Adopting a new puppy is an exciting time. From the day you bring your beloved pet home, you’re probably eager to shower them with love and special items. But while keeping your puppy happy with toys and treats is great, it’s much more important to take steps to maintain their health.

There’s a lot that goes into taking care of a pet. Just like humans, cats and dogs are complex creatures that need a lot of attention. Unfortunately, the amount of care pets need sometimes leads owners to overlook a few aspects of their health and wellbeing.

From Pugs and French Bulldogs, to Dachshunds and Boston Terriers, to Papillons and Shih Tzus, small dogs come in a range of shapes and personalities. Although these small breeds differ in many ways, from their activity levels to their fur patterns, they also have many things in common. Unfortunately, a number of these are health problems.

Pets are important members of our families, and we want the best for them. Unfortunately, pet care can get expensive—especially if your beloved furry friend has a health problem. If you’re looking for ways to trim pet care costs, it’s important to be mindful of whether those costs you’re cutting also cut into your pet’s health over time.

Pet owners everywhere know how lazy cats can be. Our furry friends love to snooze—so much so that they might spend all day lounging on the bed or the couch, hardly moving a muscle! However, it’s not healthy for our cats to perpetually engage in lazy behavior.

Some people gravitate toward big dogs. They love Mastiffs who think they’re lap dogs or Bernese Mountain Dogs that make everything around them seem small by comparison. The list of big breeds goes on and on—from slender Afghan hounds to clumsy Great Danes, slobbery St. Bernards to fluffy Cuvacs. These breeds are all unique and different in their own way, but all have size in common.

Most people follow routines in their daily life, whether in the morning, at night or during the workday. These routines provide stability day after day, week after week. In the same way humans like to follow routines, our furry friends do, too!

No matter where you live, you’ve probably seen a stray animal or two wandering around your neighborhood. Whether they’re truly homeless or in between caretakers, these cats and dogs call the outdoors home. And, if you’re like most compassionate animal lovers, the temptation to care for strays can be difficult to fight.

One problem many cat owners are used to hearing about is excessive weight gain in their furry friends, largely due to overfeeding. But on the flip side, unexplained weight loss can be just as big of a problem. If your kitty is losing weight without being on a diet, it’s usually a sign of an underlying health issue.