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.

Lace up your boots, pack up some trail mix and water, and get ready to hit the trail because November 17th is National Take a Hike Day. This annual event is a perfect time to get out and enjoy some fresh air. Whether you travel to a renowned hiking destination or spend the day exploring the wilderness a bit closer to home, there’s no need to leave your furry friends behind. And if you think this type of outing is only suitable for dogs, think again! With proper planning, you can take your feline friend out for a hike, too.

Did you know that more than half of the cats in the United States are overweight? That translates to a whopping 56 million American cats who are carrying around more weight than they should. And about 40 percent of them aren’t just overweight; they are obese. While a chunky kitty is undeniably adorable, the excess chub is not good for their health. Like people, obese cats can suffer from health issues like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

Cats are natural predators and take immense pleasure in the thrill of the hunt...along with belly scratches, of course. In fact, if you’ve got an outdoor cat, you’ve likely received the occasional or more-than-occasional gift of a dead mouse. However, research shows that cats do tend to live longer as indoor cats and, as many of us live in areas that are teeming with coyotes and other wildlife, it’s often the only alternative. So how do you keep your indoor cat happy and healthy? There are plenty of ways, and we share seven of them below.

We're all feeling it. While there have been some silver linings to these days of quarantine due to COVID-19, many of us are feeling a case of the BLAHS. And by "BLAHS", we mean that we're Binging Lots And Hoarding Snacks. It's completely understandable, and our pets might even become a bit of collateral damage.