Customer Q&As
QA
Customer & solutions Let your rabbits control social situations.
Rabbit advice
Grieving pet My 13-year-old rescue dog, Phoebe, is grieving with us following the recent death of my other rescue dog, Billy. Billy and Phoebe had been together since they were both two years old. Phoebe has reacted to Billy’s death in a totally different way to what we expected. My partner and I cannot go out without her howling or barking. She will not leave my side and wants to be with me all the time. When let out into the garden, she starts barking at imaginary things, or she stands at the front door and barks, even when we are there and there is no one at the door or anywhere near our drive. I’ve tried
Socialising rabbits I’ve just got a pair of rabbits. What is the best way to socialise them? Rabbits don’t enjoy being handled, but they are cheeky and intelligent. They’ll soon learn and enjoy taking treats from you and following you about.
Don’t expect cuddles from your rabbit Although traditionally rabbits are a popular children’s pet, they are only really suited to families who will be happy to socialise with their rabbits sitting on the floor and not cuddling them. Rabbits find being picked up and cuddled extremely stressful. You may well be scratched, kicked, or bitten as they try to struggle free. This is not an aggressive behaviour, simply a way of escaping from a potential predator. You may expect that the more you handle a rabbit as a kitten, the calmer they will become. Sadly, this often has a negative effect as the rabbit matures and often goes on to be a grumpy grown up.
Dog behaviour everything to help her separation anxiety, going out for five minutes and gradually increasing the time, but within two minutes she is clearly distressed. We have a camera on while we are out just to see what she does; she simply paces up and down and is not happy at all. She has also suddenly started weeing in the house. I have been heartbroken at losing Billy and I did wonder if she was picking up on that grief. I’m trying not to be upset when she is around. I don’t know if getting another dog would help her, but I don’t want to stress her out any more.
Tamsin says: I completely empathise with the create anxiety and distress, which could affect distress experienced after losing such a beloved the new dog too. It’s worth waiting until you friend. Dogs certainly read our emotions and and Phoebe are feeling better in yourselves, as experience grief themselves for the loss of it’s still very raw for you both. a constant companion. However, the Many dogs grieve It might be difficult for you, and dogs behaviour change you describe in will respond individually, but leaving the loss of a canine Phoebe might also arise from some things out that still smell companion. medical issues, especially as of Billy might provide Phoebe she’s a teenager. Please have her with some support. Keeping to a examined by your vet so any daily routine will help her feel coincidental medical problems secure. Ensuring she has the can be treated. opportunity to exercise, explore, Your vet will also be able sniff, and play will connect you to refer you to an accredited as you both grieve. behaviourist to help Phoebe feel For your own benefit, please differently about life without Billy, contact the Pet Bereavement and the necessary changes in her Support Service whose trained routine and environment this will involve. volunteers are dedicated to helping owners They will be able to guide you through helping deal with their loss https://www.bluecross.org. Phoebe feel secure within the home again. uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss While getting another dog right away might feel as though it would provide Phoebe with Tamsin Durston is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s company and support, a new dog might also canine behaviour and research team.
Let your rabbits come to you The best way to socialise your rabbit is to sit on the ground in their run area offering tasty treats. This will help both you and your rabbits get the best out of living together. Avoid the temptation to stroke and pick them up. This way, your rabbits learn to hop up to you and away again without anything but pleasant things happening — this being food! After a while, even the shyest rabbits will come up to inspect you. They will often rub their chin on your shoe or leg and hop over to nibble the treats on offer. This is their way of claiming you and feeling relaxed. If you’re able to do this with your rabbits daily, you’ll soon find they happily choose to hop and sit on your lap or follow you around. Never offer your hand in front of your rabbits’ face to sniff. This will often result in a bite — its their blind spot and will take them by surprise.
Wood Green, The Animals Charity helps pets and people at every step of the way. As well as being a safe haven for vulnerable pets in need of urgent care and a loving new home, Wood Green provides expert advice and hands-on support to pet owners in need of a guiding hand. With almost 100 years’ experience in rehabilitating and rehoming pets, the charity’s is committed to making sure that pets have the best lives possible. This vital work is only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters. Find out how you can make a difference to pets in need at woodgreen.org.uk
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I live in a London suburb and to my surprise I saw a fox trotting down a nearby street. I have two cats that have free access to outside by a cat flap. I am now worried that my cats Charlie and Chocolate may be at risk. Do foxes attack cats?
Foxes can attack cats.
Cat general care
Celia says: Yes, foxes do occasionally attack cats, especially if they are particularly hungry. Fox lovers claim that cats can see off foxes, but this only applies to some healthy bigger cats that stand their ground. Kittens, elderly cats, cats that are small in size, or cats limping home from an accident are the most likely victims of foxes. That said, most animal bites on a cat seen by vets come from fights between two cats rather than foxes. The only 100 per cent way to keep your cats completely safe from both foxes and road traffic injuries is to keep them as entirely indoor cats. However, because both Charlie and Chocolate have been used to roaming, they will undoubtedly hate being confined and it may take several weeks before they adjust. You will have to be strong minded, if you make this choice. You can reduce, though not eliminate the risk, by closing their cat flap at night. Foxes hunt more often at twilight and night, than during full daylight. Call your cats in at a set time each evening and offer treats and an evening meal. Make sure there is nothing to attract foxes to your garden — no hedgehog food or bread for birds. Security lights that are triggered by garden movement will also be a deterrent. It will also help if you train both cats, using treats, to come to you when you call them using a specific command word. Start the training inside the house, then do it in the garden. Finally, during the day, call them in from the garden itself, reward them and then let them back out again. This ensures that they do not associate your call with always being immediately shut in. Celia Haddon MA MSc MA is a well-known pet columnist and author of numerous cat books. She is a cat lover and owner, with a cat behaviour qualification and broad experience of feline issues.
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28 April/May 2022
Are foxes a threat?
www.petproductmarketing.co.uk
15/03/2022 11:27
