Pet’s Corner Q&A

What does it actually mean if my cat is ‘in heat’ and how can I take care of her during this time?
A ‘heat’ or ‘season’ is the period of a cat’s cycle where they are fertile and looking to mate, usually lasting around one week, but it can be up to three.

Your cat may feel a little unsettled and uncomfortable during this time – keep her happy and distracted by playing games and giving her things to do in the house such as treat-filled toys.

It’s important to keep your puss indoors during her season to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Unless you are planning on breeding your cat, I’d suggest getting her spayed as soon as possible.

Although she may behave a little strangely, she shouldn’t be in pain, so please contact your vet if you feel that she is suffering.

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My rabbit, Arthur, seems to be acting strange recently. He’s normally very playful but now seems very nervous. How can I tell if he’s unhappy?

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what our rabbits are thinking, so monitoring changes in their behaviour or body language can be very helpful.

Usually rabbits are happy pets, with a relaxed body and a curious mind.

It sounds like Arthur may be suffering from stress, which can stem from being put an uncomfortable situation, or feeling unwell.

Common signs of stress in rabbits include their ears becoming flatter, tense body language, a lack of nose twitching, or even hiding away.

I’d suggest taking Arthur to see your vet so they can rule out any underlying illness and advise you on getting him back to normal.

Remember that rabbits are social creatures, so Arthur’s wellbeing will benefit greatly from having a bunny companion.

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My 13-year-old pooch is staring into space a lot, and recently spent 20 minutes looking at a wall in the lounge before I picked her up. Could she have dementia?
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, otherwise known as dementia for pets, is more common in dogs than we often realise.

This naturally affects older pooches and causes gradual changes in their physiology that impacts behaviour and brain function and sadly cannot be cured.

There are many signs to look out for, such as confusion, staring into space, loss of toilet training, a change in appetite or memory loss.

However, there are other possible causes, so I’d recommend taking your furry friend to your vet for a check-up.

After a full clinical examination, they may recommend further tests or treatments that can help.