In an old episode of “The Office,” Dwight puts his girlfriend Angela’s beloved cat in the freezer. He does so because the cat is ancient and has so many medical issues that it’s barely alive. Dwight lives on a farm, and as he tells a devastated Angela, “sometimes farm people have to do what city folk are too weak to.” Obviously Dwight’s actions on the show are horrible (and played for comedic effect), but they raise an interesting question: Dwight genuinely thought he was doing what was best for the cat and he did it in what he considered a … Continue reading →

The trend I first wrote about two years ago is only getting worse. Pet obesity rates continue to rise in America, and unfortunately that’s not all. Not only are once-healthy pets gaining weight, ones that are already obese continue to put on the pounds. Cleveland’s Fox 8 profiles the epidemic. The Association for Pet Obesity recently ran a study that concluded 25% of cats and 21% of dogs are overweight. Those numbers are slightly up from the last study (and the last article I wrote on the topic) in 2010. As already mentioned, one of the most worrying parts of … Continue reading →

People need insurance, or want it if they can get it, but what about insurance for pets? At families.com we’ve previously covered the different types of insurance one can purchase for one’s pets, but today I’d like to go over whether or not purchasing pet insurance is the right decision for you. I need to disclaim my forthcoming statements: coverage and policies with pet insurance are entirely dependent upon the particular company. Because they are not government mandated (even if some claim to follow government standards), different companies can offer different types of coverage, and problems that occur with some … Continue reading →

Choosing a veterinarian for your pet is one of the most important processes you’ll go through in your pet’s life. The steps you should take to find the right vet are similar to those you go through finding a doctor. The number one method I use for selecting any medical professional is to seek the advice of others. Ask around to other pet owners in your neighborhood, if you know any, to hear what they have to say about the best vets in the area. That’s what I did when I moved here and began adopting my pets; I asked … Continue reading →

Somebody in one of my online pet communities alerted me to GetToTheVet.com. The basic idea is this: Bayer Animal Health (makers of Advantage flea and tick prevention) is going to give away a quarter of a million dollars in veterinary vouchers to help folks get their pets in for vet visits during these tough economic times. As the site says: “…many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets’ care and wellness. And unfortunately, veterinary visits and preventive veterinary care are often cut due to financial struggles and concerns.” Between February 16 and … Continue reading →