Pet’s Corner Q&A
I need to get my cat a carrier ready for vet visits and travelling in the car. What should I look out for and how can I get my cat to go inside it?
Your cat will need a carrier that is big enough for them to sit, lie down, stand and turn around in.
It is also important to have a front door, top door and a lid that clips on and off.
To help cats feel safe, a carrier with solid sides (though with airflow slats) is best, as they will feel that they can hide and feel secure.
Once you’ve found the perfect carrier, you’ll need to convince them it’s a safe and comfortable place to go.
You can do this by putting a blanket and spraying some pheromone spray in your carrier 30 minutes beforehand, leaving the door open and placing it somewhere your cat spends a lot of time.
Cats are very inquisitive, so they’ll want to explore.
Reward them with treats when they go inside it. If your cat is particularly worried about the carrier, then you could also take the lid off while they get used to it.
Gradually you will be able to shut the carrier and leave them in there for a few minutes, rewarding them accordingly.
Be patient, the whole process will not happen overnight and you should allow at least a week or two before traveling in the carrier for your cat to get used to it.
My cat Mo has suddenly got awful bad breath. What could this be? Bad breath is not normal in cats so it usually indicates a problem. It could be that Mo has dental disease, or something more serious such as kidney disease or diabetes.
I’d recommend taking Mo to the vets so they can examine his mouth safely.
They will ask about any other symptoms you’ve noticed, so keep an eye on Mo to see if there is anything else going on such as excessive drooling,
change in coat condition, excessive drinking, weight loss, difficulty eating or low energy.
I saw in the news about the new law for cats to be microchipped. I have three rabbits, do they need to be microchipped?
Although it’s not a legal requirement to have any other pets microchipped, we recommend that you do.
Rabbits and other small pets are notorious escape artists, so having them microchipped will help reunite you quickly if they do go wandering.
It is a relatively easy and quick procedure.
Microchips can only be implanted by vets, veterinary nurses, and people who have been specially trained.
Most owners get their pets’ microchipped at the vets, but if you go elsewhere (such as a rescue centre or grooming parlour) it’s important to make sure the person chipping your pet is qualified to do it.
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