National Pet Week: Celebrate Your Pets

This Sunday marked the beginning of National Pet Week, which celebrates the important role our fuzzy friends play in our lives. National Pet Week was created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association with the intention of promoting responsible pet ownership and commemorating the special bond between pet owners and their pets. It was also created to promote public awareness of the importance of proper vet care.

While we can never repay our furry companions for the numerous joys and unconditional love they bring into our lives, this week is an ideal time to do something special for them. Here are a few ways to indulge your devoted dog:

Go Out And Play! It’s easy to get engrossed with our busy lives and forget that while we’re busy rushing around, our pets are left at home, bored and waiting. Take time this week to inject some much needed excitement to your patient pooch’s life. An excursion to the dog park, a round of fetch in the backyard, or an extended evening walk are all a great source of exercise.

Keep Your Dog Healthy! With Spring in under way and summer quickly approaching, now is a perfect time to take your dog in for a yearly check up. Flea and tick season is just getting started and these parasites are more than just an annoyance – In addition, they spread disease and cause skin problem. Heartworm prevention is necessary for this time of year. Heartworm disease causes serious illness in your pet and diagnosis and treatment are very costly – It’s far more practical and safe to prevent heartworms with medication.

Pamper Your Pup! Treat your pooch to a day at the dog spa! Routine grooming and bathing not only make for a pleasant smelling pooch, grooming can also prevent health problems. Matting of the hair causes irritation and is a breeding ground for skin infections, and besides that, excess hair in the summer time can make for one hot dog! New toys and treats are another great way to give back to your canine friend!

Save Lives! Spaying and Neutering your pets not only promotes happier, healthier lives, it also helps to improve the animal world by decreasing the number of unwanted litters and lowering the number of animals abandoned on the streets and in shelters. If you are looking for a new four legged friend, adopting a pet is a rewarding choice and helps save the life of an animal in need.