Near-term costs. Long-term savings. That’s exactly what pet insurance, just like your health insurance (if you’re fortunate enough have coverage), offers pet parents. And in difficult economic times, pet insurance may be the answer to escalating vet bills.

Veterinary charges continue to rise dramatically, in large part due to the fact that procedures that were once used exclusively for human diagnoses (like CAT-scans and MRI’s) are now much more commonly used in diagnosing companion animals.

Recent measures put the number of insured companion animals at 3%, but that’s double the number of covered pets compared to the previous year. 

Pet insurance represents a relatively inexpensive way to help families deal with the high costs of the veterinary care. Policies are available through companies like Veterinary Pet Insurance, Pet Health, Inc., ShelterCare and others, both for cats and for dogs, and cover everything from annual exams to specialized treatments. 

Before you buy a pet insurance policy, call your veterinarian office to find out what policies will cover costs there. After all, there’s no point getting a policy if it your veterinarian doesn’t accept it. 

Additionally, you recommend that you discuss with your vet which policy will best cover your companion animal’s needs. With the expert information you can receive from your vet, you should be able to make the best determination for your family’s needs.

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With a growing number of Americans concerned about identity theft and privacy issues, many are now using paper shredders to deal with mounting paperwork. Newer models are even equipped with enough mincing power to destroy CD’s.

Tragically, however, the addition of paper shredders to home offices has led to startling and grisly injuries inflicted on companion animals. In nearly all of the heartbreaking instances, curious dogs and cats stuck probing tongues into the openings, causing the slicing mechanism to activate. Unfortunately, it’s rare that these poor creatures survive the resulting injuries. 

Thankfully, you have the power to prevent this from happening to your dog or cat and prioritize their safety.

Instead of leaving your shredder set on “automatic” - operating only when something is fed into it - simply switch the device to the “off” position.  Or shut the door to the room where the device is located, denying your companion animal access to the room. Or, better yet, unplug the device while it’s not in use. Then, you’ll never have to worry about the position of the switch or the potential of horrible mutilations. 

There you have it. Let's keep our furry friends safe!

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