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Training for Puppies: How to Teach Basic Obedience

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Did you know that training your dog as a puppy has been proven to prevent future behavioral problems like fear of strangers and disobedience? Training your puppy is much more than just teaching them where to go to the bathroom. You teach your puppy how to trust you, and build a stronger relationship with them.

It can be overwhelming to start training for puppies. How do you teach an animal that doesn’t want to listen to anything you say and just wants to chew on your shoes? To make the process a little bit more manageable, we put together this brief guide!

Read on to learn how to start basic obedience training for your new puppy!

Take a Class 

Less than 5% of pet owners actually participate in an obedience training program! This means your puppy isn’t getting proper training or socialization and increases the risk of behavioral problems like bites.

A proper obedience training instructor can give you the education you need to keep your puppy bite-free and well trained.

We recommend a board and train program that will provide your puppy with socialization and training with professionals. You’ll also receive some lessons on how to build on what your dog has learned with home training. Learn more about these kinds of programs and the benefits they can have for you and your dog!

Be Consistent

If you only reinforce behavior sometimes, your dog won’t learn the lesson. For example, if you teach your dog not to jump on you, but only enforce this lesson when you’re wearing nice clothes, your dog doesn’t learn that jumping is not OK.

Pick your rules and stick to them, even when it’s difficult.

Positive Reinforcement 

Rewarding your dog for good behavior is much more effective than punishing your dog for bad behavior. Many pet owners make this mistake during puppy training!

The most common example is the myth that you should rub your dog’s nose in it if they go to the bathroom on the floor. Dog attention spans don’t work like that – they don’t remember going to the bathroom on your floor and they don’t know why they’re being punished!

Instead of punishing your dog, reinforce their behavior when they do the right thing. Give your dog a treat when they go to the bathroom in the right place. Over time it will become second nature.

Don’t Overwhelm Them 

If your puppy is distracted, tired, or bored, it’s okay to put the training session off until later. Just like a child, your puppy won’t learn as well if they’re not interested. Shoot for 15-minute sessions daily.

Short but regular sessions work best for short attention spans and will stop both you and your dog from getting frustrated!

Experience the Benefits of Training for Puppies Today

Training your puppy is a time investment, but the rewards are well worth it. Training for puppies results in a more obedient, happier, and less fearful adult dog. Be patient and kind, and experience the benefits for yourself!

If you enjoyed learning about the basics of obedience training, we have lots more tips for pet owners on our blog. Check it out for more!

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Healthy Pets

Comparing Medical Insurance Plans: Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Policy

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which medical insurance is best

In today’s unpredictable times, medical insurance plans have become a necessity more than a luxury. You or your family member might fall sick, get sick, or require immediate hospitalisation that can cause an emotional breakdown. But those pilling bills can add to the stress and lead you to struggle financially as well.

But today you don’t have to worry about the hospital bills burning a hole in your pocket. With numerous medical insurance plan options available nowadays, your life has become easier.

So, how to decide which plan is best suited for your family? it’s a smart move to compare some important factors before making a final decision.

Factors to Keep in Mind

●    Things it Covers

One of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting a medical insurance plan is the level of coverage it offers. Different companies may provide varying levels of coverage for the same insured sum. It’s crucial to opt for a comprehensive plan that includes additional benefits such as coverage for outpatient department (OPD) expenses, critical illnesses, pre-existing conditions, and ambulance services.

●    Good Renewable Age

Choosing a health insurance plan that offers lifetime renewability or a higher renewal age is advisable as one may face various complex health issues during their old age. Opting for a plan with lifelong renewability is even more advantageous as it ensures continuous health coverage throughout one’s lifetime.

●    Hospitals

When comparing various medical insurance plans, it’s essential to review the list of hospitals covered under the insurance provider’s cashless network and check if your preferred hospital is included. This will come in handy during emergencies, as it allows for cashless transactions. Additionally, it’s important to determine whether the insurance provider has tie-ups with a large network of hospitals.

●    Waiting Time

It’s important to note that certain medical conditions such as cataracts, pregnancy, or preexisting conditions may not be covered immediately after purchasing a health insurance plan, and a waiting period ranging from 1 to 4 years may be required. Therefore, it’s crucial to check the waiting period for such conditions while comparing different health insurance plans.

●    Expenses for Pre and Post Hospitalisation

Certain medical treatments may involve expenses before and after hospitalisation, such as diagnostic tests, biopsies, and follow-up visits to the doctor. It’s important to ensure that your health insurance policy covers all of these expenses to avoid any financial burden. Therefore, it’s advisable to check for coverage of such expenses when comparing different health insurance policies.

●    About the Premium

The primary goal of comparing and knowing which medical insurance is best is to obtain the maximum coverage that you need while paying a premium that you can afford. However, it’s crucial not to select a policy with a high premium that may become difficult to maintain in the future. Therefore, when comparing different health insurance plans, it’s important to consider the affordability of the premium to avoid any financial strain in the long run.

●    About Super Top-up Plans

Choosing a super top-up plan in addition to your regular health insurance policy is a smart move. This ensures that if your hospitalisation expenses exceed a certain limit, your insurance provider will cover the remaining amount. Additionally, top-up plans generally have lower premiums, making them a viable option for individuals who cannot afford high premiums. Therefore, opting for a super top-up plan can provide added financial security and peace of mind.

●    About Sub-limit

Sublimits are applicable to certain medical expenses, such as doctor visits, room and bed charges, etc., and are covered by the insurer based on the policyholder’s sublimit. If these charges exceed the sublimit, the policyholder must pay the difference amount. That’s why many policyholders prefer policies without sublimits, and even if one chooses a policy with a sublimit, it’s wise to opt for a higher limit. This ensures that there’s sufficient coverage for all medical expenses and reduces the possibility of incurring additional out-of-pocket expenses.

●    Customer Reviews

It’s important to check the reviews and ratings of different insurance providers on social media platforms. This can provide valuable insight into the user experiences related to their products, including:

  • The time taken to settle claims
  • How quickly they respond to customer queries

By checking these reviews and ratings, you can make an informed decision about which insurance provider to choose, ensuring that you receive the best possible service and support.

Types of Insurance Plans

There are several types of health insurance plans available, such as family floater, personal, and senior citizen plans. However, your main objective is to obtain the maximum benefit from your insurance policy. To achieve this, it’s recommended to compare similar types of plans offered by different health insurance companies providers. This allows you to evaluate the features and benefits of each plan and select the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Buying an insurance policy is a huge decision for you and your family as it would impact the way your medical bills would be covered in case of an emergency. Make sure that you keep the factors discussed above in mind and make an informed decision. If you want to learn more about the different types of health insurance plans and which one would be best suited for your family, you can consult the experts at Niva Bupa.

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Pets

When to Seek Veterinary Care for Vomiting in Cats

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Vomiting is an exanthematous incident frequently experienced by felines, with countless root causes and intensities. Although certain scenarios of regurgitation may not be considered concerning, some circumstances necessitate immediate veterinary attention. This article will discuss when to seek veterinary care for vomiting in cats and the potential consequences of delaying treatment.

What Is Vomiting?

Vomiting is the ejection of semi-processed nourishment and other stomach and small intestine materials. Various conditions can bring it about, including dietary imprudence, foreign body ingestion, gastroenteritis, and other medical issues. It is significant to remember that vomiting is not equivalent to disgorgement, which is the ejection of unabsorbed sustenance or liquid that has not yet gone into the stomach.

Signs of Vomiting in Cats

Cats typically display a few signs that indicate they are vomiting. These signs can include heaving, retching, and abdominal contractions. Additionally, cats may produce drooling, lip-licking, and excessive swallowing before vomiting. After vomiting, cats may appear passive, have decreased appetite, and may have a poor coat condition.

When to Seek Veterinary Care for Vomiting in Cats

It is essential to bring your feline to the vet if they are disgorging more than twice in a day and a half or if they have other alarming signs, for example, listlessness, fever, not eating, or stomach torment. Besides, any regurgitation that continues for over a day and a half should be assessed by a vet. On the off chance that your cat is hurling and has any of the accompanying manifestations, it is pivotal to observe a veterinarian promptly.

Bloody Vomit: Vomiting that comprises blood is denominated hematemesis and may be engendered by a gamut of medicinal circumstances. If they are disgorging blood, it is critical to bring your feline to the veterinarian expeditiously.

Vomiting with Dehydration: Dehydration can be difficult for felines and may transpire when they cannot supplant forfeited liquids. Manifestations of desiccation comprise a parched maw, hollowed eyes, languor, and hide that does not rebound when squeezed. If your cat is exhibiting any of these indications, it is imperative to take them to the vet instantly. Treatment may incorporate furnishing fluids, electrolytes, and other medicaments to assist in reviving suitable hydration levels in the body.

Vomiting with Weight Loss: If your feline is regurgitating and slimming, escorting them to the vet is crucial to discern the originative cause. Weight diminution can result from various health predicaments, such as malignancy and incessant renal ailment.

Vomiting with Diarrhea: If your feline is disgorging and has the runs, it is imperative to get veterinary assistance promptly, as this can be a marker of a genuine medicinal condition, for example, pancreatitis or intestinal blockage.

Vomiting with Other Neurologic Symptoms: If your cat is vomiting and has other neurologic symptoms such as seizures or head tilt, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately as this can be a sign of a serious medical condition such as feline infectious peritonitis or a brain tumor.

Potential Consequences of Delaying Treatment

Delaying veterinary care for vomiting in cats can have serious consequences. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, and nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, some underlying causes of vomiting can be life-threatening if left untreated. For example, untreated pancreatitis can lead to severe abdominal pain, organ failure, and death.

Conclusion

Vomiting is a frequent episode in felines and can be caused by many circumstances. Even though certain instances of disgorging may not be a source of alarm, it is essential to get veterinary attention if your cat is heaving more than twice in twenty-four hours or has other worrisome signs such as listlessness or fever, lack of appetite, and abdominal distress. Moreover, any disgorging that persists beyond twenty-four hours should be inspected by a vet. Postponing veterinary care for vomiting in cats can have dire consequences, resulting in desiccation, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base imbalances, dietary inadequacies, and even mortality if left unattended.

 

If your cat is vomiting, it is important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and provide the necessary treatment.

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Pets

3 Reasons to Choose Cat Boarding When You Go on a Holiday

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It is not simple to dismiss cat boarding when you are getting ready to leave town. Pets cannot always survive on their own, so if you consider leaving your cat alone at home, you may get disappointed after coming back. So consider the many benefits of cat boarding that you must consider before travelling again. 

Benefits of Cat Boarding

1. You Can Count On Neither Food Nor Water Ever Running Out For Your Cat

Sure, you could leave your cat alone at home for a few days with large bowls of food and water, but how would you prevent your cat from tipping the water bowl once you do not return the first night? Your cat could easily knock over their entire supply of drinking water unless they use the toilet or there are multiple bowls around the house.

As cats age, kidney disease affects about one in three of them, and even a day or two without water access can increase the risk of kidney stones or other harm. Your cat’s water bowl is left in its cat boarding facility, giving you peace of mind.

2. Boarding Your Cat Keeps Them Safe

Although it might seem that your home’s interior would be inherently safe, there are many hidden risks that your cat might come across while you are away. Your cat might only play with hair ties when you are home, but when you are gone, they might get frustrated and ingest one, which could cause an obstruction. Your cat might jump incorrectly and fracture a leg. Even worse, someone could break into your house, hurt your cat, or let them run away.

You will not have to worry about any of this with cat boarding. Knowing that your cat is safe, watched, played with, cuddled, and fed allows you to relax and enjoy your trip.

3. Daily Litter Box Cleaning

Due to their highly sensitive sense of smell, cats may completely avoid using the litter box if it goes unattended for even a short period. Your cat may find a new favourite place to go once they begin to remove the litter box because of the smell, and it might be challenging to break the habit once you get back home.

 

One benefit of cat boarding is daily litter box cleaning. Your cat will not have to find a new place to use, like your laundry basket, because it will be happy to have a clean litter box. If you feel like your cat has any problem, go to the animal tracks vets in the inner west for their guidance. 

Conclusion 

When your cat is boarded, it can get medical attention much faster. All cat boarding amenities have a relationship with a 24-hour emergency veterinarian, and some cat boarding facilities have veterinarians on staff or call.

You might not want to believe your friends, family, or pet sitter to give your cat medication while you are away because many cat boarding facilities also offer this service. So, if you are a cat lover and worry about your cat while you are away, consider a reliable cat boarding for your loving pet. 

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