From canine fearful of fireworks to cats stealing meals — your pet queries answered

HE is on a mission to assist our pets  . . . and is right here to reply YOUR questions.

Sean, who’s the top vet at tailor-made pet meals agency tails.com, has helped with house owners’ queries for ten years. He says: “In case your pet is performing humorous or is below the climate, otherwise you wish to find out about vitamin or train, simply ask. I may help preserve pets completely happy and wholesome.”

4

4

Q) BONNIE, our 11-month-old Romanian rescue canine wakes me up barking at 5am, regardless that she’s had a late-night stroll.

I at all times take her out at 6am earlier than I’m going to work. If my daughter comes right down to let her out, she’s going to nonetheless sit and bark for me.

My daughter mentioned it might be separation nervousness, however I don’t need Bonnie to sleep upstairs as my grandchildren keep over generally.

DONNA GIBSON Shepshed, Leics

SEAN SAYS: Do you give in to her barking each morning? In that case, she has realized an effective way to kick-start the day. One method to that is to disregard the barking till it stops.

Canine and different animals undergo an “extinction part” with a behav­iour in the event that they discover it now not will get a desired impact. After a number of mornings of no response, it ought to put on off.

Take care to not reward it throughout this part although, as you would possibly undo your laborious work.

If it’s anxious behaviour round separation in different circumstances, too, I recommend a certified animal behaviourist.

Q) MY cat Alfie is a meals thief. Given the slightest probability she’s going to gobble any scrap of meals.

We preserve the kitchen door closed and every thing put away, however whenever you’re cooking and let your guard down for a second, she springs.
We as soon as caught her along with her head in a trifle.

One other time she scoffed a part of a Sunday roast that was resting, as one among our younger youngsters left the door open. She even does it to the neighbours. For sure, she then turns her nostril up at her dinner.

BRENDA SWIFT, Leeds

SEAN SAYS: I would like a number of extra essential particulars. Firstly, what age is she and has she at all times been like this or is it a current improvement?

If current, then I think there might be an underlying medical situation at play, fairly than it simply merely being Alfie’s character.

Secondly, I’d like to know extra about Alfie’s weight. Take a look at how one can “body-condition rating” your cat to test this.

Lastly, what sort of weight loss plan is Alfie on? I’d advocate one that’s balanced, with high-quality ingred­ients and formulated by a certified animal nutritionist.

My recommendation is a vet test, and simply holding meals out of bounds, other than her particular meals.

Q) MY Persian home cat Molly has very lengthy claws.

How can I get her to put on them down? Or ought to I take her to the vet?

ALEX WHITE, Glasgow

SEAN SAYS: Aside from giving her entry to loads of scratching posts and numerous surfaces to maintain her claws in trim, you’ll most likely need to study to clip them your self.

The issue with clipping cats’ claws is that they cut up and develop again in a short time as soon as the outer sheath comes off.

Your vet crew will be capable of assess this, and whether or not Molly is in want of a manicure.

4

Q: OUR greyhound Woodstock is afraid of fireworks. What can I do forward of Bonfire night time?

ANDREW BROWN, Romford, East London

SEAN SAYS: Woodstock isn’t the primary and definitely gained’t be the final scaredy cat or canine to go operating to his mattress when fireworks kick off.

You possibly can’t begin early sufficient prepar­ing anxious pets for this season.
Use a technique of noise desensitis-ation to regularly get pets used to the sounds at slowly rising quantity and frequency. It takes a number of time and effort, however it’s value it.

Begin now, however be sure that to not overwhelm him.

And in the case of firework nights kicking off, make Woodstock a beautiful, quiet and darkish den to retreat to. Numerous my different high suggestions for this are on our tails.com weblog.

Star of the week

LEO the Labrador is a four-legged bookworm who has impressed a collection of youngsters’s books.

The eight-year-old Pets As Remedy volunteer lives with author Parnita Senjit in Croydon, London, and helps youngsters in colleges as a studying canine.
Parnita has now written two books.

4

The Chosen One is all about Leo when he was a pet, and The Journey Begins follows Leo when he leaves his mum and litter mates.

Parnita, 48, mentioned: “Leo loves being round kids and helps them to chill out.

“The books are so he may help kids everywhere in the world.”

Secrets and techniques of sleeping positions

THE method cats and canine sleep can inform you how they really feel, consultants say.
Boffins from model Petsafe and retailer and group Your Canine’s Membership have revealed the highest 5 pet sleeping positions and what every means.

Behaviourist Alyssa Ralph mentioned: “It’s at all times good to keep in mind that nonetheless your pet sleeps, it’s good to provide them area.”

The highest 5 cat positions are . . . 

• The lap curl: The place your cat tucks her tail round her physique and curls up. She might really feel insecure or wish to preserve heat.
• Superman: When your cat stretches out – usually throughout the soaf – like a flying superman, it reveals they’re deeply content material.
• Tum cat: On their again with legs within the air means they belief you.
• Sphinx: Laying upright and alert with paws tucked below the physique like a Sphinx means they’re dozing, however able to pounce.
• The Gandalf: Sitting with eyes half closed, just like the Tolkien character, can imply they’re grumpy.

The highest 5 canine positions are . . .

• Legs Akimbo: Sprawled on their again, with legs within the air signifies that they’re as relaxed as might be.
• The Starfish: Mendacity on their aspect with legs stretched says they really feel completely secure and safe.
• The Cuddle Bug: Mendacity in your lap or touching you might be an indication of affection or that they’re barely insecure.
• Doggy Donut: Curled in a ball can imply they’re holding heat – so test their sleeping space isn’t chilly. They will also be uncomfortable.
• Sleeping Sphinx: In the event that they tuck their toes up below their physique, like a Sphinx, they’re having a light-weight nap and are content material.