Veterinarian Sean McCormack answers pet owners' questions: tips for cats, dogs, and hamsters.

According to The Sun: He is ready to help our pets and answer your questions.

Sean, the chief veterinarian of tails.com, which specializes in pet food production, has been helping owners solve their issues for ten years.

Sean McCormack, chief veterinarian of tails.com, promises to "help keep pets happy and healthy" Sean has tips for owners of Bengal cats, who are very talkative and demanding

Questions and Answers

Q) Our pedigree Bengal cat always cries and is very loud. Is this normal?

I can't understand why Mia behaves this way. She's four years old, very sweet, and looks healthy.

Do you think she is just talkative, or could it be something concerning?

PIP BRIANT, Plymouth, Devon

Sean says: This is typical behavior for Bengal cats. They are loud and demanding — it's perfectly normal and what you signed up for.

I hope you did your research before choosing this breed.

If not, be prepared for a chatty cat for the next 15-20 years.

You might want to get some earplugs to enjoy silence from time to time. Go on, Mia!

Pet Care

Q) My long-haired hamster Fluffy has flaky skin.

He seems happy and eats well. The cage is always clean. What could be the reason?

EMMA POVIE, Manchester

Sean says: It could be dry skin due to diet. I suspect he is being fed a 'muesli mix' from the pet shop.

Is he eating all his favorite bits and leaving the unpleasant ones? Then you throw them out and refill the bowl?

This is a common scenario for all small furry pets. It's called selective feeding, and over time it can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

A lack of balanced essential fats can lead to flakiness.

The solution is to feed a complete and balanced pellet food that contains everything Fluffy needs in each pellet.

Dog Owners' Questions

Q) My four-year-old bulldog Bob sits on walks and refuses to move.

He is very lazy and stubborn. How can I convince him to love exercise and not be a couch potato?

MARK EVANS, Cardiff, Glamorgan

Sean says: This can be typical behavior for some bulldogs, but it may also indicate that their selective breeding has a serious negative impact on health.

Many of them have complicated airways and tire quickly even during light exercise.

Their limbs, joints, and spines are also prone to problems due to selective breeding.

A thorough physical examination at the vet is recommended to rule out these issues.

Senior Dog Health

Q) Our 13-year-old Jack Russell Reg has been prescribed Synulox for a urinary tract infection.

But the vet mistakenly prescribed two tablets twice a day instead of half a tablet twice a day.

After a week, the error was discovered when Reg became very unwell.

Reg is still not well. Can supplements help his urinary tract? He refuses to take tablets.

EMMA HURRELL, Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Sean says: No supplement will cure a urinary tract infection, and few will prevent it from occurring.

So, you need to return for a follow-up and discuss further action with your veterinarian.

Take a urine sample so they can check for signs of whether the infection is still present.

Star of the Week

Parliament can be a tough world, but Stephen Darling's leading dog Jenny proved she is the pack leader.

The six-year-old husky, a mix of Golden Retriever and Labrador, was named 'Dog of the Year' at Westminster 2025. This award was established in memory of the late MP and animal rights advocate Sir David Amess.

Jenny's popularity in Parliament

Liberal Democrat MP Steve, who is registered as blind due to a genetic eye defect, said, “Jenny takes her parliamentary duties very seriously.

“She really builds bridges between parties and loves being loved.”

Duo Donkey at the Top of the New Book

Two donkeys who are best friends have become new record holders.

Derrick has been recognized as the tallest donkey in the world, standing at 167 cm (5 feet 5 inches).

Derrick has been recognized as the tallest living donkey residing in Lincolnshire

His companion Bamboo has the longest ears of any living donkey - 35 cm (1 foot 1 inch).

These shelter pets from Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary in Huttoft, Lincolnshire, are featured in the 'Guinness' 2026 book, which is coming out this week.

Editor Craig Glenday noted: “Bamboo and Derrick are a wonderful example of extraordinary record holders you'll find in this year's book.

“From impressive pets to incredible human achievements, 'Guinness' 2026 showcases the very best of record performance.”

The owners of the donkeys, Tracy Houghton, said: “These two are very beloved pets. Bamboo is the most frequently adopted donkey at the sanctuary.

“Bamboo really does have very long ears, so you would expect him to have very good hearing - but sometimes we think he is deaf!”

Other pet records include the oldest horse in the world, Ekoket, who was 36 years and 222 days, and Major Mitchell the cockatoo who lived to 83 years.