Dog is Good & Petplan Partner for the 1st Annual #DOGMOM of the Year Award

We are on a mission to find the “best of the best” when it comes to #DOGMOMs and we need your help!

For the month of May, Dog is Good (DIG), a Dog Lifestyle company that creates and markets gifts and apparel for dog lovers, and Petplan, America’s best-loved pet insurance provider, will be searching the country to find the #DOGMOM of the Year!  The fun kicks off on May 1 when moms can share their pup’s picture and story for a chance to be named #DOGMOM of the Year.

The top 10 #DOGMOM entries, selected by a panel of judges from Dog is Good and Petplan, will be posted on Dog is Good’s Facebook page for open public voting from May 19 through May 30.  On May 31, Dog Is Good and Petplan will announce the 1st Annual #DOGMOM of the Year Award winner.

“Love is a Four-Legged Word, Caring for You is a Privilege, and I Get to Watch my Heart Run Around In Front of Me, are all sentiments #DOGMOMs feel every day,” said Dog is Good co-founder Gila Kurtz.  “We really feel that the #DOGMOM is often overlooked and underappreciated. This is our way of sharing incredible stories with our Dog Is Good fans and dog-lovers around the country.”

“When we reached out to find partners for this program, we were overwhelmed by the show of support in the pet industry,” stated Dog Is Good co-founder Jon Kurtz.  “Petplan stepped up immediately.  They are great partners with a common interest; ensuring the health and happiness of our four-legged family members.”

The #DOGMOM of the Year Award grand prize winner will receive one year of Petplan insurance for their dog (including a one-year subscription to fetch! magazine), a one-year subscription to BarkBox, courtesy of Petplan, a #DOGMOM Gift Basket filled with gift and apparel items from Dog is Good, and gifts from pet industry partners: byNature, DOGTV, Earth Heart, Furlocity, K9Bytes, Leash Your Fitness, Natural Paws, PetHub, Stylish Canine, and Sunny-dog Ink.  Additionally, all contestants will receive gifts and offers just for entering.

“As a company comprised of passionate pet parents, we were delighted to partner with Dog is Good for the very first #DOGMOM award,” says Natasha Ashton, co-founder and co-CEO of Petplan.  “It seems only fitting that as we celebrate mothers this May, we should include the moms who go above and beyond to provide tender loving care to their four-legged family members. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ for all they do.”

About Petplan

Petplan is the only pet insurance provider to have been included on Inc. Magazine’s list of 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies in America. For the second consecutive year, Petplan was listed among the top 50 companies on Forbes’ annual ranking of America’s Most Promising Companies – a list of 100 privately held, high-growth companies with bright futures. Petplan’s fully customizable dog insurance and cat insurance policies provide coverage for all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet as standard, and meet the coverage requirements and budget for pets of all/any age. Petplan pet insurance policies are underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company in the U.S. and by Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company in Canada. The Allianz Group is rated A+ by A.M. Best (2012). For information, about Petplan pet insurance, visit www.gopetplan.com, read the Petplan “Vets for Pets” Blog or call 1-866-467-3875.

PetSafe® Brand’s 2014 ‘Bark for Your Park’ Contest Will Award $200,000 to Help Build New Dog Parks Nationwide

One U.S. city will win $100,000 and four runner-ups will win $25,000 each to build a new dog park

Are the dogs in your town longing for a wide open space to call their own? This summer, one corporation will make this dream come true for five U.S. communities.

PetSafe^® Brand, a leading innovator in pet behavior and lifestyle solutions, is launching its fourth annual Bark for Your Park nationwide contest on May 7, 2014. One U.S. city will win $100,000 and four other finalist cities will be awarded $25,000 each to build an off-leash dog park in their community.

“PetSafe is honored to be able to give back to communities who are eager to help make their towns more pet-friendly,” Randy Boyd, CEO and president of Radio Systems Corporation, makers of the PetSafe brand, said. “As part of the PetSafe brand, we’ve seen firsthand how a dog park can enhance a community, bring responsible pet owners together and create a wonderful place to live and visit. We are hopeful that every U.S. community will be inspired to bark for their park this year!”

From May 7 through June 7, anyone within the continental U.S. can vote for his or her city online at www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. In order to advance to the finals, each community must complete their application by finding a home for their dog park and encouraging their civic leaders to support the park. Based on the information provided by each city, PetSafe will confirm the availability of land, civic leader support, population size and total number of votes to select 15 finalist communities, which will be announced June 13.

For more information, please visit www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark or check out the online video to learn what’s new for this year’s contest.

 

 

Cancer Diagnosis in Pets is a Growing Health Concern

PetFirst discusses the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in dogs and cat, plus how pet insurance can help in your pet’s care.

The diagnosis of cancer in pets has become as common as it is for humans.  Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over the age of 10, primarily in dogs, while cats see fewer diagnosis.  PetFirst offers pet owners more information on the different stages of cancer and the treatment options to keep in mind when faced with the illness.

According to the American Humane Association, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs with one in every two dogs developing the disease.  Of those, one in four will die as a result of the cancer.  The numbers for cats diagnosed with cancer are not as extreme; however, the reasons vary based on less cats being seen by a veterinarian on a regular basis.

The first step in the fight against cancer for pets is prevention and awareness.  Prevention can be as simple as routine visits to the veterinarian to have your pet examined.  Blood and fecal tests, as well as a physical exam can show changes from visit-to-visit, allowing your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s overall health.  As a pet parent, also be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, paying close attention to changes in your pet’s behaviors.  A few specific items to watch include:

• Not eating or eating infrequently
• Vomiting
• Blood in their urine
• Losing weight
• Lethargic
• Inability to be comfortable when resting, restlessness

Once your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, there are several treatment options that can prolong your pet’s life.  One treatment option is the removal of the mass through surgery.  In some cases, removing the mass resolves the problem and the pet is considered cured.  In other instances, chemotherapy may be required, even radiation therapy is an option.  The bottom line in the care of your pet is maintaining the highest quality of life for the longest time possible.

Maintaining that quality of life for your pet can become expensive, even cost prohibitive for some families.  A pet health insurance plan can assist with those expenses.  It is important to establish a pet insurance policy early, prior to any cancer diagnosis or symptoms.

The Lifetime Accident and Illness policy options with PetFirst cover chronic and hereditary conditions, including various treatments for cancer.  Policy options range from $5,000 to $20,000 in coverage with no per-incident limit and most claims are reimbursed within 10 days of being submitted.

Securing a pet insurance policy is easy and can be done either online or by phone.  To find PetFirst, visit www.petfirst.com or call 1-877-894-7387 and a representative will customize a personal insurance plan for you and your pet.

For more information on the most common cancer diagnosis specific to purebreed dogs, visit PetFirst at www.petfirst.com.

Cat Obesity – Signs Your Cat May be Living Too Large

PetFirst shares dangerous side effects of having an overweight cat and how you can make changes.

Feeding your cat extra treats or cuddling for longer naps, may be hurting her more than showing her love.  It may be leading to an overweight or obese cat.  In fact more than 55% of US cats are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.  PetFirst shares information on how you may be hurting your cat in the long run by not monitoring their weight now.

Much like human obesity, carrying excess weight takes a toll on your cat’s body.  The extra pounds can cause hip and joint pain, diabetes, and heart disease, not to mention a shorter life expectancy.  Along with the physical side effects, there are emotional ones too.  Your cat may become more withdrawn from family and other pets in the home, making them more likely to continue gaining weight; and can lead to depression or acting out.

Preventing and treating your cat’s obesity is something you should first discuss with your veterinarian.  The first step should be a complete veterinarian exam making sure there are no underlying physical conditions also adding to the obesity.  Once given the green light, your veterinarian may offer some of the following treatments and recommendations:

Establish an eating plan (sounds better than putting your cat on a diet, right?).  This will take some retraining for you, your family and your furry friend, so be patient.  Everyone has to make the changes, or it won’t be successful.

• Stop feeding your cat between meals, especially people food or table food.
• Establish a feeding schedule and stick to it as much as possible, including timing and quantity.
• Control the number of treats and review the treat’s ingredients to ensure they are well-balanced for your cat’s health.

Exercise your cat, indoor cats can exercise too.  Teaching your cat to come when their name is called or encouraging the cat to follow you around the house while you do chores are two great ways to start out.  As your cat begins to get more exercise, you’ll notice a decrease in your pet’s appetite and their body composition will begin to change.

Examine your personal commitment to improving your cat’s health through weight loss.  As your cat’s guardian, are you committed to making these changes in your cat’s eating and exercise routines?  If you are not leading the charge in making these changes, your furry feline can’t win the battle of the bulge.  So what can you as the pet parent do?

• Review the eating plan and make sure there is no snacking or feeding between meals.
• Only feed your cat in her food dish.
• Commit to playing with your cat for 30 minutes or more each day.  Set aside the time and find something you can do together such as playing with a new toy, chasing a jingle bell ball or investing in the cat treehouse.
• Communicate with your veterinarian these changes you have made and commit to taking your cat in for regular check-ups.  Your veterinarian is your partner in improving your cat’s health and will be able to help you along the way.

Another great option for protecting your cat is having a PetFirst pet insurance policy established.  The Lifetime Accident and Illness pet insurance plans offer affordable coverage options that offer up to 90% reimbursement for veterinary medicine.  The Lifetime plans do offer the Routine Care rider to help cover the expense of annual exams, vaccines, flea and tick prevention, heartworm, prevention, microchipping, behavior training and more.  For more information on a pet insurance plan visit www.petfirst.com or call 877-894-7387.

PetFirst Shares Top Claims for Early 2014

Pet illnesses and accidents create high vet bills for pet parents

 Ranging from plant poisoning to a fractured molar, pet owners are submitting pet insurance claims for veterinary expenses early in the year.

“PetFirst has seen an increase in claims for 2014,” said Fran Mitchell, Manager of Claims for the pet insurance company.  “The claims are similar to previous years with illnesses being common, but also an increase in accidents which can be more costly to treat.”

By having pet insurance, these pet owners can focus on nursing their pet back to health while resting assured the pet insurance policy they chose will help protect their wallet.

Here are a few claims submitted that best demonstrate the benefits of pet insurance from PetFirst:

Smokey, a seven-year-old Newfoundland dog, became suddenly ill.  The family suspected he had ingested something that became lodged for a temporary amount of time, which also created other problems.  Eventually he was diagnosed with Enteritis, an infection of the gastrointestinal tract.  Symptoms for pets can include the sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration particularly in pets under one year or older than 10 years.  Other symptoms in dogs can include rapid pulse, fever, apathy and depression.  Smokey’s treatment included hospitalization, exploratory surgery along with x-rays, IV fluids and medication.  Thanks to Smokey’s Lifetime pet insurance policy, with no per incident limits, PetFirst reimbursed his family $4,920 for veterinary expenses.

Arigato, an eight-year-old Manx breed cat, was treated for plant poisoning after eating parts of a Lily house plant.  The leaves and petals of a Lily plant are poisonous and can cause kidney failure if left untreated.  Arigato spent three days in the hospital under the watchful eye of the veterinarian.  During that time the cat received IV fluids and medications.  Arigato’s pet insurance policy was able to reimburse the pet owner $1,859 for the hospital stay and the veterinary expenses.

Apollo, a one-year old domestic cat, and his sibling were playing with the cat tree playhouse when it fell over and pinned Apollo underneath.  In the fall, Apollo fractured his molar requiring an exam by the veterinarian, sedation, dental x-rays, surgical extraction and medicine to start his road to recovery.  Fortunately, Apollo’s pet insurance policy reimbursed the family $499 of their out-of-pocket expenses.

Pet parents have several choices in tailoring the pet insurance plan that best fits their pet’s needs with PetFirst including selecting the reimbursement percentage, deductible amount and coverage limit.  For more information on pet insurance and PetFirst, visit www.petfirst.com or call 877-894-7387.

 

Zuke’s® Launches Annual “Fuel the Love – Fuel the Cure™”

Social Media Campaign to Help Support The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund

Zuke’s, manufacturer of premium dog and cat treats, is pleased to announce the annual “Fuel the Love – Fuel the Cure” social media campaign to support The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund (DCCFund), a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing canine and feline cancer. The campaign will run through the summer, from May until August, celebratingdogs being active, enjoying the outdoors and loving life.

This campaign invites Zuke’s fans to share inspiringphotos and videos of their dogs in action and loving life. For every person who follows @ZukesPets on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, and tags their action-packed photo or video with #FuelTheLove, Zuke’s will donate $5 to The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. Last year, this campaign raised $2500, with a goal for this year of $10,000. With six million dogs and a similar number of cats diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, this campaign will help the DCCFund provide much-needed financial assistance to pet parents whose dogs and cats are suffering from cancer.

“Zuke’s already donates a portion of all product sales to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund,” states Chris Meiering, Zuke’s Director of Marketing and co-founder of the DCCFund. “We hope that by engaging our consumers in this effort, we bring awareness to the fight against cancer while letting pet parents everywhere know that there are resources are available if their pet is confronted with a cancer diagnosis.”

The “Fuel the Love – Fuel the Cure” campaign is one element of the Zuke’s brand’s commitment to helping dogs and cats stay healthy and active. For more information on Zuke’s beliefs and how the brand is making a difference, please visit http://www.zukes.com/our-beliefs.

Guardians of Rescue Announces Partnership with NERO to End the Slaughter of Stray Dogs in Romania

The atrocities surrounding the management of Romania’s overwhelming stray dog population are being tackled through a unique partnership between Guardians of Rescue and NERO – Association for Saving Animals in Romania.

According to the city government, a staggering 64,000 stray dogs live on Bucharest’s streets alone. There is a monumental lack of humane education, spay/neuter campaigns and humane shelter policies. The Romanian government has continually managed this stray dog population through a combination of poisoning and brutal bludgeoning.  Guardians of Rescue, an animal rescue organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals, has joined forces with national and international advocates to begin managing this global brutality toward companion animals.

“It is a tragedy that these faultless animals, whose only crime is being alive, must suffer the consequences of inadequate policies and indifferent and careless humans,” said Robert Misseri, President of Guardians of Rescue International. “For over a year we have protested and worked stateside on the stray dog issue in Romania. With a proper spaying, neutering, and adoption program in place, this situation would not be as dire as it has become.  We are proud to partner with NERO, which will be our boots on the ground in Romania. With our mutual compassion and commitment it will be a big step toward the humane treatment for the dogs and cats of Romania,” he says.

Together, Guardians of Rescue and NERO hope to accomplish the following goals:

• Develop a stronger stance on spay/neuter and educate the communities on the importance of sterilization.
• Build a local shelter in Romania to house stray dogs and assist with medical care and management.
• Work with government shelters to implement humane euthanasia practices.
• Promote public adoptions, outreach programs and humane education and public awareness.

For more information visit the site at http://www.guardiansofrescue.org, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/guardiansofrescue.

Rare Autoimmune Disease for Dog Leads to Extensive Treatment

PetFirst pet insurance reimburses pet owner $10,000 for care received in treatment.

Autoimmune diseases are common in humans, but in pets too?  Trapper, a six-year old Labradoodle, and his family now know the extensive care needed and how dreadful a disease such as Evans Syndrome can be.

“Evans Syndrome is a serious autoimmune disease that involves an inappropriate attack by the body’s immune system on the red blood cells and platelets (clotting cells),” said Dr. Amy Conrdner, board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist with Hope Advanced Veterinary Center.  “Diagnosis of Evans Syndrome involves finding classic blood pathology features on lab tests and ruling out underlying causes, such as tick-borne infection and cancer.  Treatment for this disease is not always effective; however, if a patient survives the acute crisis of the illness, long-term remission can be achieved.  Long-term monitoring and medication adjustment is required with a close supervision by a veterinarian.”

The onset in Trapper’s case came on quickly and he was rushed to Hope Advanced Veterinary Center, in Vienna, Va.

“There were symptoms showing before Trapper was diagnosed that I didn’t notice,” said Jane Peterson, Trapper’s pet parent.  “He had yellowing inside his ears and his gums were not the normal pink, but more white in color.  These symptoms were the result of him being anemic and I honestly didn’t realize it.”

According to Dr. Conrdner, the initial onset of Evans Syndrome can lead to devastating and life-threatening symptoms including:

• Severe anemia
• Hemorrhaging
• Jaundice
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Fainting or Collapsing

“Aggressive treatment with immunosuppressive medications, blood transfusions, hospitalization, and supportive care is required,” said Dr. Conrdner.

Trapper required labwork and x-rays to diagnose his condition.  Once the diagnosis was made, the veterinarians oversaw Trapper’s nine-day stay in the animal hospital while treating him with a blood transfusion, plasma and medications to save his life.

For Trapper’s pet parent, the PetFirst Lifetime 10,000 policy she had chosen just months prior to his becoming sick, proved beneficial for his treatment.  The Lifetime plans have no-per incident limit and covers chronic and hereditary conditions.  The $10,000 policy limit Peterson selected allowed her to be reimbursed $10,000 for his treatments which totaled well over $12,000 by the end of the year.  In addition to the coverage in 2013, any additional treatments required for the Evans Syndrome moving forward are also covered as long as Trapper’s coverage never lapses and he remains on the Lifetime plan.

A full six-months after starting treatment, Trapper is doing great.  He and his fur-sister, Emily, a four-year old mixed breed dog, run and play just like before.

“As he is requiring less and less medication, Trapper is regaining his strength and beginning to remind us of the same fireball he was before,” said Peterson.  “There are still precautions we take and watch for, but overall he is doing great.”

Pet parents can learn more about affordable pet insurance plans by logging onto www.petfirst.com or calling 877-894-7387.

Prevention Tips for Heartworm Disease in Pets

PetFirst offers information to protect and prevent heartworms in your dog or cat.

The instances of Heartworm Disease in dogs and cats are high.  Cases are reported from every state in the US with a higher concentration on the eastern half of North America.  With the entire pet population being at risk, what can pet parents do to prevent Heartworm Disease in their pets?

PetFirst offers pet parents an in depth look at the prevention of Heartworm Disease in dogs and cats, as well as how it is spread and how it can possibly be prevented.

Begin by looking at how Heartworm Disease lives and spreads.  Heartworm Disease is carried by mosquitoes and can travel from pet-to-pet infecting each one with the disease.  Once a pet is bitten by the mosquito, it takes a little more than six months for the disease to manifest and mature into adult worms.  Heartworms affect the pet’s overall pulmonary system, their heart and lungs.

Once diagnosed, the treatment options for dogs can vary.  Depending on the severity, the dog may need to be watched by the veterinarian for several days or may be released to their pet parent with medication and caregiving instructions.  The treatment process may take weeks for an infected dog to recover.

For cats, there are no products in the US approved for the treatment of Heartworm Disease at this time.  Most cats are monitored over time to see if the case subsides with supportive therapy such as prednisone, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, and possible antibiotics.

For either pet, the treatment options are extensive, costly and take an extensive toll on our pet’s overall health.

Instead of waiting for a diagnosis, pet parents have affordable choices for preventing.  Similar to a vaccine for humans, Heartworm Disease prevention medication builds up your pet’s immunity against the bits of a transmitting mosquito.  The treatment options do require a prescription from your veterinarian, but most retail pharmacies carry the medication for your convenience.

It is imperative that pet parents follow the dosage directions based on their pet’s size, as well as the schedule or routine of giving the medication to their pet.

PetFirst offers a pet insurance plan with a Routine Care rider which will help reimburse the expense of Heartworm Disease medication.  While the plan doesn’t reimburse for the treatment of heartworm disease, the rider will help cover the prevention expense.  Create your custom quote for a Lifetime Accident and Illness plan with a Routine Care rider at www.petfirst.com or contact PetFirst at 877-894-7387.

 

National Pet Market Opportunity Study Focusing on Previous and Non-Pet Owners Unveiled at Global Pet Expo

– American Pet Products Association (APPA) releases National Pet Market Opportunity Study, revealing new market growth opportunities –

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) President and CEO Bob Vetere announced today the official release of the newly expanded APPA National Pet Market Opportunity Study. The report focuses on previous pet owners and non-pet owners (individuals who have never owned a pet) and identifies new market opportunities as well as barriers to pet ownership. However, the study also explores comparisons between current, previous and non-pet owning households.

One of the key findings in the survey found that while there are 84.6 million U.S. households that are current pet owners, 26.6 million U.S. households are previous pet owners and 11.4 million households have never owned a pet.

In exploring behaviors between the three pet ownership types – current, previous and non-pet owners, there are some notable demographic differences, according to this report. Current pet owners tend to live in more rural areas, have young children at home and larger households. They report somewhat lower average household incomes, are younger and own their own single family home. Conversely, previous pet owners tend to live in mid-size markets, do not have young children at home, and have the highest average household incomes. They are slightly older and live in a single-family home they own with one other person (typically their spouse). Finally, non-pet owners tend to be urban dwellers who more often live alone, rent their residence (which has a higher likelihood of being a building for three or more families) and are least likely to be married.

New to this year’s study was a look at ownership by generation. One-third of current pet owners are Baby Boomers, while another one-quarter each are Gen Y and Gen X. Only 10% of current pet owners are from the Builder generation. Previous pet owners are far more likely to be Baby Boomers (43%), followed by Gen X (21%) and Builders (20%). Gen Y makes up the smallest number of previous pet owners. The non-pet owners group is composed of one-third Baby Boomers and nearly one-third Gen X respondents. One-quarter are Gen Y and the remaining are Builders.

“As an industry, we have made great strides over the past decade to promote the joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership through various campaigns and initiatives. This report provides valuable insight into identifying key opportunities for growth, and to further our mission of getting more pets into homes,” said Vetere. “Another important aspect of the report is the validation that many industry initiatives, like Pets in the Classroom, are influencing families’ decisions to add a pet to their homes.”

In fact, the study reports that respondents with children who have experienced a pet in their classroom indicate that exposure to be a positive motivator for their family to obtain a pet. There were also questions added to this year’s study to better understand the link between pet ownership as a child and pet ownership as an adult. It was found that oftentimes, pet ownership is a holdover from childhood experience and the desire for the respondents’ children to have the same experience.

In addition, the report also includes the impact of current economic conditions on pet ownership, as well as the influence of TV shows/videos about pets. Media habits, leisure activities, Internet usage and care of free-roaming animals are just a few of the other topics explored.

Vetere added, “It’s our hope that the data from this study will benefit the industry in understanding where growth opportunities exist for individual pet categories and the pet industry as a whole.”

As a bonus, the report also includes appendices with updated pet ownership incidence figures, as well as Executive Summary material from the current 2013-2014 APPA National Pet Owners Survey. For more information, a complete Table of Contents, and to order the study, please visit http://americanpetproducts.org/pubs_petmarketstudy.asp.