Is Dog And Cat Health Insurance Really As Stupid As It Sounds

by Craig
Protecting the one's you love is very important, no one knows what's going to happen in the future. This is particulary true for a pet.
You can insure your house, your car, your boat, and your life, and now, thanks to dog and cat health insurance, Fluffy and Fido can have their own protection, too. But what exactly is it, and is it really as stupid as it sounds? Maybe not. In fact, it could be quite sensible; read on.

This form of insurance isn't about paying you money if the pet dies; it's about giving the pet (or, more realistically, the person taking care of the animal) some money should you die. This option is particularly favored among the elderly, people who are fond of their pets, and know that there is a good chance that their animal will outlive them.

In essence, you pay a certain amount of money monthly to a trust, and, should you die before your animal does, the trust will then pay a certain amount of money monthly to the person designated your pet's guardian in your will. This is an especially desirable option if you already know who you want to look after your pet should you die--someone both you and your pet like--but you're concerned that they not be saddled with the cost of caring for your pet. This can be a wise investment choice for both you and Fluffy or Fido.

But dog and cat health insurance must be handled carefully. Don't purchase it and then start looking for someone to manage the money and care for your pet when you're gone; greed may cause your animal to get the rotten end of the stick. Instead, find someone you trust. Discuss the possibility of their taking care of your pet when you die. If it's someone you feel comfortable with, and someone your pet seems to genuinely like, then you may wish to let them know that you've purchased pet insurance to help with the costs of pet care after you're gone. Before that, however, it's never a good idea.

A similar idea, with similar problems, is a pet trust, where a certain amount of money is put into a special savings account, with the interest going to help pay for pet care after your death. The same problems exist here as with insurance--namely, finding someone you can trust to care for the pet--but there are some significant differences. For instance, with a trust, a large lump sum is generally required to start the trust, with the option of adding to it later on; with insurance, you make monthly payments.

Over time they can add up to more than the trust would cost, but the money is spread out. Plus, depending on the interest rate you've gone with, you can have to come up with quite a large sum of money to begin with, just to make those cat food payments. With insurance, you're guaranteed the amount you signed up for, no matter what.

But, in the end, it isn't as much about trust funds versus dog and cat health insurance as it is setting aside a little something ensure that your best friend isn't forgotten after you're gone.
ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on pet insurance and pet medical insurance at http://www.petinsurancegroup.com

The Bichon Frise Puppy: A Dog For Everyone

By :- Mary A
The Bichon Frise is a small breed of dog descended from the poodle that is popular in many homes around the world. The name literally means curly lap dog, and these dogs sure are. While they do not shed, they need regular grooming, but they will be happy for the attention. Bichon Frise dogs are intelligent and have positive dispositions. They are bold, independent and lively, but they are also very gentle, making for the perfect combination of loyalty and fun.

The spunky, lively attitude of the Bichon Frise is perfect for families with children. A Bichon Frise puppy will want to play and socialize with both people and other dogs. They are good watchdogs, and will watch over the children regardless of their small stature. They are friendly toward people even outside of the immediately family, and while they have a tendency to nip, it is only during play. And when the puppy grows up, he will only want to play even more; the Bichon Frise never lose their love for life, a characteristic often reflected in Bichon Frise puppy names.

Many potential pet owners suffer from allergies, and fear they will never be able to have a dog. However, the Bichon Frise puppy is the perfect purchase for one of these individuals. Its non-shedding coat has a high probability of not triggering allergies. The dog itself, however, suffers from allergies and skin conditions, so it is important for the owner to care well for the dog. The Bichon Frise should visit a professional groomer at least four times a year, and in-between visits, the owner should treat the dog to bi-weekly brushings and baths.

A Bichon Frise puppy should be groomed from the beginning; this ensures a healthy coat as well as a comfortable relationship with the brush. Brushing the dog twice a week prevents tangles in the fur and can also prevent the coat from feeling coarse and matted. When a Bichon Frise puppy is bathed, it should always be dried with a dog-specific blow dryer. Human blow dryers can burn the fur. The fur around the eyes, mouth and other orifices should be cleaned with a wet cloth to remove any stains, and nails should be clipped frequently.

A pet owner should always be prepared for responsibilities. They come with the territory. But beyond grooming, a Bichon Frise puppy really needs nothing else special making it a good pet for someone with a lot of other concerns. It is the perfect lap dog, with soft fur and shining eyes, and the owner will take pride in his or her well-groomed pet. However, the Bichon Frise is so much more than a lap dog. Even with its small size, it is a guard dog, protecting the people it loves.

With a price of about five hundred dollars, a Bichon Frise puppy is worth every penny. It is a show-quality dog with an innocent face and tender mannerisms. Even the added costs of grooming do not shatter the deal. Potential owners and families should always look first to respected, individual breeders for their dogs, and they should always visit the establishment first to ensure the dogs are treated fairly. Puppy brokers and puppy mills can physically and emotionally injure puppies, and the good temperament and disposition of a Bichon Frise puppy is not something that should be lost.
Author Resource:- With an unwavering love for small dogs, Mary Stevenson has bred numerous puppies for placement in good homes. While their barks are bigger than their bites, http://www.bichonfriseguide.com/Bichon_Frise_Puppies/index.php Bichon Frise puppies can add a little warmth to any home. http://www.bichonfriseguide.com/Bichon_Frise_Puppies/Choosing_The_Right_Bichon_Frise_puppy.php Bichon Frise puppy names are hard to pick, but the facts in this article can point any owner in the right direction.
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Why You Need Dog Insurance

By: Geraldine Dimarco


Most dog owners never consider dog insurance until they're faced with a large veterinary bill. And the fact is that you can never foresee when you'll need to seek veterinary care, or how much it will cost. Not infrequently, a visit to the vet to treat an injury or an unexpected illness can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Ouch!

Have you ever suffered a broken bone yourself? Well, your dog is no less likely to do so. Dog bone fractures occur across the spectrum, as well - a dog that stays indoors is not much less likely to break a bone as a dog that spends all his/her time in the backyard. And broken bones of course also occur elsewhere - when you're out walking, or running, with your dog, or if your dog takes off on a jaunt of his own, as many do if they get half a chance. And broken bones are not cheap. The avery vet bill for a broken leg is almost one thousand dollars.

Dog Health Insurance

As with any type of insurance, dog insurance types vary from company to company. Some label their products as pet assurance, as opposed to pet insurance, but it's pretty much the same type of cover. Either way, you can expect most dog health insurance plans to provide coverage for the following:

Spaying or Neutering: Only professional breeders and other dog owners who show their dogs professionally are exempt from the obligation to spay or neuter their dogs. All other dog owners should take it as an absolute obligation, so as to avoid any more unwanted dogs in this world. There are many other good arguments for spaying and neutering beyond the scope of this article, but suffice to say, spaying or neutering your dog is important. And it is likely to be covered by any good dog insurance plan.

Prescription Flea Control: Most dogs remain flea-free with Frontline and similar flea control products that are available over the counter at your veterinarian (or at pet stores or online). But a few dogs have ongoing problems with fleas such that prescription flea meds may be required. Most dog health insurance plans cover these prescription flea control meds.

Annual Exam Costs: Even if your dog is 100% healthy, he should still be taken to the veterinarian annually for a complete checkup. Why spend this money out of your pocket when dog insurance can cover the fees each year?

Heartworm Medication: If you forget your heartworm prevention meds, your dog may contract heartworm. This condition is more prevalent than most people realize. And it's expensive to treat. Your dog health insurance plan is likely to cover this cost also.

Lab Fees: Blood tests and other lab work should also be covered by most dog health insurance plans. Such tests may include blood work for worms, diseases, and abnormalities with pregnancy.

Teeth Cleaning: Having your dog's teeth cleaned probably never occurred to you, but this service is something you can take advantage of by enrolling in a dog insurance plan. It is refreshing to know that you can have your dog or puppy's dental work maintained and keep his gums and teeth healthy for years to come.

Hospitalization Costs: As mentioned previously, accidents do happen and should your dog suffer a broken leg or get diagnosed with a serious illness, the high fees of hospitalization time can be enormous. Instead of paying thousands of dollars out of your pocket, you can be worry-free knowing that these fees are taken care of by your dog insurance coverage.



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