ATTENTION PET OWNERS: Want your dog or cat to be famous?

Your dog or cat could be the poster fur-child for our dog and cat breed guide AND you could win a $25 gift card to PETCO!

We are putting together an informational breed guide and are seeking photos of purebred cats and dogs for some of the breeds that we are missing (please see list below).

If you, or someone you know has a dog or cat of the breeds for which we are looking, snap a photo and send it in for a chance to win $25 to Petco! (We plan on adding hybrid and mixed breeds in the future, so feel free to send in photos of those as well!)

All pet photos that we receive for the breeds listed below will be entered into a random drawing and one winner will receive a $25 gift card to Petco. Winner will be chosen and contacted by April 10.

Those whose photos have been chosen to be displayed on our breed guide will also be contacted so that they can see their furry friend looking fancy on our site!

If you're interested, please send an e-mail to socialmedia@trupanion.com with your photo attachment, signed disclaimer, and the breed of your pet.

The Doggy Bytes blog recently posted a fantastic article about the World's Tallest Dog, George the Great Dane and the consequences of rapid growth in large dog breeds. I thought this was an important topic to elaborate on and pass along.

Here's an excerpt:

Though hip dysplasia is considered to be genetic, other influencing factors of hip dysplasia are rapid growth and obesity. If the puppy experiences rapid growth, the bones may not form properly which puts him at risk for hip dysplasia. Growing puppy bones are not solid like adult bones, so if the dog is overweight, this also causes adverse effects on the bone development.

If you have, or are considering adopting, a large breed puppy, be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommended feeding regimen so that you dog grows at a rate that is healthy for his bones.
Interested in further reading on hip dysplasia? Check out this article.

*Trupanion offers pet insurance coverage for hip dysplasia if you enroll your puppy before it turns 1 year old.

**Photo courtesy Mail Online, Daily Mail.

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Just because National Pet Dental Health Month (February) is almost over, doesn't mean that you get to stop concerning yourself with your pet's dental hygiene. Just like humans, our pets' teeth need regular brushing to keep their mouths healthy.

It's never too late to start-- all you need is a toothbrush and pet toothpaste (which you can buy at any pet store and just about any grocery store). You can learn more about potential health problems related to poor dental hygiene and other information such as how to brush your pet's teeth here: Top 10 Facts About Pet Dental Health.

Remember, as this Dentastix ad so comically points out, there is no cheap, quick fix for poor dental hygiene.

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Dogs have a good life, so good that sometimes I wish I were a dog. Here are ten reasons why it's great to be a dog.

1. I get to be lazy. You're running around the house doing who-knows-what while I just lay around in my comfy bed.

2. Everyone loves me. No matter who I go to visit, they always squat down and pat my head and tell me I'm such a good dog.

3. I have a trusty sidekick (you) to pick up my poop.

4. I get to eat all the yummy stuff that you drop on the floor.

5. I can pee wherever I want.

6. I have lots of awesome toys.

7. If I'm in trouble, I can easily get out of it by showing my cute, sad puppy eyes.

8. Laying in warm spots on the floor where the sun comes through the window.

9. I can lick and scratch and behave inappropriately and don't care what anyone thinks.

10. One word: squirrel!

Can you think of more reasons? Share them with us by leaving a comment!

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