From tortoise only eating pellets to terrier struggling in the heat – your pet queries answered

Scottish Sun

12-07-2025

Scroll down to Sean's advice about a 25-year-old cockatiel that has been pulling his feathers out
PAWS & CLAWS From tortoise only eating pellets to terrier struggling in the heat – your pet queries answered
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HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners' queries for ten years.
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Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can 'help keep pets happy and healthy'
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A reader is worried about the eating habits of her tortoise
Credit: Getty
Q) ALTHOUGH I offer him plenty of leafy veg and weeds my tortoise Ron turns his nose up at it.
He only eats tortoise pellets. It's like someone addicted to junk food. Are they enough? What do you suggest?
Helen Maitland, Bexley, Kent
Sean says: Tortoise pelleted food is supplementary to be used in small amounts occasionally. Their diet should mimic what they eat in the wild.
I'm assuming Ron is a common Mediterranean species.
Start with delicious weeds or wildflowers most tortoises cannot resist, such as dandelion flowers. Then reduce the amount of pelleted diet while offering vibrant coloured salads.
Base it on leafy greens, add in flowers like nasturtiums, and perhaps some grated carrot and other colourful vegetables to get his interest.
See The Tortoise Trust (tortoise trust.org) and the British Chelonia Group (britishcheloniagroup.org.uk).
Q) OVER the past few months, my 25-year-old cockatiel has been pulling his feathers out.
It must hurt because Spikey squeals when he's doing it.
World's Oldest Tortoise Jonathan Package - Joe Hollins
Otherwise he's in good condition. He doesn't seem depressed, he's active and at times noisy.
I've tried calcium and toys. Breeders I talk to think it's either age- related or a diet problem.
I've tried changing his seed, giving him more fruit and recommended additives. But nothing seems to work.
He saw a vet and was treated as a precaution for mites, as was his cage.
Brian Palin, Telford, Shrops
Sean says: With his age, I am concerned it could indicate underlying pain. Arthritis in his joints may lead to pain and plucking as a self soothing or frustration behaviour.
Dietary imbalances can cause issues and build over time, so variety and supplements are a good idea.
Ask your vet to prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication trial. If it helps, it may confirm my pain theory.
After that, get an avian specialist vet to run tests.
Q) WITH the hot weather, my nine-year-old terrier Delicie has been vomiting. It is definitely connected to the heat.
What can I do? I have a fan and cooling pads and keep her indoors.
Julie Dowling, Crayford, Kent
Sean says: There are many causes for vomiting in dogs, ranging from stomach problems, dehydration, eating spoiled or unsavoury 'food' through to infections, inflammation or hormonal disease.
But assuming this is due to heat you are on the ball. A fan blowing over a bowl of water with ice cubes will be really cooling. Also provide lots of shade, and water bowls all over the house.
Walkies should only be super early or late at night. If she's vomiting more than a few times a day, becoming dehydrated (her gums will feel tacky), or is restless, lethargic or panting excessively, see the vet.
Q) MY six-year-old daughter Emma wants a pet, but I'm not keen on a cat or dog.
Can you recommend something a bit more interesting than a fish that would be suitable for her age?
Elizabeth Holick, Plymouth, Devon
Sean says: As you will need to help and supervise, due to Emma's age, it needs to be a pet you like too.
Small rodents are too flighty and delicate and rabbits have more complex needs than many assume.
Guinea Pigs are good, fun first pets. They are pretty entertaining, docile and robust to handle.
Or try something less long lived or odd like Giant African Land Snails, Giant Millipedes or Stick Insects.
Star of the week
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Mia the 13-year-old rescue pup makes her Netflix debut in hit series Too Much alongside Megan Stalter
MIA the rescue Chinese Crested pup is a Netflix star who has just made her red carpet debut.
The 13-year-old has a role in hit series Too Much as the pet of the lead character Jessica, played by actress Megan Stalter, who is a workaholic New Yorker who comes to Britain following a break-up and finds herself on the dating scene.
Mia was booked for the part through pet talent agency Urban Paws.
Owner Bev Nicholson, 62, from Peterborough, said: 'Mia took filming in her stride and smashed the red carpet.
'I could not be more proud of my little pocket rocket.'
Layla Flaherty of Urban Paws said: 'Our very own Mia is stealing the spotlight.'
See urbanpaws agency.com
Win: micro-pig adoption pack
HAVE you ever wanted a micro pig but don't have space? Then this is the prize for you.
Kew Little Pigs Farm in Amersham, Bucks, is giving two readers a one-year gold adoption package worth £95.
They will also each get a family ticket to its Alice in Wonderland fun day on August 17, worth £60.
To enter, send an email headed PIGGY to [e-mail] by July 27. See kewlittlepigs.com. T&Cs.
Park 'pee posts' flag up dogs' health
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Owners can check their pet's health this summer via park 'peeing spots'
NEARLY three quarters of people have taken a sickie from work to care for their poorly pet, a new survey has revealed.
A third of Brits (36 per cent) say they wouldn't trust anyone else to look after their sick pet, with 16 per cent admitting to lying to their boss to get time off.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent have cancelled a date to nurse their dog back to health, a fifth (19 per cent) have missed an important event, while 16 per cent have cancelled a holiday.
More than half – 52 per cent – of owners even admit that they care more about their pet's health than their partner's.
The statistics from Tails.com, the experts in tailored dog nutrition, led the brand to provide dog lovers with a simple way to check their pet's health this summer via park 'peeing spots'.
Experts fitted lamp posts in London's Victoria Park with pH tests designed to flag abnormal levels of acid or alkaline in dog urine, both of which can be early indicators of health issues.
Dr Sean McCormack, who is also Tails' head vet, said: 'By making these tests quick and easy for owners, we're helping to catch potential issues early – before they become more serious or harder to treat.'