The cost of pet health care continues to rise as the quality of care increases. Medical advancements have allowed veterinarians to treat more conditions and illnesses than ever before.

Veterinary Practice News has recently released a report on the most costly medical conditions requiring surgery.

Surgery for pets can be expensive; the report reveals that most surgeries end up costing thousands of dollars. This can come as quite a shock to pet owners. For some, this may cause them to have to make a difficult decision if they cannot afford the surgery. No one wants to have to make that kind of decision because they cannot afford the procedure for their pet.

Having dog or cat insurance is something that every pet owner should have for their pets. Pet insurance will cover your pet in the event of accidents or illnesses. Pet insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, will even cover other pet health issues like urinary tract issues, diabetes, allergies, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and intestinal issues as long as they are not pre-existing.

Pet insurance can help make owning a pet more affordable. Take the surprise out of pet care costs by having your pet covered by pet insurance. See how affordable pet insurance can be by calling Pets Best Insurance for a quote at 866-440-2020.

With advancements in veterinary medicine, pets are now living healthier and longer lives. Pets can now be treated for numerous aliments that were not treatable just a few years ago. Having dog insurance can help you afford to keep pet health a top priority.

Medical conditions that require surgery are some of the most costly medical insurance claims that pet insurance companies receive. Most surgeries can easily cost several thousand dollars. This means owners without pet insurance would be forced to cover these expenses. For many families, spending thousands of dollars on their pet is not financially possible. For those families that have pet insurance for their pets, surgical treatment is an affordable option.

Pet health insurance isn’t just for times when your pet has a major medical emergency. Some of the most common dog health care problems that require treatment include: ear infections, arthritis, eye infections, and skin allergies. Even though these illnesses don’t pose huge financial threats to owners, their treatment costs can still add up. Having pet insurance can help cover an array of medical issues.

When choosing pet health insurance, make sure you compare pet insurance plans from a variety of companies. Choose the plan that gives you the coverage that best suits the needs of you and your pet. Give Pets Best Insurance a call today at 866-440-2020 to get a quote on a pet insurance plan for your pet.

Don’t let your pet’s fur coat or weathered paw pads fool you. He gets cold, too. For pet health and safety, dogs and cats should remain mostly indoors during winter months; especially young pets, senior pets, and those that have pet health issues of any kind. Below are some important precautions to consider for pets during the winter months.

Keep Pets Warm
A fur coat can only do so much. One of the reasons pets enjoy cuddling close to owners, and each other, is to keep warm. Although not recommended, pets kept outside for any lengths of time need shelter from the elements in a draft-free doghouse. They need extra calories and fresh water in a plastic bowl. Metal bowls could freeze and thirsty tongues can get stuck to them.

Prolonged exposure to cold and wind can cause frostbite on their ears, nose, tail and paws. According to the article “How to Recognize, Prevent and Treat Hypothermia and Frostbite in Our Pets” by Veterinarian Elisa M. Mazzaferro, frostbite requires an immediate visit to the vet because cat and dog health issues can result, including infections, amputations, and even death.

“Some animals can be left with permanent disfiguring injuries,” wrote Mazzaferro, Director of Emergency Services at Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists in Colorado.

While walking, small and short-haired dogs may benefit from a sweater and paw wax to protect their paws from ice, snow, and salt.

Indoors, pets can benefit from heated pet beds and blankets. Many upscale models are designed for pet safety—they warm only with the pet’s body heat, saving on electric bills and avoiding overheating the pet.

Supervise Pets
Chilly months bring new dangers and more opportunities to pet proof the home. Pets should not be left unsupervised near space heaters, fireplaces, or candles.

On their website, The Humane Society of the United States warns that sweet-tasting antifreeze is attractive but deadly to pets. The organization advises using “antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic in small amounts than traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze.”

Because there are so many possibilities for wintertime dangers, pet owners may want to consider purchasing pet insurance for their pets. Not only can pet insurance help with pet health bills at the veterinarian, but dog and cat insurance also provide pet owners with peace of mind.

Being a pet owner means being prepared for medical problems and unforseen emergencies. The best way to be financially prepared is by purchasing a pet insurance policy. When pet owners have cat or dog insurance, they are ensuring their pet can receive swift attention.

One medical condition pet owners need to be on the lookout for are skin allergies. pet health phenomenons of allergies in dogs is a mysterious ailment that can be caused by numerous conditions and events.

As mentioned, a pet insurance policy can help to alleviate the financial strain that comes with emergency pet health situations. A trip to the veterinarian is always in order when any of the following symptoms of dog skin allergies are observed:

• Hives
• Odorous skin infection
• Recurrent ear infections
• Limb biting

Possible causes of allergies in dogs include:
Yeast Infections of the Skin
Rashes that become thick, crusty, and odorous could be yeast infections. Like bacteria, yeast is normally found on the skin, but an allergy or immune deficiency can cause the yeast to grow out of control.

Food Allergies
It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop food allergies, especially to grains. Symptoms can include biting of the limbs, ear infections, and scratching at the face.

Airborne Allergies
Just like humans, pets can develop allergic reactions to pollen, grass, dander, and household chemicals.

Fleas & Parasites
Fleas don’t always just itch. Many dogs are allergic to those flea bites—especially dogs who already have a suppressed immune system or other allergies. In another Pet Health Library article by Brooks titled Food Allergies, she wrote, “Because allergies add to each other, it is possible that a food allergic dog will not itch if its fleas are controlled.”

A dog that suffers from these conditions may require numerous trips to a veterinarian to determine the cause and best course of treatment—a cost which can be offset with pet insurance. Pet owners should have observations ready for the vet’s questions so that a cause & treatment may be determined. Possible treatments may be as simple as a change in diet and avoidance of irritants, or as detailed as steroid injections, antihistamines and ointments.

Not only can pet spaying & neutering be good for pet health and for the general pet population, but it’s also becoming more affordable.

As towns across the country seek to get pet overpopulation under control, spay and neuter clinics are becoming easier to find. Also, those looking for low cost spaying and pet neutering should check with their pet insurance provider, as the procedure is often covered.

Some cat and dog insurance companies will provide limited coverage for spaying and neutering with wellness and routine care plans. Why? Because having a pet spayed or neutered is part of responsible pet ownership, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The AVMA website is a wealth of information on pet health topics. The non-profit association, established in 1863, posted an entire collection of scientific papers related to pet neutering. Topics range from establishing the ideal age for the procedure, benefits and impacts, and risks.

One of the published studies, Determining the Optimal Age for Gonadectomy of Dogs and Cats by Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT, found that having pets fixed helps pet overpopulation in two ways. First, animals are unable to breed. Second, fixed pets are happier and more comfortable, and that means less dog behavior problems, less cat spraying to mark territory, and fewer pets relinquished to already-crowded shelters.

On the flip side, some industry professionals argue that spaying or neutering your dog can introduce some negative risk factors as well, including a greater incidence of obesity, a tripling of the risk for developing hypothyroidism and the possibility of acquired incontinence in female dogs. While most vets strongly believe that the risks outweigh the benefits, you should talk to your vet about what is right for your pet.

The scientific review concluded that complications from spaying and neutering are less likely when a dog is less than 2 years old, all pets in shelters should be fixed prior to adoption, and healthy dogs and cats not intended for breeding should be fixed before their first heat cycle.

We’ve all had the temptation. You’re eating something delicious and your dog looks up at you with those big puppy dog eyes, silently begging you to share your food with him. He may even do a trick or let out a little bark to get your attention.

Even though you want to give in and offer him a little bite from your plate, don’t do it! You never know what’s going to upset your pet’s tummy, or worse, make him sick. There are numerous foods that humans eat daily that are actually toxic and can even be deadly to dogs. Having the knowledge of which foods are poisonous foods to dogs can prevent you from accidentally harming your four legged best friend.

The following is a list of four of the most dangerous human foods your dog could ingest:

1. Chocolate and caffeine: The chemicals found in chocolate and caffeine are toxic and can lead to health issues including increased heart rate and seizures. Ingestion of chocolate can be fatal—dogs should get treatment immediately if they have consumed chocolate.
2. Onions and Garlic: These foods contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which cause anemia by damaging red blood cells. Onions are more toxic to dogs than garlic but both should be avoided.
3. Grapes—including raisins: Grapes can cause kidney damage that can eventually lead to kidney failure.
4. Macadamia nuts: The toxins found in these nuts have an effect on the nervous system, muscles and digestive system.

Although no pet owner wants to think about their pet in an emergency situation, for those who have purchased pet insurance, the emotional and financial stress can be alleviated if a pet ingests something toxic unexpectedly. When talking with your veterinarian about pet health and which human foods might be safe to share, it’s a good idea to also inquire about dog insurance.

Many veterinarians are quick to offer up the name of their favorite dog or cat insurance company, and they may even have first hand experience helping other clients file a pet insurance claim.

The next time your pet gobbles up something without your knowledge, or you offer up human food, contact your vet just to be sure your pet won’t have a bad reaction.

Good cat health care means finding the best pet insurance for your cat, researching what goes in your pet’s food dish, and ensuring your cat is getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. The second step is making sure they’re eating the proper amount.

One of the oldest documented cats in the U.S., Baby from Duluth, Minnesota, was allowed to eat what his owners ate. Baby lived to the reported age of 38 on a diet of steak, peas, olives, corn off the cob sans butter or salt, cheese, and some cat food for good measure.

Of course, vets may not recommend a diet of table scraps for housecats, but there might be something to be said about the variety in Baby’s diet.

As long as a cat isn’t overfed or given anything potentially harmful, a high-variety diet may help some cats stay excited about food, refrain from becoming picky eaters, and avoid pet health issues like allergies.

Remember: if a cat ever accidently ingests potentially toxic foods like grapes, raisins, tomatoes or onions, cat insurance will be your best friend, allowing you to go straight to the vet without worrying about the bottom line.

Some cat insurance companies also include wellness and routine care benefits in addition to accident and emergency benefits. For more information about cat and dog insurance, visit www.petsbest.com.

If you do have a picky cat, you’ll need to get him used to new foods slowly. Quickly changing from one food to another can cause cat illness symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and food refusal.

When changing a finicky cat from one food to another, plan on devoting one to two weeks to the process. Be sure to also include your vet in the process and consult her, should your cat display any odd behaviors.

When traveling with pets, you will want to make sure that the place you plan to stay is pet friendly.

Whether you are staying in a hotel, renting a cottage, roughing it at a campground or anything in between, you’ll want to ensure that they will accommodate both you and your pet. There are several things you should consider when choosing a pet-friendly place to stay.

There are numerous websites that offer listings of pet-friendly lodging. You can search listings for places to stay along your travel route and places to stay once you’ve reached your final destination. It is important that you call the place you are considering to ensure that the information listed is accurate. Also consider the following tips when finding a pet-friendly place to stay:

•When calling, ask about any restrictions they may have on the size of your pet or even the number of pets you can have. Some facilities have weight and shedding restrictions.

•Ask about the pet fee. Some places allow pets to stay free of charge while others charge by the night. Also ask if a pet deposit is required and if it is refundable or non-refundable.

•You will want to ask about what pet amenities are offered. Amenities range from complimentary treats and bowls to pet menus for room service and dog sitters.

•Find out if there is a designated area where you can walk your dog or if there is a dog park nearby.

•Make sure that you have reservations for you and your pet as some places have a limited number of pet-friendly rooms available.

A few minutes of research before traveling with your pet will ensure you’re prepared for the voyage ahead. When traveling, it is also a good idea to scout out local veterinarians in advance, and make sure your pet insurance is up-to-date. Some companies, like Pets Best Insurance even offer a vet locator service on their website.

When I worked at my local humane society, I witnessed as many different styles of adopting a cat as I saw different personalities and types of cats.

Some adopters left it up to fate. They would come in, look around for ten minutes, lock eyes with a certain kitty, and take it home. Others treated it more like buying a car. They would visit multiple cat rescue shelters, ask lots of questions about pet health and needs, and take a handful of cats out of their cages for a play or cuddle test drive.

The selection would only be made after inquiring about the return or exchange policy and cat insurance. Some ran a cat adoption like a beauty contest, picking the cutest cat they saw no matter what they were told about the cat.

My favorite adopters were the ones who had an idea of the type of cat that would best fit in their home. One young couple came in and seemed interested in a certain adolescent cat named Bruce. We made sure to inform the couple that Bruce was not of the laze-around, lap cat variety—he had a wild side. “That’s ok,” the woman assured me. “We like them with a little piss and vinegar.”

Keep your home in mind when adopting your next shelter cat. If you have very small children, an older, gentler cat who has experience with families might be a better match than a kitten. If you prefer solitude and quiet nights, there may be a shy cat hiding in the back of her cage, just waiting to be rescued by a kind soul. If your home sees a lot of visitors, a spunky tomcat might enjoy meeting all your friends.

Describe your home life to the shelter workers or volunteers and let them share with you the knowledge they have of the cats they work with every day. As much as they would love all the cats to find homes, it’s more important that each cat find the right home, so they don’t end up back where they started.

After selecting the perfect cat for you, it will be a good time to look into finding the best pet insurance for your cat. Cat insurance can be complex– so be sure to ask as many questions as you can about pet insurance plans and how they work. By doing this, you’re ensuring your kitty will be a healthy, happy new member of the family.

Foods that people love to eat can be extremely toxic to dogs and can compromise pet health if left untreated.

With the holidays approaching, it’s important to keep an eye out for these toxic foods and make sure that your dog does not have access to them.

It’s also a good idea to have a pet insurance plan for your dog, should any unexpected emergency situations arise. Having dog insurance can diminish the costs of expenses pet owners are unprepared for.

According to Ahna Brutlag, DVM, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline, chocolate is one of the most problematic toxins. Dogs and cats cannot metabolize it as well as humans. Keep all types of chocolate—especially baking chocolate and other toxic foods—out of your dog’s reach. It can save you and your dog an emergency trip to the vet.

Chocolate poses a risk to dogs due the chemical theobromide. Symptoms associated with the ingestion of chocolate can include hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, abnormal heart rhythm, and seizures. If a dog ingests any amount of chocolate, you should call your vet immediately.

Grapes and raisins are other foods that people love, but can also be toxic to dogs. Although unusual, ingesting these foods can cause kidney damage that may lead to kidney failure. Symptoms of raisin or grape poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea, loss of appetite, changes in the amount of urine passed or not passing any urine.