From pet rats to an itchy dog – 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.”

Q) MY children Emma and Lila want some pet rats, and are aged seven and eight. Is that too young?

LIZZIE HORTON, Reading, Berks

Sean says: Borderline in age, I would say, so it depends on their level of enthusiasm, responsibility and ability to gently care for their pets.

Rats make the most fantastic pets, being very intelligent, clean and just so interactive.

Your girls can even teach them tricks.

They are the pet dogs of the rodent world, for sure. Maybe find someone locally who has a pet rat then go and handle it and learn more about its care.

You’ll have a better idea then if your girls are ready for this.

But good luck saying no to them after they fall in love with the idea of a pet rat.

Q) MY dog has really bad allergies. Vera is a Dalmation and gets so bothered by her constant itches.

It affects her paws and stomach and is awful.

We use Apoquel and Piriton but they are both so expensive. Could I use any other over-the-counter antihistamine, do you think? 

BEN THOMAS, Crawley

Sean says: Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, antihistamines don’t always work very well with dogs — some are better than others and it depends on the individual dog. 

Some over-the-counter options may have only a mild effect on itchiness, and some human antihistamines are dangerous for your dog.

Please speak with your vet about your options here, being honest that you are finding it hard financially to keep on top of Vera’s medication bill.

We can usually offer alternatives.

But bear in mind that itchy dogs can be just as frustrating for us vets, to get to the bottom of.

It’s not always a quick fix. Sometimes it can be best in the long run to try to find out what a dog is allergic to, and try to reduce or at least minimise exposure if at all possible.

Q) I WORRY that my cat doesn’t drink enough.

Pepper has had a couple of urinary infections in the past year. Do you think it’s worth trying running water rather than a bowl?

MIA EDWARDS, Bromley

Sean says: Yes, for cats that have a history of kidney or bladder issues, and those that don’t drink much, it’s always a good idea to invest in a cat water fountain.

Cats are funny creatures in their drinking habits sometimes, but running water does encourage them to keep up their water intake and support healthy kidney function.

Getting some wet food into Pepper’s diet will also help to improve her hydration situation.

Q) HOW do you know what sex your tortoise is?

I have an 80-year-old who we thought was a male. Then a vet surprised us and said they think it’s a female.

We don’t know for sure. Is there a definitive way of telling the sex of a tortoise? Ours is called Speedy. 

KAREN HARRIS, Sudbury, Suffolk

Sean says: It depends a little bit on species, as there is so much variation.

But the general rule is that males have a longer tail, which is thicker at the base for housing their “equipment”, whereas females have a shorter, thinner tail.

Males also often have a concave plastron, which is the underside of the shell. The female’s plastron, or belly, is flat.

The concave or curved plastron in male tortoises allows them to fit more comfortably on top of the female when they are having “adult tortoise piggy back rides”, if you catch my drift.

Star of the week

MINIATURE dachshund Pip may have been a pocket-sized pooch – but also gave a gigantic amount of love until he died last week.

Adored by Romy Turnbull, 11, her younger brother George, 6, and mum Helen, the 13-year-old pup filled their lives with joy.

Pip had a huge character and when he wasn’t chasing balls while on walks with Romy he loved devouring his favourite treat of chicken.

He was even allowed to sleep on Romy’s bed at night.

Their father Dominic, from Hertfordshire, said: “Pip was adored by Romy and George, and he was a mischievous fixture of family life from his arrival as a tiny, fearful pup.

“Farewell loyal friend – and thank you for a full life and the love you brought to us all.”

It’s good to talk… and walk the dog

WE’RE a nation of dog borrowers, according to a study which says one in eight of us take other people’s mutts for walkies.

More and more non-owners beg pals for a mood-boosting loan of man’s best friend, says pet-sitting and walking service Rover.com.

Dog ownership has gone from around 11 million to 13 million in the last four years.

A Rover.com spokesman says: “Our research showed that the mental health of dog owners was much improved after getting a dog.

“It can help us stay active, eases loneliness and gives us a reason to smile and laugh every day.

“But those who don’t have their own dog are still finding ways to enjoy the benefits, with 49 per cent saying just being around dogs – even if not their own – improves their mood.”

Claire Bowman, 33, of Tonbridge, Kent is desperate for a dog and her landlord won’t allow it.

But nurse Claire says: “I take my friend’s sausage dog Chucky out for a walk twice a week.

“As soon as I see him, he runs over to me and starts licking me, so I’m smiling from the moment I see him until I hand him back.”