For those who have pets, animals are family. Their needs and demands are as crucial as that of a child or any other loved family member. When it comes to taking care of pets, regular visits to the vet can be quite heavy on the pocket. The expenses increase unimaginably if some severe ailment is detected. For such times, you must prepare in advance, and get pet insurance. Some of the facts that you need to know concerning pet insurance are listed below: Pet care is expensive If you have always had a pet at home, you would know that in case of accidents and other severe pet-related diseases, the vets suggest measures that are as expensive as a treatment for a human being. Being prepared for such emergencies is a smart move that every pet parent should make. Setting aside a stipulated amount for such emergencies might not be possible, but pet insurance can always come to your rescue. Backup option While it might seem easy to pay upfront in case of a pet emergency, a pet insurance that covers all the medical expenses offers you peace of mind. To top it all, the money that you save by using insurance at the time of crisis can be used in something else that might deem right at that moment.

The Mayo Clinic reports that rabies leads to 50,000 human deaths (mostly in Africa and Asia) each year on a global scale. Rabies is described as a deadly virus that causes the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord in dogs, cats, humans, and other mammals (i.e., coyotes, skunks, and raccoons). The rabies virus is transmitted via saliva from an infected person or animal. Although rabies is preventable Rabies is considered a preventable disease, however once the onset of symptoms appear, the disease will inevitably cause death. In humans, rabies is 100% preventable by seeking immediate emergency medical care after suffering an animal bite. The virus can also be controlled in dogs, cats, and other pets by keeping rabies vaccinations up-to-date, by keeping housepets away from wild animals (i.e., bats, raccoons, skunks, etc.), and by calling animal control to remove unvaccinated or ill strays or wild animals. Here’s a few need-to know facts about rabies: 1. How is rabies transmitted by animals Infected animals transmit the virus via saliva, typically through animal bites, although scratches and saliva contact through an open wound can also provide a pathway for rabies viral transmission. Most housepets develop rabies after contact with an infected wild animal.

Bringing beautiful blooms and green ferns indoors can improve the air quality in your home, and bring a little bit of nature inside to boost mood. However, if you own a cat, you have to be cautious the greenery your bringing into your home won’t harm your beloved pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports over 150,000 cases of pet toxicity annually, most are due to toxic plant ingestion, leading to lethargy, drooling, dehydration, vomiting, and in some cases, death.  If you have a cat yet love houseplants, be aware that the following flowers and plants may pose a danger to your cat: 1. Daffodils This bright yellow flower signals spring in many households.  However, daffodils are considered toxic if consumed by cats, according to research from the ASPCA. Daffodils grow from a bulb that contains tiny crystals on the outer layer derived from lycorine, a type of alkaloid, that’s linked to diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, breathing difficulties, abdominal cramps, and heart arrhythmia in cats. 2. Sago palm Also known as the King Sago, this tree with its lovely feathery foliage is toxic in all aspects to cats. From leaves to seeds, the sago palm accounts for up to 75% cat poisonings per year.

Experiencing the loss of a pet can feel like losing a member of the family. For many pet owners, holding a funeral or memorial service for a beloved cat or dog can allow those close to the animal to grieve and come to terms with the animal’s passing. However, there are certain factors you’ll need to decide upon before laying your precious dog or cat to rest. For instance: Do you want to bury or cremate your pet? Where do you want to place your pet’s remains? Do you want a pet funeral service or memorial? Let’s look at the necessary steps to take for a pet funeral: 1. Know the city bylaws Before you decide how to handle your pet’s remains and where to lay them to rest, you’ll have to become familiar with the bylaws for pet burials, according to you municipality.  For instance, some bylaws restrict how your dog or cat can be buried, which means you may have to locate a sanctioned pet cemetery. To get familiar with your city, county, or town ordinances,  put in a call to your municipal government to ask about regulations around pet burials. 2. Pet burials As mentioned, depending on your municipal laws, your pet may need to be laid to rest at a legal pet cemetery.

Annually, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in America, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Adopting a pet from an animal shelter or animal rescue has numerous benefits. First and foremost, you’re saving a life. Adopting from an animal shelter or pet rescue means your likely adopting a homeless animal from your own community. While animal shelters tend to have veterinarian and trained staff on hand and offer adoption in a more formal kennel setting; pet rescues may be run out of an individual’s home with the aid of pet-loving volunteers. However, both work to find the best match that benefits both the adoptee and the adapter. For instance, many pet rescues have guidelines in place for fostering first, and if that works out, adoption with a standard fee. Most animal shelters and pet rescues require the animal be socialized and spayed or neutered before a loving family can take their new furry friend home. Here are a few reasons why adopting a pet is so great: 1. You make room for animals in need As mentioned a shocking 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S. because they are not adopted.

Have you ever considered pet insurance to care for you beloved cat or dog? Basically speaking, pet insurance is the same as health insurance for humans, except it’s meant specifically to cover the veterinary costs of pet health. Pet insurance may benefit the policy holder (the pet owner) by shouldering a portion or all of the costs associated with screening, treating, and managing injury, illness, and disease in pets. Many pet owners consider pet insurance too expensive, however should your pet require an expensive surgery or develop a chronic disease (i.e., diabetes mellitus), it may put your anxiety at ease and help you cover sudden and unexpected veterinary costs. Pet insurance policies vary as far as the specifics of coverage, however, they offer coverage in 3 distinct categories, which pet owners can choose from or opt for coverage under all: 1. Pet illness coverage Depending on the age of your pet (just like humans), insurance premiums tend to get higher and more limited in nature. However, signing up for illness pet insurance when your cat or dog is still young will cover the cost should your pet develop a chronic condition such as allergies, arthritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even cancer.

The anticipation of a new puppy is like nothing else. When you finally do bring home your new ball of adorable fur, there are several items you should have in place to make your new pet comfortable in his or her new home sweet home. Here are a few essentials to make your pup feel at home: 1. A dog bed While you may prefer your new pup be crate trained (and that will mean sleeping in his or her crate for the duration of housetraining), you may wish to have a fleece or sheepskin dog bed on hand for puppy naps when you’re home. Puppy beds can be oversized pillows or cushions or really memory-foam doggy couches. You may even find dog beds made of recycled materials (i.e., cedar chips, cotton, soda bottles) with removable, washable covers. Select a bed that suits the size of your growing pooch, but no so big that it doesn’t wrap them in plush warmth to make them feel safe. 2. Crates and gates These containment devices are meant for your new puppy’s safety.  Many owners prefer to crate train a new pup, which keeps the pup in a confined area where they can be monitored and housetrained.

Veterinary professionals are seeing more and more cases of diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, in felines than ever before. In fact, statistic from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, indicate 2% of the cat population are currently living with diabetes, but suspect many cats go undiagnosed. Diabetes mellitus in cats results from the inability to produce adequate insulin to maintain level blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels. Sadly, untreated feline diabetes can lead to: Depression and lethargy Dehydration Sudden weight loss Vomiting and digestion issues Loss of motor function Ravenous appetite Increased thirst Excess urination Coma Fatality If you suspect your cat may have diabetes, consult with your veterinarian immediately. Diagnosing a cat with diabetes is typically screened via a simple blood test conducted during an annual exam. If your vet diagnoses your cat with diabetes, the treatments recommended are typically as follows: 1. Diet Switching your diabetic cat to a low-carbohydrate diet is the healthiest choice to manage feline diabetes. 2. Insulin therapy Cats with diabetes are treated much like human patients with diabetes, some receive prescription oral medication while others are given insulin shots regularly to level out blood glucose levels. Pet owners will be given specific instructions on how to administer insulin shots safely at home.

Scientific studies in nutrition are non-stop. Everytime we hear the news, there’s a different diet or superfood in focus. The world of human nutrition is ever evolving as is the world of pet food. Like human health, your pet’s health is largely impacted by what he or she eats. Certain building blocks, such as protein, whole grains, and healthy fats, make up the whole picture when it comes to providing a healthy diet for your beloved pooch. For instance, dogs need: 1. Omega-3 and -6 fats Essential fatty acids are vital in a healthy canine diet because they promote a shiny coat, healthy skin, and a strong immune system that wards off several inflammatory conditions (i.e., arthritis). Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in seafood sources (i.e., fish) and lend sheen to a healthy coat and skin, while promoting immune health. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in plant oils (i.e., sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils). 2. Protein Proteins or rather amino acids, which make up the building blocks of protein for energy, and also promote muscle growth and repair. Excellent protein sources in dog food, include: Poultry (i.e., chicken, turkey, duck) Beef Pork Fish Muscle meat Organ meat (i.e., hearts, livers, kidneys, and lungs) 3.

Most pet owners would say that there are no limits to how much affection, praise, and pets they have for their cat. However, how much you treat and feed your cat is a different situation completely. Cats can quickly become overweight and even obese when overfed. An overweight cat is prone to several health conditions (i.e., diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and even kidney disease). No matter if your cat is a picky eater, as a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure your pet is getting a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, no matter how many complaints he or she has about what’s in the bowl. You can start by consulting with your vet to find out what nutrients are necessary for a growing cat. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips and cat food and treats: 1. Minimize people food People food, in other words, food meant for human consumption are not necessarily good for or even safe for your cat. For instance, most vet-recommended cat foods are made up of a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids specified for a healthy feline diet. Certain people foods (i.e., garlic, onions, raisins, grapes, and fruit with pits) can be choking hazards or extremely toxic for cats due to the inability for a cat to digest them.