Dear PDSA Vet,

What sort of treats can budgies tolerate? Can I give them human food? Bethan

Dear Bethan, when feeding your budgie, we recommend a good quality pellet food as their main diet because they contain all the right nutrients. Poor nutrition is a common reason for many health problems in birds. Giving treats can be a lovely way to bond with your budgie though, and helps to supplement their diet. Fruit and vegetables (with some seeds and nuts) can make up to 10-15% of your budgie’s diet. Your budgie may like small pieces of apple or apricot, just make sure to wash them thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized chunks. This is also the case for vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato and broccoli (but NOT avocado as it is thought of as a toxin to budgies!) Just make sure you give the pellets as they’re not quite as tempting as the fruit and vegetables. You can then gradually introduce the fruit and vegetables to ensure your budgie doesn’t get an upset tummy. Also remember that overfeeding treats can lead to weight gain, so monitor your budgie’s weight regularly.

Dear PDSA Vet,

I’ve recently had the heart breaking news that my dog is going blind. I would like a bit more information on how I can make the home more accessible for him to keep him safe. Do I need to make changes to my home? Gina

Dear Gina, please don’t make any sudden changes to the layout of your home. The best thing you can do is to keep things the same as they have always been, your dog will gradually learn to find his way around the house. Keep everyday items such as food and water bowls in the same place. Moving something that they use every day will only confuse him. Safeguard the house by tucking away electrical wires, keep walkways clear of clutter and cover sharp corners on furniture and cupboards to avoid any accidents. Also, be aware that he might be more sensitive. Approach him more gently and make sure you talk to him before you touch him. You can also offer a hand for him to sniff. Let any visitors know to do the same and this way your dog will be more comfortable in his home.

Dear PDSA Vet,

I recently dressed up my dog for a walk in the park as it was his birthday. I had a number of people approach me and compliment me on the dog’s outfit but one elderly lady said she thought it was cruel and unnecessary. Can you advise? Tom

Dear Tom, clothing for pets can sometimes feel restrictive for them when carrying out ‘everyday’ activities (i.e. walking, running or going to the toilet) and may cause unnecessary stress, so a new collar and lead or harness maybe a nice way to celebrate their birthday instead! Body language is very important between dogs and by wearing clothes other dogs may struggle to read this, which may mean they act aggressively towards your dog as a result. However, there are some pet clothes that are practical and can help your dog in their day-to-day life. High visibility coats are great for safety on dark evening walks and overcast days, but there are also cooling coats for hot summer days and waterproof coats for wet and rainy days too! Make sure they are well fitted and still allow your pet to move freely.

Dear PDSA Vet,

I recently adopted a white cat called Maureen but she doesn’t seem to know how to drink. She won’t touch any bowls of water I put out for her and seems to exist only on the wet food I give her, and I sometimes add a few spoons of water to this. But I’m worried this isn’t enough as I know cats are prone to kidney problems. How can I persuade her to drink normally? Jennie

Dear Jennie, a lot of owners worry about this issue! Cats are secret drinkers and love fresh water, so will drink from dripping taps, glasses of water by the bed and from plant pots where they have just been watered, they are ingenious! Wet food does contain some moisture, but you must always provide freshwater separately, replenishing daily. If you are worried about Maureen, then it’s best to make an appointment to see your vet. There are a few tricks that you can use to try and encourage Maureen to drink, these include: use different types of bowls around your house ideally that are wide, flat pottery or china dishes as some plastics can absorb taints and some pets don’t like metal. Provide privacy and quiet for your cat to drink. Some cats also like water that moves so a cat water fountain might help encourage her to drink a little more.