Simone Maher Q&A
Animal Welfare League NSW veterinarian DR SIMONE MAHER gives her practical tips
Trying to figure out answers and solutions to our pets’ strange behaviour can be tiring and, at times, downright frustrating! Here, AWL vett and Purina Beyond ambassador dor Dr Simone Maher shares her simple advice on dealing with some of the most common animal woes – from gulping down their dinner to coping with the clap of thunder.
1 If your pet eats too fast
“Just like humans, some pets love their food and eat far too fast,” Simone says. “This can lead to vomiting, and removes a lot of the stimulation pets derive from eating.” If you have a “gulper”, try turning their bowl upside down and put the food in the “moat” part – it’s trickier for them to get it out, so they’ll eat slower. “Provide some of their food in an interactive way: a toilet roll ‘bonbon’ or an empty milk carton,” adds Simone. “Two benefits in one – slower eating and a way of keeping your pet occupied!”
2 If your pet is struggling to stomach new food
Because an animal’s gut microbiome – which helps break down food in the digestive system – becomes accustomed to a specific diet, it can struggle to adapt if, for example, your vet puts your dog or cat on a new diet. “Taking seven to 10 days to transition to a new food will help avoid tummy upsets,” advises Simone. “Slowly increase the proportion of new food mixed with the existing food over this period, until only the new diet is fed by day 10.”
3 If your pet freaks out during stormy weather
We’ve ’ all experienced this with pets at one time or another, so how do we keep them calm before the storm (pardon the pun)? “Long before the thunder and lightning begin, storm-phobic animals become increasingly agitated and distressed as the barometric pressure drops,” Simone says. “Ensuring your pet has a safe, secure place to retreat is essential. A covered crate ate with distractions such as a favourite chew toy or treat, soft music playing aying and keeping your own behaviour our calm and quiet can all be helpful. Some animals may require behavioural aids or medication from m your vet if their phobia is particularly extreme.”
4 If your pet’s food is overrun by ants
These pesky bugs often seem to come from nowhere, but they can ruin your animal’s perfectly good meal. “The safest and most reliable method I have found is putting the food bowl in a larger, shallow bowl or litter tray of water to create a ‘moat’ around it,” says Simone. “Feeding your pets smaller amounts two or three times a day may also help ensure food stays fresh and is not left lying around.”
5 If you don’t know how much to feed your pet
Simone suggests starting with a reputable brand of pet food where the focus is on nutritional requirements. “Purina Beyond, for example, uses simple, recognisable ingredients to meet these needs,” she says. “Use the guide on the back of the pack as a starting point, and learn how to monitor your dog’s body condition. You don’t want a walking coffee table: you should see a waist tuck and be able to feel ribs on palpation. If you’re not sure, drop by your local vet where you can get some tailored advice.”