Reputable Puppy Breeders

Reputable breeders stand by the quality of their puppies by offering health guarantees, such as the dog being worm free, and will often have begun house-breaking efforts in addition to providing age appropriate vaccines.  They should express an interest in selling healthy, well-socialized animals with good temperaments.

If you are buying from an out-of-state breeder, make sure they thoroughly explain how they plan to humanely send you your new dog.  Often they will provide a phone number to answer any questions.

Online recommendations are a good source of information about the breeder.  Before choosing one to buy from, perform a Google search.  See what other reviewers are saying about them, but be wary of the reviewers if there are only one or two old reviews.

Affordable Pet Plans would like to thank Fairy Tail Puppies for their help with this article.  Fairy Tail Puppies breeds high quality toy dogs.  If you are interested in learning more about them, please call 956-607-8688 or to learn more about them, click here.

Is there a related topic that you would like to learn more about?  If so, please leave a comment and Affordable Pet Plans will do its best to get you the information you need.

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Pets after the Tsunami in Japan

Affordable Pet Plans, pet health plan providers for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas, wants to remind everyone that in addition to the humanitarian tragedy in Japan, there is another happening to thousands of involuntarily abandoned pets.

For a translation of the video, click here and scroll about halfway down the page.

For information about donating to help pets in Japan, click here.

To visit the Affordable Pet Plans website, click here.

The Domestication of Dogs

As avid readers of all things pet related, the bloggers at Affordable Pet Plans were intrigued by this article about dog domestication from National Geographic’s March 2011 issue.  It details experiments begun in Siberia over 40 years ago and continuing until this day about the domestication of animals.  (For more information about Affordable Pet Plans, visit our About Affordable Pet Plans page.)

The scientists attempted to domestic foxes to learn more about the underlying genetics of the domestication of plants and animals.  The results of the experiment have been astonishing: by the mid-1960s, fewer than ten years after the inception of the program, some of the foxes began responding positively by wagging their tails when humans approached.  Several decades later, the experiments have yielded fox kits that are as responsive to voice tones and attention seeking as domesticated dogs.

The implications of this large, long-term study are far reaching, as it provides some support to the theory that behavior in domesticated animals is in large part genetic and not environmental.

To read more from National Geographic about the bond between humans and dogs, click here.  For more information about the history of dog domestication click here.

Affordable Pet Plans is a pet health plan company for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas.  We are administered by Pets Best and backed by Aetna.

For our plan’s numerous advantages, visit the About Affordable Pet Plans page.

Get a free online quote at www.affordablepetplans.com today!

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Do you have a question on a related topic that you would like to learn more about?  If so, please leave a comment, and our bloggers will do their best to get you the information you need.

Overweight Cats and Dogs

Reading the newspaper a few days ago, Affordable Pet Plans, pet health plan providers for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas, learned that there is an epidemic of overweight pets in the United States.  Because we want to keep dogs and cats healthy, we researched the problem.  Below are our findings.  (For more information about Affordable Pet Plans, click here.)

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, more than half of all dogs and cats in the US are now considered overweight or obese.  This has significant implications for pet health, as excessive weight can contribute to arthritis and diabetes, two dangerous and expensive conditions.  To read the full Wall Street Journal report, click here.

According to www.petobesityprevention.com, a pet is normal weight if the ribs are easily felt, there is a tucked stomach, meaning no sagging abdomen, and it has a waist when viewed from above.  A pet is overweight when ribs are not easily felt beneath the fat, it has a sagging stomach and a broad, flat back and no waist.  Click here for a graphical representation for both dogs and cats.

Affordable Pet Plans is a pet health plan provider, administered by Pets Best and backed by Aetna, for dogs, cats and their owners in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas.  We do not have age or annual limits.

Affordable Pet Plans is accepted by every vet in the United States, you pick who treats your animal.  We offer multiple pet discounts and a Wellness Option that covers expenses like annual vet visit and teeth cleaning with no deductible.

For a free online quote, visit www.affordablepetplans.com today.

Don’t forget to fan us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @affordpetplans.

Is there a related topic that you want to learn more about?  Leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need.

Benefits of Pets for the Elderly

One life’s most important relationships is between you and your pet.  Affordable Pet Plans, providers of comprehensive health plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas asked elder care workers if having therapy animals helps improve the moods of the elderly.  (For more information about us, click here.)

NorthCountry Manor, assisted living facility worker Kate Moritz, told Affordable Pet Plans that, “yes, I believe being around our pets really does improve our residents’ quality of life.  One gentleman enjoys summer afternoons on the porch where our cat Big Boy curls up on his lap for hours.  The physical contact an animal can provide is comforting.  It helps relieve the anxiety and frustration commonly found with dementia.”  (For more information about NorthCountry Manor, click here.)

Rocky the therapy dog.

Kate stated that, although NorthCountry Manor did not intend the home’s pets (an old Malamute, a Beagle, and a Chihuahua, and a few kitties) to become therapy animals, they easily assumed the role. “This only goes to show that our need for pet companionship is not only vital to improving our residents’ quality of life, it’s a really natural relationship we all enjoy- whether we are dealing with an illness or just a bad day.”

Affordable Pet Plans wants to thank the dedicated staff at NorthCountry Manor for their help with this article.

Affordable Pet Plans does not have age limits and is accepted by every veterinarian in the United States.  You pick who treats your pet.  We offer multiple pet discounts among a many other benefits.

Visit www.affordablepetplans.com for your free quote today.

Don’t forget to fan us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @affordpetplans.

Is there a related topic you want to learn more about?  If so, leave a comment and our bloggers will do their best to find the information you need.

Dental Care for Dogs

Proper dental care is essential for a dog’s health.  In our continuing effort to provide valuable information to pet owners, Affordable Pet Plans, providers of comprehensive health plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas, researched into dog oral health.  (For more information about us, click here.)

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, dental care is among the most commonly overlooked features of pet health.  The bad breath often associated with poor oral hygiene is not something to be ignored; if left untreated it can cause significant problems including heart and kidney disease.

Bad breath is not necessarily natural to pets and can be the sign of more significant health concerns.  Usually, it is because of plaque and tartar that if not attended to can cause a gum infection.  A dog is never too old for tooth brushing.

To learn about what vets do to care for your pets teeth, click here and scroll down to “Dental Care at the Veterinary Practice”.

For a free quote, visit http://www.affordablepetplans.com today!

Regular veterinarian administered teeth cleanings should be a part of your dog’s health regiment.  Affordable Pet Plans offers a Wellness Option that covers an annual teeth cleaning with a deductible of $0.  For more information about our benefits for dogs, click here.

Affordable Pet Plans is accepted by every vet in the United States and offers a multiple pet discount.  Get a free quote today at www.affordablepetplans.com.

Don’t forget to fan us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @affordpetplans.

Is there a related topic you want to learn more about?  Leave a comment and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need.

What are the Longest Lived Breeds of Dogs?

Affordable Pet Plans, providers of quality health plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas, was watching the 2011 Westminster Dog Show and began wondering about the lifespans of the various breeds.  We did some internet research and below is what we found.  (For more information about us, click here.)

Mutts generally live longer than purebreds.  Because they are not inbred, unlike purebreds, they tend to be healthier and as such live longer.

According to Web MD, cancer is the cause of death for about 42% of dogs.  Due to this, it is important to know what diseases are common to a breed and to carefully plan for them.

Generally, smaller dogs live longer.  For a list of the average lifespans of of 20 popular breeds of dogs, click here.

Affordable Pet Plans offers quality health plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas.

We offer multiple pet discounts and do not have age restrictions or annual limits.  Affordable Pet Plans is also accepted by every veterinarian in the the US, you chose who treats your animal.

For a free quote, visit http://www.affordablepetplans.com today!

Go to www.affordablepetplans.com today for your free online quote.

Don’t forget to fan us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @affordpetplans.

Is there a related topic that you want to learn more about?  Leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need.

Why are Cats Picky Eaters?

Many cat owners have experienced the frustration of a cat that won’t eat.  Jo Singer, cat owner and writer of this post at petside.com, blogs about this problem.  Upon discovering this post, Affordable Pet Plans, pet health plan providers for cats and dogs in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas, decided to investigate why cats sometimes refuse to eat.  (For more information about us, click here.)

Affordable Pet Plans found this article on Web MD which provides some answers. There are many reasons why a cat may not be eating, ranging from disliking the food to being frightened.  The latter cause is common to indoor cats.  Sometimes not eating can be the sign of illness.  It is important to identify why the cat refusing food and if necessary, take it to the vet.

Cats sometimes stop eating when they are introduced to new food.  To reduce this risk, try offering both the new and old food side-by-side.  Once the cat begins eating the new food, gradually decrease the amount of old food.  This eases the cat’s transition to the new food.

For a free quote, visit http://www.affordablepetplans.com today!

It’s best to try and expose kittens to many different foods and flavors in order to better determine what they like.  Remember to serve each new food in a different container.  Ensure that any feeding location is somewhere secure and is not prone to sudden, loud noises which may spook them.

Affordable Pet Plans is administered by Pets Best and backed by Aetna, a Fortune 100 company.  We offer a multiple pet discount and are accepted by every veterinarian in the United States.  For additional details about our benefits package for cats click here, and dogs click here.

For a free online quote, visit www.affordablepetplans.com today.

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Westminster Kennel Club 2011 Dog Show

Today marks the end of the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  We here at Affordable Pet Plans, providers of quality pet plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas (for a free online pet insurance quote, click here), are watching excitedly.

Visit this page for information about broadcast times of the Westminster Dog Show.  To keep track of the Bests in Breed and Group here.  Watch tonight for the presentation of the Best in Show.

Affordable Pet Plans greatly enjoys watching the Westminster Dog Show and wants to encourage responsible dog ownership.  Owning a dog is quite rewarding.  A pet dog can be an excellent addition to your home and a reliable companion for many years.  However, a dog is a serious commitment.  The decision to purchase one should not be made on a whim.  This is a link to an excellent article explaining some of the costs of owning a dog.The veterinarian bills for a dog can be quite high.  In order to negate them, it may be worth considering a pet health care plan.  If you are a dog or cat owner in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, or Arkansas please consider Affordable Pet Plans.  Affordable Pet Plans is administered by Pets Best and backed by Aetna, a Fortune 100 company.

We are accepted by every veterinarian in the United States and offer a multiple pet discount.  For more information about us, click here.  For a fast, free online quote, visit www.affordablepetplans.com today.

Follow the Westminster Kennel Club and Affordable Pet Plans on Twitter.

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Adorable Kittens, Puppies, and a Baby

Affordable Pet Plans, providers of health plans for dogs and cats in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas, want you to start the week off right with some adorable pet videos to brighten your day.  For more information about us, click here.  To meet the Affordable Pet Plans team, click here.

Kittens and puppies are among the cutest animals around.  We have an obligation to keep our pets in the best health possible.  Affordable Pet Plans can help you ensure that your beloved pet stays with you for many more wonderful years.  Visit www.affordablepetplans.com for your free online pet health plan quote today.  For details about our benefits package for dogs click here, and cats click, here.

This one is an oldie but goodie that never fails to make us smile:

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Is there a related topic or question that you would like to learn more about? Please leave a comment and we’ll do our best to give you the information that you need.