PetPlan Has Tips to Keep Dogs Safe This July 4th

Most people enjoy celebrating Independence Day. There are barbecues to attend, and fireworks to watch. Unfortunately, those things can cause your pets to feel anxious. It could also expose them to potentially dangerous situations. Petplan Insurance has good advice about how to keep your pets safe this 4th of July. How does your family celebrate Independence Day? This weekend is going to be filled with parades, backyard barbecues, and, of course, fireworks. Many people get a day off of work to relax, spend time with their families, and enjoy some 4th of July celebrations. These types of events can be … Continue reading

Foods That Are Fatal For Fido

We all love our furry kids and always want to take good care of them. Heck, sometimes these four-legged creatures have better lives than even our kids do. That’s totally understandable though since dogs don’t talk back, love you even if you aren’t perfect, and are always overjoyed to see you walk into a room—even if you’ve only been out of sight for two minutes. Over the years I’ve had many animals; everything from guinea pigs and iguanas to birds and fish, but dogs are always my favorite. Many people give their dogs a few leftovers from dinner, or treats … Continue reading

Warning: Grapes and Raisins Deadly to Dogs Not an Urban Legend

Earlier this month a friend of mine (Lee, the dad of Mocha) sent me an email with this in the subject line: “If you have a dog…PLEASE READ!” That certainly caught my attention so I of course read it. The Warning The email was about a dog whose owners had to have him euthanized after he ate raisins, suffered raisin toxicity, and developed acute renal failure. The bulk of the email was rather technical and laced with veterinary jargon. Even so, the average dog owner could discern the gist: raisins and grapes are a big no-no treat for dogs. It … Continue reading

Protecting Preschoolers from Choking

Dealing with a picky preschooler at the dinner table may be the least of your concerns, according to a new study.  Instead of stressing about your child’s refusal to eat his veggies, researchers warn parents that they should be carefully monitoring four year olds while they chow down on classic kid favorites, like hot dogs, as the number of choking incidents among preschool-aged children is dangerously high. Researchers say a staggering 34 children a day are admitted to hospital emergency rooms due to choking.  That translates to more than 12,000 emergency room visits a year, though the study’s author notes … Continue reading

Cold-Weather Gear for Your Pet

As the weather turns colder for most of us, it’s time to get our coats out of the back of the closet. Some of our pets require winter apparel as well, and ZooToo has a rundown of some of the latest products out on the market for keeping your pets warm. You can go with the traditional cute little sweaters and jackets that fill aisles at pet stores, or you can try something a bit different for your pets this winter. What you need depends on you and your pet’s lifestyle, so we’ll take a look at three different types. … Continue reading

Safe Holidays For Pets and Children

The holiday’s are such a joyful time, no one wants to think that they can also be such a hazardous time as well. Our homes are filled with things that are not usually there, Christmas trees, poinsettias, holiday foods and other decorations. If you have a little one in the house you know how hard it can be to toddler proof your Christmas. Toddlers will pull over Christmas trees, pull tablecloths off tables and eat anything they can get their hands on. Most of us are hyper vigilant about the kids this time of year, but what about our pets? … Continue reading

Keep Your Pet Safe This Halloween

Halloween can be dangerous for your pets. You may be well aware of the things that could pose a danger to your children on Halloween night. Keep in mind that there is potential for your pets to become injured or anxious on Halloween, too. You might be able to avoid an expensive trip to the vet. Many pet owners have pet insurance. You might think of this as a type of health insurance for pets. It covers the cost of certain types of preventative care that your pet needs. It can also decrease the out of pocket costs that a … Continue reading

Scientists May Have Found a Way to “Turn Off” Peanut Allergies

Parents of kids who have peanut allergies know how dangerous life can be for their child. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a way to “turn off” your child’s allergy? Scientists may have found a way to do exactly that. More studies are needed, but, it could be the start of something amazing. Children who have peanut allergies can go into analyphlaxis if they encounter even the smallest amount of peanuts. Obviously, the child has to avoid eating foods that contain peanuts. However, that alone cannot ensure your child’s safety. People who are allergic to peanuts can have serious … Continue reading

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

In June I posted about the dangers of heatstroke for animals. Now that we’ve entered the opposite extreme of seasonal weather, I’d like to take a look at ways to keep our pets safe when it’s cold outside. The ASPCA has a list of several things to remember when looking after pets in the winter. Just as leaving a dog in the car is dangerous in the heat the same is true in the cold. Especially when it isn’t sunny outside, cars trap the cold and can drop to dangerous freezing temperatures. If you must leave your pet in the … Continue reading

Your Dog Ate…. What? Pet Insurance Can Help!

It’s always a good idea to pay attention to what your pets are eating. This advice is especially true around Christmas, when there will be a whole lot of eye catching decorations, with interesting new smells and scents, that your pet will be tempted to taste, chew on, or even eat. This can require an expensive trip to a vet. Pet insurance can help you cover the cost of the necessary medical care. Many, if not all dogs, take great delight in things that humans find repulsive. Humans find a bad smell, and back away from it, gagging. Dogs think … Continue reading