You might know that cold weather poses health risks to your pets, but so does warm weather – even on days that don't seem that hot to you. Knowing the risks and being prepared can help keep your pet safe.

Ask yourself if taking your pet with you is the right thing to do (for your pet and your family). If the answer is "yes," then you will appreciate these eleven (11) things you can do to make travel safer for you and your pet.

For personal boats, take time to allow your pet to become familiar with your boat. Provide a ramp for your pet to easily get on and off the boat, or carry your pet on and off the boat. Don't forget to call ahead to make sure the marina or park is pet friendly!

If you've decided to travel with your pet. Learn what you will need to know to prepare your pet for air travel. Does your airline have restrictions barring your pet? Do you need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection? Is your pet old enough? If you have questions, we have answers.

There are numerous considerations you should take into account when traveling with your pets. First and foremost, always make sure your pet is comfortable with travel. If your pet is not good with travel, you should consider a reliable pet-sitter or talk to your veterinarian about boarding facilities in your area.

Anyone who takes medication prescribed for someone else puts themselves at risk of illness or even death - and this applies to your pets, too! Although there are many medications used in both animals and people, the effects, doses needed, and other things aren't always the same.

Brutus, Duke, Coco, Lola and Jake... they're fairly common pet names, and they're also the names of just a few of the pets who have died because they were left in cars on warm (and not necessarily hot) days while their owners were shopping, visiting friends or family, or running errands. What's so tragic is that these beloved pets were simply the victims of bad judgment.

People attending dog social events can be at risk of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that spread from animals to people. Some of these diseases can be spread directly from dogs to people, while other diseases may come from the environment where the dog social gathering is taking place.

Any dog can bite, thats a fact. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Most people are bitten by their own dog or one they know. Some owners actually promote aggression in their dogs or allow aggression to go unchecked.

It's a simple fact, some pet's don't like to travel by car. If your pet does not ride well in a car, consider leaving your pet at home, with friends or family, or in a boarding facility. If your pet hitches a ride with you, consider these tips on how to prepare your pet, and how to keep you pet healthy while traveling by car.