From buying pet fish to cleaning a chihuahua’s teeth – 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) I AM thinking of getting some fish for my ten-year-old son Toby to get him interested in wildlife.

What size do you think is a good starter tank and what fish do you recommend?

Mark Castle, Birmingham

A) Buy as big as you can afford, with an appropriate size filter.

Your local aquatics store can advise, and it’s worth finding one dedicated to fish only as they will be able to give you time and expertise.

I always say that you are not keeping fish, you are keeping water.

Water quality is key, and it’s a fine balance between the amount of water, the number of fish and the capacity of the filtration.

Food in means poop out, and if there is too much food there will be too much of the end product polluting the water and causing issues.

A small freshwater tropical aquarium will cost a fair initial outlay, with weekly maintenance needed.

So it’s not a small commitment, but will provide hours of fascination and wonder. I’m still mesmerised by mine.

Q) MY chihuahua Sally hates me cleaning her teeth.

She just won’t have it and runs away. It’s such a struggle.

I have tried all kinds of different flavoured toothpaste, but her breath is a bit stinky.

Are those chews that are designed to clean teeth the real deal? And can I just use them instead of brushing?

Dominic McGrath, Glasgow

A) Firstly, well done for trying.

This is something many pet owners never get around to and, without cleaning, it’s inevitable your dog will need dental work sooner or later.

Some dogs tolerate brushing very well, others hate it and never come around.

The trick is to start slow and for short periods, gradually building up the time you ask them to tolerate it.

It’s also important to say some breeds are more prone to dental disease, mainly our toy breeds, ­chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers in particular.

Taking Sally to the vet for an annual check-up is important.

And it’s likely, even with brushing, that she will need a proper dental cleaning under anaesthetic every few years.

Q) AS a pup, my eight-year-old German shepherd had a good hip score.

But for the last six months, Bear’s back legs have become weak.

He is not in any pain and still runs around full of enthusiasm, but he’s a farm dog who has never been in a car and I don’t want to stress him out by taking him to a vet.

Is this just an age thing that is typical of the breed?

Is there anything I can do to help this matter?

Sally Hansard, Gainsborough, Lincs

A) I can’t really help you here. Not taking him to the vet for a potential issue that could have lifelong complications isn’t really in Bear’s best interests.

Any stress involved will be outweighed by the knowledge and advice gained by finding out what is actually wrong with him and how best to manage it going forward.

Q) I WANT to have a wildlife pond in my garden, but is it right you shouldn’t put koi or goldfish in it?

Ideally, I’d like both. What do you think?

Bruce Taylor, Cardiff

A) You definitely need to choose one or the other.

Goldfish and koi are not compatible with wildlife.

They will eat most creatures in the pond that provide important food for other native wildlife.

Star of the week

RESCUE cat Marley has been crowned the UK’s most loving moggy for comforting trafficked women.

He beat thousands to the Cat of the Year title at the Cats Protection awards, where he met TV presenter and writer Dawn O’Porter.

The seven-year-old soothes guests at the London safe house, giving out cuddles and posing during art therapy sessions.

Karen Anstiss, 59, head of Caritas Bakhita House, currently home to 11 women from 11 countries, said: “Marley is a wonderful example of the power of love.

“Often, him placing a paw on our guests’ legs is the first kindness they’ve experienced in years.

“Before he went into rescue, he’d had a hard time, so he recognises our guests’ trauma.”

Learn what makes your pooch tick

DOG owners should carry out personality tests on their pets so they can mix with like-minded mutts.

Pet psychology expert Heather Stevens says your best friend can find their own BFF if you follow her tips.

The trainer and author of Beyond The Breed: The New Way To Know And Understand Your Dog believes that pinpointing a canine’s character makes for a happy pet and owner.

Heather, who also runs doggy day care, began studying canine characteristics to ensure her clients got along smoothly.

She says: “Identifying the character of your dog helps with training and understanding how they see the world.

“Owners feel more empowered when they know a little more about what’s really going on with their dogs.”

Heather, 68, from Richmond, North Yorks, adds: “It explains why two dogs from the same litter can be so different and why they may be best friends with one black labrador, but terrified of another that looks exactly the same.

“I wrote the book to help people develop a deeper emotional understanding of their dogs so they can really grasp what’s happening when it comes to their behaviour.”

Learn more about Heather’s work and training tips, and buy her book, at beyondthebreed.co.uk.