Dear PDSA vet

We’ve always struggled to control fleas on our cat – every time we think we’ve cracked it, they come back again. How can we put an end to this for good? Emma

Dear Emma

Fleas can be difficult to manage, and in centrally heated homes they can be a year-round problem. For every flea you see on your cat there can be 20 more in your home and thousands of eggs and larvae living in carpets, furniture and bedding! To successfully rid yourself of fleas, you’ll need to treat your pet and home. Vacuum every room, wash any pet bedding and apply a household spray to carpets and soft furnishings.

I’d recommend using a prescription flea treatment on your cat as this is more effective than over-the-counter preparations. A vet will advise you on the best products to use.

Remember never use dog flea treatment on a cat though – this can cause fatal poisoning!

Dear PDSA vet

I am seven months pregnant and my young dog, Rihanna, has suddenly started to become a bit aggressive, barking and jumping up. She’s always been well behaved. If the behaviour continues I’ll have no choice other than to rehome her. Please help. Katie

Dear Katie

As Rhianna is young, there may be several things going on that could be causing her to behave in this way. She may have picked up on hormonal changes within you or changes in the home which could cause her to feel anxious or uneasy. It’s best to discuss this problem with you vet as soon as possible. Your vet may recommend training classes to help her cope, investigate whether she has any underlying medical conditions, or they may even refer you to an accredited pet councillor. You might find that a calming pheromone diffuser or giving her more mental and physical stimulation may also help.

Dear PDSA vet

My dog, Maz, pulls on the lead so I bought a nose halter, but she hates it so much I can’t get it on her now. Is there anything else I could try? Stella

Dear Stella

Walking a dog that pulls on the lead can be stressful, hard work and no fun for either of you.

It’s best to look for local dog training classes as an accredited pet trainer for help. They will be able to advise you on training her to walk to heel, and in most cases will provide one-to-one training. If Maz resents wearing the halter, she may be finding it uncomfortable so it’s best not to attempt using it again until you’ve checked it’s the correct size. Maz may learn to accept the halter or even a harness but your dog trainer can advise you on this and provide more information on positive, reward-based training.