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) WITH the weather starting to turn colder, what is the best practice to prepare my two tortoises for hibernation?
In the past they’ve stayed in a home in the garden but after last year’s harsh winter I had to move them inside so I’m cautious about using the garden home this year.
KATE PETERS, Oldham
A) SEAN says: Unfortunately with our changing climate and more unusual weather patterns, the days of hibernating our pet tortoises outside with little attention are pretty much over.
READ MORE PAWS AND CLAWS
Add to that, we have a population of tortoises that is ageing, so many are moving into their geriatric years, which might be 60 to 80-plus.
They need a little more care and attention than traditional advice might suggest.
Believe it or not, the safest way to hibernate tortoises nowadays is in a temperature-controlled fridge, preferably one dedicated just for them.
There is lots of great information on the Tortoise Trust website (tortoisetrust.org).
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Got a question for Sean?
Q) OUR three-year-old cat Oscar keeps going to the loo in next door’s garden.
It’s embarrassing. They have a dog and he still doesn’t care.
The neighbours are getting annoyed. What can I do to try to stop him?
SARAH RUPERT, Basildon, Essex
A) SEAN says: At least you are aware of the problem and trying to do something about it.
I think the only real thing you can do is to prevent Oscar getting into your neighbours’ garden for these excursions.
That can be easier said than done, but there are cat excluders you can fit to the top of your own walls and fences that will safely keep your cat in your space.
Q) CAN my cat get sunburn? Should I be putting something on them?
Snowy is white – so I always make sure he’s got shade but is there anything else I can do?
PAT MOUNTAIN, Plymouth
A) SEAN says: Yes, cats can get sunburn, especially white cats or those with white on vulnerable parts of the body like the face and ear tips.
In fact, just like us if we get too much sun exposure, the risk of skin cancer is higher in white cats too.
Making sure Snowy has access to shade is a great idea, but there are also some cat-safe sun lotions you can use.
Never be tempted to put a dab of human sunscreen on your pets, especially not on cats as they can be quite sensitive to some of the ingredients used.
Q) I WANT to get a dog. Please can you advise which breed is the calmest and easiest in your experience?
I live alone and work from home. I have seen friends get dogs and some of them pull on leads, go for other dogs etc.
LAURYN HOPE, Glasgow
A) SEAN says: There is no “calmest and easiest” dog breed. That totally depends on factors relating to you, like your previous dog experience, how active you are, what kind of lifestyle you have, maybe even how old or energetic you are too.
Matching a dog with an owner is almost an art in itself, and many of the amazing rehoming organisations we have in the UK do a wonderful job of it.
It’s important to say dogs don’t come ready-made, ready-trained and problem-free.
Often, little issues arise that you’ll need to work on.
How about getting in touch with your local rescue centres and talking to them about your needs? I’m sure they’ll find you a match.
Star of the week
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LIQUORICE Pause is helping people with their mental health as part of a cat yoga group.
The seven-year-old puss lives at the not-for-profit Pause Cat Cafe in Bournemouth, Dorset, with ten other rescues including his sister, Bear.
Owner Jaya Da Costa said: “Liquorice likes to join in with cat yoga, being the most chilled out and stretchy of all the Pause cats.
“It provides a unique therapeutic experience as spending time with animals has been found to reduce stress, calm anxiety and boost mood.”
See instagram.com/liquoricepause.
WIN: £400 Catit bundle
WE’VE paired up with Catit UK to bring one lucky reader the purrfect bundle for their pet.
The prize, worth more than £400, includes products from the Catit Pixi range: a drinking fountain, dry cat food feeder and dry food storage container.
To enter, send an email headed CATIT to: [email protected] by October 22.
See catit.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
It’s a dog’s life for holiday makers
THE nation’s dogs have enjoyed a bumper summer of staycations with 91 per cent of owners taking theirs away for a week or more.
And 63 per cent even buy their mutts new outfits for their getaways, a poll by Wotton House country hotel in Dorking, Surrey, has revealed.
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Eighty-three per cent of owners say they put their pooches’ needs before their partners’ when picking their destination.
And almost two thirds share a bed with their furry friends while on holiday too.
A third have celebrated their dog’s birthday with a trip away and 70 per cent video call their hound if they have to go away for a day or more without them.
Seventy per cent expect their dog to dine with them and over two thirds order food off the menu for their pets – while 94 per cent get their mutt an ice cream if they have one.
Ninety per cent of those polled also share snaps of their four-legged pals on holiday via social media.
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The hotel has a “Woofton House Pooch Package”.
Sharon Power, director of sales, said the hotel asked guests “what they sought in a dog-friendly staycation and put all the little touches they like into place with our Pooch Package”.
