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.

Pain is a clinically significant symptom that can adversely affect an animal’s quality of life—and the first step in treating it is recognizing and acknowledging it.

Did you know? According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of the pets in the United States are overweight or obese.

Overweight pets are at risk for a variety of health problems, including skin infections, high blood pressure, heart disease, immune suppression, diabetes, orthopedic and arthritic disorders, and even some forms of cancer, as well as increased surgical and anesthetic risk.

While it might sound like a great opportunity to lavish your furry best friend with delicious treats on National Dog Day, that might not be the healthiest thing for your dog. Dogs should not consume an excessive amount of calories from treats, and they should generally not have “human treats,” either. Instead, we have put together a list of fun AND healthy non-treat ideas to help you spoil your dog.

You might be surprised to discover how common dog worms are in the environment. In fact, some sources say most dogs - even healthy dogs -- host a low level of worms nearly all the time. After all, your dog goes outside, probably eats questionable substances on occasion, and may be known to roll in smelly areas.

Doggos. Need we say more? Probably not, but we will because, sigh—aren’t they just the best? Admit it - you even love their funky smells, including that stinky breath and those paws which inexplicably smell like Frito’s. As Author of tearjerker Marley & Me, John Grogan, says, “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” Need a tissue? We get it.

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!

#1 FOOD

From strawberry and blueberry-laden trifles and corn on the cob to hot dogs and beer, the 4th of July is all about eating and drinking. Just remember that the food and drink you serve your guests and/or family members may be too rich or even poisonous to pets.

If you have a pet, are thinking of getting a pet, or are simply "in the know" when it comes to pet care, you've probably heard the term "fear-free" in regards to veterinary services. Some might think it's a passing fad but, the truth is, more and more veterinarians are embracing this approach in order to make veterinary visits less stressful for all involved.