My cat’s been sneezing, has weepy eyes and a runny nose. She’s also gone off her food too and I’m worried she may have cat flu. Can this be cured? Robert

Sneezing and runny eyes and nose are all symptoms of cat flu, however, you can see similar symptoms caused by irritants in the home like dusty cat litter or tobacco smoke. I’d recommend taking your cat to the vet as soon as possible to check exactly what’s causing these problems, particularly as she’s not eating. Protection against cat flu is included in core vaccinations, so if she’s been vaccinated it’s unlikely to be this.

If this is cat flu you may find that once your cat’s had it they’ll always be susceptible to reoccurrences if they get stressed or run-down. Your vet will be able to provide you with more advice after examining your cat.

We’re putting up our Christmas decorations soon and usually light some Christmas-scented candles. This Christmas, we have two budgies for the first time. Will the scents from our candles harm them? Diana

Budgies have very sensitive respiratory tracts and, when candles are burnt, they can release fumes and chemicals that may pose a risk our feathered friends. Similarly, plug-in air fresheners or other household sprays and products can release similar chemicals which could be an irritant to your budgies. I’d advise against using these products, to keep your birds safe. Contact the product manufacturer for specific product advice so you can discuss this with your vet if you have particular concerns.

Our excitable grandchildren will be staying with us at Christmas. But our old Lab, Ben, is used to a quiet life. How can we help him? Chris

You’ll probably find that Ben will appreciate somewhere quiet to retreat to if he wants some time out from the children. The best way to do this is to create a snuggly ‘den’ full of toys and blankets. This should be a Ben-only zone which is off limits for the children! Let him spend time there whenever he wants to and give him praise or a healthy treat to help build a positive association. You could also use a plug-in pheromone diffuser nearby to help reduce any anxiety – your vet can advise you further about these.

I recently adopted a cat called Puss Puss, but I haven’t seen her drink any water from her bowl and I’m worried she’ll get dehydrated. Carol

The amount of water drunk by an adult cat will vary depending on outdoor temperatures and the type of food eaten. Wet diets are typically have an 80% water content so it may be that Puss Puss is getting quite a lot through her food. There are a few tricks you can try to encourage her to drink. Different types of bowl, such as pottery and china dishes may be favoured over some plastic bowls which may taint the taste of the water or shiny metal bowls, which can be frightening. Moving water is often very appealing so a water fountain might help while some cats simply prefer to drink fresh water while out in the garden.