Year of the dog

The No. 1 preventable health issue for dogs in the U.S. is obesity. Check in with your vet to ensure your dog is within their target weight and go over your pup’s diet. Especially in older and smaller dogs, a few extra pounds can make all the difference, so checking that your dog is at a healthy weight relative to their size is crucial.

Just like humans, dogs get sick unexpectedly and have health emergencies. Veterinary care is expensive, especially for emergency visits, and pet insurance can help soften the blow of paying for out-of-pocket expenses. There are lots of options for pet insurance coverage, so make sure to do your research on which works the best for you and your pet.

Dogs require regular activity, both mental and physical, to stimulate their minds and bodies. Outlets like daily walks, training or puzzles are great ways to keep your dog engaged and prevent destructive dog behaviors.

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip already, consider talking to your vet about getting your dog one. This way if your pup ever gets lost, shelters or hospitals will be able to get your dog home safe. If your dog is already microchipped, double check that the info is up to date.

Dental hygiene often is neglected in dogs, but it’s equally as important to dogs as it is to humans. Remember to brush your dog’s teeth daily and use only dog-safe products; human toothpaste can contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

There are many reasons that it’s important to have a properly trained dog, including being respectful to your neighbors and considerate of the safety of others. There is always opportunity to teach your dog more and to improve their skills, whether that’s training them yourself or going to a training program.