Charles Shulz, creator of the comic strip "Peanuts," once said, "Happiness is a warm puppy." If you're like most pet owners, you couldn't agree more. You've probably lost track of the number of times your dog or cat — or even fish or bird — has cheered you up when you're feeling blue.

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That feeling of well-being isn't just all in your head. A recent study by the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests that a few minutes of petting a dog can release certain "feel good" hormones such as serotonin and decrease levels of the primary stress hormone cortisol in us humans.

The bottom line is that pets improve our quality of life. Want to repay the favor? Learn the top 10 ways to show your pets the affection they deserve, courtesy of a team of animal experts and alumni from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

1. Avoid chocolate
Treats are a large part of showing your pet love, but people often overdo it or feed their pets the wrong thing, according to Russell Tucker, veterinary radiologist in WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Tucker suggests breaking from the normal human tradition associated with Valentines Day — giving chocolate. He urges people not to feed their dogs the sweet treat we all love. "Chocolate contains a chemical that is a potentially fatal toxin to dogs," Dr. Tucker said.

2. Teach your dog to sit
"Teach your dog to sit," explains Catherine Ulibarri, an associate professor and animal behaviorist. "Sitting is a basic command that makes your dog defer to you, which decreases anxiety. Sitting and lying down are both calming positions. If your dog is sitting, he will listen to you for what to do next."

3. Watch for trends in your pet's health
"Look for trends," urges Joanne Murphey, an instructor and veterinary clinician assigned to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital community practice service. "Any changes in your pet's thirst, activity or weight, however subtle, can indicate common geriatric problems as they age. Many conditions are treatable, which can enhance your pet's quality of life."

4. Ensure dental health
Dr. Murphey also noted that "Brushing your dog's teeth every day to prevent bad breath and prolong good health for his or her gums and teeth is important. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do this simple and effective task."

5. Exercise your dog
"Dogs evolved to run and exercise, and they love it," explains Gena Silver, a resident in WSU's veterinary neurosurgery program. "We kill our pets with kindness by feeding them table scraps. We leave them out in the elements thinking they are satisfied, and we don't take an active role in their exercise on a regular basis. This Valentine's Day, love your pet by adopting a regular exercise routine for them."

6. Keep dogs out of the back of pick-up trucks
"The best way to treat your dog with love and compassion any time is to simply not allow them to ride in the back of an open pick-up truck," said WSU veterinary orthopedic surgeon Steve Martinez. "The potential for danger is too great. The dog is not protected from injury should an accident occur or if they jump out of the truck bed. I see and treat these dogs all the time and it is usually a completely preventable experience."

7. Schedule regular veterinary check-ups
"The best way to show your pet love is to schedule regular veterinary check-ups annually," urges Graham Swinney, a veterinary internal medicine specialist with WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. "This can help minimize major health problems later in life."

8. Be cautious with human pain medications
Think your pet is in pain and some of the pain relievers around the house may help? "Think twice before giving any of these medications; some of the pain relievers commonly used by people can be highly toxic to dogs and cats," says Rance Sellon, a veterinary internal medicine specialist in the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. "Ibuprofen (Motrin®) can cause serious gastrointestinal bleeding in dogs, and acetaminophen (Tylenol®) can be fatal to cats, and occasionally dogs. Always consult a veterinarian before giving any over-the-counter medications to your pet."

9. Avoid overfeeding
"The single most common preventable veterinary medical issue we see in dogs and cats is obesity," explains Terry Schneider, an instructor and veterinary clinician assigned to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital community practice service. "Ask your veterinarian to advise you on proper feeding, recognizing obesity before it develops and weight reduction if it is a problem in your pet."

10. When traveling, don't forget your pet
"People who travel with pets should check with their veterinarian first and ensure they have the proper vaccinations, documentation and a method of identification in place in case the pet is lost or stolen," urges Kathleen Connell, a 1991 WSU veterinary alumna and Washington's assistant state veterinarian. "Your pet may need a current health certificate, and I urge people to always keep copies of their pet's documentation with them when they travel. And when it comes to identification, nothing beats the redundancy of tags and a collar coupled with a permanent microchip inserted under the animal's skin."

How do you show Fido or Fluffy how much you love them? A special treat? A special bed? A special seat at the dining room table? Tell us about it — we'd love to hear from you!

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