My Chihuahua, Fred is a fussy eater and won’t eat the food I offer. Are there any recipes I can make at home? Owen

Dear Owen: You’re best sticking with a commercially available diet as these have been thoroughly researched to provide the correct nutrients for our pets’ ages.

Getting the balance right is difficult with homemade diets and could lead to deficiencies.

Don’t take Fred’s food away too quickly if he doesn’t eat it immediately or be tempted to give table scraps instead – not only will this teach him to wait for something nicer, but fatty scraps can lead to obesity.

You may need to try several diets to find one he likes and moistening the food can help. Any changes should be made gradually to avoid tummy upsets though.

Sometimes medical conditions can affect our pets’ appetites, so when normality resumes speak with your vet and they can investigate further.

Dear PDSA Vet: What do you recommend for cleaning my hamster’s cage?

Can I use a household spray, or is this poisonous?

Are there special products I need to use and how often should I clean the cage out? Gaynor

Dear Gaynor: Your hamster’s cage should be thoroughly cleaned once a week and spot cleaned more regularly if needed.

Hamsters don’t like change, so try not to alter their environment too much; leave a small amount of the old (unsoiled) bedding behind so their familiar scents aren’t completely removed during cleaning.

You’re correct that human cleaning products can be toxic to pets. Pet-safe products are available from pet shops, so use these and follow the instructions provided.

Warm soapy water, using mild washing-up liquid, is also safe, but make sure you thoroughly rinse the cage to remove any residue and dry it afterwards.

Dear PDSA Vet: My lurcher puppy keeps eating my other dog’s poo. Why is she doing this and how can I stop this? James

Dear James: There are several possible causes for this behaviour. It can be learned from seeing her mother cleaning up a soiled environment to maintain a tidy nest, but it can also be due to hunger, habit, boredom or stress.

The most effective way of tackling this is to monitor her closely and clean away any faeces quickly before your puppy gets a chance to eat it. If she looks like she is heading towards any poo, use toys that can distract her and give her something else to be interested in.

Interactive games and puzzle feeders can help prevent boredom if this is the cause. Training her to respond to the ‘leave’ command so that you can stop her from investigating the poo can also help.

Try not to punish her, or be tempted to use a muzzle, and contact your vet if you’re worried.