gummy pains
My 13-year-old dog has lost most of his teeth, and I’ve noticed that he’s starting to have difficulty eating. Are there any soft yet nutritious foods you can suggest for him?
Ask The Experts
Blankie addict
I recently took in an eight-year-old cat and had him sterilised. He likes to knead on the blanket he uses for long periods, and when I call him over for meals or try to take the blanket away, he mews angrily and digs his claws into it. What is wrong?
More poop please!
My cat is healthy and eats well, but she only poops about twice a week instead of every day (like recommended online), and I often have to massage her belly to stimulate bowel movement. She doesn’t cry or appear in pain while pooping, and my vet says she’s healthy. Should I be worried?
Delicious digits
My six-year-old Miniature Schnauzer cross has recently started licking his paws a lot, especially when he’s home alone—sometimes to the point where they are sopping wet and smelly after. What could be the cause of this?
Stinky beyond belief
I recently adopted a two-year-old Singapore Special, and realised that his poop is so pungent—worse than any of my other dogs’ waste! I think it was because he used to be a stray dog, so he probably ate a lot of junk food. How do you recommend I “reset” his stomach and get it healthy and clean again?
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Itchy hammie
Q: My two-year-old hamster has been scratching excessively of late, to the point where he has bald patches and he bleeds. He is also losing weight. What could be wrong?
Meow medication
My cat was recently diagnosed with cat herpes, and my vet says it is untreatable. She is on L-lysine supplements, but her symptoms are only marginally better. She still sneezes, gets eye irritations, and sometimes even drools. Is there anything else I can do to help her?
Hard to swallow
I realised that my dog has been rolling his tongue and coughing when he eats. He has also been eating slower. I think he’s trying to clear his throat, or something may be stuck. Recently, he was diagnosed with acid reflux. Could this have anything to do with it?
Panda puppy
I recently bought a six-month-old, Maltese. I knew to expect tear stains, but I did not think it would be as dark and stubborn as they are now. I’ve tried commercial tear stain removers, but none work. What can I do?
Feeding logistics
I am adopting a cat in a month’s time, and was thinking of feeding him ad lib. Is it healthy? What is recommended for a working paw-rent who is out most of the day?
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Chubby cutie
My two-year-old spayed Jack Russell Terrier gobbles her food, so I feed her kibble with a slow feeder. She’s very energetic, is walked regularly, and eats just one cup of kibble a day (split into two feedings—day and night). However, her weight seems to be steadily increasing. She went from 4.8kg to 7.3kg in a year, and her waist is starting to disappear! What can I do to manage her weight?
Touch me not
My eight-year-old cat is hostile to me, her primary caregiver. She follows me around the house when I prepare her litter and food, but bites, hisses and claws when I try to touch her. Strangely, she is affectionate towards to the rest of my family—allowing petting and hugging. What is wrong?
Car terror
My Miniature Schnauzer seems to have a fear of car rides. When I put her in her carrier to go to the vet or groomer, she displays signs of distress like whining, trembling and drooling. How can I help her overcome her fear?
Teeth trouble
I just rescued a four-year-old male rabbit and the former fosterer told me that he has cheek teeth malocclusion. I do not see an obvious overgrowth as it is in his mouth. He eats very slowly, but still has a reasonable appetite. Is there anything special I need to do while taking care of him?
Can hammies catch colds?
Q: My pet hamster seems to have gotten the flu! His breathing is a lot heavier than normal, there’s a bit of discharge at his nose, and he’s less active. I just recovered from a cold, so could I have passed it on to him?
