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.”
4
4
Q) I’M worried about my spaniel Keith’s paws in icy weather.
When is it too cold to go for a walk? And is it right that salt and grit can hurt paws?
Do I need to put booties on Keith? Or should I just wipe down his feet?
LAURA BRETT, Glasgow
READ MORE PAWS AND CLAWS
Sean says: Dogs’ paws have evolved to be pretty tough so I don’t worry too much about the cold.
They are lined with thick keratin pads to protect them. Think about huskies running for miles in the snow.
It is true, though, that salt, grit or chemicals laid down to treat slippery surfaces can be a winter hazard, especially with prolonged contact.
So I’d suggest giving Keith’s feet a rinse and dry after those icy walks.
Most read in Money
Q) MY daughter has been a keen rider for years and I’m looking to get her a pony.
Should I go for a rescue? Where’s the best place to get a starter pony for an eight-year-old?
BRITT MASON, Birmingham
Sean says: I’m not too familiar with sourcing ponies for children in the UK, though I have had a few equine escapades back home in Ireland.
Like any rescue pet, you want to get one from a reputable, responsible organisation that has a good handle on their history — and especially, in this case, if the pony has been safely ridden by children.
They should also try to match the animal in temperament and ability with your daughter’s age and experience.
I’m sure a call to your local equine veterinary practice would help.
As vets, we love it when owners come to us for pet purchase advice before making a final decision.
Q) WHY does my dog Wombat break wind so much?
He has very good food but is a serial offender. Does he need pro- biotics? Or should I wind him like a baby after meals? Help!
SHARON DOUGHERTY, Belfast
Sean says: There are a multitude of possible reasons — not enough fibre, too much fibre, unsuitable diet, dietary allergies or intolerances.
Others can be feeding too much plant ingredients, particularly pulses, peas or beans (sound familiar?), or too many human foods or very fatty foods. It could also be a gut problem, worms or even air-swallowing.
Is Wombat a flat-faced breed like a pug or bulldog, by any chance? If so, they often swallow lots of air when eating due to their anatomy, and what goes in must come out.
Winding your dog isn’t effective — best get a vet check in person.
Prebiotics promote and feed a healthy gut microbiome. We don’t tend to recommend feeding probiotics as standard, unless your dog has been on antibiotics for a long period or had severe digestive upsets and needs a bit of a boost afterwards.
At tails.com we can provide a trial of a hypoallergenic diet designed for sensitive digestion with prebiotics.
Q) IS there anything I can give my rabbits Tim and Toby, who both just turned one, to keep them in tip-top condition during winter?
They live in a hutch outside and have plenty of bedding and covers, but I do worry about them.
SAM HALFORD, Oldham
Sean says: Plenty of good-quality hay is key here. It keeps them munching and keeps their guts fermenting all that fibre — and that will keep them healthy, happy and warm.
A small amount of concentrated pelleted diet per day, say a teaspoon for miniature varieties and tablespoon for larger buns is also recommended.
But steer clear of muesli mixes which can cause dental and digestion issues, as well as obesity.
Herbs, garden weeds, fresh grass (making sure they aren’t sprayed) and a small amount of colourful veg or leafy greens will also be welcome.
Star of the week
4
MAGGIE the mongrel has been a ray of sunshine to her owners after they suffered a bereavement.
The 11-year-old pup helped Sam Geear, 52, and her husband Paul, 51, cope after his brother Steve passed away from cancer in 2019 aged 43.
Sam, of Sevenoaks, Kent, said: “Maggie is amazingly intuitive and knows when to come and sit with you for a cuddle.
“She’s really helped us through bereavement.
“She’s a cross between a shih tzu, Pekingese, bichon frise and pug so we say that she’s a shih-poo pug!
“She has arthritis and is getting older, but she is a very special girl.”
WIN: £339 pet vac
MEET Henry Quick Pet, the cordless vacuum designed to tackle all your pet-related needs.
With the power you would expect from the Henry brand, it includes a mini motorised tool to tackle stubborn dirt and a clever pod system for one-click, dust-free emptying.
For a chance to win one, worth £339.99, send an email headed HENRY to [email protected] by Jan 28, 2024.
See myhenry.com. T&Cs apply.
Schools enrol pigs to teach kids
4
SCHOOLS are being urged to take micro-pigs as pets – to teach children vital life lessons.
Ethical breeder Kew Little Pigs supplies the porkers and claims that by caring for them, children benefit from improved communication skills and develop love and respect for animals.
Schools must show they have space for their new guests, create a care rota and take a pig-keeping course before the animals arrive.
Waterside Primary Academy in Chesham, Bucks adopted three pigs last year.
Teacher Olivia Goddard, who is leading the project, said: “It was wonderful how instantly children warmed to the pigs – when in the pen their demeanour changes.
“The pigs are tame, and when you stroke their bellies they lie there and smile.
“Not only has it helped the children by teaching them responsibility and nurturing, it is good for wellbeing.
“I am also impressed children have not been squeamish about picking up pig poo.”
Year Five pupils have been made Pig Rangers, and feed their charges and clean the pens before school starts.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Parents are also involved, so that with their children they can help out during the school holidays.
Learn more, and register an interest for your school, at kewlittlepigs.com
