My dog refuses to let me brush her teeth...

My dog’s teeth are quite discoloured, but she won’t let me brush them. How can I clean them?

This discolouration could be tartar which is caused by a build-up of plaque and can lead to gingivitis and tooth decay. Tartar can be removed by descaling the teeth under general anaesthetic and it’s best to take your vet’s advice on whether this is necessary. Daily brushing can help prevent a build-up of plaque but you’ll need to start slowly. Let your dog taste their dog-safe toothpaste first, it tastes like a treat! Gradually build up to applying it with a soft cloth along the gum line and tooth. Eventually you should be able to apply the paste with a finger toothbrush then a proper dog toothbrush. Dental chews and special dental diets (which your vet can advise on) are also useful when combined with tooth-brushing.

I have a five-year-old bunny called Larry and I want to get a friend for him. How can I do this safely?

Being kept alone can cause loneliness and boredom in rabbits, so a companion is ideal. It’s important that your rabbits are well-bonded or they can fight. A neutered male with a neutered female is usually the friendliest rabbit pairing. Once Larry’s neutered, let your new rabbit live close to him by dividing the hutch with mesh or placing a second hutch nearby. Start to swap some of their bedding so that they become familiar with each other’s smells. Once used to one another’s presence, let them meet in a neutral place to avoid territorial behaviour. Several short

meets per day are ideal, but keep an eye on them for signs of scuffles! Gradually increase the time they spend together.

The process can take from hours to months, but you will know they’ve bonded when they start grooming and lying next to each other.

Our 11-month-old cat keeps climbing tall trees and I have to rescue her. How can we stop this?

Cats feel most secure when high up, so your

kitten may be looking for somewhere to escape from things she is finding stressful. She might be finding there are other cats or new experiences, such as the lockdown changes, that are making her more nervous. Make sure there are plenty of high-up hiding places and cat beds that she can safely access if she’s feeling worried. Don’t be too hasty to rescue her – if she is clearly in danger then she will need help, but if left for a short while she should learn that she needs to figure out a way of getting down for herself – especially around feeding time. To find out how to minimise stress in your cat, visit www.pdsa. org.uk/cats.