Pet’s Corner Q&A
My dog, Eddie, seems lonely, should I get another dog to keep him company?
Dogs are sociable pets by nature and Eddie may benefit from having a companion if he is comfortable with other dogs.
If you have the space, time and are financially able to look after two dogs over their lifetime, then this could be a nice option for you both.
You will need to try to find a dog you both get along with. For example, if Eddie is fairly chilled out then an excitable puppy might cause a bit of tension.
Contact your local rehoming centre as they can try and match Eddie to a dog with a personality that matches his own.
The shelter can also tell you about the new dog’s life history, experiences and his exercise needs so that you can decide if they will be compatible.
My new hamster, Bambi, seems scared of us every time we go to pick him up. What can I do to help him settle in?
Like lots of small pets, hamsters can be nervous of being picked up, especially if they haven’t been used to being handled regularly from an early age.
In the wild, hamsters are hunted by other animals so this makes them naturally nervous. Sometimes they defend themselves by biting or jumping out of your hands.
You can help Bambi get used to being handled by lowering your hand into the cage, away from the hamster, never approach from above.
Allow your hamster to come towards you at their pace and offer a treat.
In time they will gain confidence, eventually taking treats from your hand, and then they may step up and sit in your hand.
With time, trust will build. How to hold your hamster safely – PDSA
When should I get my kitten Milo neutered?
We recommend that all cats are neutered at around four months old but it is worth making an appointment and discussing Milo’s individual needs with your vet.
If he is particularly small for his age or has been unwell at any point, they may recommend waiting.
Until then we advise keeping him indoors until he has been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
Neutering, known as castration for males and spaying for females, has many benefits – as well as stopping pregnancy, it also reduces the chance of cats getting into fights, roaming away from home and catching diseases such as FIV.
Find out more here: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/cat-neutering
Picture: Pixabay/Etouale