Vet Pete Wedderburn has the answers
Would a springer spaniel be too old to breed at 11 years of age? She is very healthy but has never had pups and she’s so lovely that I’d like a younger version of her.
SC, TAMWORTH
Technically, your dog may be able to become pregnant and have pups, but she’s in late middle age now, and there would be a seriously increased risk of major complications for herself and for the pups. First pregnancies beyond six years of age are high risk and I’m afraid I must advise that it is better to avoid them. Even with a young dog, breeding as an amateur is far more complicated than many people expect: anyone who is considering this course of action should first read Canine Reproduction: The Breeder’s Guide by Phyllis Holst (Alpine Publications, 2011).
I’m doing Veganuary this year and after checking all my own shopping to make sure there are no animal ingredients, it feels a bit wrong to still buy meat-based products for my two terriers and my cat. Can vegan or vegetarian pet food provide adequate nutrition for them?
LR, ROMNEY
A wide range of nutritionally complete and balanced vegetarian and vegan diets for dogs are now commercially available. A novel “non-meat” dog diet, made from insect larvae, has also been launched recently (see yorapetfoods. com). However, cats are what is known as “obligate carnivores”, and while non-meat diets are possible if the right supplements are added, there’s a real risk of serious nutritional deficiencies. You’d need to talk to your vet in detail before considering this. Read this fact sheet: pfma.org.uk/ vegetarian-diets-factsheet
BE DOG SMART WITH DOGS TRUST
As the new school term gets under way, Dogs Trust is offering primary schools free “Be Dog Smart” workshops to help children understand dogs and ensure they can live together safely and happily at home. To find out more, visit learnwithdogstrust.org.uk/ safety
RESCUE PET
Mozart is a loving and charismatic five-year-old terrier. He loves spending time with the people he knows best. Call Wood Green, The Animals Charity on 0300 303 9333 or visit woodgreen.org.uk
To view outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/ rescues
Send queries to petsubjects@ telegraph.co.uk or tweet @ PeteTheVet. All sick animals should be taken to a vet