I have a two year old Ragdoll cat called Chester. When he comes back in the house I’ve noticed small slugs attached to the fur on his legs and I’m worried that he will catch lungworm. How can I protect him? Carol

Lungworm tends to be thought of as a dog issue, but it is also relatively common in domestic cats. Some cats have been known to have a light infection without showing clinical signs, but it can also cause discharge from the nose, breathing problems and coughing. Other symptoms include weight loss due to a lack of appetite. Larvae of lungworm are found in slugs, snails, frogs, rodents and birds, so hunting cats are probably more likely to eat something with the lungworm larvae in it. Lungworm can also be picked up by drinking contaminated water. The best way to protect cats and dogs is to regularly use preventive worming treatments. Your vet or vet nurse can advise you on which product would be best for your cat, which may include a monthly spot on treatment.

I recently got a rabbit, but I was just wondering – is it really worth getting insurance? What is the likelihood of rabbits getting ill? Nasim

As owners we do our best to care for our rabbits’ welfare needs and provide them with a happy home, but any pet can still become ill. Regularly vaccinating your rabbit will help prevent some diseases, but a pet insurance policy allows owners to budget for their pet’s health-care, removing the stress associated with unexpected illness or injury. Emergency vets can be expensive so a pet insurance policy that covers these costs means that you can get vet care at any time without worrying about paying the bill. You should compare different policies so that you get the right one for your needs. When thinking about taking on a pet it is important people consider whether they can afford veterinary treatment if their pet became ill, as well as ongoing costs such as food, bedding and boarding care if they go away.

My dog Sledger is a two year old Husky/Alsatian crossbred dog. I’m not sure if he gets enough exercise, generally he gets about a mile a day walk. How much exercise is enough? Darcy

The amount of exercise needed is different for each dog and depends on things such as the dog’s age, breed and health. Your dog is Husky crossed with German Shepherd dog and this is a working dog combination, so they have a high demand for exercise, needing at least two hours every day. It would be best to read up on both breeds of dog and this will give you a good idea of what Sledger needs. Such active and intelligent dogs can get bored very easily if not exercised enough. Your dog may find training classes or agility classes really beneficial and this could be great for bonding between the two of you too.