Pet Steps - An Innovative Product for Your Pet

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Pet StepsPet Steps (aka Pet Stairs or Dog Stairs) help pets up and down from higher places such as a bed or couch. Older pets, as well as those pets with injuries or who are ill or overweight, can have trouble jumping up on beds, clearing the span of high steps, making it up onto the couch or jumping into cars.  This can be painful and could further damage arthritic joints, exacerbate health problems such as heart conditions or cause injury.  Lifting pets can also exacerbate back problems or other health problems for owners. 

Pet steps provide a safe and effective way to get up on all of those high places pets often struggle with, but make sure you choose the best steps.Pet steps should be just like a staircase in a home. What that means is they should be stable, attractive and safe. When purchasing pet steps you should think about your pets safety, as well as, other family members like children or grandchildren who might use or play on them. This is why it is important to pick quality stable pet steps that will make you to feel safe in your home.

Wooden pet steps are constructed from wood lumber and then fully carpeted. This type of step is recommended for all types of large breed dogs, but also works well for small dogs and cats. Wooden pet steps will usually hold over 200 pounds and should last a lifetime. When choosing a set of pet steps look at the quality and different options available. Wooden pet steps are offered in many colors, and can even come with storage and wheels to maneuver them around the house. Remember, extra features like storage can be beneficial for tucking away your pet’s toys, grooming aids or leash for easy reach. 

Be careful of china made plastic pet steps. Only very small dogs can use these steps and they are only 12 inches tall. Therefore the only place you can use them is next to a couch or car. They can not be used for large dogs, cats, or people. These steps are so light your pet can tip them over easily upon use. As you can imagine this frightens pets and they will be hesitant to ever use them again. Keep away from these cheap pets steps that only harm your pet. 

With pet steps a dog or cat can easily step up and down onto and off of the couch or bed or into and out of the car without jarring arthritic joints, straining a sore back or straining for breath because he or she is overweight or has a health condition.  This helps owners as well.  No more having to lift a dog or cat onto the couch and run the risk of straining a back. This is especially beneficial for elderly people who live alone with an aging or ill pet. Don’t wait any longer, purchase a set of steps today, and help your pets. 

The Best Pet Steps.  The #1 Choice for Pet Steps!    Click Here to Learn More

Pet Insurance - Are your pets covered?

Filed Under Pet Health | Leave a Comment

A couple of years ago my family had to make an agonizing decision to put our 3 year old Labrador to sleep. She had been in veterinary and hospital care for over 7 days after suddenly becoming ill after her pancreas starting to release too many enzymes into her system causing swelling of the liver. We had already run up sizable vet and hospital bills and could not afford any further ongoing care with less than promising prognosis for her recovery. It was a horrible situation to balance more huge veterinary fees that we couldn’t afford against trying to save her or put her to sleep.

At the time I was not aware of veterinary pet insurance. Had we have purchased this type of coverage for her we would not have had the worry of the bills and would have had more options to consider further treatment.  Now I carry VPI pet insurance coverage on our two cats and new puppy. The insurance covers us for regular check up visits, preventative medications, vaccinations, and emergency operations and care.

A recent survey revealed that only 1% of American households with pets currently have any form of health insurance for their pets. Often pet owners are not aware how costly veterinary care can be until their pet is stricken with a sudden illness or suffers an injury.

Like human medical insurance, pet insurance companies charge monthly premiums and have deductables.  Several levels of coverage are available and the monthly cost will be dependent on the type of coverage, and current age and health of your pets.

Recent advancements in veterinary care mean that many treatments previously only available for humans are now commonly being performed on pets including kidney transplants and cancer treatments.  These treatments let our pets enjoy a longer and healthier life but they are expensive and may be beyond the reach of most of our budgets. Carrying pet insurance can open up these options to pet owners.

I recommend Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) to any pet owner to protect the health of their pet and give them peace of mind that their pet will receive the best care in an emergency. VPI covers cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, ferrets, and reptiles.  They offer free quotes at their website. To visit and get more information click here.

American Humane Association- Be Kind to Animals Week

Filed Under Pet Events | Leave a Comment

This week May 6th -12th is the American Humane Association’s annual ”Be Kind to Pets week”. The humane society has held this celebration annually since 1915. The event promotes kindness to all animals and encourages adults and children to honor the companionship, friendship, and love that animals bring to our lives.

Some great ways to honor you pet is to make sure you spend quality time with them each week. Pets enjoy playing, walking,  going to the park, as well as one on one interaction with you. 

Other ways to treat your pets this week are to bake some yummy dog treats (find recipies at Yummy for Dogs) or buy some new cat or dog toys, take them for grooming, and visiting the vet for annual check ups and preventative medications.

The also have a few suggestions for honoring animals outside the home by:

1) Encouraging friends and family to neuter or spay their pets

2) Create a unique space for wildlife in your backyard or community

3) Report animal abuse to local authorities or animal rescue organizations

4) Volunteer at your local animal shelter

5) Speak out about respecting animals by being active in local animal welfare policies

6) Donate supplies or make a donation to a local animal rescue group

7) Create a new home for an abandoned animal by adopting a pet from a shelter

The human society website has a program called Action Alerts where you can get notified of issues affecting animal welfare in your state.  Sign up for their email notification to stay on top of ways you can help protect the rights of our pets and other animals!

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