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3 Ways You Can be a Better Pet Parent

No Comments Caring for senior dogs Dog life insurance Pet wellness plans

Vet insurance for dogs

Did you know that the U.S. has over 76 million cats? That means it has more cats than any other country in the world! America loves pets, with many homes having either a dog, cat, or both, or multiple of one or the other.

Pet ownership today isn?t like it used to be. Around 100 years ago, the majority of pets would not have been seen as they are today. Cats were often barn cats, meant to catch mice that were in stables or in the home. Dogs tended to serve useful purposes — they were herding dogs or hunting dogs, etc. Even the average ?house cat? or ?house dog? was seen a bit differently than pets are today — ask an elderly person whether they ever watched a parent or grandparent drown unwanted kittens or puppies, and you might not like the answer.

Today, though, pets are an integral part of our families. We buy christmas gifts for them and include them in our family portraits. For this reason, it?s important to many pet owners that their pet is taken well care of. How can you become an even better pet parent? Here?s a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Buy Quality Kibble

Years ago, there were only a handful of cat and dog food options available, and people would often pick one without really thinking about it. Today, there are literal aisles devoted to all the available choices. What should you look for in quality pet food? Basically, you want to make sure that the food is nutritionally sound, and doesn?t have too many fillers or additives in it. Things like corn and grains are often added to cat and dog dry food, even though these aren?t natural foods for these animals to consume. If the food has too much of them it can lead to your pet gaining weight easily or developing health problems. Do your due diligence in researching the available options.

2. Pet Health Insurance Plans

What happens if your pet develops a health problem despite your best efforts, such as cancer or diabetes? Do you have the available resources to treat them? Without healthcare for pets, the cost of treating these issues can easily extend up into the thousands of dollars. It can put pet owners in an incredibly difficult position — you either have to jeopardize your financial welfare, or accept your pet friend?s demise. For this reason, pet owners today should be investing in cat and dog life insurance. If you?re only learning about pet insurance after a problem develops, chin up — there are some opportunities for pet health insurance for pre-existing conditions. Dog life insurance is a prudent idea especially for purebreds, which often develop health problems.

3. Your Pet is Like a Baby

So “pet proof” your home. Read up on common issues vets encounter with pets — did you know that plastic ribbon common for wrapping presents, for example, has killed cats that consume it? Or if your cat likes knocking over small trash cans, did you know that many cats have died by consuming dental floss that entangles their innards?

So, there you have it. Invest in quality food, dog life insurance or cat health insurance, and remember to pet proof your home. Let us know if you have any questions!

3 Reasons You’re Going to Check Out a Dog Dating Site

No Comments Dating website for dogs Dog dating site Match.com for dogs

Dog dating

Almost everyone has an online dating story these days. For some, it?s a funny story they tell over drinks; for others, it?s the explanation of how they met their significant other. A lot of print space has been devoted to discussing how humans are using online dating websites, but this leaves out an important question: what about dogs?

That?s right: the online dating world is opening up to puppies. Dog dating sites are now a reality. Of course, this comes with some caveats. Obviously, we haven?t reached a point in intuitive technology where dogs can easily use your computer or smartphone to talk with other dogs about whether they?d want to potentially meet up. So you?re going to need to help your pup out when it comes to the path to ultimate doggy love.

If you?re interested in using a pet dating site but not sure whether it?s the right thing for your four-legged friend (maybe they just want to keep things casual right now?), here?s a few things to keep in mind.

1. Your Dog Isn?t Happy When They?re Alone

It?s a reality of most owners? lives: you and perhaps your spouse work similar hours during the day, and your dog is home alone — possibly crated — this entire time. Especially in one puppy households (which represents 60% of dog owners), this can be an undue stress for your puppy, and an estimated 4% of 55 million dogs in the U.S. suffer regularly from separation anxiety. Having a puppy play friend that can meet during the day can help to relieve some of the stress your dog is feeling at being away from you.

2. Finding Your Dog?s Baby Momma

Breeding isn?t right for every dog owner. Dogs that have been obtained from pet shops or shelters, as you?re likely aware, have probably been sterilized already. Many pet owners, though, are avid proponents of their chosen purebred breeds and you may be looking for a way to give other families the opportunity to experience it. Or perhaps your poodle and an interested labrador could give rise to some adorable labradoodles? At any rate, dog dating sites can double as dog breeding sites for finding an appropriate match for your dog.

3. Go on a Walk, Just Like in 101 Dalmatians

No, you don?t necessarily need to get your leashes tangle up and fall in love with the other pet owner. You may live in an area with a decent number of dogs, but finding someone willing to go on a walk or to a dog park with you and your pup may be proving to be a bit more difficult. Luckily, dog dating sites can help you connect to other locals looking for opportunities to socialize their dogs! Just 20 minutes of interaction a day can prevent dogs from feeling lonely.

Prevention Can Save Your Horses from EIAV

No Comments Contract lab manufacturing Food safety Veterinary diagnostics companies

Contract laboratory services

If you are one of the two million people who owns a horse in the United States, you may be familiar with the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The illness can be fatal and as there is no real treatment for it, prevention is your best bet to protect your animal.

The illness is often referred to as “Swamp Fever” and can infect donkeys, zebras and otters equine animals. Horses can serve as carriers of the disease, showing no symptoms but remaining able to transmit the deadly disease to other animals via a vector such as a mosquito (or other insect) or through the placenta. Horses that carry the disease but remain asymptomatic (do not look sick) are much less likely to transmit the illness to other animals. For instance, a horse fly that bites a carrier horse and a six million to one chance of transmitted EIAV to another animal. Unfortunately, animals who do show equine infectious anemia virus expression are likely to die within a short period of time (no more than two to three weeks). The illness can be confirmed with an equine infectious anemia virus antibody test also called the Coggins’ test.

Prevention Tips:

  • Test horses for the disease at least once a year. When and if you get new horses, make sure you test them when you buy them. Do not let them spend any time around your horses util you get the results. To be completely sure your horses are safe, isolate new horses from the others for at least 45 days.
  • Do not reuse needles. Use disposable needles only once.
  • Stables that serve shows need to make sure all horses that use their facility test have negative Coggins’ tests. Animals who are at risk for infection need to be retested often.
  • Keep stable areas clean. This helps cut down on the number of pests that can carry the virus to new animals. It is especially important to keep the amount of manure to a minimum.
  • Know the symptoms of the equine infectious anemia virus. Acute cases will cause a fever and hemorrhaging. Chronic episodes will include diarrhea, weakness, eye discharge, loss of coordination and appetite, spontaneous abortion and paralysis of the hindquarters. If you see any of these symptoms in your animals, have them tested as soon as you can.

Animals who have tested positive for the equine infectious anemia virus need to be reported to federal and state agencies who normally recommend the infected animal be euthanized to protect other horses. If you choose to quarantine an animal who has tested positive, you must put signs up alerting others to the animal’s status so they can take whatever precautions they can. If you suspect your animal has the equine infectious anemia virus, make sure you have the horse tested. Most animal clinics have the appropriate veterinary diagnostics tests to help. Vigilance against the illness is everyone’s best weapon against its spread.