From a winking gerbil to a howling cat – your pet queries answered
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HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years. He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”.
![[Two gray hamsters near a small wooden house.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/two-grey-allocricetulus-rodent-hamsters-963062106.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Q) My gerbil Gremlin winks at me. Should I wink back?. There’s nothing wrong with his eye. Is his behaviour normal?. Rita Cox, Sevenoaks, Kent. A) I had to read that twice. You certainly can wink back, I don’t think it will do any harm or alarm Gremlin.
![[a man wearing a camo sweater is smiling and holding binoculars]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c5985ea2-a254-4f18-b7ee-834a495bf907.jpg?strip=all&w=665)
I suspect it may be less a bonding or social behaviour, and more of him clearing an irritation from his eye, perhaps. It may be related to what bedding you keep him on. For gerbils, a deep bedding layer they can tunnel and burrow in is important. Carefresh or similar compressed paper, compost and straw is a good mix.
![[Betsy, a brindle dog, relaxing on a bed in front of a Christmas tree.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02f759dd-08a2-4a1a-9fe1-665199d77000.jpg?strip=all&w=388)
Because they are burrowers, they are more prone to particles irritating the eyes. What to avoid is very dusty sawdust or wood shavings alone. Q) Vinny, the rescue cat we took in recently, is very vocal, especially howling during the night. He is also bringing in mice nearly every night. Will this calm down as he settles in more? Is there anything we can do to deter him?.
![[Black cat resting in a wicker basket.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/black-cat-resting-wicker-cat-863372916.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He is about 14 months old and we have had him for three months. Gill Greenwood, Manchester. A) It’s hard to know if this is just Vinny’s vocal outgoing nature, or if he is distressed in any way. Perhaps he is just doing a good job of training you, his minions, to let him out at night when he shouts loudest.
