Pet Q&A: Cumbrian pet house owners get their questions answered

Expensive PDSA Vet: I lately needed to deal with my canine for fleas, ought to my rabbit even be handled? Simon

Identical to cats and canine, rabbits can catch fleas – mostly by means of contact with different pets. Some canine and cat flea remedies might be poisonous for rabbits so, if you happen to suppose your rabbits have been close to your pup, I’d advocate visiting your vet who will be capable to prescribe an acceptable flea therapy if wanted. In case your rabbits are home rabbits, they are going to be extra more likely to be uncovered to fleas out of your canine, and will probably be vital to deal with the home too. Going ahead, so long as you retain on prime of standard preventive care on your canine, it shouldn’t be vital so that you can administer routine flea remedies on your rabbits. For extra info on conserving your pooch flea free, you may go to: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/fleas-on-dogs

Expensive PDSA Vet: We have to change our cat’s food, however I don’t need to upset her abdomen. What’s one of the simplest ways to introduce a brand new weight loss plan? Nick

It’s all the time greatest to alter your cat’s meals regularly over a few weeks to forestall an upset abdomen. Whereas this will likely look like a very long time, cats might be creatures of behavior, so it offers them an opportunity to simply accept their new weight loss plan. You can begin by providing them a spoonful of their new meals together with their common dinner.. Progressively, you may start to supply extra of the brand new meals and fewer of the outdated one, till you will have utterly modified over to their new weight loss plan. Taking your time ought to forestall abdomen upsets and ease the transition so your cat ought to settle for new textures and flavours too. For extra assist together with your cat’s weight loss plan go to: https://pdsa.org.uk/weighup-pr 

Expensive PDSA Vet: We’re fascinated with introducing a pet into our household, however I’m nervous about how our older canine, Yuri, will react. How ought to we introduce them? Maisie

Preserve them in separate rooms at first, divided by a child gate, to allow them to examine and sniff by means of the bars in the event that they need to. Then, as soon as they’re calm, introduce them to one another in an open room with a number of house in order that they will transfer round and sniff one another. Make certain each canine are on a lead so you will have management over their interplay, and maintain the introductions brief to start with. Don’t neglect to reward your canine if they’re relaxed. Your new pet could also be extra playful or have extra vitality than Yuri so make sure to be careful for any indicators that he’s had sufficient of taking part in and take away your new furry member of the family to offer him some house. Sticking to Yuri’s schedule can even assist him to regulate to the brand new addition. For extra info you may go to: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/introducingdogs

Expensive PDSA Vet: My ferret, Jinx, is gaining a bit an excessive amount of weight. What can I do to assist maintain him wholesome? Jemima

It’s regular for ferrets to achieve weight on the strategy to winter. That is in order that they have sufficient fats saved to get them by means of the colder months. With this in thoughts, it isn’t an issue that Jinx is gaining weight, as he ought to naturally lose it comfortably when spring comes round. If he doesn’t return to his regular measurement because the climate warms up subsequent 12 months, you could want to have a look at the quantity of train he has and enhance it if wants be, minimize down on treats and weigh out his meals in order that you already know he’s consuming the correct amount. If that doesn’t assist and you might be nonetheless nervous about his weight then you may all the time ask your vet for some recommendation.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity offering an important service for pets throughout the UK whose house owners wrestle to afford therapy prices for his or her sick and injured pets.

For a lot of weak pets, PDSA is there to assist when there may be nowhere else for his or her house owners to show. Assist from gamers of Individuals’s Postcode Lottery helps us attain much more pet house owners with important recommendation and data. www.pdsa.org.uk