Why should you insure your pet?

Why should you insure your pet?

Our pets are a big part of our families, there through the good… and the bad. They make us laugh getting themselves in various pickles – but they always keep us smiling! 

Whether you are picking up a new playful pooch or adopting a curious cat, it’s crucial that you take out a pet insurance policy to protect your four-legged friends should anything go wrong.

Is a Pet Insurance Policy Worth It?

When you welcome an animal into your home, they become your responsibility. Not only do you need to shower them with love and affection, but you also need to be prepared for those unexpected, pricey healthcare bills and vet fees (the not so fun part)!

We understand that it can be tempting to try and reduce your monthly spending and forgo insurance for your pets, but the saving made on a potential vet visit eight months down the line, for example, with a policy as opposed to one big cost might be beneficial in the long run. 

Protect your wonderfully quirky pets with a simple, fuss-free policy from us. Straightforward, and with all the quality you’d expect, with Pets in a Pickle, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your furry friends are covered.

 You can view our simple and easy to understand policy options online today.

What Veterinary Bills Does Pet Insurance Cover?

No matter how well we look out for our cats and dogs, they still get themselves into little pickles. Whether they managed to sneak into the snack cupboard and nibble on something they shouldn’t have, or simply caught a virus, vomiting and diarrhoea, the unexpected can happen at a moment’s notice.

Sometimes our mischievous pets can get into accidents, from minor injuries such as a torn nail or a broken bone, to more serious cases such as being hit by a car. Cats and dogs can also develop chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cancer. This means that they will require medication and regular visits to the vets for the rest of their lives.

Each of these unexpected injuries can cost thousands of pounds in vet bills, but with cover from Pets in a Pickle you can rest easy, knowing that you can afford to provide them with surgery or treatment, offering them the care and attention they really need.

Cover The Costs If Your Pet Goes Missing!

The thought of your cat or dog going missing is hard to process, however it can and does happen. 

Did you know that your pet insurance policy can cover you for advertising and reward costs in case your furry friend disappears? Depending on the level of cover, your pets really can be protected from an incredible range of circumstances, so insuring your animals really offers much more than just covering unexpected vet bills.

Start Your Pet Insurance Quote Today!

If you have a cat or dog that you would like to protect, find out why Pets In A Pickle are the purrfect pet insurance provider.

With simple and easy to understand policy options, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying time with your pet, whilst we handle the serious stuff. Start your quote now.

If you would like to find out more about any pet insurance policy, pick up the dog and bone! 

Call now on 0800 044 1111.

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Easy Tricks To Do With Your Dog At Home

Easy tricks to do with your dog

Sometimes the weather is a little unpredictable and the last thing you want to do is head outside…but we still want to make sure our dogs are entertained and kept busy. Spending time indoors is a great opportunity to teach your dog some new tricks and spend some more quality time with them.

Read on for some easy tricks to teach your furry friend from the comfort of you home and why it benefits you and them.

Why should you teach your dog tricks? 🐾

The benefits of training your dog to do tricks can be seen both mentally and physically. Plus, it can make your bond with them even stronger.

When it comes to training your dog, it’s important to remember that training should be reward based. When you reward them with treats, they’ll start to get used to the routine of doing the tricks if they know they get a treat after.

Practice, practice, practice ⏱

Learning new things doesn’t come easy – as we humans understand too. So, patience and consistency are both key. It’s also helpful to teach them in quiet places without any distractions to ensure they’re focused on just you.

When the training is over, remember to always end it on a positive. By this we mean, lots of playtime and having fun!

So, here’s 2 fun, easy tricks to teach your dog at home to get you started.

Teach your dog to sit 🐩

  1. Whilst you dog is in standing position, hold a treat to their nose.
  2. Keeping the treat near to your dog’s nose, move your hand in an arc over their head.
  3. As the dog raises their head to follow the treat, their bottom will go on the floor. The instant they sit, praise them and give them the treat.
  4. Practice this a number of times in short, regular sessions.
  5. After a number of times, you’ll soon find that your dog sits for longer. You can now add a cue word ‘sit’ as they go to sit.
  6. Keep practicing in short, regular sessions.
  7. Be sure to give an ‘okay’ cue to let them know when the training has ended.

Train your dog to stay 🐕

  1. Ask your dog to lay down.
  2. Give your dog a hand signal – for example a ‘stop’ sign with the palm of your hand facing your dog.
  3. Wait a few seconds, say ‘stay’ and then reward your dog with a treat. It’s important to reward your dog while they are still lying down and not if they have got back up.
  4. Practice this routine many times in short but regular sessions, gradually increasing the length of time your dog stays in the down position.
  5. Next, you can start to increase the distance between you and your dog. Start by taking just one step back before giving them the reward and then slowly increase the distance.

Practice, Practice, Practice 🔄

As the saying goes ‘practice makes perfect,’ so make to continue repeating each trick with your dog. Practice in lots of different places too, such as around the house or in the park!

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We hope the above is helpful and you enjoy having fun teaching your dog these new tricks.

Pets are so much more than a housemate, they are family. Keep them protected with Pets in a Pickle, so you have peace of mind, and they can carry on doing their brilliantly quirky thing! Find out more here.

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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How To Welcome A Rescue Dog Into Your Home

How to welcome a rescue dog into your home

So, you have made the decision to adopt a rescue dog. It’s an amazingly rewarding decision but can also be nerve-racking. Below are a few tips on how to make your new furry friend feel welcome in your home!

It’s important to remember that your new companion is stepping into a whole new world. It is crucial that you ensure the first few weeks of living with your rescue dog go as smoothly as possible to make the transition as easy as possible for them. Here’s some top tips on how to prepare.

Preparation prior to bringing your rescue dog home

Prior to bringing your dog home, make some time to plan. It is a good idea to allocate designated areas within your home for your new pet to eat, drink and sleep so that they have their own safe space.

Make sure you purchase the necessities needed for owning a dog, such as:

• Lead and collar with a tag including relevant contact details
• Bed and blankets
• Food and treats
• Grooming products
• Training equipment (including toilet training)
• Doggy bags

 
Next, safeguard your home to prepare for your new arrival. This includes tasks such as removing any potentially hazardous or valuable items that your dog could easily chew through.

Day one

It’s an exciting day when you get to bring your new rescue dog home. It’s important not to overwhelm the new arrival, so bring your dog straight home with no detours and let them become familiar with their new surroundings. Give your dog plenty of time to freely sniff each area of your home and introduce them to their toilet area as soon as you can. If they use the area correctly, reward them with treats or extended playtime to help build on positive behaviour.


If you are introducing your dog to children, ensure that your children have been instructed on how to approach your pet. Do not introduce your dog to any cats until you are 100% confident that the interaction will go positively.

The next few weeks

Within a few weeks, hopefully your dog will begin to settle in and your routines will have started to become familiar. Each dog will take a
different amount of time to become acclimatised to their new surroundings, so the most vital thing is that you remain patient and
understanding with your new pet!

Regardless of the amount of time it takes them to settle in, regular routines, love and playtime will make sure the pup feels like a member
of the family.

If you’re looking for pet insurance for your new rescue dog, Pets in a Pickle can help. Browse our simple and easy to understand policy options to make sure your canine companion is protected.

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

How Owning A Pet Can Benefit Your Health

how owning a pet can benefit your health

Did you know that owning a pet can benefit your health? Check out the five ways owning an animal can help you improve your day-to-day life👇

1) Stress, anxiety and depression 🧘‍♀️

Exercise and activity are proven ways of helping reduce anxiety and stress. Having a playful pup can add some motivation and fun to your daily activity and is a great way of changing up your regular exercise. Pets can be very helpful for people who are feeling anxious as studies show that petting or playing with animal can reduce stress related hormones and help increase your happy hormones! The responsibility that comes with owning a pet and keeping to a routine can help re-focus your mind and reduce stress.

2) Loneliness 🦮🚶‍♂️

They say that the best companions rarely have fewer than four feet! The relationship between a person and their pet is a really unique one. We know that they will always be there for us when we need a cuddle! The act of caring for another being gives us a huge sense of purpose and sometimes that is all we need to feel better. Ultimately, our pets create a sense of company and security that is unmatched.

3) Build resilience 😷

Believe it or not, there are actually health benefits to being exposed to pets at a younger age. Studies show that exposure to animal fur at a such an age can reduce chances of developing allergies and conditions like asthma and eczema later on in life. Exposure can also strengthen your immunity system as pets can bring all sorts of natural and unharmful germs into the home which can make your immune system more resistant.

4) Heart health ❤️

Research around the relationship between owning a pet and reduced risk of heart related illnesses is something that is still actively going on. The hypothesis of this research is that every time you pet an animal, the soothing sensation lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. There are actually academic studies in favour of this hypothesis.

5) They can spot illness 🤒

Service dogs can be trained to detect a whole host of different diseases from diabetes to certain cancers. It’s recognised that animals are able to sniff out chemical changes in the body, and in turn can make life changing detections!

Pets are amazing! 🤩

Who knew our furry friends could be such amazing helpers and have such a positive impact on our lifestyle?

To find out more about our simple and easy to understand policy options, get in touch with the team today. 

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Healthy Owner, Healthy Dog

Healthy owner, healthy dog

We all have our goals for the new month/year, and a common one for us all is to increase our fitness. Here’s how you and your dog can both achieve your fitness goals – and stay happy and healthy too!

Similar speed

Most dogs enjoy walking at about a 15 to 17-minute per mile pace. That’s a brisk walk and a speed that will help you keep fit. Take advantage of your dog’s natural speedometer and encourage them to move along at a comfortable speed with you.

Hint: If your dog is pausing frequently, you’re probably going too slowly. Try to avoid your dog stopping to smell the flowers every few steps. If your pet struggles to pick up the pace, it may need a little additional lead-walking training.

Equal energy burn

One of the reasons that dogs and humans are a perfect pair when it comes to exercise is the fact that we burn a similar amount of energy per pound when walking or running. Dogs expend about 0.8 calories per pound per mile when moving at a brisk walk of 3.7 to 4.0 miles per hour (15 to 16 minutes per mile pace). Humans shed almost the same, about 0.73 calories per pound per mile, at a similar speed.

This means a 150-pound person loses about 100 calories during a 1-mile walk while their 40-pound dog burns about 32 calories. Both you and your dog need to use 3500 calories to lose one pound of weight and work towards a 60-percent diet and only 40-percent exercise regime.

If you do exercise with your dog, make sure you keep an eye on the following, so they stay healthy:

  • In hot weather make sure to walk your dogs in grassy areas to avoid burning their paws.
  • In cold weather consider winter boots to stop contact with abrasive ice and de-icing chemicals.
  • When you get home from a walk make sure to wipe their paws in case of anything getting attached and for general cleanliness.
  • After each walk or run make sure to check for cuts on their paws. If you do find a cut use a mild anti-bacterial soap to disinfect the wound and apply pressure using a clean towel to stop bleeding.

Remember your dog isn’t a machine and can’t go from doing minimal exercise to running 10k! Make sure you build up the distance you run and walk with them gradually. It’s also a good idea to keep puppies from exercising too strenuously or for too long to avoid damaging their developing bones and joints.

In addition, dogs who are older, may have arthritis or are recovering from an injury or illness will need to take it a little easier or exercise for shorter periods of time.

Exercising with pets benefits us in more than just our fitness:

  • Helps us be calmer, more mindful, and more present in our lives.
  • Makes children more active and confident.
  • Enriches the lives of elderly people.
  • Can make us feel more social and less isolated.

For more information on how your pets can help with keeping healthy check out this blog post on  ‘How Owning A Pet Can Benefit Your Health’

Contact Pets in a Pickle

For more pet information and facts, check out the other news on Pets in a Pickle. To find out more about the range of policies, get in touch with the team today. Call them now on 0800 044 1111, or contact the team online here.

Follow Pets in a Pickle on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.