While veterinarians play a key role in keeping pets healthy, they can’t do it alone (just ask them!).

Veterinary technicians are the lifeblood of any animal hospital—and that’s why the third week of October, known as National Veterinary Technician Week, is dedicated to celebrating them and everything they do for pets and the people who love them.

Here are just a few reasons we owe technicians a debt of gratitude:

Obesity is an accumulation of excessive energy stored by adipose (fatty) tissue sufficient enough to contribute to disease. It is the most common form of malnutrition in our companion animals and it is growing in frequency due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle coupled with highly-palatable, energy-dense food sources.

Obesity can significantly increase the risk of various diseases and can negatively impact both the quality of life as well as the life span of our pets.

National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is October 9!

According to a 2012 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 55 percent of U.S. dogs and cats are now overweight.

Many people think fat cats and pudgy pups are cute, but consider this:

The ASPCA estimates there are approximately 6.5 million pets in shelters across the country. Many of these animals are great pets, but their families gave them up for a variety of reasons, including death or illness of a caregiver.

Because there are so many worthy animals waiting for their furever homes, it makes sense to adopt.

Congratulations on the adoption of your new pet!  We are thrilled that you decided to adopt a pet from the shelter and save a life! 

When a dog or cat is adopted from the shelter, he/she is most likely current on vaccines, has been spayed or neutered and has been microchipped.  The shelters work hard to make adopting a pet as easy as possible.  However, it is still very important to follow up with your veterinarian soon after adoption. 

This time of year, pumpkin and the holidays go hand in hand. When we think of pumpkin, however, we think of a powerhouse of nutritional benefits — not only for humans, but for our furry companions as well.

Pumpkin is packed full of beta-carotene and other phytonutrients, such as lutein, flavonoids and cryptoxanthin. These natural chemicals help ward off disease and keep the body functioning properly. The bright orange fruit is also a great source of vitamins A, C, E and B, as well as minerals and fiber.

National Deaf Dog Awareness Week is September 23th-29th.

While most dogs experience some degree of hearing loss during their lifetime, deafness does not have to mean a decreased quality of life—for you or your dog! Learn the signs of hearing loss in dogs and how to manage deafness at home here.

Have you taken a look inside your pet’s mouth lately? If not, you could be missing some serious clues into Fluffy or Fido’s well-being.

Periodontal disease affects nearly 85 percent of all cats and dogs over three years of age. In addition to association with liver, kidney and heart disorders, this disease is a frequent source of pain and often leads to poor general health.