Dear PDSA, I’m interested in getting a small pet but would like to get at least a pair so the pet doesn’t live alone. Can gerbils live in pairs? Ramone
Hi Ramone, in the wild, gerbils would live in large groups with plenty of company.
Pet gerbils therefore need the company of other gerbils, so it’s best to get two, or even three same sex or neutered gerbils, that have grown up together.
If they know each other already they’ll be less likely to fight in their new home too!
Make sure they have lots of space and enrichment in their enclosure, gerbils are very busy, fun animals and they love to live their lives to the full.
With other small pets, rabbits do also thrive from having company of other rabbits.
Dear PDSA, can I take my pet overseas? Juliette
Hi Juliette, it is possible to take your pet overseas, but there’s a lot to know before you can.
At the moment, travelling with your pet from Great Britain, you’ll either need a previously issued Pet Passport if it is accepted in the country you’re travelling to, or you’ll need to now obtain an Animal Health Certificate.
Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against Rabies before you can travel. Some countries require dogs to have a tapeworm treatment.
The rules for returning with your pet into England, Wales and Scotland depend on what country you’re coming back from. Find out more information on the gov.uk website.
Dear PDSA, any advice for travelling with dogs in the car on hot days? Sasha
Hi Sasha, on hot days, never leave pets in a hot car, caravan, tent or areas of the house that might heat up quickly, such as porches or conservatories.
Even if your car is parked in the shade the temperature can reach a dangerously high level within minutes.
Travelling in the car with your pet in the heat is not worth the risk. Even a quick trip to the shop with your dog left in the car can become extremely dangerous if you’re caught in traffic or face delays.
Air conditioning might be keeping you cool in the front, but it can mask the heat your pet feels if they’re in the back or boot of the car. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerously high temperatures, even when it’s not particularly hot outside.
It’s always best to leave your pet at home, whether you’re heading out for a short errand or a longer trip, or find alternative care for them if you need to be out for longer periods. Find more here: www.pdsa.org.uk/heatstroke
Dear PDSA, can rabbits and guinea pigs live together? Harry
Hi Harry, despite what people may think, rabbits and guinea pigs don’t make good companions and shouldn’t be kept together.
They communicate very differently, need different food, and rabbits have been known to ‘bully’ guinea pigs if they’re kept together.
Rabbits also carry a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica which can make guinea pigs very unwell.
We’d always recommend keeping rabbits with fellow rabbits, and guinea pigs with fellow guinea pigs, not mixing them both together. More pet health information here: www.pdsa.org.uk/phh
For more information visit pdsa.org.uk
