Many of your friends have pets and they don't stop talking about them mostly in a positive light. Or there was a family pet in your home when you were a kid, you have nothing but pleasant memories about the time that you spent with that pet. So you start thinking that perhaps it is time for you to take care of a pet, it might be fun and at least there will be something to greet you when you drag your tired body in through your door after a hard days labor.

You’re all packed and ready to hit the open road with Fido and Fluffy for your next travel adventure. Practicing some common sense rules of the road will help ensure that your precious pet has a happy and safe trip.

Pet owners know how costly veterinary care can be, even routine procedures and visits are expensive. If your pet becomes ill suddenly, or is injured in an accident the resulting bills can make a big dent in your savings.  Although the US lags behind most of Europe in terms of how many domestic pets are covered by pet health insurance, it is beginning to catch up. More and more pet owners are realizing just how important good pet insurance can be!

Studies have indicated that people who have pets may live a longer and happier life thanks to their four-legged friend. Not only can stroking your cat or dog provide a sense of calm, but it can also ease depression and anxiety. It's easy to see why we love our pets, but many may be surprised to know just what they are thinking. Believe it or not, there are some fascinating secrets that your furry little friend literally can't reveal.

In 2001 and again in 2003 The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis looked at the risk of mad cow disease to U.S. citizens and determined the risk to be very low to humans. Their study felt that as long as the FDA and USDA continue with current restrictions to processing 'at risk' meat materials into human food and subsequently, with the current restrictions to processing 'at risk' animal material into animal feed of ruminants (cattle, sheep, pigs) the risk to humans would remain very low. However it is a different story for our pets. It is legal, acceptable, and common practice for 'at risk' materials to be processed into pet food.

A good pet insurance scheme will cover all types of treatment including surgery, medical tests, x-rays and general visits to the vet including emergencies. And as with human travel insurance policies, pet insurance can be purchased either as annual policy or as a one-off travel policy. Often insurance companies will start insuring pet from the age of six months but some will not give coverage to your pet if they are more than of eight years owing the costs involved with looking after older animals.