It’s barking mad to wash your pet dog all the time
Ask the vet
MY dog gets muddy when we go on long walks, but I’ve heard that they shouldn’t be washed too regularly. How often should I bathe him?
BATHING and washing your dog too frequently can remove beneficial oils from their fur. A rinse with plain water won’t strip the oils and will work fine if it’s just mud. As long as you towel them dry and make sure they don’t get cold your dog won’t be ill-affected. It can be good to bathe your dog if they get dirty or smelly but make sure to use dog shampoo rather than shampoo intended for humans. If owners want to bathe their dogs more frequently, I would recommend doing this no more than once a month. Regular grooming (brushing) is more important than bathing for maintaining a healthy coat; depending on your dog’s coat length and texture this may need to be done every day, week or just a couple of times a month.
MY hamster seemed to ‘faint’ the other day. What could have caused this, and what should I do if it occurs again?
YOUR hamster may have been having a seizure. Signs can range from seeming as though they are hypnotised, to serious seizures lasting for several minutes or even hours. Stressful experiences, such as being handled if they’re not fully tame or being introduced to a new living environment, can bring on the fits. The condition can be inherited, so affected hamsters shouldn’t be bred from. Inherited seizures in hamsters usually start at around two months of age and last until six months of age. I would recommend minimising all
unnecessary stimulation (e.g. keeping your hamster’s home in a quiet, undisturbed place) until you can get them checked by your vet and if it happens again, take a video for your vet to see. Your vet can also check for any underlying conditions like low blood sugar or an ear infection and help you with any treatment or support your hamster needs.
MY cat Jasper was recently diagnosed with kidney problems by the vet, and has been put on a low protein diet. He doesn’t seem to mind this, but there’s not much variety. Are there any other low protein foods I can give him?
SPECIAL veterinary diets are often recommended for cats with kidney problems, because they help to extend the life of cats living with the disease quite considerably. These diets contain lower levels of phosphorous, protein and sodium so that the kidneys don’t have to work so hard. Variety is more likely to be important to people than pets, and most cats and dogs seem happy to receive the same nutritious food every day. Cats can sometimes struggle if their food is changed around too much, so, if Jasper is eating his food well, you shouldn’t worry about wanting to give him something different. If you find he isn’t eating well, this may be because the kidney disease is making him feel poorly, so it’s best to make an appointment to see your vet. But if he just doesn’t like one brand of food, your vet can also advise you on alternatives; there are several different kidney-supporting diets they can recommend.