Pet Subjects: My cat licks her fur so much, she's making herself bald. What should I do?
Dear Pete
My 12-year-old female cat, who was spayed at 10 months, has been licking herself, making herself bald, around her lower tummy for the past five years. She doesn’t seem stressed or neurotic. Is this overgrooming predominantly a female habit? Is there such a thing as a feline menopause that kicks in at a certain age?
MC, London NW6
Dear MC
Only humans and some sea mammals (for instance orcas) undergo menopause (the cessation of reproductive function as they grow older). Other species, including cats, if not neutered, undergo a gradual decline of fertility, but retain cyclic hormonal changes. In any case, spaying removed your cat’s female hormones at an early age. Overgrooming happens in males and females, and can be caused by stress, but other reasons include fleas (make sure you have a rigorous flea control regime), food allergy, and atopy (allergy to pollens/dusts in the air). Talk to your vet about solving this one.
Dear Pete
Our African grey parrot is 20 years old. She’s affectionate, and a great talker. Lately she has been snatching the food bowl and upending it, which is both annoying and wasteful. We give her plenty of attention and distractions. Is this a game, or a protest and how should we deal with it?
D&VE, Kent
Dear D&VE
It’s normal parrot behaviour to interact with their environment in ways that we humans don’t expect. She could be flipping the bowl over because she’s frustrated, to get attention or just because she finds it fun to toss things around and make noises. Try allowing her to forage for her food in the morning and late afternoon (mimicking the feeding pattern of wild parrots). Ideally, she might fly around your home looking for food in strategically chosen places, or you could take a paper cup, put some food in it and stuff it with paper, so she has to work to find her food. These parrots are more intelligent than young children: for more on their behaviour, see apbc.org.uk/parrots-and-birds
Make sure your garden is dog-friendly
Whether you have acres of land, a patio or small balcony, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is advising dog owners of the poisonous plants to watch out for (e.g. hydrangea and wisteria). The charity is also highlighting signs that a dog may be sensitive or allergic to other plants. For more information, visit dogstrust.org.uk/gardens
Rescue pet
Jet is an affectionate, three-year-old lurcher. Ideal owners would have dog experience. For more information, see battersea.org.uk/dogs/jet
Outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/rescues.
Send queries to petsubjects@telegraph.co.uk or tweet @PeteTheVet. All sick animals should be taken to a vet.
