Let's face it. Our pets are an important part of our lives. They serve as our best friends and sometimes as our children. What better way to show them how much we care than by monitoring their health and keeping them active in '08.

Margaret F. Horstmeyer, a veterinarian with the Northside Veterinarian Clinic in San Bernardino, offers these tips for keeping our four-legged friends healthy:

Exercise regularly: "By regular exercise, you keep can help keep them mentally fit," she says. Dog parks, hikes and a run on a beach are all beneficial.

"Taking dogs to a dog park is great because they can run free and be with others," she adds. Wildwood Park off 40th Street and Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino is a recommended choice.

For cats, Horstmeyer recommends owners buy laser lights or furry mice to help keep feline friends active.

"Another idea is to feed them in places where they have to get to their food, like on top of a cupboard," she says, adding that this setup also satisfies a cat's desire to hunt.

Quantity and quality: "You always want to feed a high-quality food to your pets, and quantity is important. You have to watch what your pet eats because there are so many pets who are overweight," Horstmeyer says. Feed your pet what they need and nothing more.

"Monitor food and have their weight checked regularly. If they're gaining, you need to cut back," she says. "It's really rare we see too skinny of a dog or a cat. What I do for my dogs to help keep them trim is I feed them a can of green beans. It's low in calories and it acts as if like they're getting more food when they eat." Think of it as "doggie weight watchers," she adds.

Obedience classes: These are especially recommended for dogs, Horstmeyer says. "It teaches them the rules and bonds them with their human. Human interaction is really important."

Ask questions: "How much should I feed my pet?" "How often do they need exams?" "What's the vaccine schedule?" These are just a few recommended questions to ask your vet on visits.

Final thought: "Increase their exercise and decrease their calories and don't let those big brown eyes convince you they need more food and no table scraps."

- kristina.hernandez@sbsun.com (909) 386-3925