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Do you really need a pet insurance? The answer is very simple: it’s a big NO. No, no, no, you don’t need a pet insurance but your pet does. Seriously speaking, when you talk about pet insurance, other people would usually raise one eyebrow. Others may even raise both arms to protest, figuratively. One big question mark can be seen sitting comfortably on their head: Is pet insurance really worth it? Why not find it out right now?

Pets are living longer and it’s because of the love and care you’re giving to them. You sometimes pay more for their treatment when they get sick or injured or there are some other things that might happen to them. And when you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, you might get to wonder: “Wow, I just realize that I’m spending more for my pet than I have presumed. Why, I even spend more for my little tabby than for my own and my family.”

Yes, that’s right. One of these days, you’re going to be thinking that way and you could decide that you need to cut down some expenses for your pet.

That’s okay and that’s perfectly alright but don’t you know you can cut down on expenses for their treatments without ever depriving them of the love and care and treatment that you’ve been giving to your pet which he is now accustomed to? The answer is pet insurance. If your pet is affected with diseases and needs veterinary treatment, the cost can be expensive and this is the result of a surge in pet insurance and depending on situations, a pet insurance can be expensive or not, an overkill or not.

So, does your pet need pet insurance? As what have said, it depends. If you have a small pet, a bird or a smaller dog or cat that isn’t that hyperactive, they may be less likely prone to accidents and therefore less likely to require expensive emergency attention.

If you’re willing to shoulder all the expenses for paying treatment for your pet, insurance is deemed unnecessary. But sometimes, a chronic illness or a serious accident could make you end up shelling out hundreds of dollars and in this case, insurance is well worth considering especially if your dog behaves like a horse. So it depends upon the situation. If you have a Border Collie which is considered very hyperactive, pet insurance. But if you have a two-toed sloth, no more pet insurance, get the point? Always depends on the situation.

You may also opt for a self-insurance. You set aside a sum of money each month and build up that some in case of situations or emergencies uncalled for. But the problem to his solution is what if your pet has caught a severe illness in the first few months of your self-insurance? Now, that’s where the headaches lie and self-insurance doesn’t cover you for liability. What if your dog bites someone? That someone might bite back at you.

All in all, after weighing the odds, if you’re very concerned with your pet’s welfare and yours, sometimes a pet insurance is your best choice. With insurance, it covers the illness & injuries of your pet. You get instant coverage the next day as long as the insurance takes effect and it protects you from other people when they get bitten by your dog or something like that. But the last question is, where can you find a nice, affordable and reliable pet insurance? Could there be something worthy to choose over the Internet? So, how about it? Pet insurance, anyone?

Pet health insurance is the latest buzz word in pet care today. However, for all the hype that it’s making, it can’t magically make all your expenses go away. Before purchasing a pet health insurance plan, there are many aspects that need to be examined. This article outlines the most basic points one should think about before purchasing a pet health insurance plan.

Discount Plan vs. Comprehensive Insurance plan

Before signing anything on paper, pet owners should try to figure out what’s more suitable for their budgets. Pet health insurance plans usually come in two forms: a discount plan and a comprehensive insurance plan.

A discount plan has an easier scheme, which gives you annual discounts on veterinary fees. A comprehensive insurance plan may offer more benefits, but the scheme is similar to a human health insurance plan-which means that there are more conditions to follow.

Choosing your own Veterinary

Most pet health insurance plans may take away your privilege to choose your own veterinary. When shopping for an insurance plan, make sure you examine the clause which states this condition. Most pet owners feel more comfortable working with the vets they trust the most. However, cheaper pet health insurance plans may not have this option.

Period covered

Be very particular about the period that your pet health insurance plan covers. If you’re a pet owner of a new born pup, go for a pet health insurance that covers veterinary services immediately. There’s no use in investing too soon on a pet that’s not fully grown yet.

Exclusions

Like health insurance plans for humans, pet health insurance may have a number of exclusions. Most insurance companies would try to waive off illnesses which are common in some breeds. To take advantage of this situation, read up on the common illnesses experienced by your pet’s breed. This will prevent you from purchasing a useless insurance hyped up by a sweet mouthed insurance agent.

Routine treatment and check ups

A huge bulk of any pet owner’s pet care expenses come from routine treatments and checkups. Before signing any documents, you should be very particular about the services that are included in the package. A pet healthy insurance policy that covers most, if not all, of routine veterinary expenses is a better deal compared to a pet health insurance that only covers accidents and major illnesses.

Deductibles

Most pet health insurance would require its purchasers to make a down payment before rendering any services. Make sure that the benefit of the insurance plan is worth the deductible that you need to pay for it. An insurance agent may try to lure you with a lot of fluff during sales talk, but you need to be wiser and check if these promises are included in black and white.

Company’s reputation

Always make sure that the company who’s offering you a pet health insurance is reliable. Looking for reviews online is very helpful for someone who’s never heard of pet health insurance plans before. Agents are only too quick to prey on uninformed consumers.

Dog breeding is not as simple as you think. Countless sensible pet owners favor to get purebred dogs nowadays. Even on a similar multiplies, breeding lines are inclined to create numerous traits and types of dogs. As you can watch, dog breeding is a complex undertaking and without enough knowledge, you can’t be an impressive dog breeder.

Dog breeding is continuously grueling for beginners, particularly when you consider the amount of time, money, and effort you need to invest. Don’t make the mistake of rushing in before you know your subject. The major to achievement is research followed by even more research. Once you’re equipped with all the theoretical knowledge you should consult an expert breeder. Visit his premises and take note of the manner he does things. You will gain helpful insight into the specific dog breeding experience.

Some dogs may be bred for performance, and will regularly take part in events such as flyball. Dogs some for breeding frequently display fine athletic abilities. Structure and physical appearance are not so important in dogs bred for best performance. Dogs from many breeds are allowed to mate if they are agile and athletic. In that situation the breeders can only hope the pups will display the same qualities as their parents. One exceedingly suitable example is the breeding of a Jack Russell with a Border Collie. This produces a pup which in the sports community is known as a BorderJack.

Once you have your perfect female you will call for to look for a good stud. Certain studs are offered for sale while others are accessed via payment of a fee. The most popular and reputable breeds are expensive, but if you decide attractive puppies you require to look for an experienced stud. Don’t be persuaded to use a friend’s stud; you call for to look for the best. Visit the kennel club in your local area. Ask to see the dog’s certification; and following clear arrangements you can arrange to bring your female to meet the stud. This arrangement means the stud owner can help with the mating process. First time females can be hard so you need all the expert help you can get.

Be sure that you don’t underestimate these items when you calculate the cost being a professional dog breeder. Also, project to work with a veterinarian in caring for them, and see if a monthly payment policy can be implemented when that becomes necessary. Keep in mind to include advertising, the cost of building, outfitting, and electrifying a kennel, liability and property insurance premiums, zoning approval, property taxes, and maintenance.

You know your dog better than anyone else; and you should know if it’s an great example of its breed. If you are aware of any disqualifying faults in your dog you should not be allowing it to breed. If on the other hand your dog has a few minor faults these can be counteracted by finding a suitable partner. However, the situation is a variety of if you have a dog that is simply mediocre. Constantly check the standards required in each breed. If in doubt ask an expert to evaluate your dog properly.

Just remember, you need to become skilled at as much as you can about dog breeding. With the knowledge and advice you gain from speaking to expert breeders you will be well on your manner to success.

dog breeding info

A feline friend can be a wonderful pleasure. Every cat has his or her own personality, which incorporates all of those little idiosyncrasies just like ourselves. It is a fact that cats like to think that they are the boss; they often have us running around after them and some of us are well and truly wrapped around their little paws!

Throughout their lives – which are now anywhere between eight and twenty years – they need constant love and affection as well as nutrition and general care. It is in their latter years when the care becomes more involved, just as you would expect with any of our elder relatives and friends. These senior years start from about eight years: with that bit of extra care and attention they can live contentedly for a good few more to come.

Above all, it is your cats’ general comfort and well-being that is the priority. They need reassurance, a regular pattern that they are happy with and lots of attention. Vet visits may also need to become more frequent, just to ensure that their health is still good as they age. They must be wormed and flea treated regularly to keep them in tip-top condition. Any medication should always been dispensed on the advice or prescription of the vet. Advances in veterinary science and technology, along with our increasing devotion to our pets in general has meant that the lifespan of the average household pet is a lot longer than in previous decades. This means that more of us will experience what it is like to live with an elderly pet, and should prepare ourselves accordingly.

One of the first signs of ageing signs is the loss of certain senses – specifically sight and hearing. This can sometimes of course be mistaken for a cat’s natural snootiness! This then brings about the fact that they become more susceptible to dangers that were not so much of a worry a couple of years before. They may be unable to hear or see vehicles and other animals, for instance. It may therefore be advisable to confine your cat to more suitable areas, either solely within the house or in restricted areas outdoors where they can be safe and still content.

If you, like me, have owned cats that turn their noses up at food on a regular basis, it will be of no surprise that this may well increase as they get older! Mine for one has to have a least 3-4 brands or food types on the go otherwise she will get fed up and just refuse whatever is there until you change it accordingly! Needless to say, that her selective hearing never stops her from noticing a tuna can being opened or cheese being cut! So far, her sense of smell and taste is still there, without question. But it could be that these senses are deteriorating; regularly changing foods and adding extra moisture will keep your old timer interested as well as suitably nourished. It is also important that water is always available for them. As age creeps on, cats can occasionally become dehydrated as they often don’t seem overly bothered about drinking. Again, by adding moisture to their food, you will know that they are receiving adequate fluids.

As we grow older, we become less flexible and supple. This is true also of our moggies. Common ailments include arthritis, and because it can be more of an effort to get about, they do sleep more – if that is at all possible! The lack of movement also can mean that they plump up a bit. This in turn can be a double edged sword as more weight can not only make it more uncomfortable to move but brings on other health issues further along the line.

You will need to ensure that some playtime is incorporated into their day and that the diet is well controlled. After all, you as a discerning owner wants a cat that is still active in mind and body – don’t you? Regular exercise will also help them to retain some muscle strength and tone. As with humans, if muscle groups are not used, they will atrophy. By keeping your cat relatively active you will also help to keep at bay the more serious health issues of heart disease, digestive disorders and diabetes.

In this respect, I am very fortunate. My 16 year-old lady still enjoys her mad ten minutes racing about the house, up and down the stairs, behind the sofa, chasing toys and wrestling with her catnip cushion. Needless to say, she sleeps pretty much for the rest of the day after that, but hey, that’s because she can! She is still known to jump out of windows, to peruse the neighbourhood over the conservatory and garage roof when it is hot enough. But it is rare for her to venture out far anytime between November and March, as it is just far too cold for those poor old bones!

As cats get older, it can be difficult for them to groom themselves, especially in some of the more contorted positions they used to achieve as kittens. Daily grooming of your cat can keep those nasty hairballs at bay and also maintain your loving bond with each other. Their hair can also become dryer and more knotted as they are unable to reach it. Sometimes the coat can thin or lose its shine; grooming will help to stimulate those all important natural oils again, enabling a glossy shine and healthy coat. It’s like them having a little massage and we all understand the benefits of that! Grooming and massage increases blood flow, nerve stimulation, aids relaxation, releases tension and pain, and aids the respiratory and digestive systems.

It’s fair to say that one of the things that cats are really great at is sleeping. Therefore as they get older, they do indeed tend to sleep more & their comfort is imperative. If yours is like mine, she will slowly move around the house, following the sun so she can slowly cook throughout the day! It is very rare for her to stick with one particular place, maybe moving several times in just one room. During the night, I regularly have a constant heat source at my side. Wherever they sleep will always be determined by them. You must however ensure that any area or bedding is kept clean and free from any mites or fleas. If your cat prefers a more up-market bed and isn’t satisfied with any old cushion, there are various beds available to buy including ones that hang from the radiators & most will encircle your cat in the utmost comfort.

Another fact of getting older is the deterioration of teeth and gums. Unfortunately cats can’t clean their own teeth, so it’s up to you. Poor teeth can be a major cause of bad health. With the build up of plaque, gums can become problematic. They in turn can produce infections which affect a cats internal organs. Always try to check their teeth if they let you, otherwise those regular visits to the vet will keep an eye on them. If you’ve introduced your cat from a young kitten to having teeth brushed, good for you, as this is the best way to ensure your cat’s oral hygiene. There are many cat toothpaste and toothbrush products on the market if you’re brave enough! Otherwise certain food brands which claim to have have teeth-cleaning properties in them – especially dry foods that break up in a certain way – may be effective.

Unfortunately there are some more serious conditions that cats develop as they age. These include constipation, a decrease in organ function and diabetes. An older cat also finds it harder to fight off disease as their immune system lessens in its ability. Ensure that if you see a change in their toilet routines that you see your vet at the earliest opportunity just to rule out any underlying problems. You may also find that their behaviour may change in relation to their health or maybe just because they find it harder to cope with their environment. It is best to avoid any undue stress to your older puss-cat as their tolerance levels and coping stategies are not what they were. So it’s probably not a good idea to expose her to uninvited attention, such as visiting children she is unfamiliar with.

An important point to note here that it is a good idea to make sure that you have adequate pet insurance in place before your cat reaches her twilight years – that way you will be better protected should
your feline friend develop any of the common ailments associated with old age. It is never too late to buy pet insurance – at Animal Friends Insurance they insure cats of any age; they don’t have to be kittens to be elegilble.

At the end of the day, we care so significantly for our cats that we will do pretty much anything for them. Letting them grow older gracefully and healthily in their twilight years is all they ask of us.

If you have a dog then it makes common sense to take out dog insurance, UK dog owners can end up paying an absolute fortune in vet bills if their pet has an accident or develops a chronic condition of some kind. Most pet insurance policies will not cover any existing conditions, and as a general rule the insurance will not cover you for the necessary vaccination jabs and annual boosters that your dog will need.

As with any kind of insurance it is always a good idea to shop around and get several quotations before you sign up. You should be sure to check with insurers what exclusions, i.e., what things may not be covered by the policy before you sign a contract. Most pet owners are perceived as caring people, something that the insurance companies will have noticed and so there are probably almost as many different dog insurance schemes in the country as there are dogs.

Supermarket giants such as Sainsbury’s now sell insurance for dogs, but again it is not a good idea to get the first insurance policy you look at, there is a lot of choice around and you should look until you find something that fits both your budget and your dog’s needs. There are some things that you need to look out for when you are buying dog insurance, UK insurers that do offer pet insurance may do so on a yearly basis, which means that if your dog contracts an illness while on the first policy, when you come to the renewal, you may not be covered for that condition.

Pet insurance in the UK varies by the type of animal you want to insure, for example cat insurance in the UK is usually cheaper than an insurance policy for dogs. You want as much cover as you can get for your money, just like everything else in a credit crunch, vet bills are rising all the time and unless you have dog insurance, UK costs soon mount up. If your dog is involved in a road accident and you have not taken out insurance then it could cost you hundreds of pounds to get things put right, X-rays and other specialist vet treatments are very expensive.

It is worth undertaking some research online and perhaps to look at one of the insurance comparison sites that are so popular now. These sites bring together a number of different companies and will give you an idea of what a policy might cost and what kinds of things you can expect for your money. As a general rule you should probably expect to pay somewhere between ?6 and ?10 a month for your dog insurance.

Shop around to see if you can find an insurance company that will cover your dog on an ongoing basis rather than your having to renew the policy every year. Your dog is probably in very good health and you may not see the need to take out a policy, but think hard before you decide not to insure. When you do take out a policy you’ll find it’s a lot cheaper to pay for dog insurance, UK vet bills can be ridiculously high.