Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet Insurance News’

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 Bernese Mountain Dog

Posted on: April 18th, 2011 by

A Bernese Mountain Dog with pet insurance sits on the lawn.

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.

Pet health: Dog nutrition

Posted on: April 14th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance maintains proper pet health with a balanced diet.

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.

Celebrate your pet in April

Posted on: April 11th, 2011 by

A cat with the best pet insurance plan is cuddled by his owner.

While April showers bring May flowers, in April, Purina brings National Pet Month to America. Aside from ensuring your pet is in the best possible health it can be, and having pet insurance for your furry friend, Purina’s site petmonth.com lists numerous ideas to celebrate “pure love for pets.” Some of their tips include:

• Giving cats “me-ow” time with new spots just for them, like cat trees with elevated perches.
• Reward dog and cat good behavior with treats and love.
• Pamper pets with a massage or surprise him or her with a new toy.
• Get dogs more active and engaged with a dog run or mini obstacle course in the back yard.

Keeping pets active, feeding them right, giving them lots of love, and covering them with the best pet insurance for cats or dogs can contribute to long, healthy lives and years of enjoyment.

Pet owners can easily compare pet insurance plans and companies online while researching what conditions and ages are covered.

In 1981, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) founded National Pet Week to be observed for one week. But now, an entire month is reserved to celebrate the love of pets and to spread awareness of pet health and pet adoption.

The National Pet Week website at petweek.org offers a great amount of pet health information from the AVMA, pet first aid tips, fun interactive games, lesson plans and activities for educators, and information on careers in veterinary medicine. The AVMA also offers another important resource for pet health: an updated list of pet food recalls.