Pet health insurance is a modern addition to pet ownership. While pet health insurance may not be the answer for everyone, it is worth considering. Pet health insurance is a policy purchased by the pet owner that will lessen the overall costs if expensive veterinary bills are incurred by the pet(s). Typically, the insurance will cover, either in full or in part, the veterinary costs. It works similarly to human health insurance, but functions specifically for pets.
The cost of pet health insurance varies depending on factors such as indoor pet, outdoor pet, type of pet, age, previous health conditions, and if the pet participates in any special activity such as agility or sledding. The cost of insurance also depends on the amount of coverage you purchase. A small amount of coverage on a young, spayed female dog can average $7-$10 a month, a medium amount of coverage on the same dog can average $15-$20 a month, and a large amount of coverage on the same dog can average $30-$35 a month.
Some of the most popular pet insurance companies include:
ASPCA Pet Insurance
VPI Pet Insurance
Looking into pet health insurance can be overwhelming and difficult to choose the best plan for you and your pet. A helpful resource for researching the right company and policy for you is Pet Insurance Review. The site allows you to compare the rates and benefits of many different policies and companies.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
As a pet owner, how can I help keep the pet population managable?
As many pet owners and animal lovers may know, pet overpopulation is an increasing issue. There are more homeless pets than there are homes available and as a pet owner, it is your responsiblity to keep pet populations under control.
By spaying your female pets and neutering your male pets, you are working toward reducing the number of homeless and unwanted pets in our area. A pregnant dog or cat may have as many as four to eight, or even more, puppies or kittens in one litter. Many of these babies end up in overcrowded animal shelters or organizations such as the Front Street Shelter in Sacramento, the Yolo County SPCA, or the UC Davis Orphan Kitten Project. When there are several babies to every litter born, despite how cute these puppies or kittens are, there are just not enough homes for the thousands of abandoned animals that pass through shelters, rescues, and veterinary hospitals every year. In fact, the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition gives the following facts on dog and cat reproduction numbers:
Not only does spaying and neutering pets reduce the unwanted pet population, it can also be beneficial to your pet's health and well-being.
Spayed female pets, as opposed to intact females, are less prone to develop breast cancer (especially when spayed before their first heat), will not develop ovarian and uterine cancer, will not experience health complications from pregnancy or birthing, spayed dogs will not spot or bleed because they will no longer experience heat cycles, and they will not be affected by the behavioral changes a female pet in heat experiences.
Neutered male pets, as opposed to intact males, are more docile and less likely to wander in search of females in heat, less likely to exhibit urine marking or mounting behavior, will not develop testicular cancer, are less likely to develop benign perianal tumors, prostate infections, or feline FIV disease (in cats), and greatly reduces aggression levels that may lead to fighting with other males.
Spaying and neutering can be a costly procedure and the cost is often the reason pet owners avoid the responsibility. However, there are affordable options available to pet owners facing financial hardship.
The Sacramento Area Animal Coalition provides more information on spaying and neutering, as well as offering a list of clinics all over Northern California that provide affordable or low-cost spay and neuter options. Their website also includes options for feral cats, senior citizens, and pitbulls.
Options available to Davis area pet owners include:
By spaying your female pets and neutering your male pets, you are working toward reducing the number of homeless and unwanted pets in our area. A pregnant dog or cat may have as many as four to eight, or even more, puppies or kittens in one litter. Many of these babies end up in overcrowded animal shelters or organizations such as the Front Street Shelter in Sacramento, the Yolo County SPCA, or the UC Davis Orphan Kitten Project. When there are several babies to every litter born, despite how cute these puppies or kittens are, there are just not enough homes for the thousands of abandoned animals that pass through shelters, rescues, and veterinary hospitals every year. In fact, the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition gives the following facts on dog and cat reproduction numbers:
- Two unaltered cats and their offspring can produce 370,000 kittens in seven years, and more than two million in eight years.
- Two unaltered dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.
Not only does spaying and neutering pets reduce the unwanted pet population, it can also be beneficial to your pet's health and well-being.
Spayed female pets, as opposed to intact females, are less prone to develop breast cancer (especially when spayed before their first heat), will not develop ovarian and uterine cancer, will not experience health complications from pregnancy or birthing, spayed dogs will not spot or bleed because they will no longer experience heat cycles, and they will not be affected by the behavioral changes a female pet in heat experiences.
Neutered male pets, as opposed to intact males, are more docile and less likely to wander in search of females in heat, less likely to exhibit urine marking or mounting behavior, will not develop testicular cancer, are less likely to develop benign perianal tumors, prostate infections, or feline FIV disease (in cats), and greatly reduces aggression levels that may lead to fighting with other males.
Spaying and neutering can be a costly procedure and the cost is often the reason pet owners avoid the responsibility. However, there are affordable options available to pet owners facing financial hardship.
The Sacramento Area Animal Coalition provides more information on spaying and neutering, as well as offering a list of clinics all over Northern California that provide affordable or low-cost spay and neuter options. Their website also includes options for feral cats, senior citizens, and pitbulls.
Options available to Davis area pet owners include:
- Spay Day - Yolo County residents may apply for Spay Day appointments if they recieve public assistance or have an annual household income of $35,000 or less. Spay Day is an annual event where local pets are spayed and neutered by participating vets in one day. Spay Day 2013 just occured on March 3, 2013 and over 700 pets were spayed or neutered. Check the website often for details about next year's event and how to apply. Pets are not only altered for this event, but also receive vaccinations, flea prevenative medicine, and a microchip. It is $20 for dogs and $15 for cats.
- SAAC Vouchers - Yolo County residents are eligiable if they recieve public assistance or have an annual household income of $35,000 or less. Vouchers are redeemable at participating veterinary clinics and are $15 for dogs and $10 for cats typically, although the co-pay could vary. This option is going to be the easiest option if you qualify.
- Solano Feral Cat Task Force - Accepts Solano and Yolo County residents pet and feral cats. You must make appointments beforehand because clinic spots are limited to 80-90 cats every Sunday. There is a suggested $20 donation for each cat.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Low-Cost Vaccination Solutions
Vaccinations are an important step in keeping your pets healthy and well-socialized. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to be sure your pet is not only protected against potential illness and disease, but it is also your responsibility to be sure your pet is not spreading infection to other animals. By getting your pets on a regular vaccination and deworming schedule, you are benefiting the entire pet community.
An unvaccinated pet poses the risks of being infected, infecting other pets, or infecting members of your family. If an unvaccinated pet becomes ill, the pet's veterinary bill for treatment will be far more expensive than the initial vaccination that could have prevented the illness or disease.
Vaccinations and exam fees at veterinary clinics can be costly and this is often a reason why pets become overdue on their yearly vaccines. Remember - rabies vaccines are not only to protect your pet, but also to protect YOU from contracting rabies.
Affordable vaccination (and microchip) clinic options are:
Petco, Davis
LuvMyPet (Costs available here.)
March 17, 2013 10:30am-11:30am and March 31, 2013 10:30am-11:30am
Basic canine package is $54 and basic feline package is $47.
PetExtreme, Woodland
VIP PetCare (Costs available here.)
Every Sunday 4:00pm-5:30pm
Basic canine package is $42 and basic outdoor feline package is $63.
Western Feed and Supply, Davis
VIP PetCare (Costs available here.)
Every Sunday 10:00am-11:30am
Basic canine package is $42 and basic outdoor feline package is $63.
These clinic options are affordable because they elimiate the additional exam fee incurred at most veterinary hospitals. Although a vaccine clinic is not a substitute for all veterinary care, these shot clinics are an important and reasonable way to keep pets (and your family) healthy and happy. If you have a pet who has already contracted an illness, disease, or is injured, seek emergency care right away.
Please remember that you should never expose an unvaccinated pet to other animals. Dogs and cats should always be fully vaccinated before visiting the dog park or being allowed outside.
An unvaccinated pet poses the risks of being infected, infecting other pets, or infecting members of your family. If an unvaccinated pet becomes ill, the pet's veterinary bill for treatment will be far more expensive than the initial vaccination that could have prevented the illness or disease.
Vaccinations and exam fees at veterinary clinics can be costly and this is often a reason why pets become overdue on their yearly vaccines. Remember - rabies vaccines are not only to protect your pet, but also to protect YOU from contracting rabies.
Affordable vaccination (and microchip) clinic options are:
Petco, Davis
LuvMyPet (Costs available here.)
March 17, 2013 10:30am-11:30am and March 31, 2013 10:30am-11:30am
Basic canine package is $54 and basic feline package is $47.
PetExtreme, Woodland
VIP PetCare (Costs available here.)
Every Sunday 4:00pm-5:30pm
Basic canine package is $42 and basic outdoor feline package is $63.
Western Feed and Supply, Davis
VIP PetCare (Costs available here.)
Every Sunday 10:00am-11:30am
Basic canine package is $42 and basic outdoor feline package is $63.
These clinic options are affordable because they elimiate the additional exam fee incurred at most veterinary hospitals. Although a vaccine clinic is not a substitute for all veterinary care, these shot clinics are an important and reasonable way to keep pets (and your family) healthy and happy. If you have a pet who has already contracted an illness, disease, or is injured, seek emergency care right away.
Please remember that you should never expose an unvaccinated pet to other animals. Dogs and cats should always be fully vaccinated before visiting the dog park or being allowed outside.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Welcome to Davis Area Pet Health Resources!
Thank you for taking the time to explore Sacramento Area Pet Health Resources and helping us to build a network of the available and affordable pet health care options around the Sacramento and Davis areas.
A dedicated pet owner should not be stuck with the decision to neglect their pet's health over seeking appropriate veterinary care. We hope you find the resources available on this blog helpful and within your budget.
This blog is sponsored by Davis Pet Services because healthy pets are happy pets!
This blog is sponsored by Davis Pet Services because healthy pets are happy pets!
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