Archive for the ‘Pet health insurance – dog’ Category

Pet insurance is easily obtainable for elderly dogs – the issue is not availability, but cost. Unfortunately, it’s a sad fact that as dogs get older they are more likely to visit the vet for treatment. Each trip to the local practice comes at a price, so insurance companies cover themselves by charging a higher premium for older pets.

The graph below shows how the premium for a Buddies pet insurance policy changes over the years.* It records the cost of insuring a Labrador Retriever from early adulthood to old age. Premiums start at under £15 a month and rise gradually, reaching around £18 a month by the age of five. At 10 years of age the price is £30 a month, topping out at £40 a month for a 14 year old dog.

Owners of older dogs need to think about taking measures to minimise the problems of age related conditions. As well as considering six-monthly check ups at the vets, owners should feel their dog’s coat for lumps at least once a week.

Changes in behaviour can also be an early warning sign of a medical problem, including:

Arthritis – a common condition in older dogs. While there are medical
treatments available, owners can help manage arthritic pain by maintaining a pet’s regular daily exercise routine and massaging the affected joints.

Deafness – an unfortunate affliction of old age. While dog hearing aids are being developed, a more practical approach is to teach simple hand signals before the condition deteriorates.

Diabetes – special diets and insulin treatments are available for the condition, but late onset diabetes can be dealt with through exercise and sensible eating. A healthy regime will also help prevent heart disease.

Incontinence – due to slackening of the muscles that hold the urethera shut. A condition that can be treated with medication from the vet.

Cataracts – a clouding of the lens of the eye. Can be treated with surgery.

* Labrador Retriever, living in PL31 postcode, prices at 3/12/07

Play is important and by setting simple playtime rules, your puppy will not only have fun but also learn important life skills.

Structured play can help a puppy understand his position in the home. As an owner you should establish right from the start that you are the leader of the pack and need be listened to.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow – they will make playtime both instructive and fun.

While owners will naturally want to let their puppy win at games, it is important you have your successes as well. If you constantly lose to him, your puppy may see you as a ‘loser’ and wonder whether he should make a bid for leadership.

Never let a game get out hand, control the pace and calm you puppy down if he begins to get over excited. Always demand that your puppy gives up a toy when asked. Dogs that refuse to share can become territorial and aggressive.

Hide and seek is a firm favourite. Most puppies will happily chase a scent, looking for their favourite treat hidden in a toy. To start with, let him see you hiding the treat and give the command ‘find’ so he can learn what you are expecting from him. When he finds the treat lavish him with praise.

Fetching and retrieving are natural activities for dogs. Turning this into a game should be straightforward. Start by throwing a toy nearby and encourage him to bring it back and drop it into your hand. Again use treats and praise when he completes the task. As he grows more confident you can throw objects further away.

Remember, playing is supposed to be fun, so avoid shouting or putting any pressure on your puppy to join in. Positive encouragement will always work better.

Playing with you is always going to be his preferred option, but sometimes you are not going to be around. Teaching his to play by himself will prevent boredom setting in when he’s left on his own. Fortunately there are many interesting pet toys available to keep him busy.
Top toys include:

Balls – these should be soft, durable and appropriate to the size of dog.
Chews – they come in a variety of sizes and textures and are particularly suited to teething puppies.
Rubber ring – great for chasing and chewing
Kong – a firm favourite with dog trainers
Ragger – soft cloths made for tug of war games.

Your puppy is constantly trying to communicate with you. Here is a short guide to what he would like to say.

Rather than using his voice, it’s his body that will tell you how he is feeling. Your puppy’s tail is a key communication tool, with which he signals his feelings to other dogs. He can also express himself through his ears – holding them flat for example is a sign of fear or submission.

Dogs are by nature pack animals. In the dim and distant past, their ancestors would hunt in defined hierarchical groups with a recognised pack leader. A trained and socialised dog will view you as that leader.

Play is an important part of growing up. Dogs are by nature social animals that need constant interaction with their ‘friends’. Even after they mature into adults, a process than can take anything from 12 months to two years depending on the breed, dogs retain this puppy like love of play.

While still a puppy he comes wonderfully equipped. You may notice that even his baby teeth, which emerge when he is about eight weeks old, are needle sharp. By around 25 weeks his full adult set will be in place.

You may pride yourself on having a well-developed sense of taste, but it’s nowhere near as acute as your puppy’s. His is around five times more powerful. This combined with an amazing sense of smell, which is up to a million times stronger than ours, makes him a formidable hunter. His eyesight however is less sophisticated than yours – he sees the world in black and white.

In addition to the more obvious abilities, some experts argue that dogs also retain a ‘sixth sense’ that make them sensitive to changes in weather conditions or dramatic and cataclysmic events like earthquakes. So next time he makes a run for it, be sure to follow.

Aggression in dogs is both unacceptable and avoidable. Owners facing the problem of handling an aggressive pet first need to understand the causes of this type of behaviour. Some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others, so it’s worth doing background research before deciding on a suitable breed.

Dogs are pack animals and like their wild distant ancestors are genetically ‘programmed’ to live within a carefully defined hierarchy. If your pet thinks of himself as the ‘leader of the pack’, then he believes that he has every right to do as he pleases. Use powerful postures and strong facial expressions when communicating with him. Don’t shout, just use a clear commanding voice. He will soon understand that you are the boss.

Help him understand his position in the household. Feed yourself first before attending to his dinner and demand that he sit quietly before being fed. Always make sure you and other members of the family pass through doors and other openings before and in front of him. Be sure to ignore attention seeking behaviour, particularly if he is trying to break up a conversation between you and another person.

Aggression can be the result of fear. If your dog is not properly socialised at an early age, he can easily mistake strangers or new situations as a potential threat. Poor socialisation can also lead to the development of a jealous streak and refusal to share with other members of the household. This can extend to guarding objects such a favourite toy or food bowl. To stamp out this type of behaviour be patient and exchange the object for a dog treat. Alternatively just remove the object from the house.

A bitch’s behaviour may be affected by hormonal changes when coming into season. Displays of aggression can also accompany the arrival of a new litter. This should be addressed through early socialisation and providing new mums with a safe quiet space to bring up her pups.

Male sex-related aggression sometimes affects unneutered dogs – vets generally recommend castration as a possible treatment. If your dog is a fighter, seek professional training advice. Meanwhile, keep him on a lead when out and carry a favourite toy to use as a distraction if he lunges at other dogs. Another useful devise is a child’s water pistol. Squirt him with it when he becomes aggressive. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for him and one he will look to avoid.

Dealing with an aggressive pet can be hard work and seemingly unrewarding. Inexperienced owners in particular should check in with their local vet practice. Not only will they be able to offer practical advice, but also recommend professional dog trainers who can help.

Has your puppy settled into bad habits? Well it’s still not too late to tackle them and set up a healthy daily routine!

Diet 

Like most owners, you have probably tried a number of pre-prepared dog foods and settled on your puppy’s preferred brands. Hopefully you have been using a ‘growth’ formula, which is specifically blended for your puppy – providing the extra vitamins and minerals he needs. Check the food packaging and you will see that it not only recommends a daily amount of food, but also provides a guide on when to change from a ‘growth’ to an ‘adult’ formula. This varies slightly depending on the brand of food and the breed of dog. If you are in any doubt, check in with your local vet for advice. The adult formula will be more appropriate for your dog as growth slows and he begins to mature.  

 Changes in diet should always be approached gradually. Mix small amounts of the new food with the old, adding a little more each day until the new food takes up most of the bowl. Try to keep meal times the same each day, it is all part of setting a routine that will help your dog settle into his new home more easily.

Many owners believe a happy puppy is one that is allowed to eat until he feels he’s had enough. Unfortunately, like humans, this is a poor guide to his actual needs and can lead to obesity. Again, check the food packaging for the recommended smallest quantity of food for a puppy of his size. It may be worth calling the manufacturer’s helpline and checking in with their experts if you are at all unsure. If he starts to look thin, you can always increase the amount. There is a simple way to check whether your dog is overweight. If you can’t feel his ribs, or he appears to have no waistline when you are looking at him from above, then chances are he is carrying too much weight.  Avoid treats and definitely keep him away from human foods which are too high in salt, fat and protein.  

There is no standard exercise routine that suits all dogs. Certain breeds need long periods of sustained exercise, while others require a short trot round the block. A look at his build will give you some idea of his athletic prowess. A walk is more than just about exercise, it’s an opportunity to socialise and help him adjust to his environment safely.

Teeth 

Domestic pets like your dog need a dental routine just like other members of the household. Start this while he’s still a puppy and he will be happy to do this willingly when he matures into adulthood.  Use a soft human toothbrush, or a specially designed canine tooth brush. When he is happy with a brush in his mouth (you can encourage a reluctant puppy with a small dog treat) graduate to using a little canine toothpaste. Dry dog food is quite effective at keeping teeth clean, as are some specially designed dental chews.

Your vet should check your dog’s mouth as part of any routine visit and in later life will probably offer scale and polish treatments to keep teeth in good condition.

Grooming 

This activity performs two important functions. The most obvious is the removal of dead hairs and the opportunity to check for parasites such as ticks and flees. These can be dealt with easily – ask you vet about suitable treatments. 

The less obvious function is the role grooming plays in the socialisation of your puppy. Not only does he get used to being handled, but the act of grooming helps establish in your puppy’s mind that you are the boss. Don’t forget your dog is a natural pack animal and it is important that he understands you are in effect the pack leader. Doing this early on will help you avoid lots of potential problems in the future.