Pet Safety Tips for the Summer

Posted on March 17, 2023March 15, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Foremost Insurance | by Jenean McLoskey | Pet Safety Tips | Pet Insurance | Shield Insurance

Pet Safety Tips

Summertime means spending long days in hot, sunny weather with your furry loved ones by your side. It’s the perfect time for you and your pet to be more active. However, having a fur coat can pose some risks for your pets if they are in the sun for too long. Since they don’t sweat like humans, they can overheat a lot faster than we can. But don’t worry! There are plenty of precautions you can take to ensure they’ll be safe and content in the summer heat. Here are five pet safety tips to keep in mind while playing outside this summer:

Have plenty of water on hand.

Your pet will be thirstier than normal during the summer and can get dehydrated very quickly. Always provide plenty of fresh, cold water as needed. If you’re going on a long walk, have a few water bottles on hand for water breaks, and keep them in the shade as much as possible.

Never leave your pet in a car unattended.

This is extremely important! Leaving animals in a parked vehicle is incredibly dangerous. Even if the windows are down, they’re still at risk of fatal heat stroke.

Keep their paws protected.

Walking on hot cement or asphalt for long periods of time can cause your pet to overheat a lot quicker, and can burn their sensitive paws. Always feel the pavement before taking a walk to see how hot it is, and walk them in the early morning or evening when it’s not the hottest time of the day.

Never use fireworks around your pets.

Celebrating with fireworks during the summer is fun and exciting for most humans, but it can be traumatizing for your dog or cat. Loud noises can scare and disorient them, and lit fireworks could cause accidental severe burns. Always keep them away from the noise in a safe, sheltered area.

Know the symptoms of overheating.

Dogs and cats are at high risk of overheating during the summer. If you notice any heavy panting, thick drool, or vomiting, move them to a cool place and give them water immediately. You may get a damp towel and wrap it around them, but experts advise to never put them in cold water because it can cause shock. If symptoms don’t improve, take them to your local vet right away.

If you practice these safety tips, you should feel confident to enjoy the summer with your furry friends. Have fun and be safe!

Need Pet Insurance to go along with the Pet Safety Tips?

Jet setting over Pet sitting

Posted on January 6, 2023January 5, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

AmericanSeniors.org | Pet sitting | Special Event Insurance | Pet Insurance

Say goodbye to pet sitting and hello to jet-setting with your furry bestie! Options abound for your pet to join your vacation, whether you are flying, cruising, or driving to your destination. Here’s what to keep in mind for traveling safely with your best friend – and how to find the best pet-friendly destinations.

Flying with Fido and Fluffy

Some airlines still have restrictions on pets traveling in their cabin, while others have returned to pre-COVID allowances. Currently, Alaska Air, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines allow pets in-cabin, as well as some overseas airlines like Air France. For all airlines, pets need to fit comfortably inside a carrier that can tuck completely under the seat in front of you. Your pet needs to be able to stand up and turn around in the carrier. Make sure you double-check with your airline what their specific requirements are since they all vary.

Allow your pet plenty of time to acclimate to the carrier long before your flight. Set the carrier out in the house, with treats placed inside. This positive association will encourage your pet to spend a longer time inside the carrier. You can also take your pet for a drive inside the carrier to help acclimate to movement as well.

Label the carrier with your name and phone number, and inside, you can place a potty pad to soak up any accidents. Your pet’s favorite toy would be a comforting addition too.

Five hours before the flight, stop feeding your pet, though water should still be made available. Allow your furry best friend as much exercise as possible until boarding. It is generally not advised to give your pet a sedative unless it’s specifically recommended by your vet.

Cruising: Only with Cunard

If you dream of sailing the seas with your furry best friend, there is one cruiser that will welcome humans and pets alike. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is actually the only cruiser that allows a limited number of dogs and cats to set sail. However, they aren’t allowed to stay with you in your cabin. Cats and dogs must stay in The Kennels for the entire duration of the cruise. You are allowed to visit during specific hours, but they won’t be able to join you for walks around the deck. There is a very long waiting list, as there are only 24 kennels aboard the ship. Costs range from $800-$2000, depending on the size of your pet.

It is a beautiful trip, which perhaps is another reason why the waiting list for The Kennels is quite long. Queen Mary 2 sails transatlantically from NY to Hamburg, Germany. En route, it comes into port in charming Southampton, the British waterfront city that’s home to history abounding, including the Titanic Trail and 950-year-old St Michael the Archangel Church. Stonehenge is just a stone’s throw away.

Road Tripping Together

Of course, the most flexible way to travel with your pet is to enjoy a road trip together. The most important consideration here is keeping Fido or Fluffy safe. A strappable crate or appropriately fitted seat belt attachment will make sure your beloved pet stays safe in an accident (and prevents them from distracting you while driving). The safest place is the back seat for pets, far away from the front airbags that can be fatal for their small stature. Practice driving shorter distances to help your pets acclimate to the restraint. Remember the treats!

Currently, in beta, Go Pet Friendly has a road trip planner that is helpful for planning the best drive for both species. You can ask for recommendations for pit stops for all of your legs to stretch and play.

Friendly Tails Pet Sitting

Bring Fido is an excellent resource for trip planning with your furry best friend. Browse pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, activities, and even events.

Pet-friendly accommodations are on the rise, with many chains welcoming your pet to stay for free. Red Roof Inn allows for one free pet per room, as do many Four Seasons properties. Other chains like the Ritz Carlton and Westin welcome dogs, but have varying fees and restrictions. The AKC has a full listing of dog-friendly hotel chains and specifics.

The Pet Sitting Checklist

Click here for the full checklist…

Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

Posted on September 26, 2019August 28, 2021 by Shield Insurance Agency

Pet Safety Tips

The holidays are an exciting time of year for all members of the household, but especially for your four-footed pet. It can be a challenge to keep the enthusiasm to a minimum with an energized pup or stubborn kitten, and once those decorations go up and the food comes out, there’s really no telling what they’ll get their little pet paws into.

I grew up with a little Cockapoo dog named Jake and he LOVED to eat. Anything we dropped on the ground during dinner (ahem, broccoli, beans, peas…) was quickly vacuumed up by him. In hindsight, leaving our homemade fudge under the Christmas tree was definitely a mistake. Who knew a canine could sniff that out through the wrapping paper?! With an entire batch of chocolate fudge gone and a mess on the sidewalk from the poor pooch, we learned our lesson, pet safety comes first.

While this season can bring their joy, if you’re not careful about pet-proofing your home, poor Fido (or in my case, Jake) could be set up for despair. Check out how these six unassuming seasonal items could put your pet in danger.

Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are a holiday staple, and while they certainly add to the festivities, they can be pretty distracting for your pets. Keeping pet safety in mind, the following items should be kept out of reach from your curious friends.

If you own a cat, forget about the tinsel. This shiny decoration can cause severe damage to their intestinal tract and can prove deadly if ingested.
Ornaments can be both a choking hazard and, if broken, the sharp pieces can cut your pet’s paws or mouth. Place fragile ornaments out of reach and let the softer ornaments made out of plastic or fabric rule the bottom branches.
The tree itself can be a safety hazard for your pets if they climb up on the branches. Additionally, live pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines if ingested. Place your tree in a corner and firmly anchor it to the wall or ceiling to prevent it from toppling over.
Any ribbons or strings on wrapped presents can lead to choking or strangulation for a curious pet. While the additional decorations are attractive, we suggest nixing them to avoid the risk.

Food

One of the best parts about the holidays is the food! All those tasty desserts and platters can make anyone’s mouth water. But remember pet safety and my story before? Mr. Fluffy might love that rich chocolate for the first few minutes, but consuming even a little bit can turn that festive evening into a nightmare.

Chocolate is essential during the holidays but is toxic to cats and dogs. All chocolate, fudge, and candy contain dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Pay extra attention when these treats are out during a get-together, and consider storing them in a drawer or cupboard when you’re not enjoying them.
Turkey and turkey skin, even in small amounts, can cause a life-threatening condition in pets known as pancreatitis which, in the long run, can cause severe organ and brain damage.
Bones from any fish, meat, or poultry, big or small, can cause problems if splintered during consumption. Keep to the regular rawhides and hardened, sterilized bones for those yummy treats. For more information, check out what Healthy Pets has to say.

Plants

You’ve probably heard by now that poinsettias are hazardous for your pets, but did you know that holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, and potpourri are even more dangerous? Holly can cause an upset stomach and be potentially fatal. Mistletoe also upsets the stomachs of both cats and dogs and can cause heart collapse. Hibiscus can cause diarrhea, and who needs more cleanup during the holidays?! Dry potpourri (while not technically a plant) can cause vomiting while liquid potpourri can cause thermal or chemical burns, oral and stomach ulcers, drooling, and vomiting.

When decorating for the holidays this year, be sure to place these plants out of your pet’s reach or settle for a realistic imitation.

Scented Candles

Candles are particularly attractive to pets because of their smell, taste, and texture. However, as you can imagine, a lit candle can quickly become a major fire hazard if tipped over or scooted against a flammable object. For pet safety, make sure all candles, both wicked and wickless (candle warmer), are placed above the reach of your four-footed family members and are always supervised by a responsible adult.

Snow Globes

According to The Catnip Times, many snowglobes have been found to contain ethylene glycol, also known as antifreeze, which is highly toxic to all pets. If a snowglobe breaks or has a leak, even one teaspoon of this concoction (two teaspoons for dogs) when ingested can be fatal.

If you believe your pet has ingested any of this substance, immediately seek help and call your family veterinarian.

Electrical Cords

For pet safety or child safety, make sure all electrical cords are carefully hidden so your dog doesn’t make a chew toy out of them! Any kind of penetration past the protective coating of the cord can cause electrical shock to your unsuspecting pooch. Pro Tip: run the cords through PVC pipe or an extra cardboard roll of wrapping paper to avoid accidental traumas! Pet safety is paramount.

Keeping these tips in mind can help you make sure the holiday season is safe and festive for you and your pets!

Pet Insurance: Do you have it?

Posted on June 22, 2019February 16, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Pet Insurance | Shield Self-Quoting Portal | Shield Insurance Agency

Having a pet is just as common as having a child in today’s society yet we only get health coverage for one of them. I’m sure we all know which one it is, but why is it that way?

Studies show on average the number of pet-owning households in America is 84.6 million yet only 10 % of dog owners and 5% of cat owners have health insurance for their pets. This is shocking to me considering the cost of a vet bill nowadays! Is this lack of coverage due to a lack of knowledge that there even is such a policy available for your pets? OR is it due to a lack of desire to spend money on another insurance policy? Whichever reason it is hoped this blog will change your mind and save your pockets.

I’m going to explain what pet insurance is and how it can benefit you to have it. This article is close to me – because I have two dogs – and two cats – and Vet visits can get pricey!

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is a lot like health insurance in the sense that there is still a deductible and a co-pay along with premiums and a maximum payout, there is also no coverage for pre-existing conditions and no waiting periods. Much like health insurance, you will get to choose to pay an annual deductible for the policy year or a per-incident deductible that is paid at each appointment, there is also a co-pay, the percentage you pay after the deductible is met. The remaining percentage of covered expenses will be taken care of by the pet insurance company. You will choose from 5 types of maximum payout options

Maximum payout by the incident – Max amount the insurance will reimburse you for each new illness or injury, Once you reach the limit you will no longer receive money to cover it.
Maximum annual pay out- This is the max amount of money the insurance company will reimburse you every year, once you receive the max amount you will not receive any more money for the policy year.
Maximum lifetime pay. The max amount the insurance company will reimburse you in your pet’s lifetime. Once you receive the max amount your pet will no longer be insured.
Maximum payout per body system- Max amount the insurance company will reimburse for a body system. Such as the digestive, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Once you reach this limit for a body system you will not be reimbursed for any more injuries or illnesses that relate to that system.
The maximum payout due to predetermined benefit structure- The insurance company will reimburse based on a predetermined listed fee structure that can be determined with your pet insurance carrier.

Some pet insurance companies use only ONE type of maximum payout structure whereas others use a combination of the payout structure.

Your monthly or annual premium (the amount you pay) will be determined by many factors such as medical coverage you select, your pet’s breed/species, age, the co-pay, and the deductible, and also where you live. After all, this is finalized just like health insurance there will be a waiting period before the coverage is activated and usable.

Although Pet insurance is very similar in requirements and coverage to insurance for a human, there are two very big differences between the two. The number one difference is that pet insurance is a reimbursement program which means you pay the veterinary bill and then file a claim with the pet insurance company for reimbursement. Second there is not a network of vets that you can only use, you are free to use any licensed veterinarian in the U.S! (Sometimes out of the US as well)

Still skeptical on why you should get pet insurance? Well here is an example of how having it could save you money! My fiance and I have a one-year-old cat named Nina who got a hematoma in her ear, which means her ear basically formed a bubble of a bunch of blood.

We had to make an emergency vet visit to drain the hematoma where we were charged $300, after originally being told $900, for the lowest price option possible for them to simply take a needle and drain her ear of blood. If we would have had pet insurance we would have gotten a large portion of that reimbursed instead of an unexpected expense!

Can you imagine more than one emergency visit a year at that price on top of a regular vet visit bills?! In the end, having your pets covered by your insurance could save you thousands of dollars in vet fees and keep you and your pets safe in the case of an emergency situation, like a hematoma in your cat’s ear.

-TJ