The right stimulation

Cats are born hunters, but sometimes for their own safety they need to be kept indoors. Keep yours entertained by giving it toys to chase – a tin-foil ball will do – and providing a climbing tower or cardboard box with holes cut out for it to climb in and out of. Also try hiding part of your cat’s daily dry food allowance in different places for it to track down. And make sure you provide a scratching post to keep its claws healthy – a coir doormat securely fixed in an upright position is perfect. For more tips on feline behaviour, check out the cat care leaflets on the Cats Protection website, cats.org.uk.

If you have to leave your dog for extended periods, Dogs Trust recommends providing it with a selection of challenging chews and toys. Interactive toys that can be filled with part of your dog’s daily food ration, which it has to work hard to reach, are particularly good for encouraging your dog’s natural scavenging and problem-solving instincts. Also try giving it toys it can roll around the floor, or create a scent-trail game by hiding dry treats for it to sniff out. For more ways to keep your dog occupied, download the ‘Beating Boredom’ leaflet at dogstrust.org.uk.

Finally, make sure your pets have hygienic toileting facilities and check to remove hazards that won’t leave you making a claim on your pet insurance. The advice from Cats Protection is that anything you would keep out of the reach of children should be kept away from pets too.

Dealing with separation

‘Cats are not pack animals, so separation anxiety is not normally such an issue as it is with dogs,’ says Companion Animal Behaviour Counsellor Pippa Hutchison, of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

With dogs, the key to avoiding problems is to prepare them gradually. ‘Over a period of time, get them used to being on their own – in the next room to you, for example,’ she says. Play down the transition with fuss-free goodbyes and returns, and consider leaving your dog with a familiar-smelling old T-shirt and the radio or TV on in the background for comfort.

Before you leave, make sure your dog has had a good run around and a small meal, so it will feel ready to settle down.

If your cat or dog is having problems adjusting to being on its own, it may need professional help. Try the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (apbc.org.uk) – although it’s best to consult your vet first: ‘We insist on owners seeing their vet first, to rule out any clinical illnesses,’ says Pippa.

For more about behavioural problems and beating boredom, visit cats.org.uk and dogstrust.org.uk.

Away from home

‘Do an overnight trial several weeks before you actually go away,’ says Pippa Hutchison, ‘so their first experience won’t be too long or stressful.’ She also recommends that you take an old, unwashed T-shirt that smells familiar to them.

Make sure the cattery/kennel has a list of your pet’s particular likes and dislikes. Take along their regular food, so there isn’t a change in diet.

Look out for the warning signs

Dogs
• Destructive behaviour, such as excessive chewing.
• Doesn’t eat when you’re away.
• Signs that it has been drooling a lot.
• Complaints from the neighbours that it has been howling.

Cats
• Toileting outside the litter tray.
• Signs of self-mutilation, such as over-grooming, which can lead to bald patches.
• Becoming more withdrawn.

(Originally published on Money Matters Thu, 15 Jul 2010)

Pet insurance is designed to provide pet owners with peace of mind and financial security so that in the event of an accident or illness their pet can receive the best possible treatment available without having to consider the cost of veterinary bills.

Louise Watson agrees, knowing all too well about the importance of pet insurance. Her boxer Zeus was diagnosed with epilepsy and after extensive tests, which included an MMR scan and a spinal tap, the vet also found he had a heart murmur.

All of Zeus’s scans and tests to diagnosis him and the daily medication he now takes to control his conditions has cost over £4,000 so far. However, thankfully for Louise she took out a Petplan Covered For Life policy shortly after buying Zeus, which has meant that all these costs have been covered by Petplan.

“I’m so grateful to have decided to takeout a Petplan Covered for Life policy – it means we can cover the continual treatment for Zeus’s epilepsy and heart murmur for the rest of his life. I always recommend Petplan to my friends as I wouldn’t know what I would have done without their support.”

With an increasing number of pet insurance policies available, it can be confusing for pet owners to decide the best policy. However, a Petplan Covered for Life plan is the most comprehensive policy on the market. It renews the amount of vet fees cover at the start of each year, which enables policy holders to claim the full vet fee benefit, year after year, as long as the policy is renewed annually. It also pays for ongoing conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, skin conditions and epilepsy.

The vet fees benefit is the most claimed upon area of pet insurance policies; however Covered for Life also offers cover for complementary treatment, boarding fees and advertising and reward if the policy holder’s pet is lost or stolen. Furthermore Covered for Life includes third party liability cover for dogs starting from £1 million.

To find out more information about a Petplan policy visit Petplan.co.uk

All too often, owners make the mistake of thinking that it is sufficient to leave a bowl of water or a window open for their pet but this is not enough to protect your pet from heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences.

Already this year, the RSPCA has been inundated with more than 1,400 calls from members of the public who are concerned about how a total of 1,911 dogs are coping in the hot weather.

Last year, the charity was contacted more than 4,670 times about 6,365 dogs being left in cars – this peaked in July when we took more than 1,100 calls voicing concerns about 1,545 dogs.

The Society is hoping not to see a repeat of the tragic fatalities witnessed year after year when dogs are literally cooked alive. Last June, two dogs died a horrific death after being left in a police car in Nottingham on one of the hottest days of the year.

During the Appleby Horse Hair in 2009, two dogs were literally cooked alive inside a car. The dogs’ body temperatures were so high that they exceeded the maximum thermometer reading of 42°C (108°F)

The temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C (117°F) within 60 minutes, even when the outside temperature is just 22°C (72°F).

Other Dangers Are

· Cloud cover can disappear quickly.

· All dogs will suffer, but some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.

· Temperatures in air conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the air conditioning being turned off.

The most obvious sign of heat stroke in dogs is excessive panting and profuse salivation. Other signs include:

· Overly red or purple gums

· A rapid pulse

· Lack of co-ordination, reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing, seizures, vomiting or diarrhoea

· Coma or death in extreme instances

Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.

· Douse your dog with cool (not cold) water. You could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, spray your dog with cool water and place him/her in the breeze of a fan. Never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver

· Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water

· Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle and then take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery

Under the Animal Welfare Act it is illegal to cause an animal unnecessary suffering. Penalties for doing so are a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a six month custodial sentence.

The RSPCA’s Top Tips To Help Keep Your Dog Safe In The Sun

1. Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.

2. Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined. If leaving your dog at home is the best option because of the weather, always ensure that his/her needs are properly catered for.

3. If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool, shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.

4. Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent, small amounts.

5. Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and could become unbearably hot.

6. Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excessive hair. Give long-coated breeds a hair-cut at the start of the summer, and later in the season if necessary.

7. Dogs need exercise, even when it is hot, but walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.

8. Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreens.

Most breeders spend a lot of time and research into trying to get rid of genetic diseases in their lines. This enables them to produce the healthiest puppies possible. However, some amateur breeders and puppy farms breed without screening the parents and perpetuating poor genetic health.

Some breeds are more prone to inherited diseases over others. When researching dog ownership, make sure you thoroughly research the genetic diseases common in your chosen breed. This information can be found on breed clubs websites. Make sure you buy a pup who’s parents have been screened for these diseases.

It may be that these breeders are asking for more money for pups, but getting a disease free dog will save you much more money in the long run. Buying a dog from an unethical breeder, such as a puppy farm dog, may be cheaper, but these dogs are more prone to inherited diseases.

Doing whatever you can to ensure you have a dog free from inherited diseases will not only save you heart-ache from seeing them potentially suffer in later life, but will also save you money through vets bills and surgery.

Pet insurance companies will ask you if your dog has any know inherited diseases and you will have to pay a lower premium if you can prove that your dog is disease free.

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1. Brush and bathe your dog regularly. A bottle of shampoo and a brush can be bought for very cheap and it will lengthen the time in between visits to the groomer. This will also help keep the dog’s hair from matting, and groomers generally charge an extra fee for de-matting. It’s a good idea to brush a long or medium haired dog at least once a day; short haired dogs may only need to be brushed a couple times a week. Dogs should be bathed about once ever two or three weeks. Bathing too often may make their skin dry and cause itchiness.

2. Trim your dog’s nails yourself. Nail trimmers for dogs are usually very cheap and will save your groomer from doing it. Prices range usually from £5-£10 depending on the groomer, and this is usually an additional fee added to the bill. As long as you keep a regular routine your groomer wont have to trim your dog’s nails. Just be careful that you don’t cut them too short or they will bleed and cause pain to the dog.

3. Brush your dogs teeth and clean the ears. There are lots of styles of toothbrushes, toothpastes and ear cleaners in pet stores. They are very affordable and can save you not only in grooming charges, but can prevent large vet bills. Brushing their teeth helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis which can become very severe and require expensive medical treatment. Ear cleaning is another fee groomers like to charge clients for, but that fee can be eliminated by keeping up a routine of your own. It will also help prevent ear infections.

4. Get your dog’s hair clipped. Doing this will drastically lengthen the time between grooming visits. It makes coat maintenance easier and also makes the dog more comfortable. And if you don’t like the way it looks, it will grow back. There are a variety of clips that your groomer can discuss with you, or if you’re handy with clippers you can even do it yourself. Just remember to keep safety first.

Following these tips can drastically reduce or even eliminate those pricey grooming visits. Spending the little bit of money to start your own grooming routine will save a lot more in the long run.

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Most veterinarians will base their surgical fees around several factors; the length of time that the operation will take, costs of all surgical materials used, and the costs for additional surgical help with an assistant (or more if necessary).

Many dog owners get upset when they receive the bill which turns out to be much higher than the price range quoted by the veterinarian. But stop and think about it for a moment. You have to understand that surgery is not a cut and dry procedure.

For example, what happens if your dog suddenly starts to bleed excessively during the operation? The veterinarian must then stop the hemorrhaging by tying off the blood vessels involved in the bleeding.

Suppose your dog went into shock. His gums started turning blue and his blood pressure dropped at a rapid pace. To recover from this situation and continue with the surgery as planned, the doctor must then administer liquids intravenously and keep a close eye on your dog for several hours until his body is able to resume the procedure.

Many times a massive infection may be discovered during a surgical operation. A large dose of antibiotics are then necessary to aid in the process. As with the above proposed emergencies, all of this costs money and these occurrences cannot be planned for. So when you receive your bill and it is quite higher than expected, keep in mind these surprises that the surgeon has to handle if necessary.

For many pet owners, finding the right vet is not the problem, but rather the costs of veterinary care. Visits to the vet can be pricey, even with minor cases such as getting his yearly vaccination or a routine checkup. In addition, an illness or severe injury can occur at any time, and many dog owners end up having to pay a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to the vet clinic. This is why it is highly recommended that you get pet insurance as soon as possible.

Having pet insurance is the best way to ensure that your dog is getting the best health care possible. Pet insurance is a practical way to lessen the cost of veterinary expenses, whether it is related to routine care, accidents, or injuries. Pet insurance also covers the cost of minor surgeries, major surgeries, treatments for illnesses and diseases, and other medical procedures such as neutering or spaying.

Finding the right, affordable pet insurance is as easy as picking up the yellow pages or searching online. Most pet insurance plans offer a monthly premium that is less than what you typically pay for your telephone bill.

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1. One of the nice features of dog shows – besides seeing so many beautiful animals – is the plethora of vendors who set up shop to sell their wares to those who enter and attend the show. The products are often cheaper than products you find in a pet store, so relax and enjoy the show and stock up on pet supplies to save some money.

2. Clip and use shop coupons on food and dog items. If you have more coupons than you can use, place extras in the pet aisles of your grocery store or donate them to a local shelter or animal organisation.

3. Watch ads in your local newspapers for sales at local pet stores and pet warehouses. You may find buy-one-and-get-one free promotions or even obtain premium food and products at minimal costs.

4. Buy food in larger sizes that are cheaper on an ounce-by-ounce basis.

5. Shop at car-boots and flea markets to find items that your dog can use. You may be lucky enough to find inexpensive carriers, beds, bowls, toys, and other items. Be sure to clean them thoroughly before use.

6. Take advantage of manufacturers’ promotional sales. These often come with added pet products for minimal costs. Although some promotions require you to send away for the products, the cost of postage is less than the cost of the product if you had to buy it.

7. Shop at flea markets for old wooden shipping crates. Line them with blankets for a comfy sleeping spot. And while you’re there, buy old quilts or blankets for your dog’s bedding. Again, wash them thoroughly before use.

8. Purchase dog beds that have washable covers to prevent replacing the beds as often.

9. Save your old towels and blankets for your dog to sleep on.

10. Fill an old pillowcase with a soft piece of foam rubber. Sew the end shut. You will have a comfortable, washable dog bed, and your dog will appreciate having a bed made from something that is yours.

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Offering different insurance policies to suit every pet owner’s needs, Petplan’s Covered For Life policy is its most popular policy.

Petplan Covered For Life renews the amount of vet fees cover at the start of each year. This enables the policy holder to claim the full vet fee benefit, year after year, as long as the policy is renewed annually.

The policy also offers cover for complementary treatment, third party liability, boarding fees and advertising and reward if your pet is lost or stolen.

SPECIAL OFFER ALERT – PETPLAN PET INSURANCE DISCOUNT!

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Lulu’s subsequent pet health insurance claim was one of 12 claims nominated by Veterinary Pet Insurance Co, the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, for the first-ever VPI Hambone Award. Created to recognize the year’s most unusual pet health insurance claim, the VPI Hambone Award is named in honor of a VPI-insured dog that got stuck in a refrigerator and ate an entire Thanksgiving ham before being found with the licked-clean ham bone and a mild case of hypothermia.

From Sept. 1 through Sept. 14, more than 3,400 people voted online for the pet insurance claim they found most unusual. At the close of voting, Lulu was the clear winner with nearly three times more votes than the first runner up. As the winner, Lulu, owned by Jennifer and David Zwart of Warson Woods, Mo., received a bronze trophy in the shape of a ham, a gift basket and an upcoming appearance on the nationally-syndicated Rachael Ray Show.

Second Place – Sugar, a Jack Russell terrier owned by Ginger Reynolds of Ocean Springs, Miss. Sugar snacked on a wild turtle that had wandered into her yard. In her hasty consumption, Sugar managed to get part of the turtle’s shell stuck in her nasal cavity. Initially, Sugar’s symptoms had veterinarians thinking she had a severe cold until an X-ray revealed the nasal obstruction. After surgery to remove the piece of shell, Sugar made a complete recovery.

Third Place – Scooter, a Siamese cat owned by Margaret Stedt of San Clemente, Calif. Stedt brought Scooter to the veterinarian for recurring seizures. As a technician prepped Scooter for an MRI, she noticed a sewing needle and thread lodged far back in Scooter’s throat. The sewing needle had pierced the back of Scooter’s tongue, the top of her throat and part of her brain, causing the intermittent seizures. Once the needle was removed, Scooter made a full recovery in a matter of days.

Other pet insurance claims nominated over the course of the last year included those resulting from a Labrador that suffered an allergic reaction after fetching a sea urchin, a Brittany spaniel that chewed the gel inserts out of his owner’s bra, a Belgian sheepdog that ran into a wheelbarrow while chasing a squirrel, a Labrador that inhaled a fishhook, a German shorthaired pointer attacked by wild javelinas, and a French bulldog that underwent surgery for a migrating corndog stick. Like Lulu, all pets considered for the award made full recoveries and received insurance reimbursements for eligible expenses. Full stories for all 2009 nominees can be found at www.VPIHamboneAward.com.

To control costs, more pet owners than ever are signing up for pet health insurance plans. Pet insurance industry experts say the offering has become so popular they expect pet premiums to top $328 million by year’s end.

Kroger Personal Finance®, a Kroger joint venture that brings together a wide array of quality financial products and services from preferred providers for Kroger customers, is making pet health insurance information available in the check lanes of more than 2,400 supermarkets operated by Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery store operator.

“Kroger shoppers include pet owners and non-pet owners alike,” Kathy Kelly, president of Kroger Personal Finance said. “With 62 percent of U.S. households owning a pet – and 70 percent of those with multiple pets, affordable pet insurance can help pet owners manage their expenses. It can cover everything from routine costs associated with veterinary expenses like annual check-ups and vaccinations all the way to surgeries, x-rays and hospitalization.”

The newest product offered by KPF is its lowest priced — an “accident only” policy for $9.95 per month per pet.

Today, pet health insurance can cover accidents and illnesses, as well as routine care for dogs and/or cats. Depending on the coverage level and the number of pets insured, prices can range from $9.95 to $79.00 per month. The range of service covered by the premiums, as Kelly describes it, is nearly as broad as procedures covered by human insurance.

To pet owners, the appeal of insurance comes down to peace of mind, and hopefully not having to explore the limits of unconditional love.

“By paying monthly premiums there is no need to worry about suddenly struggling to come up with unbudgeted veterinary expenses down the road,” Kelly added. “It allows pets to receive expert care and helps their human families manage costs, now for less than 40 cents a day.”