Can my dog die if it drinks water that drains from an a.c. unit?

Can my dog die if it drinks water that drains from an a.c. unit? Good question and one that as we come into summer, becomes even more relevant. So can your dog die if they drink the water that drips out of the bottom of your AC? No, but letting them do this is not a good idea so don't let them! My own dog has drunk water from my AC unit before and been ok, but I have always stopped him from drinking right away so each time he has done it, he has only drunk a little bit of water. If you would like piece of mind on this issue, why not give your vet a jingle and ask them for their opinion?

What's a Good Dog For Apartment Living?

What's a good dog for apartment living? This is a good question and I have a few ideas on this one! I love dogs, I own my own as it happens, a beautiful Black Lab.
When it comes to the environment that is best suited for dogs, one must remember that the bigger the dog, the more living space they need. A Great Dane therefore, would need a bigger living area than say for example, a Chihuahua!
Generally dogs that are suitable for apartment living are small dogs, those that can benefit from simply running around the apartment for their daily exercise. Maltese dogs, Shit Tzu's, Chihuahuas and the like would make for fantastic apartment living pets.

What size of collar for a 16 week old Labrador?

When it comes to choosing the appropriate size of collar for your Labrador, or any breed of dog there is a simple rule of thumb that I like to use. You want to be able to slide two fingers inbetween your dog's neck and the collar, and if you can do this then the collar is the perfect size for your dog or puppy. If you are only able to slide one finger into the space between your dog's neck and the collar, then that is a sure sign that the collar is tighter than it should be. On the other hand, if there is room for three or four fingers between your dog's neck and the collar, then that is a sign that the collar is oversized.

How To Choose a Family dog?

How to choose a Family Dog? Choosing a dog that is best suited to your family dynamic will go a long way in making sure that the dog sticks around for years to come! It is very important to research the many different types of dogs out there so that you are in the position to make an informed smart decision when it comes to what type of dog you choose to bring into your home. Certain dogs are suited better for certain types of families, and it is the responsible pet owner that will go the extra mile to make sure they own the type of dog that best suits their living environment. For example, if your family is very active and loves being out and about, owning a dog that likes to get out and has a lot of energy would be the way to go. A dog such as the Labrador Retriever or Collie would be the perfect dog breed for this example, as these dogs have a lot of energy and are great around children and other pets. If on the other hand your family is one that likes to laze around and is not very active, you will definitely want a type of dog breed that shares your love for down time. A dog that needs a lot of exercise, that does not get it, will be likely to develop behavioral issues that you will have a heck of a time getting rid of. Some dogs that are able to get by on less outdoor activity would include the majority of small dogs, who for the most part can get their exercise from simply running around your home.

Pet Insurance For Multiple Pets?

Is it possible to purchase pet insurance for multiple pets? Darn tootin its possible and if you have multiple pets in your family this is a darn good idea. Why have just one of your pets covered when for a reduced rate, you can have them all covered? Generally for the multiple pet household, the more pets you add to your plan, the more of a discount you will get! Personally I have two dogs and they are both covered under a $19 per month plan but because I bundled them together, I got both covered for $16 per month each, thus a savings of $3 per month per pet! This may not sound like a lot of money but that $6 I save each month adds up over time! For those households that have a dog and a cat, the same options apply! You can purchase pet insurance for both and join them to reduce your cost, however because I do not own cats, I have never had to look into the cost of pet insurance for them so I do not know if the payment structure works the same as it does for doggies.

How long do you think my dog will live?

A common question that many new dog owners have is 'how long will their new dogs live for?' This is a good question and one whose answer depends on the type of breed that you own, and whether or not they are subjected to a healthy life style or not. Generally a good rule of thumb to go on is, the larger the dog, the shorter the life span of that dog. Great Danes for example have a life span of seven to nine years, while little Maltese dogs can seemingly live for ever. Another variable that can determine the life span of your dog is the amount of exercise that you give it. Dogs that are regularly exercised will be more likely to stay slim and in good health than dogs that are not exercised enough. If you want your dog to live as long as possible, make sure you take care of him to the best of your ability so that all his needs are met.

Is Pet Insurance Very Expensive?

Is pet insurance expensive? No it is not and when you think about it, paying a little out of your own pocket each month could one day save you a ton of money. I am the perfect example of how pet insurance can help you and I will explain why below.

I have three Labrador Retrievers, two yellow and one black. They are awesome dogs and I love them like my kids and would do anything for them. One thing I did decide to do was to purchase pet insurance coverage for all of them and am I ever glad I did.

Not three months after they were enrolled on a pet insurance plan, my Black Lab was running out in the icy back yard, and came up lame! I had seen this before with my friend's Rottweiler so I had a pretty good idea what had happened! Off to the vet we went where to my dismay, the vet concurred with my thought that my boy had torn his cruciate ligament, which is the ligament that attaches the femur bone to the tibia. My dog was limping because of the pain and I did not hesitate when the vet recommended that my boy go under the knife for surgery to repair the damage.

When all was said and done, the entire ordeal cost me approximately $3500, which included the cost of the surgery and subsequent x-rays and such. Because I had pet insurance for my pooch, I received a cheque in the mail for 90% of the actual out of pocket expense for me, which was a fantastic amount in my opinion! Generally you will not get a full reimbursement but 90% of the full balance is pretty sweet.

This is just an example of how pet insurance can be a freaken savior, and I am ever so grateful that I have it for my lads.

Pet Insurance Cost?

In my previous post, I eluded to the cost of pet insurance and that it can depend vastly on the type of coverage you opt to choose for your pet and for this post, I would like to delve a little deeper into this for you. People who I ask about pet insurance often reply to me that it would be nice to have for their pet but would also be a waste of money that they would rather spend on other things. I used to feel this way myself until I one day simply decided to purchase it for my dogs, and I am very glad I had that wim because if I had not got it when I did, I would be kicking myself very hard right now.

So let's break it down a little bit to make it easier for you to understand. Lets begin with a basic insurance plan, which all providers will surely offer. This sort of plan is generally not a lot of money, and you should be able to find one for under $20 per month. This sort of plan will cover the basics; your pet's annual check up, nail trimming, ear infection treatment, etc. It will not however cover out of the blue bills that come resulting from vet care for more serious issues such as sudden illness, the need for surgery, or onset of long term conditions that require constant medication such as cancer or arthritis. If you own a small dog who is more of a house dweller this sort of plan would be perfect.

The type of pet insurance plan that I would opt for is one that is a little more expensive, but one that provides more coverage if I should need it. Not only will it cover the basics which were mentioned in the above paragraph, but it will also cover more elaborate vet bills that could stem from medical procedures ranging from stomach pumping, yup I've paid that bill before, overnight hospital stays for observation, and expensive medications that your dog may need to take. This sort of plan will set you back more than $30 a month in most cases but once again, it is an excellent investment in your pet's future.

Personally I am very happy I chose to purchase coverage for my dogs and if I could make all pet owners buy coverage, I would do it! Unfortunately I can not do this, so this is why I am providing you with the facts so that you can make the informed decision yourself. I would do anything for my dogs, and if I had no coverage and needed to find money to pay an expensive vet bill I would definitely find a way to pay it, but life is so much easier for me knowing that they, and me are covered!

How Much Is Pet Insurance?

How much is pet insurance is a common question that I am asked on a regular basis and every time somebody asks me, I give them the same answer: It depends on which pet insurance plan you choose. Pet insurance plans are like cars in a way. Let me explain.

When you go to a car dealership to look at new cars, you tend to look at cars that fall within your price range. You see, there are cars that are flashy and expensive, and then there are cars that are cheaper and less flashy. This is exactly how pet insurance works. Expensive plans will cover a lot of expensive medical procedures that your pet may never need to be subjected too, while cheaper pet insurance plans cover the cheaper medical procedures but not the more expensive ones.

When trying to figure out which pet insurance plan is right for you, it would be a great idea to sit down with your vet and ask them to help you figure it out. Depending on the type of breed of dog you have as a pet may determine the appropriate type of pet insurance coverage that is best for them, and your vet will be able to give you a breakdown of the various plans, what they offer, what they do not offer and how you are best suited spending your money.

Is pet insurance a good idea? For sure! I have pet insurance for my three dogs, and because I used the same company, I got a discount on coverage for all of my dogs. I have used my coverage a few times; when Scooter got his paw cut on a mouse trap last summer, and this past winter when my Larry ate a pound and a half of dark chocolate I had "hidden" away for Christmas. Even if I never had to use my coverage I would not view it as a waste of money, because you just never know when you might need to use it.