Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet Industry News’

Pet health: Give arthritic cats special care this winter

Posted on: December 28th, 2010 by

An old cat with pet insurance sits in a cat bed.
Posted by H.R.
For Pets Best Insurance

Creeky joints and a stiff back can compromise pet health at any age, but it’s particularly a problem for senior cats, overweight cats, and cats who have suffered an injury.

Dr. Carol Osborne writes on her website that “the signs of arthritis vary depending on exactly which joint or joints are affected, the age of the pet and the severity of the disease.”

According to Osborne, who was the first veterinarian to be Certified as a Diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine in the United States, cat health care symptoms caused from arthritis can be subtle and difficult to detect. We may forgo specialized cat pet care, attributing slowing down to old age. Arthritic cats may become reluctant to move and often “miss” the litter box, because their stiffer joints ache when trying to climb into the box.

As in humans, cold air can worsen joint aches and stiffness. Some cats may benefit from heated cat beds in the winter, as this provides joints and muscles a soft, warm place to rejuvenate.

Holistic cat health care like acupuncture can help arthritic cats feel more comfortable. It is often covered by pet health insurance. Because of the vast benefits it provides, cat insurance may be a good option for pet owners with cats of any age. Acupuncture can even be done with lasers if the cat doesn’t tolerate needles well.

Gentle exercise is often prescribed by veterinarians to keep joints limber. There is even the option to give cats aqua therapy in warm water. The heat soothes joints and muscles, and moving in water is a gentle way to get exercise. Do a pet insurance comparison to see which cat insurance providers will help to cover these types of physical therapy. For more insight on aqua therapy for cats, talk with your veterinarian.

Give your pet the gift of pet insurance this holiday season

Posted on: December 21st, 2010 by

A Yorkie gets pet insurance for Christmas.

If you are getting a new pet this holiday season, be sure to give your family the gift of peace-of-mind by getting pet insurance.

Pet insurance is a great way to ensure that your pet is covered in the case of an accident or illness. Not only is pet insurance a great gift for the holidays, it makes a great gift any time of the year.

It doesn’t matter if your new pet is pure bred or a mix, pet insurance makes sense. No dog is immune to accidents or illnesses. Pet health insurance is great to have when your new puppy decides to eat a sock and has an intestinal blockage that requires surgery. It’s also handy to have when your new kitten jumps off the couch and breaks its leg. Pet insurance is there for you and your pet when you need it most.

Pet insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, let you choose the pet insurance plan that meets the needs of you and your pet. You choose the deductible that fits your budget. You can also choose how much coverage you want your pet to have. It’s a customizable plan that covers what you need without breaking the bank.

Ease some of the stress that can come with owning a new pet by having them covered under a pet insurance plan. Call Pets Best Insurance today for a free quote at 866-440-2020 or visit them at www.petsbest.com.

*Please note: If you’d like to purchase a pet insurance plan as a gift, please make sure the pet’s owner reads and completes the application. It may take away some of the surprise of gift-giving, but it’s a legal requirement.

How to keep your pet safe when away from home

Posted on: December 2nd, 2010 by

A dog sits in a suitcase preparing for a trip.When traveling with pets, it is important to keep them safe during the trip. The job of keeping your pet safe doesn’t end when you have reached your final destination. There are steps that you should take to ensure your pet stays safe while you are away from home.

Bring a cat carrier for your cat and portable dog crates for your dog when traveling. Not only do the carriers and crates offer a safe place for your pet, they offer a safe place for your pet when staying at a hotel or a family member’s house. Using a crate or carrier for your pet at night and when you are not able to supervise them will keep them from getting into trouble and possibly injuring themselves. As a bonus, they offer a place for your pet to feel safe in his unfamiliar surroundings.

Make sure that your pet is wearing a collar and identification tags at all times. Having your pet micro-chipped is another added safety measure you can take to help make finding your pet easier if he is lost or stolen. The addition of an identification tag with the information of where you are staying is also helpful when traveling with pets.

Once you get to your destination it is a good idea to know where the local animal emergency room is and the number of a local vet. Ask your friends or family members that live in the area for the name of the vet they use. If you have pet insurace with Pets Best Insurance, knowing you have the option to take your pet to any veterinarian anywhere in the world can be comforting. In the case of an accidental injury or sudden illness pet insurance can help bring down the cost of pricey vet bills.

Keeping your pet safe during your travels will ensure that your trip is enjoyable for both you and your pet.

Cat insurance continues to gain popularity

Posted on: December 1st, 2010 by

Two kittens with cat insurance play with one another.

When playing with your puppy or kitten, it’s easy to forget that one day their muzzle may be gray and their joints will be arthritic.

An unforeseen accident is unthinkable. However, more pet owners are thinking ahead, and pet health insurance is gaining popularity in the United States.

According to the market research paper, “Pet Insurance in North America, 4th Edition,” published by Packaged Facts, sales of insurance for pets rose 27 percent in 2008 and 16 percent in 2009.

This appears to be a good trade-off, because in a country where the average amount spent by cat owners on routine and surgical cat pet care is about $500 annually. It’s been widely reported over the years, by publications and organizations like the New York Times and the National Institute of Health Technology, that pet owners visit the doctor less. So while we take care of our pets, they help take care of us!

As the industry grows and becomes more competitive, veterinarians are recommending that cat owners compare pet insurance companies and plans. One reason: the cost of veterinarian assistance is another number that increases every year—by 9 percent annually, according to the New York Times.

Cat insurance, on the other hand, is becoming more affordable. There are plans of every size and price, from plans that strictly cover emergencies, to broader plans covering routine cat health care, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering. For more information on cat insurance visit www.petsbest.com.

Don’t just adopt a cat– find the right one for you

Posted on: November 11th, 2010 by

Two kittens wait to be adopted at a shelter.
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.