Welcome to Winter!

The season has changed, the snow is falling and everyone is getting ready for the holiday season. It's the time of year to reflect on this year's success and look forward to 2010.

This past year, we celebrated our 20th anniversary of offering pet health insurance in Canada and had a busy year doing so. We launched our Petsecure blog, Facebook page and reached the $100 million mark in claims paid!
2009 was also jammed packed with other exciting events, including Pet Parent's Day in April, our 4th annual Pet Health Insurance Month in September and Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November. These events were such a success, that we can't wait to do them all again (plus many more) next year!

We hope you enjoy our winter eTails and until our next issue, we wish you and your family (including the four-legged members) a wonderful holiday season and all the best in the New Year.

Sincerely Yours,
-The Petsecure team

Pet Cancer Awareness Month
– Update

In November, Petsecure recognized Pet Cancer Awareness Month by raising funds and awareness about a disease that affects 1 in 3 household pets. We encouraged people to become a fan of Petsecure pet health insurance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petsecure. For every new fan we received, we donated $1.00 to the OVC Pet Trust Fund. In total, we donated $1,402 plus an additional $75 from staff donations to the fund! Thank you to everyone who became a fan and helped us FURther the fight against this deadly disease.


Give the Gift of Security this Holiday Season with a Petsecure Gift Card!

The sense of security and peace of mind you have with Petsecure is irreplaceable. Why not pass on that feeling as a gift to your family and friends this holiday? Gift certificates are available in any denomination for existing Petsecure members or uninsured pet parents across Canada.

For more information call: 1-800-268-1169.


Petsecure Holiday eCards Now Available

Do you know someone who would love to receive a pet-themed holiday greeting in their inbox? Why not send them a holiday Petsecure eCard? These new animated greetings are free to send to as many pet parents as you'd like!

Visit www.petsecure.com/ecard
to send a greeting today!


Petsecure's Poll

Last eTails we asked you if you take your pets out when trick-or-treating with your children. Over 50% of respondents said yes, your furry loved ones participate in the fun-filled activities.

December Petsecure Poll

Do you buy your pet a Christmas Gift? Let us know.

Take our quick poll


The Cat's Meow

"I don't need to watch tv -
I have a cat"

- K. O'Connor


The Doggy Dish

"Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail".

- Henry Wheeler Shaw

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Pet

Not sure what to buy your furry loved ones this holiday season? We've put together a list of some great gift ideas for your pets and the pet parents in your life (including yourself).


Pedi-paws - This product can save you headaches while trimming your pet's nails easily and gently. Pedipaws is the fastest way to keep your pet's nails rounded and smooth with no mess.





All Seasons - Heated and Cooled Pet Bed - There are many heated pets beds on the market, but to find a bed for your dog or cat that heats and cools is another story. Not only does it do both, it's affordable, washable and has a two-year warranty. This product was featured on the CBS early show and in Dog Fancy magazine as editors' choice winner.



FURminator® - Love your pet to pieces but hate the shedding? The FURminator takes care of it all! This unique tool grabs and removes the loose undercoat in a painless non-cutting way. This deShedding™ product promotes a healthy coat and skin to help reduce shedding and keep your pet's coat thick and healthy.



Dog Bones - These dog bones from Fetch & Pounce are a great gift idea to keep your dog playing for hours. Not only does it make for a great game of fetch (on land or in water), it's 100% recyclable and is one of the most durable, long-lasting toys out in the market today.



The Movie for Dogs - Never feel bad for leaving your dog home alone again! This DVD is specifically designed for dogs to be captivated by the action and sound of watching other dogs doing a variety of different activities. This DVD has been featured on NBC news, ABS news, in Modern Dog magazine, Dog Fancy magazine and many more.


Puffy Jackets - Keep your pup warm and stylish during the winter season with these new puffy jackets/vests from Fetch and Pounce. These machine-washable jackets come in a variety of sizes (from XS to XL) and are reversible in two different styles.



PupLight™ - Winter means less sun and more dark walks with your dog. This innovative product will keep your dog lit up on your walk and visible for miles. PupLight features three bright LED's which will also help dogs with poor vision see better at night. It comes with an easy adjustable elastic band and is the only dog light that uses AAA batteries.




Thermo-Kitty Cuddle Cushion - There are a variety of heated cat beds on the market this holiday season, but we think this particular one stands out from the rest. This bed features three side walls that add extra warmth during the chilly winter months, a removable (and washable) cushion and the entire bed is energy efficient. There is a one-year warranty on the product and they ship to Canada. It's the perfect place for your cat to curl up in.


Feeder8 Day Autopetfeeder - Automatic Cat Feeder - This handy robotic product can dispense wet canned or dry food. It features a digital timer so you can set the exact time you want to feed your cat (up to 8 times a day). This is a great gift idea for the on-the-go family, someone who travels a lot, or even the elderly to eliminate missed meals for their feline friend. This product was the winner of the Cat Fancy magazine editors' choice award for innovation and creativity.


Drink WellDrinkwell® 360 - Some cats love to play in water, dip their paws into their water bowls or drink from running faucets. That's why we love this water fountain that continuously cycles the water and encourages your cat to drink more. The constant circulation inhibits bacteria growth while naturally cooling the water and adding more oxygen for freshness.


Scratch PostCat Scratching Post - Any scratching post will help save your furniture and keep your cat happy for hours, but this particular post is considered the world's best! This woven sisal scratching post is 32" tall, allowing your cat to fully stretch out, which is an essential way to mark their territory. An optional claw-safe top perch is also available.



Walkie BeltWalkie Belt - This cool waist pouch makes dog walking easier, cleaner and greener. This walking belt comes in a variety of colours and includes an iPod clip, 30 tidy bags, 20 antibacterial, scented hand wipes and two pockets to hold your keys, phone and money in. These belts are available at Fetch & Pounce.


Wall Hanging Pet Organizer - We all know life is hectic and full of clutter, so why not free up some of that space with a nifty place to keep your pets 'stuff' tidy and organized? This organizer comes in a variety of colours and is available at the new store Yep Yap. This website is still under construction and should be available shortly; however, their products can still be viewed from an online PDF catalogue.

  Paw Print Stepping Stone - This is a great way to keep your pet's paw print forever. Once the mix is blended it pours right into the mold and is ready for your pet's paw to be pressed in. It takes about 30 minutes to dry and makes a great gift idea for any wall or outdoor display. It also comes with a bonus dog bone cookie cutter.



ReFur-A-Pet!

Do you know someone who has a dog or a cat that would benefit from pet health insurance? Help give your friend peace of mind through Petsecure's ReFur-A-Pet program. ReFur your friends and earn gift cards while doing so, it's that simple!

Learn more today


Contact Us

Get in touch with our team today!
Call us at: 1-800-268-1169
Fax us at: 1-866-322-5246
E-mail: info@petsecure.com
Download claim forms here.

Customer Care Centre Hours:
Mon. -Thurs. 7am - 10pm
Fri. 7am - 8pm
Sat. 8am - 7pm
(Central Standard Time)
www.petsecure.com

Dog (and Pet Owner) Etiquette for the Holidays

Etiquette for the Holidays

As pet parents, we do everything we can to include our dogs (and cats) in many family events, including the fun-filled holidays. Although your immediate family is comfortable with your pup participating in these events, the rest of your guests may not be.

So how can you ensure a safe and stress-free holiday for everyone, including your furry loved ones? Here are some etiquette tips to follow that will keep your holidays happy and hazard-free.

Ask first

If you are having guests over to your house for the holidays, make sure you ask if they are allergic or scared of dogs. If either applies, it's best to set up a quiet room away from the party for your pet to stay in. Make sure the room has your dog's bed, fresh food, water and some toys to play with. Check on your dog frequently and make sure to take them outside throughout the night.

Keep your dog away from dessert

Or any food for that matter! Nobody likes a dog sniffing around the appetizers or dainties left out at the end of the night. Be sure to keep an eye on your pet at all times and never leave food or drinks on a lower table unattended, this could be a calling for disaster and not only for the mess it could potentially make, but for health risks as well. Various types of food can be toxic or even deadly for your dog. Chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes and avocados are just a few examples of foods that can cause serious problems for your furry loved ones. Check out more information on these and other hazardous foods for dogs here.

Hide wires

With lights and decorations come electrical cords and wires. Dogs can find cords interesting and fun to chew but these cords can cause electrocution or burns. Secure cords by positioning them higher than your pup can reach, or hide them under a special wire cover. This will avoid any unplanned and stressful emergency veterinary visit.

Know the plants to avoid

There are many pretty and popular holiday plants, but some can be very dangerous to our pets. For example, poinsettias will irritate a dog's stomach and eyes. Berries of the Jerusalem cherry are toxic, and holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, chrysanthemum and winter bloom can cause major problems if ingested. Check out ASPCA's toxic plant list for more details.

Inform your guests

Your guests may think it's a nice gesture to give your dog a treat from the table but they may not know the risks. Educate your guests when they arrive about what they can and can't give to your pup. More often than not, non-pet owners don't know which foods are toxic to dogs (i.e. chocolate) and this could result in a potentially poisonous situation.

By following these simple tips, your friends and family will be sure to enjoy celebrating the holidays with your entire family, including your beloved pets.

 

 

Top 5 Holiday Traditions to Share with Your Cat

Do you have holiday traditions that you and your family practice every year? Do you include your cat in these traditions? Many of us do as cats are a part of the family, and in some cases, they are an integral part of the holiday celebration.

If you'd like to get your cat more involved in the festivities but don't know how, here are Petsecure's top 5 holiday activities to share with your feline friend.

– Hang a stocking

If you have a stocking, wouldn't it be nice if your cat had one too? Most pet stores sell adorable stockings with a variety of different designs to choose from (check out some examples here).

– Go see Santa

Pet photos with Santa or Hanukah pet pictures help to share the holiday spirit with all the members of your family. Have your cat sit on Santa's lap for a picture. The photo will make a great holiday card for years to come.

– Sip some eggnog

While you sit by the fire, sipping your eggnog why not give your cat a little bit of cat-approved creamer? Milk is typically a bit tough on your cat's stomach and hard to digest. Try giving your feline friend Cat-Sip, real, lactose-free, low-fat milk. It's treated with an enzyme lactase, to breakdown the milk sugars so that your cat doesn't have to.

– Unwrap presents

Nothing will excite your cat more than being able to play with the freshly unwrapped paper. Let your cat jump around and crunch up the ripped paper for some extra fun, just make sure to remove the string and ribbons from the paper first. These can cause obstruction of the small bowel if swallowed. Your kitty may also enjoy curling up in one of the empty unwrapped boxes for a quick cat nap. Because of this, make sure you check inside all of your boxes or cartons before you throw them away at the end of the festivities.

– Spend quality time together

Spending some quiet time with your feline friend and providing them with lots of holiday love will be relaxing for both of you. Your cat will enjoy the extra special bonding, and with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the downtime will help you re-energize for all the extra busy events.

Sharing these holiday traditions with your pet will ensure that each and every member of your family will have a happy and healthy holiday season.

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Ask-A-Vet: Recurring Warts - Is it a Cause for Concern?

Dear Dr. Webster,
My dog has recently developed warts under her chin. We had one of them removed but it came back. I've heard that they are very uncommon. Other than having them surgically removed is there any other way to get rid of them? Will they just end up falling off? After doing some reading up on warts, I read that they can be spread to other dogs, especially puppies. Is this true?
- Concerned pet parent Lindsays

Dear Lindsay -
Warts are virally induced and over time, the body produces immunity to the virus and the warts will resolve on their own. If you are still concerned about them there is the option to give your dog an immune stimulant that will speed up the immune response and the warts will disappear quicker. Talk to your veterinarian about what option is best for you and your pet.
- Dr. Lynn Webster

Do you have a question about your pet's health and/or wellness that you'd
like answered? E-mail us and our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Lynn Webster will answer your questions.

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Introducing...Kairo

(And pet parent Allison Bokitch)

I was training Kairo to retrieve at a very rapid pace when all of sudden he started limping. I initially didn't think it was that bad until I got him home and he collapsed on the kitchen floor. It turned out that he'd ruptured his cruciate ligament. We were referred to an orthopedic surgeon where it was determined that the damage was more than the ruptured cruciate, but a severely torn meniscus as well.

Kairo under went surgery and the recovery was very long, with a lot of rehab, but Petsecure had it covered! It has been months since Kairo's surgery and he is 90% recovered. He still needs a little bit of work, but I am truly thankful to Petsecure for the wonderful coverage Kairo received during the whole ordeal. Thanks Petsecure!

Interested in sharing your own true tail about your experience with pet health insurance to other pet parents? We'd love to hear your story. Contact us today.

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Top 20 Claims For 2009

Here is a look at our final 'Top 20 list' of 2009. The top Petsecure claims of 2009

PET TYPE NAME BREED AMOUNT PAID
Hunter Tabby $12,242.96
Parnell Newfoundland $7,899.08
Lucy Basset Hound $5,926.29
Ovia Tabby $5,413.83
Kitty Persian $5,000.00
Greyson Great Dane $4,989.04
Jazz Persian $4,527.70
Aki Sharplaninats $4,306.43
Cyrus Domestic Short Hair $4,221.48
Toby Golden Retriever $4,197.07
Darwin Golden Retriever $4,000.00
Roxie Labrador Retriever $4,000.00
Dakota Jack Russell Terrier $4,000.00
Dylan English Cocker Spaniel $4,000.00
Diego Great Dane $4,000.00
Lila Shih Tzu $3,897.27
Max Siamese $3,892.26
Jessie Rottweiler $3,877.64
Louie Domestic Medium Hair $3,802.57
Rover Golden Retriever $3,798.90
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