From house-training a rat to a puppy waking at 4am – 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.”
IS it possible for rats be house-trained like rabbits?
Mine has a cage, but I’d like to let him run around in the house for some exercise. Is this a good idea?
Tom Edwards, Blackpool
Sean says: Unfortunately they can’t be house-trained as reliably as rabbits, who will go in their litter tray at all times.
Rats have their favourite places to pee and poo in a corner of their cage but when free roaming may occasionally leave a little gift behind.
It’s not a reason not to allow them short periods to free roam however.
They are very intelligent creatures and thrive with space to run and interact with you outside their cage.
You may want to limit them to wipe-clean floors for short periods before returning them to their cage to relieve themselves so they don’t form a new favourite toileting location.
I challenge you to try to train your rat to go to the toilet in a litter tray outside their cage.
I think it may be possible with patience and lots of rewards. Let me know how you get on
Got a question for Sean?
SEND your queries to vet@the-sun.co.uk
I HAVE taken on an African grey parrot who has had really bad feather plucking.
I think it’s from loneliness as well as poor diet.
Is there anything I can do foodwise to help Bob get his condition back?
He’s got plenty of stimulation and out-of-cage time and I work from home so he’s not going to be as lonely.
I also have other birds.
Doreen Smith, Exeter
Sean says: Sounds like Bob has landed on his feet with you Doreen.
I’m glad you’ve taken him on and recognised that feather plucking can be due to a complex mix of factors.
Behavioural issues and frustration are just one set of problems, but diet is certainly a crucial element, too.
He needs a good diet for healthy feather regrowth, skin, preen oil and to generally feel well in himself.
Sadly the traditional advice often still knocking around is that pet parrots live their entire lives on commercial parrot seed mixes.
In the wild they would be foraging in huge flocks plus eating a changing diet of plants, flowers, fruit and foods according to the seasons.
Seeds are fattening and wouldn’t be available all year round so they are best used in moderation.
You might need to slowly wean him on to a complete, balanced pellet diet like Harrison’s, who have plenty of great information on their website.
Lots of colourful veg and a small amount of fruit is vital too.
MY six-month-old cockapoo Maple goes to bed at 11pm but wakes between 4 or 5am.
I let her out for a toilet break but then she won’t go back in her crate and just barks if I leave her.
I’ve tried leaving her to cry and bark but she won’t settle.
Any ideas for getting her to sleep through the night please?
Celia Morris, Northampton
Sean says: Tricky one, but if she doesn’t need the toilet and just wants attention and to start her day, then as I see it you have two options.
The first is to ignore the barking because rewarding it will make it persist.
Dogs will go through what’s called an “extinction burst” of behaviour they previously found effective if it stops working.
This means Maple will bark louder and longer initially as you employ tough love and ignore her, but then it will eventually peter out.
If you reward it once, you are back to square one.
The second option is to give her what she wants, which might be at that time of morning coming out of her crate and either sleeping on the bed with you or being allowed to potter about downstairs on her own to start her day.
Star of the week
JED is a Easter bunny who’s the size of a DOG.
Owner Leigh Skipp, 63, of Ripley, Surrey, said the sweet-natured brown and grey Continental Giant rabbit weighs 10kg and is larger than a Cocker Spaniel – but he still loves a hug.
The former veterinary nurse, who takes Jed and her nine other bunnies to shows around the UK, said: “Continental Giants are very much like having a puppy in personality and they’re very affectionate and adore cuddles.
“Jed lives happily alongside our dog and cat – they get along with everyone, whether they have two legs or four.”
WIN: Luxury cat bundles
WE’VE teamed up with Rosewood Pet Products to offer readers the chance to win two luxury cat bundles worth more than £130.
The prizes include an activity tree, an activity carpet and treats and accessories from Rosewood’s Cat Naturals range.
To enter, send an email headed ROSEWOOD PET to: sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by April 23.
See rosewoodpet.com. T&Cs apply.
KEEP EASTER FUN SAFE FOR YOUR PETS
ANIMAL experts have warned owners to keep pets away from Easter treats.
Chocolate, roast dinner, hot cross buns, bouquets and small plastic toys can all harm cats and dogs.
Dr Karlien Heyrman, from Pets At Home, said: “Easter is a big family celebration but many of the treats we enjoy as humans can be dangerous to our pets.
“Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can be toxic to animals.
“Hot cross buns can also be dangerous as raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.
“Easter bouquets may look pretty, but tulip, hyacinth, and daffodil flowers and bulbs are highly toxic for both dogs and cats and lilies are highly toxic for cats.
“Small toys, often found in children’s Easter eggs, could be a choking hazard for pets, too.” Dr Heyrman said: “If you think your pet has eaten something poisonous, contact your vet immediately.”
She added: “Our Easter range at petsathome.com has been designed using pet-safe ingredients to ensure our pets can enjoy the festive celebrations without coming to harm.”
The range includes an Easter egg hunt for dogs and a dandelion-flavoured egg for rabbits.