Monday, May 4, 2015

Protect Your Pet's Health Today with Pet Insurance by Hartville!





What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance helps you afford quality veterinary care so you can give your pet the best care possible. Hartville Pet Insurance has 4 increasing levels of protection that can cover your pet for accidents, illnesses, wellness care, ongoing conditions and more.

Why do I need it?

The costs of veterinary care are rising, especially as more sophisticated treatments become available for animals. Hartville Pet Insurance can help you focus more on your pet's care and less on finances.

How does it work?

It's easy! Take your pet to any vet in the US or Canada and pay for the services. Then fill out a simple claim form and mail, fax, or email it with your receipts. You can track the status of your claims conveniently online at the free Member Center.

How much will I get reimbursed?

Hartville Pet Insurance plans reimburse 90% of usual and customary covered charges after a low $100 annual deductible per pet. You can also customize our plans to your budget with additional deductible and co-insurance options.

Why choose us?

You'll enjoy valuable coverage that helps you prepare financially for the unexpected. Plus, we have a 30-day money back guarantee as long as no claims are covered. That way, you can try us out risk-free!

How do I get started?

Just log on HERE, then enter your pet’s name and be sure that Priority Code 7466 is pre-filled in the box.  Click on "Get Started" to see what coverage options are available for your pet. You can then enroll online in minutes or save your quote to finish later.


Saturday, May 2, 2015

The Scoop on Grain-Free Pet Foods


This month, we are talking about finding the perfect pet food that reflects both your expectations and represents the best veterinary science has to offer. In particular, we’ll be taking a closer look at grains in dog and cat foods, addressing the top three concerns of pet parents. Are these concerns valid or are they misrepresentations of reality? The truth may surprise you!
The Belief Grains Are Responsible for Allergies
Food allergies or adverse food reactions are abnormal reactions to ingredients found in everyday foods. Recent estimates indicate that less than 5% of skin diseases in dogs and cats are accurately diagnosed as being caused by a food allergy. Even though the incidence of adverse food reactions remains unclear, a lot of pet parents believe that grains are prime suspects. However, the most commonly identified food allergens among dogs and cats are proteins in beef, dairy, chicken, soy and corn. Food allergies can cause itchy skin alone or even gastrointestinal problems as well.
The place where many pet parents get confused is comparing canine or feline food reactions to celiac disease in humans, which is a heritable autoimmune disease associated with a hypersensitivity to gluten proteins in wheat, barley, and rye. There has been a very rare similar heritable gluten sensitivity described in a small number of dogs with the symptoms being weight loss, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, but celiac disease and adverse food reactions in companion animals are rare.
The Belief Grains Have No Real Nutritive Value
Whole grains, like the ones used in many of our foods, contain the entire kernel. Whole grains are used in human and pet food because they pack a nutritional punch. Not only are they a good source of carbohydrates, they also contain essential fatty acids, amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein and even antioxidants! They add to the nutritional profile of the food, which means that they add to your pet’s nutrition as well. The grains used in our foods meet or exceed the criteria of the European Community, which currently exceed U.S. standards for quality.
The Belief That Pets Can’t Digest Grains
Some pet parents believe that carbohydrates from grains are not easily digested by dogs or cats. Like other mammals, cats and dogs have a metabolic need for carbohydrates in the form of glucose. Glucose fuels many parts of the body, including the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, the kidneys, and the female reproductive organs during pregnancy and lactation. If the diet fails to provide sufficient carbohydrates, the body can manufacture glucose by robbing it from amino acids (the building blocks for protein) and triglycerides (in fat), but this is hardly ideal. Both dogs and cats will utilize glucose from ingested carbohydrates to meet their needs. Additionally, both species have sufficient digestive enzymes to allow for the efficient digestion of properly cooked carbohydrates. We know that not only is the quality of the grains important, but also the manner in which they are cooked. Our foods are prepared in such a way that the grains are broken down during the cooking before they enter the intestines, allowing them to be digested more easily.
So What is the Truth?
The key takeaway from all of these points . . . . you must feed the food that most closely meets your own standards and expectations for your pet kid. After all, you know them better than anyone! For all of you who want the best grain-free option for your companion animal, I’m pleased to tell you that our two latest foods are both grain-free!


Grain-Free Formulas That Are Nutritionally Balanced
Like all our foods, our new grain-free foods offer excellent, balanced nutrition. Rather than relying on grain content, these natural formulas do have carbohydrates such as peas, potatoes and a selection of healthy vegetables in the grain-free dog food. Ideal for all life stages, our newest nutritious foods provide another great option for pet parents who want the best for their dogs and cats. For detailed information about these products, including ingredients, guaranteed analyses and more, visit our site at www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com today.

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