Dogs are often categorized as senior dogs by a combination of their breed and age, with small breeds considered "senior" at 10-11 years, medium-sized breeds at 8-10 years, and giant breeds at 5-6 years. Genetics and lifestyle are also significant factors in how fast a dog ages, with fit, healthy dogs adding years to their lives. The appearance of gray on a dog's face and muzzle is often the first reminder a dog owner will be caring for a senior dog soon.

Caring for a dog's nails is often overlooked until a scratch during playtime reminds you they're overdue for trimming. Regular nail trimming is important, as poor nail maintenance can lead to cracking, splitting, or breakage. As explained by the American Kennel Club, any of these scenarios could mean discomfort for your dog.

If you're a dog owner, chances are you've been to your veterinarian concerned about your dog's eyes. Eye issues are extremely common in dogs, ranging from simple irritants to serious conditions. With vision deterioration common in senior dogs, dog owners must take care of their canine companion's eyes through the years. Delaying or ignoring treatment could mean a lesser quality of life as your dog struggles to navigate the world around them.

Sometimes, we witness our dogs acting strangely or doing something that makes us curious. Much like humans, dogs have habits, rituals, and personality traits that make them unique, and we're left to decipher what they mean in the absence of human conversation.

From wrapping their paws around your arm to tilting their head, we've compiled the top 10 most commonly asked questions about dogs and their surprising answers.

OK, I get it, feeding your dog your leftovers is fun. Makes them feel more like family, right? You know, nine times out of ten, I'm cool with that, as long as you're not overfeeding anybody, or feeding more people food than dog food.

And I don't want to hear "he's got kibble available all the time, but he oddly seems to prefer my eggs and bacon over his kibble", because as we all know, that which we prefer is not necessarily that which is best for us.

October may be mostly about ghosts and goblins, but it also marks another significant and distinctly less eerie event, National Pet Wellness Month. Keeping up with your dog or cat’s wellness care needs is an essential step in maintaining their health and helping them enjoy several happy years by your side.

May 20 is National Rescue Dog Day, a day set aside to bring awareness to the countless loving and amazing dogs in shelters who are eagerly awaiting the day they’ll be adopted into their "furever" homes. National Rescue Dog Day was founded by Lisa Wiehebrink, who rescued her dog Cooper in 2009 and went on to create the Tails That Teach book series, which teaches children how to be kind and gentle with their pets.

As we are in peak hurricane and storm season in many parts of the United States, we figured that now is as good a time as any to discuss disaster preparedness. As veterinarians, however, we want to point out the necessity of having your pets involved in your (hopefully!) very-detailed emergency preparedness plan. Far too many times, we read articles or see news stories of pets being left behind, some never to be reunited with their owners. Even worse, many pets die during these disasters.