Remember final summer time, when it emerged that a scruffy blond resident of No 10 couldn’t get a grip on his amorous urges? Nicely, right here’s hoping Dilyn, the Johnsons’ jack russell cross, has since undergone some coaching. As lots of the 3.2 million UK households who acquired a pet throughout the pandemic are discovering, our animals’ behaviour doesn’t all the time replicate properly on us, significantly if we forgot to study a couple of key particulars – like easy methods to take care of them correctly.
Now we’re paying: canine trainers and animal behaviourists are reporting overwhelming surges in curiosity. However whether or not your own home rabbit is undermining your housekeeping efforts or the pekingese is staging post-pandemic protests – don’t panic. Our panel of specialists – from aquatic vets to canine therapists – is right here to assist.
Cats
Since I’ve gone again to the workplace, I hold coming residence to search out that my cat has peed on my mattress. What’s happening?
Defecating and elimination exterior a chosen litter field is an indication of discontentment, speaking that they're both not glad or are harassed by one thing (medical or psychological).
It may be a coping mechanism; leaving scent in varied areas makes them really feel secure. Your first port of name ought to be your vet, to rule out medical issues. Then, contact a behaviourist (attempt the Canine and Feline Behaviour Affiliation) for a house go to. As soon as they've a definitive prognosis they'll set out a plan so that you can observe to resolve this downside.
My (feminine) cat adores my husband however hates me. Is she making an attempt to oust me, and the way can I repair this?
I'm certain your cat doesn’t hate you; she wouldn’t even perceive that emotional state. Cats select their favorite folks for quite a lot of causes, from liking their pure odour, or that individual both sitting within the spot they like or being the one who normally feeds them. Typically, it’s additionally to do with the cat’s background – traumas can alter how they reply to their new guardians. So: easy methods to repair it. Develop into the cat’s solely feeder, begin to play extra together with her, and oust your husband from his favorite armchair. Failing this, you would possibly simply have to just accept your cat prefers his firm. Sorry.
My as soon as docile cat retains making an attempt to nip our child (who, in equity, fairly likes to seize the cat’s tail).
Cats and infants are a fragile steadiness. Infants cry loudly, take away Mum and Dad’s consideration, depart every kind of recent smells across the residence and – sure – wish to seize physique elements. I might spend money on a couple of cat towers or climbers, to assist your cat rise up excessive and out of the attain of tiny fingers. Then your cat can chill out whereas adapting to the small new alien of their territory. Within the meantime, as your child grows, it may be proven easy methods to play gently utilizing lengthy rod toys, mild pats on the again and treats within the hand.
Anita Kelsey, cat behaviourist and creator of Let’s Speak About Cats: Conversations on Feline Behaviour
Canines
I feel my canine could also be sexist. He barks at males, particularly these in hoodies. What can I do?
Whereas not sexist, canine completely can discriminate – fears might be associated to gender, age or pores and skin tone, and normally stem from an early damaging expertise. Begin off by giving him a number of treats each time you see any males at a distance (saving one thing particularly scrumptious for gents in hoodies). He’ll begin to pair the sight of a person with one thing optimistic. Within the meantime, simply keep in mind to maintain loads of house between you and people scary males. Proximity might be constructed up over time.
Final month, we despatched our canine to kennels for the primary time. After we picked him up, he appeared low. I assumed he was sulking however, a month later, I fear he’s depressed. How can we cheer him up?
First issues first – get him checked by the vets to make sure no hidden harm or illness was picked up whereas he was away. Staying someplace new, away from creature comforts and trusted people, might be actually robust. Consider issues he enjoys doing, and attempt to do a couple of of them every single day to spice up his temper. Sniffing, taking part in and chewing are all nice actions for creating feelgood vibes. For subsequent time, it’s value trying right into a trusted residence pet sitter.
How do I cease my labrador scavenging when he’s out strolling, significantly different canine’ poo?
Coprophagia (poo-eating) is certainly one of many much less interesting doggy pastimes. There are a variety of causes for it – poor eating regimen, starvation, boredom and even consideration searching for. It can be a symptom of poor intestine well being, so it’s undoubtedly value getting your canine checked by their vet. It’s additionally vital to construct up his give attention to you and different types of enjoyable. Taking part in video games with meals or toys, alongside engaged on a robust “depart it” cue, will assist handle scavenging.
My rescue canine insists on humping different canine. He’s already been neutered. What to do?
Apparently, humping isn’t all the time associated to sexual exercise. It may be displayed when a canine is harassed, and even be an indication of an underlying well being situation. Within the brief time period, interrupt play commonly (begin with each 20 seconds) to show your canine’s focus away from the opposite canine and in the direction of you or some scattered treats. In case your canine will get simply overexcited throughout play, train him a brand new phrase which means they've to take a look at you in an effort to earn a scrumptious deal with instantly. Begin educating it at residence the place issues are calm, earlier than slowly taking it out into the world of distractions.
Caroline Wilkinson, canine behaviourist, canine yoga practitioner and founding father of digital pet-coaching service, Barket Place
Fish
My goldfish tank smells, regardless of fixed cleansing. Is there an aquatic equal to Febreze?
The vast majority of aquarium smells are because of an extra in natural waste, resembling fish faeces and uneaten meals, and subsequent bacterial blooms. Goldfish are messy creatures and can pollute a tank rapidly if not maintained. Begin by checking water high quality to verify whether or not the filter is satisfactorily processing waste. If waste ranges are excessive, assess your tank for overfeeding and overstocking – as a rule of thumb you must permit 20 gallons (90 litres) per goldfish.
Typically, I like to recommend a partial water change of 20% to 50% weekly, ensuring to siphon the substrate on the backside of the tank the place natural materials collects. The closest and most secure possibility now we have to Febreze is operating activated carbon within the filter unit, which does a superb job at binding odour-causing pollution.
My boyfriend insists our goldfish want stimulation. He buys them new ornaments month-to-month and final week I caught him ‘rearranging their furnishings’. Is he proper?
Fish are way more clever than we give them credit score for. Israeli scientists have simply carried out a examine which discovered that goldfish, in a tank on wheels, had been capable of navigate themselves round a room – an incredible demonstration of spatial consciousness and cognitive operate. Different research have proven preferences in goldfish to spend extra time in enriched stimulating environments, which to me signifies some stage of profit or enjoyment. Various types of stimulation embrace a diverse eating regimen, reside crops and hand feeding.
Dr Bryony Chetwynd-Glover, director of London Aquatic Veterinary Companies
Rabbits and rodents
Final 12 months, we bought a candy home rabbit, however she chews the whole lot from the carpet to the desk legs. Please assist.
That is completely regular behaviour for rabbits, it’s simply not very handy for us people and turns into harmful in the event that they nibble via electrical cables (telephone charger leads are specific favourites). There are some things you are able to do. First, redirect this pure chewing behaviour in the direction of extra applicable objects: hay, clear deciduous tree branches, woven willow balls, and so forth. Second: be certain she has the companionship of one other rabbit or two. Rabbits are a social species and should, for good welfare, reside in pairs or small teams. Final, child gates and pet crates make good barricades towards treasured objects or areas.
My son had two gerbils (Elsa and Ana). A couple of weeks in the past, Elsa died. I panicked and purchased a lookalike whereas my son was at college. However they battle always, and he’s now confused. What do I do?
I’m afraid you'll have to come back clear together with your son. Gerbils, like people, have preferences for each other, and may have an enter on their new accomplice. This may be completed at a rescue centre to see who will get alongside greatest. If Ana and Elsa grew up with each other, they'll have been extra prone to get on anyway.
It’s doable the brand new pairing would possibly get on higher in the event you introduce them on impartial territory as the brand new Elsa is an intruder into Ana’s residence. So, allow them to reside collectively, someplace new, for a few weeks earlier than transferring them again to their residence.
Assist! My daughter bought a mouse for Christmas. A couple of days in the past, I let it escape. How can I tempt it again?
This can be a quite common situation. Strive to make sure there isn't any meals left accessible to them, together with cabinets and work surfaces. Then put out a temptingly baited humane entice, or perhaps a ramp main as much as an acceptable glass or plastic smooth-sided container with one thing tender within the backside and meals in it to maintain them fed in a single day. It would take a number of days and even weeks, however so long as there aren't any predators resembling cats in the home, you must catch her or him safely quickly.
Dr Richard Saunders, scholar in zoo and rabbit medication at Bristol Zoo and vet specialist adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Affiliation & Fund
Lizards
My son needs a lizard however the thought of feeding it child mice makes me retch (I’m vegan). Are there any reptiles that may have a plant-based eating regimen?
Completely different species of reptiles want completely different diets and it's essential they obtain the proper diet in an effort to thrive, whether or not this comes from a meat-based, plant-based and even insect-based eating regimen.
Some reptiles, like many tortoises, are herbivores and require a plant-based eating regimen to thrive; whereas others, resembling bearded dragons, can have a largely plant-based eating regimen in captivity however could have to complement this with bugs.
You will need to guarantee reptiles get enough protein of their diets and methods of doing this may differ relying on the species.
Not all species might be appropriate pets for youngsters as they've advanced wants that should be fulfilled to ensure they're glad and wholesome. It’s very important to suppose twice and speak to an exotics vet to make sure you can meet all the well being and welfare wants of a reptile earlier than getting one as a pet.
Dr Justine Shotton, president of the British Veterinary Affiliation
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