Unlike us, our furry family members don’t look forward to the holidays, they don’t like change, and they don’t like it when their family is gone and they especially don’t like strangers in their space.

If you’re an animal parent, you know what a worry it is when planning a trip away, and quite often this anxiety may lead you to procrastinate, because you’re so worried about your pet that it becomes easier to just stay put.

So this year you’ve planned and decided that you’ll be going away, and now it’s time to plan where you’ll be taking little Fluffy. We have a few options listed below:

Take your pet with you: When booking your flights, book a ticket for your pet too – after all he/she also deserves a break! Before you book, research the restrictions as some breeds are not allowed to fly. Then, book early – only a number of animals are allowed on each flight. You will also have to call to book your pet in, and find out the requirements needed in order for them to fly.

Place your pet in a kennel: Although this option can be expensive, there are wonderful kennels that can provide warm and loving care. They have the comforts that a pet needs, and can be very homely. Just be warned: They do tend to get booked up pretty quickly.

Pet sitters: If you have decided that taking your animal out of its comfort zone is too much, why not get a pet sitter to come and babysit? Pet sitters are often a cheaper option and a great alternative to kennel care. A pet sitter should be the friendly and loving face your animal can trust, watch your pet, keep on training him/her and take your dog on walks.

Hire a dog walker: This is the least expensive option available. A dog walker coming by twice a day will make sure your dog has food and water and take him/her on walks. This option is only advised if you are going away for a short period of time and if your dog only needs to run and play twice a day.

Either which option you decide on, we do advise that your animal has pet insurance, as no one knows your pet better than you and you can never be too sure of what could go wrong while you’re not there.

Feline love, you either have it or you don’t, and if you don’t, you are most likely to start falling in love with those little furry souls. It’s called Toxoplasma Gondii, a disease that makes us love cats, and it’s out to get you!

Toxoplasma Gondii (T. Gondii or Toxo for short) influences the behavior and brain activity in rats and humans. T. Gondii – a parasite that is excreted by cats in their feces, lives at the expense of its host, producing an offspring called an Oocyst. Oocysts are conceived in the cat’s feces, with one cat being able to shed up to 100 million oocysts.

These parasites invade your white blood cells, and then speed their way to your brain, here they override any fear of predators and inject love. Ironically rats are attracted to feline urine, which makes them more likely to cross paths with a cat – now we know how Tom and Jerry got along.

Besides the T. Gondii, kitties also release oxytocin, the association of feeling loved, and as we know, love heals. So perhaps an important way of looking at this disease is to just embrace it. Get it out of your head that cats are evil, and mindfully present yourself with letting the cat into your heart (or brain).

After all, they are the beautiful, elegant creature that you were always told they were, and these creatures have a rare quality that we as humans do absolutely adore: affection.

As for crazy cat ladies: We’re pretty sure you have this disease. It’s probably too late to correct, but we’re sure your sweet kitty deserves all the love it gets, and that your little companion takes great care of you.

So love your kitty, look after your cat and click here to get an instant quote from one of our pet insurers for medical aid for your pet today.

Immortality is a fantasy we all have but will never achieve. That is why it’s a good idea to check up on your life insurance. However, Mother Nature has selected a few lucky creatures which will never need a life policy and in this article we will feature four of our favorite ever-lasting animals. While we like to joke that cats have nine lives, some animals really do live forever.

That’s right, there are some animal species that have decided they don’t want to die, they hang up the phone when the funeral policy consultants call because (no matter how good the policy) they have decided to live forever (or die trying).

So who are these species and how do they (literally) live forever?

The Jelly-Fish (Medusa): When this fish gets tired of adulting, it can decide to be a polyp – yes, a baby again. To do this, the Medusa turns itself inside out, re-absorbs its tentacles and legs (the dangly-bits), and places itself in the sand (grave or birth site). It then becomes a colony of tiny polyps and grows again.

The Lobster: Most of us are guilty of eating them, and between the predators and us − this is pretty much the only way this sea creature can die. Becoming more fertile as they grow older, with no change in metabolism or bodily functions as they grow into old age. A 100-year-old Lobster will continue to eat, move and have babies. They also never stop growing bigger.

The Hydra: You probably wish that this microscopic immortal animal (more like a cell) lived under your skin. Constantly replenishing their living cells, Hydra’s do not age at all – ever. This animal is an efficient predator; releasing an explosion of neurotoxins into their prey, paralyzing it and then swallowing it whole.

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise: An absolute giant, these tortoises live longer than the people watching them, the oldest Aldabra Tortoise is said to have lived twice the age of 255 years old. Probably the most chilled-out creature that you’ll ever meet, this giant moves slower than a snail and is quite comfortable living in its shell.

Sadly, none of these are the cuddly companions that love us, just as much as we love them, and as much as we would love our fur-babies to live forever, it’s not possible. So spend as much time with your pets as you can, and help them to live longer by getting pet insurance.

Click here to get an instant quote from one of our pet insurers, and take out medical aid for your pet today.

Pet Insurance is just as much about peace of mind as it is about cash. You may pay insurance premiums for years and never make a claim. But, could you afford an expensive vet bill if your animal became sick, or was hurt?

It’s more likely that you’ll need pet insurance than you think:

• Your kitten accidently eats something that it shouldn’t , and needs her stomach pumped
• Your dog is poisoned in a house robbery and needs to be rushed to the vet
• Your puppy has hip dysplasia and needs corrective surgery
• Your cat has diabetes.

Sadly, these are some of the situations that thousands of pet parents without pet insurance have experienced, while those with pet insurance will be covered; from pet costs and saying goodbye to their little family member.

Still not convinced?

“But is pet insurance really for me?” No, it’s for your pet and to help you to financially take care of your animal:

• It’s about the unexpected, not routine check-ups. Policies that cover your standard vet visits carry higher premiums, stick to covers that handle the unexpected
• Disasters can happen at any time, can you afford that? If you think of your pet as a part of the family and don’t want to choose between a R5 000 or R10 000 vet bill. Pet cover is for you. As pets age, expensive surgeries start. Pet Insurance handles the financial consideration and helps you do what’s right for your pet, as you would for your family
• Start from day one: Pre-existing conditions are often not covered. The vast majority of dogs have problems after the age of seven. Get cover while you’re still eligible.

Ways to reduce your costs beforehand

Once you decide on pet insurance, these two things are important:

• Get your animal spayed as this will help to lower insurance costs
• Insure your pet when it’s young and healthy, as you have to disclose any existing medical issues, and this will hike up your premium.

Most Pet Insurance providers have different plan levels and options that allow for some flexibility in the premium you pay, but you should expect the actual coverage to remain the same across all plans. A good value plan will include comprehensive coverage at all levels, with the only variables being the deductible or the maximum annual coverage allowance.

So is it really worth it?

Is pet insurance really necessary? The answer is YES. Even the most devoted pet parent can’t always protect their pet from injury or illness. When you’re standing in your vet’s office with a R10 000 estimate in your hand, having Pet Insurance means that your animal can live a longer, fuller life. With the right plan in place, both you, your fur-baby, and your finances will be covered.