A favorite activity among outdoor enthusiasts is hiking, and for those who own a dog, it’s an even greater adventure when your four-legged sidekick comes along for the fun. Regardless of the season – whether flowers are blooming or leaves are falling – hiking is great exercise and a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your pup. However, as with all adventures involving a pet, safety is essential to ensure it’s a positive experience.

When any holiday rolls around, we want our pets to be involved in the fun festivities since they’re a beloved member of the family. However, a few holidays require keeping an extra eye on our fur friends, and Halloween is one such holiday. When pets’ stress levels are elevated and outdoor dangers pose a threat to their safety, it’s best to be on high alert. Below are some tips to help keep your pets safe and stress-free on this spectacularly spooky night.

October may be mostly about ghosts and goblins, but it also marks another significant and distinctly less eerie event, National Pet Wellness Month. Keeping up with your dog or cat’s wellness care needs is an essential step in maintaining their health and helping them enjoy several happy years by your side.

Did someone say sweets?! October 14th is probably one of the best holidays ever, as it is National Dessert Day! You're likely wondering how this can be veterinary-related, as your pets can't safely eat sweets...or can they? Just like you and me, dogs and cats love sweet things (which is why you get the hairy eyeball every time you eat ice cream), and, thankfully, there are some ways that your pets can get in on this dessert holiday safely and sweetly.

Sometimes it’s difficult to look our precious pets in the eyes and deny them the extra treat they so desperately want, or a slice of turkey when your dog behaves so well as you make a sandwich. However, when we give in too much, it doesn’t take much time to notice that our dog or cat looks a little plump. October 13 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, when pet owners across the U.S. are reminded that being disciplined when spoiling our pets is in their best interest.

Did you know that the first week of October is National Walk Your Dog Week? Going for a walk with your canine companion is beneficial every day of the year, but this week is a great time to think about how you can make walks with your dog safer and more enjoyable for you both. Proper walking techniques minimize stress, and they make it much easier to get out and enjoy a stroll with your pup. In honor of Walk Your Dog Week, keep reading to discover a few tips for waking your canine companion.

World Animal Day, recognized every year on October 4, is a day dedicated to improving animal welfare standards across the globe. Although this special day just passed, we still want to recognize it, as it unites all animal rights organizations into one global movement, creating a collective force with a shared mission of making the world a better place for animals — domestic and wild.

September 19-25, 2021, is Deaf Pet Awareness Week when owners of these special pets celebrate the lives of their faithful companions and the unique relationship they have. While deafness is considered a disability, it’s often overlooked since the pet isn’t struggling with mobility. However, deaf pets need to adapt to a different way of life, just as a dog with an amputated limb or a cat with a missing eye. Proper training and a devoted owner means a deaf dog can still live their best life.