Pet Bucket Blog

Feral cat populations are a big problem today. By some estimates, there are as many as 58 million stray cats and kittens in the US as of early 2014. Going by these estimates, it's quite likely that you've come across a stray cat or kitten around your home. If you decide to take in that stray kitten and care for it, you'll need to follow a few tips to ensure you are protecting yourself or family and properly caring for the kitten.   1. Observe Before you take a stray kitten into your home, or even approach it, take a moment to sit back and observe the situation. That stray kitten may belong to a mother cat that is hiding out of view or moving her litter to a new location one-by-one. If no adult cat appears, approach the stray kitten to determine its friendliness. Whether or not the kitten has a collar, if no mother cat appears you can take it into your home to provide shelter and care.   2. Prepare a home Kittens don't need much in order to feel comfortable. If you have a spare cardboard box around and some extra blankets or towels, you've got a nice little home for the stray kitten. The kitten should spend the majority of its time in the box with some blankets and a toy or two. Keep the kitten in a quiet area of the house, separated from any other pets you may have, and do not give it free reign of the house.   3. Call a vet Once you've got the stray kitten situated in your home, you should call your local vet to get an idea of what type of feeding schedule it requires. The vet may ask you to bring the kitten in immediately to get a rough estimate of its age. A kitten's age determines its entire feeding schedule. According to the ASPCA, kittens under one month require milk replacers four to six times each day. Older kittens need to be transitioned away from milk replacers and introduced, slowly, to solid kitten food. Feedings should still take place four times each day, gradually decreasing to three meals a day.   4. Socialize with the stray Kittens need to be socialized as soon as possible, for the benefit of your family and other pets you may have. Properly socialized animals pose less of a threat to humans and are easier to relocate to new homes. While the kitten should spend its time in the home you created for it, it is also important to take it out and play with it from time to time. This socialization helps the kitten develop a bond with you and will improve its ability to bond with others in the future. Socializing the kitten is particularly important if you only plan to care for it on a temporary basis. If you help the kitten form positive bonds, it will be easier for a rescue organization to find a permanent home for it later.   5. Make the tough decisions Welcoming a stray kitten into your home requires making a few tough decisions. The steps above will help you integrate that kitten into your home quickly, but if you plan on keeping the kitten on a permanent basis you'll need to make some decisions. Kittens are expensive when they are young, and stray kittens come with some added expenses. For starters, if the stray kitten came from a feral litter it will need to have its initial immunizations to ensure it is healthy as it grows. It is also a good idea to have the stray spayed/neutered to ensure it does not add to the cat population in the future. Last but not least, adult cats are independent, but kittens need your attention. If you or your family do not have the time to devote to the kitten, it might be best to make this situation temporary. Feature image credit    

After being trapped inside for the majority of the winter months, your pet is just as eager as you are to get outside and get some fresh air. Every dog owner should be taking the family pet for a walk as often as possible, but the typical walk around the neighborhood can get boring in a hurry. If you are lucky enough to live along a coastline, now is the time to hit the beach and bring your dog with you. It is not uncommon to see individuals and families enjoying a day at the beach with their four-legged friends. Dogs love the water and the open spaces on the beach give them plenty of room to run. Before heading out the door, make sure to read the following tips to ensure that you and your dog enjoy the beach safely this summer.   1. Watch the temperature Warm summer temperatures pose the same health risks for your dog that they do for you. When you are packing up for a day at the beach, remember to bring plenty of cool water, a doggie dish, and a towel for your dog. If you have a beach umbrella, bring that along too - your dog is going to need shade to relax in. Spread out a towel for your dog to relax on under the shade of the umbrella to give them comfort and relaxation away from the sand. If you don't have an umbrella, then it is important to set up shop under a pavilion or tree. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of overheating. If your dog begins panting rapidly, drooling, has coordination problems, or suffers diarrhea, you need to get them home and cooled off immediately. Provide your dog with plenty of water breaks while playing, and keep its bowl in the shade to ensure the water remains cool.   2. Master the recall command If your dog is struggling with the "come" command, a day at the beach could turn into a nightmare. Dogs with a tendency to run away or poor training with the recall command should not be allowed off their leashes at the beach. Many pet retailers sell long leashes (up to 30ft in length) that will allow your dog a sense of freedom without giving it free reign to wander too far.   3. Follow the beach rules Many beaches have rules that apply to public use. No two beaches are guaranteed to have the same set of rules governing behavior and usage. It is always wise to bring your dog's leash, ensure it is wearing a collar and/or ID tag, and stock up on waste bags so you can clean up after your dog. In addition to written rules, try to keep some of the unwritten rules in mind so you and your dog are polite at the beach. If your dog is a digger, the beach is the perfect place to let it get the urge out of its system. However, make sure you fill in any holes it leaves out of consideration for other beachgoers. Don't allow your dog to harass other dogs or beachgoers. If it is barking too much, it is probably time to call it a day.   4. Avoid hazards The beach is a natural environment, and as such it comes with some natural hazards that can harm your pet. Keep a close eye on your pet to ensure it isn't trying to eat any strange creatures crawling along the beach or drinking saltwater. Your dog could become seriously ill if it ingests wild animals, and saltwater can induce vomiting or diarrhea. Remember to give your dog a quick rinse with freshwater before leaving the beach. Some dogs suffer from rashes or general discomfort on their skin and paws after coming in contact with saltwater.   5. Know your breed Last but not least, know what genetic factors might make a day at the beach more dangerous for your pooch. Short-muzzled breeds like the English Bulldog, Boston Terrier, and Pug can overheat quicker than other dogs. If you have one of these breeds, keep a close eye on their comfort level at the beach. Dogs with shorter coats, lighter fur colors, or no hair at all, can suffer from sunburn just like humans. If you have one of these breeds, you'll need to purchase sunscreen made especially for dogs. With all dogs, keep an eye on their nose to ensure it doesn't burn.   If you follow all of these tips, you and your dog can have a day at the beach that is filled with fun and exercise. Best of all, everyone will come home happily worn out and ready for a good night's sleep. Feature image credit

If you are a cat owner, you might be anxious to discover that your pal has a dry nose, especially in the summertime, and you may become concerned that they are suffering from the heat and have become dehydrated. The idea that pets ought to have wet noses is commonplace. However, the cause of your favorite feline's seemingly parched nose could be harmless rather than a health problem. You might find that it's useful to know that the dryness or wetness of your cat's nose varies depending on the environment. When cats sunbathe or sit next to windows in the full sun their noses lose moisture, but this does not mean that they are sick. Once they move into the shade and drink water, their noses tend to become moist once more. They might also end up with dry noses if they spend a great deal of time in poorly ventilated rooms during the summer months. It that's the case, airflow can remedy the problem. However, some cats love sunbathing so much that they resist the urge to move into the shade before they suffer from sunburn. They are particularly prone to spending too long in the sun at the beginning of the summer since they are delighted to feel the warmth of the sunshine for a change. At such times, you can place a sunshade over them if they refuse to budge from a sunny spot. You will be able to tell that your cat's nose is too dry due to sunburn if it is unusually pink, red or blistered. Severe burns might result in paleness and an extremely dry, flaky condition. Unfortunately, sunburn can be as serious for cats as it is for humans, so it is best to provide shade for them in the summer months and keep an eye on how long they lounge in the sunshine. Much of the time, you need not worry unless dryness is accompanied by other symptoms. Nasal discharge, crustiness and cracks can be signs of ill health. In addition, problems may be present if an unpleasant smell is emanating from your cat's nose, or a change of color occurs. But remember, color changes can happen during winter while fading naturally takes place. When the summer arrives, healthy cat noses usually regain their normal coloring. Knowing that cats often naturally have dry noses can prevent you from becoming unduly worried. Nonetheless, a dry nose could indicate a problem if it is accompanied by other symptoms. In addition to blisters, color changes, nasal discharge, crustiness and flakiness, when illness is present, cats might display other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or decreased appetite. If you have any doubts about your cat's health, it's best to ask the advice of a veterinarian. However, a dry nose is not usually a cause for concern. Feature image credit

Too many owners lose their best friend each year because they make the sad choice to leave a dog in the car during a shopping trip or road trip. There is never a truly safe time of year to leave a dog behind in the car, but summer is by far the most dangerous time of year. If you've developed this habit or done it once in the past, the following facts might change your mind forever about leaving your dog in the car.   Many dog owners will bring their best friend along as they run errands on a Saturday afternoon. In an attempt to keep their four-legged buddy comfortable at each stop, they roll down the windows and park in the shade. The sad truth is that neither step is effective in preventing health risks or death.   Even with the windows rolled down in your car, the air inside does not circulate well enough to remove the danger. Dogs cannot sweat like humans, and only cool down by panting and sweating from their paws. It can take as little as 15 minutes of breathing hot, stuffy air for your dog to collapse and suffer brain damage, heatstroke, or even death. Parking in the shade does little to alleviate the situation, as warm temperatures outside and a lack of air conditioning inside can create miserable conditions for your pet.   The scary facts It doesn't take excessive heat outside for a car to become a deadly oven on the inside. On a day when the temperature hits 78 degrees, the temperature inside the car can exceed 90 degrees within a few minutes. If, on that same day, the car is left sitting in the sun the temperature inside can easily reach 160 degrees.   Even on a day when the temperature is a seemingly harmless 60 degrees, the temperature inside your car can reach into the danger zone if your car is left parked out in the sun for too long. All it takes is 15 minutes for your dog's internal temperature to climb from a healthy 102.5 degrees to a deadly level.   When your dog's body starts to heat up too much, it can suffer damage to its nervous system, cardiovascular system, become dehydrated, become comatose, and in the worst case scenario, die inside the vehicle.   Take precautions During the summer months it is best to simply leave your dog at home. If you are heading out on a road trip, then it is important to take precautions to ensure that your pet remains comfortable and healthy along the way. Make sure to bring plenty of water and a travel dish for your dog to drink from at stops.   Make space inside the cab of your car or truck for the dog. If you own a truck and absolutely have to put your dog in the bed, do the right thing and secure its crate in the truck bed. Never let your dog ride loose in the bed of the truck. The metal bed can burn its paws and the exposure can result in sunburn or injury from debris. If your dog is riding in the bed, take extra breaks while driving to get them out and offer them some shade and cool water.   Remember, in as little as 15 minutes your dog can die from exposure inside a hot car. The intense heat and stale air make for terrible conditions for your dog, and in some states you can be charged with animal cruelty for leaving your dog in the car for any amount of time.

If you notice that your pet is straining without successfully passing a bowel movement or you see that your cat's stools are small and hard, constipation is probably the explanation. There are a number of possible underlying causes of this problem, and a few different ways to provide your cat with relief. Here are the key facts that you should know about understanding and treating a constipated cat. Reasons for your cat's constipation Dehydration Firstly, it's important to think about whether your cat might be dehydrated, as dehydration prompts the cat's body to conserve as much water as possible (leading to dry stools). Dehydration can develop due to a lack of regular drinking, habitual eating of dry food (i.e. kibble), or underlying health problems such as kidney disease or thyroid problems. If you think that your pet is drinking enough water and you feed the cat moist food, you should visit your vet so that blood tests for underlying conditions can be conducted. If a condition is found, appropriate treatment for that disease should improve your cat's hydration and thereby tackle the constipation. Bowel obstructions Is your cat particularly hairy, or prone to finding and chewing items that could be dangerous? In either case, it's possible that a bowel obstruction of hair or a foreign object is preventing the cat from defecating. However, obstructions can also occur because of internal growths like tumors and polyps. A scan performed at your vet practice should reveal whether constipation is caused by an obstruction, and if one is found then it may need to be surgically removed. If your cat habitually swallows large quantities hair, make a habit of grooming them more regularly so that less hair is available. Meanwhile, try to keep potentially chewable items hidden away from your cat's reach to prevent ingestion. Side effects from medication If your pet is on medication, one of the drugs could be causing constipation. Constipation is one of the most common side effects of antihistamines (for treating allergies or itching), diuretics (for heart disease), and antibiotics. In some cases, it may be possible to try a different type of medication if the constipation is very severe, but in other cases your vet may suggest regular doses of a stool softener to encourage bowel movements. Rarer causes It is also worth noting that constipation may also be caused by certain types of cancer, a diet that is particularly low in fiber, an abscess around the anal area, or a neurological problem that has caused nerve damage in the cat's lower body. When you report constipation to your vet, always ask about all possible causes. How to prevent constipation If you want to prevent repeated bouts of constipation, there are some smart things that you can do at home. In addition to feeding your cat moist food and making a fresh water supply constantly available, you can add canned or cooked pumpkin to the daily meals. Pumpkin is very high in both fiber and moisture, and many cats really like the taste.

What are hairballs?   A hairball, like the word implies, is a ball of hair that is a natural result of your cat’s healthy and meticulous grooming routine.   How do hairballs form?   There are tiny hook-like structures on your cat’s tongue that catch loose or dead hair while your cat is grooming himself. This hair is then swallowed. Though the majority will pass through the digestive tract with no problem, some can remain in the stomach forming a hairball as a result.   What are the common symptoms?   The only way your cat can rid the hairball is by vomiting. Because of this, you should expect hacking, gagging, or retching.   Do some cats produce more hairballs than others?   Hairballs are more frequent in long-haired cats, cats that shed a lot, and cats that groom themselves compulsively. Younger cats will initially produce less hairballs, but as they get older and become more adept groomers, you can expect the amount of hairballs to increase.   Are they dangerous?   Even though cleaning up your cat’s hairballs probably isn’t your favorite thing to do, it’s good to know that your cat is riding them from their body. If your cat is vomiting, gagging, or hacking without producing a hairball, they could potentially have a life-threatening intestinal blockage. These symptoms, combined with lack of appetite, lethargy, constipation, or diarrhea, are all reasons to contact your vet immediately.   Remedies   It’s a definite that your cat is going to groom themself, and although nothing can be done to prevent hairballs completely, there are things you can do to keep them to a minimum.   1. Brush your cat regularly.   image source The more fur you can remove from your cat, the less that will end up in their stomach. By combing or brushing your cat daily, you can both minimize hairballs and bond with your cat.   2. Feed your cat “hairball formula” cat food.   image credit There are several brands that are designed to reduce hairballs. These formulas tend to be higher in fiber, and contain ingredients to improve the health of your cat’s coat.   3. Try a hairball product. image credit There are a number of products available most of which are mild laxatives to help hairballs pass through the digestive tract. 4. Engage your cat.   image souce If your cat grooms themself excessively, you should try distracting them with a new toy or activity.

While vaccination is the only way to prevent your dog from contracting fatal diseases like parvovirus or hepatitis and regular flea, tick and worming treatments should be given to prevent those nasties occurring - it's also important to give your dog regular health checks to make sure there are no tell-tale signs that your dog's health is compromised. 1. Ears Your dogs ears should be clean and free from odor. If your dog has a build up of wax you can remove it gently using cotton wool. Like humans, a dog's ears are sensitive so never poke anything directly into the ear canal because you can push wax further down and even perforate the ear drum. Your dog's ears will need to be cleaned regularly to prevent infections - especially breeds with floppy ears like spaniels. If you spot any odor, swelling or a thick brown or green wax, bring it to the attention of your vet. 2.  Eyes Check for ingrown eye lashes or other hairs that may be in your dog's eyes. The eyes should be bright and clear with the same size pupils. There should be no excessive discharge, redness, runniness or irritations. If you see anything like this, then you should visit your vet. 3.  Nose A dog's nose can be pink or black, and often will change between the two throughout the year. Generally, the nose should be moist and cool and should be free from obstructions that can impair breathing. Look out for crusting, discharge, bleeding and excessive sneezing as these could be signs of illness. 4. Mouth It may be a little tricky, but lift your dogs lips and check the gums. They should be pink. If you spot dark or redder areas or if they're bleeding and swollen there may be a problem. Check the mouth and tongue for growths, lumps, cuts and sores. Teeth should be clean and white - and none loose! They should also be free from yellow plaque and tartar. If your dog has bad breath there may be a digestive problem or bad teeth. 5. Feet Check to see if your dog's nails need a trim. Excessively long nails can cause problems for your dog. Be sure to use special dog nail clippers or a file and take extra care as sometimes nail clipping can cause bleeding. A healthy nail should be smooth, short, white or black and free from splitting. If your dog's nails look rough and break easily you may need someone to have a look at them. Check your dog's feet for cuts, grazes, lumps, growths, splinters or seeds. 6. Tail Look underneath your dog's tail for any signs of discharge or soreness. It's possible that the anal glands need to be emptied by your vet. 7. Coat & Skin You should groom your dog regularly, particularly so if you have a long-haired breed. Regular brushing not only keeps them looking neat and tidy, and their coat shiny, but it helps to stimulate the oils in their skin. Your dog's skin should be free from flaking, dandruff or sores and should be pink or black, depending on the breed. Your dog's coat should be shiny with no broken hair. At this point you should also be checking the coat for evidence of fleas and ticks. 8. Body You should do a full body check of your dog by running your hands over every part of their body. Your should be looking out for cuts, lumps, inflammation and any signs that your dog is in discomfort. 9. Weight Like in the human population, obesity is a big problem for dogs. When doing a full body health check, you should also be checking your dog's weight. You should be able to just feel the ribs - not more. Your dog should have a 'waist' between the ribs and hips and the belly should not be hanging. Monitor for any weight gain or loss and if you are ever unsure, consult your vet. 10. Eating & Drinking It's not unusual for dogs to go off their food, but if it goes on for more than 24 hours then you should be visiting the vet. Similarly, if your dog's thirst increases for no apparent reason, then you should be also getting in touch with the vet. 11. Digestion Look out for changes in appetite - this can of course be hard if your pooch is a fussy eater, however there may be a digestion issue if there is sickness or choking while your dog is eating. 12. Going to the toilet Since your dog is presumably on a constant diet, their urine and stools should be of a similar consistency - so checking their waste is a good key to knowing what condition their health is in. If your dog's urine is dark, cloudy or has blood in it then you should see your vet. Diarrhea and constipation or blood and mucus/clear jelly in their stools are other causes for concern. 13. Walking When you take your dog out for a walk keep and eye on their movement to see if they are limping, are stiff or appear overly tired. If they are coughing or panting a lot, these are other symptoms that may need a closer check on. 14. Energy & Attitude This is a good way to get an indication to how your dog is feeling. Is there tail and head down? Are they skulking in corners or digging holes to lie in? These could be good indications that there is something wrong with your dog. Remember, it's important to keep on top of regular health checks at home to keep a close eye on your dog's health. Since they cannot tell you how they are feeling, it's your job to make sure nothing sinister is going on. You know your dog best, so don't forget to follow your gut instincts if you don't feel like everything is ok. Feature image credit  

Pets touch our lives and our hearts in ways that some people will never fully understand. The reality is, as pet owners, a dog or cat's lifespan is no match for a humans so we stand to potentially loose a number of pets in the course of our own life. Even so, the loss of any pet is never easy and for many of us feel it is equal to the loss of another human. Similarly, the grieving process for a pet can be no different to loosing a human loved one. Everyone grieves differently and expresses grief differently - there's simply no right or wrong way to do it. For some people grief will present itself in high and low waves, where time will heal the frequency and intensity of the lows. For others, they'll experience various stages of grief: denial, anger, guilt, depression and acceptance. How you grieve for your pet will not only depend on who you are as a person emotionally but what sort of bond or impact you had with that pet and perhaps how that death came about. Was it sudden or traumatic? Were they old? Did they have a long-term or debilitating illness? Were they an assistance animal? Did you live only with them? Factors such as these will greatly impact how your grieve and the significance and impact the loss can play on your life. It must be noted however, that you can also experience grief if your pet has run away or become lost. In any case, you should never be made to feel silly, guilty or ashamed for feeling the loss of your pet or wishing to grieve for that loss. The reality is, some friends, family or co-workers may never fully understand your loss or be able to offer you sympathy. Again, that shouldn't deter you from grieving that way you want to. Because as pet owners, we often don't think of our pets as simply a dog or a cat, but a loved one, compantion, confidant and much valued family member. Tips for coping with the loss of a pet     •    Acknowledge the grief you are feeling and don't be afraid to express it.     •    Don't rush the grieving process - let it happen naturally and let it run its course.     •    Being open about your feelings of grief should be encouraged.     •    Ignoring or 'bottling up' your grief is not a healthy way to deal with your feelings.     •    If it's easier, write down how you are feeling.     •    If you are not receiving much support from those closet to you, turn to online forums, acquaintances, bereavement hotlines or counsellors to give you the support you need.     •    Don't let others dictate your feelings. Only you know how you feel and when you feel like you're over the grieving process.     •    Holding a funeral or memorial service can really help with your healing. Similarly, planting a tree, or creating a photo album are nice ways to remember your pet and is somewhere to channel your feelings. It's also nice to remember happier times.     •    Continue with your routine: eat well, exercise, get plenty of sleep, meditate. Not only is it important to keep going with your routine but these methods also help relieve stress and improve your mood - not only yours but your children and other pets if you have them.     •    Fill the void your pet has left but occupying that time with a hobby or other social activities. It's important to keep in touch with those you are closest too as it can help keep depression away. It can also help you discover new loves and interests.     •    Don't rush out and buy a new pet to fill the void your departed pet has left. Take the time to go through the grieving process and only consider a new pet when you are truly ready. Remember, your departed pet will never be truly replaced. If you need help with a child coping with the loss of a pet, look at our previous article on the subject.  

Many dog owners, especially those with larger breeds, like to play fight with their dogs. It can be lots of fun, but also dangerous if it goes too far.   Play fighting or roughhousing can include wrestling, rolling around, or tug-of-war games in which your dog may play-bite, lunge, and bark at you. When you participate in this kind of play, you’re basically mimicking how dogs interact together.   If you choose to play fight with your dog, there are certain things you need to take into consideration. In general, you need to understand what behaviors you are encouraging, and what the consequences may be. For example, if you allow your dog to play with you like he would with another dog, your dog may try to play that way with all humans. This could be risky when there are toddlers or elderly people around.   In order to keep the situation under control here are some rules for roughhousing:   You should initiate the play fighting. Teach your dog that its okay to roughhouse, or jump on you, only when given a cue to do so. This will prevent your dog from trying to play rough with others. This is also beneficial for the times you may be wearing clothes you’d prefer to stay in one piece. Without training, you can’t expect your dog to understand when it is a good time or bad time to roughhouse. Teach your dog a cue that will indicate that playtime is over such as “game over” or “settle.” This command is good for anytime rough play gets too intense or there is excessive mouthing or nipping. Your dog needs to know those behaviors are not acceptable. Look for signs that your dog is stressed so you can spot aggression before it escalates. Supervise your dog closely when around other people like children, those with disabilities, and the elderly Avoid chasing your dog as part of play, this could make it difficult to get a hold of him in an emergency situation. Take short breaks or timeouts to allow your dog to calm down.   There are plenty of fun and dynamic ways to play with your dog that will not encourage behaviors that may have problematic consequences. Whatever you decide is right for you and your dog, make sure to be consistent so your dog understands the rules.   Feature image credit

We often take out insurance for our home and contents, for our cars, when we go on holidays and to cover our own medical expenses. But what about our pets? Like us, pets are living longer and are also benefitting from medical advancements, meaning for the first time, they can access medical treatments and drugs they never were able to before. But of course, it all comes at a cost. Like other forms of insurance, pet insurance pays either fully or a portion of the costs associated with medical treatment on an insured pet. Policies and types of cover vary greatly between companies and location, with some even offering 'comprehensive' insurance, which helps cover costs for things such as routine check ups and even in some cases, if the pet dies, is lost or stolen or is involved in an accident. Policies are continually evolving to keep up with medical advancement, so some even cover medications and alternative therapies, or boarding costs (if owner is hospitalised). Pet insurance is certainly on the rise, making the market more competitive - however there are still more pets uninsured than are, with many pet owners either not considering insuring their pet worth it or find it all too expensive. Fortunately, pet insurance companies are becoming more flexible in what they offer meaning they're able to cater to pet owners of all budgets and requirements. On some policies you can even deduct certain aspects of coverage depending on your needs. Pet insurance is becoming so popular, some companies will now offer it as an optional add-on employee benefit. As mentioned, the types of cover you can receive differs depending on where you live. For example in the United Kingdom, where insuring your pet is very popular, many policies will pay 100% of vet fees, where as other companies may offer a discounted rate for a policy if the customer chooses to pay an "excess" (the amount you agree to pay before the insurance company pays.) In the United States and Canada, policies can either pay off a benefit schedule or a percentage of the vet costs (sometimes as much as 90%), after reaching a deductible (the amount of expenses that must be paid out of pocket before an insurer will pay any expenses) - but again it depends on the the company and what policy is chosen. Even though it is health insurance, pet insurance is viewed more like property insurance, where by you have to pay the upfront costs and are then reimbursed once you put in a claim to your insurance company. However, in some instances where fees are very high, veterinarians and health practicioners will agree to allow payment to be delayed until a claim is processed or the insurer pays direct to them.   Choosing to take our pet insurance is no easy decision and it can be mind boggling to sift through the various policies and companies on offer. Your pet's existing health, their needs and your budget should all be considered when making a choice. These are some things to consider when purchasing pet insurance:     •    Does your pet have any congenital or hereditary conditions? Will they be covered?     •    How is reimbursement calculated?     •    Is the deductible on a per-incident or annual basis?     •    Are there any limits or caps?     •    Is there an annual contract that decides that anything diagnosed in the previous year of coverage is not considered a pre-existing condition in the new year. There are some great price comparison websites out there who can help make your choice a little easier. There are definite critics of pet insurance who think it be far wiser just to put away money each year in an emergency account which you can access if a situation should arise, rather than paying for coverage that you can't be sure you'll ever need. For other pet owners, pet insurance can offer peace of mind for when unexpected things come up and allows them to give their beloved pets the chance to access all the medical assistance they need to not only help any accidents or sudden ailments but to also access a variety of medical treatments to help improve their overall health, wellbeing and longevity. At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer - the choice is purely up to you and what you feel is best for you, your family, your pet - and your bank balance. Feature image credit