During summer, it is essential to protect pets and other domesticated animals from possible encounters with local wildlife, which can result in injuries to pets as well as expose them to dangerous diseases. This is why proper attention to pet health and safety, and researching the best pet insurance, is essential in order to ensure the well-being of household pets in the great outdoors.

Fencing Around the Home
Fences are a good first step in preventing pets from coming into contact with other animals, but they only provide a basic level of protection and cannot defend against wildlife that can dig or climb over these barriers. Fences should be maintained and checked for holes and gaps.

Rabies Shots
One of the greatest risks to pets is the threat of contracting rabies from infected wildlife. Reported rabies cases are up this year in several areas of the country. The Virginia Department of Health, for example, is cautioning pet owners in the New River Valley district that the number of cases of rabies through May of 2011 has already matched the number for the entirety of last year. Cases have been reported in skunks, cats, raccoons and cows. Other areas of the state are similarly affected by the highly infectious disease.

The best way to ensure pet safety and to protect pets against contracting this deadly viral infection is to ensure that they get annual vaccinations against rabies as part of their regular veterinary routine. Rabies vaccinations are required in most areas of the country and provide nearly 100% protection for pets against contracting the disease. Some pet health insurance plans cover a portion these and other routine vaccinations.

Habitat Alterations
In Florida, the growing coyote population is beginning to pose a threat to domesticated animals. There have been a number of substantiated reports of coyotes stalking cats and dogs and even attacking them, according to Greg Andrews of Pinellas County Animal Services.

One way to make lawns and outdoor living areas less attractive to coyotes and other predators is by ensuring that pet food and garbage cans are not readily available food sources outside. Additionally, keeping the grass short and hedges and shrubs neatly trimmed is safer for pets since it presents fewer hiding places for undesired wildlife.

Another way to protect pets from wildlife and outdoor dangers is with pet insurance. Pet health insurance helps to manage costs associated with most possible wildlife-related incidents and also help ensure the best possible veterinary care is more afforable to your beloved pet.

Your pet is a beloved member of your family. As a pet parent, you want to keep your companion healthy and happy. Good veterinary care is a critical component of being a responsible pet parent. As a pet owner in California, you want to do what’s right for your furry friend but also keep costs down. California pet insurance allows you to do both. But it’s important that you understand the coverage parameters of any pet health plan you are considering.

Quality, comprehensive, affordable pet insurance coverage should also take care of your companion throughout California as well as in other states, not just in your city or town. Be sure your plan offers coverage for your pet when you travel, even outside of the U.S. It’s important to check to see that any licensed veterinarian (generalist, specialist or emergency-care) can treat your pet within California, in other states and countries. This is especially crucial if you often are traveling with your pet.

Costs of Veterinary Care Rising
Having a good pet insurance plan is now more of a necessity than ever. Fees for veterinary services are steadily increasing, often as much as doubling every 13 years! Our pets are also living longer and we want to give them a good quality of life. As pets age, they often need more extensive vet care. Unfortunately, our incomes may not keep up with the rising vet costs and our pets’ needs. Pet parents all over California can gain more peace of mind with a pet health plan.

Indemnity Pet Insurance
Pet insurance plans are called “indemnity plans,” which means that you pay for your vet’s covered services to your pet upfront. You then submit claims to your pet insurer to get reimbursement after you have met any deductibles and paid your co-payments. States usually have different regulations regarding insurance and pet insurance companies insuring your pet in California must comply by the state Department of Insurance guidelines.

Check on the website of any pet insurance plan you are considering. Often the underwriters for a pet insurance policy will have information listed there, or you’ll be directed to a link with helpful guidelines. Find out if there are any particular aspects of the pet insurance plan that may affect your pet that are specific to California’s insurance regulations.

So make a good choice in your California pet insurance plan and travel with your pet buddy, enjoying freedom from worry if he should need vet care while on the road with you.

Summer is a time of fun in the sun for many pets and their owners. However, it can also present significant risks for pets, with insect bites, sunburn, and accidental injury far more common during the summer months than during the rest of the year. Taking steps to protect your pet before you head out to enjoy the great outdoors can save you and your pet a trip to the veterinary office and ensure that you have a safe and happy summer vacation. But because accidents and illnesses can occur at any time, it’s also a good idea to have pet insurance.

Bug Bites and Poisonous Plants
Most insect bites are not serious and can be treated with cuddles and a warm dose of affection. However, heartworm prevention is very important as just one mosquito bite can eventually develop into the deadly disease. Also, if significant swelling or disorientation occurs after time outdoors, a trip to the veterinarian’s office may be required.

It is important to remember that just because something naturally grows outdoors doesn’t mean it isn’t toxic. Mushrooms can cause rapid illness, shock and even death if not treated promptly. Author Catherine Mann of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida learned this the hard way when a puppy she was fostering ate a mushroom he found under some bushes in her backyard. Catherine tried to get the mushroom out of the puppy’s mouth but the puppy, and one of her older dogs, both started vomiting.

“My son and I raced both dogs to the vet ER,” wrote Catherine. “My dog and the puppy had to receive charcoal treatments.”

Beep Beep
Car safety is a major issue when owners and their pets are out and about. Pet health care experts advise that maintaining good leash habits is crucial, especially when your dog is excited about exploring the great outdoors. Dogs can easily be overwhelmed by unfamiliar situations and may run away or break free of their leash to chase other animals or simply to investigate an interesting sight, sound or smell they have discovered. It is wise to invest in pet health insurance, as well as keep a close eye and a firm grip on your dog whenever you are around busy traffic areas.

Hot Dog
In hot, sunny weather dogs can easily overheat and even be sunburned with prolonged exposure. Most pet care professionals recommend keeping dogs inside from 10 AM to 3 PM when the sun’s rays are most direct. Ensuring that dogs have sufficient water and a cool place during the hottest part of the day can help protect them against heat exhaustion. You should also never leave your dog unattended in the car during hot weather even with open windows, as they can quickly overheat and die in the enclosed environment.

Purchasing and maintaining pet health insurance coverage for your pet is one of the most effective ways to protect his or her health in the event of an injury or illness. In general, the pet insurance cost is low compared to the services it can cover and the peace of mind it can provide for owners. Pet lovers typically view the initial pet insurance cost as an investment in their future happiness and the health of their beloved animal companions, especially during what should be the happy, carefree months of summer.

You’ve likely heard the expression, “dog is man’s best friend.” This old saying is actually true on many levels. Pets enhance our lives by simply being a part of our lives. Because having a pet has also been proven to benefit our health—both physical and emotional, it’s important to provide our pets with good nutrition, exercise and dog insurance to help ensure they are healthy and happy.

“Unconditional Love”
This is another term that is used so often, we may not pay attention to its importance. A loving dog (or cat) doesn’t care if we’re grumpy or tired. They care about us no matter the kind of day we’ve had. Coming home to a wagging tail is just the tonic to end the day.

Stress-Reduction and Emotional “Tuning In”
Being around pets has actually been proven to reduce blood pressure and relax people. Other things pet owners report when around their pets is improved mood, less loneliness and consistant good health. Because our pets can help to make up healthier, it’s important we provide then with pet health insurance to help ensure we can afford keep them healthy.

When people, especially children, suffer a loss from death, they often turn to their dogs for comfort and relief. Pets seem to almost instinctively know when we need their presence. Families who have experienced difficult times report that having pets made their family feel more stabilized.

We can return the wonderful benefits of having a dog by practicing good dog health care and good care for cats as well. Investing in dog insurance is one way to show we care.

One of the best ways to keep pet health in top shape, is to plan pet activities based on things you and your pet can enjoy together. Most healthy pets need lots of exercise to stay in good shape.

For cats, engaging in active play with various toys and games can help keep them mentally and emotionally stable as well as providing an outlet for excess energy. Dogs often enjoy a friendly romp in the back yard or impromptu games of fetch and catch– especially during the summer months, however, planning more elaborate pet activities can be fun for both you and your pet.

Dog Vacations
While many hotels accept pets on vacation trips, a few companies offer vacations designed specifically for dogs and owners to enjoy together. One example is Canine Club Getaway in Lake George, New York. This dog-centric vacation spot features organized dog sports classes with Frisbee, flyball, and three levels of agility training. Swimming sessions are also available and owners can attend relevant seminars on dog insurance, health and nutrition, all in a resort atmosphere that caters to dogs as well as humans.

New activities are in the works according to the owner and founder of Canine Club Getaway Janice Costaco, who stated that “Next year, we plan to incorporate Doga (doggie yoga) and possibly doggie Zumba into our class offerings!”

Dog Parks
For stay-cations closer to home, many communities now offer public dog parks for off-leash fun. While most pet health care experts recommend that cats be kept inside for their own safety, dogs can benefit greatly from supervised off-leash time at a public dog park.

Interacting with other dogs and owners can provide valuable socialization experience for younger dogs, while older dogs with established temperaments can simply enjoy the chance to run and play in a natural environment. Not all dogs react appropriately to off-leash time, however, so you’ll want to keep a close eye on your pet to ensure the safety of all parties.

Cat Towers
These innovative indoor structures offer cats the chance to climb, hide and pounce all inside their own home. Even the simplest towers can provide hours of exercise for cats who can use it as home base for their playtime activities. Also, having pet insurance for your cat will help ensure that they will be protected if any play time accidents occur. By engaging in active play with cats and kittens and incorporating the tower into these activities, you and your cat will enjoy playtime even more. Kitty condos can be a new experience every day by:

• hiding treats in and around it
• sprinkling it with catnip
• pointing a laser at it and watching the cats climb
• moving the tower from window to window

Regardless of which activities you choose, pet health care professionals agree that staying healthy and spending quality time with your pet is the best way to ensure years of happiness and friendship for both of you.

Cat insurance plans vary just like dog insurance plans. You’ll want to compare the coverage provided from a few pet insurance plans before making your final selection.

But before you choose a plan and discuss it with the company’s representative, you’ll want to get some basic information. One way to compare health plans is to get cat insurance quotes from different companies.

You may also find that a plan’s premiums are simply cost-prohibitive. We don’t like to put a dollar value on pet health, but it’s best to find affordable coverage. You can get information about rate quotes on the pet insurance plan’s sites.

Putting in Your Cat’s Information

On the pet health insurance website, you’ll be asked to enter some information about your cat:
• Cat’s name
• Cat’s age
• Cat’s breed
• Your zip code (Some sites may require additional information.)

On most sites, your quote will automatically be calculated. You can then select the plan and deductible that will work best for you and your pets’ needs.

Pet Insurance Comparison: Plans
Some companies will also have a side-by-side comparison chart so you can see how they stack up against others. Most of the time a “sample” pet is used for the cat insurance comparison, such as a “domestic shorthair cat under 1 year old.”

Keep in mind that these pet insurance quotes are mainly for informational purposes, but they will give you an idea of a plan’s coverage costs. For more information about pet insurance visit www.petsbest.com.

The American Humane Society is once again celebrating Adopt A Shelter Cat month throughout June to highlight the issues facing cat rescue shelters and to promote the adoption of shelter cats.

Most of the pets available from these shelters are healthy cats and kittens that need owners to love and care for them. Upon adoption many pet owners will begin researching the best pet insurance plan for their new cat. In return, these feline friends offer unconditional love and affection and a lifetime of purrs and cuddles for their lucky human owners.

Prospective adopters should consider certain factors before selecting their next pet, including:

-Age and temperament of the cat
-Environment inside the home (including any other pets already living with the family)

-Activity levels and available time of family members.

Cat vs. Kitten
While kittens are cute and cuddly, they typically require far more attention than adult cats and may need training in order to adjust well to their new environment. However, it may be more difficult for adult cats to find homes, so taking home a stable, loving adult cat may be a wise and humane decision for potential adopters. When taking age into account, a pet owner should also ask cat insurance companies if there are any upper age limits. Companies like Pets Best Insurance don’t have upper age limits, and will cover a pet so long as it is seven weeks old.

Social Environment
Most cats do better in a household with at least one other cat. In the wild, cats live in colonies and are highly social creatures; as a result, they require a great deal of contact with humans and other animals within the home in order to be happy and healthy. While cat rescue shelters and foster homes make every effort to ensure the well-being of their cats, ultimately cat health and happiness depends on having a dedicated and attentive owner to care for its physical and emotional needs. By adopting two cats or kittens at the same time, most owners find that their pets bond well and interact with other in the household in a more healthy way.

Activity Levels
Just as people may have widely differing personalities, cats can vary widely in their temperaments and activity levels. Some cats are lovable couch potatoes, content to snuggle up with their owners for hours on end. Others may perform acrobatics and engage in amateur clowning, demanding constant attention from their humans in return for entertaining them. By choosing a cat whose temperament complements their own, owners can ensure that their new pet is the perfect fit for their household.

Cats and kittens require veterinary care in order to grow and remain healthy and happy. Cat insurance is a solid investment for new owners, since it offers financial security even if serious health problems arise.

Pet insurance is typically a cost-effective purchase, as it usually covers much of the cost of typical veterinary procedures and emergency care. Purchasing health insurance for cats is one of the most practical ways of ensuring the health and happiness of the newest addition to the family.

It’s estimated that one dog or cat is put down every eight seconds in U.S. shelters, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

When Leigh Peterson of Ohio found herself posting ads trying to find homes for four puppies, she struggled with guilt.

“I felt like I was killing a dog in the pound every time someone came to see our puppies rather than go to a shelter,” said Leigh.

In the past, she had always preached how important spaying and neutering, vaccinating and investing in pet health insurance was. She volunteered at an animal shelter and considered herself fairly knowledgeable on pet health. “But when I started dating my boyfriend,” Leigh said, “he refused to get his dogs fixed.”

One day, when her boyfriend was out of town, he called and asked how everyone was. Leigh started to say how the dogs were fine and playing in the back yard, which was completely fenced-in. When she went to the window to look outside, she was shocked to find a strange male dog in the yard with their dog Abby. The two were mating.

“I stood there watching, telling him over the phone what was happening and resisting the urge to say I told you so,” said Leigh. “Even I had started to believe it was OK not to spay because I knew we were responsible pet owners. But this stray dog wanted in to our yard and found a way in.”

Sure enough, puppies were soon on the way. Leigh had to swallow her guilt and take control. She was releived they had purchased dog health insurance for their own dog, but now she had to focus on finding the best homes for the new pups.

The only thing in Leigh’s control now was making sure that these puppies didn’t further contribute to pet overpopulation. All the puppies were spayed and neutered before leaving her care. Although spaying females and neutering male dogs does not come without risk, it does offer some pet health benefits and reduces the urge to roam, like the male dog who found his way into Leigh’s fenced-in yard.

To help ensure that the puppies found good homes, the ads stated that the puppies would be fixed and an adoption fee was set at $50 per puppy. She screened all adopters and was able to keep in touch with them all, receiving pictures as the puppies grew.

When her boyfriend’s older dog developed a large tumor on her uterus, she was spayed, too. It was then his turn to feel guilt, as he could see that the surgery was much harder on a senior dog to recover from than it was for the puppies. From then on, he became a proponent of spaying and neutering, as well.

The Siberian Husky is one of several arctic breeds, which also includes the Malamute. The Siberian is a compact, strong dog in the working group that is gentle and intelligent. A popular breed, especially for families, he can be a handful if not properly trained. It’s also a good idea to consider pet insurance for this breed.

Description
The Siberian Husky has a medium-sized head that is proportionate to the body. His ears are erect and triangular in shape. Like other dogs who must withstand extreme cold, the Husky has a thick double coat that can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 76 degrees. The coat can be gray, silver, sand, red and black and white. Often there are characteristic, striking markings on the head.

The Siberian’s distinctive eyes can be half brown, half blue or one blue and one brown eye. His coat has two heavy shedding seasons a year and the hair should be combed out. The Husky’s tail curves up over his back when he is alert or running. Another adaption to the cold weather is his large snow shoe feet which have hair between the toes to keep warm and to grip well on the ice.

The Siberian Husky ranges from 21 to 23 ½ inches tall for males and 20 to 22 inches for females. Weights are males—45 to 60 pounds and females—35 to 50.

Temperament
Although this is a very relaxed breed of dog, he is also very high energy. He likes to howl and gets bored very easily. Like most working dogs, he needs a “job” and short of that, lots of exercise or he can become destructive. Researching pet insurance and finding the best pet insurance plan for this breed is a good idea. Training Siberian Huskies can be tricky because they must be sure that their pack leader is strong and in charge. This is not the dog for a first-time owner.

This breed is very good with children and they are attached to their families. Not a good candidate for a watch dog, the Husky is friendly to strangers. He is compatible and safe with other pets in the household if he is raised with them.

Pet Health Concerns
Like many dogs this size, the Husky is prone to hip dysplasia. Also, this breed can have eye issues like corneal dystrophy. Yearly screenings for these problems is recommended from a canine ophthalmologist. It’s always a good idea to have dog insurance with this breed. Pet insurance coverage can help defray the costs of vet care for any breed you choose.

Cat spaying and neutering offers many benefits not just to fixed cats themselves, but also to shelters, homeless animals and overpopulation.

Pet Health Benefits of Cat Spaying and Neutering
According to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, spayed cats have reduced risk for developing breast cancer and life-threatening pyometra, an infection of the uterus. Neutered male cats may be better pets, as 90 percent show decreased incidents of spraying, fighting and roaming.

Pet health insurance can help make spaying and neutering more affordable, and many discount spay and neuter programs are available across the country.

Other Benefits
Residents who keep their pets indoors and vaccinate may spay and neuter their pets for the sake of their neighbors. A howling cat in heat can be annoying even to cat lovers, but especially so to neighbors who don’t own pets and don’t find incessant cat meowing “charming.” And while it might be nice to lessen your litter scooping duties, try telling that to the neighbor who just planted their garden or laid down fresh mulch who had to scoop it for you.

Ask anyone who has ever lived among a colony of feral cats how they feel about strays. Just one litter of kittens can turn into 100 kittens in seven years, according to a 2006 Wall Street Journal article, “Trying to Herd a Cat Stat.”

If the kittens of just one cat receive no human interaction in the first few weeks of life, a feral colony could be born, made even worse by other non-fixed neighborhood cats. Feral and stray cats kill local wildlife, increase the risk diseases like rabies, and can be a loud, unsightly nuisance.

Cat Spaying and Neutering Benefits to Animals & Shelters
For every cute, new kitten that is born due to failure to spay or neuter, a homeless cat waiting for a home stays locked in a cage or is euthanized. These shelter cats were also once cute, new kittens. Many were once someone’s beloved pet before ending up in a shelter due to a job loss, a move, allergies, a new baby, or even the cost of vet bills, despite the fact that affordable cat insurance is increasingly available. Every spring, shelters burst at the seams with kittens who need foster homes, take up precious limited space and resources, and steal homes away from older cats, who continue to sit and wait for a new family.