PDSA Weekly Q&A

Dear PDSA, I have a cat called Zigzag, however I would like to make my garden friendlier to wildlife, how can I do this so it is still cat-friendly? Jacqui 

Hi Jacqui, making your garden wildlife-friendly is great for the environment. If you want to create spaces to attract birds or feeding stations to attract wildlife, make sure they are high up or in areas Zigzag and other cats can't reach. Some garden plants can be toxic to pets, be sure to check if a plant is pet-safe before planting. Avoid plants like daffodils, tulips and lilies, instead consider letting the grass grow a bit longer and planting sunflowers and herbs such as basil or sage. Ponds are great for wildlife and can entice many visitors to your garden, but they can be a hazard for curious cats! Keep a pond fenced off with a guard over the top.  

Dear PDSA, I've noticed my dog Zeus seems to have an unusual habit – he likes to eat his own poo! I've never known a dog to do this, anything I should know or do? JJ 

Hi JJ, Zeus is not alone in this, as dogs can and do eat their own poo. Most dogs tend to eat poo out of habit, hunger, stress, or boredom. If you are feeding a complete and balanced diet then it's very rarely due to a medical problem or something lacking in their diet. The best way to Zeus eating his poo is by distracting him and giving him something better to do, for example rewarding him with his favourite treat or toy when he responds to you calling him away from the poo. If this is a recently new problem though and is unusual for Zeus, then do speak to your vet. More information on this can be found, here: www.pdsa.org.uk/dogs-eating-poo  

Dear PDSA, I recently lost my 19-year-old cat Simba, and it's so hard for me to come to terms with as Simba's been around for the majority of my life. How can I cope with losing her? Freddie 

Hello Freddie, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of Simba. The grief of losing a pet can feel very overwhelming, with so many mixed and confusing emotions to manage. Although grief is painful and hard, please know that your feelings are normal, and reflect the special bond you had with Simba. There's no right or wrong way to cope with losing a pet, but take your time to work through your grief in whatever way feels right to you and consider speaking to friends and family when you feel ready. Everyone works through grief at their own pace, but eventually the pain will ease, and you may even be able to remember those happy memories. Don't be afraid to reach out for further support and there's more advice on our website: www.pdsa.org.uk/bereavement  

Dear PDSA, my Labrador puppy, Arthur is still young but overexcited and seems overstimulated by everything new, is there anything I can do to help him with this? Thanks Liana 

Hi Liana, the world is a new, big and exciting place for young dogs, and there's so much for them to learn and explore. There are a few things you can try to help with overstimulation. Firstly, any form of positive reward-based training is great for not only your dog's body but also their mind as it keeps them active and engaged. Remember any treat-based training should be factored into their usual food intake, so if you use 10% for treats, then take out 10% less of their usual food. You can also go on scent-based walks, letting Arthur have plenty of time stop and sniff will give him the opportunity to explore all of the new and interesting smells out there. You can find more about keeping Arthur happy and healthy, here: www.pdsa.org.uk/dogs