Should I reduce dog’s walks when it’s cold?

Ask the vet

Should I reduce my dog’s walks during the really cold weather?

Fit and healthy adult dogs usually cope well with cold weather, but if they have short or thin fur then a dog coat might be a good idea. If your dog starts shivering that’s a sign that they’re too cold, and you should bring them into the warmth straight away. Even the fittest dogs can struggle in deep snow and icy conditions, so you may need to adjust exercise routines to suit the conditions. For older dogs or puppies, really cold weather can be dangerous for them, so aim for shorter walks several times a day rather than one long outing. If your dog is sick or unwell then it’s best to limit their outdoor time to short, supervised toilet breaks.

My long-haired cat Gloria gets very grumpy when I try to groom her. What can I do to make the process a bit easier?

Firstly, check Gloria’s fur closely; if it’s very matted, it’s likely to be painful and she won’t tolerate grooming. Speak to your vet; she may need to be sedated so that the fur can be clipped and groomed painlessly. Once her coat is knot-free, you will need to retrain Gloria to enjoy grooming. Take things slowly, if Gloria will tolerate a light touch with the brush, reward her with a healthy treat, repeat daily until she relaxes. Next step, gently move the brush across her for a few days, again rewarding calm behaviour. By building up slowly like this over a period of a few weeks, you should eventually be able to groom Gloria.

In the last three weeks a lump has developed under the skin on my

Labrador William’s neck. He’s eating and drinking normally, and doesn’t seem to be in pain. Due to lockdown I’m not sure if he really needs to see a vet, can you advise?

While many lumps are nothing to worry about, some can be more serious, so you should contact your vet to get this checked. As essential services, vets have remained open during the lockdowns, many are offering phone or video appointments for non-emergencies such as this. Your vet will check the appearance and size of the lump, they may ask you how it feels. Dated photos can help them to determine how quickly it’s growing. If your vet thinks

William needs to be seen face-to-face they will advise you what to do.

I’ve noticed that my rabbit’s nails are quite long, can I cut them myself?

If you have never cut a rabbit’s nails before I would usually recommend getting a vet or vet nurse to cut them the first time, and they can show you how to do it yourself in future. However this may not be possible in the current lockdown – check your local vet’s website to see what services they’re able to offer. If you can’t get to a vet then you can buy rabbit nail clippers, and I’d recommend getting someone else to hold your rabbit still (but not on their back) while you clip them.

It’s important not to cut the claws too short and into the vein, which can then bleed and be painful.