WE all want our pets to be healthy and happy and that requires a real commitment to their welfare.

Regular medical examinations are vital and the best way to prevent any problems – or catch them early – so make sure you see your vet every year.

Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight control, as well as cover recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exams and health screenings.

Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered, too. This doesn’t just cut down on the number of unwanted pets, but can also have real health benefits, as studies have shown it lowers the risk of certain cancers and reduces a pet’s tendency to roam.

You can help guard against your pet getting lost by making sure it is microchipped. This involves inserting a microchip, the size of a grain of rice, under the skin. It needs no battery and can be scanned by a vet or animal control officer in seconds.

As fleas are the most common external parasites to plague pets, year-round prevention is key, so use regular flea and intestinal parasite control.

However, as some parasite medications for dogs can be fatal to cats, talk to your vet about keeping your pets worm-free, flea-free and safe.

Help your pet maintain a healthy weight and possibly add years to their lives.

Pets need far fewer calories than most of us think – as little as 185-370 a day for a small, inactive dog and just 240-350 calories daily for a 10-pound cat.

To keep your pet in the best of health they need regular vaccinations against common diseases like distemper, feline leukemia and canine hepatitis.

And don’t forget your pet needs mental stimulation – be that daily walks for your dog, or scratching posts, window perches and toys for your cat.

It also means play time with you, to keep your pet’s muscles toned boredom at bay, and strengthen your bond with them.

Fifty happy, healthy and much-loved pets have been entered in our Pet Parade competition, and now it’s your chance to choose the winner from our gallery above.

To vote: You can email, text or post us the name of your favourite. If a letter appears after a pet’s name such a “A” or “B”, make sure this is included.

By email – send the name of your favourite pet to competitions@hexham-courant.co.uk and put the words Pet Parade in the subject box.

Email votes must include your name and address; only one vote per email address will be accepted.

If voting by email, your contact details may be used by the Hexham Courant to send you information for example about future promotions. If you do not wish your details to be used, please state this clearly in your email vote.

All votes must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, October 15.

By text – text HX(space)PETS(space) followed by the name of the pet to 88833.

If a letter appears after a pet’s name, such as “A” or “B”, make sure this is included. Do not leave a space between the pet’s name and the letter.

Texts cost 25p plus the normal rate. Please make sure you have the bill payer’s permission before using this service.

The service is run by the CN Group, Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5AU. Customer Services tel. (01228) 480700.

All votes must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, October 15.

The winner will be announced in the Hexham Courant , on Friday, October 23, and the owner of the pet with the most votes will receive £50 in gift vouchers to spend with local businesses.

No votes can be cast on this site.