How can I stop my dog’s fireworks fear?
MY three-year-old rescued mongrel Dolly is petrified of loud bangs. Last year she messed in the house during the local fireworks display. What can I do to help her? THE best thing to do is to prepare Dolly for loud noises using a gradual desensitisation programme. With patience, she will eventually learn she doesn’t need to be scared of the loud bangs. However, the process can take many months and you may be too late for this year, so I’d suggest setting up a cosy den where she can escape to when she becomes anxious or frightened. Playing background music to mask the bangs, and using a pheromone diffuser can also help. Plan to start preparing her for New Year immediately after Bonfire Night. For more tips, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworks
OUR cat Cyclops has recently started staying out all night; we think it started when the neighbours rescued a female cat. We’ve tried to keep him inside at night, but he cries really loudly and in the end we give in and let him out. What can we do?
I WOULD strongly recommend that you get Cyclops microchipped and neutered. It’s important that he can be safe while exploring as he might be at greater risk of getting lost, not to mention the possibility of fathering unplanned litters! Microchipping will increase the chance of you being reunited if he does wander too far. Neutering should reduce his tendency to follow this female cats. Neutering male cats also has health benefits as it can prevent against certain cancers.
MY guinea pig, Whisper, keeps sneezing. Could she have a cold? Or might it be something more serious? FREQUENT sneezing could indicate an infection. Respiratory diseases are relatively common in guinea pigs and the signs include unusual breathing sounds, sneezing, a discharge from the nose, weight loss, lack of appetite and lethargy. I’d advise making an appointment for Whisper to see your vet as soon as you can because many guinea pigs can become seriously ill if left untreated.
I BOUGHT two rabbits earlier this year, they are kept in a hutch and run outside. I heard that they should be brought
indoors for winter, but my friend says they are fine outdoors. Which is correct?
IN the wild, rabbits would spend much of the winter snuggled up with each other in their burrows, protected from the elements. For our domesticated pals, we need to make sure that we are keeping them cosy too. If you keep them outside, provide extra bedding, cosy hiding places and lay blankets over their hutch (make sure you leave enough gaps for ventilation) to help to keep them protected. Rabbits can usually tolerate low temperatures if owners take these steps, but if the temperature starts to reach freezing then you should move your rabbits’ home in to a shed or garage. It’s important that a garage is car-free as exhaust fumes can be toxic to rabbits.