Pet’s Corner Q&A

I’m thinking about cancelling my dog’s insurance. Is this a good idea?

Sadly, we can’t stop our pets getting ill or injured and we can’t predict when it might happen.

Without pet insurance, you need to think carefully about how you might afford any treatment needed should your dog have an accident or become unwell.

Unexpected vet expenses can soon add up – when an emergency strikes, costs could run into thousands of pounds, so spending a little every month on your pet’s insurance can save you a lot of money in the long-run.

Regular, affordable contributions to a pet insurance policy will help you budget for your pet’s healthcare and help prevent the stress of unexpected veterinary costs, so I would advise against cancelling their cover if at all possible.

Visit: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/insurance-guide

---

My gerbils, Griffin and Glenn, seem disinterested in food, what can I do to help?

Gerbils are omnivores, which means they eat plants and meat, so it’s important to offer Griffin and Glenn a balanced diet.

But be careful not to over-feed treats as it could make them less keen to eat their complete feed. In the wild, gerbils spend hours searching for food.

Scattering and hiding their food for them to sniff out is a brilliant way of activating this instinct – they will enjoy the challenge of finding their next meal.

Gerbils also love to chew and gnaw on things, so adding hay cubes, banana leaves or coconut shells to their cage gives them something to do and helps them wear down their teeth.

If reducing treats doesn’t encourage them to eat their food, have them checked by visiting: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/gerbildiet

---

My cat, Solomon, stays indoors, but I’m concerned he’s not getting enough exercise. How can I encourage him to be more active?

There’s lots of ways you can encourage Solomon to get active indoors.

Plenty of playtime with toys will help to draw out his natural hunting and chasing instincts, meaning he’ll also be less likely to take it out on your slippers or sofa.

Aim for short five-10-minute play sessions each time, including pauses for Solomon to catch his breath.

If he’s not very active right now, this may take some encouragement at first, but as he gets fitter, he’ll enjoy play sessions more.

Introduce places for him to explore in the house, either a cat tree, cat shelving or cardboard boxes, which will encourage him to climb, hide, move and pounce.

 

Picture: Pixabay / mirkosajkov