Persian Kitty won’t let me brush her tummy

MY Persian kitten, Candy, has very matted fur on her tummy but won’t let me brush it. Is it true that she needs to have her tummy shaved?

AS Candy’s tummy is matted, brushing is more painful for her. Shaving might seem extreme but remember fur does grow back! She should be shaved by a vet or professional groomer because the skin can be damaged if it’s done incorrectly. Your vet can check for any problems that might be stopping her from grooming herself properly. Once Candy has had her tummy shaved, daily brushing will prevent this from reoccurring. You can gradually build up her acceptance of grooming; start by just stroking her tummy and slowly moving away before she reacts. Then introduce the brush, ensuring she remains calm and relaxed. By building up slowly over a couple of weeks, Candy should learn grooming is nice.

MY German Shepherd, Aries, has been diagnosed with allergic dermatitis. My vet thinks he could be allergic to my cat! Is this possible?

ALLERGIC dermatitis can make your pet itchy and uncomfortable, and it needs long-term management. Parasites or environmental allergens are common triggers. Although rare, it is possible for your dog to be allergic to cat dander. Most common allergens (like pollen and dust mites) are difficult to avoid completely, so management is mostly focussed around reducing symptoms and exposure. Your vet will be able to prescribe medication to help with itchiness, while bathing Aries in a medicated shampoo can wash away allergens and reduce skin infections. A skin supplement for dogs can help improve the skin barrier against allergens. Providing a separate bed for your cat and keeping on top of vacuuming and laundry may also help keep down allergen levels in the house if cat dander is something your dog reacts to.

MY dog’s been ill and lost a bit of weight recently. I’m worried he’s getting cold on walks. Does he need to wear a dog coat? MOST dogs have enough fur to keep them toasty when it is cold and don’t

need a coat. Wearing clothing they’re not used to can make dogs feel stressed or restricted. However, dogs with thin fur, or dogs that are very young, very underweight, old or unwell can benefit from wearing an appropriate dog coat when it’s cold. These dogs should be taken outside only for short periods during extremely cold weather. A healthy dog with thick fur should be ok outside on a walk without a coat. If you notice a dog is shivering, or seems unusually tired and inactive after being out in the cold, this could a sign of hypothermia so contact your nearest vet immediately. For advice on winter weather, including how to pick and fit the right dog coat, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/ winterwalkies