Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet Industry News’

The Doberman Pinscher

Posted on: May 3rd, 2011 by

A Doberman Pinscher with dog insurance waits to play fetch.

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.

Keeping Kids Safe Around Pets—and Vice Versa

Posted on: April 26th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance sits with a baby.

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.

Pet acupuncture and chiropractic care

Posted on: April 21st, 2011 by

A cat with pet insurance gets holistic care from a vet.

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.

How to do a pet insurance comparison

Posted on: April 20th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance looks astute for the camera.

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 Shiba Inu—Smallest Native Japanese Dog Breed

Posted on: April 13th, 2011 by

A Shiba Inu with pet insurance looks at his owner.

Most people, especially those in the pet or pet insurance industry, know of the Japanese dog breed the Akita, which is one of several breeds native to Japan. The Shiba Inu is less well known. The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese breeds, the males standing just 14 to 16 inches and females, 13 to 15 inches.

When thinking of acquiring any breed of dog, it’s wise to do your research, especially concerning pet health issues particular to the breed. It’s also a good time to research and compare pet insurance if you are concerned about vet costs.

Breed Description
The Shiba Inu is described as a small, compact dog with head proportionate to his body. He has a rounded, shorter muzzle, deep-set eyes and erect ears. The tail is thick at the base and curled up over the back. The Shiba’s coat is very dense and comes in red, red with a black overlay, black with tan markings and all have a cream/buff or gray undercoat.

Although they are very solid dogs, their weights are relatively low—18 to 25 lbs. for males and 15 to 20 lbs. for females.

Disposition and Personality
Shibas are described as very alert, intelligent, and loving. Most owners say they are fairly easy to train. One particular trait stands out—the Shiba likes to be clean and is fastidious about it. They are quiet and become close to their handlers.

Healthy, grounded Shibas are good with children and other pets. Although they are often bold, they can be very shy around strangers. It is very important that the owner take the pack-leader position because the Shiba can be stubborn.

Pet Health Issues
The Shiba Inu is prone to hip dysplasia and slipped kneecap (patellar luxation). When talking to breeders, be sure to ask about the health of both parents and even grandparents if possible. And while most dog health insurance companies won’t cover congenital issues, be sure to invest in the best pet insurance for your pet.

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