Your four-legged friend’s feet play an important role in his daily life. They provide insulation to keep him warm in cold temperatures, contain sweat glands to cool him off in the heat, absorb shock, provide traction and balance, bear the majority of his weight, and allow him to run to greet you at the end of a long day.

Unfortunately, this means they also endure a lot of wear and tear. Watch out for these paw problems—and catch any issues early by regularly checking your dog’s digits.

You startle awake in the middle of the night to a familiar hacking sound. It’s your cat, expelling a hairball again—or is it?

So, you’re heading out of town for the holidays. The flights are booked, bags are packed, and you’ve arranged for a trusted professional to care for your dog or cat while you’re away.

You’re prepared—but is your pet sitter? Here you’ll find a list of the eight most important things your pet sitter needs to know before you hit the road. Make sure you check it twice!