Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet Health News’

Pet insurance vs. saving for pet health costs

Posted on: March 17th, 2011 by

A puppy with pet health insurance sits on a pile of money.

Anyone who has owned a dog or cat understands vet bills can be pretty hefty. Between routine check-ups, vaccinations and tests, the costs can really add up.

When an emergency arises, however, the prices of testing and treatment become incredible— sometimes reaching the thousands! When it comes to handling the costs of the unknown future, it is important to weigh whether pet insurance policies or putting away savings is best for your dog, and your bank account.

According to an article published on Investopedia.com concerning the economics of pet ownership, “Diagnostic testing can easily top the $1,000 mark and can be as high as $5,000 – this does not include surgical care or long-term treatments and medications.” For this reason, saving may not be so practical.

What happens if you have only just begun saving and your pet requires a $5,000 test or surgical procedure? It would seem that you would either have to scrape together the money or borrow it—because we all know what when it comes down to it, our pets are worth it. Dog and cat insurance companies make this unknown a much easier bite to chew. In all cases there will certainly be a limit to the amount that will be covered in an emergency. Regardless, if the surgery your pet needs is $5,000, a $7,000 limit will be more than enough—and a $250 deductible is certainly much easier to handle. Visit pets best insurance to learn about plan options.

The other factor to take into consideration is whether pet health insurance will cover prescriptions and tests. Routine care could also be covered under certain policies or packages, which could lighten the blow of vet bills all around. In all cases, it is a great idea to read dog and cat insurance information to understand what coverage is available for a particular company. Saving may seem cost effective in the long run, but when you realize the wide range of services that are included in many policies, you may think twice.

Popular dog breeds: The Labrador Retriever

Posted on: March 16th, 2011 by

A Labrador Retriever with pet insurance enjoys the outdoors.

It must be nice to keep a coveted title of “Most Popular Breed” year after year. Edging out the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd by a few hairs, the Labrador Retriever holds that title.

It’s easy to see why these sweet-tempered, family-friendly dogs remain a favorite and why so many owners also have pet insurance for this breed.

Description and Size
The Labradors’ coat color is black, yellow, or chocolate brown. They are a medium-sized, strong dog with an athletic, well-balanced body. They are referred to as a “short-coupled” breed—the body being the same or just a bit longer than it is tall.

Their shoulders are set back and form a 90-degree angle with the upper part of the foreleg. This enhances the mobility of their legs and gives them a strong forward reach. They have a wedge-shaped head and their eyes are medium-sized, set far apart and either brown or hazel. The Labrador Retriever’s coat is short, straight, very dense, and weather-resistant. Females are 21-24 inches tall and males are 24-28 inches. They weigh between 55 and 100 pounds.

Character and Temperament
Because of their sweet, easy-going nature, Labs are very good family companion dogs. They are also one of the smartest dog breeds. They do best with a “job” that will keep them physically active and mentally alert. So it’s vital that the Labrador gets plenty of exercise. They love water and are great swimmers.

Pet Health Issues
The Labrador is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia like other larger dogs. The average life span is 10—12 years. Keeping a Lab’s weight under control will help them stay healthy. For more information about dog insurance coverage for Labradors, visit Pets Best Insurance.

Yearly vaccines: What your pet needs

Posted on: March 14th, 2011 by

A sick dog with pet insurance waits for treatment.

Annual vaccines are a part of your pet’s annual check up. Vaccines help boost your pet’s immunity and protect them from common pet illnesses, some of which can be deadly.

To help with the cost of annual vaccinations for your pet, make sure your pet has a pet insurance plan that covers annual vaccinations. Pet health insurance companies like Pets Best Insurance offer supplemental wellness plans.

Annual dog vaccinations generally consist of the distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus, and rabies vaccines. Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and coronavirus are usually given as a combination vaccine know as DHLPP-C. Many pet insurance companies help cover this if you have a wellness package.

Other vaccinations may include the bordetella and Lyme disease vaccine. If your dog is around other dogs frequently, your veterinarian will likely recommend that your dog get vaccinated for bordetella, more frequently known as kennel cough. If your dog goes camping or hiking, or you live in an area that is prone to ticks, then your veterinarian will likely recommend the Lyme disease vaccine. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and can cause serious neurological side effects.

Annual cat vaccinations generally consist of the feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia, and rabies vaccines. The vaccines for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calcivirus and panleukopenia are given as a combination vaccine known as the FVRCP vaccine.

If your cat goes outdoors at any time, then your veterinarian will likely recommend that your cat be vaccinated against feline leukemia. The feline leukemia vaccine is generally not recommended for strictly indoor cats.

Your pet’s annual vaccine protocol will depend on where you live, your pet’s age, and their health. Your veterinarian will discuss which vaccinations are right for your pet.

Pet health: Brush their teeth to keep them healthy

Posted on: March 8th, 2011 by

A dog with pet health insurance gets his teeth brushed.

Brushing your pet’s teeth is an important step in maintaining proper pet health. A daily tooth brushing is the first line of defense against dental disease. Dental disease is a common health concern with an estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats having some form by the age of 2.

Take the steps to help your pet avoid this common health issue by including pet dental care into your daily routine. Some pet insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, will even help with the costs of annual teeth cleaning with their wellness plans.

You may be thinking that brushing your pet’s teeth is impossible. At first, your pet may not like having their teeth brushed, but you can make it a tolerable experience. The key to success in dog and cat dental care is having the right tools for the job and taking your time when brushing.

Make sure that you have the appropriate sized toothbrush. If you have a cat or small dog you will want to choose a small sized toothbrush. Choose toothpaste formulated for pets. Pet toothpaste comes in many flavors such as bacon or liver—choose a flavor that you think your pet will enjoy.

Once you have your pet’s toothbrush and toothpaste, you are ready to brush their teeth. If this is the first time, take it slowly. Begin by brushing their teeth in circular motion until you have brushed the entire surface of each tooth. Take breaks if your pet needs them. Keep the experience a positive one by offering treats and praise when you are finished.

Pet adoption tips

Posted on: March 7th, 2011 by

A puppy with dog insurance looks up at his owner.

Choosing to add a new member to your family is a huge responsibility.

Once you have decided that you have the time to commit to a new pet, you are ready to begin your research. When looking to adopt a new pet you will also need to consider purchasing pet insurance.

Below are several pet adoption tips that will help you choose the type of dog or cat that will be the best fit for your family.

• Costs: The first thing you’ll want to consider is the cost that is involved with owning a pet. Besides food, there is the cost of annual veterinary care. To help with the cost of pet heath care, consider pet health insurance. Companies like Pets Best Insurance offer reasonable rates for cat and dog insurance.

• Family Dynamics: You will want to consider when choosing a new pet for your family is family dynamics. Do you have children? If so, you need to evaluate which breeds of dogs tend to be better with children.

• Exercise: Consider the amount of time you have to properly exercise your new dog. If you lead an active lifestyle, you will probably want to choose a breed that enjoys being active, too.

• Location: You also want to examine where you live. If you live in an apartment, then a large breed dog may not be the best choice for you. Also, check the stipulations regarding having a dog in your apartment—there may be weight limits and breed restrictions.