Your fur babies can be one of the greatest sources of fun, or frustration, for your family. Dogs and cats are famous for not getting along. Yet over and over again we see examples of the canine and feline becoming best buddies. Have you wondered what makes the difference, and how you can encourage this kind of camaraderie among your four-legged family members?

One of the most important things you can do is give your pets their own space. When animals have their own pen, corner or the room, or furniture such as dog beds and cat trees they tend to feel more secure. When feeling ill, upset, tired, or grumpy animals would often rather huddle in their own private space (just as you might retire to your study, bedroom, or private den) than cause trouble. In absence of a private comfort and safety zone, they tend to become aggressive to animals intruding on their space. Cat trees are especially helpful with this problem, because when kitty doesn’t want to play she can scamper out of puppy’s reaches.

The next most common cause of trouble is jealousy. If the dogs see you give the cats treats, you need to have something for dogs too – and vice versa. Be careful not to give one animal or one species a great deal more attention than the others receive. Watch for hoarding or stealing, such as cats moving into the dog beds, or dogs guarding the food dish. This can usually be remedied by having plenty to go around. For example, dogs with two or three dishes rarely try to guard the food, and cats with access to cat trees rarely steal the dog beds.

When you are integrating dogs and cats, or any animals unfamiliar with each other, take their history into consideration. Adult dogs and cats may have come from an abusive or competitive environment, and they could have had unpleasant experiences with animals in the past. If this is the case, monitor the situation closely until there is time for trust to form. Kittens and puppies raised together usually learn to get along beautifully if given a good environment. All it takes is lots of love, and a little privacy afforded by dog beds, cat trees, and a few house rules.

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Cat breeds with long fur tend to develop hairballs than those with short hair. Hairballs in cats shouldn’t be taken for granted for it poses many serious problems if left untreated. If your furry friend cannot rid itself of a cat hairball through defecating or vomiting, she might suffer from a blockage in her digestive system. Severe cases of cat hairballs are life-threatening and need to be removed though surgery. Among the common signs if your cat has hairballs is the loss of appetite or if she is having erratic bowel movements. A cat with dreaded hairballs usually suffers from constipation.

Though there is no exact cat hairball treatment to cure common cat hairballs, there are many preventative ways that can be done before doing any costly surgery. Remember that the formation of hairballs in a cat’s stomach is caused by a behavioral problem. Often times, cats that develop hairballs are either compulsive, bored or stressed out. You can prevent your cat from ingesting her fur by redirecting her energy and attention to fun activities such as playing in the park or giving her cat treats and toys.

Here are some simple cat hairball treatment tips to control or minimize the chance of getting cat hairballs:

1. Regular cat grooming is an effective way to prevent cat hairballs. Comb your cat’s fur as often as possible to get rid of dead hair. By doing this step, you will lessen the instances of too much ingestion of hair. After brushing, wipe your cat’s fur using a moist, clean towel to remove excess dead fur.

2. If cat hairballs continue to bother your pet’s life, use a special lubricant to help your cat digest the offending cat hairballs through her digestive system.

3. Buy special hairball treats for your feline friend. Nowadays, you can purchase a wide variety of edible cat treats with particular components that are designed to break up cat hairballs. Many of these cat treats consist of mineral oil.

4. If your feline shows problematic behaviors like retching or lack of bowel movements, bring her to the vet as soon as possible. She needs to undergo a thorough medical examination to determine the best possible treatment method to get rid of dreaded cat hairballs.