Answered by PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing.

Dear PDSA Vet: I’m having some problems with my dog humping objects and people at the moment, is there anything I can do to prevent this behaviour? Baljit

Although this type of behaviour can be quite unpleasant for owners, humping is perfectly natural for both male and female dogs, and isn’t always sexually motivated. Dogs also display this behaviour as a form of play, to express excitement, relieve stress, or even for medical reasons such as an itchy skin condition. Never punish your pooch for humping, instead use positive, reward-based training techniques to encourage them to behave in the way you want them to. Socialising from an early age helps teach them how to play and interact appropriately, as well as encouraging them to stay calm. Neutering can help to reduce humping in some pets – speak to your vet about whether it is the right choice for your dog.

Dear PDSA Vet: I gave my Yorkie pup a strawberry yesterday, and today she is itching a lot and has a red rash. Is this an allergy, and what can I do to help her? Johannes

It’s hard to tell whether your dog’s itchiness was caused solely by an allergic reaction, so I’d take her to your vet for a check-up as soon as possible. If it is an allergy, she may need some medication to treat her symptoms. Your vet will also look for other possible causes, such as parasites or a skin infection. Strawberries don’t usually cause a problem for dogs, but it is possible that she had an allergic reaction to them, so in future I’d avoid them to be on the safe side and stick to dog-friendly treats.

Dear PDSA Vets: My cat, Bella, is sneezing a lot more than usual. I presume it’s nothing too serious, but what could be affecting her and how can I help? Kavon

The occasional sneeze is nothing to worry about, however, if Bella is sneezing regularly or having severe symptoms, it could signal something more serious. Some common causes of sneezing in furry friends include dental disease, a foreign body in their nose (such as a blade of grass), irritants in their environment such as perfumes, or cat flu – which can fortunately be vaccinated against. Based on the symptoms you have described, I would recommend taking Bella to the vet as soon as possible to get to the root cause of the problem and rule out any underlying illnesses.

Dear PDSA Vet: Do young puppies need lots of exercise? How long should their walks be? Simon

Exercise is essential for your puppy’s health and wellbeing and supports their muscles and bones to develop properly. The amount of daily exercise your pup needs depends on their breed, age, health, fitness, and personality. Once they’ve had all their vaccinations, you can start taking them out for short, gentle walks, with lots of time for sniffing and exploring, as well as a few sessions of fun and interactive playtime each day. Your pooch may need longer walks as they get older, but be careful not to push them too hard – it’s important to let them rest when they’re tired, and also to encourage rest periods if they won’t rest themselves. Avoid any exercise that puts strain on your puppy’s developing body, such as jumping, leaping, turning, and fast running. For more advice on how to give your puppy the best start in life, visit pdsa.org.uk/weighup-pr

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk