The Consult Room

In this episode of The Consult Room, I'm exploring a question inspired by some of the most heartwarming videos we see online: can animals of completely different species really be friends?
We've all seen them. A dog curled up with a duck, a cat sleeping alongside a rabbit, or a parrot that seems inseparable from the family dog. But are these genuine animal friendships, or are we sometimes interpreting animal behaviour through very human eyes?
The reality is more complicated than you might think. Some animals form incredibly close bonds with other species, while others simply learn to tolerate one another. And in certain combinations, what looks like a happy relationship could actually be causing stress.
In this episode, I explore the science behind these unlikely friendships, why natural predator-prey instincts still matter, and how to recognise when animals might not be as comfortable together as they appear.
I also look at the practicalities of living with different species, including introducing dogs and cats, understanding why rabbits and guinea pigs aren't necessarily ideal companions, and what really makes a successful multi-pet household.
Because ultimately, the question isn't whether our pets love each other, but whether they both feel safe and happy sharing a home.

In This Episode
Can different animal species genuinely form friendships?
Why viral animal videos don't always tell the full story
The difference between friendship, tolerance and stress
How predator-prey instincts influence relationships
Recognising subtle signs of stress in multi-pet households
Why rabbits and guinea pigs aren't ideal companions
How to introduce dogs and cats safely
Why individual personality and previous experiences matter
What a successful multi-species household really looks like

Key Takeaways
Animals from different species can form genuine social bonds, but not every interaction represents friendship.
A lack of fighting doesn't necessarily mean both animals are comfortable.
Predator-prey instincts can remain important, even when animals have lived together peacefully for years.
Changes in eating, hiding, grooming or normal behaviour can indicate stress.
Introductions should be gradual, with every animal having access to its own safe space.
Successful relationships don't require animals to become best friends. Peaceful coexistence can be an excellent outcome.

🎙️ Whether you already share your home with different species or are considering introducing another pet, this episode offers a different perspective on what animal friendship really means.
Follow The Consult Room for more evidence-based, practical veterinary insights.

In this episode of The Consult Room, I’m tackling an issue that affects millions of animals every autumn: fireworks.
For some pets, fireworks aren't simply unsettling. They can trigger severe fear and distress, and in extreme cases animals can injure themselves or become physically unwell.
But should we simply accept that as part of firework season?
A major public consultation has been looking at whether the rules around fireworks should change, including proposals to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks sold to the public.
In this episode, I look at what those proposed changes could mean for animal welfare and why I believe the unpredictable fireworks going off in gardens for weeks at a time are such a significant part of the problem.
I also cover the practical side, with advice on helping dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses cope with firework season.

In This Episode
Why fireworks can cause such severe fear in animals
The proposed changes to UK firework noise limits
Why unpredictable fireworks can be particularly difficult for pets
Whether quieter fireworks could actually make a difference
How to prepare dogs and cats for firework season
Should you comfort a frightened pet?
Using hiding spaces, background noise and positive associations
When medication may be appropriate
Protecting rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets
Practical considerations for horses during fireworks

Key Takeaways
Firework fear can have serious welfare consequences for animals
Predictability matters because owners can prepare for organised displays but not unexpected fireworks
Quieter fireworks wouldn't remove every problem, but could reduce some of the impact
Frightened pets should never be punished for their behaviour
Providing a safe hiding place and maintaining a calm environment can help
Severe firework fear should be discussed with your vet in advance wherever possible
Preparing early is much easier than trying to manage severe fear once fireworks have started

🎙️ Can we keep the celebration while reducing the suffering fireworks can cause our animals?
Follow The Consult Room for more evidence-based, practical veterinary insights.

In this episode of The Consult Room, I’m joined by Ross Lamond, founder of Bug Bakes, to explore one of the more unusual developments in modern pet nutrition: insect-based dog food.
Ross’s story is anything but conventional. After studying law, he began hand-making insect-based dog treats with his mum in the family kitchen. What started as a one-year experiment eventually took him to Dragons’ Den and helped build one of the UK’s best-known insect-based dog food brands.
But this episode goes much further than the Bug Bakes story.
Ross and I explore the science behind insect protein, how it compares with more conventional animal proteins, and why its potential as a novel protein has attracted interest for dogs with food sensitivities. We also look at how dog food is processed, the arguments around cold-pressed food, and some of the environmental questions surrounding what we put in our dogs’ bowls.
Because once you get past the initial “yuck factor”, insects raise some genuinely interesting questions about how we might feed our dogs in the future.

In This Episode
How Bug Bakes went from Ross’s mum’s kitchen to Dragons’ Den
Why Ross chose insects as an alternative protein source
How insect protein compares with traditional animal proteins
Why novel proteins are interesting for dogs with food sensitivities
What cold-pressed dog food actually means
Processing, ingredients and pet food marketing
The environmental case for insect farming
Why insect-based dog food remains relatively expensive
What Ross would change about pet food labelling and transparency

Key Takeaways
Insect protein is a complete animal protein, despite many people assuming otherwise
Its novelty may make it useful as a protein option for some dogs with food sensitivities
How dog food is manufactured is more complicated than simply labelling one process “good” and another “bad”
Insect farming offers some potentially significant sustainability advantages
Cost and scale remain major barriers to wider adoption
Better transparency could make it easier for owners to understand what they are actually buying

🎙️ Could insects really become a mainstream part of what we feed our dogs? This conversation might make you look at your dog’s bowl a little differently.
Follow The Consult Room for more evidence-based, practical veterinary insights.

In this episode of The Consult Room, we’re continuing the “Things You Never Knew” series - and this time, we’re talking all things guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are widely kept across the UK, but they’re also one of the most misunderstood pets. They’re often seen as easy, low-maintenance “starter pets” for children - but the reality of their diet, biology, social needs and healthcare is very different.
In this episode, Annie and I bust some of the biggest myths around guinea pig care. We explore why they should never be kept alone, why hay is so important for their teeth and digestion, and the unusual biological reason they need vitamin C every single day.
We also unpack some of their stranger behaviours - from popcorning and wheeking to eating caecotrophs - and explain why these natural prey animals can be incredibly good at hiding signs of illness.
Because guinea pigs might be small, but giving them the life they deserve requires far more knowledge and commitment than many people realise.

In This Episode
Why guinea pigs are not “easy” or low-maintenance pets
Why guinea pigs need a daily source of vitamin C
Why they should never be kept alone
The 85% hay rule - and why diet matters so much
Why guinea pig teeth never stop growing
Popcorning, wheeking and caecotrophs explained
Why the traditional garden hutch may not provide enough space
How guinea pigs hide signs of illness
Why newborn guinea pigs are surprisingly ready for life

Key Takeaways
Guinea pigs are complex pets with specific dietary and welfare needs
Companionship with another guinea pig is an important part of their wellbeing
Hay is essential for both healthy teeth and digestion
Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C and need a reliable dietary source
Many common health problems can be prevented through better husbandry and understanding
Subtle changes in behaviour or appetite can be important early signs of illness

🎙️ If you already have guinea pigs, or you’re thinking about getting them, this episode might change the way you think about their care.
Follow The Consult Room for more evidence-based, practical veterinary insights.

In this episode of The Consult Room, I’m breaking down DEFRA’s landmark white paper on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act, and how these proposed legal changes will directly impact pet care across the UK.
For nearly 60 years, our profession has been governed by a 1966 law designed for the James Herriot era of home visits. Today, modern veterinary medicine functions much more like human hospital care. Now that the government has officially launched consultations to overhaul the Act, we finally have a blueprint for how every vet practice in the country will operate moving forward.
So what is actually changing on the clinic floor? And more importantly will updating a 60-year-old law make veterinary care any more affordable for pet guardians?
In this episode, I unpack the five core pillars of these proposed reforms, from corporate business regulation and statutory protection for Veterinary Nurses to fitness-to-practice updates and allied professional regulation. I also share my candid perspective on why legal reform won't magically lower your vet bills, but how it can restore crucial transparency and trust to modern pet care.

In This Episode
Why the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act is no longer fit for modern pet care
Licensing practice businesses: holding corporate owners accountable for clinical standards
Ending the legal loophole: protecting the Veterinary Nurse title by law
Modernizing fitness to practice and moving toward continuous competence
Bringing physios, hydrotherapists, and allied professionals under one umbrella
The cost reality: why legal reform won't stop economic inflation or lower equipment costs
What these changes actually deliver: price transparency, clear delegation, and independent ombudsman access

Key Takeaways
Modern vet care has outgrown a law written for single-practitioner home visits
Business owners, non-clinical or corporate, will now be held legally accountable alongside vets
Legal protection for RVNs will elevate workforce efficiency and expand clinical care options
Upfront pricing lists and business transparency aim to rebuild client trust
Updating legislation improves governance, but high-level advanced medicine carries inherent costs

🎙️ If you find these insights helpful, follow The Consult Room and share it with other pet guardians navigating the changing world of modern pet care.