Protecting Your Pet & Pocketbook With Pet Insurance

One of the most crucial responsibilities of pet ownership is the financial liability you will face throughout that pet's lifetime. Between the necessities of food, supplies, and routine medical care, it's however the unforeseen emergency care visits to the vet that can hurt any pet owner's pockets.

There is no doubt that a loved pet's life is priceless. I, for one, have never thought twice when faced with a huge vet bill to keep any of my pets’ healthier, but most importantly, alive! However, I have seen owners fall financially in debt, especially when they own a chronically ill pet. Worst yet, its heart wrenching and sad, to both pet and owner, when they are forced to surrender the pet because they just could not afford the high expenses that are associated with the necessary medical care. Although no one can predict when you will face such an incident, you can, however, prepare and protect yourself should an emergency happen.

For decades, pet health insurance has existed but it is not until recent years that an insurance policy on our furry loved ones has become more common and part of the list of necessities of responsible pet ownership. With more and more pets becoming chronically ill due to minor aliments such as chronic allergies to genetic diseases due to poor breeding and/or unhealthy diets, it's also the unforeseen accidents that makes you wish you had an existing health care policy on your pet should you not have one.

Getting health insurance on your pet is quite easy. Most pet insurance companies can quote you the monthly premium via online by just answering a few simple questions such as the age of your pet, breed type, what state you live in and whether your pet has been diagnosed with any major health issues in the last few months. The hard part is possibility getting rejected or paying an astronomical monthly insurance premium because you opted to get insurance on a pet that is routinely seeing a vet for a chronic and expensive medical issue already. This is why it is crucial to research and obtain pet insurance either when your pet is a puppy or a healthy adult before any unforeseen medical issues arise. Moreover, if you have purchased a registered AKC dog with papers, the American Kennel Club offers discounted insurance rates for their registered pets.

Now, it is a fact that certain breeds will have higher premiums based solely on the bloodline and the age of your pet when you try to obtain insurance. Boxers, for example, are known for acquiring certain types of cancers, even in their early years while short nosed, pushed in face breeds may experience chronic breathing problems when they start to mature as well. Most purebreds each have their own statistically known medical issues, so depending on the breed you have; pet insurance companies will base your premium solely on the type of dog and age of your pet. Good news is, if you have multiple pets, insurance companies will commonly offer discounted rates should you insure your other pets on a policy.

So, what are exactly the benefits of pet health insurance? Well, depending on the policy you choose, all companies offer basic routine vaccination plans to more elaborate, full protection policies that will cover your pet for almost anything. This usually includes emergency accidental treatments, spay/neuter, routine teeth cleanings and even chemotherapy treatments should your pet acquire cancer (which seems to be more frequent in pets now a days).

Here is a brief overview of pet health insurance....

• If you have been quoted a policy premium of $30 a month, over a year’s time, you will spend $360 for insurance. Tally up all the cost of your pet's medical expenses for the past 12 months. Should you fall short of your yearly premium or even over it, the good news is, now matter what number you came up with, you will receive approximately 80% of all your medical costs back on each vet visit.


• Most pet health insurance companies will allow you to use any vet you wish as you will be up fronting all costs to the vet at the time of treatment. It is then your responsibility to submit a claim with your carrier after treatment.


• Most policies have a annual deductible which is $100-$125


• Reimbursements usually take 30-45 days; depending on the health insurance carrier. Also, policies can have maximum limits of $1500 - $13,000 yearly.


• Other commonly covered treatments include specialist visits, x-rays, CT Scans, MRI's, prescription medications, hospitalization, and laboratory testing.


• Wellness plans usually cover heartworm testing and preventative treatments and flea and tick control.

Here is a complete list of other commonly known pet health insurance providers:

VPI
AKC
Pets Best
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Embrace
Pets Health Plan

There is no question that when having a pet health insurance policy, it's not only a return investment back in your pockets, but your pet will be medically covered for each visit to the vet.

Improve Your Dog's Health - Just The Way Nature Intended

Like in the wild, animals hunt and eat fresh foods. There is no adding of artifical flavors, processed ingredients or chemical preservatives which is commonly found in many traditional dry dog foods. Moreover, dogs are not intended to eat grains either but surprisingly, they are found in many dog foods as well. This includes corn, wheat, and oats. Grains are simply not biologically appropriate for our pets. They are only used as "cheap" fillers in the production process. The ingestion of grains and other starchy foods contribute to most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases (cancer, diabetes, etc..) that pets are suffering from commonly now a days. Domestic pets should be getting their carbohydrates in a similar manner as their wild ancestors did. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide a great source of carbohydrates in a more digestible format while fresh meats (either raw or cooked) provide the approprate protein sources, as with natural vitamins and minerals that an animal only needs.

Although the thought of your dog eating fresh, uncooked meat may be repulsive to you, you can always just take the ol' fashion approach....simply making homemade cooked meals for your pet. If that is not an option, here are two suggestions on getting your pet on a natural grain-free, fresh diet (and convenient, to boot!)

• Grandma Lucy's "True" Grain-Free Diet - A nutritionally balanced blend of USDA (cookied) chicken, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This grain free recipe has no fillers. It is packed with natural human grade ingredients and freeze dried for maximum freshness. Equally add the same amount of water to the size of food measured and let sit for 10 minutes to rehydrate. Contains: USDA Chicken, Potatoes, Flax, Carrots, Celery, Apples, Blueberry, Garlic, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Potassium, Manganese, Chloride, Copper, Magnesium. Also available in Lamb.
• The Honest Kitchen - Features 5 different raw receipes that feature no grains, low carbohydrates and no fillers. It is packed with natural human grade ingredients and freeze dried for maximum freshness.

Both products are sold in our retail location in Red Bank. For further information or to request a sample, please stop in our store!

Puppy Basics - Feeding Your Baby "Right" From the Start

If you are new to owning your first puppy, you can feel as overwhelmed as a new parent giving birth to a newborn baby. What and when to feed your little one can be a little confusing since we know you want the best for your puppy and want to make sure they are getting the proper amount of food. With so many brands of pet food out there claiming to be "healthy" and "all natural", it is up to you as the consumer and your puppy's new parent to make wise and smart decisions, especially on your puppy's future dietary needs.

Here are a few suggestions what and when to feed your new puppy:

• Feed your puppy a wholesome, natural, holistic diet from the start. Although these foods can tend to be more expensive, it will be best for your puppy in the long run in regards to health and help promote longivity. If the breeder has given you a specific food, please read the ingredients. Believe it or not, a breeder can send home a healthy new puppy with the most unhealthiest of dog foods. For more information on choosing a great dog food, please read our other post on Dog Foods Are Not Made Equally
• If switching your puppy's food to a more natural and healthy diet from what the breeder gave you, do it gradually in order not to upset your puppy's tender stomach. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/4 of the new brand and 3/4 of the old brand. Do this for 3 days and then do 1/2 and 1/2 for another few days until you have reached a whole feeding of the new brand.
• Soften puppy food with a little warm water. Not only will it draw out the flavor of the dry food and create a gravy, it will also aid in digestion. Also, since puppies gums can be a little tender during the teething phase, it will be more comforting to the puppy while eating.
• Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Natural spring bottled water or filtered tap water should be used.
• Start your puppy on 3 feedings a day (morning, afternoon & night) and stay consistant with the feeding times. Should your puppy be picky or not eating, leave the food down for at least 20-30 minutes. If your puppy does not eat it, pick it up, throw it out (never re-use food that has been moisten with water or canned food as it can spoil). You can give a treat or two to hold your puppy over until the next scheduled feeding should it not eat.
• If you have a tiny teacup or toy breed puppy, it is highly suggested to make sure your puppy is consistantly eating at least three times a day until it is approximately 6-8 months old. Low blood sugar levels on tiny breed puppies can be fatal until they puppy has matured.
• It is common for a puppy in the first day or two of coming to it's new home not to eat all it's food on all feedings. Please remember, your puppy has to get adjusted to it's surroundings and your routines but just make sure they do get some food in their tiny belly.
• Depending on the breed and size of the puppy, start with the recommended feeding size on all 3 feedings. If you notice your puppy not eating all it's food in the afternoon feeding for about 3-5 days straight (but eats consistantly with the other feedings), start eliminating that afternoon feeding as it's your puppy's way of telling you that they don't need that extra food anymore.
• Don't be afraid to add some flavor to your pet's dry food! You can add broiled chicken and/or turkey, a little non fat yogurt or even cottage cheese. Also, baby food works very well too!
• I am a big advocate on adding natural "canned" food to pet's dry food. Although some vets and breeders can tell you that it is not necessary, I believe it is. Just ask youself this question. If you were eating the same food day after day, wouldn't you get tired of it? Also, since dry food is cooked at very high tempatures during the production process, adding a little bit of a good quality canned food adds more nutrients and vitamins to your dog's diet that the dog food can lack a bit. Don't feed the whole can at one. Simply just add a teaspoon or tablespoon for some variety!
• Don't be surprised if you choose a food and your pet doesn't seem to care for. Just like humans, pets do have a sense for taste and may not like the brand you picked. Simply find one that he/she loves and stick to it.
• Once your puppy starts to mature (and depending on the breed/size), you may want to consider buying a raised feeder. Larger breeds will tend to find eating from a raised feeder a bit more comfortable. It has also been known to help in digestion when pets are eating at "their level".

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Do not feed a dog before or after any "hard" playtime. Let their stomach settle down a bit to avoid vomiting or in larger breeds, a condition called "bloat".
• "Free feeding" or simply leaving dry food for your dog at all times is not recommended. It has been known to cause obesity in dogs. Stick to scheduled feeeding times.
• Always feed a pet at least twice a day (once in the morning and then early evening). If the recommended feeding is 2 cups a day, split the feeding in half. A dog with an empty stomach can actually start to vomit a white/yellowish foam (bile) which makes the dog feel weak/sick. When a dog's stomach is empty or not feeling well, they will have the tendency to want to eat grass.
• Never feed your puppy or adult dog chocolate, raisins, grapes or macadamia nuts. These are poisonous to pets.

We hope these feeding suggestions are useful in raising your new puppy. However, if your puppy is not eating, lethargic or experiencing consistant loose stools, please visit your vet immediately.

Dog Foods Are Not Made Equally

You love your pet and pamper that precious life you have. Elaborate fancy dog collars, designer dog clothes and even indulging in visits to the dog groomer may make your dog look great from the outside but in realty, what makes your dog happy and healthy all starts from the inside.

In recent years, especially during the last pet food recall scare of which many dogs were getting ill and even dying, people are now starting to read ingredient labels on pet food brands. With hundreds of brands out there, you can find pet food pretty much any where but the key is to find a "quality", holistic and natural food. For starters we highly recommend either of the following: Solid Gold Dog Food, Merrick, Innova, Evo, The Honest Kitchen or Grandma Lucy's "True".

Although convenience plays a big part of why people select a certain brand to feed their pet (easy to get) or perhaps the repeat marketing efforts that big corportions do over the television, print and even internet, here are some things to consider when you feed your pet next time (this also includes TREATS you feed your dog as well):

• Read the ingredients on the bag! If the first 8 ingredients start with any of the following, it is BEST suggested to switch your dog's food as soon as possible! Meat by-products, corn (corn meal, corn syrup, corn gluten, or ground corn), poultry by-products, lamb by-products, turkey by-products, sugar, or cane molasses By-products are NOT GOOD for dogs, along with corn (no matter how the corn is processed) nor any kind of sugar. By the way, if you are wondeirng what a "by-product" is, it's the "left overs" of an animals that are not for human consumption. See below for additional details.


• The best rule of thumb is if you can pick up your dog's food in the same place when you are shopping for your grocerys, it may NOT be the most healthiest of dog foods.


• Do not let certain marketing schemes on brands fool you. Foods can say "All Natural" and/or "Great Tasting" but the realty of it is that it may not be all natural. Again, read the ingredients!


• A GOOD quality food starts with any of these in their first 8 ingredients: lamb, fish, bison, salmon, chicken, beef, and then lists wholesome vegtables such as carrots and potatos. Dog foods high in grains are not suggested. It is now common to see specific brands labeled "grain free".


• Stay away from any dog food that contains the following perservatives: BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. These are potentially cancer-causing agents.

Now, here is what certain ingredients mean:

By-products: Pet grade by-products consist of organs and parts either not desired, or condemned for human consumption. This can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs,
ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers.

Corn: Corn products are difficult for dogs to digest and some dogs experience being allergic to this ingredient.

Food Fragments: These are lower cost by-products of another food manufacturing process. They include wheat bran and brewer's rice which are waste products of the alcohol industry.

Meat and Bone Meal: These are inexpensive sources of animal protein. The protein in a meal containing a large amount of bone may be hard to digest and may not provide adequate
nutrition.

Animal Fat: Animal fat is a "generic" fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, restaurant grease or other oils too rancid to be edible for humans. Look for a named fat source like poultry or chicken fat that is naturally preserved.

Chemical Preservatives: Chemical preservatives include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol and ethoxyquin. BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are potentially cancer-causing agents.

Sweeteners: Sweeteners such as corn syrup, sugar, and cane molasses are usually added to lower quality foods to increase their appeal. Dietary sugars can begin or aggrevate health problems, such as diabetes.

Beef Tallow: This is a low quality fat product.

Just remember, if you feed your pet the best nutritional foods that are available, you may experience LESS visits to the vet for illnesses or minor medical conditions and even prolong your precious pet's life in the long run. Therefore, your best bet is to start your puppy on a healthy diet right from the start. If the breeder suggests or even gives you a brand of food that they have been feeding the puppy, take it in your own hands to read the ingredients on the pet food label because they are not necessarily giving you the best diet for that puppy to begin with. Again, if any of the above "bad" ingredients are listed on your current brand of dog food, switch the puppies food immediately but gradually over a week's period of time.