It is comprised of a “no/low cost” portion, and a “nominal cost” portion. These common sense recommendations are based on proven sound medical and husbandry practices. These don’t require monthly payments or plans and WILL help prevent having expensive medical bills that often can be avoided.
No cost/low cost:
• Feed only high quality pet diets
• Never feed table food or scraps
• Never allow pets to chew on bones, ice, or have pop corn
• Keep your pets confined to YOUR yard or house
• Avoid high traffic animal “sites”
• Groom your pet regularly
• Provide adequate water and shelter from the environment
• Pick up stools before they “go away”, keep liter boxes clean daily
• Brush your pet’s teeth daily
• Train you pet to let you trim their nails at least every 8 weeks
• Clean your pet’s ears with a recommended solution every week
• Crate train dogs, to keep them safe when you are away
• Maintain their yard; accessible area’s vegetation no taller than your ankles
• Use only animal safe coolants in vehicles
• Do not feed wildlife or strays
• Pick your pet carefully, looking for breeders that have selected against common bad genetic traits common to that particular breed
• Don’t allow your pet to chew on fabric ,rugs , or cloth toys – ingesting string
• Chose appropriate sized and style of toys for your pets
• Learn about the husbandry requirements for you exotic pet by asking your vet
• Check for external parasite daily and look at stools occasionally for anything out of the ordinary
• Maintain ideal lean body weight
• Exercise on routine basis
• Keep away from 2nd hand smoke, elicit-drugs and alcohol
• Don’t self-medicate without consulting your veterinarian
Nominal Costs:
• Have annual exams for middle age and younger pets, bi-annual exams for older pets
• Start puppies, kittens, and ferrets with vaccines, physical exams and parasite exams at 6-8 weeks of age
• Twice a year stool sample testing for intestinal parasites for all pets
• Annual blood tests for heartworms in dogs over 6 months of age and maintain on HW preventative
• Stay current with vaccinations
• Use flea control as a preventative instead of a treatment
• Spay females pets to prevent cancers, life threatening infections, serious complications from breeding or pregnancies/deliveries
• Neuter males to prevent cancers, hernias, and dominant aggression and fighting
• Have teeth cleaned if not controlled by home brushing
• Have their toe nails trimmed if cannot be done at home
• Don’t delay having your pet examined if ill or acting abnormally
By following these recommendations you will spend less on pet care, have a healthier pet, and you will be a happier pet owner. Remember, Insurance Companies have to make a profit and overall, will increase pet ownership costs. “Pay For Plans” cost the same, can be confusing on what is actually covered and does not address ALL the parts of an effective preventative health care plan for your pet.