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Just saying “National Puppy Day” makes us smile. After all, puppies are fun and cute. Technically, it’s a day to encourage adoption started by pet enthusiast Colleen Paige in 2006 and it happens twice a year. March 23rd and August 26th.

Every year, thousands of puppies wind up in shelters for a variety of reasons. There are poor breeding practices practiced by puppy mill breeders, there’s an overflow of stray pups due to lack of spaying/neutering and sometimes people have to relinquish their beloved pups due to health and other reasons.

Chances are good that if you’re reading this, you have a pet. Maybe you have a multi-pet household. However, you may not know that April 11 is National Pet Day. You might be thinking to yourself, “Every day is National Pet Day. My dog or cat is spoiled rotten.” Of course, if you’re like a lot of pet parents, you like to do something a little extra special for them at times.

In people, food allergy symptoms usually include a tingly sensation and a itching of the throat. For pets, food allergy symptoms include itchy skin, chronic ear infections, and frequent hot spots, as well as the licking and chewing on feet. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, it’s a good time to reevaluate what you’re feeding. After all, May is Food Allergy Action month. Your veterinarian can run tests on your pet but it can be tough to pinpoint the exact allergy triggers simply because allergies develop over time.

Unlike humans, pets don’t wear socks, shoes, or clothing to protect their skin. Although humans are exposed to the same allergens as their pets, our skin is far more protected and disinfected (because we bathe regularly to remove these allergens). Because pets lack the same protection as humans, allergens tend to cling to their skin and coat. Identifying whether or not your pet has a skin allergy can be difficult to pinpoint.

The term “holistic” has grown in popularity over the past years. As a caring pet parent, you may think of it as a healthy way of life. Which it is, in fact, “holistic” is commonly thought of as an approach that treats the mind, body and spirit.

You may be most familiar with the concept of guide dogs helping the blind. However, in recent years, assistance dogs are being trained to help the deaf, vets suffering with PTSD, and in many other ways. In fact, dogs can aid, comfort and help people with all manner of physical and mental difficulties. Great assistance dogs are made that way through hours of training. Not unlike great athletes, they train for hours daily until they’re ready to partner with their human. Then the two of them train together. Marcie Davis is a paraplegic who’s long enjoyed the assistance of her dog Misty.

What’s not to love about this time of year? The weather is nice, the colorful leaves are falling and the holidays are right around the corner! You’re not the only one looking forward to this time of year – this can be a fun time of year for your pets as well. Let’s talk about some fun outdoor activities to enjoy with your pet during the fall months.

Cold weather and icy conditions can be hard on pets. Learn how to make sure your pet is safe and comfortable in the harshest winter weather conditions.

Keep Warm Against Hypothermia & Frost Bite

Imagine if you went outside in the snow or in below-freezing temperatures without your shoes, hat, and gloves on. For pets, the exposure is the same for their paw pads, noses, and ears. Frostbite and hypothermia are sadly very common during extreme cold. To protect your pet:

Springtime is here, which means vacation season is, too. Whether you are planning to head to the beach for Spring Break or to take a summer vacation elsewhere, if you’re a pet owner, you’re also trying to figure if you should arrange a sitter, kennel, or bring your pet along? There are pros and cons to each of these decisions; however, if you decide to bring your pet along, make sure to plan and be prepared to ensure a stress-free pet travel experience.