Veterinarian on psychotherapy for animals: how to help pets.

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

Sean, the chief veterinarian of the pet food company tails.com, has been helping owners respond to their inquiries for over ten years.

A reader asked if 'cat Prozac' is safe for a nervous cockapoo named Bean.

Question 1

BEAN, my four-year-old cockapoo, is very nervous and submissive when interacting with other dogs. She experiences separation anxiety when we leave the house (she's a pandemic pup!).

I saw 'cat Prozac', an antidepressant, on TV. What do you think about using such medication?

EMMA POTTS, Cardiff, South Glamorgan

Sean replies: Recently, I was on ITV's 'This Morning', where I discussed the rising use of 'cat Prozac' and its impact on anxiety and behavioral issues in dogs. You can find it on YouTube.

Behavioral problems can be hard to solve.

However, medication should be considered as a last resort or an adjunct for dogs undergoing retraining or behavior correction.

Only a few dogs cannot adapt and need to receive this medication for a long time.

While it may sound like a tempting quick fix, I strongly recommend involving a qualified behavior specialist to visit Bean in your home and help with her issues.

Question 2

MY hamster named Snowball vibrates when my daughter Mia, who is ten, and I hold her.

She is definitely not scared. Is that normal?

KAYLY BARTLETT, Scunthorpe

Sean replies: Yes, and there are two interesting reasons for this. Firstly, you could be feeling Snowball's accelerated heart rate, which usually ranges from 360 to 600 beats per minute in hamsters, compared to our 60-100.

However, I suspect you might be describing the purring sound that hamsters make when they feel pleased.

Snowball clearly enjoys interacting with you, and her special 'buzz' confirms this. I also think she might do better with another hamster friend if she doesn't have one, as they are very social animals.

Question 3

MY nearly nine-year-old rescue cat Minxie keeps peeing on my bed after I've been away for a few days, leaving her in her home with a relative.

This completely stopped until she did it again a week ago.

I recently remodeled the kitchen, but there were no significant disruptions. She has access to the garden, mostly sleeps during the day, and is healthy. What could be the cause?

KAREN ANSCOMB, South East London

Sean replies: Urination issues may arise from stress, and an unfamiliar person in the home during the owner's absence could trigger this. The kitchen remodel may have caused Minxie to feel shy about visiting the litter box or going out the door next to people she doesn't know.

I would restrict her access to the bedroom for now, as you don’t want this behavior to become a habit.

If this continues, it would be worth visiting a veterinarian, as infections or urinary stones, as well as kidney issues, may need to be ruled out as causes of abnormal behavior.

Question 4

WHAT's the secret to getting dogs to take pills?

I have tried hiding medication for my 11-year-old husky Zorba in meat, peanut butter, and tasty treats, but he spits them out every time. He needs pain relief for arthritis, and I am struggling. Can you help?

KIT CHARLES, Middlesbrough

Sean replies: There are many tricks, such as crushing the pills into a powder and mixing it with liver paste. Dogs rarely can resist that.

You can also ask your veterinarian about other options that are not pills. For example, there is a monthly injection for arthritis treatment, which might be easier for you and Zorba and provide him comfort—if, of course, he is not afraid of needles!

STAR OF THE WEEK

BRENSTON, a whippet, transitions from a study buddy to a work-from-home companion as his owner Izzy Fox celebrates graduating with a degree in English Literature.

The fourteen-year-old dog calmly stayed by Izzy's side during long study hours leading up to finals, and now he is right there during her work-from-home job search.

Izzy shared how her whippet Brenton has transformed from study buddy to work-from-home companion.

Izzy's mother, teacher Sandy, 55, from Eynsford, Kent, said, 'Brenton is so filled with love.'

'Throughout long hours of work, he kept Izzy company, who is now celebrating her graduation with honors.'

'Like many graduates, she is now applying for her dream job.'

'Brenton has a heart condition—but has the biggest heart.'

SEE THROUGH DOG'S EYES

ONE THIRD of dog owners mistakenly believe their four-legged friend sees the world in the same color spectrum as we do.

The insurance company Agria Pet Insurance surveyed 1,000 people and revealed myths about dogs’ vision, as our puppies are red and green color blind, yet only 21% of owners realize they see shades of yellow and blue.

One in six owners (16 percent) mistakenly thinks that dogs see the world only in black and white.

However, after learning about dogs’ vision, 69% of owners said they would buy toys, bedding, or accessories in yellow or blue, and 78% are willing to spend more on items in colors that their dog sees more clearly.

A nation of 13 million dog owners spends over £2.4 billion a year on toys, enrichment tools, and activities for their pets.

Hannah Molloy, an applied animal behavior specialist for Agria Pet Insurance, said: 'Dogs experience the world very differently than we do, and it is extremely important to understand this so we can create an enriched environment for them. 'Positive sensory experiences can improve pets’ moods and behaviors, making the pet ownership experience better for people. Consider buying toys, accessories, and bedding in colors that they can see more clearly.'