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

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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

Hello @hannahbjm. With many of us going back to work, it's easy to understand why many people in this group have been asking about preparing their dogs for a new routine. I would recommend you start by getting back into your daily routine now so your dog can begin adjusting to the times you wake up and go to bed, go for walks, have play time and when you eat your meals. You can also start building up your dog's time alone by going on short trips without him. As long as he stays happy and relaxed, you can make these longer and longer until he's used to being left for your usual work times. Don't forget: he shouldn't be left for more than 4 hours at a time, so you might need to think about getting a friend or dog walker to visit him in the middle of the day. For more tips on preventing post-lockdown separation problems, here's the link for our blog: pdsa.me/nKy7

Hello @sharond101. Many people worry about giving their dogs a varied diet, but if you're feeding your dog a high-quality commercial complete dog food that's right for their life stage, this will provide them with all the nutrients they need. Although people can choose to give their dog a variety of foods or treats, it's important to remember that in some cases can lead to problems. For example, suddenly changing your dog's food to a different brand or flavour can lead to stomach upsets: pdsa.me/OKep. If your dog is on a food that they like and keeps them healthy, then it's best to stick with it. You can read more about the ideal diet for your dog on our website: pdsa.me/HgeW. If you want to give your dog treats or extras, for example, when you're training them, don't forget to reduce their daily food to account for the extra calories. Check out our treat calculator, which shows how a small snack for a human can be a giant meal for your pet: pdsa.me/UJp6.

Hello @Aria20. There are many comments on preventing separation anxiety, but with such a young pup, there are a few extra things to consider that might help. It's even more important to get your dog used to being left alone slowly when she's so young, especially if she's never been on her own before. Start with really short amounts of time, for example, going out in the garden for 5 minutes while she's in the house, and reward her for being calm when you get back. Build up in 5-minute intervals from there until she's comfortable on her own. Remember that while she's still young, she shouldn't be left for too long. Even adult dogs shouldn't be left for more than 4 hours, and puppies need checking even more regularly to keep them happy and comfortable, especially as they have tiny bladders and need regular meals. You might also want to think about crate training. This provides a safe place to leave your dog where she'll be happy - like her own little house! Please read our guide here: pdsa.me/Qbuj.

Hi @maisietoo. Ticks can cause problems for your dogs, so preventing them is really important. There are a number of tick products on the market, and it's important to choose the right one for your dog's lifestyle. If your dog is picking up a lot of ticks, I'd recommend speaking to your vet for advice. They can let you know the best treatment that will prevent parasites - often products will cover other parasites, such as fleas/worms. Your vet can also provide prescription products for your pets. When looking for ticks, you should always look on the face, legs, armpits and belly. But ticks can be found almost anywhere on your dog, so I'd recommend giving your dog a check all over when you get in from their walk. You can find out more about ticks, including how to safely remove them, on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/VYJE.

Hello @lillypopdaisyduke. Having a calm, laid back dog can make it easier to prepare for changes. But as you've never left him before, I'd recommend taking it slow when you start leaving him on his own. I'd suggest starting with a short trip out and use a pet monitoring app to see how he copes. As long as he's happy, you can gradually build things up and leave him for a bit longer each time. But if he seems to be worried, I'd recommend you read our tips on preventing separation problems after lockdown to give him a bit of extra support: pdsa.me/nKy7.

Hello @Montydoo. Doggy daycare can be fantastic for dogs, providing them with exercise, stimulation and fun when their owners cannot care for them. It's important to find the right doggy day care for your dog, especially if he's not used to meeting lots of other dogs. I'd recommend finding a few local options and visiting them with your dog. Most daycares will be keen to meet your dog and get to know them before they start caring for them. It's also a great opportunity for you to meet the team and ask any questions. If your dog is more nervous or doesn't enjoy playing with lots of other dogs, it's important to check that the daycare can provide him with time and space for himself. If you think the experience might be too much for him, it might be better to consider a daycare or pet sitter that can provide him with one on one care to make sure he's happy when you're out.

It can be challenging having a white dog, @LittleDeeAndME - especially one who enjoys getting out and about. I'm always grateful that Kirk is brown, so the mud is less noticeable when he goes for walks. That is until he jumps on my sofa when we get back! Dogs with healthy skin and coats don't need baths, although it can be a good idea to wash them if they're very dirty. Bathing them too often can remove the oils from their coat that keep their fur in good condition. If you want to wash your dog because they're dirty, I'd recommend just using plain water as much as possible, and if your dog needs a shampoo, stick with a doggy one that you know won't irritate the skin. I think a scruffy pup is a sign your dog has been having a great time exploring the outdoors!

Hello @ohdannyboy. Starting to leave your dog again after being at home a lot more can be difficult, especially with an older boy who has got used to a new routine. Much like for a younger dog, the key is to build things back up slowly and monitor to check he is happy going for longer times without a toilet break. You could start by monitoring his trips into the garden and trying to get him back into a toilet routine while you're at home. That way, if he does start to feel uncomfortable, you can let him out without him becoming upset, and when you do go back to work, you know he'll be relaxed. Remember, if you'll be out of the house for longer than 4 hours when you're working, then it's important to make arrangements so someone can check on your dog and take him out for a toilet trip. If you've noticed that your dog is going out to the toilet a lot more or can't hold his bladder, this could be a sign of a problem, so it might be worth contacting your vet for help. We have more advice on the Pet Health Hub if you're worried about him: pdsa.me/xInc.

Hello @Crappyfridays7. Starting dental care while your dog is young is the best way to keep their teeth healthy. Dental chews can be a good way to help, but they're not as good as brushing, especially as dogs tend to chew using their molars (back teeth) instead of their canines (the big front teeth) or incisors (the little front teeth) so they don't clean all the teeth evenly. Start getting your pup used to a doggy toothpaste first, then build up to brushing slowly. You can read our full guide to dental care for your dog on our website: pdsa.me/Ewwi.

Hello @buckley1983. It sounds likely you're doing exactly the right thing to keep your dog happy. If your greyhound doesn't enjoy spending time with other dogs, then it's best to continue to avoid them in a calm way to keep her happy. Not every dog will enjoy the company of other dogs, some will prefer the company of people or spending time by themselves. Forcing dogs to spend time in situations where they're uncomfortable will tend to make them more stressed and unhappy, so you're doing the right thing by avoiding these gatherings of dogs and owners. We want to our dogs to enjoy life as much as possible and if your dog likes to have her own space then you're giving her exactly what she needs by walking her at quieter times and in quieter places. If you come across a keen dog owner who wants to chat, just explain that your dog prefers to keep moving and enjoy spending quality time with her on your walks- after all, our dogs are often the best company!

Hello L@LoveFall. Many dogs love to lie in the sun, but they can get sunburn if they're out in the sun too long. In addition, pets can be at higher risk of skin cancer if they're exposed to too much sunshine, just like people. Our pets' fur will often help protect them, but if your dog has short or light coloured fur he could be more at risk of sun damage. Sunburn is also more likely to affect hairless areas, for example his nose or belly, so it's especially important to protect these areas. If you're worried about him getting sunburnt, use a pet-safe sun cream and keep him out of the sun in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. You can find out more on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/JBPK.

Hello @Bluepomegranate. I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with training your dog. Recall can be a very challenging command for a young pup to understand, but it's worth keeping up the effort as it's essential to keep her safe. If your dog is starting to run off and ignore you when you call, it's likely that she's not yet learnt the command well enough to be in a place with so many distractions. One of the best ways to train your dog is to give her the best chance of behaving the right way so she gets lots of rewards, and if there's too many distractions around, unfortunately it might be hard for her to concentrate, meaning you don't get the chance to give her treats for coming back. I'd recommend going back a step and try training her in your back garden to keep her focus. If that works, ask a friend if you can visit their house and garden and see if you're able to keep her focus there. Next, try a quiet time at the park (for example early morning). Building up from there will make sure she's learning in a positive way. Another tip that I find helps is to change the tasty treat and make sure you only give this to her during recall training. You need to make sure it's even better than the exciting bird or person on the other side of the field, so it has to be her absolutel favourite. For some dogs, treats aren't as much fun as toys or a game, so maybe see if her favourite toy might keep her attention for longer. Overall, patience and hard work are key for recall. I still train and reward Kirk for his recall, carrying treats with me everywhere I go. It can seem like hard work at times, but in the end it will all be worth it when you call and see your dog running straight back to you with a waggy tail!

Hi @gigibarbs. I'm sorry to hear that your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, you must be worried about her. I would recommend talking to your vet and getting a few more details about her heart problem. It can be hard, but being open and honest about your finances and your worries will often mean your vet can advise you about different options that are available for your dog. The next steps for your dog will depend on the cause of her murmur. Some dogs with heart murmurs will needs medications, some will needs tests or scans and others will need regular monitoring, so talking to your vet is the best way to find out what you can do to help your spaniel. You can find out more about heart problems on the Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/QyxG.

Hello @RunningKatie. I'm please to hear that your rescue dog has settled in so well. It sounds like you've taken lots of great steps to keep him happy while you're having building works, and having met the builders, I'm sure he'll feel more comfortable when they start work. When the build starts, there are a few more things I can suggest to keep him happy and calm. Firstly, I'd recommend setting up a space in the house that's quiet and safe for him. Move his bed, food and water bowls and toys there and spend time with him there so he know it's a happy place to be. You might want to think about making him a den in there too, so if he feels a bit nervous, he has somewhere safe to hide. Ideally, I'd try to make this somewhere far away from the builders to reduce the amount of banging that he can hear. You might need to shut the door at times too to muffle out the noise. Next, it's a good idea to block off areas of the house and garden where the builders are working. There are lots of hazards for your dog on building sites, for examples nails, bits of wood or paint, so keep him safely away from these and always check for dangers before you let him back into the area. Finally, if he's starting to get stressed, consider taking him out of the house while the builders are working. This can be especially important if there is any drilling or loud bangs going on which can seem even louder to our dogs. Chat to your builders each morning and ask if they can tell you before they start doing anything really noisy so you can pop out for a walk or visit a friend. Hopefully these tips will help you all get through the craziness of building works, and I'm sure the end results will be worth it when the work is finished!

Hello @allybird1. I'm sorry to hear your dog has a sensitive stomach. Tummy upsets can be common in puppies and there can be lots of causes, so I'd recommend getting your dog checked by your vet to be safe. You can find out more about stomach upsets on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/uDnF. There isn't one diet that will be best for every dog, so if you find that your dog's upsets are because of their diet, then you might want to try a different brand or flavour. There's lots of different foods on the market, so make sure you pick a high quality complete diet that's right for your dog's age and lifestyle. Don't forget, it's best to make any changes to their diet slowly, unless specifically advised by your vet. Unfortunately, sudden diet changes can make stomach problems worse, so it's best to switch your dog onto a new food gradually. I hope your puppy feels better soon!

Hi @Mummytwo78. Excitable puppies that enjoy their walks can often get excited about anything that might mean it's time for walkies. If your dog is starting to get over-excited every time you go to leave the house, there's a few things you can do to try to help. I'd recommend getting into a routine when you do go for walks so she learns that getting excited won't get her out for walks any quicker. Training a 'sit and wait' command can be really helpful. Start teaching this when she's not excited, then gradually bring it into your routine for getting ready to go for a walk. It might take a few weeks, but if she learns she doesn't get to go out until she's waiting patiently, then she's less likely to act in an excited way while you're getting ready to leave. I'd also train her to go somewhere specific when you'll be going out without her so she can predict that it's not time for a walk. This could be her bed, a den area, a rug or anywhere that she'll be safe and comfortable. When you're about to get ready to go, ask her to go to this place and give her a toy or puzzle feeder to keep her entertained for a few minutes when you leave. Hopefully over time, she'll get used to the process and stop getting so over excited each time you go for walks, although I'm sure she'll still love them when she gets out!

Hello @Petitcanard. I'm sorry that you're worried about that your dog is very thin. If she seems to be underweight, it would be best to contact your vet for advice, especially if she's not had a check up recently. There are a number of things that can cause weight loss in dogs, read more here - pdsa.me/BC5F - so it's always better to get her checked. If they ruled out any medical issues, it's a good idea to ask how much you should be feeding her and start monitoring her weight and body condition score: pdsa.me/3aAY. It can be really hard to tell how much to feed your dog, especially if she's starting to exercise more, so this make it easier for you to your monitor how much to feed her and see if that helps her gain weight.

It's great to hear you're wanting to take care of your dog's teeth, @mandydoherty65! Dental disease is a serious problem for pets (pdsa.me/uw0a), and prevention is definitely better than cure. There are a number of different plaque powders or liquids on the market and many of these are designed to reduce the build up on your dog's teeth. Lots of them will help, but they're not as good as brushing! The best toothbrush will depend on your dog. Some will prefer a finger brush while other's will like a small handled toothbrush - just make sure whatever you use that your dog gets used to teethbrushing slowly and you're able to brush all the teeth (including the molars at the back): pdsa.me/Ewwi. For toothpaste, stick to doggy safe ones. Kirk loves a flavoured toothpaste and we use one with containing an antibacterial to help prevent build up. We have a range of vet approved products on our PDSA Pet Store, and every purchases helps our charity to save pets: pdsa.me/XxNx. Happy brushing!

Hi @Zimbabwe54. As well as being really exciting, getting a new pet is a big responsibility, and finding the right one is really important so you can enjoy a happy life together. We actually have a quiz that you might find helpful on our website: pdsa.me/5pR4. I hope it helps you find the perfect pet!

Hello @Abigfeckingspider. Dogs eating poo can seem like a disgusting habit to us, but it's a very common dog behaviour. There are lots of different reasons why they eat poo, and the best way to stop the habit is close supervision and consistent training. You can read all about it on our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.me/ptur.

Hello @emphasisofmatter. The pandemic has been a hard time to look for a puppy, and I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling to find the right pet this year. When looking for a puppy, it's important to look for a responsible breeder or rescue who has their dogs' best interests at heart. Having a poor start in life can have long term impacts on your dog's health and happiness, and irresponsible breeders or puppy farmers can have a big impact on the lives of dogs used for breeding, so you're right to be cautious. My advice would be to look at the advice on our website (pdsa.me/B8Y9) and download the puppy contract. These resources have loads of helpful tips so you can make sure you find the right dog. The good news is that you should be able to visit the breeder before you pick your puppy as restrictions are now lifting. This is really important to help you avoid scammers or unscrupulous breeders who are only interested in money, not in breeding happy, healthy pups. Although it can be hard, the right dog is worth the wait. I remember how long it felt when I was waiting to find Kirk, but he's an amazing friend and companion so it was completely worth it! While you're waiting, make sure you're as prepared as possible so you have everything ready for your new family member. You might want to read our puppy checklist to check you've thought of everything before your puppy comes home: pdsa.me/Ica0. I hope you manage to find the perfect pup soon.

Hello @ckelly2304. It's great that you're preparing your dog now, it's key to take steps early on to prevent separation problems. I'd recommend reading our blog on preventing post-lockdown separation problems: pdsa.me/nKy7. This has some great tips to help your dog adjust as the world opens up again. There are lots of things you can do now to help her, for example, making her a den and going out for short times to begin with to help her stay calm. It's also a good idea to let your dog spend plenty of time with your parents so she knows them really well when they come to visit. If she's struggling to adjust and you need to go out or start back at the office, you might want to consider taking her to stay with your parents for the day or consider doggy day care. Even if it's just a temporary step while she's learning to be left alone. It's much better to prevent problems than treat them once she's anxious when she's left alone.

Hello @1mummy1. I'm glad to hear your older terrier still likes to go out for his walks, even if he's not wanting to go quite as far as he used to, it's still a great way to keep him happy and active. There are a number of different games and training activties you can try that will help keep his brain and body working - the old phrase is wrong and you definitely can teach an old dog new tricks! I wrote a blog last year with some of the games I play with Kirk that you might want to try: pdsa.me/qJ9T. Just be careful with jumping, as older joints can be more sensitive. We also have a guide to exercising your senior dog you might find helpful: pdsa.me/rlHs and some advice about joint care to help keep him mobile: pdsa.me/chd5.

Hello @marymod. This is great idea on how to help your dog adjust. You can probably see from the forum that lots of us are taking steps so our dogs adjust to time alone post-lockdown. Start with short trips out and monitor your dog for any signs of separation problems. As long as she's happy and calm, gradually build these up by a few minutes at a time. Hopefully, by the time you need to leave her for work she will be used to time to herself and can have some relaxing time on her own. If you want anymore tips, here's the link for our blog on preventing separation problems: pdsa.me/nKy7.

Hello @Breeze81. I'm sorry to hear your dog struggles with separation anxiety. If you're looking for help for her, I'd recommend you read our webpage on separation anxiety: pdsa.me/GzDs. I'd also recommend speaking to your vet and getting in touch with a ABTC certified behaviourist. You can try some of our techniques for preventing separation problems: pdsa.me/tdf0 - but you'll often need help from a professional once your dog has developed symptoms of separation anxiety. Sadly, separation problems tend to get worse over time, so it's best to try to avoid leaving her alone until you can get help. Doggy daycare could be a good option to help your dog, as long as she likes spending time with other dogs for company. Visit the daycare a couple of times before you leave her for the day so she can used to the team and the other dogs. Lots of dogs will enjoy their daycare so much they won't notice you're gone, but it's better to try out a few short visits before you need to leave her for the day, just to be safe. Wishing you and your dog all the best - I hope you manage to get help for her soon.