Pet Insurance: Is It Worth the Cost?

Pet Insurance: Is It Worth the Cost?

Reviews: Paw Protection Products for your Pet this Winter | Breed Trust

Breed Trust CEO (canine executive officer), Cody,
wearing paw protection after the Boston Blizzard of  2010

As Boston and the rest of the Northeast digs out from the blizzard that blanketed the area this holiday weekend, many pet parents are looking for the best way to protect their dog’s paws from corrosive salt and sand used on city streets and sidewalks after the storm.

In Boston and other major metropolitan areas, the salt can be particularly potent and harsh on a dog’s sensitive paw pads. As a result, we’ve tested numerous products to protect a dog’s paws from the pain and damage that the chemicals in road salt can cause, and these are a few of our favorite paw protectors:

PAWZ NATURAL RUBBER DOG BOOTS: An ingenious invention that makes one wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that”! These little reusable, disposable rubber booties resemble balloons. They are thin and lightweight enough that they don’t feel awkward or heavy on your dog causing them to walk funny. Offers protection against harmful road salt chemicals in the winter as well as protection against lawn chemicals and pesticides in spring and summer.  Correct fit is key; be sure they fit loosely around your dogs paw. If they are too snug, they will be uncomfortable and make walking difficult.
PROS: Easy to put on and take off. Reusable, just rinse and dry after each use. Rubber is indestructible.
CONS: These are thin and not insulated so they will not keep a small or elderly dog's paws warm. An option for insulation is to buy little socks and get a larger size of the Pawz to fit over the stockings.

MUTTLUKS FLEECE-LINED BOOTS: For those seeking not only paw protection from the salt, but also insulation to keep a pet’s paws from warm, we’ve found fleece-lined Muttluks to be a good choice for a bootie. They are well insulated on the inside and the exterior is weather resistant material with water and salt resistant leather soles.  The hook and loop closure keeps them snugly fastened on the dog. Like most booties, it will take time for the dog to get accustomed to walking in them. Dogs will often walk backwards or not walk at all initially because the booties feel so awkward on them. It is best to gradually start using them for short periods of time indoors before they’re required outdoors in inclement weather.
PROS: Well-insulated, well-made and don’t fall off. Reflective straps for safety at night.
CONS: Large bootie feels awkward on the dog initially and may take practice walking in them.

MUSHERS SECRET: In protected areas where only sand is used rather than salt, Musher’s Secret is a good option. It is a Vaseline-like substance made of natural waxes that is rubbed on the dog’s paws to protect them from snowballing between their toes, and cracking and burning of their pads in both severe cold and extreme heat, when the temperature of the asphalt can irritate a dog’s paw pads. It is non-toxic if a dog licks it off their paws. Originally designed to protect sled-dogs from tiny snowball build-up in the crevices of their paws.
PROS: Easy to apply and good for dogs that refuse to wear booties or other protective materials.
CONS: This is not as protective as wearable material from the harmful effects of salt chemicals on a dog’s paws and therefor may not help in highly salted areas.

Sometimes it is not only the dog’s paws that need protection, but also the pet parent that needs help traversing the icy and slippery sidewalks and roadways just after a storm. If your dog pulls while on leash or gets overly excited after a fresh snowstorm, we’ve found this human footgear to be especially effective in preventing slips and falls:

YAKTRAX PRO TRACTION CLEATS FOR SNOW AND ICE: This is our recommended option for pet parents rather than for dogs. These compact, spikeless cleats made of steel coils and heavy duty rubber easily fit over the soles of your boots or shoes and give you traction on snow and ice without damaging interior flooring so you can put them on before going out. The coils provide superior traction on snow and ice to prevent slips and falls making them an ideal option for a pet parent’s safety on icy walkways. The "Pro" design allows for hiking and running and is designed for more activing than the "Walker" style. Available in XS-XL.

What do you use to protect your pet’s paws from damage caused by the harmful chemicals used to salt public walkways and roadways? Share your tips and tricks with our readers. Please comment below.



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Deadly Poinsettias are a Myth | Breed Trust

Deadly Poinsettias are a Myth | Breed Trust

According to the experts at the ASPCA, the long-held belief that poinsettia plants are deadly to family pets and cats in particular, is the story of legends.

During the holiday season, many pet-parents often think twice before bringing the festive and popular poinsettia plant into their home, wary that it may cause the untimely death of their beloved pet if it happens to nibble on the plant. It’s no wonder we’re fearful of the poinsettia when it comes to our pets; it often makes it onto every pet holiday danger list published on the Internet.

When a rumor spread that a young child allegedly passed away after consuming a poinsettia leaf nearly 100 years ago, the myth grew year after year into the deadly tale that so many of us grew to believe all these years. This is not to say that the plant is completely without harm to people or pets that eat the leaves, but it appears that the tales of the poinsettia’s toxicity are generally over-rated and generally do not have the fatal consequences so often believed.

The primary concern with the plant is that it could upset your pet’s stomach rather than cause your pet to keel over unexpectedly. Like many plants that are not meant to be edible, if a pet ingests a poinsettia plant it may experience gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and diarrhea. As a result, it is still advisable to keep the plant out of reach of sniffing noses, curious paws and hungry pets.

If your pet happens to ingest poinsettia plant leaves this holiday season and shows any signs of illness, it is always best to contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s poison control center to get their advice on how to treat any gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects it may cause your pet.

Real-life Santa brings Cheer to Rescued Animals | Breed Trust

Real-life Santa brings Cheer to Rescued Animals | Breed Trust

Top 20 Gifts for Pet Lovers and their Pets | Breed Trust

Top 20 Gifts for Pet Lovers and their Pets | Breed Trust







Our inaugural holiday gift guide will make it easy for you to find paws-itively perfect gifts for all the pet lovers and pets in your life. We’ve selected a few of our favorite things for your two and four-footed friends to help you find the very best this holiday season.
While the weather outside may be frightful, you’ll find that our recommended gifts are just delightful! Happy Howlidays.

Top Picks for Pet Lovers (People Gifts)

An iPhone or iPod Touch Custom Case with your Pet's Photo:

We can’t think of a better gift than something that shows off someone’s favorite pet to the world and this photo case for iPhone and iPod Touch users is paw-sitively perfect! The photo embedded casing from GetUncommon won’t fade, peel or chip and it takes just seconds to upload a photo and design your case. We even recommend an assortment of cases: one of the pets, one of the kids and another of your company logo! Coming soon, their custom iPad case. Customize an iPhone case with your own image

Pewter Pet Scoops: These beautifully designed lead-free pewter scoops depicting a dog or cat will look lovely hanging in the kitchen of your favorite pet lover. They're not only stylish, but they’re functional too! Use them to scoop dog or cat food kibble. The dog design scoops one cup and the cat design scoops ¼ cup, from UncommonGoods.View Product Details

Dog Door Knocker: This whimsical door knocker is a lighthearted way to greet your guests and bring a smile to their face. Handmade by Stacey Lamothe of powder-coated steel, her humorous dog knocker depicts a retriever in the act of marking his territory. Also available as a Terrier, from UncommonGoods. View Product Details

Humans Annoy Me Hoodie or T-Shirt: Tell us how you really feel! If someone you know prefers four-legged friends, this is the perfect gift! They'll not only get a good laugh, but also wear it with pride. This unisex hoodie is a weighty blend of 90% cotton/10% poly, and comes in a wide range of sizes from In the Company of Dogs. Also available as a t-shirt. View Product Details for the Humans Annoy Me Hoodie

Design your own pet Accessories: We think this is a great gift for any pet-loving child, but creative adults love it too! Whatever the gift recipient’s age, they’ll enjoy creating their personally designed pet collar and leash from UncommonGoods. View Product Details

Yoga Puppies or Yoga Kittens Calendar: These pictures of popular dog and cat breeds positioned in classic yoga postures will bring a smile to the face of any pet lover. A great way to look at the New Year ahead! Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop.
View Yoga Puppies Product Details or View Yoga Kittens Product Details

Dogs by Tim Flach. This gorgeous coffee table book will be treasured for years to come by any dog lover. The visually stunning photographs by multi-award winning British photographer, Tim Flach, will take your breath away. Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details


Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs by Julie Jackson. Cat lovers will get a laugh out of this lighthearted coffee table book. It makes a wonderful gift that will definitely create a conversation piece in any home. Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

Dog Tips from Dogtown: A Relationship Manual for you and your Dog by Best Friends Society Trainers and Michael S. Sweeney. A practical guide to building a healthy, happy relationship with a dog using the power of positive reinforcement with step-by-step advice from the expert trainers at Best Friends Animal Society. Give the gift that gives back. A portion of the proceeds help support the good work done at this animal sanctuary. Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

You had me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness by Julie Klam. Riotously funny and unexpectedly poignant, You Had Me at Woof recounts the hidden surprises, pleasures, and revelations of letting any mutt, beagle, terrier, or bulldog go charging through your world. A wonderful holiday gift for any dog lover who has been touched by the unconditional love of a canine companion. Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions by Vicki Myron. Any cat lover will be touched by these nine funny and inspiring true stories of cats who changed people's lives--all told from the perspective of "Dewey's Mom," librarian Vicki Myron, who wrote the first blockbuster bestseller about Dewey in 2009. From a divorced mother in Alaska who saved a drowning kitten on Christmas Eve to a troubled Vietnam veteran whose heart was opened by his long relationship with a rescued cat, these Dewey-style stories will inspire readers to laugh, cry, care, and, most importantly, believe in the magic of animals to touch individual lives. Available in Breed Trust's Online Store.  View Product Details

Top Picks for Pet Gifts

Chatter Bowl Talking Pet Feeder: Does Fifi or Fido miss you terribly when you’re out? You can alleviate some of their misery by soothing them with your recorded voice, which plays from this talking bowl. Just record a message to them and every time they walk over to the bowl for a bite to eat or a drink they’ll hear mommy or daddy’s welcoming voice! Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

Interactive Puzzle Toys: No more doggie boredom with this well-designed series of puzzle games to challenge a dog’s mind. Clever activity toys from Swedish designer Nina Ottosson require dogs to use their wits, paws and noses to find the treats you hide inside. Sturdy plastic games vary in difficulty to suit any dog, from relatively easy Dog Spinny™ with one removable bone and a rotating top and Dog Magic™ with nine removable bones, to challenging Dog Tornado™ with four layered rotating discs. Variables within each game allow you to increase difficulty as your dog improves, from In the Company of Dogs.
View Product details for Interactive Puzzle Toys

Sleepypod: This is not just a mobile pet bed, carrier, and car seat that lets a pet parent travel anywhere with their pet, it’s a sense of security for any cat or small dog. The plush bedding makes it so comfortable that they’ll want to curl up in it all the time. It’s mobile enough that when traveling in the car or staying in a hotel, they can still have their favorite bed with them. Top zips on for travel and zips off when at home. Available in two sizes and a variety of colors. Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

Hairy Monster Toy: The lack of stuffing in this toy leaves no mess for pet parents, yet the long, lanky design makes it appealing for pets who seem to want to carry their prized possession and shake it in their mouth. This understuffed "monster" toy with multiple squeakers is also super tough, thanks to Dura-Play™ technology with three-layer bonded construction and reinforced seams. Available in two sizes from In the Company of Dogs.
View Product Details for Hairy Monster Toy

FroliCat BOLT Interactive Laser Pet Toy: We love this not only because cats find it so entertaining, but also because it has an automatic programming mode. Your cat will never be bored again when you're not home, just set it to go off every so often and they’ll have fun for hours. When mom’s away, cats can play with this toy! Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

My Pet Speaker from Pet Acoustics: This innovative speaker is the world's first sound system designed to cater specifically to the hearing sensitivities of dogs, cats and horses. My Pet Speaker transforms your personal music library into pet-friendly tunes that soothe and relax pets and their people. A calmer pet always equals a happy pet parent! Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details


Wiley Toy: For anyone with a dog that loves to play with tennis or rubber balls, this toy is double the fun. The ball can be filled with kibble making it oh so tempting, yet it's built to withstand chewing, tossing, endless bouncing and tugging, "Wiley" has a durable rubber-ball head and the legs are made of ultra-strong nylon seat-belt webbing and nubby rubber feet. Available in three different sizes for dogs of all sizes, from In the Company of Dogs.
View Product Details for Wiley Toy


Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System: City and Urban dwellers alike will love this easy-to-use potty training kit. Never clean kitty litter again once your kitty completes each of the steps in the training system! Once trained, cat parents leave the toilet lid up. Flushing a toilet vs. cleaning up messy, stinky kitty litter…need we say more! Available in Breed Trust's Online Shop. View Product Details

Silly Dog Toys Giant Tongue or Mustache: Award-winning non-toxic rubber mustache or tongue will not only make playtime fun for your favorite dog, but will also provide a lot of laughs to pet parents. Pets look silly with the extended tongue or large curled mustache hanging off their face. The durable, non-toxic rubber makes this a long-lasting toy and a great prop for pet photos! From UncommonGoods.View Product Details

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