Preparing for a new baby is exciting. There’s setting up a nursery, new toys, clothes, and bedding for starters. Then, there’s caring for yourself as a soon-to-be new parent. You might be taking prenatal yoga classes, visiting the doctor, and watching your diet to make sure your baby is getting needed nutrition.

You know it’s going to be a big adjustment for your family, including your pets.

You get a reminder email, text, or postcard -- your dog or cat is due for a vaccine or two. Time to make an appointment! You arrive for a simple visit with your healthy pet, and then a Licensed Technician or even the doctor begins a full, thorough exam.

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.

Preparing your home for your new furry arrival is an exciting time. Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or an old hand, it’s always a mix of emotions. Will everything go smoothly? Will they be safe and happy? One way you can protect your new charge is by pet-proofing your home.

Frankly, there are so many potential hazards, ranging from sugar-free gum to antifreeze, that it’s worth reviewing your home periodically, even if you’re used to living with pets.

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.

You don’t have to be a Scout to know that being prepared for an emergency is a smart idea. After all, you probably have bandages, topical ointments, and other items for human first aid needs. Why not prepare something similar for your pets?

Does this sound familiar? You want to capture your pet’s cuteness on camera but by the time you get the camera ready, they’ve turned their head, or left the room! It’s tricky to get your pet to pose for the camera, but with these tips, you’ll capture more of those perfect moments, whether you’re grabbing the shots with your iPhone or a DSLR.

For the best results you’ll want to pay attention to a variety of factors:

As a pet lover, you know your pet makes you happy. But you may be surprised to hear that science agrees that those warm feelings can lift your mood and even lower your blood pressure!

In fact, the positives are such that pets are now invited into all sorts of therapy settings, such as hospitals, to soothe and calm the patients. There’s even a name for it: “pet therapy.”