Who can I trust to look after my pets?

I’m going away on holiday soon and I’m worried about my pet budgies. Are there any special companies that could look after them for me, or is it just as good to let a friend or neighbour look after them?

It’s important to make sure that our pets are properly cared for when we’re away and they’re often best kept in their own home, as birds can become very stressed with change. You could ask a reliable friend or neighbour to pop round twice daily to care for them, but being social birds they may prefer to have company for longer. Consider a pet sitter who will come to live in your house while you are away, and look for one with experience in caring for birds. The National Association of Registered Pet Sitters has members who will look after pets (including birds) while you’re out of town.

Do my pet guinea pigs need grooming, or will they mostly do this themselves?

Grooming helps to keep coats in tiptop condition, while also being a useful opportunity to check your piggies coat and skin for parasites or skin conditions, plus it’s a great way to bond with them. Shorthaired guinea pigs should be groomed once or twice a week, but longhaired breeds will need daily brushing. Brush in the direction that your guinea pigs’ coat normally grows. You can also remove any loose hairs without using a brush by moistening your hand slightly and running this over their coat. Just remember to wash your hands thoroughly after doing this technique! If the hair is quite matted, it’s best to take them to your vet for a trim.

My ferret spends a lot of his time outside in grassy areas and appears to have picked up ticks and fleas. I have a kitten too, can I use the same flea treatment on my ferret?

Ticks and fleas are quite common in ferrets that have been out in the countryside, but luckily they are easily treated when caught early. It’s best to treat your ferret as soon as possible, because fleas can cause itchiness, fur-loss and even result in skin infections or anaemia in serious cases, while ticks can spread diseases. Make sure whichever product you use has been designed for use in ferrets. Take your ferret to the vet so that they

can advise you on the best product for both your pets.

I recently noticed that my dog has injured his claw. I’ve been taking care of his wound at home by cleaning it daily, but is there anything else I can do for him?

Claw injuries can be surprisingly painful for dogs, so get your dog checked over by your vet. Even small wounds could be in danger of developing an infection due to any exposed skin or nail quick, which could cause longer-term problems and pain for your dog. Your vet will be able to properly examine the affected area and decide whether your dog needs any medication, such as painkillers and antibiotics. They may also need to clip the claw off completely in order to aid the healing process.