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.

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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.”

Q) MY one-year-old Labrador Bob growls at big dogs when he’s on the lead.

He isn’t neutered yet and I’m wondering if that will help?

Once he’s off the lead he’s fine. What can I do?

Kay Edwards, Brighton, East Sussex

A) I always recommend getting a qualified animal behaviourist to advise on a case-by-case basis.

In general, aggressive displays like growling or barking on the lead are often due to fear or anxiety.

Feeling trapped without the ability to run from a strange dog, especially a bigger one might prompt Bob to communicate a “back off, I’m uncomfortable” message.

Secondly, we tend to see a change in behaviour and confidence levels around puberty particularly in male dogs.

The old advice was to neuter them if this is causing behavioural issues.

But new evidence shows that early neutering can actually worsen the behaviour if it’s due to fear or anxiety.

It’s complicated. A behaviourist is a great investment now.

Q) CAN I have your thoughts on a house rabbit?

Can they be toilet trained?

What are the essentials I’d need?

Sam Sherborne, Carlisle

A) Firstly, rabbits are a highly social species and need the company of their own kind so two is best.

Littermates of the same sex, or a mixed sex pair. Make sure they are neutered and spayed.

House rabbits can be as happy as outdoor rabbits with the right diet, and environmental enrichment.

They need to keep busy and have plenty of room to explore.

The house needs to be rabbit-proof as they will chew plants and cables.

And yes they can be litter trained easily and are clean house guests.

Q) MY cat Minky, 20, is reaching the end.

She’s eating, but is there a time to say goodbye?

What signs should I look for as I want to do the right thing?

Cath Brown, Leeds

A) It’s tricky to give advice without knowing Minky or doing a full health check.

Your own vet, who knows you and Minky, is the person to help you make the right decision.

It may be that Minky will have a good quality of life for the next two to three years.

Or maybe there are signs to watch for in the coming six months.

I always say it’s better to put an elderly animal to sleep peacefully a week too early than a day too late.

The aim is to prevent suffering and maintain a reasonable quality.

Eating is not always a sign of a good quality of life.

Sleeping lots, withdrawal from any interaction, odd vocalising, as well as signs of physical pain such as reduced mobility, toileting in new places or incontinence are all signs things are on the downturn.

My advice is a vet check and an honest discussion about your feelings, and come up with a plan together.

Q) I OFTEN walk my dog on Dartmoor and even though I use a supermarket-bought flea treatment Ed gets the odd tick.

Is there something I can do?

Pete Cox, Ashburton, Devon

A) Over the counter products from the supermarket or pet shop are often not as effective as those from your vet on prescription.

There’s some evidence that fleas are becoming resistant to certain products.

Parasite control is best advised on a case-by-case basis according to your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.

It may be advisable to switch to an oral tablet rather than spot-on liquid, in case Ed washes off the product.

Not only does this make the product less effective, it is really harmful to the environment and aquatic life.

Star of the week

LONELY dog Zara has been treated to a special photoshoot to help her find a forever home.

It took place at rescue shelter All Dogs Matter, where some of their older, bigger or less “photogenic” pooches are waiting for adoption.

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Gentle Zara, a four-year-old Staffie who was abandoned by her owner after having puppies, lapped up the lens, with images taken by Wex Photo Video.

Ira Moss, founder of All Dogs Matter, said: “This photoshoot has allowed us to show that with a little love and the right photo, all of our wonderful dogs can shine brightly.”

Paul Wareham at Wex added: “Much like a dating profile, pictures tell a thousand words, whether that’s with people or dogs.”

WIN: Pet feeder

WE have teamed up with PetSafe to give away two Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeders – worth more than £200.

This nifty gadget can schedule, monitor, and adjust your pet’s feeding schedule remotely using the free app.

Alerts tell you when they’ve been fed and when food levels are low or its empty.

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Send an email headed FEEDER to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by October 13.

See uk.petsafe.net.

T&Cs apply.

Howl to beat dog’s separation anxiety

OWNERS working from home are causing more dogs to have separation anxiety when left alone.

Jo Sellers, 54, from Guildford, Surrey, says she has seen a rise in pooches struggling to cope and urges owners to teach them to feel happy on their own.

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She says: “Dogs are social and love being with their humans, but there are times we need to go out, and knowing how your dog responds is important, as so many owners don’t even know their dog is in distress.

“They come home to find they’ve chewed furniture or heard from neighbours that they’ve been howling, whining or jumping around.

“If you’re seeing this with your dog, you can help by watching them on a camera and then slowly build up their time apart from you.”

It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of the 12.5million dogs in the UK suffer separation anxiety.

Now Jo, a certified separation anxiety pro behaviourist, has even created a Dog Separation Anxiety Awareness Day on September 30.

She added: “Many owners are unaware just how upset their dogs can be, so the wider we spread this message, the more dogs can be happier.”

See pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/separation-anxiety.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is in Barcelona with the message, “Let Me Entertain You” – but he’s not singing.

Earlier this summer, he opened his art exhibition in the city more used to displaying masterpieces by Gaudi, Picasso and Dali.

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Here’s how to catch Robbie’s vibrant, weird and wonderful works while enjoying a short break in this cosmopolitan, colourful and creative Catalonian capital.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

TO see the craziest church ever, the stunning 18-tower Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi.

He put his stamp on Barcelona and his architectural wonders are littered around this friendly city by the Med in northern Spain.

Attractions include museums for all the family, galleries, parks, beaches, all-budget shopping, markets, a zoo, port and aquarium.

There are regular concerts at Estadi Olimpic, where I saw Bruce Springsteen boss the stage for three hours, while football fans can tour FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou where there’s a “Messi Space”, dedicated to the footie great Lionel.

Flamenco shows, operas, theatres and let’s not forget, tapas and sangria are all part of Barcelona’s captivating ch­arm.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

YES, but to save time getting between major attractions, the hop-on, hop-off Bus Turistic is brilliant.

Two routes cost £30 a day for an adult and £40 for two days, while kids are half price.

Or, buy a multi-day metro pass which includes the trams and buses — I had three days for £22.

Stroll down the famous La Rambla with cafes, restaurants and performers and through the narrow, cobbled streets and squares in the Gothic Quarter.

Get panoramic views of the city from Park Guell, where the fabulous gardens are littered with colourful mosaics and sculptures — all down to that man Gaudi again.

For more views, take the cable car up to Parc Montjuic, and wander through the castle dating to 1640.

You can also rent an e-bike — there’s a 125-mile network of cycle lanes.

ANYTHING FOR BUCKET LIST?

AVOID queues and book a fun tour of Sagrada Familia, which after 142 years is still not finished.

But our City Experiences’ guide has news, it will be completed by 2026 to celebrate the centenary of Gaudi’s death.

The huge tower, dedicated to Jesus, will be completed with a 56ft cross that will make it the tallest cathedral in the world.

Marvel at the colourful carvings from religious figures to animals and fruit, columns shaped like trees and spectacular stained-glass windows.

Robbie Williams is in good company at the Moco museum, there’s a few works by Banksy and Andy Warhol.

The singer’s Confessions of A Crowded Mind, featuring 17 originals about mental health, runs until November 20 (from €12.95 per adult and €7.95 per child, see mocomuseum.com).

Add to the list the best dark chocolate ever from one of Torrons Vicens’ many confectionary shops dotted around the city.

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WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

PLACA Reial in the Gothic quarter, close to La Rambla is fringed by restaurants and bars.

And nearby is Aguelo Taberna serving fantastic paella, fish and steak.

Sit overlooking the city at Les Cascades if visiting the National Art Museum or Olympic stadium and eat pizza, fried chicken, chips and free popcorn.

Of course, you’ll find decent tapas joints everywhere.

I FANCY A DRINK…

YOU are in the right place for cheap coffee, beer and wine.

“You’ve got to try my dad’s sangria. It’s the best,” said the welcoming waitress at Gaudi Gelats on Avda Gaudi.

She was right, and at £5 for a jug, you can’t go wrong.

Head for the lively George Payne Irish pub for a pint from £5 or sip a cocktail on a rooftop bar such as La Dolce Vitae at the Majestic Hotel.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

CENTRAL hotels are expensive, so opt for the modern and clean Travelodge Barcelona Fira, just a few stops away on the metro.

The 83 rooms have all you need for a city break — comfy beds, good showers, tea and coffee-making facilities, TV and free wi-fi.

The breakfast buffet costs just £9, there’s a 24-hour bar, lunch, dinner and snack service too and the staff are superbly friendly and helpful.

KILLING terrorist kingpin Hassan Nasrallah has decapitated Hezbollah.

Alongside his corpse lie those of his deputy and several other commanders.

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No doubt, too, scores of civilians Nasrallah cynically housed as human shields above his underground HQ were killed in Israel’s precision strike on his bunker.

So, with its leaders dead or disabled, will Hezbollah’s thousands of fighters be headless chickens or a many-headed monster?

Isolating what’s left of Hezbollah’s forces will be key to whether the group can absorb the blow to its leadership and carry on a missile campaign against Israel or organise a resistance to an Israeli ground attack.

Let’s remember Israel’s massive bombardment follows the daily impact of Hezbollah rockets and drones on northern Israel — forcing at least 60,000 civilians from their homes.

Yet the West fears a wider war.

An open conflict with Iran would spark an oil crisis with supplies from the Gulf region blocked.

A global depression would follow.

Iran’s terrorist network could try to hit countries friendly to Israel, like ours.

That might inspire the West to act decisively on the Israeli model.

But I doubt if Britain or America have the troops, leadership and willpower to rise to such a challenge and impose peace.

FOREIGN lagers have the biggest share of the beer market in UK pubs — accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold.

Italian and Spanish tipples such as Moretti, Peroni, Estrella and San Miguel helped them to top the pile.

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Adding in classic and premium lagers (each on 20%) — including pilsners and those made in the UK — the brewing style made up 68 per cent of beer bought in pubs, bars and restaurants.

Lager’s market share rose 70 per cent year-on-year, with the value of Spanish pints up 22 per cent, Heineken’s Beer Report 2024 said.

Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the market, while trendy craft beers took eight.

Heineken’s report put the current boom in world lager down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed Madri — despite it being brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorks.

It said: “Brands that evoke happy memories and holiday vibes were therefore set to do well.”

The Netherlands officially retired its fleet of F-16 fighter jets after a remarkable 45 years of service.

New Chapter in Ukraine

This momentous occasion was marked by a flyover of eight F-16AM/BM aircraft, which have played a vital role in safeguarding Dutch airspace and supporting NATO operations since their introduction in 1979.

However, the story of these aircraft does not end here. Following necessary modifications, they are set to begin a new chapter in Ukraine, where they will be deployed against Russian aerial threats, according to WP

As the F-16s transition out, the Netherlands has welcomed F-35 jets into its air force, which have recently received certification for carrying nuclear weapons.

PARENTS are rushing to buy discounted £2 Disney books for kids at a major supermarket that make the perfect Christmas gift.

An eagle-eyed shopper had spotted the offer and shared the deal in a post on Facebook.

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The selection of books included many related to Disney’s most iconic films.

Included were stories about The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.

Shoppers were quick to tag their friends on the post and express their desire to nab the deal.

One user said: “Reuben wants this.”

Another tagged two friends and said: “If you see this please grab it.”

One shopper even exclaimed: “Omg I need it!”

Another commenter noted, however, that a similar deal was also available at a rival supermarket.

They said: “Aldi had this one for 99p recently other similar stories too.”

The books are normally priced for £4 at Tesco but this offer reduced their price by half.

It should be noted that the discount is only available for those who are signed up to the supermarket’s Clubcard scheme.

The programme, which is free to sign up to, provides you access to discounts across Tesco stores.

It also allows you to collect points which you can later redeem for vouchers or discounts at other outlets.