From taking your dog on holiday to walking ferrets — 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) WE want to take our dog on a camping holiday to France — she’s not gone before and it’s a long journey.
Any tips to make it as smooth as possible?
She’s had her rabies, flea, worming, and all her jabs are up to date.
Leah James, Exeter
MORE PAWS & CLAWS
Sean says: First off, build up her tolerance and enjoyment of going on car journeys to make that aspect less stressful.
Lots of reward-based training and positive associations with the car should help.
Second, check on the government website what exactly you need to do and in what timescale for any country you are thinking of bringing your dog to.
Some guidelines for France differ from other countries.
And get in touch with your vet well ahead of time — a month before if possible — to discuss getting her the animal health certificate now required for travel.
Preparation is key, as the whole process has become so much more complex in recent years.
Got a question for Sean?
SEND your queries to vet@the-sun.co.uk
Q) MY cat hisses at the vets and they have to wear gauntlets to avoid getting scratched to pieces.
She scratches me as well.
Is there anything I can do to calm her?
It’s so stressful for everyone involved.
Emma Potter, Newquay, Cornwall
Sean says: This isn’t ideal and is more common than you think, so don’t worry or stress out yourself.
WIN SCENT PACKAGE
Aroma Care Solutions tackles the pong that pets sometimes make.
The firm is offering 14 readers the chance to win its brand new Bio one pet odour remover and refresher starter pack bundle, each worth £18.95.
It eliminates bad smells, cleans up any mishaps, beats bacteria and leaves behind a lemon, orange and neroli scent.
For a chance to win, email sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk, headed AROMA CARE, by August 14.
See Terms/conditions apply.
Covid spark rehoming surge
SOARING numbers of baby guinea pigs, rabbits and kittens need new homes, after owners were unable to get pets neutered in the pandemic, charity Blue Cross has revealed.
Latest figures from the group, which is celebrating its 125th birthday, show that in 2021 there was a 23 per cent increase in rabbits and guinea pigs needing new homes compared to the year before – and the upward trend is continuing.
The charity is also seeing a rise in kittens needing homes, who are either found as strays or have come from unplanned litters.
A spokesman said: “Blue Cross has seen a rise in the number of small pets needing to be rehomed – particularly more litters of baby pets.
“This is likely due to owners not being able to get pets neutered during the pandemic, and people taking on a small pet may not have realised that siblings will mate and that their pets may not have been sexed properly by the seller.”
Blue Cross has seen a 26 per cent increase in people seeking help now compared to 2018.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Bill Bailey, who has rescued parrots, cockatoos, ducks, chickens and two dogs from Bali, dressed as a Pearly King to recreate photos from 125 years ago to celebrate the charity’s anniversary.
Read More on The Sun
Read More on The Sun
He said: “Congratulations Blue Cross on reaching your milestone.”
Since its formation, the charity estimates it has positively affected around 38million people’s lives.
