Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

When hunting for a supplement, closely inspect the label to determine what it contains to ensure that you are getting something appropriate for your pet. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral Selenium are the ones to keep in mind when doing this. Proper supplements that meet your dog’s needs will ensure a strong immune system.

PawLux.com is a leading provider of all natural and eco-friendly products for dogs. Feel free to read our blog at http://www.pawluxury.blogspot.com or follow our popular Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/pawluxury.

Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, humane society or dog trainer. Make sure your chosen pet sitter is affiliated with a professional pet sitting organization or has solid references. Once you have made a list of trustworthy and reliable sitters in your area, the next step is to call and interview candidates over the phone.

Ask what they charge, how long the visits are, if they are bonded and insured, and if they have any special skills, such as caring for birds or reptiles or veterinary experience. When calling an agency, find out how many pet sitters they employ and their days of operation. Inquire whether they charge extra during the holidays. And make sure you ask them to bring references if you decide you want to meet them in person.

PawLux.com is a leading provider of all natural and eco-friendly products for dogs. Feel free to read our blog at http://www.pawluxury.blogspot.com or follow our popular Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/pawluxury.

So choose a place that allows you and your dog’s paw pals to run and roughhouse, has ample space for participants to take a party break and relax from the pack, and room to chase balls and play fetch.

But most importantly, choose an area that is safe for pets to explore without fear of a dog escaping and leaving the festivities too early without a guardian. If you are having the party in your backyard, make sure the area is fenced-in and away from traffic.

PawLux.com is a leading provider of all natural and eco-friendly products for dogs. Feel free to read our blog at http://www.pawluxury.blogspot.com or follow our popular Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/pawluxury.

Dog walkers, please be watchful the week following Halloween. While dogs are never allowed chocolate, they are mysteriously drawn to it and some doggies can spot and swallow a chocolate bar wrapper, dirt and all, in seconds.

Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter.

Fortunately, Edmunds.com and the pet-travel safety group, Bark Buckle Up narrow down the selection with their Top 10 Pet-Safe Vehicles for 2009.

Look what made the list (in alphabetical order): Dodge Journey, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Kia Borrego, Mazda 5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC70.

Get your paws on them and get rolling! Read more about the Top 10 here.

Woof Report is a free weekday email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products & more! Sign up at www.woofreport.com or become a Facebook Fan.

That’s where Paula Szuchman and The Wall Street Journal come in. Szuchman had her pup’s DNA tested with four popular dog DNA services. See her full article on the topic here, as well as her helpful chart on how the tests compare.

Woof Report is a free weekday email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products & more! Sign up at www.woofreport.com or become a Facebook Fan.

Acidophilus is a probiotic often found in yogurt that aids in digestion: it puts the good bacteria in your system! Check with your vet to see if giving your buddy this supplement will help that sensitive stomach.

But our dogs need some bacteria to remain healthy. In order to ensure that the good bacteria is not depleted by a dose of antibiotics, it is a good idea to administer a probiotic to your dog after a round of antibiotics. It won’t do any good to give probiotics at the same time as antibiotics, but once the antibiotics are completed, probiotics should be given for roughly the same length of time that the antibiotics were prescribed. It is possible to purchase dog-specific probiotics, but human quality probiotics will work as well.

Always discuss use of pet medications with your vet before you make any decisions as to treatment.