Please VOTE for Hazel! Hazel the disabled Saint Bernese dog is a throwback to the 90s' as a limited-edition TY Beanie Baby! Turning 10 this January, she is considered vintage, so it's a fitting costume. Hazel may not be spooky but she is magical!
Showing posts with label pet insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet insurance. Show all posts
Preparing for a puppy: How to puppy-proof your home and yard
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| Guest blog by Adeline Ee. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family! |
Are you preparing for the arrival of your new puppy? If so, congratulations! We are excited for you and hope you have many happy years with your new family member. If you’ve owned dogs before, you know they love getting into trouble. Every dog parent knows the feeling of returning home to discover a mess.
Paws for a cause: We stand with the people and pets of Ukraine- and so can you!
Watching the tragedy in Ukraine unfold has been gutwrenching, and it is impossible to ignore. The people of Ukraine are suffering from an unjust attack. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has launched an illegal assault on the people of Ukraine, and his war has gone on far too long. It's day 70 of the war in Ukraine. People- and their pets- are suffering daily and many Canadians desperately want to help. I'm feeling hopeful today because I can share an inspiring initiative with all of my animal-loving readers that will help Ukraine's pets in need and support the veterinarians who are working hard to keep those pets safe and healthy.
Ask a Vet: What you need to know about toxin ingestion, inducing vomiting, and pet insurance coverage for pet poisonings
There is no other moment in a pet owner’s life that is more fear-inducing than when a pet ingests a toxin. It’s hard not to panic when you catch your cat licking a lily or come home to your dog surrounded by ripped-open candy wrappers, looking up at you with a chocolate-stained smile. Heart racing, you run to the phone to call your veterinarian or jump online to search if the item is toxic. We know we have to act fast when a pet is poisoned and veterinary treatment can be expensive. We also need to do things to prevent possible poisoning. But pet owners have other questions. What do I do if my dog or cat ate something toxic? What are common household toxins for pets? Are pet poisonings covered by pet insurance?
I love the grey fur that appears around a senior dog's eyes as they age, the mark that they've experienced life. The mark that they've given a lifetime of love. To leave our mark on them we need to prepare to support them during their golden years. I'm going to talk about one of my favourite topics- pet insurance. When we think about pet insurance we often think of puppies and kittens, but senior pets are eligible for insurance coverage too.
Since November is National Senior Pet Month, I connected with Karolyne Trottier, Regional Manager at Pets Plus Us pet insurance for a Q&A about pet insurance for senior pets. Can a senior pet get pet insurance? What about their pre-existing conditions? I asked Karolyne everything I could think of about senior pets and pet insurance, and these are her answers!
My biggest mistake as a pet owner: I should have purchased pet insurance for Hazel, here's why!
I made a HUGE mistake! As pet owners, sometimes we make mistakes when trying to do the best for our pets. But this one... this is all on me. When I brought Hazel home, one of the first things I did was sign her up for a free trial of pet insurance. The next morning I brought Hazel to see her veterinarian because she was walking funny. It turned out Hazel had a broken femur that went undiagnosed before she came home to me. Any conditions she was diagnosed with before the trial became active would not be covered. She was already signed up for a lifetime of pain and pre-existing conditions, so signing her up for pet insurance felt like a lost cause.
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Does
your heart skip a beat when you see your dog? Mine sure does, because I love my
crazy mutts! Perhaps it’s a subtle reminder that heart health is so important. Heart failure in dogs is caused by heart disease and can
be very expensive to treat. It’s a life-long condition that includes chronic
medication, veterinary visits and lifestyle changes. There are two primary ways
the heart can fail, and some breeds are more prone to heart disease than
others.
While
heart failure is covered by pet insurance companies, there are some
restrictions depending on the company or policy. Like all pet insurance
policies, heart failure is not covered if it is a pre-existing condition. Since
heart failure requires such extensive treatment, pet insurance is a great tool
to have in your tool box. Managing heart disease is stressful enough, so having
expensive veterinary bills covered can relieve some of that stress so you can
focus on giving your canine companion some much deserved love!
Employers that offer pet insurance
More and more employers are adding pet insurance as part of
employee benefits, and pet owners have Millennials to thank. According to Fortune the
extra boost in coverage is partly because it appeals to the Millennial
generation, but everyone will benefit from this way of thinking. With pets being
treated more like family members, employers could have a lot to gain from
offering pet insurance to employees.
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Employers that offer pet insurance
Photo by U.S. Army flickr
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According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association (APPA), pet
owners spent approximately $9.8 billion on veterinary care in 2007. In
2015-2016 APPA’s biennial National Pet Owners Survey that recorded 79.7 million
pet owning households, this is a 50 percent gain over the past two decades.
They also reported an increase in new/younger pet owners. It’s no surprise that
pet insurance is becoming more popular. Diagnosing and treating an illness can
be expensive. Accidents are especially expensive, and situations like a hit by
car or a blocked cat can cost well over $1000. As the cost of treatment
increases, so does the demand for insurance coverage.
Switching pet insurance providers and policies: What you need to know
Breaking up is hard to do. It would be ideal if a pet owner’s relationship with their pet insurance provider was always a positive one, but realistically you may not be satisfied. If you need a change, there are a few things you may want to consider before switching to a new pet insurance company- or policy.
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Switching pet insurance providers and policies
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Breaking up is hard to do. It would be ideal if a pet owner’s relationship with their pet insurance provider was always a positive one, but realistically you may not be satisfied. If you need a change, there are a few things you may want to consider before switching to a new pet insurance company- or policy.
Before you decide to make a big change, there are some
things you may want to consider. First of all, why is it that you want to make
the switch? Some of the reasons pet owners change pet insurance companies are
cost, coverage and customer service.
Pet insurance: What
is a pre-existing condition?
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Pet Insurance: What is a pre-existing condition?
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It’s always recommended to purchase pet insurance when you
adopt a puppy or kitten. They are fresh and new, and in most cases in perfect
health. It’s a clean slate and will likely get you the best monthly rate for
your new pet’s insurance. But let’s face it, we don’t always bring home an
infant pet with that ‘new puppy smell.’ A lot of pet parents rescue or adopt adult
pets. Even if the pet has previous medical history, that shouldn’t deter you
from purchasing pet insurance. The best thing you can do is to arm yourself
with the knowledge of what coverage you will receive, and why certain claims
may be denied.
A common reason why pet owner’s insurance claims are denied
is because of a pre-existing condition, also sometimes referred to as a
foreseeable condition. It’s very important to make sure that you research what
your insurance company considers a pre-existing condition, because the
definition may vary from company to company. Most commonly a pre-existing
condition is defined as something your pet has been diagnosed with or have
shown symptoms of before you signed up for your insurance policy. Hazel's broken femur would have been considered a pre-existing condition because she had it ever since we took ownership of her.
A pre-existing condition can be something that your pet’s
doctor treated, and it can also include something diagnosed by a shelter, your
breeder or a previous owner. A pre-existing condition can also be something
diagnosed or treated while you are waiting for your insurance coverage to
become effective. Either way, a pre-existing condition will almost always affect
your coverage, so knowing the policy and your pet’s potential pre-existing
condition is important before you select an insurance company for your pet.
Many pet insurance companies also have something called a
bilateral condition in their policy terms and conditions. Pet Secure defines a
bilateral condition as “any condition affecting body parts of which your pet
has two; one on each side of the body.” Examples of this are limbs, ears and
eyes. If your dog has a torn cruciate ligament on the left leg as a
pre-existing condition and the right cruciate tears, then the right cruciate
will be considered a bilateral condition and will not be covered. Even if the
right cruciate tear happens after the policy is already effective.
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When purchasing pet insurance, you will also want to look into whether your policy will cover a pre-existing condition that has been cured. Some insurance policies will provide coverage for such things that can be cured, like a urinary tract infection for example. The policy may have stipulations about the UTI, and may require no symptoms or treatment for a certain amount of time. But if your pet has had a UTI that has been cured, then it would be recommended to look into this because if the same issue occurs after a year of perfect health you may be able to get coverage for the UTI.
Some pet insurance companies may request you to do certain
testing or diagnostics after they have reviewed your pet’s medical history.
Blood work for example may be required before your policy will take effect.
Like a human insurance company, you will be required to answer questions about
your pet’s medical history. Once you send in your pet’s medical history and
meet all the requirements the company will inform you of your policy, coverage
and monthly rate. At this time most insurance companies will let you know what
exclusions will be made with your policy, and what they consider to be your
pet’s pre-existing conditions.
Shopping for pet insurance can seem complicated. Once you select the plan you would prefer, talk to a
representative about your coverage and start the application process. Shop,
compare and don’t despair- your pet can still get affordable rates and good
coverage with a pre-existing condition!
How to dog proof your backyard
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How to dog proof your backyard this summer
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To your dog, the backyard is like a safe space, the canine
equivalent of his bedroom. It is a place to play, relax and feel at home, and
is not often associated with danger. Sadly, many dogs have ended up in the
emergency room, falling victim to something that was in their own backyard.
That is why it is so important to dog proof the backyard using these tips!
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Pet owners love #epetsure: Comparing pet insurance plans made easy!
Are you ready to discover my secret to easy pet insurance shopping...
My first real experience working with a pet insurance provider was at the animal hospital where I work now. We try to set clients up on free trials of pet insurance as often as we can, especially for those with new puppies or kittens. But it can take a long time for clients to make a decision- because it’s an important decision- and often times pet parents leave with some brochures and make the decision on their own at home. They search the web endlessly to find the best plan. Is this you? It can be a lot to absorb, I know.
Are you ready to discover my secret to easy pet insurance shopping...
My first real experience working with a pet insurance provider was at the animal hospital where I work now. We try to set clients up on free trials of pet insurance as often as we can, especially for those with new puppies or kittens. But it can take a long time for clients to make a decision- because it’s an important decision- and often times pet parents leave with some brochures and make the decision on their own at home. They search the web endlessly to find the best plan. Is this you? It can be a lot to absorb, I know.
Pet insurance is so important and can be very affordable. I know many pet owners have an "it won't happen to me" mentality about accidents and illnesses when it comes to their pets, but let me tell you- from experience- unexpected accidents CAN happen to you. It happened to me. Pet insurance will just ensure that you are more financially prepared for what may come.
Pet parents always have many questions about pet insurance plans, but I am most commonly asked these two questions:
1. Which pet insurance plan is the best for me?
2. How do I compare pet insurance companies?
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| Photo by PoshMoggy Foter CC BY-N C |
Survey shows women prefer Valentine's kisses from pets over
kisses from partner
Who are you kissing this Valentine’s Day? Petplan pet
insurance thinks they know exactly who you will be more likely to kiss on the
sweetest of all holidays and it’s not your significant other.
According to a recent survey conducted by Petplan pet insurance 57% of
pet parents prefer Valentine’s Day kisses from their furry family members over
a kiss from their partner. It may seem like a lot but these numbers are down
from last year’s survey that concluded 62% of people prefer doggy or kitty
kisses over kisses from their two-legged lover. The findings of the survey were
released in a press release on Feb. 2.
A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 13 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.
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- AAHA Trends Magazine Interview- Practice of the Year 2016
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- The Pembroke Observer- OSPCA Paws to Support Local
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DOG OWNER RESOURCES
- Canadian Association Of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine (CAVCM)
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- Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
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- Everything you need to know about Canine Parvovirus- Pembroke Animal Hospital
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
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- OVMA Dog Owner Handbook
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PET OWNER RESOURCES
- Veterinary Partner (VIN)
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- Indoor Pet Initiative
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- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)
- Pet Poison Helpline
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- Pet Microchip Look-up
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