There’s a bit of tail wagging going on in the Orlando and Central Florida area, thanks to a new pet insurance company that is offering better coverage than many other pet insurance companies in Central Florida. They are able to do this because all of the pets they insure live in Orlando and Central Florida and so the level of risk is similar for all pets.

With the uncertainties eliminated Trupanion has decided to offer significantly higher coverage, therefore it is certainly a pet insurance provider in the Orlando and Central Florida areas that should be looked at. Of course there are plenty of pet insurance companies, so do shop around for the best pet insurance for your pet.

Choosing pet insurance can be a bit intimidating. The key is to find the best deductible and the best coverage, for the lowest price. These six tips will show you how to do that.

1. Find out whether your breed is predisposed to certain conditions. Then find out if the pet insurance covers those conditions and what amount of coverage they provide.
2. Find out if they cover pre-existing conditions or hereditary conditions, and what amount of insurance they offer in these situations.
3. Look deeper than the agency you are purchasing the pet insurance from. Look at the underwriter who underwrites the policies and see what their “Best Rating” is; because this will give you an idea of their financial stability.
4. Find out whether there are any stipulations pertaining to which veterinarian you can see, and how they pay out claims. Do you pay first and then submit, or do they pay directly.
5. Find out if there are caps per year, per ailment, or incident. If you don’t find out in advance you could find yourself with inadequate coverage when you need it most.
6.  Online insurance reviews are a great way to find out about various pet insurance providers. Find out things like how fast they pay out on claims, their high denial rate, and a host of other information that will help you to choose the right insurance plan for you and your pet.

Our pets are part of our family. Just as you wouldn’t be without health insurance for your two legged family, you shouldn’t be without health insurance for your dogs or cats either.

Originally posted 2010-04-01 04:21:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Cats can be taught many tricks, but unfortunately your cat’s personality may make the task a little more challenging. The most obvious tasks that a cat can learn are litter and toilet training, using a cat door, learning not to scratch the furniture, to play nicely, and to not hang from the drapes.

Dogs can be taught all manner and means of helpful commands and tricks. Basic commands such as sit, stay, heel, come, along with basic house training are the very minimum that any dog should be taught. When it comes to dogs, the sky is pretty much the limit with what you would like to impart.

Rabbits can be house trained, and can also be trained to enter their hutch on command, and to come when their name is called. Rabbits respond to food training.

Birds, and parrots in particular, can be taught to feed from a hand, walk up an arm or hand (known as to “step up”), not to bite, and to say many words and phrases. Parrots require time and patience. Once your parrot has learned a new command you will need to keep reiterating it daily, forever. Parrots and birds respond well to praise and food treats when they are being trained.

Rats can be trained to use a litter tray, come when called by name, clap their paws, and jump, to mention just a few. Rats will respond well to food treats and also to clicker training.

Fish can be trained to perform all sorts of party tricks including swimming through hoops and playing underwater soccer.

Pet Training Techniques.

All pet training techniques are based on a reward system which eventually allow your pet to know that what he is doing is correct and making you happy. Pet training requires plenty of time and patience. Whenever you see your pet is tiring of the game or losing their concentration it is time to wrap the session up on a positive note. Once your pet has learned his new command or party trick, you will need to keep practicing for reinforcement.

The reward system of training will work well with pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, and even birds. For dogs and cats, the rewards can be praise, hugs and cuddles, pats, or food treats. Rats, birds, and rabbits will learn best with food rewards for extra motivation. Basically the reward system works by giving your pet a treat every time they get the command correct when you first start out. After a while, you can quit rewarding them every time and just randomly reward, or move onto verbal praise, pats and hugs.

* The clicker training system is based upon the reward system but incorporates a clicking noise that your pet will learn to associate with rewards and treats. The benefit of a clicker is that it is not a verbal command and everyone in the household can use the clicker with the same end result. The disadvantage of a clicker is that it ties up one hand.

When clicker training your pet you will first have to teach your pet to associate the clicker with good behaviors and immediate rewards. This can be achieved by clicking when you see your pet doing something good and immediately rewarding him with food. Pretty soon your pet will understand that the clicking noise means a tasty reward. At this point effective pet training can commence. So when your pet does as you ask you will click, and then immediately produce the goodies.

It is possible to train many domestic pets to perform basic housekeeping chores and party tricks, through to more complicated activities. Time, patience and rewards, along with an understanding of your pet’s basic potential will make for effective pet training.

Originally posted 2009-09-10 12:10:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pet vaccinations serve the same purpose as pediatric vaccinations: They help build immunity. Once built however, the question for pets is: How often should vaccinations be given once said pet reaches adulthood?

The First Year
For puppies and kittens, vaccinations are a must. Starting at six weeks, through a pet’s first year, vet checkups should be routinely scheduled. Afterwards, annual visits are sufficient; and for shots, the occurrence can be anywhere from 1 to 3 years.

For puppies, the standard vaccinations are:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Parvovirus
• Bordetalla (kennel cough)

For kittens, you’ll want to make sure they get protected from:

• Rabies
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus (FVRCP/C)
• Distemper
• Feline leukemia

As for when these vaccinations should be administered, the following schedule will give you an idea of how often a puppy or kitten must go to the Vet. In addition to vaccinations, de-worming is always part of the process as well.

For puppies:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, measles, parainfluenza (bordatella)
• 10-12 weeks: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
• 12-24 weeks: Rabies
• 14-15 weeks: DHPP (2nd)
• 12-16 months: Rabies (follow-up) and DHPP (3rd)

For kittens:

• 6-8 weeks: FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia)
• 12 weeks: FVRCP (2nd), FeLV (feline leukemia virus)
• 14 weeks: FeLV (2nd)
• 16 weeks: FVRCP (3rd), rabies
• 12-18 months and thereon: FVRCP (yearly), FeLV (yearly), rabies (as required)

Adulthood
Once puppies become dogs and kittens become cats, the frequency of vaccinations is something that owners should discuss with their vets. How often do pets need to be vaccinated? Aside from the rabies shot, which is mandated by law, the other vaccines might be waived.

Is it possible to over-vaccinate?  Such is the controversy. For example, cancerous tumors have been known to develop near the sites of vaccinations. The argument for regular vaccinations however is that they are preventatives. Certainly this is the main “pro.”

The debate for and against yearly vaccinations surfaced in 1998 when the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommended that certain vaccines could be administered every 3 years instead of annually. The door was thus opened for further consideration – for both cats and dogs.

Today, yearly checkups are prescribed for all pets. However, pet vaccinations are given less frequently (with the exception of the rabies shot). In general, most veterinarians will recommend these vaccinations every 3 years:

• For dogs: Distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza virus
• For cats: Panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus

Too Strong?
If concerned, also ask your vet how strong the vaccine is. Another concern for pet owners and many in the Central Florida veterinarian community is that the pet vaccines have become stronger in order to cover the gap between shots.

One solution pet owners may not be aware of is the “titers test,” which can determine the amount of antibodies present in your pet. Consequently, it can tell you if your pet needs more vaccine. An obstacle however is that a “titers test” costs $100 to $200, which is more than triple what a pet vaccination would cost.

Pet owners however should look at the bigger picture and realize that over-vaccination is a risk. And, it’s a big one. As always, consult your Central Florida vet with your questions and concerns.

Originally posted 2010-01-15 08:00:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ever since the nationwide pet-food recall of 2007, there’s been an ever-increasing trend towards natural and holistic pet foods. The kind of pet food made from natural ingredients – with few (if any) artificial additives.

Pet owners are beginning to realize the importance of higher-quality foods for their pet. What’s more, nutritional supplements and exercise regimens have also come to the forefront of pet health. These days, pet owners simply want to find the best way to protect their furry, scaly, finned, and feathered friends.

Natural Pet Food
“Natural” pet food has emerged as the first line of defense in pet health. The 2007 recall was an emotional wakeup for pet owners. Many pet owners have reacted by choosing to buy only natural foods for their pets. This shift in consumer demand has consequently created space for new local businesses specializing in such brands.

Many pet stores in Central Florida offer a varied selection of natural brands, including California Natural, Innova, and Innova EVO. Many traditional pet stores in Central Florida as well as online pet stores such as J’adore My Pet offer store-to-door delivery or package deals on health supplements and specialized holistic natural pet food – perfect for owners on the go.

Did You Know: Treats can be healthy too! Many pet boutiques such as J’adore My Pet and other traditional brick and mortar businesses offer various packaged treats for your pooch, along with all-natural “cookies” made with human-grade ingredients like apple, banana, carob, and cinnamon.

Nutritional Supplements for your Pet
There has also been an increased interest in pet nutritional supplements. Owners today wonder if their pets are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their diets. For ailments such as muscle aches and joint pains, many pet owners have considered holistic treatments.  For example, glucosamine for dogs and condroitin for cats, are two of the most popular pain-relief supplements on the market today.

This being said, remember that when it comes to supplements, it’s imperative you consult your pet’s veterinarian first. Every pet is special and unique. Ask your Central Florida vet specifically about possible side effects, medication combinations, and what the alternatives are. What’s more, check with the FDA first to learn of any adverse effects and go into your vet visit prepared.

Exercise
As for exercise, dogs of course need their walks. Even small dogs should have room to roam – a luxury not all living spaces can provide. The answer? Dog-walking services, which have seen a boom in business over the last few years, is a great resource for the busy pet owner. Indeed, while discretionary spending has gone down because of the economy, certain aspects of pet ownership, such as food and health-related perks, have sustained their growth. Why? Simply because pet owners realize that the benefits outweigh the cost.

And while dogs will lap up a walk with their designated dog walker, nothing can compare to spending time with you. Fortunately, Orlando and Central Florida have several dog parks made for such occasions. Orlando dog parks include: Doctor Phillips Dog Park, Downey Dog Park, Barber Dog Park, and Meadow Woods Dog Park. And for the surrounding areas, look no further than Hound Ground in Winter Springs, Mount D.O.R.A. Dog Park in Mount Dora, Gemini Springs Dog Park in DeBary, and several others throughout Central Florida.

As a treat take your dog to one of these parks for a morning or afternoon run, hike, or game of tag. Remember: every time your dog works out, so do you. You’re both the better for it.

Originally posted 2009-12-15 08:00:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter