Fears over cat being hit by a car at night

I worry about my cat being hit by a car during the dark evenings. Would a reflective cat collar be a good idea?

In an ideal world we would advise keeping your cat indoors at night, but cats love to be out hunting at dusk, so this can be difficult. When keeping cats indoors in the evenings, keep them active and prevent boredom by providing toys and games that mimic their natural hunting instincts.

You can gradually bring your cat’s feeding time forward in the day to make sure they’re in at dusk, which is a dangerous time for cats. If you choose to use a reflective collar, be sure to use one with a quick release buckle to prevent him from getting caught up.

My guinea pig Ralf’s long-haired coat is full of knots; how can I get rid of them? Long-haired guinea pigs can get matts in their coat easily. It’s probably best to contact your vet or veterinary nurse who will be able to remove any knots safely.

We’d then recommend popping along to your local pet store to pick up some grooming equipment – the staff will be happy to help you choose the most appropriate brushes and combs for Ralf.

It’s best to groom his coat on a daily basis to prevent any more knots forming.

I have noticed that dogs tend to walk up to have a sniff at you and cats sometimes nuzzle up to you. I would like to know what the reason is for this type of behaviour.

Dogs are very inquisitive and have a great sense of

smell, much stronger than ours. They love to have a good sniff to find out who you are. Your own pets will be checking for scents to see where you’ve been and who you’ve met along the way!

Cats have scent glands on each side of the forehead, the chin, lips and alongside the tail, which they use as a means of communication. They will rub themselves on furniture and people leaving their scent and laying claim to these things in their home.

When my cat returns after a night on the prowl, she meows very loudly through the house until she finds us – it’s she’s announcing her arrival back in the

house, which can be a bit annoying at 4am! How can we stop this? Cats are what’s called ‘crepuscular’ – which means they’re more active during dawn and dusk – which is when their prey are active, so they’ll spend their nights hunting.

Your cat may be announcing her arrival and feels pleased with her hunting efforts during the night. It may be helpful to use a pheromone diffuser in the home so when she returns she feels calm and more relaxed.

Changing her meal times might alter her routine, so that she goes out later and comes home at a more acceptable time. If the behaviour continues, contact your vet for advice so they can check in case your cat’s unwell. Once you’re happy that your cat’s well, an accredited cat behaviourist can offer great advice https://www. apbc.org.uk.