allow her to stop and sniff.

Q) I’VE recently adopted a ten-week-old kitten, Katie, from a local shelter.

She was found as a stray with her mum and siblings. We’ve tried to settle her in but she’s very shy.

We put her food out and she has her litter tray but she will only come out of her cat cave if no one is there.

I’m trying to be gentle with her but I’m a bit worried about her not bonding with me.

What do you think I should do?

Alice Gregson, Bolton

A) Just wait. It will take time.

Katie is sitting back, watching the world to learn how it works.

Some take a few days, some a few weeks, some months, but she will come around and grow in confidence.

Don’t overcrowd or fuss her, just encourage play occasionally, scatter some tasty treats, speak gently and, if she doesn’t want interaction, don’t force it.

One of these days, she’ll rub up against you for a cuddle and your heart will melt.

Star of the week

BRAVE greyhound Amaya is bouncing back after losing a leg racing

The five-year-old suffered a terrible injury on the track but is enjoying life again, even doing agility courses with Canine Hoopers UK.

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Her owner Rachel Jackson, 52, a veterinary physio from Stockport, nursed Amaya back to health after adopting her from Forever Hounds Trust.

Rachel says: “Amaya makes the most of every opportunity. She is such a happy dog. We love her so much.”

Hay! Pollen is a pain for pets too

HAS your pet got the summer sniffles?

Our soggy May and dry June led to a peak in the pollen count, the Met Office says.

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Cats and dogs can get hay fever too – and they carry it on their fur and skin as well, leading to more irritation

Rachel Andre of cat litter brand Natusan says: “Allergic rhinitis – or hay fever – is an allergic reaction to pollen. It’s usually experienced in the warmer months when the pollen count is high and can affect animals just as it does humans.”

Look out for cats grooming more than usual and dogs biting or scratching their skin, leading to sores or bald patches.

Pets can also sneeze more, have itchy or watery eyes and may chew at their paws

If you are worried, get your pet checked by a vet.

Treatments include eye drops, nasal sprays, injections, creams and medicated shampoos.

But do NOT give them human hay fever remedies.

Avoid grassy areas on walks, wash their paws afterwards, cut the lawn and do weeding regularly, keep your home clean and don’t buy cut flowers.

Rachel adds: “Our pets do so much to support us and enhance our wellbeing.

“It’s paramount we do the same for them.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk