Insurance Coverage for Alternative Pet Therapies

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Insurance Coverage for Alternative Pet Therapies

by Steve Siadek

 Healthy Paws is excited to now be providing alternative care coverage for cats and dogs! What exactly does alternative care coverage mean for your pets? It means Healthy Paws’ furry, four-legged policyholders are now covered to receive alternative therapies – such as acupuncture and chiropractic care – for conditions related to an accident, illness or injury.

While alternative medical treatments have been around for thousands of years and are used each year by millions of humans, it’s important to note that – as with any treatment for anything – the perfect solution for one pet’s health, may or may not be the perfect solution for another. It depends completely on the situation and on the pet.

Here is ABC's news' coverage on the topic of treating pets with the best human medicine available.

Watch the Video

 As far as how your Healthy Paws policy works, it’s important to note that alternative therapy treatments must be recommended and conducted under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Both are as important for the health of your pet, as they are for fulfilling the requirements of our coverage.

Additionally, to clarify a frequently asked question people have, we do provide direct payments for approved claims to the veterinary hospital for scheduled procedures treating some of the more expensive treatments such as cruciate ligament repairs, IVDD (back surgery), foreign body removal and cancer treatment to name a few. Most of these treatments are in the $2,000+ range and it’s very helpful to the pet parent if we pay the hospital directly. By providing direct pay to the veterinary hospital, the pet parent can focus on caring for their furry family member and not worrying about expensive medical care.

If you have any questions about Healthy Paws’ policy or our new alternative therapy coverage, we are happy to provide further details or help you with getting a pet insurance quote. To happy and healthy pets!

Get an instant quote now and take the first step to protect your furry best friend.

Doggie Spa Day – Give Your Pooch the Westminster Treatment

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it
Doggie Spa Day – Give Your Pooch the           Westminster Treatment
by Taylor Malowney

A bear-like pooch gets groomed before the Westminister DogShow.  Image via www.petsadviser.com

The Westminster Dog Show airs  on NBC, with the finals on USA. The Westminster Kennel Club is hosting its 139th annual All Breeds Dog Show, and dog lovers are in for a treat!

These pooches are considered the best of their breeds, so the competition is fierce. Give your own pet a doggy spa day worthy of Westminster with these easy, at-home treatments.

Set the mood

Human spas are relaxing environments, full of tinkling waterfalls, oddly calming gongs, and pleasantly scented. Recreate a doggy version of this in your own bathroom at home! Dim the lights for a soothing atmosphere and put on some nature sounds. Lavender and lemongrass are pet-safe smells guaranteed to soothe the most savage beast.

Your body language and demeanor are also important to a home dog spa. Move slowly and use gentle movements. Some pets aren’t comfortable in baths, so make sure to give Fido plenty of TLC.

Most dogs love a good old fashioned brushing.  Use a rubber-tipped massage brush for extra luxury.  Image via Creative Commons license on Flickr

Do a pre-bath brush

Most pets find a good brushing relaxing! Removing excess fur before a bath cuts down on shedding as well. Pick a brush best suited to your pet’s coat length or style. Dogs with fluffier fur should use a comb, while flat coated pets can use a wire brush. The Furminator is a miracle brush with rave reviews; however, it is a tad on the pricey side.

When brushing your dog, use long, slow strokes for max relaxation. For the ultimate dog spa experience, invest in a massage brush, which as rubber-tipped bristles that stimulate healthy coat oils.

Test the temp

Dogs are very sensitive to temperature; too cold water results in pathetic shivering, while too hot can scald paws. If your pooch is a temperature Goldilocks, err on the side of caution and fill the tub with lukewarm water. Too chilly? Fill a pitcher or large cup with warmer water and use to rinse off Fido as you go.

Water can cool quickly in a chilly bathroom, so it’s important to maintain room temperature as well. Consider using a space heater to warm small rooms during and after the bath. If you think the room is too hot, your dog probably does too! Again, the key is to follow Goldilocks – not too hot, not too cold, but just right.

The pooch loves to rub a dub dub! Pick an all-natural shampoo for sensitive skin.  Image via Creative Commons license on Flickr.

Select a shampoo

These days, there are almost as many dog shampoos as human ones! The options can be overwhelming, but focus on your pet’s fur type or skin needs. Dogs with sensitive skin should avoid scents and bubbles; hypoallergenic dog shampoos often have oatmeal or aloe in them. 

There are plenty of all-natural dog shampoos in pet stores and online. Recipes for DIY dog shampoo are plentiful on Pinterest and pet lifestyle blogs. An easy mix is one cup baking soda and one cup oatmeal; mix with four cups of warm water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Don’t worry, Dawn and similar soaps are very gentle – rescuers often use it to clean sea birds after oil spills.

Toss in the towel

Finish off your at home dog spay day with a gentle yet firm toweling to remove excess water. Beware of your pooch’s own method of drying – the ol’ shake and drench. Even dogs can appreciate a fluffy towel; save the rags for cleaning and put your pet in the lap of luxury! Using a high quality towel also reduces drying time and how much your pet drenches you – win-win.

As an extra amenity, give your dog a dental chew for a minty fresh taste. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, brush your dog’s teeth with a flavored toothpaste. 

Thinking of insuring your furry friend.  Explore the cost at ExploreCost.com

3 Positive Ways to Get Started with Pet Adoption

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

3 Positive Ways to Get Started with Pet Adoption

by Courtney Buchanan

People looking to adopt a pet have many shelters to choose from, and now they have more creative ways to do so, as organizations roll out one-day loan programs, midday mixers, and even pajama parties. It’s all part of animal shelters’ efforts to promote a positive image of the adoption process while encouraging people who might not consider adopting to welcome a new four-legged friend into their family.

Waived adoption fees and two-for-one kitten deals encourage adoptions, but those stale strategies don’t stand out from the crowd. Here are three ways organizations have put a new twist on the process by giving adopters an unforgettable experience:

Borrow a Dog for a Day

In Kauai, vacationers and locals alike are used to renting movies and books, but now they can borrow a dog for the day as part of the Kauai Humane Society’s “Shelter Dogs on Field Trips” program, according to the Santa Barbara Independent. The goal is for people “to enjoy the natural beauty of our lovely Garden Island and to get their dog fix by taking along one of our shelter dogs on their adventure,” says Penny Cistaro, spokesperson for KHS.

Whether a person merely wants a four-legged companion on his adventures or is looking to adopt and wants to see if the pet’s personality is a good fit, it’s a win-win for people and the dogs. The program has led to successful adoptions in more than 25 states and four Canadian provinces.

Take a Stress-Free Break From Work

Employees spend too much of their time sitting, so The Lost Dogs’ Home, Australia’s largest animal shelter that cares for over 31,000 dogs and cats every year, hosts the “Human Walking Program.” The program reframes adoptions as saving humans — not dogs — while reducing the stress of Melbourne’s workforce. During the first program in April, 300 employees spent their Friday lunch with the dogs, according to The Lost Dogs’ Home.

“It’s a fantastic way to motivate people to get outside during their breaks and also meet firsthand some of the wonderful dogs up for adoption at the Home,” ambassador Mike Larkan says.

Adopt in Your Pajamas

To encourage more adopters to visit their shelter, the Peninsula Humane Society hosted a pajama party adopt-a-thon, during which the center encouraged visitors to wear pajamas, played an animal-themed movie and served popcorn, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Since the adoption center stayed open until midnight during the adopt-a-thon, the pajama-themed event extended access to people who couldn’t stop by during normal work hours.

“Even from the shelter workers’ point of view, an adoption is always a heartwarming thing, but when you can do something with an event that creates enthusiasm among the staff, volunteers and people fostering animals, it puts good energy back into the work that we do in adoptions,” says Dan Hanley, adoptions director at the Peninsula Humane Society.

Adoption will always be about finding the right match for an adopter and a pet, but some organizations are setting themselves apart from the rest by innovating new ways for potential adopters to meet their perfect match

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Is Your Dog the Ultimate Wingman? Online Dating

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

Is Your Dog the Ultimate Wingman?

 by Courtney Buchanan

Online dating sites are already personalized for busy executives, farmers and even those who want to rely on their DNA. But the newest entrants on the dating site scene allow pet parents to use their four-legged friends to find their soulmate.

These sites, including PetsDating.com and YouMustLoveDogsDating.com, match people based on their lifestyles — and their love of animals.

                                           

“Having a theme that is … about one’s passion makes it feel like you are looking for a needle in a smaller and far more relevant and appealing haystack,” Michal Ann Strahilevitz, a marketing professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, tells The Commercial Appeal.

Many of the pet-oriented dating sites encourage people to bring their pets along on the date to help break the ice. The owners can learn a lot about each other based on how they react to situations involving the animal. The pet’s manners and behavior can also give hints to its owner’s character.

“[With dogs on the date,] you find out right off the bat how everyone in a relationship will fit in,” Kris Rotonda, founder of YouMustLoveDogsDating.com, tells The Commercial Appeal.

But let’s face it: not every dog or cat is an ideal plus-one. Joanie Pelzer, a Chihuahua parent, tells The Commercial Appeal that her pooch, Hubbell, has some not-so-attractive personality traits that likely cost her a third date. Hubbell steals food, craves attention, must ride shotgun likes people more than dogs. Hubbell sabotaged a breakfast date with a man Pelzer had met on PetsDating.com by eating the date’s food. The faux pas was too much to overcome.

Some people argue that finding love online is difficult enough and that the pet component makes the search too complex. Dogs and cats, however, are good at sensing people’s personalities. A pet’s second opinion can help separate the bad matches from the good ones.

Trish McDermott, who worked for Match.com for 10 years as a dating expert and spokesperson, once met a man online who pushed her dog off the couch. McDermott met the man on a site that doesn't cater to pet owners, according to The Commercial Appeal. It was an obvious red flag.

Finding true love online isn't easy, but petcentric sites may be just the answer for pet parents seeking the perfect pet-loving match.

Get pet insurance

We may be a little biased, being a pet insurance company, but we truly believe in the peace of mind it gives pet parents. Covering most non-preexisting conditions, a pet insurance policy ensures you'll never have to make hard decisions about your pet’s health. 

When the choice is between your furry family member and your finances, we all know which one we’d choose – but sometimes the choice isn't so easy. No pet parent should have to make that call, which is why we’re firm believers in the power of pet insurance.  

How easy is it for someone to enroll a pet?

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

How easy is it for someone to enroll a pet?

95% of all Healthy Paws customers self-enroll on our website. It’s super fast and easy. 

Takes just 10 seconds to get a free pet insurance quote.

Takes just a couple of minutes to complete information about their pet(s) and provide us with a credit or debit card for monthly premium collection.

They receive a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee with monthly auto-billing and they can cancel any time.  

Does your pet have health insurance?  Healthy Paws Pet Insurance provides coverage  with no limits on claims.

If your pet needs treatment for any accident or illness and it's not a pre-existing condition, you're covered.  It's that simple

 

Hire Me, Hire My Dog

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

Hire Me, Hire My Dog

  by Maeghan Ouimet

           Pawsworthy

This post originally appeared on Medium on October 27, 2014

Forget “bring your daughter to work day:” Millennials are far more interested in bringing their dogs. Studies show that the number of babies among women age 15–29 is declining, while the number of small dogs they own is rising. And these young professionals are now hoping that care for their pet “children” will be extended to them at the workplace.

With a growing number of Millennials entering the workforce — by 2020,some studies say they will make up nearly 50 percent of all U.S. workers — companies are becoming more aware of the fact that perks, in the non-conventional sense (i.e. not a yearly bonus or a great 401k plan), are what these twenty- and thirtysomethings are after. One perk that is especially appreciated among young professionals today is the opportunity to care for and appreciate their pets.

Image via Canstock Photo

“I’m a big fan of dogs in the office, since I like most of them more than the humans,” an employee of online accommodations rental company Airbnb writes on review site Glassdoor.

It seems many companies are doing away with the “no dog” policy as a way to lure Millennials beyond the standard offerings of free snacks and a ping pong table. San Francisco-based online ticket seller Eventbrite says that 80 percent of its 450-person workforce is a Millennial, so keeping their wants and needs upfront has been a priority for talent acquisition and retention. Part of the draw for its employees is undoubtedly its conscious effort to include pets in the workplace — even designing the office with pets in mind.

“When we moved into our current office, we completely gutted the space,” Eventbrite co-founder Julia Hartz said in an interview. “Having a communal space where we can be together is really important for creating opportunities for Britelings to connect with people they don’t normally work with day-to-day. We definitely have some flair. There are lots of dogs running around.”

Millennials tend to enjoy this type of communal atmosphere, thriving off of a team environment at work. Some companies have included dogs as part of their teams in order to boost moral and alleviate stress among workers. Social recruiting and applicant tracking company Jobvite even has a CEP (Chief Executive Puppy): Pancake.

“Pancake isn't just our office Top Dog, he’s also our resident therapist, floor cleaning specialist and a role model for sharing,” said Kimberley Kasper, CMO at Jobvite. “We believe Pancake’s contributions to the office extend far beyond being a cute furry colleague — he is a key stress reliever and always good for a laugh. A happy and energized environment is important to us and having an office dog like Pancake helps make this possible.”

Beyond the dog days and CEPs at prospective employers, Millennials also appreciate a company that will extend care to their animals. While Baby Boomers list retirement and healthcare benefits as most sought-after perks at work, Millennials think of themselves and of the health of their pets when assessing company offerings. Still, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, just 9 percent of companies across the country offer pet insurance to employees — making this a huge differentiator for prospective employers.

“In cities like Seattle and San Francisco, dogs outnumber children and are true family members,” says Steve Siadak, co-founder of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. “Companies are adapting to this reality by providing pet insurance and pet discount programs to meet a very real need of their employees.”

Millennials are city dwellers, and, it seems, pet lovers. If companies want to employ young talent, they have to move beyond high-tech and unlimited vacay and remember that Fido matters, too

Does your pet have health insurance?  Healthy Paws Pet Insurance provides coverage  with no limits on claims.

If your pet needs treatment for any accident or illness and it's not a pre-existing condition, you're covered.  It's that simple

5 Tips for Post-Operative Pet Care

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

5 Tips for Post-Operative Pet Care

 by Marguerite McNeal

           Pet Parenting

Recovering from surgery is never fun, especially for pets that are eager to get out and play. Unlike humans we care for after surgery, pets can’t tell us exactly what hurts or if there’s anything they need.

Some procedures, such as spay/neutering, put pets out of commission for a couple of days, while others like ACL or hip surgery require months of recovery. While we humans understand the meaning of laying low after surgery, pets often want to frolic in spite of stitches, casts or other post-operative accouterments that should theoretically hold them back.

Pet parents must be especially vigilant, or else they risk delayed healing processes, or worse — additional surgery. Follow these general guidelines to keep pets healthy following an operation:

Have all information from your vet

Before you step outside of the animal hospital, make sure you have and understand information relevant to after-care treatments and medication. “We always discuss post-operative care with the owner,” says Dr. Grant Poolman, a veterinary surgeon at Bowral Veterinary Hospital in New South Wales, Australia. “However, people are so keen to get their dog home they’re only half listening to the instructions. That’s why it’s so important that they leave with something in their hand they can re-check when they get home.”

Ask about your veterinarian’s procedures for after-hours help in case you do encounter a problem.

Closely monitor eating and drinking habits 

A diminished appetite isn't uncommon after surgery. For dogs that are reluctant to eat their usual fare, Asheville Veterinary Specialists recommends offering a cooked diet that has a one-to-one ratio for protein and carbohydrate sources. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Limit activity

Although Fido may feel up for a round of frisbee after a few days, it’s probably not a good idea. Short walks and trips to the backyard are OK, Poolman says, but avoid jumping and going up and down stairs. If pets are required to be crated after surgery, make sure they have enough room to move and toys to play with. Otherwise they may be so bored that they’ll start interfering with their wounds.

Manage pain smartly

Cats and dogs might not be able to vocalize pain, but they have other ways to signal distress. Dogs often indicate pain by crying, grimacing and biting when parents get near the surgical site. Cats usually offer more subtle cues like growling and hiding.

Pet parents should give pets medication as prescribed, but beware of common human painkillers. Acetaminophen, for instance, can be toxic to pets.

Keep an eye on surgical sites

While some swelling is typical after surgery, incision sites should remain dry. Under no circumstances should pets lick their wounds. “If a pet licks their incision it will actually delay the healing process because they usually lick too much and traumatize the area,” the AVS says. Licking the area can also remove stitches or staples prematurely, further delaying the healing process. Elizabethan collars, or “e-collars,” can be work to prevent licking.

If there’s ever any doubt about caring for your pet after surgery, pick up the phone and call the vet, Poolman says. Most provide after-hours services. While pet insurance takes much of the financial and emotional stress out of animal surgery, it’s up to parents to help their dogs and cats have a speedy recovery.

The Hidden Truth About Dog Love and Aggression

Affordable Pet HealthCare Insurance - Your Pets Deserve it

The Hidden Truth About Dog Love and Aggression

October 29th, 2014 by Courtney Buchanan

           Pet Parenting

We all love our dogs like family members and believe they love us back, which makes it all the more upsetting when our pets snarl, nip, or bite. So how do owners subdue that aggressive behavior? Brandon Fouche, a dog aggression expert with almost 30 years of experience, says the key is understanding how dogs process information and perhaps re-thinking your approach to play and positive reinforcement.

Here, Fouche shares why he’s fascinated by dog psychology and explains why playing fetch, among other things, may not be the best way to raise a calm canine.

Why did you first start researching dog aggression?

In the beginning, I was mauled by a German Shepherd. He broke his tooth off on my leg, I passed out and I woke up in the hospital. The doctor said I would probably never want to be around dogs, but he couldn’t have been further from the truth since it drew me to understand why [dogs] would be aggressive to us.

That’s when I started to research positive reinforcement and the concept of learned behaviors versus genetic behaviors. I learned that we don’t have problems with the genetic makeup of our dogs, we have a problem with what we have the most control over — which is their learned behavior. And how we’re training our dogs exacerbates that problem.

What kind of training do you advise against? 

Training is essentially forcing them to do something that isn’t innate. It’s okay to train them to do tricks and play games, but when training causes aggression to kick in, that’s bad. Training and aggression-building tasks are different; high five and ‘roll over’ are different than ‘grab the stuffed animal and chase it.’

What is one of the worst training habits you see in pet owners?

Many pet owners are positively reinforcing negative behavior without realizing it. An example would be a when a dog jumps on your car. You say, ‘No, off. Sit,’ and the dogs sits, and then you say, ‘Good boy.’ You’ve just rewarded the dog being on the car. We took the command away, and then we told him he was a good boy and we rewarded the whole thing. We had the power and then we took it away from ourselves. The dog didn’t learn to not get on the car. He just complied with what you told him to do.

You say owners with aggressive dogs shouldn’t throw toys and stuffed animals, or even cuddle with their dogs. Why? 

The way nature intended animals to process information has to do with the fact that they are pack animals, which means that dogs have to live in a system of hierarchy. In every pack there are alphas, betas, subordinates and omegas, and they all perceive things differently based on the hierarchy. When we buy them toys, cuddle them and use baby talk, dogs may perceive it as people being weak or subordinate. Those actions bring out the predatory side of the dog, and they’re more likely to bite, chew and bark uncontrollably.

Often owners think that dogs need to be entertained, but they don’t. When we throw a toy for the dog to chase, that action is waking up a hormone in the dog that says, “kill.” When you throw something and the dog breaks it and pulls it apart, he’s learning an action that unfortunately he’s going to try to apply later in life with humans. Humans are socializing them in an incorrect way that triggers predatory behavior and subdues calm behavior. We should be socializing dogs so that added energy doesn’t wake up the play drive.