PET SUBJECTS

Vet has the answers

I am thinking about adopting my first dog. I like the look of terriers or spaniels. What’s the best way to find one that suits me?

It’s great that you are thinking about this carefully: too many people get a dog without considering the long-term consequences. A dog will consume your time, energy and money, which is fine as long as you have enough of each of those to spare, not just this year, but for 10-15 years into the future. For a general guide, see bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/ choosing-the-right-dog. To get specific, visit a good rescue centre, explain your circumstances to the staff, and they will help to match you to the perfect pooch.

My mum is an almost completely blind, arthritic octogenarian who lives on her own with a very determined but wonderful cat. Do you know of any aids or supports that would help her to administer medication to the cat when he needs it?

LT, YORKSHIRE

International Cat Care gives prizes every year to manufacturers that create new formulations of medication that are easy to give to cats (https://icatcare. org/cat-campaigns/easy-give). These include tasty oral medications, spot-on drops, and extra-long-acting injections. Also, talk to The Cinnamon Trust (cinnamon. org.uk), which has a national network of more than 15,000 community service volunteers who provide practical help with any aspect of day-to-day pet care for elderly people.

AVOID EMERGENCY VET CALL-OUTS THIS CHRISTMAS

A survey by Protectivity Insurance found that almost two thirds (62 per cent) of dog owners will give their pets some cooked Christmas dinner, with a fifth (20 per cent) cooking their pooch their own Christmas meal. Don’t forget that overindulgence leading to gastric upsets is a common cause of emergency vet call-outs at Christmas: it’s safest to not give more than 10 per cent of their daily meal as something different to their normal diet.

RESCUE PET

Handsome Jack is a threeyear-old lurcher. Visit danaheranimalhome.org.uk or call 0300 111 4321. To view outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/ rescues