One of the UK’s leading pet insurance companies is warning of the oncoming period of kitten sniffles and puppy rashes among other common pet ailments. With the summer set to be a scorcher, the UK is bracing itself for the annual allergy alert. As Simply Pet Insurance discovered, Britain’s pet owners need to start asking the right questions early.

M&S Premier Pet Insurance has sent out the warning, amid fears of record claims for veterinary services in the UK. The British-owned company pays out up to £7,000 a year in veterinary fees and has become a firm favourite among consumers.

Common Complaints

It’s little surprise that many pet owners don’t realise that our pets can contract many of the same skin complaints as us — and like us, these complaints can’t usually be cured. With summer heating up, it’s up to pet owners to consider their pet’s common complaints and get the lowdown on who to talk to.

Skin allergies tend to rise with the increase in pollen, while the annual spawning of fleas adds to the problem facing British pet owners, however experts tell us that most allergies are simple to treat if seen early.

UK Pet Insurance Recommendation

One such service recommended by M&S Premier Pet Insurance is Vetfone™, a 24-hour advice line catering to UK pet owners. Vetfone Operations Manager, Louise O’Dwyer, said: “Allergies in pets can be incredibly frustrating for the owner. The most common allergies we see are those affecting the skin, with the most common symptom being itching. However the respiratory tract can also be affected, leading to wheezing, sneezing or coughing.

“Just like in humans there are also dietary allergies where the digestive system is affected sometimes resulting in the animal having diarrhoea or vomiting.”

Expert Advice for Pet Allergies

Experts are predicting a heated summer, and advice from across the board is to keep an eye out for early signs of allergies in your pets. Handle them often, and use bathing times to examine the most common areas for infection.

While buying good pet insurance will help some way towards the cost of treatment, it’s naturally much fairer to be proactive and look for preventative measures. Keep an eye on Simply Pet Insurance for the latest on the seasonal ailments affecting your pets.

Has your pet suffered from an allergy? What treatment did you choose? Our readers really value good, honest feedback from fellow pet-owners, would you consider sharing your experience with us?

It’s a dog’s life, right? Lounge around in between long walks in the great outdoors. Regular medical check ups, plenty of cuddles and the love of a good family. Life couldn’t possibly get any better. Until now. One UK charity is offering the nation’s dog’s free holidays. “Woof woof… Woof, take us, woof!”

It’s not often that a deal as sweet as this comes along, but there is method behind the madness. In 2009, Britain began to promote the so-called ‘staycations’, or the practise of holidaying at home. Animal experts were quick to realise the benefits for Britain’s animals, and not least our dogs.

Take your Dog on Holiday

The PDSA charity is best known for providing free veterinary care for the pets of people who need it, so it was no surprise when they announced they’d teamed up with national holiday rental company, cottages4you which offers Britain’s pet owners holiday accommodation in over 5,000 properties across the country.

Senior Veterinary Surgeon for PDSA, Sean Wensley, explains: “We want to encourage dog owners to holiday at home with their pets rather than take them to other countries. Owners are often unaware of the potential disease risks to their pets if they go abroad and many don’t realise that they need to prepare several months in advance to meet the requirements for a pet passport.

“Travelling and unfamiliar climates can also be very stressful for a pet. They will probably have a much better time if they join you for a break in this country.”

Why holiday in Britain?

Simply Pet Insurance believe the partnership is extremely positive. In this economic climate the cost of travelling overseas has seen a steady increase, especially with the coninual downfall of our currency. Britain has worked hard on its image in recent months, and we firmly believe it’s time British pet owners start to celebrate the greatness beyond their own front door.

For more information on PDSA and cottages4you visit www.pdsa.org.uk/cottages. By booking your holiday through the website, you acknowledge the great work being done by the charity with an inclusive 10% donation.

Are you taking your favourite pooch on holiday this year? Where will you be going? Overseas, or closer to home? Have the PDSA hit the right notes with this deal? Sharing your thoughts enables our readers to understand the mindset of British pet owners, please consider adding your point of view to the conversation.

There are approximately 3 million vegetarians in the UK, and many of them are pet owners. However many continue to support the meat industry they loathe, by feeding their pets meat-based food. Some believe it’s one of the most blatant acts of hypocrisy in the movement, while others argue their pet’s needs should come before their beliefs. So it begs the question: can cats and dogs maintain a vegetarian lifestyle?

The short answer, is yes. Many pets are able to live a meat-free lifestyle, often dictated by a vegetarian pet owner. However, a high level of care and consideration needs to be taken when introducing such dramatic changes.

Vital Nutrition for Cats and Dogs

Or are they really, dramatic changes? Experts believe dogs and cats need meat for their high levels of nutrition. One of the main gains for cats in meat-based pet food is the maintained levels of taurine, because a deficiency in this vital amino acid can lead to feline blindness and even death. On the flipside, there are a number of taurine supplements available on the market for cats, including popular chewy tablets.

It’s widely believed that it’s easier for our dogs to maintain a vegetarian diet than it is for cats. This stems from the fact that dogs in the wild live an omnivorous lifestyle (plants and meat), whereas wild cats almost always live an obligate carnivorous life (meat only).

The naysayers argue that it’s just not natural for our pets to live without meat, and that we shouldn’t be enforcing human-beliefs into the animal world. Meanwhile, supporters believe that the majority of pet food isn’t ‘natural’, and that processing removes much of the nutritional value of the meat content, before being boosted with supplements, which some believe can be easily used as a stand alone.

Vegetarian Pet Food

There are already a number of vegetarian pet food options freely available on the market (Ami, Benevo, Yarrah and Wackidog) and demand is on the rise. With many of the same ethical arguments about origin of ingredients and sustainable production methods being used against our own foodstuffs, now being squarely levelled at the pet food industry.

We’d like to remind readers that Simply Pet Insurance advises all pet owners to consult their local vet or animal expert about individual pets, before committing to any changes to their diet or medication.

While we fully believe that a vegetarian lifestyle is achievable we do remind readers that such decisions should not be taken lightly. Gather all the information, consult all the right people and move forward with an informed decision.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the issue of vegetarian dogs and cats? Do you believe the facts outweigh the ethics? Are you a vegetarian, and if so, would you consider a vegetarian diet for your dog or cat? Consider sharing your thoughts below.

Two of the finance world’s largest tectonic plates have shifted, and sent ripples through the pet insurance market. Tesco Bank have partnered with RSA (Royal Sun Alliance) to underwrite Tesco Pet Insurance. Experts are predicting that consumers looking to compare pet insurance will be given added benefits, by British-owned businesses.

The upshot of the move will create 230 new jobs within RSA, backed up by an expected £100 million in premium income (income from consumers buying pet insurance policies) in the first year.

Adrian Brown, Chief Executive of RSA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Tesco to provide pet insurance to all of their pet owners. By combining our expertise in underwriting, pricing and strong service delivery with Tesco’s brand and marketing ability, I am confident that this partnership will go from strength to strength.”

Tesco Bank is already the UK’s largest online pet insurer, with over 700,000 pets insured and this latest move can only mean good news for British pet owners; both RSA and Tesco have proven track records in offering consumers competitive packages, and some of the best pet insurance policies in the market. Tesco Pet Insurance customers will migrate to RSA over a 12-month period.

Benny Higgins, Chief Executive of Tesco Bank said: “We are currently the UK’s largest online pet insurer and have ambitious plans to further grow our pet insurance business to develop new products and services that meet our customers needs. RSA understands our customer-focused approach and has demonstrated that it has the capabilities to support and develop our pet proposition.”

This isn’t RSA’s only foray into the pet insurance market, they’re already the fourth largest providers of pet insurance, through their MORETH>N brand, which offers British pet owners, pet cat insurance, pet dog insurance or combined cat and dog pet insurance at competitive rates.

Are RSA spreading themselves too thin? Are Tesco flexing their might too much? We don’t think so. We see this as a positive move for pet owners, and the British economy as a whole.

Creating 230 jobs, and creating added competition in a relatively new marketplace is a good thing. We’ll be keeping you updated on the alliance over the course of the year, but what do you, the consumers think?

Britain’s best-loved agony aunt, Denise Robertson has confronted one of pet owners most feared subjects: death of a pet. In a loving show of support, the ITV This Morning stalwart spoke out amid reports that more and more people want to be buried with their pets.

“Pets come into our lives and become part of the family, which makes their death so difficult to accept,” says Denise, a devoted dog lover for over 30 years and owner of rescue dogs Max, Tess and Primmie.

“Having a lasting reminder of a pet can be a huge comfort and a way of keeping good memories alive. In some ways that loving companion is still alongside you every day.” Denise’s comforting words came at the time of release for some emotional findings during a recent survey by the UK’s leading veterinary charity and providers of great value pet insurance, PDSA.

In a remarkably survey, PDSA questioned 472 pet owners and former pet owners about the way they would prefer to immortalise their deceased pets.

Of those surveyed: 27% said they planted a rose bush in the garden usually on their pet’s favourite sleeping spot; 15% displayed a photograph of the animal in pride of place in their home; and 12% said a plaque or headstone bearing a personal inscription was the way they wanted their pet to be remembered.

Others preferred to keep the pet’s ashes in an urn on the hearth or in their pet’s bed. Private family services to commemorate their pets are also popular, although there seems to be no limit to a pet owner’s imagination.

In response to the findings, the PDSA has created a paw-shaped garden where up to 2,000 personalised tribute tags can be displayed in the Paws Forever Pet Tribute Garden in Ilford, London and personal tributes can be viewed on-line via the PDSA website.

Gill White, who manages requests for the Paws Forever Pet Tribute Tags, says the survey revealed the profound feelings people have for their pets: “Losing a pet can be as heartbreaking as losing a friend or relative. It’s no surprise that the way they choose to remember that animal is so special.”

Pet lovers across the nation are exploring the newest online website for pets, dubbed the ‘Facebook for pet lovers’ by its creators. In a blaze of publicity, fronted by TV wildlife expert, Chris Packham, the website is attracting British pet owners to its expert advice articles, and premium competitions.

After completing the free registration at MyPetBook.co.uk, you’re encouraged to get involved with the community and to share advice, pictures and any other animal miscellany with users around the globe. In return, the editorial team are promising to link to informative articles, offer veterinarian tips, provide an animal product market and detail upcoming animal events in your area.

Founding editor, Rachel Benneworth is excited by the long-awaited launch: “Mypetbook will allow anyone passionate about pets and animals to spend fun and constructive time on the site, sharing their photos and knowledge on every related topic from health to events, and to learn from new friends as well as the experts.”

The website will not discriminate against non-pet owners, encouraging those without a pet to register a wild animal in order to use the site and start learning more about the animal world as a whole.

Mypetbook is aware of its audience, and the passion they hold for animals. Benneworth promises: “All the latest in the animal world, from Tigers in Asia to Vet check-ups for your pets.”

We certainly believe the site has potential, and properly managed the future of Mypetbook.co.uk is sure to find a place in Britain’s hearts.

Is Mypetbook.co.uk filling a gap in the online pet market? How will you be using the site?

As Britain becomes more green-fingered, it’s becoming apparent that the light-fingered brigade is getting away scot-free. Insurance companies may be meeting the needs of the core pet insurance market; dogs and cats. However, when it comes to chickens, there seems to be a gap in the fence, and we’re egg-stremely surprised that British pet insurance providers are falling fowl of the nations initiative.

With the recent economic downturn, there has been a worthy increase in the number of Briton’s turning to sustainable living methods. Over a million Briton’s now actively grow their own fruit and vegetables, and many are expanding their lots to include the affable chicken, and it appears to be a shrewd move.

Britain consumes a staggering 30 million eggs per day, and a dozen free-range eggs typically costs approximately £3.00 in a British supermarket.

Some home insurance policies do cover damage caused by the birds to third-party property, but if you’re a victim of theft, or your chickens become sick then you won’t be insured for any costs incurred and this has chicken owners across the country pecking around for a pet insurance policy, which seemingly doesn’t exist.

Are you a smallholder? What’s your experience of British insurance companies attitude towards insuring your livestock?

The UK’s leading pet insurance provider, Petplan is encouraging dog-owners to consider taking out dog insurance, after figures released show a 500% increase in third-party insurance claims.

The recent report confirms the general consensus that Britons are more prepared than ever, to take pet owners to court to claim back damage costs.

In 2008, Petplan paid out almost £2­million in liability claims for dogs alone, which represents a 500 percent increase in claims since 1999.

“One of the reasons we are seeing this escalation in third-party liability claims is because we are an increasingly litigious society,” says Alison Andrew of Petplan.

“The public in general are more aware of their legal recourse to recover damages when they feel they have been injured or aggrieved in some way. This reinforces the need for any dog owner to have a comprehensive insurance policy to help them defend a claim or pay damages awarded against them.”

Aside from third-party claims, a recent report published by UK insurance group, Saga Group Ltd claims the average annual UK vet bill is now £598 — double that of 2006, and they’re increasing at double the rate of inflation.

The benefits of good pet insurance now clearly outweighs the cost: a recent Which? report told us the average annual premium of insuring a non-pedigree dog is £200, or £286 for a pedigree, with an average excess of just £68.

Experts believe this is as clear a signal as ever, that pet owners need to consider insurance to stabalise the cost of pet ownership.

Andrew Goodsell, Executive Chairman of Saga Group Ltd, said: “As vet bills are vastly surpassing inflation, pet insurance is therefore a vital tool to help owners budget for unforeseen costs.”

However, we discovered that 90% of all animals in the UK remain uninsured against third party claims.

Your dog doesn’t have to have actually bitten someone for people to make a claim against you. Recent cases Petplan has dealt with include an incident where a border-collie chased a postman.

Although the dog did not cause any actual injury, in his rush to escape the postman fell over a low wall, injuring his back. Damages for personal injury, loss of earnings and the legal fees amounted to £60,000.

Pet owners across the country, are asking themselves, can they afford not to insure. What’s your view?

Dog insurance is one of the more sensitive subjects for dog-owners. “Who are you to tell me how much my dog is worth?” is the knee jerk reaction of many. It’s natural, and understandable for people to feel like that. It’s important that you do your homework, to ensure your next pet insurance policy provides value, and security for you and your dog.

Firstly, it’s not just about death.

The cost of owning a pet can be incredibly high, and — just like us homo sapiens — even when provided with the greatest love and attention, dogs do fall sick. The fact is, the cost of basic veterinary treatment in the UK is rising at above 10% per annum (Datamonitor 2006).

Secondly, it’s not just about your dog’s health.

Aside from worrying about your dog’s health, what if you were to become sick? Is there someone available to look after your dog as well as you do, if you’re in hospital? It’s worth checking your dog insurance policy to see if they cover the cost of kennel fees, should you suddenly find yourself out of action.

Thirdly, it’s not just about health, full stop.

Some policies cover the cost of advertising if your dog has been lost, which can give you peace-of-mind when looking for the best method to find them. Meanwhile, if your dog has turned a bit mischievous, certain policies will cover the cost of damage they cause to the public, property or a third party.

So you see, buying the right dog insurance policy can play a crucial part in the overall quality of life for your dog. Make sure you shop around, and find the most suitable policy — be prepared, as it may not necessarily be the cheapest dog insurance policy available.

There are typically two types of dog insurance:

• Life-long – which will pay out for specific conditions throughout the life of your pet; and
• Time-limited – which only pays out for a maximum of 12-months, per condition.

Both kinds are subject to an agreed maximum payout for vet’s bills and drugs, meanwhile neither type of pet insurance policy will typically cover annual vaccinations, boosters and nail clipping, or spaying and neutering so when budgeting for a pet, bear this in mind.

The cost to insure a dog is typically greater compared to cat insurance, but considerably less than equine horses.

Other factors that may affect the price of your dog insurance might be your location (which is relative to local vet rates), and naturally, the age of your dog.

If you’ve ever had a car insurance policy, then you will undoubtedly notice similarities. For instance, when buying dog insurance you’ll normally be offered a standard excess charge. This means you agree to pay the first part of any claim, it might be £50 or £100 depending on the policy.

Agreeing to a higher excess can often bring the upfront cost of a pet insurance policy down.

Dog insurance is not a cure-all. If your dog has a pre-existing medical condition then you should declare it. Failing to do so, will render your policy void.

This is also worth considering when changing your pet insurer. While your current dog insurance policy will cover emerging conditions, it makes it less easy to change to a new provider if the condition persists.

Conclusion

• Consider your own lifestyle when searching for the best policy for insuring your dog.
• Ask yourself: Are the costs of the excess vs. policy the right balance?
• Be honest about your dog’s health. Insurers are experts in their field, and can often help to work around.
• Shop around; try at least five — and be bold, ask for a discount. They can only say no.

When you’re first looking for expert dog grooming tips, it can seem incredibly daunting. “Cut here. Scrub there. Clip under there.” Trust us when we say, don’t worry! It’s really hard to go wrong when grooming your dog; but if it does, it’s going to grow back. They will forgive you. (Eventually.)

First thing’s first. Relax. Think about the positive reasons about why you’re grooming your dog.

It provides a great period of bonding for you and your dog, plus grooming is important for our dogs’ health. Just brushing your dog removes dead hair, and dirt, which causes matting. It also stimulates the blood supply providing a nice glossy coat, while providing a suitable opportunity for you to check your dog’s coat for fleas and flea-dirt.

By regularly revisiting our dog grooming tips you’ll quickly build a routine, and your dog will begin to think of it as an extra-special alternative to petting.

The basic dog grooming tips are the same for every breed, however some breeds may require extra attention in certain areas, and the more you groom your dog, the more you’ll learn about their specific needs.

The best time to groom your dog is when they’re nice and relaxed. If your dog is new to the home, get them comfortable with being touched and handled, by making a habit of petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet.

·      Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

It’s a good idea to check your dog’s ears weekly, especially if your dog has droop ears that are especially susceptible to fungus, waxy ears, and ear mites. You should look for special ear wash for pets to complete this simple task.

·       Clipping Your Dog’s Nails

You should clip your dog’s nails every two to three weeks, and it’s a good idea to get your dog used to having her feet touched before you attempt a nail trim.

Dogs have what’s called ‘a quick’ (the soft, tender flesh below the growing part of a nail) and in the unlikely event that you clip too short, this can cause them pain so we recommend several small cuts to avoid this.

·       Brushing Your Dog’s Hair

We all like a good hairbrush, and our dogs are no different. Always brush against the layer of the coat (don’t forget their tail) to bring out the shine and keep them looking their best.

Most breeds can be brushed weekly, however if your dog has a long, luxurious coat, such as that of a Yorkshire terrier, they’ll need daily attention.

·       Bathing Your Dog

By far the messiest part of the dog grooming schedule — bath time! You should bath your dog at least once every 3 months. If it’s warm enough for you both, then bathing your dog outdoors is recommended for obvious reasons.

After a good gentle hose down, use a mild dog shampoo and start bathing the dog’s body and legs. The dog’s head should be shampooed last, paying particular care to ensure that no shampoo gets into his eyes, ears, and nose.

The most important part in bathing dogs is remembering to rinse off all the shampoo. Towel dry your dog by blotting with a towel and give them a good combing-over to ensure there are no tangles or mats.

After you’ve groomed your dog, remember to heap on the praise. Laud them with love, and perhaps their favourite treat.