From an addicted cat to losing a furry friend – 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) I GREW some catnip in the garden for our moggy Heathcliff but I think he’s become addicted.

He just rolls around going nuts.

Should I get rid of it or is it OK?

Cat Bullen, Plymouth

A) Cats do go bonkers for catnip.

We think it’s because a chemical in the plant called nepetalactone stimulates the release of betaendorphins.

These “feel good” chemicals reduce stress, elevate mood and produce a sense of reward, so it’s easy to see why Heathcliff enjoys a roll around in the stuff.

He’s one of about 70 per cent of cats that react to it this way.

The other 30 per cent are genetically immune to its effects.

The good news is it does cats no harm and the effect wears off after 15 minutes. So let the good times roll.

Q) DUE to old age, we had to have our nearly 14-year-old Lhasa Apso, Noodles, put to sleep.

As he is my first pet, I’m finding it unbearable dealing with the loss.

To come home from work at night and not see him there is heartbreaking.

How can I deal with this loss?

Chris Matchett, Catterick, Lincs

A) I’m so sorry, this is very tough to deal with and I feel for you.

I was devastated when I lost my old dogs Sheba and Suki.

And now years later I still expect Suki to come running to the gate when I go home.

I can assure you it will get easier with time.

If you are struggling, Blue Cross has a dedicated team trained in helping people with pet loss.

Google their Pet Bereavement Support Service — you can give them a call, email or webchat. It’s free and confidential and I hear it is helpful.

Maybe in time you will consider another dog?

Q) I WISH to rescue two or three ex-battery hens but want them to have as good a life as possible.

I have a long, lawned garden and already have a coop.

How big a run do you recommend and what fruit and veg should I add to their pellet food for some variety?

Maggie King, Barrow

A) Rescue or ex-battery hens make great pets and it’s wonderful to give them a good life for the rest of their days.

I’ve done it several times.

In terms of a run, the bigger the better but make sure it’s predator-proof.

I recommend at least a few square metres per hen.

Environmental enrichment is as important as floor space, so give them plenty to do in there.

Different perches and levels, feeding toys, places to scratch and dig, shrubs for them to shelter under.

As they are bred to lay lots of eggs, make sure their staple diet is layers pellets.

Oyster shell and grit should be provided, and lots of leafy veg, carrots, cucumbers and most fruit.

Foods to avoid are avocado, raw or dried beans, aubergine and rhubarb.

Q) RECENTLY I bought a goldfish, Fishie, for my 12-year-old son.

We have a good-sized tank with plenty of weeds and hiding places but he lives alone.

Should we get company for him or are they happy living on their own?

Jay Desmond, Barnsley

A) They probably do benefit from a fish companion.

You just want to make sure the bowl or aquarium is large enough to accommodate two.

It’s easy to underestimate the space goldfish need and they aren’t especially suited to life in a bowl.

They are a large, messy species of fish that can grow upwards of six inches in length.

There’s a myth that they only grow to the size of their container, but that’s not how it works.

It’s more that cramped conditions can stunt their growth.

So ideally a large aquarium is best, with good filtration.

A pond outdoors is also a great home for goldfish.

Star of the week

CWTCH the English Bulldog used to keep his owner up all night with hyperactivity but now he snores the night away – thanks to the herb thyme.

The two-year-old pup called Cwtch, which means cuddles in Welsh, would only kip for three hours.

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Owner Shona Gordon, 44, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, said: “I’ve had to get up out of bed and take him out on a walk or he would be jumping around the bed. We were exhausted!”

Their lives changed after she found a supplement which contains the garden herb.

She said: “Now, he takes himself away to bed and is soon snoring his head off.”

Dash of pepper added to name list

MORE than one in ten pet owners name their cat or dog after their favourite food or drink, with Pepper taking the top spot for both.

Cat owners are more likely to pick foodie names for their four-legged friend, with 13 per cent choosing names including Cocoa, Miso, Bean, Sushi, Kiwi, Mango, Cheddar, Basil, and Chilli according to a survey.

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Meanwhile, 11 per cent of dog names are food or drink inspired, with the most popular being Pepper followed by Ginger and Olive.

Also in the top 50 are Dulce de Leche – a sweet Latin American drink made with milk – Cream Cheese, Snickers and Baguette.

Alcoholic beverages are also commonly used to name our pets, the survey revealed.

Cosmo, Whiskey, Brandy and Guinness come out on top for both dogs and cats.

Shiraz, Tequila and Boba – the tapioca balls used in bubble tea – also made the list.

Angela Laws, head of community at trustedhousesitters.com, which carried out the poll, said: “It’s been exciting to see what our data has to say about 2023 pet names.

“One of the most interesting finds is how food has influenced pet name trends this year, with some unique options making the list.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk