Help your pets eat healthy and well

Dear Heloise: Let’s talk about feeding our pets. Here are three of my favorite food hints when it comes to furry friends:

1. I say “no” to “free feeding.” My dog has 30 minutes in the morning to eat. Then I pick up her bowl. And she has 30 minutes at night to eat. And then I pick up the bowl.

There was a learning curve, but she’s trained her tummy to expect foods at these times.

2. When introducing a new food and going off the old food, that’s a process, too.

I’ll pour 1/4 of the new food into the old for a few days, then mix it half and half, and so on. This limits tummy upset.

3. Treats are rare, and therefore appreciated. Table scraps? No. (Well, maybe a tiny bite once in a while!) —Julie W., via email

Thanks, Julie! I’m sure my veterinary friends would agree with you! Readers, what hints help your pets eat healthy and well? Email Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Readers: Billie O. in Amarillo, Texas, sent pictures of her two schnauzers—Captain Teddy, who’s ready to go outside, and Miss Maggie, queen of the couch.

To see these two pampered pooches, visit Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”—

Heloise

EASY-CHEESY Dear Heloise: If I have extra hamburger or hot dog buns, a good use for them is to make bacon cheesy sandwiches.

I cook bacon (on the crispy side), separate the buns and place them on a broiler pan or cookie sheet. I place a slice of American cheese on the buns, put a strip of bacon on top of the cheese and put it in the oven on “broil.” I cook it until the cheese starts to melt.—C.S. in Iowa

A RING THING Dear Heloise: I took a tumble, landing on my left hand. Bones were fractured, and my hand swelled up. I was told to take off the ring on my finger lest the circulation would get cut off.

My son-in-law suggested using ammonia window cleaner to remove my ring. When the swelling went down, I applied ice to my finger, spritzed some window-washing fluid on the area, and voila—the ring slid off beautifully.—Joan Greig, Aurora, Ohio

Great save!—Heloise

BIRDS AND BREAD Dear Heloise: Birds, including ducks, should not be fed bread. Birds can’t typically digest bread, and it can make them sick. However, breads that have whole grains and seeds may be OK for birds as an occasional treat.

For ducks, visit the pet store for good feed for them.—Brenda D. in Indiana

ITCHY FIX

Dear Readers: If your dog is chewing, scratching, itchy or rubbing on the floor, a trip to the vet is in order.

Fleas are a concern, of course, but the dog may be allergic to any number of pollutants in the air or something else. There are solutions: Creams and some marvelous new prescription meds have done wonders for our pets and their comfort.—Heloise