Watch what they eat

Pets have a tendency to eat all sorts of strange things. And vet charity PDSA has

seen it all – from dogs that have eaten socks and slippers, toys and even a set of dentures to cats who have swallowed a needle and thread or eaten a metal clasp and plastic packaging.

PDSA vet Lynne James says: “It’s common for pets to eat things they shouldn’t. Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs, while cats can get carried away when playing. As owners, we need to make sure the toys and chews they have access to are undamaged, can’t be swallowed and don’t pose a danger if eaten.

“Our pets are intelligent and they like to fill their quiet time by playing with toys. If they’re not given pet-safe toys, they’ll find something else in the home to play with instead, but this can cause problems as it leaves them vulnerable to swallowing something accidentally, potentially causing a blockage or even choking.

“You can reduce the chances of your pet eating something they shouldn’t by training your dog to understand simple commands like ‘leave’ and ‘drop’. That way you can stop them from eating something that might be dangerous, even if you are some distance away.

“Risky items should be kept safely out of reach – you might even need to keep them in a locked cupboard.

“Keep your pets entertained with healthy treats, toys, entertaining games and, for cats,

activity centres such as scratching posts. These all help to keep their minds focused on positive things.

“If your dog is picking up lots of things while out on walks and hasn’t learnt the ‘drop’ or ‘leave’ command yet, you can use a basket muzzle.

“Make sure they’re fed a high-quality, complete life stage-appropriate pet food, but, if you have any concerns about your pet’s behaviour, visit your vet.”

A Dad’s Army sketch featuring Mrs Watt as Captain Mainwaring supported by Margaret Black, Marlyn McGlashan and Isabel Macdonald as the other ranks. Read more above.