Dear PDSA Vet, my dog gets muddy when we go on long walks, but I’ve heard that they shouldn’t be washed too regularly. How often should I bathe him? Megan

Dear Megan, bathing and washing your dog too frequently can remove beneficial oils from their fur. A rinse with plain water won’t strip the oils and will work fine if it’s just mud. As long as you towel them dry and make sure they don’t get cold your dog won’t be ill-affected. It can be good to bathe your dog if they get dirty or smelly but make sure to use dog shampoo (which you can get from most good pet shops or your vet) rather than shampoo intended for humans. If owners want to bathe their dogs more frequently, I would recommend doing this no more than once a month. Regular grooming (brushing) is more important than bathing for maintaining a healthy coat; depending on your dog’s coat length and texture this may need to be done every day, week or just a couple of times a month.

Dear PDSA Vet, my hamster seemed to ‘faint’ the other day. What could have caused this, and what should I do if it occurs again? Sarah

Dear Sarah, your hamster may have been having a seizure. Signs can range from seeming as though they are hypnotised, to serious seizures lasting for several minutes or even hours. Stressful experiences, such as being handled if they’re not fully tame or being introduced to a new living environment, can bring on the fits. The condition can be inherited, so affected hamsters shouldn’t be bred from. Inherited seizures in hamsters usually start at around two months of age and last until six months of age. I would recommend minimising all unnecessary stimulation (e.g. keeping your hamster’s home in a quiet, undisturbed place) until you can get them checked by your vet and if it happens again, take a video for your vet to see. Your vet can also check for any underlying conditions like low blood sugar or an ear infection and help you with any treatment or support your hamster needs.

Dear PDSA Vet, I would love to get a dog, but I’m unable to do a lot of walking so am worried that I wouldn’t be able to provide enough exercise. Can you suggest a breed that doesn’t need much exercise? George

Dear George, smaller breeds can require less exercise each day than a breed like a border collie which requires at least two hours of vigorous exercise each day. It is good that you are considering whether a dog is a suitable pet for you, because dogs that don’t get enough exercise can become overweight or obese and can also suffer from other medical and behavioural problems. One option for you might be to rehome an older dog that doesn’t require as much exercise or employ a dog walker to take your dog out for the exercise it requires. Alternatively, a different type of pet may be more suitable for your lifestyle – for example, cats generally have fewer physical demands but offer great companionship, though you’d want to be sure you could meet their unique needs too. Take our PetWise quiz to help you find the perfect match: www.pdsa.org.uk/getpetwise.

Dear PDSA Vet, my cat Jasper was recently diagnosed with kidney problems by the vet, and has been put on a low protein diet. He doesn’t seem to mind this, but there’s not much variety. Are there any other low protein foods I can give him? John

Dear John, special veterinary diets are often recommended for cats with kidney problems, because they help to extend the life of cats living with the disease quite considerably. These diets contain lower levels of phosphorous, protein and sodium so that the kidneys don’t have to work so hard. Variety is more likely to be important to people than pets, and most cats and dogs seem happy to receive the same nutritious food every day. Cats can sometimes struggle if their food is changed around too much, so, if Jasper is eating his food well, you shouldn’t worry about wanting to give him something different. If you find he isn’t eating well, this may be because the kidney disease is making him feel poorly, so it’s best to make an appointment to see your vet. But if he just doesn’t like one brand of food, your vet can also advise you on alternatives; there are several different kidney-supporting diets they can recommend.