I'M often asked, and usually by cat owners, as to the best way to administer the medicines that I prescribe, writes Doerte Boahle, based at Pets at Home, at Middlebrook.

Few cats take pills happily, so the best way is to ensure they don't know they're being given medication at all. This is best achieved by hiding the tablet in a small amount of the cats' favourite soft food and giving it to her or him as a treat.

Boiled chicken or tuna fish, for example, are suitable disguises. Putting a tablet into the cat's proper meal doesn't usually work as cats eat very cautiously, and thereby detect any foreign bodies, which they will then refuse.

A little meat, as described above, will be swallowed whole, and a tablet inside will usually not be detected. To prevent any suspicious examinations of these treats by your cat, offer similar treats now and again when no tablets need to be given -- this way you'll make sure that your cat gets used to the occasional treat and looks forward to it.

Should this method not work for your cat then ask your vet or veterinary nurse to demonstrate how to safely administer a tablet with the help of a pilldoser. Q: My beautiful bare faced cockatoo escaped last week and I thought I'd lost him. He's back now, but my friend jokingly said I should have him microchipped. Is this possible?

A: Microchips can be implanted into pets of any species, breed or age. The microchip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. Your contact details are recorded onto the chip, which is readable using a small scanner.

Most police stations, RSPCA centres, animal rescues and veterinary practices hold scanners. If your parrot is then found while on another of his sorties, he's easily traced back to your address.

Make an appointment with your local veterinary surgeon -- he can also give your parrot a check up to ensure he suffered no ill effects from his wanderings.

Q: I have an entire male dog and I'm thinking of getting a bitch, will this be a problem when she is in season?

A: It'll be difficult for you to keep a male dog in the same house as a bitch when she's in season; it's also more than a bit unfair on the dog.

He's likely to become very frustrated, may even refuse to eat and loose condition further into the season, the bitch is also just as keen as the dog! You should be prepared to board either animal elsewhere over this period, or better still, consider neutering one or both.

Dog castration or bitch spay are both straightforward operations, and this would stop any unwanted puppies. I would think the whole thing through quite carefully and talk it over with your vet if you need further advice.

If you have any pet questions you would like answered, send them to Doerte Boehle,

Companion Care Veterinary Surgery, Pets At Home, Middlebrook Retail Park, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 63A.