From a destructive cat to a friendless bearded dragon – your pet queries answered

The Sun

19-07-2025

HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners' queries for ten years.
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Q) ALTHOUGH she knows it annoys me, my cat keeps scratching my favourite chair.
I've already had it recovered once. What can I do to stop Dingo's destroying ways?
Peter Thrower, Barnsley
A) Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats. It marks their territory, leaving scent behind for other cats that might stray in as well as being a visual reminder that they live in that location.
There's also evidence it releases natural feelgood chemicals like endorphins and happy hormones.
Dingo is not doing it to annoy you, she just really wants to scratch that chair. They like prominent upright surfaces to do it on, too.
The trick is to encourage the behaviour more on appropriate objects. Cat-scratching posts are vital if you don't already have some.
Multiple ones around the house preferably. And use a pet-safe deterrent spray on your chair or temporarily wrap it in cling film or aluminium foil to break the habit.
Bonkers, but it can work.
Q) CAN you please advise on what paint can be used for a tortoise enclosure?
World's Oldest Tortoise Jonathan Package - Joe Hollins
My family have a pair called Laurel and Hardy.
Sara Moore, Selsdon, Surrey
A) I have to admit I'm not up to date on the paint market, so it's difficult to recommend products.
What I will say is that it needs to be a paint advertised as pet-safe. I'd also mention that it needs to be for outdoor use so it doesn't flake off and get eaten by your tortoises.
And on that note, certain colours can be very attractive to tortoises.
Bright yellows, oranges, reds and purples in particular are a no-go, otherwise Laurel and Hardy may be chewing their way through your enclosure and we don't want that.
Q) I HAVE just bought my son his first bearded dragon.
Called Berty, he is really sociable. Should I get him a friend?
Amy Parker, Reading
A) My niece just got one too and it's reminded me just how fun and sociable they can be as pets.
The pet dog of the reptile world, I think. Anyway, you'll be glad to know Berty doesn't need a companion as Beardies are pretty solitary animals.
They only really come together to mate. When kept in groups, stress and competition for food and basking spots is high, but fighting, injury and even death can also occur.
As with all reptile-keeping, mimic their life in the wild as best you can and you won't go too far wrong.
Q) MY cat Princess only eats the jelly on cat food and turns her nose up at the rest of it.
What can I do to get her to eat up? I'm worried she'll be hungry.
Olivia Edwards, Basildon, Essex
A) One of three things is likely to be happening here. Firstly, it's quite possible Princess may have oral pain, caused by dental disease.
This is worth a vet appointment. As is the second category — an illness may be making her lose her appetite.
You don't mention if she has lost weight or whether she's drinking more but these are always signs to watch out for, in older cats especially.
Finally, maybe she's just not that hungry, and she knows that if she turns her nose up you come rushing in with something even more tasty.
Cats and dogs can be very clever like that, training their owners to produce the goods when they fancy something different.
We often worry too much in this last situation. If your cat is a healthy weight and seems well in herself, simply relax and let Princess finish her bowl.
Star of the week
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SHE played Dogpool in the latest Deadpool & Wolverine blockbuster – and now Peggy is a superhero to other pups.
As the five-year-old hairless pugese – a pug and Chinese Crested cross, once voted Britain's ugliest dog – has helped raise £627 for Birmingham Dogs Home at Comic Con Midlands.
Rachel Frost, the charity's events and community fundraising manager said: 'We were a little star-struck to have Peggy visit our charity but are extremely grateful for her taking time out of her busy schedule to support our rescue dogs.'
Peggy's owner, make-up artist Holly Middleton, 38, from East Yorks, said: 'Peggy and I are very proud to support them.'
Donate at birmingham dogshome.org.uk.
WIN: £50 B&M VOUCHER
B&M is giving five lucky readers the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend on their new summer pet collection.
The range has everything you need to keep your furry friend happy – from cooling mats and splash pools to Paw Pops you can freeze for a tasty treat.
To enter the competition, email sundaypets@the-sun. co.uk with the subject line B&M by August 3.
Check out the range at bmstores.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
SAVE PETS FROM GARDEN'S HIDDEN TOXINS
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SUMMER is the ideal time for pets to relax in the garden – but owners should look out for hidden dangers.
Check slug pellets, fertilisers and pesticides are safe for animals, and remember some plants can be deadly.
Lars Mortensen, head vet at the Agria pet insurance app, said: 'Dog, cat and rabbit owners should look out for plants such as lilies, giant hogweed, geraniums and hydrangeas. Know which products are pet-friendly and which are toxic.'
Kitten Izzie had a risky brush with a lily on the Ards Peninsula in County Down. Her owner, healthcare professional Megan Clarke, washed her and rushed her to the vet, where she was put on a drip to support her vital organs. Agria covered the £2,500 cost.
Lucinda Alderton-Sell, of charity Cats Protection, revealed several owners have been caught out by surprise toxins.
She said: 'Lilies are poisonous to cats and the toxins can cause kidney failure, which can be fatal.'
If your pet has symptoms, call your vet immediately.