Ask Alex

Dear Alex,

Sometimes my owner buys me kangaroo meat from the supermarket.  I love it, but I am worried about the preservatives in it.  Are preservatives harmful for dogs and cats?

Rover (4- year-old Border Collie)

Dear Rover,

Most food preservatives are safe for pets – in fact they keep pet food from spoiling.  However some meat, including kangaroo, is preserved with sulphite which deactivates thiamine (Vitamin B1).  If you otherwise have a balanced diet, occasional meals of meat treated with sulphite will not be harmful. If you are being fed food that contains sulphite every day, you need a separate meal that contains your daily thiamine requirement. There should be an interval of 10-12 hours between these meals.                                 Alex

Dear Alex

I am a foster mum since Christmas for the Cat Protection Society, and to date I have fostered 15 kittens.  I have been desexed so I now enjoy the joys of motherhood without the kitten-bearing pain.  I do not lactate but still allow the kittens to suckle for emotional nourishment.  My owner is concerned that I can contract something terrible as I always clean by kitties bottoms with my tongue. 

Lots of purrs, Carla

(2-year-old tortie tabby cat)

Dear Carla

Intestinal parasites and fleas are the most likely problems you may catch from your foster kittens – but

remember that the kittens could also pick up these problems from you! Your owner should make sure that you and the kittens have been treated for worms and fleas.  You should be treated for intestinal worms every 3 months and for fleas every month.  Most worming and flea products are safe in kittens from 6 weeks of age.  Some products may even be able to be used earlier – please consult the label instructions or ask your vet. Kittens should be treated for worms at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age, then every 3 months.