1. Never shave your dog or cat’s fur

During the frigid winter months, your dog or cat needs that extra fluff on their little bodies– it keeps them extra warm and protected from the harsh winter weather. It is wise, however, to trim the ends of their fur (without giving them a full haircut!) to help prevent snow or ice balls from gathering.

2. Wipe off snowy paws!

Even though trimming fur can help to prevent snow or ice balls clinging to your pet’s fur, it’s not a completely preventative tactic. Clumps of snow and ice can still get stuck to your pet’s fur, especially on or near their paws, which can be uncomfortable or dangerous if left untreated. Grab an old towel and gently wipe off your pet’s snowy paws and fur!

3. More food, more fluff

It’s generally okay to feed your pet more during the winter months, since this provides more calories that their bodies may need to keep warm (especially if it’s a smaller pet). The few extra calories serves as insulation for your pet and traps in a little extra body heat. Be careful not to overdo it, of course– you never want to overfeed your pet or cause a significant amount of weight gain, so speak with your vet before changing your pet’s diet.

4. Invest in cozy bedding

Make sure your pet has a warm and cozy place to sleep that will keep them insulated and warm all night! No matter where your pet sleeps at night, it’s important to make sure that they’re well taken care of all night long. Also, never leave your pet outside overnight. The frigid temperatures are too cold for your pets at night, and their health will suffer significantly if you don’t bring them indoors. A few bedding ideas include: Lucky Paws, Self-Warming Kitty Hut, Thermo Cat Bed, and Therapeutic Dog Couch.

5. Keep a close eye on your pet’s health

During the winter months, make sure to keep a close eye on your pet’s health. It’s important to make sure they’re well hydrated, moisturized, kept away from dangerous heat sources, and well nourished.

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post 5 MORE Winter Care Tips for Pets appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Our pets are precious to us, and the last thing we want is for them to be injured and without care! Pet insurance is a preventative measure you can take to ensure your pet’s health and safety in case of an unforeseen accident or medical condition. As always, the world of insurance is tricky business, so we’ve broken it down for you in a basic comprehensible guide. 

How does pet insurance work? 

Pet insurance typically uses a reimbursement model: this is when you pay the immediate cost of your vet visit at the time of your appointment, and later submit a claim to the insurance company for their coverage. 

What pet insurance covers: 

The first thing to know up front is that pet insurance doesn’t cover everything under the sun. Some medical ailments are covered, where others are not. 

These are the primary conditions that pet insurance will cover: 

• Accidents 
• Illnesses 
• Hereditary conditions 
• Chronic conditions 
• Medication 

Before you choose an insurance plan, it’s best to research the different options and compare– some plans will offer you care that others won’t. You can find a few of the most popular plans here. 

What pet insurance doesn’t cover: 

Generally, the conditions or procedures that pet insurance doesn’t cover are as listed below. These are considered less immediate medical needs, or needs that are not deemed necessary by insurance (whereas the needs listed above are considered necessary for treatment). 

Pet Insurance typically does not cover: 

• Cosmetic procedures 
• Breeding expenses 
• Pre-existing conditions 
• Preventative care 

Although most pet insurance plans do NOT cover preventative care, many plans have add-ons which will cover or reimburse you for preventative care needs such as vaccines and screenings. Again, it’s best to do your research before choosing a plan to see what works best for you. 

How much does pet insurance cost? 

The short answer is: it depends on the animal! There are a few factors to consider, including size, species/breed , age, and gender. For example, dogs, since they’re generally larger and more active than cats, have higher insurance costs. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to specific conditions, which may hike up insurance. Female pets are considered “lower risk” than males, so their insurance costs are generally less. Check with your local veterinarian or insurance agency to find out what your exact costs might be. 

You can also get a quote for an immediate estimate, although most pet insurance policies are different enough that you’ll want a quote or estimate from each one to compare. Plans usually range from $10 to $70 per month, depending on your coverage. This comparison of the best pet insurance companies and plans is a great place to start.

Pet Insurance Companies 

There are a lot of insurance companies out there, so here are a few to look into to get you started! 

• PetFirst Pet Insurance 
• Nationwide
• ASPCA Pet Insurance 
• Embrace 
• Healthy Paws Pet Insurance 
• Petplan Pet Insurance 
• Trupanion Pet Insurance 

There are a few comparison charts out there that do the work for you, such as this graphic from moneygeek.com. This chart compares Nationwide, Embrace, Trupanion, and Banfield. You can find more comparison charts, or make your own. Additionally, US News reviewed all of the top pet insurance companies in a comprehensible guide to specific plans, including many of the insurance companies listed above. 

Is it worth it? 

This is entirely up to you! If your pet is at higher risk than most, or already has a lot of medical needs, the likelihood is that pet insurance could be the best thing that ever happened to them (and your wallet!). 

To begin, get a quote from ASPCA! This will estimate your pet’s needs and your insurance costs and give you a better idea of what you’re getting into. 

If you’re still unsure, talk to your veterinarian or trusted pet specialist for more information.

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post A Basic Guide to Pet Insurance: Everything You Need to Know! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Why are regular vet visits important?

Our pets don’t always communicate with us in ways that we can understand– your dog or cat can’t simply tell you that something is wrong, or indicate through their barking or meowing specifically that something’s up. While as pet owners, we’re able to notice the subtle changes in their behaviors or vocalizing, we don’t always know for sure what the issue is. 

Since we want the best for our pets, we want to prioritize their health! The best way to make sure your pet is healthy and safe is to schedule regular visits with your vet. Most veterinarians recommend an annual checkup– this way, they can catch any unknown underlying conditions, prevent disease, take special care of aging pets, and answer questions. 

Why should I schedule regular visits with my vet? 

Underlying conditions: With the exception of changing behavior, our pets aren’t able to communicate clearly with us. Even if their behavior changes, it’s not always a clear indicator that something’s wrong– but it IS a good idea to visit your vet if this happens. By checking in with your vet, even if only to “be on the safe side,” you’re more likely to catch any lurking underlying conditions that you weren’t aware of. It’s always better to “be on the safe side”! 

Preventing disease: Along with catching underlying conditions, regular trips to the vet help prevent disease. If you work PROactively for your pet’s health, you maintain their health, and in some cases, improve it! Work against disease BEFORE it happens, rather than after– saving you time and money,  and keeping your pet happy, healthy, and joyful! 

Aging pets: As our pets age, we must care for them in different ways. Older pets have different needs than younger pets, and require more attention in different ways. Vets are well-acquainted with specific behavioral needs, and understand the changes that come with age well enough to address them and give you advice for proper care. 

Answering questions: Vets are specialists– which is why we go to them with our questions and concerns. You can do all the internet research in the world and still not have the breadth of knowledge of a practicing veterinarian. Vets give you immediate, personal answers to questions, and take the time and care to know your pet before jumping to conclusions– something you’re in danger of if you only stick to internet research!

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Why Regular Vet Appointments are Important for Pet Health appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Finding the best dog treats for your pup can be a challenging task! From elusive product packaging to questionable ingredients, it can be difficult to decipher what the best products are and where you can find them. The best dog treats are composed of natural, organic ingredients, containing little to no preservatives or artificial flavorings. If you’re lost in the online web of dog treat shopping, look no further! We’ve compiled consumer advice for your search, and a list of top-tier dog treats on the market. 

The Questions 

Last week, we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Jeff Gerlesits about which dog treats he recommends, which treats to be wary of, and how to ensure you find the best product for your dog. You can read the full article here. 

What should consumers be looking for on dog treat packaging to ensure they purchase the highest quality product for their dog? 

“In my humble opinion, local, organic, natural, and quality ingredients are the key to treats. The more local and better ingredients, the better the product tends to be for the patients and our environment. As a general rule, I want to support our community, country, and planet. 

We ideally want our dog treats to have an AAFCO seal (the Assoc. of Feed Control Officials). This ensures the quality, safety, and nutritional label are accurate. It’s not mandatory but does ensure what is labeled is actually within the product.” 

(from “The Hidden Danger of Dog Treats”) 

Ingredients to Avoid:

“Ingredients we want to watch out for are possible toxins that actually quite often get added to the treats.  For example: 

• Xylitol is a sweetener, but acts as an insulin agonist in dogs and is hard on their liver 
• Onions and garlic can be detrimental to a dog’s red blood cells 
• Grapes and raisins (which are sometimes, as dried fruits, wrapped around treats) can be toxic”

(from “The Hidden Danger of Dog Treats”)

The Treats

Brutus & Barnaby Dehydrated Sweet Potato Slices 

When they say single ingredient, they mean it! Brutus & Barnaby has successfully created one of the most all-natural, simple dog treats on the market. Made from only sweet potatoes, these treats are gluten-free, grain-free, and contain no fat or sugar. 

Ava’s Salmon Snacks 

Just like Brutus & Barnaby, Ava’s Salmon Snacks are single ingredient, natural, and organic! Treats like these are hard to find, especially in the oversaturated internet shopping experience. Ava’s Pet Palace is a small business created and maintained by Ava Dorsey, who began the company when she was only 13 years old.

The Salmon Snacks are hand-cut and dehydrated. These are one of the best jerky treats on the market! 

Grandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Treats 

Grandma Lucy’s includes only natural and organic ingredients in their Organic Pumpkin Treats. The treats are GMO-free with no added preservatives, and are a certified kosher product. The treats are made not in a factory, but in a bakery! You can let your pup enjoy these treats while knowing the people who made them took the time and care to put forth the best product. 

Zuke’s 

Zuke’s treats are locally made in Durango, Colorado. Their treats are completely natural and organic, and the company is transparent about the ingredients they include. You can see all their ingredients and read about them here. 

Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier Treats 

Old Mother Hubbard’s treats pride themselves on being made, just as all the other treats listed, from organic and all-natural ingredients such as apple, carrot, wheat, oatmeal, and cane molasses. 

Don’t Forget:

*As always, you can also make your own treats! This is the best way to ensure you know every ingredient that makes it into your pup’s treats, and you can have fun at the same time! Check out our post on making your own dog treats here.

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post The 5 Healthiest Organic Dog Treats appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Imagine this, you’re baking your famous oatmeal raisin cookies for friends and family to enjoy. A few raisins fall to the ground, but before you can grab them, your pet eats five of them. The next thought running through your mind is, “What do I do? Would five raisins really poison my pet?”

Most of us, I’m sure, have dealt with this at some point in our years of pet ownership. If not, we are here to help make sure your pet is safely taken care of in those situations!

First and foremost, below is an infographic that Nationwide has created to give us an idea of what food items are toxic/hazardous to our pets. Anything with an “!” is urgent and needs veterinary care immediately.

Don’t wait to get help! Waiting until your pet shows symptoms could be too late!

• Some symptoms may not appear for a few hours or days (loss of appetite being one of them). If they do not appear immediately, don’t hesitate to get them checked if something about your pet’s behavior doesn’t look or feel right.

Call Your Vet Immediately

As calling 911 is only good for human emergencies, calling your local vet is the best route to take. They will be able to provide guidance on how to go about dealing with the issue. Don’t induce vomiting before discussing with your vet as some items eaten can create larger issues by bringing them back up (GoodHouseKeeping.com).

If your pet has eaten other objects besides food, it is still best to call a vet clinic. Though they may not seem harmful, many items that are eaten can severely damage intestines or create blockages.

What do I do if it is late and the vet isn’t open?

If it is after hours, call the nearest 24-hour vet clinic or ASPCA’s 24-hour hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

What to have with you in case of an emergency

• In case the veterinary hospital recommends inducing vomiting, be sure to keep an unopened and unexpired bottle of hydrogen peroxide. A larger type injection syringe (without a needle) is helpful for administering hydrogen peroxide.
• Make sure you have all pet medical records / information on hand in the event that you may need to see a new vet clinic.

Ways to Prevent Ingestion Emergencies

• Do not leave garbage in reach of your pet. Ensure that there is a lid on the garbage at all times. (TheSprucePets.com)
• Try not to drop food while cooking. Do not leave cooking area with potentially hazardous items on the counter or in sight.
•  Ensure any lawn items or fertilizers are not hazardous. When outside with fertilizers, use a leash to bring them to areas that do not contain a potentially threatening fertilizer.

It’s not just food!

There are plenty of “human foods” that are dangerous to cats and dogs, but that isn’t where the worry stops. Dozens of items used by humans every single day can cause serious harm to your pets. Luckily for you and I, Top Dog Vitamins has broken down for us what seemingly routine items can cause your pet serious harm, and they even explain why!

In these situations, it is always better to be safe than sorry. DO consult a pet professional if there is any doubt in your mind about your pet’s safety.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

lillybrush.com

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Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post My Pet Ate Something Toxic! Now What? appeared first on Lilly Brush.