Q: MY four-year-old cat Jemma loves food but recently she’s been going off it. Some days she wolfs down her favourite food but other days won’t touch it. Her weight hasn’t changed and she seems happy enough but should I be worried? 

A: You should get Jemma checked out by your vet to rule out any medical problems that could have caused her to go off her food, such as dental problems. If she gets a clean bill of health it may be due to her being fed by a neighbour too, so speak to your neighbours to make sure she isn’t getting extra food anywhere else. You could also try to make her feeding time more exciting by using feeding balls so she has to work to get her food. 

Q: How much exercise does my dog need? Is it better to give her one long walk a day, or several shorter ones? 

A: All dogs need daily exercise, and together with a good diet this will help ensure that they do not become overweight. Exercise also provides mental stimulation, letting dogs sniff and investigate their surroundings. How much exercise your dog needs will depend on a number of factors, such as her breed, age and general health. For instance, a healthy border collie will need a couple of hours active exercise in total every day, whereas an older dog with arthritis may need fewer, more gentle walks. Your vet is the best person to advise on your dog’s exercise, as they will know your dog’s individual needs. 

Q: Do I need to bathe my hamster? Can hamsters swim?

A: In the wild hamsters live in dry environments and usually don’t like to get wet. They groom and clean themselves in the same way a cat does, so shouldn’t need a bath. If your hamster has become dirty around the back end, this could be caused by diarrhoea. If this is the case, take your hamster to your vet as treatment may be urgently required. Although hamsters can swim it’s not recommended to give them water to swim in as it can be unhygienic and they can get cold very easily. They should never swim unsupervised. 

Q: My guinea pigs don’t seem to like green cabbage and I’m worried they aren’t getting enough vegetables. They eat carrots, lettuce and grass, plus a muesli-type mix. Are they getting enough greens? 

A: Guinea pigs’ teeth grow continuously and feeding the correct diet is vital for keeping their teeth healthy, for this reason we don’t recommend guinea pig muesli as it doesn’t help to wear guinea pigs’ teeth down. They also tend to selectively eat their favourite bits, which can cause nutrient deficiencies. Instead, your guinea pigs’ daily diet should consist of constant access to good quality hay or grass, a teacup of fresh greens and a tablespoon of guinea pig nuggets. The nuggets and greens are essential for providing vitamin C, which guinea pigs must get from their food. As long as you give different greens every day, such as broccoli, romaine lettuce and spinach, it won’t matter too much if they don’t eat much cabbage. Don’t feed too many carrots as they are high in sugar, but the leafy tops are fine. Changes to your guinea pigs’ diet should be made gradually, so it doesn’t upset their digestive system.