The third Monday of February is President's Day, a day to celebrate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Taking nothing away from their birthdays, we decided to look into the four-legged, sometimes three-legged, pets that roamed the yards at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

Helping your pet stay active on cold and snowy winter days isn’t easy — especially if you are one of the many folks who prefers staying inside where it’s nice and toasty. Unfortunately, if you are only taking your dog outside for quick potty breaks and rushing back inside, they probably are not getting enough exercise. Even your indoor cat could experience boredom if you spend winter evenings camped out in front of the television rather than engaging them in play.

Since our dogs are much-loved members of our families, it’s only natural that we want them along for the fun when it’s time for a family vacation. However, that often means a long road trip to the beach, campsite, mountains, or other destination. As veterinarians, we understand your goal is to make the trip as comfortable and safe as possible for your dog, and we want nothing more than to help this effort with some expert insight. Following are our recommendations for ensuring a smooth road trip, so your dog enjoys both the vacation and the journey.

Does your dog practically do cartwheels when you pick up the leash? If so, you may have taught them well to be excited about fitness! January is National Walk Your Pet Month, and while there have been movements to have “leash-free” communities, there are good reasons to keep your pet leashed in public places, no matter how well-behaved your dog is.

What are you doing this January 14th? The answer is, being fabulous with your pet, of course! January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day – a special day created by celebrity pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige in 2009. On this fashion-forward day, pet owners are encouraged to take time to have fun with their dogs, cats, and other animal friends, by dressing them up in cute AND safe pet costumes and outfits.

Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility – one that can get complicated sometimes. When it comes to keeping track of your pet’s health records, vet information, vaccinations, etc., how many times have you found yourself thinking, “I wish I had an app for that!”? Well, it turns out there are tons of phone apps now available for dog and cat owners. Here are some of the most useful apps we’ve found for keeping track of your pet, training your pet, learning about your pet, and much more!

When it comes to positive reinforcement and rewarding your dog for good behavior or learning a new command, treats are obviously the first thing that pet owners tend to rely on. They are convenient and effective, especially when it comes to training your pet. However, it’s easy to lose track of just how much food you’re giving your dog with these treats in combination with their regular feedings.

August 10th is Spoil Your Dog Day, and while it might sound like a great opportunity to lavish your furry best friend with delicious treats, 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.