{"id":300,"date":"2018-01-30T20:21:46","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T20:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/?p=300"},"modified":"2018-01-30T20:32:00","modified_gmt":"2018-01-30T20:32:00","slug":"february-2018-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/february-2018-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"February 2018 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Your Pet in February with a Dental Checkup for Pet Dental Health Month<\/a>
\nBringing Home Baby: How to Introduce Your Pet to Your Infant<\/a>
\nThe Pros and Cons of Pet Health Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Love Your Pet in February with a Dental Checkup for Pet Dental Health Month <\/strong><\/p>\n

You love your pet and fuss over her with the best toys, the best food and long walks. However, do you know the importance of your pet\u2019s oral hygiene? Just as you ensure your own teeth get checked and cleaned, it\u2019s just as important to have your pet\u2019s teeth cleaned and checked by the vet. February is a great month to show your pet dental love because it\u2019s Pet Dental Health Month.<\/p>\n

If your dog or cat has bad breath, it can sometimes mean there is an underlying health issue, \u201cwith the potential to damage not only your pet\u2019s teeth and gums but its internal organs as well,\u201d according to the article, \u201cFebruary is National Pet Dental Health Month,\u201d at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA.org). \u201cTo address the significance of oral health care for pets, the AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month every February.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are numerous reasons to care for your pet\u2019s teeth. The article, \u201c10 Reasons Why You Should Take Care of Your Pet’s Teeth,\u201d at Pet Health Network provides great reasons:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Healthy teeth means better pet breath.
\n\u2022 Dental disease can lead to other health problems. It can get to \u201cyour pet\u2019s organs, such as the heart,\u201d the Pet Health Network article said.
\n\u2022 When you care for your pet\u2019s teeth you can \u201cprevent other health problems, saving you tons of money over the long term!\u201d the article said.
\n\u2022 Just as you brush your teeth, you should brush your pet\u2019s teeth.
\n\u2022 Periodontal disease is serious. Get your pet \u201cregular dental checkups and cleanings,\u201d the article said.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions about your pet\u2019s teeth, daily brushings or having a dental checkup and cleaning, speak with your veterinarian. Remember, prevention is best.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Bringing Home Baby: How to Introduce Your Pet to Your Infant<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your pet has been your first \u201cbaby.\u201d Now you\u2019re having a baby and want to make sure everything goes smoothly when you bring home your new bundle of joy.<\/p>\n

When bringing home a new baby, \u201cyour dog will face an overwhelming number of novel sights, sounds and smells,\u201d according to the article, \u201cDogs and Babies,\u201d at ASPCA.org. Your routine will change, and so will the dog\u2019s, so it\u2019s important \u201cto prepare your dog for the arrival of your new addition\u201d by teaching your pup how to safely be around the baby and helping the dog adjust to new changes, the article said.<\/p>\n

The article suggests these tips before baby comes home:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Teach your dog basic obedience. Consider a group class.
\n\u2022 Four months prior to baby\u2019s arrival, \u201cGradually introduce your dog to the new experiences, sights, sounds and smells she\u2019ll encounter when you bring your baby home, and associate these new things with rewards,\u201d the article said.
\n\u2022 One to two months before baby\u2019s arrival, start making the changes that will affect your dog\u2019s daily schedule.<\/p>\n

You can also make sure your dog is comfortable around other pets and people, according to the article, \u201cIntroducing Dogs and Babies,\u201d at Pet Health Network. Try \u201ccarrying around a lifelike baby doll, talking to the doll, and showing the dog that the baby will be in a crib, carrying seat, and in your arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

When you finally bring home your baby, while your dog is being curious and smelling the baby, make sure to give lots of praise and show your dog love, according to the Pet Health Network article. If you are concerned about any of your dog\u2019s behavior, make sure to discuss with your veterinarian or a dog trainer to address any issues right away.<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\nThe Pros and Cons of Pet Health Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have a pet, you probably have heard about pet health insurance. Is it something to consider for your pet?<\/p>\n

Pets are living longer because of the technological advances in veterinary medicine. These advances also mean \u201chigher costs associated with the equipment, facilities and training required to provide these higher-quality services,\u201d according to the article, \u201cDo You Need Pet Insurance,\u201d at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). \u201cPet insurance can help by offsetting some or most of the costs of diagnosing, treating and managing your pet’s illness or injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

The AVMA article notes the following:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Make sure your coverage details are clearly spelled out by the insurance provider, from routine care to emergency treatment. Are there limitations or exclusions, and will your premiums go up as your pet ages?
\n\u2022 Ask about pre-existing conditions.
\n\u2022 Some providers may not insure certain pets or breeds, and some have a limit on the number of pets.
\n\u2022 Is there a multiple pet discount?
\n\u2022 Are there add-on options, such as dental care?
\n\u2022 Understand the policy and any limitations, from co-pays and deductibles to any other fees.
\n\u2022 Can you use the vet of your choice?
\n\u2022 Find out about the claims process.<\/p>\n

If your pet has an unexpected illness or accident, pet insurance can most definitely ease your mind with regard to expenses. The article, \u201c4 Reasons the Cost of Pet Insurance is Worth It,\u201d at Canine Journal, offers some pet insurance positives:
\n1. It\u2019s there if you have an unexpected surgery.
\n2. Costs of vet services, treatments and surgery are on the rise.
\n3. There are various plans, so you can choose the one that best fits your budget.<\/p>\n

Whatever you decide, do your research, speak with your vet, and find out what\u2019s best for your pet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Love Your Pet in February with a Dental Checkup for Pet Dental Health Month Bringing Home Baby: How to Introduce Your Pet to Your Infant The Pros and Cons of Pet Health Insurance Love Your Pet in February with a Dental Checkup for Pet Dental Health Month You love your pet and fuss over her… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=300"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":303,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300\/revisions\/303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}