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Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet News (General)’

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.

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.

National Animal Control Appreciation Week: April 11-17

Posted on: April 12th, 2011 by

A dog with dog insurance is tended to by an animal control officer.

The entire month of April is a cause for celebration. While it’s not all necessarily pet insurance related, the month of April is a time to focus on our pets and the people who devotedly work for their safety, protection, and animal health care. Throughout April, there are a number of week-long awareness and appreciation days.

National Animal Control Appreciation Week
Many of us have an outdated image of “Mean Mr. Dogcatcher” rounding up all the stray dogs in the neighborhood when we hear “animal control.” But in reality, animal control officers work hard on behalf of animals and always have their safety in mind.

The profession, which is state certified, also requires continuing education. In many areas, animal control departments also operate the local animal shelters. The men and women who do this job are invested in assisting and getting good results for both animals and the people who care about them.

According to the National Animal Control Association (NACA), an animal control officer’s job entails:

• Investigating animal neglect or cruelty
• Capturing roaming (and sometimes dangerous) dogs
• Rescue injured and sick animals
• Educate pet owners about the laws and proper pet care
• Mediate disputes between neighbors over pets
• Reunite lost pets with owners

Animal control officers are often at personal risk when doing their jobs, as they can be exposed to many animal-borne diseases like rabies and attacks by vicious animals. Many police departments, who usually oversee animal control, and local governments are planning events recognizing this profession.

So take some time this week to acknowledge the valuable contribution these people make to pet safety, and say “thank you” for their service to animals and the community.

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