Should I be worried about my cat playing in the cold?

Dear Dougie, If your cat can get back into the house whenever she wants, then she’ll be fine to play outside on colder days. Cats have a warm coat, but it’s still possible for them to develop hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature) if they are exposed to extreme cold for too long. Suzy should come back herself if she starts feeling cold. If she’s got wet, dry her thoroughly when she returns. Cats that are young, poorly or elderly are less able to keep warm, so should only go out for short, supervised periods. If you live near a busy road, it may also be safest to keep her inside overnight. Do get her microchipped if she isn’t already, so that you can be easily contacted if she wanders off.

My children have finally convinced me to get a family pet, but as I’ve never owned one before I’m not sure what sort of pet would be best. What is the best pet for a young family? Celia

Dear Celia, Pets bring companionship and enjoyment to families, but they’re also a huge responsibility. They rely on their owners to provide them with everything that they need during their lifetime. PDSA has a free online tool called ‘Get PetWise Quiz’ which asks questions and then suggests suitable pets based on your answers. Once you have this list of potentially suitable pets, the tool then helps you find out whether you would be able to meet each pet’s five welfare needs – these are the things that every pet needs to be healthy and happy. You can find out more on our website: www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/choosing-a-pet.

My vet prescribed worming tablets recently for my dog but he won’t take them. I’ve tried disguising them in food but he just spits them straight out. How can I get him to take them? Katherine

Dear Katherine, Some dogs will do anything to avoid tablets! If it’s safe to do so, you could try holding your dog securely (you may need someone to help you) and place the tablet on the back of his tongue, hold his mouth closed, point his head upwards and massage his throat until he swallows the tablet. If not, then book an appointment at your vet practice – a vet nurse may be able to administer the tablet for you. Some worming medicines are available as a ‘spot-on’ which are applied to the skin and might be a better option for you, but speak to your vet before making any changes to your dog’s treatment.

My hamster has a small lump by the side of his mouth, could it be an ulcer or could it be something more serious? Will

Dear Will, It’s so important to get this checked. Although this lump might look tiny, for the hamster it could be a huge problem. Hamsters can get lumps and bumps like anyone else but your vet will need to examine the lump to know the exact cause of the problem and how it can be treated. Keep a close eye on your hamster to make sure that he is eating and drinking - as lumps in that area might affect his ability to eat or drink. Consult a vet if they are struggling.