Rescue dogs often have traumatic pasts, so it comes as no surprise that many experience health ailments that potential pet parents must be aware of. Because dogs at rescue agencies may harbor both physical and mental trauma from neglect, abusive homes or living on the streets, prospective pet parents should expect to face some challenges along the way.

Few things in life bring a pooch greater joy than digging holes in the ground. Dogs should be free to explore the great outdoors, but it’s worth wondering what contaminants lurk in that soil.

The decision to bring home a rescue cat is a big one—for both you and the cat. The cat is likely coming from a place of hardship and neglect and will need to acclimate to a new life by shedding some instinctual habits, fears and reactions. You, on the other hand, will need to create an environment that makes this possible. That means taking extra steps to provide support, routine and, above all, love to your rescue cat.

The term “cat nap” came into being for a good reason. Kitties love to snooze on the couch all day, getting up only to munch on kibble, play with toys, or chase the occasional mouse. Unfortunately, many cat owners can’t tell the difference between a cat nap and lethargy. That, along with other symptoms, could signal your cat has been living with an ailment called anemia all this time.

It’s never fun when you notice your puppy is feeling under the weather. Young puppies are particularly susceptible to illness because their immune systems are not fully developed.

While on a walk or hike, dogs have a knack for finding any amount of water and splashing around. You might not want to ruin their fun, but standing water can actually be home to microorganisms that threaten your pup’s health. One of the risks is a nasty disease called leptospirosis.

For all their running, jumping and rolling around, it’s no surprise that dogs are susceptible to back problems. But one problem in particular, called intervertebral disc disease, has the ability to completely alter the way your pup moves. For this reason, fast treatment is crucial.

There are a few diseases that every cat owner has heard of and has been warned against at veterinary appointments. Most of these have vaccines to protect kitties—feline herpesvirus and rabies to name a few. But one severe virus, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), does not have a vaccine and has the potential to cause lasting damage in unprotected cats.

During your cat’s routine veterinary visits, your vet has probably recommended a vaccine against feline leukemia virus, or FeLV. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand what FeLV actually is and why it’s so harmful to our feline friends.