From a hungry hamster to a windy dog: the questions about your pet are answered

HE is on a mission to help our pets. . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, head veterinarian at custom pet food company tails.com, has been helping owners with questions for a decade.

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He says, “If your pet is acting strange or sick, or you want to know more about diet or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”

Q) HOW MUCH can hamsters cram into their cheeks?

Should I worry about my hamster Libby’s cheek pouches bursting?

Sometimes she looks ready to burst.

Kate Adams, Barnsley

A) They are quite impressive little hoarders, and I know what you mean when you say she looks ready to burst.

Realistically, there is nothing we can do to stop them from filling their cheek pouches and storing food.

That is of course hoarding behavior.

So just keep an eye on Libby and make sure she can empty them again.

Signs of constipation include rubbing her face, scratching it, or gagging as if she is vomiting, which is really nothing more than squeezing the cheek pouches to try to empty them.

If she seems to have a blockage for more than a few hours, I recommend taking her to the vet, but rest assured, this is rare.

Q) WHY do some dogs tense their legs to pee and others don’t?

My three-year-old miniature poodle Mikey doesn’t peck and occasionally he even does a handstand.

Is there something wrong with him? He’s always been like that.

Kate Brown, Middlesbrough

A) Did you know that some men sit on the toilet to urinate? I know – shock horror.

We all have our quirks and preferences, and dogs are exactly the same. Every dog ​​is different.

Maybe Mikey is a splash and wants to keep his coat clean and dry, maybe his hormones don’t cause stereotypical male behavior when it comes to marking territory.

You don’t mention whether he has been neutered, which could affect this.

Or maybe he falls firmly into the “my dog ​​is a weirdo” camp and we don’t have to explain it.

Just embrace him for who he is, a beautiful little eccentric.

Q) CAN I give my guinea pigs Mae and Marilyn fruit as a treat?

They absolutely love kiwi, blueberries and strawberries.

But is there too much of a good thing?

How much should they have?

Sam Black, Windsor, Berks

A) A small amount of fruit every now and then is the best approach because fruit is high in sugar and guinea pigs can become obese from excess calories and even develop diabetes from too much sugar in their diet.

The fruits you mentioned are good options because they are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which guinea pigs need in their diet.

Just like humans, they cannot produce this vitamin in their bodies.

The majority of their diet should consist of hay and fresh vegetables, in addition to a high-quality pellet food formulated specifically for guinea pigs.

Q) ARE some dog breeds more gassy than others?

My Staffie Mikey has an unpleasant habit of blowing wind and then looking accusingly at my husband.

Should I Consider Probiotics?

Julie King, Peterborough, Cambs

A) Yes, it is and it’s something we looked at at tails.com in our huge database of British dogs.

Unfortunately, Julie, bull breeds were high on the leaderboard for flatulence.

There are many factors, including genetics, but also diet and perhaps owner propensity in certain breeds.

It’s just a hunch, but I have a theory that Staffie owners may feed their pups a little more human food than other dog owners, because let’s face it, who can resist a Staffie smile.

If it’s really a problem and Mikey cleans the room regularly, you may be able to follow a hypoallergenic diet with digestive support like pre- and probiotics.

Sometimes nutritional intolerances can also play a role.

Star of the week

FAITH the cat has been viewed more than 50 million times online after her miraculous recovery from paralysis.

Amber Rose Beck, 27, from the Saaving Lives charity in Greece, took the moggie to her home in York after being found unable to move.

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Amber Rose and her team fed and cared for Faith, documenting her slow progress in short videos that quickly went viral.

She said, “Faith was completely lifeless.

‘Now she plays and jumps. If you saw her, you would have no idea what she has accomplished.”

See instagram.com/savinglives.

Don’t suffer the pain of losing a pet alone

ALMOST 50 percent of British owners felt they had to suffer in silence after losing a pet, a poll by national animal charity Blue Cross found.

It found that while half were able to discuss their anxiety with loved ones, less than 40 percent were able to talk about it with their boss.

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Most (81 percent) said they could not request leave to grieve, while 67 percent thought it was important for employers to provide support after the death of an animal, the survey of 2,000 owners found.

Blue Cross’ Pet Loss Support (PLS) team is celebrating 30 years of comforting owners.

By 2023, they helped more than 20,000 people through their free helpline, email and web chat, which is available 365 days a year.

Michelle Weller, 48, from Wilts, lost Springer Spaniel Bailey, who collapsed during a walk in 2022.

The 48-year-old nurse said: “Nothing prepares you. PLS took me out of that dark place and just listened. It was a hug during a phone call.”

Diane James, head of PLS, said: “No one should have to go through the pain of losing a pet alone and PLS is here to hold people’s hands when they need it.”

Blue Cross Pet Loss Support is at bluecross. org.uk/pet-loss.