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Siberian Husky

Posted on: May 23rd, 2011 by

A Husky with dog insurance sits for the camera.

The Siberian Husky is one of several arctic breeds, which also includes the Malamute. The Siberian is a compact, strong dog in the working group that is gentle and intelligent. A popular breed, especially for families, he can be a handful if not properly trained. It’s also a good idea to consider pet insurance for this breed.

Description
The Siberian Husky has a medium-sized head that is proportionate to the body. His ears are erect and triangular in shape. Like other dogs who must withstand extreme cold, the Husky has a thick double coat that can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 76 degrees. The coat can be gray, silver, sand, red and black and white. Often there are characteristic, striking markings on the head.

The Siberian’s distinctive eyes can be half brown, half blue or one blue and one brown eye. His coat has two heavy shedding seasons a year and the hair should be combed out. The Husky’s tail curves up over his back when he is alert or running. Another adaption to the cold weather is his large snow shoe feet which have hair between the toes to keep warm and to grip well on the ice.

The Siberian Husky ranges from 21 to 23 ½ inches tall for males and 20 to 22 inches for females. Weights are males—45 to 60 pounds and females—35 to 50.

Temperament
Although this is a very relaxed breed of dog, he is also very high energy. He likes to howl and gets bored very easily. Like most working dogs, he needs a “job” and short of that, lots of exercise or he can become destructive. Researching pet insurance and finding the best pet insurance plan for this breed is a good idea. Training Siberian Huskies can be tricky because they must be sure that their pack leader is strong and in charge. This is not the dog for a first-time owner.

This breed is very good with children and they are attached to their families. Not a good candidate for a watch dog, the Husky is friendly to strangers. He is compatible and safe with other pets in the household if he is raised with them.

Pet Health Concerns
Like many dogs this size, the Husky is prone to hip dysplasia. Also, this breed can have eye issues like corneal dystrophy. Yearly screenings for these problems is recommended from a canine ophthalmologist. It’s always a good idea to have dog insurance with this breed. Pet insurance coverage can help defray the costs of vet care for any breed you choose.

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Top three benefits: Cat spaying

Posted on: May 20th, 2011 by

A cat with cat insurance sits in a plush bed.

Cat spaying and neutering offers many benefits not just to fixed cats themselves, but also to shelters, homeless animals and overpopulation.

Pet Health Benefits of Cat Spaying and Neutering
According to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, spayed cats have reduced risk for developing breast cancer and life-threatening pyometra, an infection of the uterus. Neutered male cats may be better pets, as 90 percent show decreased incidents of spraying, fighting and roaming.

Pet health insurance can help make spaying and neutering more affordable, and many discount spay and neuter programs are available across the country.

Other Benefits
Residents who keep their pets indoors and vaccinate may spay and neuter their pets for the sake of their neighbors. A howling cat in heat can be annoying even to cat lovers, but especially so to neighbors who don’t own pets and don’t find incessant cat meowing “charming.” And while it might be nice to lessen your litter scooping duties, try telling that to the neighbor who just planted their garden or laid down fresh mulch who had to scoop it for you.

Ask anyone who has ever lived among a colony of feral cats how they feel about strays. Just one litter of kittens can turn into 100 kittens in seven years, according to a 2006 Wall Street Journal article, “Trying to Herd a Cat Stat.”

If the kittens of just one cat receive no human interaction in the first few weeks of life, a feral colony could be born, made even worse by other non-fixed neighborhood cats. Feral and stray cats kill local wildlife, increase the risk diseases like rabies, and can be a loud, unsightly nuisance.

Cat Spaying and Neutering Benefits to Animals & Shelters
For every cute, new kitten that is born due to failure to spay or neuter, a homeless cat waiting for a home stays locked in a cage or is euthanized. These shelter cats were also once cute, new kittens. Many were once someone’s beloved pet before ending up in a shelter due to a job loss, a move, allergies, a new baby, or even the cost of vet bills, despite the fact that affordable cat insurance is increasingly available. Every spring, shelters burst at the seams with kittens who need foster homes, take up precious limited space and resources, and steal homes away from older cats, who continue to sit and wait for a new family.

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Americans pamper pets even with prices rising

Posted on: May 19th, 2011 by

La La the Chihuahua watch dog looks out the window.

According the the website, Petweek.org, one of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA’s primary messages is to “promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.”

The organization hopes to help educate children and adults alike that as animal rescues and shelters work to save homeless animals, families can save lives by offering a home to a pet in need.

When pets are adopted, they are innocent, voiceless, and rely on their owners for everything from food to pet insurance and care. Pets give their owners years of love and joy, and shouldn’t have to suffer when they are sick because of high treatment costs. This is where pet health insurance comes in.

Obtaining pet insurance coverage is a wonderful way to ensure that pets get all the help they need from puppy and kittenhood into their senior years.

An April 2011 Reuters report on an American Pet Products Association (APPA) poll revealed that in spite of an economic downturn, pet owners are spending more every year on their pets, including a projected $4 billion more in 2011 than five years earlier.

“Sixteen percent of dog owners and 13 percent of cat owners said their animal’s medical treatment would take priority over their own,” according to the Reuters report. The report also revealed that the number of yearly vet visits and surgery costs are both on the rise, particularly for cats.

Because there’s no guarantee to goodIt w pet health, pet insurance offers pet owners some control over both the expected—yearly check-ups—and the unexpected—accidental injury or surprise illness. Pet insurance cost varies, with pet coverage plans ranging from emergency-only to wellness policies. Researching pet plan insurance may prove one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to see the AVMA’s hope of saved lives and veterinary medicine awareness realized.

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Being kind to animals

Posted on: May 18th, 2011 by

A dog with pet health insurance waits for a treat.

The American Humane Association advocates protection and humane treatment of the voiceless, and among the voiceless are animals. This organization offers a few tips on its website outlining how you can speak out and provide care for animals.

Appreciate Wildlife
Wildlife is part of our Earth’s delicate lifecycle. American Humane Association suggests creating an inviting area in your yard for birds, butterflies, and other local animals. Avoid inhumane traps and poisons, which can harm animals that aren’t being targeted, like stray cats and loose dogs.

Adopt a Pet From a Shelter or Rescue
According to the American Humane Association, every year “an estimated 3.7 million animals must be euthanized at our nation’s shelters because they could not be adopted into loving homes.” Save these animals by offering them a home rather than buying from a neighbor who failed to spay and neuter. Spaying and neutering dogs and cats offers pet health benefits, can help decrease pet overpopulation, and may be subsidized with pet insurance coverage.

Take Care of Your Pet
Pets rely on their owners to keep them safe and in good pet health. Annual vet check-ups aren’t just for vaccinations. These exams can also detect potential pet health issues early, when they can still be successfully treated. Pets should also be protected from getting lost with proper identification. Vaccinations, preventative visits and treatment are often covered by pet health insurance. Visit Pets Best Insurance for more information.

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Keeping pets healthy

Posted on: May 16th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance selects healthy foods.

Pets are wonderful companions and considered members of the family. As a responsible pet owner, your job goes beyond feeding, sheltering and ensuring they have pet health insurance. Your pet relies on you to make good decisions as a key component of good pet health care.

Proper Feeding
Your vet can advise you about proper nutrition for your pet, but other resources and your own common sense can guide you, too. Feeding human food to pets is not a good idea. Their digestive systems are not made to deal with our diet. Certain foods like chocolate are toxic to pets, so being diligent about what goes in your pet’s mouth is extremely critical for their safety. Having pet health insurance is also a good idea, in case of accidental ingestion.

Pets also have different water consumption needs than we do. Make sure your pet has clean, fresh water several times daily if necessary. This is especially important if your dog or cat will be outside for any length of time.

Proper Handling
It should be a no-brainer that dogs need to be leashed at all times when outside on walks unless they have access to a fenced dog park. An unleashed dog can disappear in an instant if an interesting distraction, like a squirrel, runs by.

Statistics tell us that cats that have outdoor access have a high rate of injury and death. It’s a myth that cats need to go outside to hunt for food. If properly fed, there is no nutritional value to hunting.

Be Prepared
Regular vet care is important for healthy pets. But vet healthcare costs can be hard on pet owners’ budgets. Considering a pet health insurance plan can help defray some of those costs.

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