Accidents can happen to our feline friends in the blink of an eye. When emergencies do occur, pet parents may find it difficult to make rational decisions. That’s why it’s so important to have a plan in place before emergencies occur. 

To get started, ask your veterinarian’s advice on creating a plan. Be sure to find the closest animal hospital that provides emergency care and make sure you have your veterinarian’s phone number handy.

Another number to keep close is ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4435. They are available24/7 if you suspect your pet has ingested something hazardous.
 
Check out this article from our friends at the ASPCA© to learn more about emergency care for your feline friend, such as first aid tips and signs that your cat needs emergency help. 

Remember, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans cover visits to any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. and Canada, including emergency clinics.

“My dog began bleeding from the nose during the night and I had to rush her to the emergency clinic to save her life. The cost of the emergency treatment was high, but Gizmo's ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan paid a large chunk of the cost. It is very reassuring to know that no matter what time of day my pet needs emergency care, my ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan can help defray the costs.”

- Jodi P., Dallas, TX

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!

Lose weight.  Eat more broccoli. Clean the basement. Every year, we make resolutions that we often don’t keep. This year, why not try something different and make a resolution to keep your pet happy and healthy with these tips from Pet 360? Some of the tips include:

• Schedule Regular Veterinary Visits – Annual checkups are important to keep on top of your pet’s health needs as they grow and age. Make sure you get your pet the wellness care your veterinarian  recommends.

• Watch Your Pet’s Weight – When kept at their ideal body weight, pets live longer, healthier lives. They are also at a lower risk for various conditions associated with being overweight.

• Keep An Eye Out For Potential Hazards – It is important to pet-proof your home, as pets can get into all types of accidents indoors. Keep poisons, medications and other unsafe items out of your pet’s reach.

“My dog Scooter had always been healthy and active and never shown any signs of aches or pains. He also hadn’t shown any signs of pain before he suddenly started passing blood. The veterinarian said it was a case of kidney stones, and Scooter had to have emergency surgery. If the operation hadn’t been done right away, they said Scooter could have died. The operation was a success, and Scooter is back to his frisky self. The bill for his treatment was $1,300 and my ASCPA Pet Health Insurance plan paid a large portion, for which Scooter and I are very happy.”

-Allen D., Mesa, AZ

“Jack was only a few weeks old when I bought ASPCA Pet Health insurance for him.  As a puppy, he got into everything, and I would get so worried. My husband lost his job, and costly vet bills would have been devastating. I know that if Jack ever needs to go to the veterinarian, my ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan will help me get the care he needs. The representatives are wonderful and so informative, I know they care about each animal.  I highly recommend this insurance to everyone. You have insurance for yourself as a safety net, your beloved furry family member should have it, too.”

- Cameron S., Lancaster, PA

We brought you information on feeding a senior cat, now this blog is going to the dogs! Dogs can begin to experience age-related changes such as obesity and arthritis as young as 7 years old. Bone up on feeding tips with this article from our friends at the ASPCA® and learn more about feeding an aging dog! 

"Our Jack Russell woke us up crying loudly in our living room. It scared us, and we knew something was wrong. We found Tammy lying in a pool of urine and blood, and we knew she was in trouble. We decided to take her to a pet emergency hospital for help. We knew the bill could be expensive, and we wondered how we where going to afford it.

A bell rang in my head that we were OK because we have ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. A big weight was taken off our shoulders and our thoughts could now be focused on Tammy's health, not finances. Today Tammy is fine, and our family will have a Christmas because we had pet insurance. Thanks, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance."

-Brian S., Hoboken, NJ

“We would have spent a small fortune on our puppy Koby if we had not taken the advice of our veterinarian and purchased pet insurance. We are very happy with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and the security of knowing that he is covered for the unexpected, such as when he was stung by a bee and had to go to the hospital. Pet insurance is definitely worth the money.”

- Lana C., Oakland, CA

Pet 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!

“I adopted Sheila soon after we had to put down our much loved Terrier because we could not afford the operation she required. I signed up for ASPCA Pet Health Insurance the day after we got Sheila. This past year she has had to have two operations for tumors. Thanks to this insurance, we will hopefully be playing fetch with her for a long time!”

- Martina F., Buffalo, NY

Did you know that cats should start on a senior diet at 7 years old? Or that older cats have been known to progressively gain weight in spite of eating fewer calories? Cats begin to display age-related changes at between 7 to 12 years old and some of these changes can be controlled with diet.

Check out this article from our friends at the ASPCA© to learn more about feeding an older cat!