Submitting pet insurance claim forms isn’t always a simple process - so in this short article we will give you some advice on how to get things off to a speedy start. Different insurance companies have different pet insurance claim forms - so we can’t tell exactly how to fill in your specific form - but we can help you avoid some common pitfalls that slow down the average application.

Have plenty of claim forms ready

If you need to make a claim it is great to have a form ready to send off. This way you don’t have to wait for the pet insurance company to send one out. Ask for more than one form if you can.

Read and fill it out the claim form carefully

If you don’t fill the form in correctly this can result in long delays, or the worst case scenario the pet insurance company may reject your claim. Call them first and they will help you fill the form out. They will be happy to talk you through parts that may be confusing – and if you are lucky will give you advice on which questions it is important to answer correctly. Why not take the upper hand and ask the advisor if they think the claim may be accepted as is – and whether there is any part of the form you could have filled in better.

Who does the insurance company need to pay?

This might be you, or the veterinary company  where the operation or work was carried out. Getting this wrong can lead to long delays waiting for the vets to pay you. If you have already been waiting for a long period, you will not want to wait even longer whilst they sort out the mistake – especially when you may be talking about large sums of money.

Chase up your insurance company

It can be a very good idea to call both your insurance company, and your veterinary practice. This way if there is a delay in the process you can get it resolved. Find out how long everything should take, so you aren’t waiting any longer than this. Don’t be afraid to chase them up as often as is necessary. Remember the name of who you were talking to so you can speak to them again. Get call reference numbers where possible.

What to do if you have problems with your claim?

Call up everyone involved, remembering who you spoke to. Find out if the veterinary practice filled in and passed on the form. You can use this information to help in dealing with the insurance company to inform them when they should have received the form. This is one reason why it is important to write down and keep note of all the facts. If you can say when and to who you submitted the form – it will make your job of chasing it up a lot easier.

Our advice overall is to be careful with your application, and to not be afraid to be active once you have submitted the form. If necessary you will have to chase all parties involved until the claim is complete and you have been paid.

According to the American Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. This can lead to even more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease. Ensuring your pet receives proper dental care from an early age is critical.

In addition to oral examinations and dental cleanings performed by your veterinarian, there are several things you can do to ensure the mouth of your dog or cat stays healthy.

Brushing at Home

Brushing your pet’s teeth daily helps prevent a multitude of oral and other health problems. It is best to introduce dental home care early with your new puppy or kitten. During your first veterinary visit, request a demonstration of how to properly and effectively brush your pet’s teeth.

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet’s teeth at home.

1. Start with a healthy, comfortable mouth by having your veterinarian perform a dental cleaning. Existing problems may cause pain leading to an uncooperative dog or cat.
2. Start slowly by letting your pet become comfortable with you working inside their mouth with your finger. Gently rub along the gumline. Start at the front and move toward the back upper and then lower teeth and gums.
3. Pull his lip up to rub the outside of the teeth and gums.
4. Pull his head back gently to encourage him to open his mouth so you can clean the inside of his teeth.
5. Repeat on the opposite side of the mouth.
6. After your dog or cat becomes comfortable with your finger, place gauze over your finger and rub their teeth in a circular motion.
7. When your pet can handle the gauze, introduce a toothbrush during the next brushing session. It is important to make this switch because a bristled toothbrush cleans below the gumline where gauze or pads cannot reach.
8. Apply the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the tooth. Using small, circular motions, brush around the outside of the teeth ensuring the bristles get under the gumline. Brushing the sides of the teeth is not as important, as dogs and cats typically do not have tartar build-up between teeth like humans do.
9. Gradually add toothpaste designed for dogs or cats. Do not use people toothpaste or baking soda as both can upset your pet’s stomach.
10. Place your hand over your pet’s muzzle gently squeezing from the top.
11. Help keep your pet calm by praising your pet, speaking reassuringly and keeping the brushing sessions short. Remember, you will not always have a perfect teeth brushing session, but it’s important to be consistent and keep trying.

Other Considerations for a Healthy Mouth

Hard food and teeth cleaning biscuits can help keep your pet’s mouth clean in between brushings.

You should also be sure to regularly examine your pet’s mouth for signs of periodontal disease. Brownish teeth, consistently bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums and pus between the teeth and gums are all warning signs. If your dog or cat has these symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

A newly arrived pet brings smile on the face of every family member. It grows up quickly to become a part of the family. Generally, pet owners wonder about the right time to train the puppies. Experts believe that puppy home training should begin as shortly it arrives in home. This ensures in preventing to form any ghastly behaviour of puppy right from the beginning.

Following are the few tips that are useful for house training of puppy -

Naming The Puppy

As a first step of training, name the puppy and call by that name. From the beginning they will commence to understand some words and thus will quickly react to the name.

Practice Feeding Time

While the owner gives food to puppy it must make an effort to do this at a specific period every day. Like all infants they love routines. Following a schedule of feeding time makes the digestive system of the puppy work properly, creating fit and good health. Added to this, the puppy will also feel safe and sound.

Toilet Training

After feeding the puppy the owners are advised to take them for a stroll. This trains the puppy to go out for toilet. Taking them to same place will bring them into a routine. Puppies like routines, so they feel glad to go to same place again and again. If the owner praises the puppy during this time, it sticks to the schedule.

But the owners must remember the fact that the puppy lacks control over bladder or bowels and will take time in picking up this habit. So, the owners are advised not to loose patience and hit them in fit of rage. Hitting a puppy may result in having a disobedient and indiscipline dog. The owner may instruct the puppy with a loud ‘no’, but must avoid overdoing. The owner should keep in mind that it takes time maybe one year to train the puppy with proper toilet manners. Between that the owner must be prepared for few unintentional incidents.

Training With Command

By nature, puppy loves to leap over people, as they want to play. This nature may be enjoyed by the owner and his or her family members, but not by the guests or the visitors. Keeping this fact in mind the owner must train the puppy with ’sit’ command. With this training the puppy grows up to be a disciplined dog and the owner is saved from embarrassing situations, when guests are present around.

Training From Early Period

If training starts from an early period, the puppy grows up with the feeling of a part of family circle. If the owner has added another puppy then he must train the new puppy so that other pets get friendly with new addition and vice versa.

One can say that house training of puppy needs lot of patience and endurance. If an owner intends to have a loving and disciplined dog then he or she must have complete dedication for training. This ensures finding a good companion for the owners and his or her family.