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Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet Insurance News’

February is pet dental health month

Posted on: February 7th, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance prepares to have his teeth brushed.

Pet owners understand the benefits of giving their pets quality food, annual checkups, and the best pet insurance coverage. But if their pet’s dental care is neglected, optimum pet health may be compromised.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that most pets show signs of oral disease by age two: 80% of dogs and 70% of cats.

These statistics are alarming, because poor cat and dog dental care can cause periodontal disease, which leads to tooth loss and unhealthy bacteria entering the bloodstream. This can cause infection in vital organs like the heart and kidneys.

February is Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time for pet owners to look into dog and cat dental insurance. The best pet insurance companies often include dental coverage for pets, or offer it as an additional option.

Pets Best Insurance covers routine dental cleanings as part of the BestWellness routine care coverage. Professional cleanings, performed annually by a veterinarian, will not only help prevent tooth loss, but will also prevent other pet health issues that can occur when plaque and tartar ravage a pet’s gums.

In between professional cleanings, pet owners can brush their pet’s teeth with specially formulated pet toothpaste. Pets love the taste, and it is free of fluoride and other ingredients that can be harmful.

Other tools are also available to keep pet mouths healthy, including tartar control treats, water additives, and gels. These products are available from pet stores and veterinary clinics. When treated with professional pet dental care and pet insurance, periodontal disease is preventable. No pet should have to suffer from painful, bleeding gums, tooth loss, or other potential diseases.

Pet insurance for your indoor dog this winter?

Posted on: January 21st, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance stays warm in the winter.

We like to think our dogs are resilient in the winter, with their thick fur coats and padded paws. Long haired dogs do have extra protection in the winter, and outdoor dogs grow a fuller coat as the weather cools.

However, that doesn’t mean a domesticated, pampered house pooch can handle extreme elements as well as a fully adapted wild dog or a trained sled dog. While pet insurance companies exist to protect your furry family all year long, even owners who have dog insurance should use common sense during the winter.

“An indicator that it’s too cold for your dog is: if your nose gets cold when you are walking them, that is how cold their feet are getting,” said Rachel Sentes, a former writer for Pet Rescue Magazine in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Dogs are safer staying home in the winter as opposed to taking car trips, especially if the dog will be left in the vehicle for any period of time. While cars become ovens in the summer as they trap heat, they become refrigerators in the winter, and keeping the car running poses the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning unless the windows are open.

According to Dr. Justine Lee, a Minnesota veterinarian who has worked with Alaskan sled dogs, in certain cases cold winter temperatures can cause added pet health issuse such as stress, which can be taxing on pets.

“If a dog has underlying hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or a medical condition where he can’t regulate his temperature normally, I wouldn’t recommend it at all,” said Lee of leaving a dog inside a car during the winter.

Lee also warns of possible side effects from breathing in cold air for extended periods of time.

“Some rare dogs have cold-induced asthma/bronchitis, and can’t exercise as well in cold weather,” said Lee, author of It’s a Dog’s Life…But It’s Your Carpet. “Signs would be coughing, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance.”

When any changes occur in a pet while exposed to harsh elements, having pet insurance for your dog will ensure that your best furry friend can be quickly evaluated, treated, and sent home warm and cozy.

Top 3 things to do when caring for a stray kitten

Posted on: January 20th, 2011 by

New born kittens with pet insurance drink from a bottle.

I don’t know if I smell of catnip or if word has gotten around to the local cats, but I am one of those people who always seems to find the strays and lost kittens in the neighborhood.

I’ve repeatedly exclaimed, “the kitten can stay – but just for tonight,” only to find myself with a growing number of lifelong family pets.

While new born kittens can be slightly more intense than the needs of adult cats, taking in and taking care for a newly rescued stray kitten isn’t so complicated if you keep a few things in mind.

1. A stray kitten will almost certainly have fleas, and may also have worms. Fleas carry parasites, so if your kitten has ingested any fleas while grooming herself, she’s probably taken in a few parasite hitchhikers.

You can purchase a flea control agent and medication, especially for de-worming kittens, at most pet stores. Be sure you buy the type intended for your kitten’s size and weight. Adult dosages can be toxic to small kittens. Dawn dish washing detergent is a gentle and effective kitten flea shampoo. Any stray kitten should be washed immediately if brought into the home to prevent an indoor flea farm.

2. Spaying and neutering is an important part of responsible cat ownership, as is purchasing a pet insurance policy for your beloved feline. A kitten may be sterilized as young as 8 weeks old, so contact your local rescues and research and see if you can find a spay neuter assistance program. Sibling kittens will mate earlier than expected if not fixed.

3. Pet health insurance is an excellent investment for your new kitten. Not only will you pay very low pet insurance premiums due to your kitten’s young age and presumable lack of pre-existing conditions, but many cat insurance policies also offer wellness and routine care packages.

Correcting your puppy’s bad behavior

Posted on: January 18th, 2011 by

A puppy with pet insurance cuddles in a red blanket.

After adopting a new born puppy you’ll likely begin the search for the best pet insurance you can find. After awhile, you are bound to have behavioral problems– which is when pet behavior training can be a useful tool in correcting these issues. Puppy behavior problems can turn into serious issues if they are not addressed immediately.

Common puppy behavior problems can be fixed with simple adjustments to your routine. Puppy barking can be one of the most disruptive problems. Puppies bark for various reasons, the main reason being attention.

If your puppy is barking for attention, it is important that you don’t reward this behavior. You want the behavior to stop so you need to give the puppy a correction. The correction can either be a verbal one or a physical one, but never hit the puppy. An example of a physical correction might be touching the dog to get him to hush. Once the puppy has stopped barking and is relaxed, you can give them affection. You are then praising him for not barking.

Another example of a puppy behavior problem is chewing. Puppies often chew of out boredom, so make sure that your puppy is adequately exercised daily to help curb this behavior. Daily exercise helps your puppy to be both mentally and physically stimulated. An excellent way to exercise your puppy is to take them on a walk.

Cat health insurance: What you need to know

Posted on: January 13th, 2011 by

Two kittens with cat insurance play.

If you have a new born kitten, one of the first things you’ll want to look into will be finding the best cat insurance plan for your kitty.

Cat health insurance not only will give you peace of mind, it will help you avoid costly medical bills. Pet health insurance can help you afford to keep your cat healthy.

Choosing a cat insurance company can seem overwhelming. You can find a number of companies by typing “online pet insurance” into your favorite search engine.

Once you have a list, you’ll want to compare cat insurance companies closely. You want to compare how much they will reimburse you after your deductible is met. It will either be a percentage of the bill or an allotted dollar amount based on the terms of the contract.

The next thing that you will want to look at and compare is the deductible and monthly premium for your pet insurance policy. The deductible is the amount you must pay before the insurance will cover any treatments or services. If you choose to go with a lower deductible, then you will most likely have to pay a higher monthly premium. Higher deductible plans are a good choice if you are looking for coverage in case of a serious illness or injury. This type of coverage can save you from the enormous costs of care for major accidents or illnesses.

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