To celebrate October as Pet Wellness Care Month, we put together a fun quiz about wellness care earlier. Take the rest of the quiz now and see how you do:

4. What should you ask your veterinarian about at a wellness visit?
a) Proper diet and weight
b) Any concerns about your pet
c) Both a and b
d) Nothing – your veterinarian is busy with the exam

c) A wellness visit is a great time to ask questions, especially since your veterinarian can check out problems firsthand. Jot questions down before the visit, so you don’t forget them.

5. Are wellness care visits painful?
a) Yes
b) Sometimes
c) No

c) Your pet may not like going to the veterinarian or being examined, but these check-ups shouldn’t be painful other than a quick vaccination prick or blood draw.

6. Spaying or neutering is part of good wellness care.
a) True
b) False

a) Spaying or neutering your pet doesn’t only help with overpopulation, it can also improve the health of your pet!

Our friends at the ASPCA recommend at least one wellness visit a year for pets. Plus, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has two options that can help you afford yearly check-ups as well as vaccines, spaying or neutering, and more. 

Start a free quote to learn about coverage available for your pet. If you’re already a customer, you can view your plan online at the Member Center.

Help make sure Halloween isn’t a scary time for your pet by keeping these tips in mind.

• Candy – Treats are everywhere this time of year, and many can be toxic to pets. Keep bowls of candy out of reach.
• Costumes – Don’t dress your pet up if he or she dislikes it. If your pet doesn’t mind, be sure the costume is comfortable and safe.
• Candles – Avoid using candles as decorations or in jack-o-lanterns. Pets can knock them over, get burned, or start a fire.
• Collar – Be careful your pet doesn’t get out when you open the door, but if he or she does, a collar with ID tag and/or microchip can be very helpful.

Read more Halloween safety tips at the ASPCA’s website.

“Here’s a recent picture of my dog after she suffered an accident. She’s such a sweet girl, and it broke my heart to see her in pain. Today, she’s fine, and it helped to receive the reimbursements from ASPCA Pet Health Insurance for this emergency!”

Photo Friday is a weekly column that showcases photos we receive from loving ASPCA Pet Health Insurance customers of their pets. If you want to see your pet featured, please email me!

“Our little boy Dotson is a 4-year-old Shih Tzu.  He has some major allergy issues, and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has been awesome with all the veterinary bills. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is the best!”

Photo Friday is a weekly column that showcases photos we receive from loving ASPCA Pet Health Insurance customers of their pets. If you want to see your pet featured, please email me!

October is National Pet Wellness month, so what better time to make sure your pet’s health is on track? Proper wellness care is so important for pets, especially since they can’t verbalize how they’re feeling. Learn more about wellness care with our quick quiz!.

1. How often should your pet have a check-up?
a) Once a year
b) Every two years
c) Only at birth

a) The ASPCA® recommends a routine exam at least once a year. If your pet has medical issues, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent check-ups.

2. Why is a regular check-up important?
a) Identify issues early
b) Keep vaccines up-to-date
c) Both a and b

c) Regular exams can help catch illnesses when they’re more treatable, and make sure your pet gets important vaccines.

3. A check-up usually includes:
a) Grooming
b) Physical exam
c) Nail clipping

b) The veterinarian should examine your pet from head to tail. You can ask for grooming or nail trimming advice, but these aren’t typically part of a regular exam.

You can also print out the ASPCA’s Vet Visit questionnaire to help make sure you’re prepared at your pet’s next wellness visit. Look for another pet wellness quiz coming soon!

“I am very happy to have ASPCA Pet Health Insurance for my German Shepherd, Suzie, and my Boxer-Hound, Casey. I am pleased that pet insurance helps me afford my veterinary bills. Having ASPCA Pet Health Insurance eases my mind, since I know it will help me afford any emergency. I just hope other dog parents see how much their animals need this kind of help. Thank you again!”

Photo Friday is a weekly column that showcases photos we receive from loving ASPCA Pet Health Insurance customers of their pets. If you want to see your pet featured, please email me!

Less than 20 days to go until race day!

We’re ready to run on Oct. 30 with Team ASPCA in the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon! The ASPCA has set a $1 million fundraising goal for this event, and we’re committed to running our hearts out to help them reach it.

Our team includes Lisa Hockensmith, Cassandra King, Ryan Smith, Matt Stanford, Mike Kalman and Jesse Harris. They'll be making the trip from our Canton, Ohio, headquarters to Los Angeles for the race.

As many of you know, our company, the Hartville Group. Inc., is the ASPCA's only strategic relationship for pet insurance. Our ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program is administered by our subsidiary Petsmarketing Insurance.com Agency, Inc. 

See how you can join in the fun at our team site here.