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Most dog bites happen to children. There are a variety of reasons for this: Children often don’t know how to interact properly with dogs, and adults often fail to adequately supervise such interactions. In addition, a dog who has limited or negative experience with children may be anxious and defensive around them, which can lead to a bite. All of this adds up to a potentially dangerous situation for both the child and the dog. It is never OK to force a dog to tolerate inappropriate behavior (rough petting, pulling the dog’s ears, grabbing his tail) from a child; at…

1. Open Flames Keep your pet away from anything that burns, including fireplaces, candles, wood-burning stoves and space heaters. The obvious danger is that flames can singe or set fire to a pet’s fur, but they’re also at risk for smoke inhalation. Some pets are attracted to the warmth and flickers of a fire, so always monitor your animal when they’re in a room with an open flame. 2. Chemical Poisoning Common winter chemicals like ice-melting salts, windshield wiper fluids and antifreeze can be deadly for cats and dogs. Methanol and ethylene glycol, the toxic ingredients in windshield wiper fluid…

Cancer is the No. 1 disease-related cause of death in pets. The good news is that there are three things you can do to help reduce that risk: Keep your pet lean and fit More than half of all pets are overweight or obese, a statistic that — not surprisingly — tracks with human health figures. For pets as well as people, obesity is linked to increased incidence of many serious health problems. Your veterinarian can help you learn how to reduce your pet’s weight through proper nutrition, with healthy food and treats offered in appropriate portions, and adequate exercise,…