As pet owners we are always striving for ways to keep our pets healthy.

We are concerned about the effects of the environment on ourselves, but we seldom think of the effects this same environment has on our pets.

Believe it or not the same chemical pollution that is in the air and water, the toxic wastes, smoking, dangers of certain foods and just the stress of living has an effect on our pets.

Dogs in general are more affected, as they seem to relate more to their humans than cats.

Cats as a general rule have the ability to remove themselves from most stress simply by finding a nice quiet place to take a nap.

Our pets seem to be coming down with many of the same illnesses that we have, heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, kidney problems, liver problems and many more.

Why? You wonder!

Could it be we are subjecting them to an “unnatural way” to live?

We feed them food filled with artificial ingredients, we have taken away their ability to play and hunt in natural surroundings and we have bred them in ways that some have become unhealthy genetic misfits.

We expect them in many ways to behave as little people.

They are subjected to the same medical treatment we are. If our pets are sick instead of a veterinarian taking the time to find the cause and prescribe a cure, they offer a pill instead. The pill causes the problem to subside for a while; and when the pill taking stops, the problem generally rears its ugly head once again and sometimes creates more problems.

Pills and antibiotics have saved many lives both in our pet world and naturally in our human world. The problem is antibiotics not only kill the “bad guys” they kill the friendly bacteria that are the “good guys.”

We keep hearing about preventative medicine and yes, we are all in agreement with it, but are we willing to put forth the effort to provide it for our pets?

Hippocrates, 2,500 years ago was said to have told his students, “Let thy food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food.”

It seems that nutrition is of the primary importance here.

As humans we have a faint idea of what proper nutrition is for us, but do we ever really give any thought to proper nutrition for our pets?

What is proper nutrition?

It is said to be a combination of things that provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, fatty acids, amino acids, friendly bacteria, and digestive juices to our bodies.

Do you find this in our commercially prepared pet food?

Truthfully no!

The pet food companies promise us incredible health benefits if we feed our pets their food.

No matter how much they say their food is “100% complete and balanced” it is not. Do you know what the most profitable aisle in the grocery store is? The pet food aisle!

The pet food industry is an over 5 billion dollar market. Yes, that is a “B” for billion.

Do you also realize that over 40% of the ailments treated by veterinarians is in some way related to food?

What can you do as a pet owner?

First of all read labels on pet food products, become aware of what is not good.

Go to the Internet and read about pet nutrition.

Talk to a holistic pet caregiver and learn what is good in the way of supplements for your pet.

Talk to your veterinarian.

Learn what herbs are good for your pet.

When our pets lived in the wild, they knew instinctively what they should eat if they were not feeling well.

Feeding the right herbs and plants to your pet is far cheaper than a drug.

For example Echinacea and garlic (kyolic) are great for fighting infection.

Blue/green algae is nutritionally great as it contains a great number of vitamins, minerals and 19 amino acids. Spirulina (a form of algae) better than animal protein as it has 85% more digestibility than beef protein. Algae helps protect the immune system against free radicals, promotes tissue repair, reducing inflammation in such diseases as arthritis, stimulates the metabolism, and aids in cell repair,

Using herbs to treat illnesses is what nature intended.

Take the time to learn more, talk to a pet health care professional they will be happy to give you advice and direction.

Do not attempt to self diagnose your pet or yourself for that matter, talk to people who know herbs and plants.

If your pet is on medication be careful as some herbs do not mix well.

Remove some of the stress from your pet’ life.

What causes stress? Poor diet, fleas, worms, over confinement and not enough attention from you, the pet parent.

Exercise is also an important part of your dog’s life. Animals need to move, run and play. Inactivity leads to poor muscle tone, obesity, heat ailment, emotional and behavioral problems and some bone disorders.

Preventive medicine need not be medicine at all, just knowing how to properly care for your pet and giving it the love and attention it deserves can be medicine enough.

We have all seen the heart wrenching ads on TV with the injured pet clinging to life and the family making the heartbreaking decision to let him go- because they can’t pay for treatment. As much as pet health insurance may seem to be a viable option for pet owners, there are certain myths and facts about it that should be dispelled. Ultimately, it should be up to the owner to decide whether or not pet health insurance is right for them.

A widely misconceived myth about pet health insurance is that they work just like human insurance policies. The fact is, unlike many common policies human individuals hold, most pet insurance policies will cover any veterinary care at any clinic throughout the nation. However, human and pet policies are alike in some ways. For example, they will cover everything from emergencies to routine check ups and vaccinations. Depending on the insurance provider you choose, you may pay a co-pay or you may not.

Many other individuals that are considering pet health insurance question whether or not it is right for them. They think that their indoor cat or dog has little chance of breaking a bone or contracting a serious disease. Unfortunately, no matter if your dog lives inside or out, they have almost a completely similar chance of getting ill or in an accident. Pet health insurance is not just for outdoor critters.

Pet owners often mistakenly wait until their pet ‘grows up’ before purchasing pet insurance. A common myth is that puppies and kittens don’t need insurance. However, young pets are just like babies and toddlers. They tend to lack coordination and can find themselves in troubling situations just as easily as grown animals. Additionally, there is often many upfront veterinary costs when you adopt a young animal. Remember that emergency pet care can be just as costly as emergency care for humans.

In the unfortunate event that your beloved pet passes away, pet insurance can be helpful in covering some of the costs of the death- just as if they were a loved human. As with human insurance, some pet insurance companies will offer assistance in paying for the cremation or burial of a pet. With so many Memorial Pet Urns and Pet Cremation urns available, you are sure to be able to keep your sweet pet’s memory alive for all time.

Regardless of the superior health or financial stability of your family, it is important to weigh all of the myths and facts about pet health insurance before deciding whether or not it is right for you.

By Natalie Aranda

Animal lovers have been saying it for years, but animals, especially pets, are people too! While this is usually meant as a joke, there are elements of truth in it. Many people consider their pet to be a member of the family, and especially for children, the companionship of a loved pet can be something they’ll remember and cherish for their whole life.

That is why there are some things that you should think about for your pet. Obviously you will want it to be happy, and you should therefore make sure that you are feeding it well, with nutritious and healthy food. This doesn’t mean going overboard and giving your dog steak every day, but there are plenty of good quality pet food brands on the market and if you choose one of these it should keep your pet happy and healthy.

Another thing you may wish to give consideration to is housing and space. Make sure you have enough space for the pet you choose. While this is a matter of personal choice, it is generally not such a great idea to have a large dog in a small apartment. If you don’t have a garden then make sure you take your dog out for a walk every day and let it get the exercise it needs. Physical exercise is very important to an animal’s well being, both mental and physical.

As far as health goes, you may wish to have you pet visit the vet for health check-ups. At least have necessary injections provided and other treatments that are recommended for the animal you have. This not only benefits the pet’s health but yours and your families also if they are in close contact with the animal. While vet costs can be very expensive, it is now possible to get pet insurance that will cover all the costs that may be incurred by vets. This is very important for your pet as many trips to the vet may not seem vital, but in fact are very important to an animal’s health and if you have insurance to cover the costs, you are far less likely to put the visit off and instead you will go and give your pet the treatment it needs.

Pet insurance is growing rapidly in popularity as people who genuinely care about their animal, but are not in a position to meet the potentially very high costs of treatment realise that they can provide everything their pet needs at an affordable monthly price.

I have four cats and I am also an animal lover in general so I am always astonished at people’s attitudes when it comes to pet health insurance for cats or any other animals. If you own cats then pet health insurance for cats is something you should seriously consider as cats, even indoor cats, are just as prone to health issues as dogs and in many cases cats may be more prone than dogs.

If you have multiple cats, which many people that own cats do, then pet health insurance for cats makes even more sense because when something affects one of your cats there is a good chance it will wind affecting all of them and if you have four like I do then that can get very expensive. So if you own cats then do yourself a favor and get some pet health insurance for cats.

When you talk to the average pet owner you get different responses when you just mention something as important as regular veterinary check ups. People will say things like “Well if there is nothing wrong with my pet then I usually don’t bother taking them to the vet” or some such nonsense. People that own pets with that sort of attitude should have their pets taken away and given to pet owners with common sense.

Pets, especially cats, have an incredibly high threshold for pain and suffering. A cat will suffer right before your eyes and you may never even know it. A cat could be suffering for years with an ailment and if you don’t take it to regular vet appointments you may never know your cat is suffering. Pet health insurance for cats can help you be a better cat owner by not only making sure you get your cat to regular appointments because they are covered by the pet health insurance for cats but you can now afford any procedures and medications your cat may need because you pay that small fee per month for coverage.

Love ‘Em Or Hate ‘Em The World Has Lots Of Cats

Being a cat lover I could never understand people that hate cats and even like to torture and abuse cats. If you ever see a cat in that situation do the humane thing and rescue it and then do the decent thing and punch the offending human in the face. But you never know what will happen to your cat as it wanders the world in the case of an outdoor cat or as it wanders your house in the case of an indoor cat. Whatever may happen you are ready to care for your cat if you have pet health insurance for cats. No matter what comes up you will be prepared as any good pet owner should be.

If you own a pet-be it cat or mouse, piranha or puppy-chances are, you have your share of pet health questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Each type of pet no doubt comes with its own share of specific health-related questions that would take pages and pages to answer, but you’ll find a few of the most commonly asked health questions answered below.

Pet Health Question #1: Animals can’t talk, so how do I know when my pet is feeling ill?

While your pet may not be able to tell you in English what’s ailing them, you can learn to interpret your animal’s own language by paying attention to a few crucial signs. One of the first symptoms that something may be amiss with any animal’s health is a decline in appetite, especially in young animals. It’s very important, then, that you keep a careful eye on your pet’s food and water intake. Some pets, like older dogs, may skip meals occasionally, but if your pet refuses more than two meals or if a free-feeding pet suddenly stops eating, start monitoring for other symptoms Common symptoms of illness include a marked decrease in normal activity, a sudden decline in self-grooming, anti socialness, an unusual loss of fur/feathers/skin resulting in sores and/or bald patches, diarrhea, markedly increased water intake, watery or mucous-y eyes and nose, pale gums, and dehydration. Check for dehydration by performing a simple skin elasticity test. Find a spot on your pet’s body where the skin is normally tight (so, not the scruff of the neck) and pinch/lift a small amount. If the skin does not spring back immediately, dehydration may be a problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your vet While most illness aren’t serious at their onset, they can very quickly become serious, especially in very young or very old animals.

Pet Health Question #2: What steps can I take to ensure my pet’s good health?

Above all, you must know your pet, inside and out, physically and emotionally. Learn about your pet’s basic physical makeup so that you can pinpoint where problems might be originating. Also make a point of getting to know your pet’s personality and normal behaviors by spending a time with them. Grooming is a great way to bond with your pet, as you’ll get to know what’s normal for your pet’s body and what’s not. As you groom your companion, check for any unusual lumps, abrasions, or changes in skin condition, such as sudden dandruff or yellowing. Of course, preventing illness in the first place should be your goal. Offer your pet every chance to to stay as healthy as possible by feeding him or her a proper, species-specific diet of quality food, making sure your pet’s exercise requirements are met, going for annual vet check-ups, and guaranteeing that your companion is well-protected from the elements, predators, and other dangers of the outside world. Among these dangers are easily preventable, but extremely deadly diseases and parasites. Depending on the type of animal you own, you may need to have your pet vaccinated annually and have your veterinarian place them on a parasite prevention program to ward off worms, fleas, and West Nile virus.

Pet Health Question #3: Help I think my pet is sick, and I have no idea what to do

Your first task is to NOT panic. Pets are very perceptive of human moods, so if you’re panicking, chances are, they might panic too. Your second task is to assess the situation. If your pet has ingested a chemical or other foreign substance, is bleeding heavily, choking or gasping for breath, making pained noises, or is lying down and won’t or is unable to stand, you’ll need to call a veterinarian immediately. All vets have after-hours emergency numbers to call, and many cities now have 24-hour animal hospitals. Always keep your vet’s regular and emergency numbers in a handy place such as the refrigerator for instances like these. If it doesn’t seem to be an emergency, you’ll want to spend a few moments preparing a list of symptoms and asking yourself some questions so that you can tell the veterinarian as much as possible when you call to make an appointment.

What are your pet’s symptoms? When did the symptoms start? Has your pet taken any water or food since the symptoms began? If your pet becomes ill after normal veterinary hours, but the situation doesn’t seem to warrant a trip to the emergency clinic, then try to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. Offer a heat lamp, heating pad, hot water bottle, or blanket, but do not force them onto or under it. Does your pet want to hide? Let them, but monitor their condition regularly, even through the night. Bring outdoor pets inside, do not force your pet to eat or drink if they don’t want to, and do not wake them up if they wish to sleep. If symptoms seem to worsen, don’t hesitate to make an emergency call. That’s what your veterinarian is for-to assist you no matter what.

Hopefully, you’ve just had some of your pet care health questions answered. Keeping yourself informed and prepared is one of your obligations as a pet owner, so read up on the health needs of your specific type of pet and ask your veterinarian should you have any further pet health questions. Knowledge is the best defense and medicine when it comes to your beloved pet companions

By Barry Mcgee

Most dog owners in America have not arranged for pet health insurance, and I’m not quite sure why. We all know just how important it is to have health insurance; so it makes sense that we should consider veterinary pet insurance to protect our pets.

It may at first look like just another regular expense; that is until dog owners are face to face with the expensive vet bills after their pet has an accident or gets sick. With everything around us is costing more and more money everyday, it is not surprising that vet fees have also risen as well; of course the knock-on effect has been a rise in pet insurance premiums. That being said, policies are much more affordable than you might expect.

The rising cost of medicine is one point to consider but is there any others to consider? Unfortunately, animals become sick from time to time or are involved in an accident. This can happen at any time and usually does when you can least afford it!

If this situation should occur, sometimes unfortunate choices have to be made; you know that treating your animal will place financial strain on you.

Keeping your dog healthy is a large financial responsibility; when money problems occur, temporary or otherwise, this causes further worries. Been there, done that. The worst of it is when you realized you had an opportunity to make a different decision that would have changed it all.

Don’t let it get to that point. Both you and your dog deserve that much, in the very least.

If you love your dog, it should have the best treatment you can afford; owners with pet insurance do not have these concerns because they have whatever treatment they need. A pet health insurance plan does not have cost the earth; for around 20-40 dollars per month cost of medical care is assured. Make sure you research the companies well before making a decision. You want to fully understand what is and what is not covered. You don’t want to discover that in an emergency situation. This is for piece of mind, not to create more questions.

Some dog insurance providers can arrange pet health care policies to meet certain needs; perhaps to incorporate more than one pet on the same plan. If you are a dog owner then perhaps this article has given you something to think about. And with a bit of luck this information will have convinced you of the importance of becoming educated on having your pet protected.