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Pet insurance - Tips & Advice - Healthy and happy pets
People taking on a pet for the first time don’t always understand the expenses that can be involved in keeping them. That’s why it’s important to consider pet insurance and whether it’s insurance for cats or dogs, you’ll want the most suitable policy for your pet, combined with efficient service for your furry little friend…
Prevention is better than cure in every case, and while Direct Line provides competitive quotes backed by a high level of service, we also assume that your animals were well in the first place. That’s why we’d recommend looking at websites like www.allaboutpets.org.uk, which is run by the Blue Cross, or Purina Petcare www.purina.co.uk which offers impartial advice on looking after your pet.
The first thing to think about when you’re choosing a pet is: is it right for you? A lot of people like the idea of a dog, but can you be sure to take it out for a good long walk morning and night? And if you work during the day, it may fret at being left alone, so how will you resolve that? You might be better off with a less demanding pet.
For some broad, general advice on how to keep alert to your pet’s state of health, follow our tips below. In case of any queries you might have, please consult your vet.
Let’s assume, though, that you’ve opted for a dog. You’ll need to consider how much exercise it’s likely to need. Training is important from an early age, as is looking for signs of illness. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs under his fur – but only his ribs, or he is too underweight – and the belly shouldn’t sag; the ears should be clean and shouldn’t smell, the eyes should be bright and clear and the dog shouldn’t mind light. The old thing about cold and wet noses is a myth but it should be clean, and bad breath can be a sign of organic illness.
Cats will be more independent but this means you may not be able to detect the signs of illness as easily as you would if you had a dog. Again, you should be able to feel just the ribs through the fur, and ears should be clean. If his ears have white tips, think about putting sun cream on when it’s bright – burning does happen and it can be painful. A runny nose tells you your cat might have flu.
The skin may be pink or black naturally, and it shouldn’t show signs of dandruff, bald patches or sores. Cats will vomit hair or grass occasionally, which is normal, but if they do it persistently it can be worth a trip to the vet.
Overall, if your animal’s attitude and demeanour are happy and healthy, that’s probably how he feels, but consult your vet if you are at all worried. It’s always worth insuring your pet – at Direct Line we’ll pay your vet’s fees of up to £4,000 or £6,000 per condition, subject to the terms of the policy. If you buy online from us we’ll happily give you an online discount. For more information see www.directline.com/pet/welcome.htm
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