Schedule Now
Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Author: Marjorie Lewis

Categories
Animal Adoption Rabbits

5 Things to Know About Rabbit Adoption

rabbit

Easter will be here before we know it and chocolate bunnies won’t be the only thing being purchased around that time. By the way, did you know that over 91 million chocolate bunnies are bought each year around Easter? That’s a lot of chocolate bunnies!! While there won’t be 91 million, the adoption of rabbits will increase during February, since it’s Adopt A Rabbit Month, and during Easter time, too. Many parents plan on gifting their child/children with what seems to be a cute, furry friend for Easter and some even go out on a whim and get one with no prior planning. Whether you’re adopting a rabbit spontaneously or planning it, here are some things you should know:

  1. Rabbits are not low-maintenance pets. These intelligent and social animals require daily enrichment activities, exercise, and socialization. They are energetic so it’s important to provide them with things that will help them spend their energy. Otherwise, they may find something to occupy them, like chewing on your favorite shoe or a lamp cord, to keep them entertained.
  2. You have to “bunny-proof” your home. Rabbits can easily destroy your furniture, carpet, molding, and wires. They’ll even eat any loose paper laying around. 
  3. Their diet is NOT carrots and bunny pellets. Rabbits actually require a constant supply of hay. It is vital for their digestive and dental health. This is a big thing for families that may have allergies. Something else to consider is that their diet has to be supplemented with fresh vegetables on a daily basis. Dandelion greens, romaine lettuce, and herbs are all good for rabbits and the cost of these additional groceries can add up quickly.
  4. Rabbits are not inexpensive pets. My House Rabbit has a great article that breaks down the cost of a pet rabbit. The initial cost for one is estimated to be up to $390 with ongoing costs of around $85 per month.
  5. Rabbits are not good for children. Rabbits are prey animals so they like to be kept on the ground. Children tend to want to cuddle and pick them up which startles them. When a rabbit feels something holding it, it may get aggressive and then scratch the child as it tries to flee. If you’re going to adopt a rabbit for a child, it’s better to have an older child so that they can participate in their care and understand how to safely handle the rabbit.

While there are many pros to having pets in general, a rabbit is a pet that you’ll want to put deep thought into. You may want to consider talking with a veterinarian about the life expectancy and care they will need. The more information you have, the better off you are.

If you do decide to adopt a rabbit, the House Rabbit Society shares a great article For People New to Rabbits that provides some useful resources. They also have a brochure that contains a lot of practical information including how to feed and house-train your new rabbit and bunny-proof your home before the rabbit arrives. Something else you may want to consider after getting a rabbit is hiring an animal communicator. Talking with an animal communicator can help you understand if the rabbit is happy with their environment, this will lessen the risk of them destroying property and engaging in undesired behaviors. This is just one of the ways an animal communicator can help. To learn about other ways, you can schedule a consultation. 

Categories
Cats Spaying/Neutering

Love Is In The Air – For Your Cats, Too

Neutering

It’s the month of love! Despite having celebrated Valentine’s Day on February 14th, a day dedicated to love and romance, the entire month is all about love! It’s a month of prioritizing self-care (specifically heart health), self-love, and fostering relationships with friends and family. When it comes to our pets, we might call February – Beat the Heat Month. Otherwise known as Spay/Neuter Awareness Month which seeks to raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering our pets. 

Important Information About Cat Fertility

Did you know that February is the start of the breeding season for most cats in the Northern Hemisphere and it lasts until October? During this time, a cat can have up to five litters in just one year. That’s a lot! Here’s how it’s possible:

  • Cats go through puberty, just like humans, and this can start as early as five months old.
  • Once a cat hits puberty, it can reproduce and its heat cycles last every 14 to 21 days.
  • Once pregnant, the gestation period is about 2 months which makes it possible for a cat to have up to 5 litters a year. You can learn more about a cat’s pregnancy stages here. 

Because of the possibility of pregnancy and the number of cats in each litter, it’s really important to get your cat spayed or neutered to prevent adding to the overpopulation of cats.

Benefits of Spaying/Neutering

There are many benefits to both the community and to our pets when we choose to spay or neuter. 

Reduces wandering and territorial behavior

If you have ever lived with a female cat in heat, you know what an unpleasant experience it can be with their yowling for love at any time of day or night. Any stray male in the neighborhood will be making nocturnal visits and be equally vocal. An unneutered male can get quite aggressive and will usually mark his territory by spraying his strong-smelling urine. If your cat lives outdoors even part-time, it is important that you eliminate the risk of their producing unwanted litters or being injured by other aggressive cats. 

Animals tend to live longer

Family pets that have been spayed or neutered are often more relaxed, they bond more closely with family and will be less likely to wander from home. Their life expectancy is also longer due to reduced risk of diseases such as testicular cancer in males and breast cancer in females which can be fatal 90% of the time in cats.

Helps fight overpopulation

Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Help Reduce the Strain on Shelters and Rescues

The best way to help support shelters and rescues that are dealing with the overpopulation of cats is to make sure that yours is spayed or neutered as soon as they are of age. The decision to spay or neuter your family pet can be protective for them in a number of ways. Your veterinarian can help you explore the benefits for your individual pet.

Another way is to support a feral cat rescue organization. Organizations like Alley Cat Allies, have a Feral Friends Network which brings together people and organizations for support and guidance with feral cats. Organizations like these benefit the community by trapping feral cats, providing spaying and neutering services and vaccines, and even transitioning these animals into adoptive homes when appropriate.

You could even help out by fostering a cat while they wait for its forever home. You can learn more about showing some love by fostering a cat in my recent blog.

Categories
Pet Fostering

Show Some Love by Fostering a Pet

The season of love is upon us! Have you started thinking about ways that you’ll be showing love to your loved ones in your life? What about ways that you can show love to those who are not currently in your life? You could donate to a cause that’s close to your heart or even express your love by fostering a pet. Fostering a pet could actually serve you, your family, and the fostered pet.

Fostering a Pet

When you foster a pet, you provide temporary care and shelter for an animal while they are waiting to be adopted. This is often a great option for someone who wants to help animals and doesn’t have the capacity to have an animal of their own. By fostering a pet, you will help relieve overcrowding in shelters and provide so many benefits to the animal you’re fostering. We’ll discuss some of these benefits later on.

Pets Experience Love Differently

If you decide to foster a pet, it’s important to keep in mind that we, humans, might envision “showing love” as buying a gift or sharing vigorous hugs with our beloved. However, this would not be our pet’s idea of love. Of course, each of our pets has their individual preferences based on their personality just like we do, but in general, an animal’s Idea of showing love might include:

  • Companionship
  • Shared playtime
  • A gentle snuggle, on their terms
  • Providing a safe place to rest without the threat of danger
  • Healthy food provided on a reliable schedule
  • Shelter from severe weather
  • Trust

Benefits for the Pet Being Fostered

Many pets that are waiting for adoption have been abandoned or neglected, or are homeless. Therefore, the animal finds itself without the surety of protection and regular meals. Their life is filled with uncertainty, fear, hunger, and perhaps pain. Having a foster home helps provide security by providing a supportive sanctuary for them to feel safe.  

Food and Medical Care

Once rescued, they will be provided with food on a regular schedule and even treats to reward good behavior. Oftentimes, pets have gone months or years without medical care, or have never had it. In a foster home, meals and medical care can be given with more attention to individual needs and with the care and patience required by some animals. Having regular medical care will help them have a better quality of life and could even reduce their physical pain.

A Safe Environment

By fostering a pet you will give the animal so much more than it might receive in a shelter environment. Rather than a small cage in a kennel, a foster home can provide a soft, warm home with individual attention. The overall environment of a foster home lowers the stress of most animals that come from the shelter. The surroundings are quieter with less fear energy than the shelter. This allows stressed animals to get the rest they need without having to be on guard all the time. 

Routine

The foster home will provide a more relaxed and predictable routine which can be important to a pet that has come from so much uncertainty. Fostering allows a scared or anxious animal to form a bond of trust with one familiar caretaker rather than the anonymous staff that they encounter in a shelter.

A Place to Be Themselves

Once rested and renewed in their foster home, a pet’s true personality begins to emerge. Their caregiver can learn about their likes and dislikes, play style, and energy level creating an environment for them to grow and thrive. 

They can learn about how to behave in a home and get socialized with other family members and pets. Individual personality traits can be recognized that will help pair them with their perfect situation. For example, if a cat is not well suited to life in a family home, it can be placed in a farm-type home where it can receive care and shelter and maintain the freedom it needs. The foster caretaker is often the one that writes a pet’s adoption profile to attract just the right match.

Tailored Training

These pets can now receive care and training individually tailored to their needs, such as housetraining or leash skills, which can improve their adoptability. By fostering, you can teach an animal all of the skills they need to become a valued family pet or be matched to a job that fits its personality. 

Taking Love A Step Further

If you’re looking to see what your foster pet really loves, an animal communicator is a great way to do that! An animal communicator can help identify where the pet may be experiencing pain, what kind of food they enjoy, and what their fear triggers are. To learn more about how an animal communicator can help, schedule a free introductory call.

If you choose to foster a pet, I thank you in advance as the care and love that a foster provides can help ensure the pet lives a long, healthy life filled with fun and love!

Categories
Dog Training Dogs

Is It Ever Too Late for Dog Training?

dog training

Are you considering adopting a dog but are hesitant to adopt an older one? Adopting a dog is a big decision. As we stated in our previous blog, 6 Things to Consider Before You Adopt A Dog, there are several things you should consider when doing so. That list expands when you are looking at a more elderly dog. Adopting an older dog has several pros and cons, such as bypassing inevitable puppy behavior (pro) and knowing the dog’s personality (con). One of the things that there are many misconceptions about is whether or not you can still train an older dog. The short answer is yes! Despite the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, you can absolutely teach an older dog new responses so it is never too late for dog training. Before we dive into that, let’s get a better understanding of what dog training can entail.

Types of Dog Training

Styles of Dog Training

In another blog about needing a trainer, we discussed what might prompt someone to get a trainer, what to consider before hiring a trainer, getting input from others and how animal communication can be a resource. Now, let’s look at the different types of dog training. According to Pet Keen, there are 4 different styles of training.

  1. Positive Reinforcement. (My personal favorite). This is all about praise for good behavior.
  2. Dominance Training. With this training, you’re utilizing methods that communicate to the dog that you are the alpha and that the dog submits to you.
  3. E-collar Training. E-collars use shock, noise, or vibration to correct unwanted behaviors. 
  4. Clicker Training. This signals the dog that it’s reward time when they’ve done something good. 

Specialized Dog Training

Outside of the 4 styles of training, there are also 8 different specialized trainings. Some of these are not fit for all dogs so it’s important to hire a reputable trainer that will thoroughly discuss each. 

  1. Behavioral
  2. Tracking
  3. Obedience
  4. Therapy
  5. Agility
  6. Retrieving
  7. Service
  8. Protection

Finding the Right Dog Training

Take a moment to think about the way you learn. Do you have to write things down or do what you’re learning yourself to get it to “stick”? Humans are just like dogs in that we each learn differently so knowing how your dog learns and understanding each type of training is important. For instance, if you have a hound, tracking could be a really good way to train your dog since they are natural hunters with extra-strong sniffers. As I just demonstrated, the breed may be something to consider when choosing a type of training. The type of training you choose will also depend on things like:

  • Age – you won’t necessarily want agility training for a 14-year-old dog.
  • Health condition – if your dog has severe anxiety, you may not want it to do service training. 
  • Desired outcome – if your dog is showing undesirable behaviors that you want to diminish, you wouldn’t want to focus on therapy training. 

No matter what type of training you choose, the only time age should be a factor is if their age is directly related to a health condition or physical ability. Otherwise, age should not deter you from teaching your dog a new behavior or trick. 

Dog Training for An Aging Dog Could Be Difficult, Not Impossible

When it comes to training your dog, it is easier to teach a new response than to “un-teach” one that has already been learned. So, you can teach an old dog a new trick but it is harder to re-train a trick or behavior pattern that they have already learned.

It is much easier to teach a young dog that is open, energetic, and ready to explore. Young dogs have not had much time to learn about themselves and their environment so they don’t have predetermined responses to new experiences or commands. However, please note that you should be mindful of what you teach a young dog. They learn quickly whether you mean to teach a behavior or not.

As dogs grow and age, they gather information about their environment. They make assumptions and “download” patterns of responses based on past experiences. These “learned” responses may be correct (desired) responses from the human point of view or they may be labeled undesired or incorrect by the human. The dog does not label events and responses as “good” or “bad” as we do. They tend to learn what brings positive responses (praise, reward) and negative responses (pain). 

Their labels and our labels do not always agree. 

With all of this considered, be strategic and intentional about the way you are interacting with and training your dog and you’ll continue to strengthen your bond!

Categories
Animal Adoption

Improving Quality of Life for Your Animal Rescue: Part 2

animal rescue

The day has finally come when you bring your newly adopted animal rescue into your household. The process of creating a quality of life for your new rescue will be a day-to-day activity at first. For most pets, the basic elements that makeup “quality of life” are – sufficient food and water, protection from danger and extreme weather, companionship, occupation, sensory stimulation, and clearly defined boundaries and expectations. In order to create a good quality of life once you get your animal rescue, we’ve included some useful information to consider. 

Your First Days with Your Animal Rescue

In the first days together, try to keep things simple. Moving out of a shelter and into a whole new world can be overwhelming for most pets. Think of your pet as an alien that has just landed from an unknown world. Introduce them gently to their new world. 

Create Small Boundaries

Keep their boundaries small and their schedule relaxed. Pets don’t actually realize at first that they have landed in a new, permanent home. They may need days just to rest after the stress of the shelter.

Allow Exploration

Allow them all the time they need to explore and learn about your home and all the members of your family. 

  1. Keep socialization to a minimum in the first few days until your pet settles in.
  2. Many newly adopted pets go missing in the first few days due to fear and confusion. Allow them to settle in, relax, and bond.

Keep the Same Diet

Start out feeding them the same diet they received at the rescue. Make dietary changes gradually and watch for any signs of distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching.

Try out commands

If you have adopted a dog, try out different commands. Find out how much they have already learned. 

As Time Progresses with Your Animal Rescue

Show them Boundaries

Practice leash walking and show them the boundaries of their property. A happy pet is one that knows where the boundaries lie and what the rules are that they are expected to follow.

Consider Their History

Keep in mind that your adopted pet has come to you with a history.  They may already have developed likes and dislikes for toys, activities, food, and friends. Depending on your pet’s age, these are things that you may or may not be able to modify.  Allow them the opportunity to express their preferences and then work with them to compromise when needed to suit your lifestyle. 

  1. If your dog is a “chewer”, provide plenty of things that they ARE allowed to chew on so they don’t get into trouble chewing on your furniture. Most pets do not adapt well when told, “It’s my way or the highway.”

Learn Triggers

Discover the “triggers” that your animal rescue has brought with them from their previous experiences. These may be ‘fear’ triggers such as fear of thunderstorms or “aggression” triggers such as aggression towards other male dogs. Some pets even have “over-excitement” triggers that cause them to lose their minds when the doorbell rings. Create an environment that limits these triggers and/or consult an experienced trainer to help you and your pet overcome their past behavior triggers.

Sleeping Spots

Allow your pet the option of a few sleeping spots in your home. Pets are happier if they can choose “their” spot.  Some may choose the center of activity under the kitchen table while others want the protection of a snug, dark corner.  Let them tell you where they fit best.

Set Expectations

Gently help your new pet to understand what expectations you have for them. Help them to define a role for themselves where they can fit nicely into your household. Some pets fit best as “gentle, quiet companions”, “household guardians”, “playmates”, “exercise partners”, or even “goofy clowns”.  I find that pets generally want to fit in. Helping them to define a role that suits their personality offers more chances for positive feedback and a fulfilling place in your family. Asking a guard dog to be a couch potato just leaves everyone stressed and uncomfortable.

Match Energy

Match your pet’s activity level to their energy level. This will change throughout their lives. Discover the activities that your pet enjoys and share these together. A high-energy pet forced to live a sedentary lifestyle will not experience a high quality of life.

Enrich Their Environment

Provide environmental enrichment. No matter what type of pet you have chosen, environmental enrichment is a top priority in providing quality of life. Discover what types of toys and activities provide sensory stimulation and create curiosity for your unique pet. When animals are asked to live inside your home it is critical to create an environment for them that stimulates their brains and their sensory responses. In my home, I have created a climbing wall for my cat. He has a variety of cat trees to climb and scratch on. He has bird feeders to watch out the window and food puzzles to engage his sense of smell and his appetite along with plenty of small toys to hunt. Challenge yourself to provide experiences for your pet that feed all of his senses. Adding new toys and retiring old, stale ones is also key to keeping your pets engaged.

Pay Attention

Become familiar with your pet’s usual routine and behavior so that you can easily notice when things are not going well. Noticing subtle changes is the key to catching health and behavior issues before they become unmanageable.

Give Your Pet the Activity It Needs

Boredom and loneliness can quickly send a pet into depression or undesired behavior. Is your new pet naturally a loner or a party animal? Create playdates or other opportunities for your pet to socialize within their natural comfort zone. Forcing a shy dog to spend the day at the dog park is only asking for trouble.

In closing, the true key to creating a quality of life for your pet is to consider what they would ask for based on their individual species and personality.  Do not treat them like a human, provide what they want, not what you want. If you have doubts about their needs or questions you would like to ask, an animal communication consultation may be just what you need to create a quality, lasting relationship with your rescued pet.

Categories
Animal Adoption

Improving Quality of Life for Your Animal Rescue: Part 1

animal rescue

Deciding to adopt a pet into your family is a big commitment that can bring years of great joy. One of the critical and often overlooked parts of a successful animal rescue is planning ahead to ensure you’re providing the best quality of life. Spending time and effort to plan and prepare for your new family member can ensure that the transition into your home is a smooth and pleasant one for you and your new pet. Here are some things you want to consider that will help enhance your animal rescue’s quality of life.

Build Your Village

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. The same goes for a pet. Here are a few things to do before adoption to get your village ready.

  1. Be sure that all members of the family are on board with the decision to adopt and willing to participate in care and training.
  2. Research the animal rescue that you plan to work with. Make sure the organization is a reputable one and not a puppy mill in disguise. Get your adoption application pre-screened so you are ready when the right pet comes along.
  3. Form a relationship with the veterinary practice that you will work with. Find out a realistic estimate of the cost of annual care. Keep in mind that:
  1. Many of the initial costs might be covered by the rescue organization.
  2. Rescued pets come with an unknown health history. Consider purchasing pet insurance for your newly adopted pet to cover any unexpected health conditions. You can get a free copy of my Pet Insurance Comparison Chart below.

I have created a comparison chart containing the information that I was able to collect online from the ten companies that seemed most popular. This was the basic information available at the time I was shopping so I can’t vouch for the current accuracy. This chart is for educational purposes only. Ask Your Animals is not offering insurance advice and is not an insurance expert. Each person utilizing this information is responsible for their insurance choices and due diligence.

Please provide your information below to get the comparison emailed to you.

Consider Your Lifestyle and Prepare Appropriately

  1. Give a close examination of your current lifestyle and schedule. Make sure that you have the time and resources to devote to a new family member. 
  1. Choose the pet that fits the size of your home and yard. A very busy person with only a small apartment might be better off choosing a cat as a companion. While an avid runner might choose a large dog breed known for their stamina. When we choose a companion that does not fit, it can cause stress for the animal and for us. Many adopted pets are returned to the shelter because they were expected to fit into a household that was not well suited to their needs. Narrowing your search ahead of time helps to ensure a match made in heaven.
  2. Prepare your home for a new pet before it arrives. Consider fostering a pet before adopting one to be sure that you are ready for the commitment.

Lastly, Be Certain!

When you do get that call from the animal rescue saying, “we have a great pet for you”, take the time to revisit your list of pet requirements so that you can make a solid decision and not get carried away by a warm pair of sorrowful eyes. Considering all of this will create a great foundation for a good quality of life for you both. 

Categories
Pet Insurance Pet Resources

Navigating The Mysteries Of Pet Insurance

pet insurance for the vet
Veterinary clinic. Female doctor portrait at the animal hospital holding cute sick cat ready for veterinary examination and treatment

The decision to include pet insurance coverage in your monthly budget can be a tough one to make in this time of economic uncertainty. Yet, having pet insurance coverage can give you peace of mind and save you thousands of dollars if your family pet were to become sick or injured. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to make heartbreaking decisions each day when faced with an unexpected emergency vet visit for which they cannot pay. In fact, 31% of dog owners say they can’t afford up to $2,000 in vet bills, even if the treatment could extend or potentially save the dog’s life. How would you handle a large veterinary bill if something happened to your pet? 

Pet Insurance Can Save You Money

With the continually rising cost of care, it is worth considering a pet insurance policy. Even if you believe you have enough money to cover veterinary costs, pet insurance could still save you thousands of dollars if your pet gets sick or injured. Especially if you have multiple family pets, your out-of-pocket costs could add up considerably without insurance.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Like other types of health insurance, pet insurance can be purchased to transfer the risk of unexpected and unanticipated medical expenses that could be very expensive for the certainty of a fixed monthly premium.  

The monthly cost of pet insurance could be around $45 for your dog and $25 for your cats but these rates vary depending on:

  • The age and breed of your pet
  • The state in which you live (some companies may not cover your state)
  • The deductible you choose
  • The percent of reimbursement offered
  • The custom add-on coverages you select

How Do You Choose?

I decided to consider a pet insurance policy for my new cat after the extended and expensive illnesses of my two other aged cats. I thought choosing a policy would be relatively simple but I was wrong. It seemed that each provider offered different basic and add-on coverages with widely varying rates and I found it difficult to compare one company to the next.

When searching online I found more than a dozen companies to consider. Each company advertises its policy as “the best” but upon reading the fine print I found many hidden pitfalls. I discovered “comparison” sites that offered quick and easy quotes from many companies at once. These comparisons did prove to be helpful but were quite vague about actual coverage. I discovered that many were actually sponsored sites that didn’t honestly select the best choice for my pet but directed me to their sponsoring company. I found it frustrating that no two comparison tools selected the same company for me. Every resource I consulted directed me to a different “best option”.

My head was spinning after hours of research and comparison. I eventually settled on a middle-of-the-road type policy that had good basic coverage for a fair premium. The monthly expense won’t break the bank and I will still have to budget for my basic wellness services and my deductible but I’ll have the $10,000 in coverage in case of an accident or unexpected illness.

I have created a comparison chart containing the information that I was able to collect online from the ten companies that seemed most popular. This was the basic information available at the time I was shopping so I can’t vouch for the current accuracy. This chart is for educational purposes only. Ask Your Animals is not offering insurance advice and is not an insurance expert. Each person utilizing this information is responsible for their insurance choices and due diligence.

Please provide your information below to get the comparison emailed to you.

What Should You Look For When Choosing A Pet Insurance Company?

Although no two companies offer exactly the same coverage, this is a summary of what to expect.

  1. All plans have a deductible. You can select a level ranging from $250 to $750 annually. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium. Read the fine print to see if they are offering an annual deductible or a “per incident” deductible.
  2. Reimbursement for covered expenses ranges from 70% to 100%. The higher reimbursement rates will also increase your premium. 
  3. Some companies offer a discount or bonus for your initial sign-up.
  4. Look carefully for enrollment fees. These can be up to $35 for your first month.
  5. Most plans have a waiting period before coverage begins. The average was around 14 days. Dog owners beware, there could be up to 12 months wait period for coverage of ACL repair.
  6. Plans usually carry an annual limit on coverage. This can be a deal breaker. Don’t pay a $20 premium for a policy that will max out at $5,000 when you can get $10,000 coverage for the same price. One visit to the emergency vet clinic can easily exceed $5,000. Some policies offer unlimited annual limits so check the fine print.
  7. Find out if you are required to take your pet for an annual vet exam in order to keep your policy in force.
  8. Keep your eyes open for upper age limits on coverage and lifetime maximum limits. Read carefully for the limits such as “annual limit”, “per-incident”, and “lifetime maximum”
  9. Find out if the policy pays for actual expenses for an illness or if the coverage is limited by a predetermined “benefit schedule” that caps coverage at a fixed price regardless of complications that arise or additional treatments needed to resolve the condition.
  10. Most companies cover dogs and cats but very few cover exotics or other small animals such as rabbits and birds.
  11. It would be helpful if insurance were to cover preventive healthcare such as routine dental cleaning but, like human healthcare, they focus on only the illness. An annual dental cleaning is an important part of any pet’s wellness plan and including this can prevent problems down the road. Most companies do not cover routine dental cleaning and some even exclude dental illnesses such as gum disease.
  12. Most companies will require you to pay your vet for all services upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Only a few policies will reimburse the vet directly.
  13. A few companies now offer an app that speeds the process of filing claims and offers vet chat services 24/7.
  14. Narrow down your choices and get a quote specific to your pet’s needs from various providers. Make sure they provide a “Sample Policy” for your state so you can review the fine print before signing.

Most plans will cover:

  • Accidental injury
  • Surgery
  • Diagnosis and treatment of illness
  • Chronic disease 
  • Hereditary or congenital conditions
  • Cancer treatment
  • Prescription medication
  • Dental injury (broken tooth)

Most plans will exclude:

  • All plans exclude pre-existing conditions
  • Elective procedures including spaying/neutering
  • Routine or preventive care
  • Wellness exams
  • Routine dental cleaning. Some exclude dental diseases 
  • Pet supplies or supplements
  • Prescription food
  • Flea and tick treatments
  • Vaccinations
  • Vet exam fees
  • End-of-life expenses including euthanasia

Some policies will offer add-on coverage for:

  • Alternative treatments such as acupuncture
  • Vet exam fees
  • Behavior modification
  • Spay/neuter
  • Physical therapy and rehab

These policy add-ons can greatly expand coverage, particularly for routine and wellness care. I found that this coverage comes at a very high price. In some cases, the annual add-on premium was even higher than the average out-of-pocket expense it covers. One company’s Optional Wellness Package more than doubled the original monthly premium. Please be careful to evaluate your expected annual out-of-pocket costs and consider putting the money aside in your savings account rather than purchasing the policy add-on.

Read The Fine Print

All companies do a lovely job of presenting a bright and attractive (and sometimes misleading) sales page with a summary of their coverages. None of them engage in full disclosure upfront. Before purchasing any policy, read the sample contract that details all of the conditions, exclusions, and fine print of their contract.

Dog owners should be particularly careful to read the coverage details for hip dysplasia or surgical repair of an ACL tear. Some companies exclude coverage while others require a 12-month wait period for coverage to begin. This surgery can cost up to $7,000 per knee and a double repair would max out your $10K annual limit.

Only a few companies offer coverage for vet exam fees. This can come as a surprise when you receive a vet bill for $300 and $170 of it is the exam fee. Only the remaining $130 would qualify for insurance reimbursement and then only after you have met your deductible.

In Conclusion

Each family needs to evaluate the expected annual costs of keeping their family pets healthy. No two families have the same needs. Choose a plan that balances the coverage you need with the cost of the premium. Make a budget to cover not only your premiums but the other routine out-of-pocket expenses such as annual vaccines, fleas and tick preventative, dental care, vet exam fees, your annual deductible, and the 10-30% of expenses not covered by your insurance reimbursement. 

Ask the front desk staff at your vet’s office to help you by preparing estimates for routine expenses. Planning ahead and following your budget can save you from taking on long-term debt when surprise expenses arise. After all, the joy and love that our pets bring to our lives is priceless

Categories
Animal Health Horses

Pain Signals from a “Sound” Horse

pain

Have you ever looked at your horse and just had a “gut feeling” that something was off? How do you determine if that feeling is accurate? How does any horse owner know what is motivating their horses’ “bad behavior”? Is it pain? An illness? A general unhappiness about their environment? The trainer may say that it is poor work ethic, rider error, or just plain naughtiness. The vet may not see any obvious lameness and declare the horse to be sound. Yet, the gut feeling still persists, but where do you look for answers?

Through my 40+ years as a horse owner, equestrian, and equine sports therapist, I have not only experienced it for myself, but I have heard some version of this sad and frustrating story time and time again. I have watched so many of my friends and clients navigate the unexplained behaviors of their beloved horses. The story often sounds like this:

The months go by and I feel the joy has gone from riding. I look at my equine friend and partner and see a dull and listless gaze. I can see he is not happy. I remember the days of laughter, hard work, and accomplishment when we felt powerful together, fit, strong, and forward. The strides felt long and light as we covered the ground, the wind in our hair. Today we trot forward with a stiff feeling back, short strides, and no energy to push on. His ears are back, his tail swishes, and he chomps the bit and stumbles frequently. If I ask for more, we end up in a struggle. He has no more to give. I know in my heart that this is not “bad behavior” or a “poor work ethic”. This is not the result of “poor riding”. This is not the natural state of my beloved horse. 

All of the stories sound similar. 

“I know something is wrong with my horse but I can’t find the cause.”

“This is not his usual behavior.”

“I know when he is happy and well and this is not it.”

“He is ‘off’ but no one else can see it.”

“My trainer says to push harder, my horse is just being naughty.”

“I have tried everything, massage, acupuncture, Magna Wave, chiropractic, saddle fitter. Everything helps but only temporarily. He is still ‘off’ and reluctant to work.”

So WHAT IS IT? It’s PAIN.

These behaviors are often the early signs of musculoskeletal pain that appear before a lameness can be detected.  

Our horses are strong and brave. They work hard for us and try to meet our expectations. They push through the pain. They push and push, doing their jobs despite the pain in their body. They move differently and act differently while they compensate for the pain and continue to work. They work until they no longer can. By the time we detect an obvious head-bobbing lameness, it may be too late to help.

Sadly, our equestrian culture has developed a deaf ear to their pain. We have somehow lost the open dialogue that says, “Hey, my friend, what’s up? You feel a little off today. You’re not yourself. I can feel your back is stiff. Do you need another day of recovery? Maybe some stretching?” 

Horses are generally very honest creatures. They don’t try to trick us into giving them a day off. When they are feeling playful and full of energy, they let us know. When they are in pain and honestly unable to perform they also let us know. They communicate with the same body language they use in the herd; stance, posture, facial expression, and willingness to move. 

We Need To Trust Our Horses

We, as equestrians, need to practice our listening skills. Listen with our gut and watch with our eyes. If your horse is telling you he is “not himself”, trust him!

When we don’t trust, the frustration is real, painful, and expensive. These are statements I often hear from clients when they are searching for answers in the wrong places.

“My vet can’t see a head bobbing lameness, writes a prescription, and sends an invoice.”

“My trainer pressures me to continue training and competition despite my concern.”

“My horse is losing weight and muscle tone even though he is working regularly. I buy more supplements and treatments for ulcers.”

“I take time off to let him rest…..get radiographs…..try some shockwave….get a second opinion…..how about some joint injections….and still he is acting out under saddle.”

“I bought a new custom saddle and the latest magic pad. Still he bucks.”

Help To Identify Pain is Available

Sue Dyson, VetMB, Ph.D., a world-renowned expert in equine orthopedics, with a particular interest in lameness and poor performance in sports horses, has developed a tool that I hope will change the way we judge horse behavior. Her tool “The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE)”, developed through years of studying behavior in the ridden horse, teaches horse owners, trainers, and medical practitioners a new way of qualifying a horse’s behavior to determine if the horse is experiencing musculoskeletal pain.

An Ethogram is a catalog or table of animal behaviors used to qualify normal vs. abnormal behaviors. You can download this table related to the Ethogram to keep for your reference. When used as a diagnostic tool, this Ethogram can help horse owners to identify and treat pain before the condition progresses and perhaps ends the horses’ riding career. An in-depth application of the Ethogram by NIH is detailed in this study.

The technique for evaluating a horse using the Ethogram can be seen in detail in Dr. Dyson’s film The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain. I believe this film is a MUST-WATCH for all horse owners. It is 35 minutes which could be the best investment in your horse’s wellness plan.

A General Synopsis of The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain

The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain is a film that dares to challenge the way we look at “badly behaving” horses, and promotes the notion that lameness doesn’t start at the head bob. Through a six-phase study, spanning three years, and over 400 horses, Dr. Dyson, and colleagues developed The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), a tool to reliably predict lameness before the condition worsens into limping and other obvious signs of injuries. The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is a catalog of 24 behaviors, which scientific studies have demonstrated can be associated with pain in the ridden horse. The majority of these behaviors are at least ten times more likely to be seen in lame horses compared with non-lame horses. 

The film follows Dr. Dyson and Dr. Jim Myers of Gold Coast Equine, as they examine and diagnose show jumper Lauren McMahon’s beloved mare Galina, who was not obviously lame, yet seemed increasingly unhappy under saddle. Lauren had “tried everything” to figure out what was wrong, including ulcer treatments, multiple joint injections, and specialized shoeing but Galina only became more resistant under saddle. Galina’s story is not uncommon for horses that do not present with an obvious head bobbing lameness. Oftentimes these are horses that get labeled as “resistant,” “lazy,” and horses that buck or rear from pain, “explosive.” Trainers often tell riders to “push them through it.” 

It also educates horse lovers on how to spot the early signs of pain while taking viewers on an emotional “ride” through the eyes of a young girl who loves her horse and will stop at nothing to try to figure out how to make her comfortable.

Dr. Dyson’s research was further explained in an article published recently in Equus Magazine. An excerpt from the article explains:

“Undiagnosed lameness has a far-reaching impact on the lives of horses and their riders, says Sue Dyson, VetMB, Ph.D. “One of the reasons I was incentivized to develop an RHpE was I had become so dispirited by seeing so many horses who clearly had pain-related problems that had been ignored for far too long,” she explains. “The horse, the rider, the training technique were being blamed over and over again. Coercive training techniques were being used. Longer whips, spurs, tighter nosebands, and ‘stronger’ bits were being employed. Moreover, veterinarians did not understand what they were looking at either—if an enlightened owner sought advice, and there was no obvious lameness seen in hand, they were told that the horse had behavioral problems.”

Learn more about Dr. Dyson’s Train with Trust Project.

I hope that you will join me in continuing the conversation with our horses, giving them the opportunity to express their needs through behavior and building trust for a pain-free partnership.

Reference: The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness by Padmavideo

Categories
Pet Resources

The Pet Gift Guide – Part 2

gift

Now that we know what to consider when purchasing a pet gift, let’s dive into some great gifts for the two most popular pets – dogs and cats. According to World Atlas and to no surprise, the two most popular animals owned as pets in the US are:

  1. Dogs – 48,255,413 households own a dog
  2. Cats – 31,896,077 households own a cat

Gifts for Dogs

  1. The Kong Wubba – These durable, inexpensive toys are great for any dog. Kong offers a wide variety of toys in small to extra-large sizes. They also have different kinds to satisfy different playstyles, which is our top consideration in Part 1 of our Pet Gift Guide.
  2. Chuckit!’s Breathe Right ball – These fetch balls are great for many reasons! They’re hollow so you can put treats in them, they allow airflow which helps dogs with breathing problems, and they float in water. 
  3. Bob-A-Lot – With this toy, you can do so many things at once. Your dog will get exercise while getting fed and will be entertained. It’s a great gift for when you’re busy working from home, entertaining company, or even away for a few hours.
  4. A BarkBox subscription – How cool would it be to get a surprise box every month for you and your dog? You get the excitement of opening it and your dog gets the excitement of playing with them. Boxes start at just $23 a month and your first box includes 4 toys, 4 treats, and 2 chews.

Gifts for Cats

  1. Eco-Kitty Comet – This is great for individual entertainment or for the two of you to play with together and is made of natural materials.
  2. Cork Cat Balls – These eco-friendly toys are great for a game of chase. They’ll keep your cat entertained for hours and
  3. Cat trees or condos – If you have more than one cat, cat trees and condos are an excellent choice! Most of them typically have multiple stations for play and rest.
  4. Robotic Toy – No matter what you’re tied up doing, you can give your cat all the entertainment they need. These robotic toys have a bird, mouse, and feather attachments that you can set and let go for your cat to play with.

A Gift for Any Animal

Regardless of what kind of pet you have, hiring an animal communicator is the perfect gift! Animal communicators can help you have an even more satisfying relationship with your pet and give them a better quality of life. To learn more about what an animal communicator is, read our recent blog.

No matter what gift you give your pet, I hope you have a joyous holiday season!

Categories
Pet Resources

The Pet Gift Guide – Part 1

pet

‘Tis the season! We’re just a few weeks away from Christmas and that means gift-giving galore for many of us. If you’re like me, your pets are your children, so you treat them as such and find so much happiness in giving them something that brings them joy.

How do you determine what to give your pets, though? They can’t write a list to Santa or tell you all the things they want when you walk through the mall. While we can’t get our pets to tell us the exact thing that they want, we can communicate with them to understand their likes and dislikes by working with an animal communicator. If you don’t currently have an animal communicator, here are a few things you may want to consider when buying a gift for your pet.

  1. Playstyle – First and foremost, I consider the pet’s play style. Some pets are happy to play alone, chewing on a bone or chasing a ball around the yard. Others get bored very quickly if left to entertain themselves and prefer to have a playmate for a vigorous game of tug-of-war. Are they high energy, preferring to run like a maniac? Or do they have a more sedate playstyle, lounging around for hours with a stuffed squeaky toy? Take a moment to notice which toys and activities your pet chooses on his own. Then select gifts that fit their particular playstyle.
  1. Engagement and enrichment – Most animals prefer gifts that engage their senses. Food treats are often at the top of their list as they engage the senses of sight, smell and taste all at once. What captures your pet’s attention – is it a bird quickly flitting past the window? Or the scent of bacon in the air? Perhaps it is sound that captures their attention. Or two senses combined, like texture and smell, that engage your pet. 

I use homemade puzzle games to engage my smart cat. Dropping small treats into a puzzle maze made from cardboard gives him the chance to use his sense of smell and sight to locate the treat. This also satisfies his urge to hunt by chasing and catching the treat. How can you challenge your pet mentally and physically to engage them in a satisfying game? To further alleviate boredom for my cat, I fill a few small treat puzzles and hide them around the house for the cat to hunt while I’m away or occupied. A Kong or puzzle works well for dogs in a similar way.

  1. Toy safety – This is high on my list of priorities. If your dog is a chewer, make sure that the gift cannot be chewed up into small pieces and swallowed. In fact, many emergency surgeries are performed around the holidays because chewers swallow even large objects. Check all toys for small pieces, such as plastic eyes, that can easily be pulled off. Or strings that could cause a strangulation hazard. If you have multiple pets in your household be sure that the cat toy is not a hazard for the dog and vice versa. Research where the gift is made and out of what material.  Some items from overseas have been known to contain harmful, toxic ingredients. I like to select gifts made in the USA whenever possible.
  2. Eco-friendly materials – When there is a choice, I always prefer to give gifts that are made and packaged with eco-friendly materials. This can be tough to do these days as so many items are made out of plastic and packaged that way as well. When I visit a pet store, I see lifetimes of plastic pet toys filling our landfills. It takes more effort to find but, there are eco-friendly pet gifts available. Perhaps a cotton sweater for your little pup or a catnip mouse made from natural wool fibers. Handmade gifts are always a great idea as you can make them yourself or find them on Etsy. Most cats are just as happy with a homemade cardboard toy as an expensive plastic one. When your pet tires of last year’s toys, please consider recycling, regifting or donating them rather than sending them to the landfill. 
  3. Longevity – When it comes to pet toys, longevity is less of an issue. Pets tend to get bored with most toys long before the object wears out. These days it can also be an issue of simply too many toys to choose from. Remember that less is more. A good strategy is to take away half of the available toys. Clean and store them away to be reintroduced as “new” at a later date. Or set up a toy exchange with some of your friends. Our pets don’t care if the gifts are new or used. Let them thoroughly enjoy a few toys then cycle them away as you bring out another batch that then receives fresh interest. If there is no fresh interest from your pet, it is probably time to donate that toy to a local shelter or rescue.
  4. The gift that keeps giving – The joy I find in giving does not extend only to my own pets but also to the beloved pets of those that have less to give. For each pet gift you purchase this holiday season, please consider donating one to a local organization that provides pet food or gifts to families in need.  

Now that you know what to consider when purchasing a pet gift, read part 2 to see what toys are trending this holiday season! Remember that no matter what you get, your pet’s favorite thing will be your time and attention. So be sure to give extra love this holiday season.

Wishing you, your family, and your pets a season filled with your favorite gifts!

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
Schedule Now

Newsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive inspiration, deals, and pet tips, straight to your inbox.