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#BestForPets
My Cocker Spaniel has started to get quite gunky ears, especially when we’ve been out in the countryside for a walk – is this normal? Dogs with hairy, floppy ears like Spaniels are definitely more prone to dirty ears and often benefit from regular cleaning to keep on top of this. If this is a new problem I’d recommend a check-up with your vet initially so they can make sure there’s no infection, and check the
My cat never eats a full pouch of food and then demands more. I give him half a pouch at a time as he instantly regurgitates it if I don’t. He’s the right weight and size at 5kg, is he just greedy? Like a lot of us, cats can definitely suffer from having eyes bigger than their bellies! Feeding smaller meals is ideal to avoid it being wolfed down and brought back up, and some cats get on better with a dry diet. Slow feeder bowls can also help as they make it harder to eat quickly. If he’s vocalising and bothering you after having enough to eat consider initialising play or grooming him, as sometimes we just assume food is what they’re asking for.
ear drums are intact before you put cleaners down the ear. They can also show
you how to clean the ears effectively and recommend the right frequency.
My dog has started chewing the sofa and occasionally peeing on the floor whenever I go out. I’ve recently gone back to working in the office from working from home. I’m worried she’s missing me – is there anything I can do? This sounds like separation anxiety, probably due to a sudden change in routine. Your dog needs to learn that it’s OK to be on her own, though this can be easier said than done. Try leaving her for regular short periods, and using a radio for noise and distractions like stuffed Kong-type toys while you’re gone. If she’s chewing things that could harm her consider crate training. If she’s still struggling with being alone it’s worth seeking the help of an accredited behaviourist as the worse the problem gets the harder it will be to remedy, but with the right approach your dog can learn to look forward to some alone time!
I’m thinking of bringing my outdoor rabbit in over the winter months, but I’m not sure how best to go about it – do you have any advice? This is a great idea, especially if temperatures are due to drop. I’d recommend an indoor cage but it’s important to allow time out of this for your rabbit to run, jump and stretch. Most rabbits can be litter-trained meaning letting them have free run of a room is also an option. Rabbits are voracious chewers however, so make sure electric cables and houseplants are kept well out of reach!
Provided by Shula Berg
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