By: Dr. Jack Stephens
Pets Best Insurance President and Founder

1. How are you reimbursed?
I mention this area because reimbursement issues can become your biggest area of discontent if you receive less than you anticipate for your pet’s medical cost.

Some pet insurance companies reimburse or pay claims based on a “set” benefit schedule. The problem with this is the schedule may not reflect what you are actually charged for veterinary care. For instance, if your pet had a broken leg that cost you $3,000; the pet health insurance company that operates from a benefit scheduled may reimburse a lesser amount after the deductible. This can be considerably less; leaving you with the balance. Pick a plan that pays a flat percentage (such as 80%) of your cost for pet health care and avoid this pitfall.

2. How long will it take to be reimbursed?
This is another important facet of cat or dog insurance that you may not initially understand why it matters. After all, with human health insurance, you go to your doctor and they submit the bills to the insurance company. The length of time this process takes is probably of little concern to you because your doctor or hospital is waiting for the funds, not you.

In contrast, with pet health insurance, you pay the veterinary cost upfront and then submit your claim to the pet insurance company, who will then pay you back. With pet insurance you are out-of-pocket for the cost up front and you may incur interest expenses on your credit card if your reimbursement is not timely from the pet insurance company.

It’s a good idea to ask what the average time is from receipt of a claim until payment is rendered by your pet insurer. If the company acts evasive, you have your answer; you will likely be waiting for your money for some time. Seek pet insurance companies that have a good history of paying their claims quickly. In addition, ask if they offer direct deposit, which can expedite your reimbursement.

3. How easy is it to file a pet insurance claim?
Another pitfall to avoid are the companies that make it difficult for you to file a claim and track your claims status. You should seek a pet insurance company that allows your claim to be filed electronically (email) for faster service. Also seek a company that will provide you with an email confirmation once they received your claim. And better yet, do a pet insurance comparison to find a company that will directly deposit your funds quickly.

Doberman Pinschers are majestic dogs with a very distinctive look. Loyal, protective, and friendly, they unfortunately have the reputation of being aggressive. In fact, owners of Dobermans are sometimes required to carry dangerous dog insurance policies. But they are not dangerous dogs by nature.

Description
The Doberman, although lean and tall in appearance, has a compact muscular body with a long head. Their almond-shaped eyes are various shades of brown, depending on coat color. Their ears used to be routinely cropped at about 12 weeks, but because some consider it to be inhumane, and many pet health insurance companies won’t cover these costs, some Doberman owners allow the dogs’ ears to grow naturally, and flop over. Tails are often still docked. Usually within three days of birth.

The Doberman has a broad chest and straight, long legs. Coat colors can range from black, black and tan, bluish-grey, red, fawn, or white. Some dogs have markings over the eye, throat, legs, feet, and tail.

Size
Because they have long legs, Dobermans are often thought to be very large. But males are 26 to 28 inches tall, and females are 24 to 26 inches tall. Both sexes weigh between 66 and 88 lbs.

Temperament
Dobermans are very energetic, loyal, and affectionate. Hardworking and very easy to train after owner pack leadership has been established, every member of the family must be firm and confident when handling the Doberman. This lets them know their place in the pack and provides security. It is also a good idea to consider dog insurance for this breed, considering its energy level and size.

This breed needs lots of stimulation and exercise. Despite the unearned reputation as a dangerous dog, Dobermans make excellent therapy dogs and are gentle with children.

Pet Health Issues
Dobermans are prone to a condition called cervical spondylitis (wobbler syndrome) from fusion of neck vertebrae. Like other larger dogs, they also often get hip dysplasia. Albinism does occur and the gene can cause pet health issues such as deafness.

It may sound odd, but keeping up with good pet health care as well as pet insurance can be good for you too.

Besides the obvious reason that we want our animal companions to be well, taking care of pets has physical and psychological health benefits. The following are some examples:

Pet Ownership Promotes Responsibility
You often hear a good reason to get a pet for a child is that is promotes responsibility—the child learns to feed and care for another living thing. But it can also be good for adults. Looking after a pet and ensuring they have pet insurance, food, water and exercise helps you be a responsible person.

Physical Comfort
Petting your dog or cat after a bad day can have a comforting and relaxing effect on your body and mind. A cat jumping in your lap or a dog putting his wet nose on your hand can help tremendously if you’re feeling overly stressed. Studies have shown that just being around animals reduces blood pressure.

Emotional Wellness
“Unconditional love” is an overused term, but it aptly describes the kind of love that pets give you. They don’t care if you’re feeling snarky or irritable, they still like to be around you. Having pets can reduce isolation and promotes social activity. Walking with your pet or taking your pet to the dog park can up your socialization as well as your dogs’.

Benefits for Older Adults
There’s a reason why companion and therapy animals are often taken into nursing homes. Older people in that environment, who have often had to give up a pet, crave contact with a loving animal. Research even shows that older adults who have a pet have fewer doctor visits.

While pet insurance can make a trip to the vet less stressful for the pet owner, pets may still feel uncomfortable.

The office is oftentimes cold, sterile, and uninviting. The smells are funny, and the waiting time is usually long and awkward. When it comes to visiting the vet, our pets experience the same kind of discomfort and anxiety as we do.

This office is a new place, or one that your pet likely associates with something negative (shots, surgery, medications).

Discount pet care is out there, but more often than not medical costs can run through the roof! So along with making sure your little ball of love is as stress-free as possible, managing the cost of veterinary care with cat or dog insurance will help you buffer the headache in the office. Here are some tips for making the most of your vet visit:

1. Make sure your animal has a security blanket. Okay, maybe not an actual blanket, but a familiar place or object that makes them feel safe—like a carrier, or a leash. Bring a familiar toy for some comforting smells from home.

2. Be sure to do a pet insurance comparison so you can better understand coverage. Just because you have cat or dog insurance doesn’t mean that everything is covered. When shopping for insurance for cats or dogs, take inventory of what services are covered prior to your vet visit. You don’t want any surprises!

3. Understand how your dog insurance plan works. Just having pet insurance isn’t enough. Make sure you really understand how the payment system works for that particular company. Find out what will be covered and what’s excluded.

Colleen Paige is founder of the Animal Miracle Foundation & Network and National Kids & Pets Day, April 26.

On kidsandpetsday.com, she offers tips for keeping kids and pets safe around each other.

According to the site, “National Kids & Pets Day is dedicated to furthering the magical bond between children and animals and to help bring awareness to the plight of pets in shelters awaiting new homes.”

Dogs, cats, and kids have a lot in common. Both pets and kids often try to push their boundaries and challenge their parents. Both can get cranky and lash out when sleepy or hurting. And both have potential to hurt the other, either by accident or on purpose. However, children and pets have a lot to offer each other, as well.

Some of the tips Paige offers on her site include:

•Teaching children to always ask first before petting a dog. Even friendly dogs can be startled by the sudden appearance of another set of eyes right at their level.

•Teaching children how to pet animals nicely and gently, avoiding running toward, yelling at, or pulling on an animal’s body parts.

•Never leaving children and pets unsupervised.

Just as pets can cause sudden and even accidental injury to children, children can cause injury to pets. Pet insurance should be on the list of all policies that parents with pets own. These policies can keep unexpected vet visits more affordable when sudden dog or cat health care is needed due to a cut paw, broken tail, or ingestion of crayons.

Even though people have pet insurance for their pets, they “are not seeing the veterinarian as frequently as they used to,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

In an article published in the Calgary Herald titled “Why Pet Owners Fear Vet Visits,” pets are potentially not getting the proper veterinary attention for two reasons: lack of information and “higher than expected costs for vet services.”

The article was written by veterinarian Dr. Wendy McClelland, who recommends one or two wellness visits per year—one for younger pets, two for older. She reminds pet owners that those visits can be used to discuss pet health, nutrition, care options, and preventative care to prepare for the future and eliminate fear, “instead of just putting out the fire of the latest illness or injury.”

Because one or two vet visits per year—even when an animal is seemingly healthy—does cost money, McClelland admits, she says pet owners should “think of them as insurance.” Alternately, pet owners may think of insurance for wellness exams. Pet insurance companies like Pets Best Insurance offer coverage for wellness visits. Such visits help find potential pet health issues early on, eliminating unnecessary soaring expenses.

Online pet insurance company websites offer a wealth of information as well, from pet health tips to the ability to thoroughly compare pet insurance to find the best financial fit. This could be the answer that those pet owners mentioned in the article were looking for.

Pets rely on their owners for all their needs. Even if pet owners weren’t fully aware of the full expense of pet ownership when they adopted a dog or cat, pets shouldn’t have to suffer because their owner is afraid of a diagnosis or a bill.

Until recently acupuncture for people was considered a kind of “out there” treatment. It has now become a rather mainstream, but still alternative, treatment option for many medical issues.

It’s especially helpful for relieving pain. Amazingly, it is now even used in pet health care and some pet insurance companies even provide coverage.

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that uses small gauge needles inserted into various points in the body. It is a painless procedure. The acupuncture points correspond to areas that generate physiological responses. It’s used to treat many diseases and conditions.

Acupuncture is almost always combined with other treatments including massage, breathing exercises, herbal medicines, and healthy nutrition. The effectiveness of acupuncture, which was previously doubted, has been scientifically proven.

Acupuncture Can Be a Pet Health Benefit
There are now vets who are trained in administering acupuncture to pets. If you are considering it, you should consult with a properly certified veterinary acupuncturist. Various illnesses and medical conditions have shown to be effectively treated with acupuncture.
Incontinence, different orthopedic conditions, chronic respiratory conditions, immune-related disorders, arthritis and neurological disorders have all been treated successfully with acupuncture.

Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is treatment for the health of the musculoskeletal system, with the main focus being the spine. Chiropractors perform procedures that align the body’s joints. Chiropractic care can help neck and back pain and arthritis.

Within the past decade, pets have been increasingly treated with chiropractic care. Many of the ailments for which people seek relief can be helped.

Pet Insurance
Some pet insurance plans will cover acupuncture and chiropractic care. These are usually on plans that included “extras” that go beyond basic coverage. Ask a potential pet insurance company if they offer coverage for these services.

Owning pets can be very expensive, especially if you don’t have pet insurance. Online pet insurance companies understand that pet ownership is a very rewarding experience and they want to help you enjoy pet ownership as much as possible– not live in fear of high-priced vet bills or worry about negotiating care because of treatment costs.

While you have probably heard about the various pet health insurance providers that are on the market now, you may not know what to look for from an online pet insurance company.

When you go out in search of pet health insurance, one of the first things you will probably look at is the price. You may be surprised to find that most companies offer plans starting at very reasonable rates.

With companies like Pets Best Insurance, rates are based on three things: age of the pet, location and breed. Because of the variety of choices Pets Best Insurance offers in terms of plans and deductible amounts, there will likely be something that will fit everyone’s budget.

You will of course want to make sure that the policy you select covers the specific type of pet you own. But there are some other factors to consider as well. It’s important not to just base your choice of an online pet health insurance company on price alone.

If you’re looking into dog or cat insurance, it’s likely that you’re already concerned about pet health. But make sure that you take a look at what the pet insurance company is offering you for the price. Some pet insurance companies offer plans that cover the cost of vaccinations, worming, flea control, and even pre-existing conditions that have since healed—but not all companies will. Some plans are only intended to cover your pet if he becomes sick or injured. Also, look at the claim limits each of the insurance companies offer.

If you’re concerned about pet health and you have more than one pet, look into companies, like Pets Best Insurance, who offer a multi-pet discounts! They also cover older pets, so if you’ve decided to get a new puppy to keep your older dog company, it may be the perfect time to insure your whole four-legged family.

Pets Best Insurance also covers chronic and on-going conditions, so long as they’re not preexisting—so this can be very helpful if your pet comes down with something that cannot be cured right away.

For more information about Pets Best Insurance visit www.petsbest.com.

The Bernese Mountain Dog breed originated in the mountains of Switzerland where they were working dogs that pulled carts and drove cattle. This is a wonderful breed that has recently been prone to health problems. So if you are considering this, or any dog, you may want to look into pet insurance.

This large breed dog is good with children and other pets, as well as being an excellent watchdog. While they are protective of their family, they aren’t overly aggressive or dominant.

Appearance
The Bernese is a large, strong, but agile dog. His head is broad and flat on top. Their ears are medium, triangular, and set high. They has a bushy tail and his coat is a gorgeous, distinctive tricolor of black, rust and white. Their coat is rather long, is weather-resistant, and needs regular grooming, as it is quite thick.

Disposition
This breed is very intelligent and will respond well if his owner has the leadership role in the relationship. He likes knowing the rules and does best with structure. If socialized well as a puppy, they are tolerant of strangers and bond well with their family or owner.

Size
The male Bernese stands 24 to 28 inches high and weighs between 85 and 110 lbs. Females are 23 to 27 inches in height and weigh between 80 and 105 lbs.

Pet Health Issues
Unfortunately, this breed has recently developed a rather high occurrence of cancer at a relatively young age. This has decreased the average lifespan from 10 to 12 years down to 6 to 8 years. Like other large dogs, they are also prone to pet health conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Much like with cats, overfeeding has resulted in obesity in dogs and is currently one of the worst pet health problems. Before trying any new diet for your pet, be sure and talk to your veterinarian about her recommendations.

If you’re considering dog health insurance, another way you can contribute to keeping vet costs down is by providing your pet with the best pet insurance paired with the right nutrition.

What are the best dog food choices?
According to www.pets.webmd.com, the ingredients in dog foods must meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and includes protein (amino acids), fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. So check the dog food’s label to see its nutritional contents. There are no brands that are necessarily better than others, it’s an individual choice. Your vet may advise you on your dog’s specific pet health needs.

How often and how much?
A good staring point is the dog food label’s recommendations, but adjust the amounts to your dog’s weight, age, and activity level. Puppies, whether they’re new born puppies or a bit older, will have different needs, but it is best to feed adult dogs twice a day.

What if my dog is finicky?
Sometimes, pets will stop eating a food that they previously liked. It could be that they’re just bored with it, but it can also be a sign of illness. If you offer them something else and they show interest, it might just be time to switch food.

Some guidelines for switching a pet’s food:

•Good dog health care: Keep an eye on their eating behavior. Vomiting or refusing to eat means you should see your vet.
•Allow six to seven days to switch to a new food: This gives your dog time to adjust. Mix one-quarter of the new food in with three-quarters old food for the first two days. Gradually increase the new food by quarters.