Dear PDSA Vet,

My cat, Shan, keeps bringing dead birds and mice she’s caught into the house and leaving them at the front door, and it’s not very nice! Why does she do this and how can I get her to stop? Beatrice

Beatrice, Cats are predators and hunting is natural behaviour for them. Hunting is not linked to hunger, so even well-fed cats will still catch birds and small rodents, due to their instinct to chase. Shan brings her prey back to the house because she views it as a safe place. It’s perfectly normal, but many owners find this behaviour unpleasant. One approach to reducing her hunting would be to play games that let her carry out her normal hunting-type behaviours of stalking, chasing and pouncing. There is no guarantee of success with this method and it may be better to accept that this is just normal cat behaviour. You can try to give her prey a bit of a chance by putting a quick release collar with bell on it. It’s nice that she associates your home with a real sense of security!

Dear PDSA Vet,

What is the best way to provide my hamster with water? Can I give it to them in a bowl? What happens if my hamster is drinking too much? Eugenie

Eugenie, we tend to give hamsters water in the same way they have been used to from when they were young, so think about where you have got your hamster from, or what they’re used to. There is no right or wrong answer, so it really depends on what your hamster prefers. Just remember to ensure they have constant access to fresh, clean water. The downside of bowls is that they can get contaminated with bits of bedding or food, so may need changing multiple times a day! Water bottles need changing daily as well and you’ll need to check that the spout is working correctly. Drinking excessively can be a sign of illness, so if your hamster is drinking more than usual, it’s best to book in a check-up with a vet.

Dear PDSA Vet,

My dog sadly passed away recently, and I’m left with quite a few packets of tablets of the various medications he was on. Can I donate these to an animal charity? Nelson

Nelson, while it’s a lovely thought, prescription medications must only be used for the animal they were prescribed for. Speak to your vet as they will be able to advise you on their practice policy for returning medication. If your medication has been opened or is out of date, the only option would be to dispose of it, and your local vet can usually take care of this for you. Alternatively you can take them to a pharmacy and they will dispose of it for you. Some veterinary practices have close links with charity vets abroad and provide them with returned, in date, unopened medications, so it’s best to look this up to see what’s available in your area.

Dear PDSA Vet,

I recently took in another stray cat, I didn’t realise she was pregnant but then she had three kittens a week ago. How soon can I get her neutered? I think she came from an empty house down the street where there are about 20 cats all breeding. What can I do about this as I can’t take them all in? Mandy

Mandy, it’s great to hear you want to get your rescue cat neutered – this will prevent any more unwanted litters and will also provide important health benefits for her. Cats can be neutered as soon as the kittens are fully weaned and have moved onto solid food. Your vet can also check the mum and kittens over and offer advice about vaccinations, neutering as well as other preventive care to keep them happy and healthy. It is best for kittens to stay with their mothers for at least eight to ten weeks to enable their social development, but there is no need to wait until the kittens are re-homed to have her neutered. Your vet can offer additional advice. Regarding the house you mention, I’d advise calling Cats Protection, RSPCA, or another local animal charity, who often run ‘neuter and release’ schemes for feral cats or even rehome if necessary.

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