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Q.

We have a poodle who gets hardened clumps of eye goo around his eyes. We get them off with patience and warm water, but the next day it’s just as bad. Any suggestions?

—Cary Hamilton, Jersey City, NJ

A.

First and foremost, a visit to the veterinarian would be in order to insure there is no physical problem, such as an eye infection, commonly called conjunctivitis, or a plugged tear duct. Sometimes increased or decreased tear production can cause abnormal build-up, and your veterinarian has a special test called a tear test to determine if either of these is a problem. Careful examination can also detect abnormal cilia, or eyelashes. Sometimes dogs (and cats) can have eyelashes growing out of the inside of the eyelid! You can imagine that this could cause some problems as well as become fairly painful. Having a qualified groomer trim carefully around the eyes will help keep the drainage from building up. This will also make it easier for you to keep the eyes clean. A tiny amount of Vaseline can also keep the crust from sticking to the hair and skin, again making it easier to clean.

—Shari Lyons, DVM, is the owner of Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic in Zionsville, IN.

Q.

I have two cats at home. One is 8; he likes to sleep a lot. One is 2; she likes to play a lot. They get along very well. We recently dog-sat for a friend’s 1-year-old Shih Tzu/Pug mix. He was a very sweet dog, but wanted to play with my cats, who hid in the garage the whole weekend. We would like to get a dog, but I am afraid it will really freak the cats out. Any suggestions about introducing a dog into our home?

—Jodie Parker, Bloomingdale, NJ

A.

Predator instinct causes dogs to chase everything that moves, and in this case it’s the cat. If you are planning on introducing any dog into your home, you first need to get absolute control of the dog so he doesn’t scare the cats by approaching in an energetic or dominant way. First make sure the dog is physically tired by giving him plenty of exercise before introducing him to the cats. Second, discipline the dog if he chases the cats. Third, once you have disciplined the dog, be sure to reward him with a treat for not chasing the cats. Finally, put the cats in the dog’s crate for a couple hours a day and let the dog be in the same room, but don’t allow the dog to get close to the crate. When the cats begin to calm down (usually in one week), feed them at the same time as the dog. The cats should eat in the crate, and the dog should eat on the floor near the crate. Put a blanket (with the dog’s scent on it) underneath the cats’ food bowls. This will help desensitize the cats to the dog’s scent. You should also do the same in reverse. Feeding together helps to cure the problem because the dog will consider the cats as part of his social pack.

—Vladae Roytapel is a Michigan-based dog trainer and behaviorist.

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* The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Tails Pet Media Group, Inc. Please consult your veterinarian before making any major decisions for your pet.