pet health

People are becoming more curious about the best pet health insurance. This is more true for those who treat their pets as family. And as you go about pet ownership, you will realize how expensive it can be to have you furry companions go through a periodic medical check up to ensure that they are at the top of their health all the time.

Once you start searching for the insurance companies, you will notice that you have so many to choose from. But do not take anything just because it seems to offer the best plans. You must do further research to be sure that you are getting into the real deal. Think about your pets. What do you think will be best for them?

And do not forget the most important rule when you are on the process of finding the right policy for your pet, ask questions. The process is similar to the steps you take when you avail insurance policies for yourself. You must choose the one that will be all worth it in the end. You must feel secure that your policy will take care of you if anything happens all of a sudden like an accident or certain illnesses.

Your role in determining what insurance will work best for your pets is to ask the right questions. If you have no idea on how to go about it, you can start with these selections.

1. Can I avail the service of my chosen vet? Different companies will have different answers to this one depending on their rules and the policy that you will be getting. It is important to know at first hand that when an accident happen, you can bring your pet to the nearest vet and not worry about if they are affiliated with the insurance company or not. But if it is okay with you that the company has a list of service providers, then you must get a copy of that list. This way, you will know where to run once an unexpected incident happen to you pet.

2. Do I need to get a comprehensive plan or a discount insurance plan? This will very much depend on your budget. The comprehensive insurance plan works more like the health insurance of humans. Whereas a discount plan will require you to pay annual fees and you will only avail of discount services with regards to pets and other related examinations.

3. Is there any exclusion to the plan? The answer to this will depend on the insurance company. But the most common exclusions include pre-existing health conditions as well as hereditary defects of your pets. So you have to tell them the exact situation of your furry friend. This way, they will be able to present to you what they deem will suit your pet the best way possible.

4. Are there any deductibles that I have to pay? This will depend on the plan that you will be getting. The deductible is the first payment that you have to give before you can utilize the policy. The smaller this is, the higher your premium will be. But this must be decided according to what you can afford. So look at your budget closely and allocate for such fund wisely.  By asking around the right questions, in time, you will be able to find the best pet health insurance that will perfectly fit on your pet’s needs and on your budget.

pet dog

#1  Be organised. Make sure you have lots of towels to dry the dog before he shakes himself all over your house. Close the bathroom door so he can’t get out and wet the rest of the house. Make sure you have water at a suitable temperature. Luke warm is best.  A rubber bath mat may be useful to prevent the dog slipping and hurting himself.

#2  Wet the dog’s body, with a shower if you have one. Leave his head until last. Add the shampoo and lather up. With a medicated shampoo, you may have to leave it for a few minutes before you rinse.

#3  Rinse thoroughly to make sure all the shampoo is gone. Shampoo residue can be very irritating for your pet and will prevent the “squeaky clean” feel you want from his coat.

#4  When you are satisfied that his body is clean, especially his bottom and paws, gently wet and shampoo his head. Make sure that no shampoo goes in his nose, eyes or ears. You can hold is ears closed as you shampoo round them, or you could use cotton wool to make sure none goes in.

#5  When the whole dog is washed and rinsed, throw a big towel over him straight away. He will want to shake as soon as he can and this will prevent too much water being sprayed about. Rub him thoroughly with the towel, removing as much water as possible. He will want to shake and rub against the furniture to dry himself. If you have towelled off most of the wet, though, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem and at least it should now be clean water!

So, now you know how to keep your dog clean, what about saving some more money by clipping his coat and claws yourself?

A New Free Course on Dog Grooming Reveals the Secret Step-by-Step Techniques used by the best Dog Groomers in the country!

Finally, You Can Now Groom your Dog on your own at home without having to hire an expensive groomer!

pet bird

There hasn’t been even a moment to just perch so you’ve been on your feet the entire day.

You feel like your poor feet have walked you around the world and back again. Now if you will take just a moment and imagine its bed time and you have to sleep standing up and on your feet. Pretty miserable thought isn’t it.

Can you imagine life like that? Can you imagine the foot and leg problems you might incur? Your parrot faces that exact problem. It’s up to us as owners to be certain we do everything possible to provide comfort through options to our pet birds.

Your bird, the wild version is free to roam where and how he wants. Your bird is able to pick his perches as his wants would indicate. However this is not so for the bird living in the living room cage. His perches are all up to you. Just like the wild bird your pet bird needs options.

Consider These About Perches.

1. The Circumfrence Of The Perch:

Pay attention here. If the birds feet are to flat the perch is to large. If the birds feet wrap around the perch and toes touch the perch is to small. The trick is to supply a number of sizes and varying shapes and materials that allow the bird to find his own comfort level at any given time.

2. Commercial Wooden Dowels:

There is nothing wrong with the commercial dowels other than the consistent shape and uniform circumference. The use of which gives the bird few options. If you must use commercial dowel perches make sure there are several sizing options available for the bird.

It is a great idea to have a perch of hard wood, maybe the highest one. This will provide a stable platform for sleeping. If you can find a suitable hard wood tree branch to hang from the top of the cage having several different size branches they make excellent perches and will help.

3. Concrete Perches Certainly Are Useful:

The concrete will help keep the birds nails trimmed. However they are not naturally a comfortable perch and should only be used when there are plenty of proper wooden perches available. What the perch is made of is almost as important as size.

4. Perch Placement:

There should be plenty of space between the perches and they should use the entire heigth of the cage. Starting at the level of bowls and dishes and going upward. In order to avoid injury to the bird make sure of adequate spacing between the perches. Most birds prefer sleeping on the higher perches. Leave room up high making sure the birds head is not crowded against the top of the cage. If your bird has long tail like a macaw be sure the perch placement does not allow the tail contact with the cage or other perches.

It is up to us to provide the proper perches for our birds. It is important to the birds health and safety. The sizes and shapes of perches are important whether your bird is large or a tiny finch. Take the time to learn to pick them right.

pet adoption


DATELINE:  BOSTON; BROOKLINE; CAMBRIDGE; JAMAICA PLAIN; NEWTON CENTRE; SOMERVILLE AND WEST ROXBURY, MA… Canines (accompanied by their people) are cordially invited to J.P. Licks “Dog Days of Summer” outdoor events in August.

Join J.P. Licks and their special friends from Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA)-Angell in Boston and Especially for Pets for one of their “Dog Days of Summer” events to be held outside on Friday, August 1st from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Jamaica Plain shop (659 Centre Street) and Friday, August 22nd from 12 to 3 p.m. at the One Brigham Circle shop (1618 Tremont St., Boston).

Enjoy free samples of J.P. Licks’ “Cow Paws” peanut butter doggie sorbet, made with all natural and pet friendly ingredients.  Meet a few of MSPCA-Angell’s special dogs currently available for adoption and chat with an MSPCA-Angell representative.  Especially for Pets will be on hand with complimentary doggie toys for pets and their owners to enjoy together.

Information about the upcoming 28th Annual MSPCA-Angell Walk for Animals, how to adopt, donate, and volunteer, as well as information about Especially for Pets will also be available at each Dog Days of Summer event.

Treat Fido to “Cow Pows” and support the MSPCA-Angell at the same time!

J.P. Licks will donate 25 percent of all proceeds from “Cow Paws” doggie sorbet sold at any of their eight locations to the MSPCA-Angell throughout the month of August.

“We have always supported the MSPCA-Angell and truly believe in their mission, Along with Especially for Pets, we’re trying to help raise awareness through our ‘Dog Days of Summer’ events,” said Vince Petryk, founder and CEO of J.P. Licks.

About the MSPCA-Angell

The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States, does not receive any funding from state or federal agencies and is not affiliated with other SPCAs. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement and the highest-quality veterinary care available anywhere in the world. The MSPCA-Angell provides direct hands-on care for more than 250,000 animals each year through its Animal Care and Adoption Centers and world-class Angell Animal Medical Centers. For more information on the MSPCA-Angell please visit www.mspca.org.

About Especially for Pets

Especially for Pets, founded in Newton, MA 20 years ago, is the store created by pet lovers for pet lovers offering only the most pet friendly products and services. They offer grooming, dog training, and educational seminars and serve as a resource for pet adoption and rescue services information. Especially for Pets’ Natural Division offers a selection of natural products and boasts products such as raw diets, natural supplements and treats. For more information on Especially for Pets, visit www.especiallyforpets.com.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 25 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston.  Locally owned and operated, J.P. Licks has won many awards over the years for their intensely-flavored homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt.  Most recently, J.P. Licks was named “Best of Boston” by Boston Magazine and also made WBZ’s “A-List” for the second year in a row.  Known for their high quality, scrumptious treats and their knack for “treating people right”, J.P. Licks was named Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year”.

In addition to their frozen creations, J.P. Licks has taken it upon themselves to roast their own fair trade and organic coffee beans on-site at their Jamaica Plain store, which ensures the best and the freshest, full-bodied cup of coffee around.  Decadent hand-packed ice cream cakes as well as breakfast & ice cream sundae catering are also available.

Visit the website at www.jplicks.com for more information.

cat toy

Pet toys that are too small can be swallowed by the larger pet. Strings,, small detachable parts all should be removed before giving Fido his dog toy or Princess her cat toy. Pet toys are meant to keep the pets entertained and give them plenty of exercise. Many of them are useful tools to help in training the pets according to the household too.

Product Safety Commission, whose lack of resources was an issue during the recent toy recalls. In its 34-year history, the commission has never recalled a pet toy because it was deemed not suitable. Product specifications are obtained from third parties, and while we make every effort to assure the accuracy of product information, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. Store ratings and product reviews are written and submitted by online shoppers to assist you as you shop and are a great help in getting products that our save and fun for your pet.

Lead contamination is dependent on many factors, not just what were discussed here. Here’s an article on signs of lead poisoning . Lead is a metal that can be harmful. Old paint contained lead and the paint, paint chips and paint dust from homes being renovated are a possible source of lead that can cause lead toxicity.

Shop for a wide selection of unique pet products including pet toys, pet tags, pet beds and other pet products. Find pet toys that emphasize indoor or outdoor play; fetching toys, cat tunnels, paw posts and automated pet toys provide hours of fun. Shopping wisely is the one thing people can do to help save our precious earth.