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Pet Insurance: Myths

September 3, 2012 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance, Pet insurance rates by admin | 2 comments

Pet insurance is still a relatively new concept in most societies. Pet cover plans and pet insurance are yet to have complete acceptance among pet owners.

The main reason that pet owners are not completely buying into the pet insurance and pet cover plans is due to the many myths surrounding the same. However, these myths are just that, myths, and should not come in the way of you investing in a dog health insurance plan. Simply going over the various benefits that pet cover and a dog health insurance plan will provide for your beloved companion will help eliminate any doubts you may have about pet insurance.

Here are some common myths about pet insurance and pet cover plans:

Pet insurance is unnecessary: This is a common misconception held by most pet owners when it comes to cat or dog health insurance. Most pet owners feel they will never need pet insurance. However, your pet can fall ill or get hurt anytime. The veterinary bills during emergencies can soar very fast. In such a situation a cat or dog health insurance will help you manage the finances and also ensure your pet gets the care he needs.

Pet insurance is costly: Today there are numerous plans available when it comes to dog health insurance. Hence, the cost should not come in the way of you investing in a pet cover. There are also options to customise the pet insurance plan which enables you to ensure the cat or dog health insurance fits your budget. If you are still unsure, opt for the various pet insurance reviews that are available and select the one that is rated the best by both experts and pet owners.

Pet insurance is only available for healthy and young pets: This is a common misconception held by majority pet owners. However, today’s pet covers and dog health insurance schemes have various plans suited to pets of all ages, including pets with a health condition. Pet insurance reviews will help you realise that the market is flooded with a variety of pet covers for pets of all age groups.

Pet insurance does not allow you to go to a veterinarian of your choice: Today, most pet covers and cat and dog health insurance plans are flexible and do not limit you to visit a few vets only. You can visit any licensed veterinarian, including specialists and emergency care clinics. Most dog health insurance providers will not even require referrals or claim forms signed by the vets.

Pet insurance covers emergencies only: Today pet insurance and pet cover plans are not limited to emergency medical treatment only. You can also include wellness cover in your dog health insurance. Generally a wellness cover includes standard vaccines, spaying or neutering, and an annual exam as well as dental cleaning, additional vaccines, flea treatments, etc.

Complex reimbursement process: It is no longer complicated to fill out forms and claims to avail reimbursements on your vet bills. The turnaround time of most dog health insurance providers is also usually not more than two weeks.

Tags: dog health insurance, pet cover, pet insurance, pet insurance reviews

Understanding exclusions in pet insurance

January 1, 2012 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance, Pet insurance exclusions, Pet insurance rates by admin | 1 comment

Like all insurance, pet insurance is there for the unexpected event.  As such things that are predictable or optional may be excluded.

For example, pregnancy, as well as elective treatments such as de-sexing, micro-chipping and cosmetic surgery are generally not covered by standard insurance, although small amounts may be recoverable when you opt for Wellness (or Routine) Care with your policy. 

Most policies will not cover pre-existing conditions, including those that develop during the waiting period (for example the waiting period for cruciate conditions is 6 months with Petsecure, but this can be waived if your vet can certify that no cruciate conditions exist when you join).  Also, pets must be fully vaccinated, and generally any condition that can be avoided through vaccination is not covered (for example Kennel Cough).

With Petsecure hereditary and congenital conditions are covered providing there is no sign of them before the cover commenced, but this may not be the case with all pet insurance policies.  With some policies tick paralysis is not covered at all.  With Petsecure there is a maximum benefit payable of $500 for tick paralysis under the Accident and Illness cover option.

With Petsecure the premiums are based on the age and breed of the pet, and you can choose whether you want to have a 75% or 85% benefit payment, with no extra excess to be paid when you claim.  Some policies may have a higher benefit payment, but then also have an excess that is paid for each claim.    

One of the biggest mistakes people make with Pet Insurance is to leave it too late.  Many of us don’t think about insurance until our pet is already sick, but as most policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions it means the pet cannot covered for this ailment.  It’s no different to any other insurance – you couldn’t get insurance to cover an incident in a car that has already happened, and it’s no different with pet insurance.

Whilst pet insurance for some may seem like a luxury it’s important to consider the bigger picture.  With premiums averaging around $600 per year you would spend around $6,000 – $8,000 over the lifetime of the pet – and vet treatment for just one injury and on-going care for an illness can easily come to that, and more. In fact, according to Hollard Insurance the highest claim received for treatment of fractures was $13,500 in 2007.   

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of exclusions, but just gives an idea of what to look out for when choosing your pet insurance. Whichever policy you choose, you should be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement so that you fully understand the terms and conditions and the exclusions before you make your decision. 

This is not advice, and does not take account of your individual circumstances.  Please read the product disclosure statement about the product you are considering before making any decision to purchase pet insurance.

Tags: Compare pet insurance, Compare pet insurance cover, Lifetime cost of pet care, pet insurance, pet insurance cover

Natural remedies can help your dog with osteoarthritis

December 30, 2011 in Dog care, Dog cover, Natural remedies for pets, Pet care, Pet insurance by admin | 1 comment

As with us humans, osteoarthritis is one of the most common ailments affecting dogs as they age, and also as with humans, natural therapies can help with management of this condition.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which involves the slow erosion of joint cartilage  causing the bones to rub together, which as you can imagine would be very painful and debilitating for your pet.  Osteoarthritis can be genetic (eg hip dysplasia), part of the ageing process, or the result of an injury.  Fortunately there are a few treatments which can help including anti inflammatories, nutrition and dietary supplements and an exercise regime.  Natural therapies can be an alternative for those of us who want to manage paid without the use of chemically based drugs.  Just like humans, remedies include acupuncture, chiro, massage, stretching and special exercises.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points that release energy.  Whilst it doesn’t sound very pleasant, in fact it can be very relaxing and many dogs fall asleep whilst being treated!  Acupuncture is based on energy flowing through meridians and the needles affect the flow of energy.  The results can be a reduction in pain and inflammation, increased mobility, and generally improvement in wellbeing and quality of life.  One the advantages of acupuncture is that there are no side effects to worry about which means the dog can undergo treatment for many years without concern.

Trigger point therapy

Trigger points are spots in muscles that form after injury or misuse.  Trigger point therapy releases the trigger point to help with the pain.  The first step with trigger point therapy is to deactivate the trigger point with acupuncture and then stimulate the painful point itself.  Then a strong massage to stretch out the point for a good minute.  Whilst it can be uncomfortable for your pet, it does help to improve mobility.

Chiropractic adjustment

An animal with sore hips will automatically shift their weight to compensate, which in turn can put stress on their back which results in muscular tension.  This can cause back pain and creates difficulty with walking.  A simple back massage and stretching exercises at home can help in between adjustment sessions with the chiropractor.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate and improve musculoskeletal disorders through a variety of techniques.  Some techniques include using machines, bandaging or strapping to treat swelling and support joints, warmth and ice for pain, swelling or spasm control and hands on massage, manipulation and joint mobilisation.  Physiotherapy can be good for looking after joint health and keeping a range of movement, but it is also good to get assistance with joint nutrition.  Walking is generally good, but dogs with arthritis may need more frequent shorter walks, rather than long walks.  Treadmills offering a range of speed and training modes can also be of assistance.  But this needs to be done with a professional as it is important to be gently so that there is not extra strain on the body.  Good thing is that come rain or shine, conditions are always right!

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is exercise, treatment or rehabilitation in water, generally heated pools or underwater treadmills, or both.  Hydrotherapy builds up muscles without putting strain on painful joints.  Swimming is of course also great for general fitness, but if a dog as had cruciate ligament surgery or hind limb problems it does better with walking as it needs to bear some weight.  Also bear in mind that dogs can cheat – they use their front legs instead of their hind legs, so you need to watch them to make sure you know what they are up to!

Most pet insurance policies unfortunately do not cover alternative therapies, however with Petsecure wellness care option you can claim $50 per year for one item which includes acupuncture, hydrotherapy and massage.

Ask your vet for a referral or for more information on natural therapies visit www.acupet.com.au or www.naturalvet.com.au or www.sydneyanimalphysiotherapy.com.au  or www.allnaturaldog.com.au

Tags: Care for your cat, Care for your dog, Natural remedies for osteoarthritis in dogs, Responsible pet ownership, Taking care of pets

Red Dog: 29 for, 3 against

October 31, 2011 in Dog care, Dog cover, Pet insurance by admin | No comments

The quintessential feelgood Aussie movie? Or just rubbish?

Red Dog, the story of the famous Kelpie of the Pilbara, who both adopted and was adopted by the mining community at Dampier, would seem the perfect choice for a true blue Aussie movie.

Who could resist a story of two drifters finding each other – a hitchhiking dog and a directionless man?  Who could fail to be touched by Red Dog’s ingenuity, persistence and loyalty…by his ability to bring out the best in the miners …and how he brought a new dimension to life in this remote outpost?  Surely every dog lover was touched and don’t forget the nod to cat lovers with a dervish-like cat and dog fight.

Well, dear readers I have news for you. Much as most people loved it, there were some who hated it with a passion. Counteracting the ecstatic comments like “Awesome”, “Amazing”, “Proud, funny, moving”, were those who warned; “Avoid it like the plague”, “Possibly the worst movie I had to sit through”, “Looks like rubbish”, and “Student production”.

What makes people respond so differently?

Those who loved it seemed to identify instinctively with the bond between humans and their dogs, with particular focus on the unconditional love they give us, so different from what humans call love, which is far too often a wish to possess and control.

Those who loathed it found it clichéd and corny. They were critical of the acting and questioned the credibility of the characters and events depicted.

To maintain an open and balanced view, we might say both are right. It simply depends on the criteria on which you base your opinion. If the purpose of the film was to make a 100% factual record of the story of Red Dog, with no poetic license, then perhaps the critics have a point.

If however, the aim was to offer a loose account of a classic, (allowing for a touch of embroidery along the way) that reaches into the emotional side of our nature and achieves a balance between comedy and pathos, then maybe the cynics are missing out.

The score of 29 – 3 above is not the result of long and detailed research, but rather an indication drawn from one source, that shows what you can expect if you were to run an opinion poll.

 My money’s on the table that Red Dog wins hands down.

Author: Marcelle Grolman

Tags: Buying a new dog, Care for your dog, dog rescue, pets help economy

Pain relief for your dog

October 6, 2011 in Cat care, Cat cover, Dog care, Dog cover, Pet care, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | 1 comment

Giving medication to your dog is a serious matter. Ideally pain relief should be prescribed and preferably administered by a competent veterinarian. Most importantly, medication for humans is not suited for dogs and has the potential to cause adverse effects.

Exploring natural remedies for pain is now possible as well. As with human health care, companies selling natural products for our pets are also proliferating.

Recently, acupuncture has become a popular choice to assist with pain relief in dogs, and excellent results are being reported. Another popular method of pain relief for dogs is through a chiropractor.  Just like humans, a dog can also develop joint pain as it ages. A few chiropractic treatments are believed to offer great relief.

But of course, your vet is your most important port of call if your dog or cat is injured with broken bones and cuts, or when your dog develops a serious illness. In all circumstances your vet will be able to ensure that your pet gets the right treatment complete with painkillers and after care.  Whilst there may be off the shelf solutions available, if in doubt always seek the advice of your vet.

As part of follow up treatment, massage can also assist with pain management. It’s really amazing to know that your pet is not much different from you when it comes to the value of TLC!

Most importantly, it is critical to pay attention to getting the right diagnosis in the first place, so you can be sure the cure fits the problem – shortcuts can be dangerous, and your pet is a living being – so you should not be tempted to experiment!

Tags: Care for your cat, Care for your dog, Taking care of pets

Cure and prevention of allergies to dog food

October 4, 2011 in Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | 4 comments

Next to flea bite allergies and allergies to inhalants, allergies to dog food is the most dreaded by pet owners. They are also one of the most prevalent form of allergies among canines and unfortunately they make life extremely difficult for both the dog and the owner.

Although experts have conducted extensive research to try to unravel the mysteries surrounding food allergies in dogs but despite of all their efforts, they only came up with a list of symptoms to dog food allergies which are critical in giving accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Allergy-causing dog food

Studies reveal that certain dog foods include ingredients with higher potential of causing an allergic reaction. These food ingredients which are now viewed as common allergens are lamb, chicken, beef, fish, wheat, eggs, corn and soy. The long list seems to capture everything you are giving to your dogs.

Signs of food allergies

The most prevalent sign of food allergy among dogs is itchy skin usually occurring in the face, ears, forelegs, armpit and anus. This is actually similar to other type of dog allergies. Other symptoms include recurring infection in the skin and ears, hair loss, hot spot and excessive bowel movement.

Identifying food allergies

By sharing similar symptoms with a range of dog ailments, it is doubly hard to make diagnosis and propose prevention and cure. Thus, your veterinarian will need to employ the process of elimination to rule out other causes of the allergy. Your dog is likely to have to undergo a series of “food trials” to test what type of dog food would trigger the allergy. It’s quite a tedious process that requires conscientious monitoring on the part of the dog owner in order to yield accurate results. It is also preferable to avoid processed food as there is risk that it includes unwanted ingredients that could cause a reaction. Ideally you prepare the food yourself, so that you know exactly what your pet is being fed.

Effective treatment

Avoidance remains the best cure for dog food allergies. If you have already identified the food allergens, be sure not to let your dog take that food. Make sure other members of the household, and friends are aware of the situation so that they will not mistakenly feed your dog the offending food. Maintaining a healthy dog can takes a lot of time and patience, but like any member of your family, it is always worth the trouble – there’s nothing worse that seeing your pet suffering unnecessarily.

Tags: breeding cats and dogs, Care for your dog, Foods that are toxic for dogs, Taking care of pets

What’s more important to you? Your family or your pet?

September 30, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | No comments

OK, we know your pet is part of the family – but you know what I mean –  people family, or your animal family (your pet)!  Now this question is not as strange as it sounds.  In fact it seems that in the United Kingdom the majority of pet owners are more likely to get insurance for their mobile phone or pet insurance before they sort out  life insurance!

In fact, life insurance protection, only came 6th on the list, after car, home, pet, and mobile according to the website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk (August 2011).

In the UK 30% have a pet health cover insurance (pet insurance), whilst in Australia it’s only around 3%.  So it would seem in Australia, so far at least, people are more likely to have life insurance than pet insurance!  Having said that, it’s estimated by Ibis world that Aussies spend around $7.88 billion on pet products and services each year. With 10 million pet owners (63% of households), that amounts to a whopping $1,460 average expenditure per pet, per household each year.   How  much do you think your pet will cost you over his or her lifetime?  You can help reduce that cost with pet insurance that pays a proportion of the inevitable vet’s bills that will crop up over your furry friend’s lifetime.  Even in the unlikely event that you don’t claim for, say, 3 years – it only takes one major event to even up the score and put you in profit!  For example, if an average annual premium is around $500 for a plan that pays an 85% benefit (this example taken from a 2 year old labradoodle cross), an event such as a simple ingestion of a foreign body costing $5,000 would mean the savings on your vet bill could be as much as $3,500, and if you hadn’t claimed for 3 years then the saving would be $2,500!!

Like all insurance, pet insurance is there to help with unexpected events.  It gives a bit of peace of mind knowing that if your four legged pal got sick, or injured in an accident, you would at least have some help with the vet’s bills. 

 

Tags: Cost of vet bills, insurance for pets, Lifetime cost of pet care, pet insurance, pet insurance cover, pet insurance rates

Keeping your pet fit!

September 23, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance, Pet insurance rates by admin | No comments

Pets are pretty much like human beings too. They can also get sick and are prone to getting diseases like kidney failure, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases can definitely shorten their life span and eventually lead to their demise. If exercise and good eating habit work well for humans, these good practices are perfectly true as well for your pets. But of course bear in mind that nothing is going to keep them away from the vet forever, whether it be an illness or accident.  And that’s why pet insurance is becoming popular in Australia – it’s a way to help make sure you are not landed with vet bills that you can’t manage and then end up having to make some difficult choices about your beloved pet.

The benefits of exercise

Beginning a healthy routine not only makes pets stay in good shape, it also leads to pet owners getting fit too. It’s simple, walking the dog means exercise for you and your dog.  Thirty to 60 minutes of walking is generally required for larger breed of dogs. This easily translates to covering a distance of about three 6km. For smaller dogs, 15 to 30 minutes of exercise is needed.

Cats are a bit harder to handle when it comes to exercising yet giving them chase toys will do the trick. Letting the cat go up and down your stairs if you have them in your house is another great way to let the cat take some strides. This can be done by putting food on different floors of the house. Letting the cat look for their food in different places is also another way of getting your cat off the couch!

Don’t let your pet get overweight!

Reducing calorie intake for your pets is as healthy as humans do to stay fit. Pets getting overweight is not at all an indication of good conditioning and health, and it is likely to shorten their life span. It is always good to consult your veterinarian regularly on your pet’s proper dietary requirements since their diet could change over time.

Pets have vital numbers as health indicators.

Banfield Pet Hospital came up with a body condition score to determine how healthy your pet is. This is very much alike to the body mass index test for humans. This test rates your pet from a scale of one to five. A rating of one means your pet is underweight while five means it is obese. Both BMI and BCS will indicate if both pet and owner have benefited from the exercise and nutrition program they are following.

Giving your pets a healthy environment and leading them to a healthy lifestyle are some of the tested ways to make them live longer. Getting pet insurance is a precautionary measure – so you know you will be able to manage the vet bills when the inevitable visits to the vet occur!  Even with the best care, pet’s can still get ill or injured in an accident.

Indicators that your pet is obese

When you notice a broad, flat back on your pet instead of a tapered waistline, your pet is overweight already. When you begin to see a hanging belly instead of a tucked abdomen, it tells you that your pet has unwanted fat.

At all times, the ribs of your pet should remain prominent and easy to feel.

Tags: Care for your cat, Care for your dog, Compare pet insurance, Ethics of pet ownership, pet insurance

Petiquette for you and your dog!

September 21, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | No comments

It takes a lot to take care of a dog. Everyday pet to human interaction can be easier with simple rules to follow. One must be mindful of good neighbourly relations. Owning a dog brings with it a new set of responsibilities, some of which you may not have thought about.

  1. Most important!  Always clean up after your pet.  Not only is it hygienic reasons, but it’s about your responsibility towards community. Many parks provide plastic bags and bins, but just in case you are caught short make sure you have plastic bags handy. It can be a yucky activity yet it’s the price to pay for having a loyal buddy by your side. Remember you wouldn’t want to have to pick up after another person’s dog, and no doubt they would not enjoy picking up after your dog either!
  2. When you are out and about be sure to keep your dog on a leash.  Remember that not all people do like pets, and some are afraid of dogs.
  3. Make sure your pet has proper ID , collar and is registered and microchipped.  If your pet gets lost or stolen the vet will be able to identify you as the owner through the microchip.
  4. Remember, don’t allow your dog to jump up on people. It can be dangerous and leave them nasty paw prints on clothing and that’s downright improper and disrespectful.
  5. If you want to take your dog to a friend’s home ask permission from your host first. There are homes and properties that do not allow pets.  Also some people can be allergic to dogs and you need to be mindful and respectful of their health as well.
  6. Do not allow the dog to beg for food.  Dogs need to know their place, and it isn’t at the table!
  7. Make sure your dog is not bored. It can lead to barking which is not very pleasant for neighbours.
  8. Understand that not all pet owners want their pets to greet another pet. Always be careful if your pet dog is the one that makes the first move to greet other animals.

The bottomline of human/canine interaction is always based on a sense of consideration and respect for others.  The cost of pet ownership over a lifetime can be considerable.  But it’s worth it!

Tags: Buying a new dog, Care for your dog, Ethics of pet ownership, Lifetime cost of pet care, Taking care of pets

Protect your dog from toxic food

September 18, 2011 in Cat cover, Dog cover, Pet cover, Pet insurance by admin | 3 comments

“My dogs will eat anything!”  How often do we hear that said?  If you know that your dog has an insatiable appetite, be sure to protect him or her by securing food.  As we know, dogs have an amazing sense of smell, so bear that in mind when you look for a hiding place!  In particular, be mindful of the foods listed below (this is not a comprehensive list, common sense should prevail):

Chocolate – It’s poison for your dog! Chocolate contains theobromine which is categorized with caffeine and some dogs are greatly sensitive to this component. In case the dog has eaten a big amount of chocolate, you may notice signs of toxic reaction: vomiting and diarrhea, fast heart rate and hyper-excitability. Definitely watch your dog carefully, and if in doubt, off to the vet, if you suspect your dog has got into the choccies.

Onions are dangerous for dogs because they contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. When this poison builds up for too much consumption the pet dog’s health can suffer.

Grapes/Raisins – Dogs can develop kidney failure when consuming large amounts of grapes. Get immediate treatment when you suspect that the dog has eaten grapes. Signs of grape ingestion are lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

Chicken and other sharp bones – This can choke the dog since chicken bones can splinter and cause a rip of the digestive system.

Iron Vitamins for Humans – What’s good for humans may not be good for dogs. Iron vitamins can cause harm to the lining of the dog’s digestive system and could cause kidney and liver damage.

Avocado – All parts of the avocado and its tree are really toxic to dogs.

Persimmons – This fruit has been found to cause intestinal blockage for dogs.

Tags: Care for your cat, Care for your dog, Foods that are toxic for dogs, Taking care of pets

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