Is it wise to get my ferret a companion

Ask the vet

I have a two-year-old ferret and am thinking of getting another to give him some companionship. I’m worried they might not get on though – what can you advise?

Ferrets need to live with another ferret companion, so it’s good that you are considering this. They are very social animals who love to play, and they can become lonely and stressed if they live by themselves. Littermates who grow up together are often good friends and won’t fight. However, it is also possible to introduce ferrets that aren’t littermates too. This needs to be done over a long period of time and in a neutral place, such as on a walk or in a new play area, before being put into their living accommodation.

My cat Rosie is 10-years-old and has recently started to make horrible smells when she passes wind and seems to be constantly hungry. What could be causing this?

Flatulence is caused by an excessive amount of gas in the intestines. It can be caused by swallowed air or gas produced through fermentation of food. Pets that eat quickly are likely to swallow large amounts of air, but this can be helped by feeding smaller, more frequently portions and removing competition from other pets. Foods that are high in fat, fibre and protein can also make the problem worse. An insatiable appetite can sometimes indicate a problem with the digestive enzymes, causing excessive amounts of undigested food to reach the colon, where bacteria then produces excess gas. I would suggest that you take her along to your vet for further advice.

My two-year-old Dalmatian cross, Jagger, runs inside whenever he spots another dog or a cat in the vicinity. Is there anything I can do to help him?

The first thing I would suggest is trying to improve the fencing around the garden, so that other dogs cannot enter. It may even be possible to stop him seeing into other gardens or the street from your garden, which will make him feel safer. It sounds as though Jagger isn’t very confident around other animals – this is often due to lack of positive experiences with other animals during a puppy’s first few weeks and months of life. Jagger will likely need

professional behavioural help with this. It’s important not to punish or shout at him, as this can make anxiety worse.

We have a four-year-old Cocker Spaniel who is scared of children. We don’t have children ourselves, but when we’re out walking we put her on a lead if we spot children because she will snap at them if they come too close. What can we do?

Dog aggression is very complex. There are many different types and a pet may show more than one. For example, dogs can be anxious or aggressive towards certain people or experiences when they are not socialised and introduced to pets or people when they were puppies. I recommend you discuss this with your vet, who has your dog’s full medical history, to see what they recommend.