The goal of dog owners everywhere should be to keep their canine companions as healthy as possible to ensure the highest possible quality of life. After all, preventing disease is much easier than having to treat it. That said, here are fifteen tips that can help you achieve that goal.

Dog Health Tip #1: Keep your dog current on all core vaccinations and agree to optional vaccines only when absolutely necessary. Both undervaccinating and overvaccinating are equally bad.

Dog Health Tip #2: Administer heartworm preventive medication year-round. It protects not only against heartworms but intestinal worms as well.

Dog Health Tip #3: Keep your dog's teeth free of plaque and tartar build-up. Periodontal disease is a leading cause of heart disease in dogs.

Dog Health Tip #4: Avoid obesity. Obesity is an underlying cause of many serious illnesses in dogs, including diabetes and heart disease.

Dog Health Tip #5: Exercise your dog for at least 20 minutes every day. This is good not only for your dog's physical health, but for his/her mental health as well.

Dog Health Tip #6: Brush the haircoat daily. If you brush your dog often, you'll rarely have to bathe (your dog, that is!)

Dog Health Tip #7: Make your dog an indoor dog. Indoor dogs live longer.

Dog Health Tip #8: Feed a well-balanced, quality diet, avoiding table scraps.

Dog Health Tip #9: Clean your dog's ears on a routine basis (at least twice a month). Ear infections are common in dogs.

Dog Health Tip #10: Pet proof your home and keep all potential poisons out of reach.

Dog Health Tip #11: Obedience train your dog. Obedient dogs stay out of trouble.

Dog Health Tip #12: Give your dog an omega-3 fatty acid supplement daily. The health benefits are immense.

Dog Health Tip #13: Join an online pet forum, preferably one moderated by a veterinarian, to learn more about dog health and the recognition of clinical signs.

Dog Health Tip #14: Pet your dog for at least 15 minutes every day. You'll benefit from this as well!

Dog Health Tip #15: Insist on an annual veterinary check-up, including a thorough physical examination.