Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Forum Comments (2)

How do you know if your cat loves you?

Cats are solitary creatures by nature, so seeking out your company (especially when it's not mealtimes) is a good sign. Behaviors such as rubbing against you, purring, and wanting to spend time with you are all signs of love from an animal that prefers to be alone.

How do you get a dog to stop digging?

Try to figure out why the dog is digging. For many, this is boredom due to lack of exercise, so correcting the problems means increasing mental and physical exercise for the dog. Alternatively, for a hardened digger, provide the dog with a well-demarcated area where they are allowed to dig and train them to use this.

Q&A Comments (3042)

How do I get my cat to sleep with me and stay inside?

You can't force a cat to do anything so you need to convince him that inside is a great place to be. Do this by hiding cat food around the home so that he stalks around to find it (instead of putting a bowl of food down). Provide a calm environment with plenty of hiding places (cardboard boxes will do) and places he can perch up high to feel safe ( a cat tree) . When the cat approaches you, stroke and pet him, perhaps offering a treat so that he links you to pleasant things and then wants to spend more time with you.

Is it best to use puppy pads or go outside from the start?

It is possible to accidentally train your puppy to use puppy pads as his bathroom, so taking your puppy to go to the bathroom outside often is best. Puppy pads are meant for your puppy to use in case of emergencies. For example, if you are not home or your puppy can’t wait for you to let him out, then he can use his puppy pad. It is a good idea to place puppy pads by the door when you are toilet training your puppy, but remain neutral if he uses the puppy pad. Do not reward your puppy for using the puppy pad by praising him, but don’t punish him either. Take your puppy outside every 20 to 30 minutes to prevent him from going potty indoors and give him lots of praise when he goes potty outside.

How do I house train my dog that hates to go outside in general?

The first thing you will need to do is to figure out why your dog does not like to go outside, and then use this information to help him feel better about going outside. Consider the environment as well as your dog’s past experiences outside. For example, does your dog dislike rain? Is the ground covered in gravel that might be hurting his paws? Has he ever been frightened by a person, dog, car, or something else while he was outside? After you have identified the problem, try to find ways to make him feel more comfortable outside, such as by going out in the yard with him to hep him feel safe. Make sure that you reward him with lots of praise whenever he is brave enough to go outside.

See more comments

Co-authored Articles (494)

How to

Raise a Baby Squirrel

Have you found an orphaned baby squirrel? While it's best to return it to its mother, it is possible for you to take care of it and raise it to adulthood. Keep in mind in many states this is illegal. Contact a licensed ...

How to

Express a Cat's Bladder

If your cat gets an injury or disease that affects its ability to urinate on its own, you may need to help it go to the bathroom. To accomplish this, you will have to express your cat's bladder, a procedure in which you ...

How to Express Your Cat's Anal Glands at Home

Improve your cat’s health and keep them comfy with this easy guide Your cat’s anal glands (or sacs) normally empty on their own when your cat defecates, but if your cat has an underlying health condition that makes t...

How to

Tell the Sex of Guinea Fowl

Guinea fowls are becoming increasingly popular. Not only is their meat tender and flavorful, but guinea fowls also protect the farm flock from predators, serve as pest control, and can even reduce the deer tick populatio...

How to

Clean the Sheath of a Horse

The sheath is a tube of skin that protects the horse's penis. Smegma or a lubricating secretion fills the inside of the horse's sheath. In the wild, a horse would work out this lubrication naturally through sex, but in a...

How to

Save a Choking Dog

Dogs use their mouths to explore the world, and, fortunately, their anatomy includes safeguards that make choking rare. But it isn’t impossible for a dog to experience choking, and it’s important that you be able to ...

Telltale Signs Your Cat Is in Labor (Plus, What to Do)

Physical & behavioral cues that your cat is ready to give birthA domestic cat has a gestation period of approximately 63 days. If you don’t know the exact date of conception, however, you may not have a clear idea of w...

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: Causes & Simple Home Treatments

Why does reverse sneezing happen and what are some home remedies to fix it?Reverse sneezing is a spasmodic response in which a dog makes rapid inhalations of air and produces a snorting, honking, or gagging sound. Observ...

How to

Care for Baby Mice

Whether your adult mice had babies or you stumbled across abandoned baby mice, caring for these small, fragile infants can be a difficult task. Baby mice need to receive proper care within a few hours of being born in or...

How to

Tell the Sex of an Angelfish

Determining the sex of an angelfish isn’t as simple as looking between its fins. In fact, telling the sex of an angelfish can be near impossible without experience and a careful eye. Before they are mature, it is even ...

How to

Collapse a Dog Crate

Collapsible metal dog crates are a great way to have a secure place for your dog while you are traveling. They are reasonably light-weight, making them easy to carry and transport. They are also easy to clean, providing ...

How to

Splint a Cat's Broken Leg

If your cat has broken one of her legs and you can't get in contact with a veterinarian, you may need to splint your cat's leg yourself. Ask someone to help you, as two heads are better than one, and four hands are bette...

How to

Breed Lovebirds

Many people associate romance with lovebirds. There are nine different species of lovebirds, which are small, brightly- feathered parrots. If you have lovebirds or want to own lovebirds and breed them, it requires a lot...

9 Possible Signs of Feline Diabetes

Learn how to tell if your cat is diabeticHas your cat been having some strange health issues lately? If your cat is overweight or a male over 8 years old, there’s a high chance they have feline diabetes. Fortunately, t...

How to

Tell if a Mouse Is Male or Female

All mice look pretty similar, so you might not know if you have a male or female. The process of determining sex is called sexing. There are two main methods of determining sex; both require a keen eye and gentle handlin...

How to

Know when Your Hamster Is Pregnant

You may have noticed your hamster acting differently than normal over the past several days. One of the possible reasons behind her changes in behavior is that she’s pregnant. By knowing what signs to look for and how ...

How to

Sex a Hamster

Have you ever wondered if your hamster is a boy or girl but can't figure it out? It can be really important to figure it out, especially if you have more than one hamster and you don't want them to breed. Sexing a hamste...

How to

Remove a Tear Duct Stain from White Dogs

Tear stains are common in dogs with white or light-colored coats, and they’re often tough to manage. To remove existing stains, use a gentle cleanser, such as saline, tearless pet shampoo, or a mix of boric acid and co...

How to

Treat Lice in Cats

Lice are external parasites that feed on the skin cells sloughed from mammals. But only one species of lice makes its home on cats, a species called ''Felicola subrostratus''. This is a species specific to cats and does ...

How to Take Care of Newborn Rabbits from Birth through Weaning

Plus, how to feed orphaned newborn bunniesBaby rabbits are adorable, so it’s an exciting time if your female rabbit—known as a doe—is pregnant. The best thing you can do to prepare for baby rabbits (or kits) is to ...

See more articles