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 SET up an Instagram page for my cat Barry, but he has stopped posing. When I try to take his photo he runs off.
He has a few hundred followers and I feel bad as I have so little to post. Could it be he doesn’t like the camera?
John Randle, Stevenage
A) John, get a new hobby! It’s obvious Barry isn’t cut out for the influencer life.
Perhaps you can try to become one yourself. Lots of selfies, only show the fun and fancy stuff you get up to.
Paint an image of your life that is far less dreary than the reality and you’ll see those followers climb.
I think some cats just don’t like being chased around the house having cameras shoved in their face.
Got a question for Sean?
SEND your queries to [email protected].
Q) MY 11-year-old Border Collie Bobby has developed a constant habit of scratching his belly with his hind feet and gnawing at his tail near his back.
He’s had his usual Frontline treatment to kill fleas and ticks and we can’t see anything on his belly that would cause an itch. What could be be wrong?
Roger Foster, Rugeley
A) This does sound like a flea problem. The base of the tail is a classic hotspot for a flea-related itch.
The other irriation that sometimes mimics this problem is infected or blocked anal glands.
Back to fleas — if you were overdue at the time of treatment then they may have slipped through the net and bit him a few times.
It’s really important you keep flea treatments up to date. A single female flea can lay 50 eggs in a day
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Q) HOW do I stop my Japanese Spitz barking at people?
I have an enclosed garden with a small lane at the rear. Charm, who is just over one year old, barks whenever he hears anyone in the lane.
Jennifer Johnston, Co Antrim
A) That’s a tricky one, and it can be explained using the classic example of why dogs bark at the postman — territorial aggression.
The postman comes up the drive, so dog barks: “A stranger is approaching the house! High alert!” The postman retreats hastily down the driveway and disappears up the street.
Dog thinks: “Thank Dog for that, my barking worked.” And so the cycle continues.
You need to reward calm interest in people in the lane.
Get friends or neighbours to walk up and down lots and use distraction techniques. Then get them to reward Charm with a tasty treat when he approaches without barking.
It’s going to take time and effort.
Q) WE recently had one of our two dogs put to sleep due to ill health, leaving us with just our 18-month-old Dachsund, Violet.
It’s the first time Violet has been the only dog in the house and when we go out she cries and barks.
I have bought a pet plug-in diffuser but it doesn’t seem to work. Can you recommend anything else?
Ken Coulter, Cheltenham
A) A plug-in diffuser may reduce stress but it is not a “cure-all” solution for behaviour problems.
With separation anxiety, a programme of behavioural modification and retraining is needed to reassure your dog that being alone for periods of time is OK.
Check out online advice from Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Battersea to begin with.
Star of the week
FORMER stray Beautie has helped hundreds of rescue dogs find happy homes.
She was living in a shelter in Dubai in 2014 when she won the heart of volunteer carer Lisette Van Riel.
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Initially Lisette, 38, fostered Beautie. But she fell in love with the three-legged pooch and went on to adopt her.
Once back in the UK, Lisette came up with the idea for her non-profit Doggy Lottery (doggylottery.co.uk).
It launched four months ago and Lisette has donated £4,500 to 20 rescue centres.
Lisette, of Ackworth, West Yorks, said: “I rescued Beautie but she rescued me too. Days after adopting her, I lost my dad. Beautie was there for me, giving me cuddles and licking away the tears.”
WIN: Yappy voucher
YOU can get the perfect personalised gift for your pet this Christmas at Yappy.
It offers gifts, treats and homeware with your dog or cat’s face on.
Upload a photo of your pet or select the breed and their name to find a range of tailormade products.
We have ten £25 gift vouchers up for grabs to spend at yappy.com/uk.
For a chance to win one, send an email with YAPPY in the subject line to [email protected].
Christmas wishes on our walkies
PETS are spreading some festive cheer by dropping off Christmas cards on their walkies.
Cards For Caring was set up by Elaine Brown after she read about The Sun’s Christmas Together appeal.
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Elaine, 54, from Bristol, runs the Great Dog Walk Together community on Facebook and has arranged walks with the Jo Cox Foundation since 2018 to help tackle loneliness.
Along with her Westie Rupert, 14, she decided to get our furry friends involved in giving people who feel isolated a boost by dropping off cards.
Elaine said: “Christmas 2020 is like no other, with an increasing number of people being without company due to lockdown and social distancing.
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“The dog (owning) community can join in by writing a thoughtful message in a card and posting it on their dog walk to a neighbour, stranger or friend who may be without company.”
Write #CardsForCaring on the envelope to tell the person why they are receiving it and use the hashtag to spread the word on social media.
Elaine added: “We believe one card has the power to lift someone’s spirits in these tough times and let people know they are not alone.”
Professor James Logan explains how dogs can detect Covid-19 on This Morning
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
