Not long ago, pet owners sometimes had to make heartbreaking decisions when their pets were diagnosed with chronic conditions because of the high treatment costs that had to be paid out of pocket. Today, with pet insurance, people can get medical treatment and enjoy more time with their pets. But, with several insurers and plans to choose from, it is easy to make misjudgments. Here are seven mistakes pet owners make when purchasing pet insurance. Buying pet insurance too late Although pet owners are happy to meet their pets’ needs in all other aspects of life, insurance is often ignored until their pet has developed a serious illness or has met with an accident. This is a mistake for two reasons: Just like medical insurance for humans, pet insurance only gets more expensive as they age. This could result in higher premiums, more exclusions, and increased out-of-pocket costs. Moreover, insurance providers may not offer coverage for pets with pre-existing conditions, which could lead to disqualification from the policy or minimal coverage. To avoid these issues, always purchase pet insurance while the pets are still young and healthy. Not seeking a veterinarian’s opinion Another frequent mistake pet owners make is thinking that pet insurance is an individual decision.

Many people prefer pet fence systems to keep their pets safe from running out onto the streets. However, the house is not the only place where one can use fences. Pet fence systems, especially wireless ones, help keep the pet from wandering too far while hiking through tricky terrain or in the wilderness. Since there are many options in the market, individuals should consider these eight things when choosing a pet fence system: Wireless vs. wired e-fence The wired e-fence is an in-ground system. Here, the wires are buried underground to create a boundary for the pet. Once done, the pet is given an e-collar that sends out signals when it tries to cross the boundary.  Some components of a wired e-fence include underground wires, a wall-mounted transmitter, a receiver collar, training flags, a power adapter, and a receiver charger. While a wireless e-fence works similarly, it does not have underground wires. Instead, the e-collar detects a radio signal that another device emits to form an imaginary circular boundary.  After understanding how these fences work, pet parents can choose the best option. Dog size An essential factor to check when choosing a pet fence system is the e-collar. While all fencing systems have e-collars, one should ensure they fit nicely on their dog’s neck.

Bully sticks, or pizzle sticks, are popular dog treats. They are commonly made from bull pizzles and are considered to be natural and delicious. As more pet owners have begun to seek out natural pet food options, the use of animal byproducts as treats has increased. Bully sticks are often touted for their health benefits, but recent studies have stated otherwise. Research shows bully sticks have high calorific value and may contain harmful contaminants. Digestive trouble Pet parents should carefully consider the risks before giving their pets bully sticks, as they may be contaminated during the manufacturing process. The treats are minimally processed, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial contamination. This can result in infections with Escherichia coli or Salmonella, causing digestive trouble for pets who chew on the treats. The drying process used during the production or manufacturing of these treats is insufficient to get rid of the contaminants, which poses a serious health risk for pets and their owners. The intake of such contaminated bully sticks can lead to food-borne illnesses, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy in pets. In humans, the symptoms can be more severe, leading to potential complications. Choking hazard Bully sticks are among the most preferred durable treats for pets.