February marks the 16th anniversary of National Pet Dental Health Month. Far from just a cosmetic issue, bad breath and yellow teeth can be a sign of serious disease in our pets, which may affect their kidneys, livers, and hearts. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets, and 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Dr. Linda DeBowes, veterinarian at Shoreline Veterinary Dental Clinic in Seattle, talks about the importance of dental health for our pets.

Pet birds are extraordinary and marvelous creatures that enrich the lives of their owners. However, without the proper environmental conditions, birds can experience an increase in aggression, social avoidance, and self-inflicted injuries. It's important for owners to create a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that will allow pet birds to express their natural behaviors in a healthy way. Dr. Lynne Seibert, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist from Suwanee, Ga., talks about the importance of behavioral enrichment for pet birds.

It's not an uncommon problem among cat owners: Just as you're settling into sleep you're awoken by the thundering of cat paws racing around the house, jumping over furniture or batting at toys. Or, less subtle cats might spend the night meowing on your bed, nipping at your toes, or walking on your face. Dr. Jane Brunt, executive director of the CATalyst Council and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, offers tips on how to keep our otherwise nocturnal cats on the day shift.

Food and family are two very important components of all of our lives, and that certainly goes for our pets as well. It's no wonder that they're so eager to join us when we gather around the table for dinner. And it's hard to say no to those wide eyes or persistent paws encouraging us to share from our plates. But this behavior can quickly turn from endearing to annoying, and once established, it can be hard to stop. Animal behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin talks about how we may inadvertently train our pets to beg for food ... and how we can get them to stop.

The holiday season is upon us, and while we humans revel in the food, decorations, and celebrations of the season, they can be very frightening, if not downright dangerous, for our pets. In this podcast, Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a small animal veterinarian in Laguna Woods, Calif., discusses ways to ensure your pet's health and safety during the holidays.