Q. If a cat sneezes a lot could he suffer from hayfever and if so should I seek vet's advice? And ideally how often should he be fed a day - he is about nine-years-old? - Gill Murphy

A. Yes, cats can and do get hayfever but the sneezing may be caused by other factors including the stress of a new home or change of diet.

The best thing to do is to let the cat settle in for a few weeks. Let it get used to its new home and way of life and see if the snezzes die down.

Stick to the one type of food and little or no treats (this cuts down the number of things that may be the cause).

Also stick to a dry food as wet cat foods are known to cause problems.

If the problem continues then it is always best to see a vet who can carry out tests to determine the cause.

Keep a careful eye on the coat of the animal. If any bald or scabby patches are present then see a vet as soon as possible, as these are signs of a bigger problem.

As far as feeding goes, all adult cats should be fed twice a day on a top-grade food (preferably dry for the above reasons).

The amount fed will depend on the weight.

Fresh water must always be on hand.