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Trupanion Summer Safety Series: Pool Safety for Pets!

A few weeks ago we kicked off the Trupanion Summer Safety Series by discussing Beach Safety for Pets.

Today, we want to continue that series by discussing Pool Safety for Pets! Although we have discussed pool safety a few times on the blog so far, I am always looking for new insights and tips for keepings our pets safe. Therefore, we are relying on the wonderful Dr. Sarah Nold, DVM & the Trupanion team to share with us their insights to help make the pool a safer place for our pets! Below you will see our Q&A:

1) Pools can be a great way to keep pets cool in the summer, but what precautions can pet parents with backyard pools take to keep their pets safe?

Make sure your pet doesn’t have access to your pool unless they are supervised, especially if your pool does not allow your pet to easily get out of the pool on their own.  If you don’t know if your pet swims well or are concerned they are a poor swimmer, consider having your pet wear a life jacket while in the pool.

If it’s their first time with a pool,  let your pet approach the water at their own pace. Swimming can be intimidating to some dogs—especially when their paws can’t touch the floor. Don’t force your dog into the water—instead start at the shallow end and create plenty of positive experiences.

Rooney wears a lifejacket while in the pool. He usually knows where the stairs are or can pick up on that quickly, but much of the time Rooney is trying to keep up with dogs that are naturally much stronger swimmers. (I think Rooney thinks his legs are much longer than they actually are.) To prevent him from becoming exhausted or panicked, I keep a lifejacket on him.

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2) Are there any common pool toys that can be particularly dangerous for pets?

Soft pool covers are dangerous, as a pet can easily become trapped and drown. Avoid toys that are small enough for your pet to swallow or have small parts that can come off.

We do not have a pool, but if I did I would make sure it had a fence around it to add an additional layer of safety for Rooney. As of now, Rooney gets to swim with one of his friends at a nearby pool. As far as pool toys go, Rooney and I are big fans of PrideBites toys because they can float in the pool, and are machine washable.

3) Swimming can be a great physical therapy activity for dogs with joint injuries, are there any specific activities or exercises pet parents can do with their pets in the pool?

Many dogs enjoy retrieving their favorite toy (preferably one that floats).

Why is swimming such a great exercise for dogs? As outlined by the Water4Dogs Canine Rehabilitation Center in New York, hydrotherapy is aerobic, but low impact on the joints and bones. Due to the low impact, the aerobic component, and the resistance from the water, swimming is an ideal exercise for keeping your dog in shape.

As you mentioned, swimming is a great low-impact exercise. If your dog is a hesitant swimmer, you can encourage them to walk through shallow water. This alternative provides some of the same low-impact exercise benefits as swimming and can be a great option for older dogs or dogs who aren’t as confident in the water.

Additionally, for Corgis, swimming is a great exercise for building muscles that support their back while keeping the exercise low impact.

4) At Trupanion what kinds of claims are commonly associated with pools?

This is very similar to the beach-related claims. Dehydration and heat stroke are always a concern on hot days. Pets, just like humans, need plenty of water and a place in the shade to cool down.

For dogs like Rooney who have a fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s difficult to get him to take a break while other dogs are playing in the pool. I know that swimming is much more challenging for him than a Lab, for example, so I have to schedule breaks when he is swimming. Last week, Rooney was swimming with his friend Grayson who is a Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix, who swims every day. Rooney wouldn’t rest while Grayson was still swimming, so I did have to take him for a leisurely walk so that he could use the bathroom, and take a much needed break from swimming.

Does your dog like to swim? What precautions do you take to help keep your dog safe around the pool?

Stay tuned for the next installment in the Trupanion Summer Safety Series: Car & Travel Safety

Disclaimer: Trupanion is the pet insurance that we have for Rooney. My Kid Has Paws is working with Trupanion to provide pet parents with valuable information to help keep their pets safe. Also, I am a PrideBites affiliate. However, My Kid Has Paws only shares information we think our readers would find to be valuable. 

Trupanion Summer Safety Series: Beach Safety for Pets

The summer can be a fun and exciting time, but summer activities can bring new surprises for your pet. Therefore, today launches our Summer Safety Series with Trupanion! In this series we will cover Beach Safety, Pool Safety, Car & Travel Safety and Summer Activity Safety. 

A few years ago, my husband and I took Rooney to the beach in Pacifica. It was a beautiful day and the weather was a welcomed retreat from the typical August summer heat. As we were walking with Rooney, enjoying the sand and taking in the waves, I kept my eyes on the birds in the distance waiting for Rooney to notice (and chase) them. Additionally, I was trying to be vigilant not to let Rooney anywhere near the numerous jellyfish that paint the Northern California beaches. Despite the dangers that lurk at the beach, the beautiful views and the built-in doggy exercise make it an excellent location to frequent during the summer months. Which is why I want to kick off our Trupanion Summer Safety Series discussing Beach Safety!

Trupanion Summer Safety Series: Beach Safety for Pets

Last year, we discussed 5 Surprising Beach Dangers, but this year, I wanted to get some additional input from Dr. Sarah Nold, DVM & the Trupanion team:

1) What are your top safety tips for pet parents who frequent the beach in the summer?

Make sure you rinse off your pet with fresh water after going to the beach, to minimize irritation of their skin.  Try to avoid areas of the beach that attract sand fleas. Beaches that are open to pets often also can put you and your pet at risk for acquiring intestinal parasites, such as hookworms. For this reason, pet owners should wear foot protection (shoes or sandals) and their pet should be regularly dewormed. Make sure your pet is always supervised, as many things that wash up on the beach should not be ingested.

Due to our beach experience described above, I usually keep Rooney on a leash at the beach, especially if there are no dogs to play with (that leaves more time for Rooney to look for mischief). Rinsing off your pet after they play at the beach is a great idea that I haven’t considered in the past. Since Rooney has sensitive skin and allergies, I will be sure to rinse Rooney off on future beach trips.

2) At Trupanion what kinds of claims are commonly associated with trips to the beach?

Dehydration and heat stroke can be associated with trips to the beach, especially if your pet tries to drink the salty water. Trupanion has also seen some beach-specific claims, such as sunburns and burnt paws from the hot sand.

The data definitely speaks for itself here. Be sure to keep your pet hydrated and give them an opportunity and area to cool off. The best item that helps me keep Rooney hydrated during outings is the Gulpy.

 

Trupanion Summer Safety Series: Beach Safety for Pets

In addition to the amazing tips from Dr. Nold, here are a few additional reasons to keep your dog on leash at the beach:

Watch Out for the Seashells

Trupanion has seen several claims associated with injuries sustained while running along the beach. Beach related injuries include, cuts on the paw pads from seashells, and sprains and ligament tears from running on uneven sand.

Wildlife

In addition to the obvious threats from jellyfish, Trupanion has seen claims where pets have had run-ins with otters and birds. So, keep your eyes out for the wildlife!

Lastly, make sure your pet is ready for the beach…

If you aren’t visiting the beach often, your pet might be completely overwhelmed when you arrive at the beach. Ideally, you would visit the beach for the first time on a less-crowded day of the week possibly early in the morning so that your dog can get used to their surroundings. Additionally, make sure your dog knows some basic commands and is socialized before visiting a more popular beach. They should be able to greet strangers, new dogs, and most importantly know the command “leave it”.

Will your pet be visiting the beach this summer? Stay tuned for some Pool Safety Tips next Thursday!

The summer can be a fun and exciting time, but summer activities can bring new surprises for your pet. Therefore, today launches our Summer Safety Series with Trupanion! In this series we will cover Beach Safety, Pool Safety, Car & Travel Safety and Summer Activity Safety. 

P.S. I know Rooney is off-leash in the first photo but that was specifically for the photoshoot. We were the only people on the beach and I had a lot of treats in my pocket. 🙂 I almost always keep Rooney on a leash at the beach. Photo Credit: Pawpawrazzi Pet Photography

The Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Office – Interview with Dani Kahn from Trupanion

Pet-friendly workplaces are only becoming more and more common. And it’s no wonder considering the amount of time most people spend away from their pets, it makes sense to offer a perk that increases loyalty, productivity, and employee health within an office.

According to a study conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital:

67% of employees and 81% of HRDMs agreed that [pets in the workplace] led to increased productivity; 82% and 91% believe it makes people more loyal to the company; and 86% and 92% say it decreases employees’ stress levels

I am lucky that I work in a pet-friendly office. While I don’t bring Rooney to the office with me everyday, I do have the flexibility to have him with me before and after his doggy daycare sessions. Not only does having a dog at the office decrease my stress, it also improves my daily activity. For example, on days that I take Rooney to the office, I often get 2-3 times the amount of steps as I would get on a normal work day.

Pet-friendly offices are so important for the future of employee and company health, that is why I am so excited to share with you this interview with Dani Kahn, Trupanion’s Pet Director, where we talk all about the importance of pet-friendly offices and how to effectively implement a pet-friendly policy. Enjoy!

Do you think it’s important for a company to be in a pet-friendly area in order to create a pet-friendly work environment?

While a pet-friendly office can be anywhere, Seattle, where Trupanion is based, is very pet-friendly and that definitely adds to the pet-friendly culture in the company.

How can a company begin the process of becoming more pet-friendly?

NOTE to all the startups out there! 

If you are part of the leadership team in your office, it’s important to note that you will have more success with a pet-friendly policy if your company implements a policy from the beginning. Once employees start to bring pets with them to work, it’s difficult to establish rules and guidelines.

How do you manage dog behavior in a large office with so many dogs?

Managing dog behavior in an office as large as Trupanion’s with nearly 300 dogs is a full-time job. To be successful with a program as big as ours, it is imperative all pet owners take personal responsibility for their pets and follow our pet guidelines.

We anticipate certain etiquette for the pets in the office, and although we do not dictate the way team members train their pets, we expect pets to be well-behaved while in the office.

Education is key to success for us as most of our teams have strong animal husbandry skills. Having resources available for team members struggling with a specific issue, along with sharing our own personal successes with training methods, has proven effective time and time again.

Here are some tips for successfully managing a pet-friendly office:

  1. Keep dogs on leash in common areas
  2. Keep lines of communication open – make sure that employees feel comfortable discussing their pet’s behavior with other employees and that people know where they can find more resources.
  3. Educate on pet behavior: This is particularly true for breed specific behaviors. If employees aren’t aware of common herding breed behaviors (whether or not they have a herding breed), this is important information to share with the staff.
  4. Keep in mind that pets are smart and often adjust to a new environment and schedule within 2 weeks of regular visits to the office.

Do you believe that having pets in the office has a positive affect on employees? 

The impact having pets in the office has on employees goes far greater than words can express. Having pets in the office creates a warm inviting environment, reduces stress in everyday work, brings humor to heavy meetings, and eliminates the rush to get home at the end of our day.

Rather than sit in traffic, we go for a walk with several other teammates and their dogs, we can go to the dog park and play, we can stay and do agility classes or show dog training with others in the office.

Americans spend so much of their time in an office and having our best friend and companion right there next to us in the space really makes a difference.

Here are a few other perks of having pets in the office:

  1. While the work that Trupanion does is so important, it can often be an emotional rollercoaster. Sometimes people are calling to establish pet insurance with their new puppy, other times people are calling because they have had to save goodbye to their pet. Dogs in the office provides comfort to Trupanion‘s employees.
  2. Pets create an environment that feels like home.
  3. Employees save money on the costs of daycare and dog-walking.
  4. The flexibility associated with a pet-friendly office increases employee retention.

What benefits does Trupanion provide for their employees as part of being a pet-friendly office?

When designing our new office space in Georgetown, pets were one of the top priorities for us. We chose flooring that was slip resistant, anti-fatigue, stain resistant, easily maintainable, and looks professional all in one.

We have two indoor dog lounges for off-leash play, lab services including discounted internal parasite screenings, discounts with local vendors in the pet industry including boarding, grooming, food and travel.

Each team member is provided a Trupanion pet medical insurance policy for a personal pet. In an emergency, the pet emergency response team of licensed vet technicians and a veterinarian on staff can evaluate, and stabilize if needed, to mobilize to the pet to the nearest emergency center.

Other partnerships include pet blood drives, training, first aid and CPR, internal educational programs on pet behavior, service dogs, and multiple other topics available to team members.

Trupanion also has a team of 7 corporate dog walkers that offer a personalized dog walk for each pet every day.

I continue to look for additional benefits to add to our program as team members live all over the Puget Sound and it is important to me to have benefits available in areas close to home for our remote workers to enjoy as well.

A few other features include:

  1. Hooks on employee desks so that dogs aren’t wandering about the office.
  2. Temperament flags: Because every dog is evaluated for behavior and health, the company’s flag system allows other people to know how friendly a dog is, and if they have allergies or medical conditions.
  3. Pet first-aid kits for minor injuries.

What should companies consider before they begin implementing a pet-friendly work environment?

Companies considering implementing a pet-friendly environment should envision the program and determine your policy prior to allowing pets in the office.

Having a thorough policy with clear rules and expectations from the very start will help you create an amazing foundation for the pet behavior in the office. Adding rules as you go with issues that happen are difficult for everyone, and knowing what is acceptable from the start will keep harmony amongst team members as well. Educate your employees with the very basics of human/dog etiquette for the success of the pets and the people.

Who will manage your pet benefit? It is very important to have one designated person managing your program for consistency. My role is part of human resources with support from each team lead to manage our office pets.

Some other questions to consider:

  • What vaccines will you require?
  • What testing will you require for pets if any?
  • Who is responsible for any damage to property or other pets in the office?
  • What resources do you have available for the benefit?
  • Do you have any known limitations or restrictions?
  • Does your floorplan allow for gates to be installed to allow pets to be off-leash in their area but not in shared spaces if there will be restrictions?

For more information please check out Trupanion’s Pet-Friendly Office Checklist.

THE BENEFITS OF A PET-FRIENDLY OFFICE

What is the process for bringing your dog into the office as a Trupanion employee?

All team members at Trupanion attend a New Hire Orientation upon starting with us that includes a 45 minute introduction to Trupanion pets in the office.

After the team member has successfully completed their training, they are able to complete the pet application which includes a signature line from their manager to agree the member is meeting production and able to have a pet in the office. The application includes proof of current vaccinations, a negative fecal in the last 6 months, a liability waiver, and a photo of the pet for the pet management software system so our dog walkers can identify the pet.

The team member is then scheduled for a 30 minute application review meeting with me and we discuss in more detail the expectations of them having a pet in the office and what they can expect from me.

The next step is to have the pet come in for the first day in the office. We meet in a dog lounge where a thorough pet evaluation is completed, including an introduction to a neutral dog, and introductions to any other dogs that will be working in the same area. It is imperative they all meet in a neutral zone to avoid territorial reactions. I issue a temperament flag to each dog in the office that must be worn on the pets leash while in the office at all times. This allows others to know if it is safe to approach or if they should slow down.

All team members work together to aid in the success of each pet in the office. I typically check in with new pets in the office for the next few weeks and certainly in passing to see how everyone has adjusted. If there are questions or concerns, team members are encouraged to reach out to me anytime for help.

I want to thank Dani for taking the time to share this amazing insight with MKHP readers! I assume that if you live in the Seattle area, you are already looking for jobs at Trupanion!

Share in the comments below your thoughts and experiences with a pet-friendly office!

What You NEED to Know About Pet Dental Health – Interview with Dr. Burr from Trupanion

I know…it’s March! And Pet Dental Health month is February, but the reality is that we should be discussing pet dental health year-round. Not to mention, I recently had an opportunity to interview Dr. Katy Burr, on-staff veterinarian from Trupanion, and she had some excellent nuggets of information that I couldn’t wait another year to share with you!

Without further adieu, let’s get started!

If pet parents could learn one new thing about pet dental health today, what would that be?

Pet parents should be aware that poor pet dental health, or periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of disease in our pets. Additionally, periodontal disease is often not treated until late in the disease process. I highly recommend that pet parents become all about preventative care. Which means, brushing their pet’s teeth, looking in their mouth regularly, and having annual checkups with their veterinarian.

What You NEED to Know About Pet Dental Health

What is a veterinarian looking for when checking your pet’s teeth during the annual exam?

Signs of periodontal disease to look for:

  • gingivitis: redness and swelling in the gums or any bleeding
  • Bad breath
  • Calculus and tarter buildup
  • painful while eating or not wanting to eat
  • Swelling on their face
  • Drooling or dropping food out of their mouth
  • weight loss

For the busy pet parent, how often should they brush their pet’s teeth?

Plaque (bacteria films) form on a pet’s teeth the same way it does on people. Therefore, we recommend brushing every day, so that calculus never has a chance to form. However, we know that every day isn’t always a possibility, so at a bare minimum, you should be brushing your dog’s teeth twice a week.

Do you have any tips for increasing the success for teeth-brushing (i.e. getting pet parents to brush their pet’s teeth the recommended amount)?

Make it a part of your routine! One of the best things you can do is put the brush and toothpaste in a place you visit every day.

Additionally, get your pets acclimated to teeth brushing early, and take the appropriate steps to make sure there is a lot of positive reinforcement associated with teeth brushing.

What You NEED to Know About Pet Dental Health

Do you have any brands you recommend for toothpaste?

C.E.T is a great brand of toothpaste. Many dogs like the taste, which makes the process of brushing their teeth much easier!

I highly recommend looking for a VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal on toys or products. The VOHC seal ensures that the products actually reduce plaque and tartar. They also have a dedicated page on their website where you can look up products for dogs and cats.

What is your opinion regarding the efficacy of dental chews?

When used in conjunction with other parts of dental care: brushing, professional cleanings, etc. they can be effective in preventing the advancement of periodontal disease in pets.

I would caution pet parents to keep an eye out for the really hard dental chews. Some are harder than teeth and can crack their teeth.

What You NEED to Know About Pet Dental Health

Rooney is what I would describe as a tough chewer, what kind of chews would you recommend for for Rooney?

For tough chewers, I recommend the C.E.T rawhides. They last a few days, and can help reduce tartar on your pet’s teeth.

(As a side note, while cats can be picky, I have good luck with Greenies.)

I personally don’t recommend gentle dentals, what do you think pet parents need to know about this common service?

Speak with your veterinarian about dental health and what your veterinarian offers. However, the biggest concern with “gentle” or “anesthesia-free” dentals is the inability to clean under the gumline. Addressing the periodontal disease under the gum line is important for preventing ligament and bone loss due to the severity of the disease. To put it simply, it’s equivalent to a person who never flosses. Their teeth may appear clean, but they are going to suffer from tooth decay.

I think it’s also imperative to note the importance of polishing when performing a dental. During a dental when the pet is under general anesthesia the teeth are scaled (or cleaned) by removing plaque and tartar either with a hand scaler or with an ultrasonic scaler (the kind used for human teeth cleanings) or a combination of the two.

The scaling process is very important to remove built up calculus and plaque deposits to decrease bacterial colonies, but this process creates microgrooves in the surface of the enamel. These grooves, if not addressed, can actually lead to plaque and bacterial colonies forming on the tooth more quickly as it’s easier for the bacteria to become established in those tiny grooves that can’t be easily reached with tooth brushing or dental chews.

Polishing is the final step in the dental cleaning, and extremely important to smooth out all those microgrooves. Polishing involves using a very fine grit applied in a rubber cup rotating at high speeds on all surfaces of every tooth. This process is loud and creates an odd vibrating sensation in the mouth, so it is very difficult to correctly polish the teeth when the pet is not under anesthesia. For this reason, if the teeth cannot be properly polished after a “gentle” dental, there may actually be risk of dental disease progressing more quickly for the pet.

You can read more about why I think pet’s shouldn’t have gentle dentals here

How does periodonatal disease affect a pet’s overall health?

The bacteria present in your pet’s mouth can enter into the bloodstream and spread systemically, damaging the kidney and liver.

What You NEED to Know About Pet Dental Health

You can read more about the importance of a pet dental here.

Do you recommend pet parents understand the importance of dental x-ray?

I think Dental X-ray is important to your pet’s veterinary dental care. Make sure to ask your veterinary about their dental x-ray set up. Specifically, ask your veterinarian how they perform dental x-ray and if it is included in the payment. The reason dental x-ray is important is that it assesses the overall health of the mouth and provides information about the health of your pet’s mouth below the gum line.

I want to thank Dr. Burr for sharing such valuable information with our readers!

What did you learn about pet dental health today?

Pet Poisons in Everyday Life: An Interview With Dr. Petryk from Trupanion

Today we will discuss 6 pet poisons you never knew posed a threat to your pet.

Please note: This post is an educational resource for common pet poisons (i.e. not for emergencies). If you believe your pet has ingested something toxic, please visit the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Poison Control site (includes horse toxicity information) for a more comprehensive list, or call them at 855-764-7661 or 888-426-4435 respectively.

Since this month is all about pet poison education, I was so delighted to get a chance to speak with Trupanion’s very own Dr. Denise Petryk, DVM about the most surprising pet poisons that can be found in everyday life!

Dr. Petryk was kind enough to share her 22 years of emergency veterinary experience with us today. So here are some of the most surprisingly harmful poisonous household items and stats provided by Trupanion regarding claims and costs!

Gorilla Glue

In Dr. Petryk’s experience, this type of toxicity was most commonly seen with curious puppies. The danger in the consumption of gorilla glue is that it expands in the stomach. This expansion in the stomach can cause bloating and a major threat to your pet’s digestive system. Therefore, the glue needs to be removed surgically from their stomach.

  • Since 2014, Trupanion has paid out $10,400 on gorilla glue toxicity claims.
  • There aren’t many, (5 claims since the start of 2014) but these claims are expensive, ranging between $1,300 and $2,300 and usually require surgery.

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