Pet Subjects: Telegraph vet Pete Wedderburn answers your questions

Pete Wedderburn
Telegraph vet, Pete Wedderburn Credit:  Patrick Bolger

Dear Pete

Our two-year-old rescue Shih Tzu hates being left alone. We leave on lights and radio, and give her toys, but she scrapes and chews my kitchen door. What can I do?

LR, Chester

Credit: Geoff Pugh

Dear LR

This sounds like separation anxiety. The answer is to teach her to tolerate being left alone, by desensitisation and counter-conditioning. Anti-anxiety medication (such as Clomicalm) from your vet will help her stay calm while she learns. A behaviourist can also help you (


Dear Pete

I would like two kittens for me and my two boys. I am allergic to cats, but my sons are not. Can I find hypoallergenic cats?

SJ, London

Credit: Natasha Piris

Dear SJ

There’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat: the cause is a protein (allergen) in the saliva, skin, and urine of all cats. The allergen collects on the cat’s fur then comes off in tiny flakes. Some breeds (eg Siberian) may be less likely to trigger allergies, but nothing’s guaranteed. If you do get cats, get someone without allergies to wipe the cat often with a damp towel; vacuum a lot and keep cats out of your bedroom.


A new guide to buying a puppy is available from the Dog Breeding Reform Group website. Last month, this group won charity of the year at the Ceva Welfare Awards 2018.



Chance is a two-and-half-year-old American bulldog who loves people. Contact Wadars on 01903 247111.


