Embrace Pet Community blog

Helping Cats Stay Fit--SureFlap giveaway

For those of you with cats that like to spend part-time outdoors, it can be tricky letting them in or out as they need to.  That's why we're excited to see this new advancement from SureFlap: a cat door that recognizes your cat's existing microchip.  Your cats come and go, while the raccoons and mice stay locked outside.  From SureFlap:

"What makes SureFlap unique is its ability to read a cat’s existing veterinarian-inserted microchip to allow a cat to enter a home.  This is accomplished through SureFlap’s integrated microchip reader, which can recognize the unique identities of up to 32 cats...Simply set the product to the “learn” mode and allow the cat to pass through the door...guaranteeing access only to the cats that go through this process."

As my little neighborhood has about 30 outdoor cats that roam from house to house, this would be ideal for keeping it just your house cats in your house. Kitty can go play with her pals and be home in time for dinner!

SureFlap is currently compatible with FDXA, FDXB and Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip.  These chips can be implanted at your vet or local humane society, and serve as an permanent ID in the event that your kitty becomes lost.  The door can be installed in doors, windows or walls, and glass mounting.  Batteries last an entire year and notify you when they're running low, so your kitty won't be locked out.

Keeping a cat's weight down can be really tricky, especially if your indoor/outdoor cat can't get out as frequently as she might like.  We've got a great giveaway for one lucky feline that likes to explore the outdoors as she sees fit.

To enter for a chance to win the SureFlap ($149.99 retail) 

Go "like" the SureFlap Facebook page.

Then, go to the Embrace Pet Insurance Facebook and post a photo of your cat enjoying the great outdoors.  We'll pick one photo at random to win.

Photos submitted during before 9/5/11 will be considered for entry.  Winner will be contacted by Embrace for prize fulfillment.  Embrace staff and families not eligible to win.  Must not have won within last 90 days.

Pet Friendly Luxury Hotels

Finding a quality pet friendly hotel isn't always easy, but we just came across this list of luxury accommodations compiled by Visa Signature.  Some of these places include chef prepared meals, dog walking services and grooming.  It offers a lot of affordable options, as well as some pretty fancy digs, including the Gstaad Palace in Switzerland (right).

Besides, if your credit card features the "visa signature" across it, you're entitled to the following:

• Guaranteed best available rate
• Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary continental breakfast
• 3PM check-out, when available
• VIP Guest status
• $25 food or beverage voucher
• Free in-room Internet or Valet parking

Do you have any pet travel plans for this year?

Last Call for Feline Auditions

Fresh Step®'s version of feline Star Search is coming to a close.  You've got just a little more time to enter your kitties video into Fresh Step®'s CatBox Channel on YouTube for a chance to be featured in an upcoming commercial.

Don't have a cute or funny cat video, but need a kitty fix?  Check out some of the best videos.  We're cracking up watching Pugsley in Action, Coco Puff and his toy, and the sassy Pearl Cat. Which video is your fav?

In full-disclosure, this post is part of a sponsorship campaign with Clorox’s Fresh Step Cat Litter’s YouTube contestin coordination with Lijit Networks, Inc. I received compensation for these posts, but the opinions expressed here are my own. I also run third-party advertisements through Lijit, compensated on a CPM-basis.  The Monetary compensation derived from these posts will be donated to a Feline Charity, on behalf of Embrace Pet Insurance. :)

Travel Stix for Pet Care

Embrace covers pets travelling throughout North America, soit's not uncommon for us to hear that pets are seeing numerous vets for varying conditions.  Whether you take your pet to the local specialist, the state veterinary college, or the emergency vet while on vacation, it's a good idea to have your pet's records handy.  Know when those x-rays were taken, what the results of last year's blood-work was, or the name of your pet's medications-just in case!

Travel Stix has a solution for the unexpectedsituations that seem to pop up.  The Travel Stix is an ultra-thin wallet USB, the size of a credit card.You can load it with the pre-planned documents about your pet's feeding, daily routine, medical care, and more.  Or, upload your vet records, and keep them handy.  So the doggie daycare, boarder, groomer, or vet can have instant access to your instructions.  The card will fit right in your wallet, but can be read on any USB drive.  It could save you from needing to fill out excess forms, or paying for duplicate treatments during emergency visits.

Travel Stix is giving away a free Travel Stix to one lucky pet parent.  Just post a comment on this post, and tell us where your pet is going in 2011.  You'll be entered into a random drawing. 

And, if you're an Embrace policyholder, I'll even pre-load your policy documents onto the Stix for you! Bonus!

Comments submitted on this post during the month of March 2011 will be considered for entry.  Winner will be contacted by Embrace for prize fulfillment, so please use your e-mail when leaving the comment.  Embrace staff and families not eligible to win.  Must not have won within last 90 days.  One entry per household. 

 

A Few Last Minute Pet Gift Ideas

It's crunch time-here's a few last minute gift ideas:

Send the gift of Nulo, complete with a special note to the recipient.  Free shipping and a free pack of treats on any order over $50.  (Lyger strongly recommends these treats!)

The gift of security, with Embrace Pet Insurance.  Call (800) 511-9172 and our customer care folks will work to make sure the policy is a surprise to the recipient.  Rates are low, and flexible.  We're here until 9pm ET on Thursday 12/23.

Donate!  Donate to your friend or family members favorite pet charity.  Pick a breed specific rescue, a local charity, or a major shelter program, like Best Friends.

Personalized coupons: give someone the gift of some free dog walks, or a voucher good for mid-day potty breaks.  It's good for the busy pet parent that has everything, but time.

Gift certificates: Pick up gift certificates to the local groomer, pet boutique, or daycare.

Thanks to Ohio Rottweiler Rescue for the photo of Babe and Franky

 

 

Nulo Bloggers

My fat dogs are cute, but so are the other chubby pets participating in the Nulo project.  If you want to follow their stories, here are their blogs:

Cats:

Noah @ Just Meowin'
Xena & Velvet @ Average Jane
Disco @ Curlz & Swirlz
Romeo & Pugsly @ Romeo The Cat
Marbles @ Terri Rimmer's blog

Dogs:

Judy @ Dogingham
Koa @ Pawcurious (shown right)

 

Nulo Intervention (part two)

Our Nulo challenge starts next week, and we've been trying out the web-based tools that will help me track my dogs' progress.  I setup profiles for each pet, including starting weight, their ages, and body score.  (The tools are free, all you have to do is setup a profile.) 

The tools are pretty handy, such as the body score, visual tracking bar.  Slide the bar, and the image gets "fatter" until you found where your dog fits in the Body Score range.  Here's Tahlula's score, based on what she looks like from the side and above:

 

Once we start the program, we'll enter activity levels, track weight loss, and our milestones will appear as we gradually approach our weight goal.  If you've ever used Weight Watchers online tools, it's surprisingly similar.  The only feature I hope to see added is an option to take measurements, instead of weekly weigh ins, simply because it's hard lifting a big fat dog into the car for a weekly vet trip.

 

We placed our order for the dry foods.  We'll be testing out the Lamb & Brown Rice formula (great for sensitive Shepherd tummies) and the Salmon & Brown Rice formula (which includes Tahlula's favorite-Tomatoes!)  Because the food ships directly from the warehouse, no sitting on retail store shelves for months at a time.  We can even setup an automated shipment, so we'll never run out.

 

There are wet foods and treats available too, but we're starting off with just one food switch for now.  And, don't forget that Nulo offers cat foods too-you can follow the progress of cats like Disco.  We'll post the list of all participating pets and their blogs next week.

 

Nulo Intervention (part one)

 

Disclosure: Nulo has generously provided free product and other benefits in exchange for our participation in the Nu Campaign to fight pet obesity. We are happy to be a part of this awareness campaign, however, all of the opinions about the product are mine and not dictated in any way by the company.

Our Nulo Intervention (part 1)

I've been in denial about my dog's obesity for a long time now.  Despite the fact that people have called Lyger "Twinkie" and someone once asked if he was pregnant, I thought it was just "fluffiness".  And poor Tahlula was so emaciated (58 Lbs) when we adopted her, that it felt cruel to withold food from her.  But her history (and breed) made her appetite that much more intense-and before long she'd eaten her way to 90 Lbs!  People teased me about my fat dogs, yet I think I am still in denial about how bad it was.

Earlier this year, my vet's tech had an intervention.  During a checkup, she told me that Lyger looked exceptionally healthy for a 10 year old-except he was overweight.  Hearing it from a professional made it seem like a much more real problem.  And it suddenly became clear to me: my pet's weight was putting pressure on their old arthritic hips, causing pain and lameness.  In hindsight, the obesity was even a major factor in Tahlula's ACL tears a few years back. 

So, we started feeding them the weight-loss formula kibble made by Kirtland (Costco).  It was affordable, the dogs liked it, and it worked!  Both dogs started to lose a little weight, and no one seemed famished. 

Then, in the summer, when I dropped the dogs off for a week of boarding, the boarder was surprised by how much I was feeding-nearly 2 cups per meal.  So even though they were on weight management food, it wasn't fully effective.  So that was intervention #2-and it really worked!!  Tahlula has even dropped enough weight that we were able to wean her off of her hip pain medications!!

Now, we're at intervention 3: Nulo.  Nulo is partnering up with several bloggers, in an effort to better promote pet obesity awareness.  Starting next week, my pups will start the 90-day Nulo trial. 

So, as with any good weight management program, we have our before:

Lyger is at 60 Lbs.
Tahlula is 80 Lbs.

Tomorrow, I'll explain a bit more about the how the Nulo program works, and the weight loss support features that are available to help pet parents.

“Disclosure: Nulo has generously provided free product and other benefits in exchange for our participation in the Nu Campaign to fight pet obesity. We are happy to be a part of this awareness campaign, however, all of the opinions about the product are mine and not dictated in any way by the company.”

Tips for College Students with Pets

Best Colleges Online just posted some very helpful advice for college students considering taking their pet along to school.  Their post "10 Tips for Students Bringing Pets to College" starts:

For some incoming college students, leaving home without their best friend isn’t an option. Who wants to experience the best time of their life – which can also be one of the most difficult times – without their number one companion? The health benefits of keeping a pet are well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol level and triglyceride levels. Additionally, they can create opportunities for you to exercise and socialize. So when you’re suffering through a break-up, ol’ Fido can console you, help you trim the “freshman 15″ and lead you to your next lover. If you’re planning to bring your pet to campus, it’s important that you understand the responsibility that you’ll have to undertake in order to keep him or her healthy and happy. Here are 10 tips to consider when brining your pet to college.

The tip list includes advice about planning your budget, making arrangements with room mates, and pet proofing a dorm room.  Great advice for students looking to prevent homesickness and depression.

Disney Resort for Pets

We've been talking about travel with pets, while over at BlogPaws they just linked to a NY Times Article about the new Disney resort suites for pets: 

"Starting Aug. 27, while you and your family are cheering on Mickey and friends in the morning parade, your dog or cat can watch television on a raised bed in one of the V.I.P. suites ($69 to $76 a night) and your dog can attend day camp in one of the two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” that open onto a yard or frolic in the 1,300-square-foot water park." read on...

Sounds like Goofy and Pluto won't be the only dogs in the Magic Kingdom for much longer.  What do you think?  Would you be more inclined to travel to Disney if you could keep your pet nearby?