Subasree asked:


Pet insurance was once considered as a tactics of insurance companies to mint money out of the customer’s pocket, but for a pet owner it could be really beneficial if he is very much concerned about his pet. It may be considerably expensive to treat the pets every time they become ill. If a pet insurance is taken, it can relieve the owner from overburdening caused by undue treatment costs. Pet insurance covers all the medical expenses of the pet that may be due to any kind of ailment it is suffering from generally.

There are wide varieties of insurance coverage provided with relation to the health of the pet and sometimes even the pet is replaced by a new one. The important benefit got out of pet insurance is the medical coverage which is provided by the insurance companies. But care needs to be taken to go through the terms and conditions of insurance company when going for a pet insurance as the insurance policies rely on the health and age of the pet. If the pet is of more age, more surcharges will be charged on it. Some insurance companies may not even provide any insurance for pets whether more than 9 years old. But, again it all depends on the health of the pet.

Keeping Pet Insurance Premiums Low:

It is more or less the same as other insurance policies. Before taking an insurance policy, it is good to look around and research a little bit on the available pet insurance policies. Monthly and annual costs of the insurance should be analyzed well; also the co-payments and deductibles too need to be taken care of. In case of owning more than one pet, the owner can very well ask the insurance company to provide discounts for multiple pets. A clear understanding of the coverage and non coverage clauses of the policy should is a must to avoid any disappointments after taking the pet insurance policy.

In case if the pet insurance does not cover the pet for preventive measures like the rabies injections etc, it is good to check up with the local clinics which may offer such injections free of cost for people who cannot afford to pay for them. Medicines which are not covered under the insurance policy may also be got from a shop which provides medicines and other supplies for the pets at a cheaper rate. Some online medical stores also offer discounts.

By following some preventive measures, the pet owners can keep the cost of the pet insurance policies at bay. If the pets are provided with right kind of food, the chances of their getting any illness are very low. It has been found that certain over fed pets and pets which were fed with table scrap develop obesity which is the main cause to all kinds of illnesses in pets. A due care to the pet’s diet and having their weight checked up from time to time will help them to be healthy avoiding all expenses for treatment of their illnesses.



Janet

Joseph Long asked:


Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world, and take their name from Chihuahua, Mexico, where they were discovered in the mid-19th century.  These dogs are thought to be descended from Chinese dogs which came over the land bridge from Asia thousands of years ago.  The first chihuahua was registered with the American Kennel Club around the turn of the last century.

You can recognize a chihuahua by it’s big eyes and ears and tiny bodies.  There are two coat varieties – the smooth, glossy short coat that’s more familiar, and a long, soft variation.  Chihuahuas of both types come in a number of different colors, from white, fawn and brown to black, blue brindle, chocolate and tan.  These little dogs are known for loyalty, fierce devotion, and a ferocious manner for such a tiny dog.  They mostly become attached to one or two people, and are extremely protective of them.

Chihuahuas are suitable for most environments, but they’re bad with kids or other pets.  They tend to attack larger animals, and may bite when scared.  They also tend to be alarmed by strangers.  However, a chihuahua is an excellent only dog in a small apartment, since they won’t have problems with exercise the way a larger pet might.  Training your chihuahua is important if you want to avoid the stereotypical high strung pet.

Chihuahuas can be hard to train at first – you need to be patient and committed.  A lot of intensive socialization from an early age is required, and you’ll need to provide plenty of reinforcement for good behavior.  Chihuahuas can suffer from a number of veterinary problems, so you’ll have to pay close attention to health and behavior.  These little dogs can quickly become obese and diabetic if overfed, and an obese chihuahua may also have respiratory and joint problems due to weight.  Dental care is also important. 

These little dogs’ large eyes can lead to them suffering from eye trouble, and infrequent feedings may lead to blood sugar problems.  Keep an eye on your chihuahua to make sure he or she is in good health.  You don’t need to worry about your chihuahua trembling, however.  This is a common behavior in excited dogs, not a health problem.  Well cared for chihuahuas will live as long as eighteen years.

Regular grooming is important, too.  If you have a short haired chihuahua, use a natural bristle brush to distribute oils and remove dead hair, and a flea comb to remove these pests.  A long haired chihuahua will need a wide toothed comb or pin brush and regular grooming.  If mats develop, use a detangler, and pay a lot of attention to the eyes and ears of your little dog.  Shedding chihuahua should be groomed every day to help remove excess fur.  You may need to trim fur on your chihuahua’s feet to prevent slipping.

Thats the basics to what you will need to know about Chihuahuas. Just remember, treat them with love and care. Chances are, they will become more of a family member to you, rather than a pet.



Arnold

John Mailer asked:


Obesity is the most common dog nutritional disease in American dogs today. It is the result of simply eating more calories than are burned. Dogs have a built-in protection against this disease, a control mechanism in their brains that satisfies their hunger after they have eaten enough calories to meet their daily energy needs.

However, it is possible to upset this control mechanism. By feeding the dog a dog food that is highly palatable, he will eat to satisfy his appetite and not his hunger. The only way to remove the excessive fat from a dog’s body is by reversing the way it was put on, which is feeding the dog fewer calories than he will burn for energy. When this is done, the dog’s body will burn up energy stored in his body to obtain what he needs.

Fat is the most efficient source of energy and will be used in the greatest amount whenever energy is needed. A reduction in caloric intake cannot be achieved by just cutting down the quantity of dog food you feed your dog. Drastic cuts in the quantity of dog food fed will only lead to deficiencies that pose an even greater threat to the dog than the obesity does which are deficiencies of proteins, vitamins and minerals key dog nutritions that keep him healthy. It will also make your dog ravenously hungry! Fats and carbohydrates that contain the most calories should be replaced by ingredients that are less digestible and lower in calories.

The diet of an overweight dog should not contain more than 1400 calories per pound of dry dog food. This is approximately 1250 to 1300 calories per pound of dry dog food or 330 to 350 calories per pound of canned dog food. A more accurate and convenient way of obtaining a reducing diet is to use a dietary dog food specifically designed for that purpose. This food can be obtained from a vet. It contains 330 calories per pound and is balanced to provide the correct amount of other nutrients for the dog when fed at that caloric density. Whatever the dog food used, the quantity of it that should be fed has to be estimated.

Portion control is the only method of feeding that can be used during a weight reducing program. A dog food Treat or supplement should not be given during the reduction program. If a dog is more than 10 pounds overweight, (over his ideal body weight) begin your weight reducing program by feeding him only 2/3 the quantity calculated to maintain his desired weight. The full amount of dog food should be given once a reduction in weight begins to occur.

For dogs that are less than 10 lb overweight, begin with the full amount calculated. In dogs weighing less than 10 pounds, use the two-thirds guide for any dog that is more than 33% of his desired weight overweight. It may require several months or longer before a dog reaches his optimum weight. Do not expect your dog to lose the weight in just a few days. Taking off weight too fast can be dangerous to a fat dog. Once optimum weight has been attained, most dogs will have to be kept on portion control feeding. Dogs that tend to get fat need to have their intake closely regulated to prevent them from gaining back the lost weight.



Eugene