Cat's vet trip is wheel stress; Pets Corner.

Byline: Scott Miller

Q My eight-year-old cat is very distressed when travelling in the car in the cat cage. She cries constantly, her paws become sweaty and she shakes. The symptoms have increased with age. Can you help? A First, de-demonise the cat cage. Leave it out for a few days before you visit the vet to let the cat get used to it. Use Feliway spray in the box from the vet, which uses synthetic scent hormones to make your cat feel calm. When putting your cat in the box, a vet trick is to put them in backwards. Cover the box with a heavy towel as the darkness may be calming as you walk to the car and drive off. Expect noise and stress for the first 15-20 minutes, but it should calm down. If this doesn't work ask your vet for sedatives. Good luck.

Q I have a six-month-old border collie who, as well as a foot fetish, loves to chase cars. We try and get him to sit when cars go past on a walk, and have tried rewarding him when he ignores cars, but nothing makes a difference.

A Border collies are a complex, intelligent breed. Try and find a local animal behaviourist who can help desensitise your dog to traffic, keep his attention on you and reward his ignorance of cars. He is still young so hopefully, with specialist help, you can stop his car chasing becoming a dangerous life-long obsession. On the foot fetish, dogs like smelly things, especially male canines, so maybe a family foot spa for Christmas may be an apt present.

QI'm interested in PetSmile month but literature I received stated the nearest participating vet was in Belfast. Can you help? A When I typed in Alloa's postcode, vet practices in Tillicoultry, Stirling, Grangemouth, Falkirk and Bonnybridge all came up within 12 miles of you, happy to see your dog and give him a free dental check-up. Be quick though, as PetSmile month is only for the month of September.

Q I have two male and one female house cats, who have all been neutered. The female, Macy, is being badly bullied by Ozzy. Macy now has a skin irritation, which the vet says is stress-related. We've tried locking Ozzy away on his own and also have three litter trays. Do you have any advice? A It may be that Ozzy is just a young, male cat who is a bit bored with lots of excess energy, and who takes it out on the cat who reacts the most. Try wearing Ozzy out, playing with him for 15 minutes twice a day. Use fluttering or bouncing toys, or even a laser pen, getting his heart rate up and his youthful aggressions out.