From intelligent dog to feeding snake – your pet questions 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: WHEN I tell my dog ​​Oreo he's naughty, he runs straight to my husband Peter and then ignores me for the rest of the day.

Are dogs intelligent enough to play their owners against each other?

I have a feeling that's happening.

Steph Carlisle, Edinburgh

Sean says: Maybe not, but dogs develop individual relationships and rules of interaction with members of their pack, whether human or canine.

If you are the bad cop, then it is more pleasant and better to spend time with the good cop.

This is likely an avoidance on Oreo's part rather than pitting you against each other directly.

But indirectly, if it means Oreo gets more hugs and attention from your husband, you may feel like Peter and Oreo have betrayed you and the feeling of distance is increased because it's two against one.

The most important thing in any dog-human household is that people treat their pet consistently, with agreed-upon routines and rules that they apply together.

Dogs thrive when they know what is expected of them.

If one owner applies the rules and the other breaks them or makes exceptions, it can cause problems and confusion.

Question: MY Norwegian Forest Cat Sasha has beautiful long hair, but she hates being brushed.

What can I do to make this a better experience for her – and me?

Mary Morgan, Cardiff

Sean says: Use reward-based training and patient, gradual desensitization to the grooming process.

Sounds simple, right?

But there's really nothing wrong with cats, especially those who have made up their minds about something.

Start slowly and in a calm, stress-free environment.

You won't get a full grooming session in one go, so start with small brushing movements around Sasha's head and neck, where she likes to be petted.

Slowly build up more time to brush, including other parts of the body, with rewards for her favorite foods and lots of praise.

Let her get used to the brush that is there and ask her to come for quick sessions in exchange for treats.

If her coat is already dull and you need to pull the hair or make her feel uncomfortable, it is best to have her professionally groomed first and then continue with the maintenance at home.

Question: SHOULD you feed corn snakes outside their enclosure?

I'm going to buy one for my eight year old son, Ethan.

I read everything so that we do things right.

But there seems to be a big debate online about where to feed them.

What do you recommend?

Mark Thomas, Herne Bay, Kent

Sean says: As far as I can tell, there is no need or reason to put them in another container for feeding.

It makes something simple too complicated.

I had corn snakes as pets when I was younger and used to feed them in their enclosures.

Snakes don't like to be moved or handled in the few days after a big meal, and it can cause reflux, so that's a good reason to start.

You can also use feeding as behavioral enrichment, by hiding the food item in different parts of the room for them to find.

The best advice I have for any reptile owner is to simulate the life they would have in the wild, with a large, complex, enriched enclosure, allowing them to explore new items and furnishings, and a natural temperature gradient to choose where they want to go. be every day.

Feeding should also be part of that stimulation, so be creative.

In the wild its food would be found in its habitat and in captivity this should be no different.

Star of the week

TYSON the Maine Coon is a two-stone cat who thinks he's a DOG.

Owner Karen Murray, from Royston, Herts, said: “Tyson is lead trained and goes for half an hour walks every day.

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“He also does some tricks, including 'paw.' He is a real character.”

Karen, 48, a member of breeder and trainer group Dollzuki Maine Coons, added: “Tyson and our other four Maine Coons have appeared in adverts for Lexus and John Lewis and work with animal talent agency Urban Paws.

“They also visit a local retirement home to cheer up residents.”

• See Dollzuki_Maine_Coons on Insta.

Retrievers go for gold at Crufts

GOLDEN Retrievers are the most popular competitors at this year's Crufts, the Kennel Club has revealed.

The show, which runs from March 7 to 10, is expected to attract 24,000 dog lovers, with 538 retrievers hoping to take home a title.

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This is just ahead of the Labrador with 519 participants and the Cocker Spaniel with 421.

In contrast, only three Belgian Shepherds, three Foxhounds and two Turkish Kangals will compete for the honor.

Fifty countries will have dogs competing in the event at The NEC, Birmingham.

The Netherlands is the top dog in terms of numbers, with 382 in the race for glory.

Show manager Helen Kerfoot said: “Crufts is an iconic British event with a truly international appeal.

“It's a great celebration for dogs, whether it's seeing which breed wins the Best in Show title, watching quick agility, hearing the stories of our Hero Dog Award finalists, seeing Britain's best pets in the Scruffts final, or meet your match in the Discover Dogs area – there's something for everyone.”

The Cocker Spaniel has won the most Best in Shows, with seven titles, followed by the Irish Setter, Poodle and Welsh Terrier who have triumphed four times each.