Today, there are more tools available than ever before to help devoted dog owners take care of their pets. Whether you want to know which breed your rescue dog really is or make sure you’re prepared to meet any genetic conditions your canine may develop, DNA testing has transformed the way we care for our dogs.

While human classics like greeting cards or chocolates won’t work for your cat or dog, you can still find the best gift for pets to show your affection.

For dog and cat owners, keeping our four-legged companions healthy and happy is an important priority. Nutritious food, regular exercise, and vet checkups are all part of caring for an animal, but even the most caring pet owners can get caught off guard by diseases that occur later in life. Like many other vision-related conditions, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rdAc) is a serious concern for pet owners.

When the calendar ticks over into January, a lot of us adopt aspirational New Year’s resolutions. And while things like fitness or personal growth are at the top of many people’s lists, being a pet owner provides unique opportunities for making positive changes in the new year. In fact, the resolutions we make around our pets can be simple, achievable, and improve our lives together.

Just like with humans, dogs’ eyes make up a huge part of their physical identities. From the deepest browns to the clearest blues, eye color is instantly recognizable. While shades of brown are the most common, dog eye colors can fall across the spectrum, depending on the breed. Hazel, blue, and even green can all be found, and are often sought after by breeders and owners alike.

Depending on your dog’s breed and personality, the options for dog Christmas gifts are virtually endless. Choosing the right one is mostly a matter of what will make your canine’s life better.

Breathing problems in dogs affect many brachycephalic breeds, which have relatively broad, short skulls — such as bulldogs, pugs, and boxers.

Like many genetic conditions, achromatopsia does not have a known cure. However, an accurate diagnosis can help pet owners understand what their animals may be struggling with and how to support them.

In all the holiday preparation, it can be easy to forget to ensure that nothing from the festive table that can hurt your dog ends up in their bowls. Knowing what dogs can eat on the holidays is an essential part of meal planning for anyone planning to include their furry friends.

Of the many potential gene markers to look for, autosomal recessive genes often fly under the radar without proper genetic testing. Breeders who test for these conditions can provide an autosomal recessive pedigree.