Whether you have a dog at home or not, it’s always a good idea to befriend the neighbor’s dog! The question is, should you give the neighbor’s dog treats?

The dog is likely to be extremely happy about his special treats, but will your neighbors be happy? Some dogs have special dietary restrictions, and giving him a treat could jeopardize his health.

In addition, some people have strong feelings about certain dog treats. For example, dogs love pig ears, but they can sometimes get stuck in the throat, which causes some owners to avoid them.

Before you give the neighbor’s dog a treat, ask them first! They’ll appreciate the effort you’re putting into developing a positive relationship with their furry friend.

For a list of dog treat ideas, ask your neighbors, or plan a visit with The Animal Hospital at Lake Brandt.

Hairballs form when your cat ingests more hair than her digestive system can manage. The excess hair forms a clod with mucus and saliva, which is promptly thrown up. Your cat ingests hair through grooming of herself and other cats. To help prevent hairballs, brush your cat frequently to remove excess hair. Prevent your cat from over-grooming by reducing stress and keeping your cat busy with toys and exercise. Consider feeding your cat a hairball formula food. These foods have high fiber to assist your cat’s digestive system with passing hairballs. You cat can lick hairball gels off your finger or her paw. These gels work as a laxative to get rid of hairballs pretty quickly. A combination of these methods works best for most households. If your cat throws up large hairballs frequently, make an appointment with your Castle Hills, TX veterinarian for evaluation to rule out medical issues and prevent treatment a ... Read more »

Some dogs are encouraged to jump up when they are puppies but it is annoying when they do so when they are full-grown. If your dog jumps up on you, turn around quickly without saying anything so your dog falls to the floor. Give your dog a treat and praise him when all four feet are on the floor. Ask family members and friends to do the same routine. Anticipate when your dog will jump up. In these situations, quickly get your dog to sit down by your side. You may need to hold him by the collar at first to keep him calm. This includes when someone comes in the door or even when playtime gets a little rough. If he is sitting by your side, your dog can’t be jumping up. Reward your dog for good behavior and ignore the not so perfect behavior. Contact your Castle Hills, TX vet to learn more.

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