Do you have questions about how to keep your dog healthy and happy post lockdown? Ask PDSA vet and animal expert, Anna Ewers - £200 voucher to be won

[GraceEMumsnet]

You can find Anna's answers to all of your questions below - we're no longer taking questions on this thread

As the UK went into lockdown last year, most of us had a lot more time at home, and as a result, puppy sales soared. One year on, these pups will be reaching adolescence and some owners may be noticing a change in their dog’s behaviour. Many won’t have experienced the usual socialisation during their early years because of the pandemic, so their health and wellbeing is a priority as they adjust to life in the big wide world. With this in mind, PDSA vet Anna Ewers Clark will be on hand to answer your questions about preparing your adolescent pets for life after lockdown.

Here’s some more information about PDSA vet Anna: “Anna Ewers Clark is a vet working for the UK’s leading veterinary charity PDSA, who provide free and low-cost veterinary care to the pets of owners in need. She has worked in several PDSA Pet Hospitals across the UK, writes for the PDSA Pet Health Hub and provides veterinary advice for the charity’s communications team. She also has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Anna lives with her dog, Kirk, and two rescue rabbits, Jack and Harley.”

Here’s what PDSA has to say: “As we start to socialise with friends and family again and visit new places, it’s important pets’ flea and worming treatments are kept up to date, especially if they’re exploring and mixing with other pets. PDSA has a range of flea and worm treatments available, helping to keep your four-legged friend and your family pest-free.”

Whether you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour, changing your pet’s routine post lockdown, or pesky fleas and worms, ask your questions on this thread and PDSA vet Anna will be back on the 23rd June to answer some of your questions.

All who leave a question will also be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

My dogs are older but both now get incredibly stressed when left, even for very short periods. The older of the two, who is nine now, takes a long time to calm down after I come back in and pants and barks uncontrollably for a good ten minutes or so. The problem is that I am working from home and so there is someone at home almost all the time, which makes it even harder for the dogs to cope when I am not here as it is much less frequent.

I have 2 rescue dogs, we walk early so that they can run free. When we meet someone I put them on a lead. One is very nervous and chews his friends lead, the other barks violently. If leads are not needed they are both ok. Is there a way that I can help them feel better?

What would be the best dog or cat to get for me.I am 66 with limited mobility but unlimited love .

How do I stop my dog from eating other dogs poo when out for walks

We have two dogs and often go for woodland walks , they alwasy seem to get ticks . What is the best treatment for ticks ?? thanks guys

We are ready to get our first family dog, but we are really struggling with the current climate for puppy selling/ purchasing. The massively inflated prices driven up through the lockdown demand for puppies, plus high amounts of inexperienced or irresponsible breeders. We are contacting local registered breeders but they have raised prices so much, and we don't want to play into this inflated market. Additionally rescue dogs aren't available to us as we have young children. In essence my question is, what is the best way to get a puppy right now, responsibly? Thank you

I adopted a dog from Cyprus who is 4, I have been working from home but would imagine at some point I might need to go into the office at least 1 or 2 days a week later in the year when we move to hybrid working. Are there any tips to deal with how to make it easier for her to be left alone for a longer period, I've only left her a couple of hours up til now. I will get my parents to pop in and let her out. She doesn't like being left alone, even for the 20 minute school run although is getting better now and doesn't try to sneak out the door with me!

My dear old terrier mix still likes short walks to a certain extent, but do you have any suggestions for games we could play to keep him active and sharp.

From September we'll be returning to work and are thinking about what we should do to ease the situation and reduce anxiety. Should we try to stay away from the house for increasing amounts of time to get her used to us not being there?

How do you help a rescue dog with separation anxiety once I have to go back onto the office? I will be sending to doggy daycare but I don't want her to be sad.

How can we prepare our puppy to welcoming visitors to our home and garden?

What are your thoughts on services that offer volunteers who can come and walk your dog for you? As I am working from home long hours, I rarely have time to take her out during working hours. Do you think too many different faces is confusing for her or will she adapt and enjoy the exercise? She is very sociable.

are kennels or pet sitters best when going on holiday?

My puppy won't eat puppy food he prefers the cats meat or cat poo! I've tried everything feeding the animals separately and taking food bowls away. He seems to get bored very quickly of the same brand of puppy food and we have to keep changing it to get him to eat which isn't ideal. Any suggestions please?

How do I best protect my dog from dog theft? It really worries me as you hear so much of it these days. I have him chipped and would not leave him outside or in a car alone obviously but is there more owners can do.

What's the best way to get our pup used to other dogs and people after being isolated with us during the last couple of months. Dont want her to be afraid

we have a new lockdown puppy who is 5 months old but he won't stop eating his poo. He evens brings it in as presents for us - help ! what can we do?

During hot weather is it safe to give dogs ice cubes and spray them with cold water to keep them cool?

We have been isolating since last March so have been taking our 4 year old Labrador to places where there are no other people or dogs. He is now barking and growling when he sees other dogs and sometimes people. However, if he gets off his lead with them he plays well. I’ve tried distraction. I’ve tried asking him, nicely, not to do it. Is there anything else I could try? I should also say we lost our old dog just before lockdown last year so he was used to dog company on his walks previously.

Our dog is 2 years old now, but still goes crazy when either of us gets home, to the point where she will wee a little. Are there any training tricks that can combat this issue?

Going away with the pooch in September and there's likely to be ticks. What's the best way to deal with them?

I got my dog during the second wave late last year. He's now 9 months old and never went to puppy classes. He loves meeting new people and is great around children. However he has taken a dislike to dogs which stand still and stare at him. He will greet dogs that come up to sniff at him and ignore those which ignore him. Is it too late to take him to puppy classes now?

We are really hoping to get a puppy, but it is so hard to tell who is genuine and who isn’t - what is the best way to buy a dog just now?

How do I get my rottie used to the massive influx of people 'staycationing' she is a nervous aggressive 6 year old but as we live in a desirable seaside area everyone is coming every day, more and more people, the most I have ever seen, she was just getting used to walking by most people with no reactions but the sheer amount of people means she no longer gets the short break in between to pick herself up again