Pets Best Insurance Blog

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Puppies and Kittens’

Why’s My Pet Doing That?!

Posted on: September 7th, 2012 by

A dog with dog insurance sticks out his tongue.

Is your dog or cat doing something and you aren’t really sure why? At Pets Best Insurance, we want to help you interpret some of the behaviors you may be seeing from your pet. So by popular request, here are some of the most sought-after answers to questions you may have about your dog or cat. Please keep in mind that we will list only the most common answers for each question. If you need further clarification, be sure to ask your vet!

Q: Why is My Dog Shaking?
A: Shaking usually indicates one of the following: cold temperature, fear or anxiety, discomfort and pain, or even possibly a medical illness. A doctor should see animals that shake for extended periods of time.

Q: Dogs Rule and Cats drool… But Why Does my Cat Drool?
A: Cats will often drool if they ingest something that tastes unpleasant (or are given certain medications). They can also drool as a result of nausea or intestinal disease, dental problems, oral infections, tumors and neurologic disease. I’ve seen cats drool when they become excited or receive attention as well.

(more…)

Catalyst to the Finish Line: Racer Meets Kitten

Posted on: September 6th, 2012 by

A pet insurance employee bikes in a race.

I work for a pet insurance company by day, but in my spare time, I love to race in triathlons. During my most recent competition, my passion for animals and racing intersected.

With ice poured down my suit to stave off the heat, I was running down a lonely stretch of a country road. Only fellow competitors and I were out this far. It was over 5 hours into my half-iron distance triathlon, but in spite of the isolation, I noticed a most unusual spectator.

There was no cheering, encouragement, or cowbells clanking—just a silent stare. The stare was enough to make me stop in mid-stride and turn around. Here at mile 67 of the 70.3 mile course, was a pathetic sight: a little orange and white kitten. He was emaciated and injured. A patch of fur was missing from the top of his head, and he had an open, oozing wound. I knew this cat needed help immediately, but what could I do out on a race course in the middle of nowhere? I had no phone and only a sports drink and some carbohydrate gel.

(more…)

Bulging Baxter? 5 Tips for Chubby Canines

Posted on: August 31st, 2012 by

A dog with pet insurance eats a bowl of dog food.

It’s true, Americans are getting heavier and our pets are doing the same. To reverse this trend, the first thing that must happen is recognition of obesity.The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) released a nationwide survey in February 2012 showing that 53% of dogs overweight or obese. In addition to an increased number of obese pets, there is a disturbing decrease in people’s perception of their pets’ obesity. The study conducted by the APOP showed that 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners thought their pets were a normal weight, when really they were overweight.

Here are some tips transform your pooch from poochy, to healthy:

1. Hefty Hounds
Feed pre-measured meals. Pets that have access to as much food as they want and nibble through the day are going to be much harder to regulate. First determine exactly how many cups of kibble your pet is eating in 24 hours; use a baking measuring cup. Pet portion control is easy. Just measure out the amount you usually put in the bowl, them measure how much is left at the end of 24 hours. Next, reduce the amount of kibble you feed by about 20%. In single dog households this can work well, because you’ll put the pre-measured amount of kibble in the bowl, and when it’s gone, no refills!

(more…)

The Surprising Surgery Your Vet Loves to Perform

Posted on: August 27th, 2012 by

A cat with pet health insurance waits is held by a veterinarian.

Many animal-loving children dream of becoming veterinarians when they grow up. Helping and healing animals seems like the ideal career, and in fact, being a veterinarian is very rewarding. However, not all of the procedures we do are fun and games. Some can be heart wrenching, frustrating or even just plain gross. While these are my opinions alone, I thought I would share five of my favorite veterinary appointments and procedures; keep an eye out for my top five least favorite coming soon!

1. New Puppy and Kitten Exams
Of course, every doctor is different in terms of the things they love to treat, but unanimously every veterinarian loves taking on new puppy and kitten clients. During these routine pet care exams, it’s also a fun time to talk with you, the client, because you are usually excited and invested in your new pet’s care at this time. Sharing helpful healthcare tips, such as considering pet insurance for your new family addition, can help a family start out on the right foot for a long and healthy life. The puppy kisses and kitten purring doesn’t hurt either!

(more…)

How to Find a Vet Your Pet Loves

Posted on: August 24th, 2012 by

A dog with pet health insurance is checked by a veterinarian.

Maybe you’ve just moved to a new area or maybe you’re just not satisfied with the current level of veterinary care you’re receiving. Either way, finding a new vet can be a challenging undertaking if you don’t know what you are looking for.

Choosing a veterinarian definitely takes more than just picking a highly credentialed doctor. Even the smartest vet still needs proper equipment, the ability to communicate, and good staff before he or she is the best vet… But how as a consumer can you recognize these differences? Here are some helpful tips to aide you when selecting the best veterinarian for you and your companion animals.

(more…)