From a cat who likes walkies to a horse being bitten – your pet queries answered
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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Sean helps a reader whose cat like to go for walkies
Credit: Getty
Q) MY three-year-old cat Brian likes going for walkies.
He follows me on my two-mile morning walk across fields just like a dog.
I have tried to discourage him but he is stubborn, and locking him in doesn't seem fair.
He insists on tagging along. Is that normal?
Mikey Scott, Plymouth, Devon
A) It is normal for some cats, yes, though I agree it's a bit more like dog behaviour.
But every pet is different, with their own quirks and eccentricities.
I don't see a big problem here as long as he is not being exposed to the danger of roads or being out in the open with nowhere to run if an aggressive off-lead dog caught sight of him for example.
It's a wonderful way for you and Brian to bond.
Q) WHAT can I do to prevent the discolouration on the fur of my white poodle Misty where her eyes run?
I'm a property expert, here are the five key things when moving with a pet
I've had her eyes checked and they are fine.
Maggie Peters, Birmingham
A) This is very common in white dogs and Poodles, Bichons, Maltese, as well as in breeds with shorter skulls or protruding eyes such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu and so on.
The reddish-brown discoloration is caused by a compound in tears called porphyrin. It leaves a stain on the coat if there is an excess of tears or prolonged contact time.
It is usually due to the tear duct not draining the eye of tears as efficiently as it could, resulting in tears spilling over the eyelids onto the face.
Wipes and products can be used to clean the hair around the eyes regularly and dissolve the stains.
Q) I DREAD summer as every year Molly, my horse, suffers with horse fly bites.
I shield her head and body with a net or coverings, use fly deterrent and bring her in early in the evenings when they are most active.
There is no dung nearby or stagnant water. But her grazing is near a river which I think doesn't help.
Last year I tried citronella shampoo which helped a bit. Is there any other preventative treatment I can try?
Sarah Steel, Lincoln
A) I can feel your frustration and concern. If there is one creature in the entire world that gives me the heebie jeebies it is horse flies.
You are doing virtually all the right things. Light-coloured rugs, nets and clothing are advised as the insects are attracted to large dark objects.
I might look into changing her grazing to be far away from the river, as aquatic environments tend to attract more biting insects, and horse flies in particular need boggy, marshy ground and water courses to complete their lifecycle.
Q) HOW often should ferrets be bathed?
My husband has two — Pepper and Pickles — and he says brushing is more important than bathtime as it keeps them healthy and prevents hairballs.
But I'm not so sure.
Kim Greenwood, Carlisle
A) There's no right or wrong answer here.
Some owners bathe their ferrets regularly to tackle their distinctive odour, whereas some love the aroma and never bathe them.
Your husband is correct in that brushing will probably do more to prevent them ingesting moulting hair and potentially developing hairballs, which can be very serious, even fatal.
You can also get hairball reduction paste from your vet clinic which can be very useful in spring and autumn when ferrets heavily moult.
Star of the week
MANCHESTER puss Egg was dubbed 'grumpy cat', but has undergone a personality transplant after being rescued.
Two-year-old Egg was known for her prickly demeanour, steely glare, and staunch refusal to tolerate cuddles, claw clipping, or any form of grooming.
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Manchester puss Egg was dubbed 'grumpy cat' but has undergone a personality transplant after being rescued
Credit: Supplied
But now, thanks to the patience and love of her new owners and a new calming supplement she's purr-fectly content and loves pamper sessions.
Owner marine biologist Jeni Sage, 35, of Manchester, said: 'She's gone from a cat who would hiss and hide at the first hint of affection, to one that curls up next to me on the sofa for a cuddle.
'It's been such a heartwarming journey.'
WIN: Portable pet washing device
THE award-winning Mud Daddy Portable Washing Device is perfect for cleaning your pets – even horses!
The eco-friendly and efficient design uses water pressure instead of a motor.
We have two Mud Daddy 8 Litre Portable Washing Device Bundles worth over £155 each to giveaway.
To enter send an email headed MUD DADDY to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by June 1.
Visit muddaddy.co.uk.
T&C's apply.
BUSHY MOGGIES ARE MAINE ATTRACTION
MAINE Coons are the country's favourite cat, Pets4Homes has revealed.
The laidback moggies were the most searched for kitties of the past year, followed by Savannah, Oriental, Siberian and Siamese.
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Maine Coons are the country's favourite cat, Pets4Homes has revealed
Credit: Getty
It comes after Goldendoodles were revealed to be the most popular dog for the third year in a row.
Famous owners of Maine Coons include rapper Megan Thee Stallion and actors Jessica Alba and John Cleese.
Axel Lagercrantz, CEO at Pets4 Homes.co.uk said: 'The popularity of exotic cats like the Maine Coon shows how we're thinking about pets as a way to make a statement.
'These breeds are more than just companions – they are unique, striking creatures that serve as conversation starters.
'The Maine Coon, with its majestic size and bushy tail, speaks to the growing trend of selecting pets that not only have personality but also stand out visually.'
A number of Maine Coons have also gone viral on Instagram, due to their striking appearance including gentle giant Zeus, who has 423,000 followers and Mr ViVo, who has 477,000 followers.
Axel added: 'Ultimately, our pets have become a reflection of our values, priorities and identities in a world that is increasingly interconnected.'
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Justin Timberlake reveals secret health battle and confesses symptoms have been 'relentlessly debilitating' on tour "But I also felt a lot of guilt for being the one person in the family who didn't understand what they were going through." Gigi added, "It's hard when your whole family is in pain and you don't know what to do." Avril Lavigne 11 Avril Lavigne admitted she was left bedridden for five months Credit: Getty The Sk8ter Boi singer first revealed that she was suffering from Lyme disease back in 2015. She told People Magazine that she had been battling with symptoms for a year as she admitted, "I had no idea a bug bite could do this. Avril previously explained how she was even left 'bedridden for five months.' In 2019, she told the outlet that her charitable foundation was working with various organizations dedicated to fighting Lyme disease. Whilst insisting she was well again, she added, "It gave me a purpose, and made me find myself all over again. 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Justin Bieber 11 Fans thought Justin may have been on drugs due to concerning images, but he was just midway through battling the condition Credit: GC Images In July 2019, fans of Justin Bieber became concerned by a photo circulating the internet. Whilst many speculated that he was on drugs, in January 2020 he explained that it was actually taken at the worst point of suffering with the condition. On Instagram, he admitted, "While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s-, on meth etc. they failed to realize I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. "It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever." Shania Twain 11 Country star Shania Twain suffers from vocal problems due to dysphonia Credit: Getty The singer is known for hits such as That Don't Impress Me Much and You're Still The One. However, she has secretly faced vocal problems because of dysphonia, which is a result of Lyme disease. She has been forced to both regain and retune her voice over the years due to the condition. She previously told People Magazine, "I was very scared for a little while that I wouldn't sing again, ever. "I went through that moment, but I found a way. I found a way to do it." Shania now has to do lengthy warmups and 'very difficult' physical therapy when she uses her voice. Ben Stiller 11 Hollywood actor Ben admitted the disease is still in his system Credit: Getty In 2010, the Meet The Parents actor was diagnosed with the disease after a trip to Nantucket in Massachusetts. A year later he told The Hollywood Reporter, "I'm symptom-free now, but Lyme doesn't ever leave your system." Ben added, "It's a really tough thing." Alec Baldwin 11 Alec Baldwin thought he could die from the effects Credit: Getty The former SNL star took to the stage at the LymeAid gala dinner for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, where he was also the Master of Ceremonies. During the evening, Alec was very candid about his battles with the medical condition. He admitted, "I really thought this is it, I'm not going to live, I was alone, I wasn't married at the time, I was divorced from my first wife. "I was lying in bed saying, 'I'm going to die of Lyme disease,' in my bed and 'I hope someone finds me and I'm not here for too long.'" Kelly Osbourne 11 Kelly Osbourne was bitten by a tick at a birthday party thrown for her dad Ozzy Credit: Getty The former reality TV star is known for her presenting roles on Fashion Police and Project Runway. In 2004, midway through the height of popularity for The Osbournes on MTV, she attended her dad's birthday party. Ozzy had the surprise bash thrown for him to celebrate his 56th birthday, which featured featured a reindeer sanctuary in the family's backyard. However, Kelly was bitten by a tick during the event and would go onto suffer from an array of symptoms. These included a sore throat and stomach pains as she later opened up on the impact of the condition on her life. The former E! star admitted, "I've learned to advocate for myself when it comes to my health, and I trust my intuition." In her memoir, There Is No F*cking Secret: Letters From a Badass Bitch, she continued: "If I think something is wrong, I refuse to let anyone dismiss it. And sadly, I stay the f--- away from reindeer."
