Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but there’s still one more event to take place as the holiday season kicks into full gear. Today is Giving Tuesday and a time to think about how you can make the world a better place. This global day of giving takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year. It’s an ideal opportunity to take a step back from the holiday shopping frenzy and donate to organizations that rely on the generosity of their supporters.

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.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard a bit about pet insurance in the past, but it seemed as though those choosing to go that route were more the exception than the rule. It’s becoming much more common, and for good reason—pet insurance makes solid financial sense and offers peace of mind when it comes to our beloved fur babies. As veterinarians, we are huge proponents of pet insurance, which is why we’ve taken the time to answer some frequently asked questions about it below.

As we reflect on 2020 and what has happened during this tumultuous year, it's time to take stock of what we learned regarding pet care. Many of us had to change our routines that we’ve happily been doing (or not!) for years—wake up, make coffee, take the dog for a walk, shower, and commute to work. On the way home, we stop at the store for a quick few ingredients for dinner, grab the kids from school, ask about homework, and settle in for the night. Our pets love routine and having us home, so this was a banner year for our fur babies.

October is Pet Wellness Month and today we’re going to discuss dog wellness. Even as veterinarians, we know how tempting it is to avoid the costs and hassle of wellness visits. We also know, however, how much your fur babies mean to you, and regular wellness exams and healthy habits will most definitely prolong the life of your devoted doggo. We’ve rounded up some FAQs on dog wellness, the answers to those questions, and some tips to keep your hounds as healthy as possible and shared them below.

As we are in peak hurricane and storm season in many parts of the United States, we figured that now is as good a time as any to discuss disaster preparedness. As veterinarians, however, we want to point out the necessity of having your pets involved in your (hopefully!) very-detailed emergency preparedness plan. Far too many times, we read articles or see news stories of pets being left behind, some never to be reunited with their owners. Even worse, many pets die during these disasters.

We hope that everyone has a fantastic Independence Day and that you will be celebrating with friends, families, and pets. Here are four things to keep an eye on so you can keep all of the pets that you are celebrating with, happy, healthy, and safe!

All you have to do is scroll through your social media feed to see that dogs, on the whole, are lovers. From giant Mastiffs who think they are lap dogs to Pugs who have no concept of personal space, most dog breeds are very affectionate. That’s because dogs love their pack members and, yes, that’s you! Being around them often is crucial to dog wellness.