From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

After a recent posting we did on our Facebook page, I was inspired to delve into the topic of saving the environment and carbon footprints and share some of the tips from that article. Most people may not realize that their pets, too, have an impact on the environment; a carbon pawprint, if you will.

"Going Green" is simultaneously a growing concern as well as a trendy way of life that is catching on as of late. As pet owners, we wouldn't particularly consider our furry friends "consumers" which means we often fail to realize that there are actually many ways that we can alter our lifestyle and pet routines to be kinder to the environment.

Get the good stuff: Invest in a high-quality pet food that lists a protein such as beef, lamb, chicken or fish as the first ingredient rather than a by-product or beef meal. This one change can make a major impact on your pet's health while reducing the amount of poop left to scoop. Keep it simple: Avoid all those packaged, heavily processed treats designed to resemble human junk food. Trust me, your dog can live without corn-based "treats" shaped like mini porterhouse steaks. Recycle: Those cans and plastic food bags don't need to wind up in a landfill. Start by shopping for products with minimal packaging, and then recycle whenever possible. Go green: Most pets enjoy the addition of fruits and veggies in their food bowl. I've had success with arugula, roasted sweet potatoes and baked carrots mixed in with my dog's food. Be prepared for a little trial and error -- Lulu detests bananas while a friend's dog loves them -- and consult your veterinarian before making major changes to your pet's diet. Ditch the plastic: Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls remove the risk of exposing your pet to bisphenol A or BPAs. They also last a lot longer. Get the 'green' poop bags: Eliminate plastic grocery bags and shop for corn-based, biodegradable poop bags. A pack of 100 bags from Poopbags.com costs around $20. Dump the clump: Under the best of circumstances, cats can be somewhat resistant to change. So start sloooowly by adding shredded newspaper or wood chips to the kitty litter mix in place of clay-based clumping stuff that winds up festering in a landfill. Embrace hemp: Who knew that hemp could produce durable, eco-friendly pet products? Scope out your pet store and you will probably find rope toys and stuffed animals from brands like Earthdog and Simply Fido that will appeal to the toughest chewers. Petside offers a roundup of the Top 10 Green Pet Toys for cats and dogs. Shop with purpose: Pet toys don't undergo rigorous testing, so those super-cheap squeaky toys overflowing in the dollar bin come with a wealth of unknown risks. But "green" pet lovers have created a demand for products made from renewable resources and recycled products. Companies like Planet Dog responded with an "Orbee-Tuff" line of balls and chew toys made with nontoxic material. West Paw is another popular brand of cat and dog products made with recycled plastic bottles. The company also supports national animal shelters, so purchasing their products is like making a deposit into the karma bank for you and your lucky dog or cat. Get crafty: You can make your own catnip, but remember that finicky felines may require patience and creativity. If you are a cat lover, you already know that.

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.

It’s that back-to-school time yet again. Aside from school supply lists and new shoes, we may forget to take into consideration what “back to school” means—for our pets. While it’s something we don’t tend to think about, pets experience a big shift from having kids home all the time to being alone. If you’re lucky like me and get to take your pet to work then this doesn’t apply to you. But for everyone else, here are some quick fixes to making that transition easier for your pet.

Prepare for unusual behavior. Pets with separation anxiety might act out by destroying things other than their own toys and having “accidents” around the house. Be sure to desensitize your pet to your leaving and returning by keeping the whole ordeal very low-key. Learn more tips on how to deal with separation anxiety.

Lastly, crank up the love. I’m sure you smother your pet with love as it is, but since no one’s home during the day to attend to your furry friend, you can make up for lost lovin’ after work or school by giving your pet a little extra attention. Teach your pet some new tricks as the mental stimulation will keep him entertained and prevent destructive behaviors. Try out a new toy, or just snuggle while you watch TV. Keeping your pet happy will help him easily get accustomed to the new routine.

Though some pets are relatively unaffected by this change in routine, it’s still a good idea to make sure that they are doing well with the transition. What it all boils down to is this: Be sure to spare time between homework, lunchboxes and report cards to give plenty of love and exercise to your four-legged companion.

You brush your teeth to keep them strong and healthy and of course to avoid painful dentist drills. But you may forget that your furry friend's chompers need to be taken care of too! Animals can get cavities and dental problems just like humans which is why it's good to start a regular teeth-brushing regimen. This simple list provides you with all the basic facts you need to know about keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy.

1.       Stinky pet breath may be unpleasant for us is also a commonly ignored sign of serious oral health issues.

2.       Oral hygiene is just as necessary for our pets as it is for humans and is equally important for both cats and dogs.

3.       Poor dental hygiene can lead to calculus and plaque deposits on the teeth. Excessive plaque buildup grows bacteria which causes bad breath, gum and bone infection, and pain to your pet.

4.       Lack of a good dental cleaning routine also causes problems such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.

5.       Advanced periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the blood stream and infect internal organs such as the heart and kidney. Along with organ failure, it causes loss of teeth and extreme pain and discomfort to your pet.

6.       In order to keep your pet’s mouth healthy, you should develop a regular teeth cleaning routine for your pet. When brushing your pet’s teeth, be sure to use veterinary toothpaste that is meant for animals as human toothpaste contains fluoride which can be toxic to pets.

7.       For pets that are not used to having their teeth brushed, begin by letting them smell the toothpaste and get used to your hands around their mouth.

8.       Put a small blob of toothpaste on your finger or a pet toothbrush and start by gently brushing along the gums of the upper teeth. Continue in a circular motion around the mouth and try to get the back teeth as best as possible. Your pet should become more comfortable with the process as it continues to experience having its teeth brushed.

9.       Daily brushing is recommended but at least twice a week will do. A regular routine will not only keep your pet’s teeth healthy, but reduce the need for costly dental cleanings at the vet.

10.   Dry food and treats and hard chew toys and bones are best for keeping your pet’s teeth healthy on a daily basis. You might also supplement your routine by offering dental hygiene chews such as C.E.T. chews to your pet both enjoyable to your pet and beneficial to their oral health.

From the folks at Trupanion pet insurance, we thank you for visiting our blog and being a part of the community. It is our goal to educate pet owners everywhere about the importance of pet care, positive pet parenting, pet safety, and the many advantages of Trupanion pet insurance. Thanks again for visiting our blog and remember to protect your pet and yourself with Trupanion pet insurance.