Ask The Experts

Touch me not

Rebecca Ho 5 years ago

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

Maureen Tay 5 years ago

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

Dr Grace Heng 5 years ago

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?

Dr Kenneth Tong 5 years ago

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?

Crazy curls

Bernard Ong 5 years ago

Q: During the school holidays, my Poodle went out a lot, and each time she returned, her fur was matted! My husband and I spent hours detangling her fur. What are some grooming tips to keep my furkid knot-free?

Tender tummy

Dr Bruce Syme 5 years ago

Q: My dog often gets mild diarrhoea or indigestion from ingesting just about anything, including wet canned food and fruit. What foods or supplements can help tackle his belly woes?

Homecoming queen

Rebecca Ho 5 years ago

Q: The stray cat below my block is sweet and gentle, and allows me to handle her and bring her to the vet when she’s unwell. I am thinking of adopting her but have concerns about how she might react in a home environment after roaming outdoors for so long. How do I ease her into becoming a house cat?

Staying pretty after potty

Bernard Ong 5 years ago

Q: Cleaning up after my 12-year-old Shih Tzu is very difficult as her old age causes her to make a mess each time she pees and poops. Is there any way I can groom her fur so it does not get dirty as easily?

Too much energy for recovery

Dr Grace Heng 5 years ago

Q: My eight-month-old Jack Russell Terrier was spayed a week ago, but she is already back to her hyperactive self. I thought she would be calmer and less excitable. Should I stop her from playing in case her healing is hindered?

Hearty meals and medications

Dr Bruce Syme 5 years ago

Q: My 15-year-old Schnoodle has a severe heart murmur. So far, the only way I’ve been able to feed him his medicine is by rolling it into egg yolk. Is this safe for my dog?

Weepy chin

Dr Kenneth Tong 5 years ago

Q: My eight-year-old Chinchilla has been getting wet patches around his eyes quite frequently. Initially, I thought he had an infection, but the patches would quickly disappear after a day. What should I do?

Joint efforts

Zulkifli Bin Daud 5 years ago

I recently noticed that my 13-year-old cat has stopped playfully jumping up onto shelves and tables. I suspect she has arthritis. What lifestyle changes are recommended to manage her condition?

Fido’s attention issues

Maureen Tay 5 years ago

My two-year-old pooch is becoming increasingly clingy. While he’s generally well-behaved during playtime, he starts barking to get my attention if I leave him alone after. Yet, it’s almost impossible to get his attention and he doesn’t listen when I tell him to stop doing something. What should I do?

Sweet sensations

Dr Bruce Syme 6 years ago

Q: My four-year-old, 2.3kg Yorkshire Terrier enjoys his kibbles with boiled sweet potato or potato, followed by five to 10 wolfberries soaked in warm water as dessert. He also eats pineapples, apples and banana in between meals. Are these foods good for him, and do they contribute to a healthy diet?

Bathing without Bloodshed

Bernard Ong 6 years ago

Q: I just adopted a one-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat. I would like to give her a bath and trim her nails. How should I go about it?