Noise phobia in pets induces panic and may result in dogs and cats making a choice between “fight or flight”. Some pets can become so fearful and panicked that they bite, including their owner or family members. Other pets may tremble in fear and try to hide in a closet or under furniture. And some dogs and cats may decide to run away to escape the loud noises. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day for animal shelters, many filled to capacity with pets that panicked at the sound of firecrackers. 
 

Make a plan to keep your pet safe and secure during fireworks

As pet owners, we are responsible for keeping our pets safe and healthy. That includes having a plan to make your pet secure during loud celebrations and firework displays. Consider these tips to make the celebrations less stressful for you and your pets:

• Exercise you dog beforehand to help them relax
• Keep them at home and indoors in a quiet room or crate
• Make sure windows and doors are closed and secure
• Turn on a fan, TV, or play soft music to help create white noise
• Make certain that your pets have I.D. tags with up-to-date information
• Provide your pet with their favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort
• Talk to your veterinarian if your dog or cat requires medication to help ease their anxiety

Watch out for potentially dangerous debris on the ground 
 

• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
• Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Bonus tip: Protect your dog or cat this summer and beyond

The best way to protect your pet, no matter the season, is to talk to your State Farm^® agent about how a pet medical insurance with Trupanion can help protect your pets, or start your free, no-obligation quote online.

• Cleaning products should be stored in a lockable cupboard or closet.
• If you have open shelves in your kitchen or pantry, store hazardous items up high where your pet can’t jump.
• Auto products be kept in the garage and in a secure storage space.
• Use your phone to research houseplants at the store before buying them. Any houseplants that are toxic to pets should either be disposed of or kept on high shelves.
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking or baking and clean up as you go so pets don’t eat food that is toxic to them.

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Has your pet been poisoned?

Not sure if your pet has ingested a potential toxin? Toxicity signs can vary depending on the poisonous substance, but there are some common signs to watch for.

• Lethargy or sluggishness
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lack of appetite
• Excessive drooling
• Stumbling or staggering
• Di­fficulty breathing
• Tremors or seizures

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Planning Ahead with Pet Medical Insurance

Pets are unpredictable, and accidents can still happen even when you are taking the best precautions. Over the past two decades, Trupanion has paid over $8 million towards pet poison and toxicity claims so it’s a good idea to take control ahead of time and have an emergency medical plan in place. Along with taking note of the nearest animal hospitals, a good pet insurance policy can help you tackle surprise medical costs. Having this in place will let you focus on what really matters in times of crisis — taking care of your pet.

State Farm is working with Trupanion, a leader in high-quality insurance for cats and dogs, to help protect your pet from new and unexpected illnesses and injuries. Discover how a pet insurance policy can be there for your pet during their lifetime. Talk to a State Farm agent or get a free, no-obligation quote online today.

State Farm and Trupanion are offering pet owners the gift of pet safety this season with simple tips to keep your furry family happy and healthy.

Oh, Christmas Tree: If you celebrate with a live Christmas tree, make sure it is secure so it doesn’t fall. Keep tree water clean and fresh but don’t add aspirin, sugar, or other additives to the tree water. If you prefer an artificial tree, don’t let your pets chew on the branches or on any ribbons or tinsel.

Candle Cat-astrophe: Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, blow candles out!

Poisonous Pretty Plants: Mistletoe and holly can be mildly toxic to pets when ingested. Poinsettias can cause mouth irritation if chewed on. Lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats. If you have holiday plants, consider placing them in rooms or locations where your pets don’t have access.

Wired Up: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach.

Leave the Leftovers and Skip the Sweets: Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. Bones, fatty and spicy human foods, and chocolate should not be fed to animals.

No Cocktails for Kitties or Canines: If your holiday celebration includes adult beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.

A Place for Peace and Quiet: With all of the holiday activity, guests, and parties, it isn’t just people that get stressed out. Give your pet his or her own quiet space to retreat to away from all of the activity. If your pet is excitable or scared, consider putting your pet in another room with some toys and a comfortable bed.

You want to enjoy everything the holiday season has to offer with your furry friends but the unexpected can happen. If your pet does become sick or injured, you want to get your furry family member the medical care they need. Consider how pet medical insurance can be there for your pet when they need it most.

Fast Facts

• According to data from Trupanion, there is an increase of 294% in veterinary emergencies because of pets eating chocolate on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Ingestion of foreign material (ribbons, tinsel, wrapping, and more) is 10% higher than the daily average on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Burns to pets are 64% higher than daily average on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The posts went live March 2 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Combined, the posts received nearly 107 thousand likes. WeRateDogs has over 11 million combined social media followers.

One of the featured dogs is Tavi, a Canine Companions for Independence^® puppy, sponsored by State Farm. A potential future service dog, Tavi is being raised by State Farm employees Robin and Tony Bird.

Benefits of Pet Medical Insurance

For Illinois State Farm agent Axel Jimenez, talking about pets comes naturally. “My agency is BIG on keeping updated on household members. Asking about pets is a very easy step since we view fur babies as household members. Showing customers that we care about everyone in their family helps with relationship building and pet medical is a great product to offer pet parents.”

Pet medical insurance is an important part of a financial plan to help prepare for unexpected illness or injury. The last thing any pet owner wants to decide is whether they can afford to treat their beloved dog or cat for illness or injury. Medical insurance for pets makes the decision easier, allowing pet owners to focus on care and not cost.

Since 2018, State Farm has offered medical insurance for pets through Trupanion, first piloting the product in six states before expanding to all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2020. Pet owners can sign up for medical insurance by visiting the State Farm website at www.statefarm.com/insurance/pet or by contacting an authorized State Farm agent.

Note: Pet owners in AR, SC, RI, and MA can sign-up for a pet medical policy online only at this time.

Why Pet Medical Insurance Matters

Agent Axel Jimenez shares his own story of the importance of pet medical insurance and how it helped his family and his dog, Archie.

Match your pet’s breed to your lifestyle.

You may walk through a shelter or rescue and see a dog with the most adorable face. But, is it the right one for your lifestyle? One of the most important factors of responsible pet adoption is picking the best pet that matches your lifestyle. Every dog breed is different and may have certain breed characteristics or personality traits. Do your research. Pick a pet breed that complements your daily schedule as well as your family needs. Consider how much time and energy you have to dedicate to a new family member. For example, do you work long hours, travel often, or live in a smaller space? Keep in mind that State Farm does not have a breed restriction policy. All dog breeds or types are welcome!

Research your animal welfare organization.

There are a variety of animal welfare organizations helping pets every day. Research which animal shelter or rescue group you would like to adopt from and make sure to ask questions. For example, most animal shelter organizations are run by volunteers. They have spent a lot of time getting to know each one of these animals. They may have information about behaviors and quirks that may not be listed on a piece of paper.

Budget for your pet.

The cost of bringing home a pet could be more than you think. In addition to food, toys, and training, your new pet will need a yearly veterinary exam, preventative care, and vaccinations. In addition to these expected costs, can you cover costs of an expected pet injury or illness?

Your pet’s medical care may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. At the end of the day, you want your new dog or cat to be happy and healthy. Consider your finances when adopting a new pet. Can you afford the potential cost for the unexpected? A great option to consider is getting pet medical insurance. State Farm provides medical insurance coverage for cats and dogs through Trupanion. This option makes illness or injury treatment decisions easier, allowing pets to get the care they need without worry of paying for treatment.

Responsible pet adoption is important for the wellness of your furry family member.

Whether you’re looking to bring home a new puppy, kitten, or an adult pet, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to responsible pet adoption. But by picking your breed, doing your research, and budgeting for your new pet, you’re on your way to being a responsible pet owner.

Thinking about adoption or fostering a pet?

Trupanion has created a free, recorded webinar to help you learn even more about how to prepare, including Q&A with Animal Behaviorists and leading Veterinarians. Watch the webinar here.

Budgeting for pet expenses such as food, grooming, or day care is straightforward. Planning for an accident, illness, or injury is not. The last thing any pet owner wants to decide is whether they can afford to treat their beloved dog or cat for illness or injury. Medical insurance for pets makes the decision easier, allowing for the care they need, when they need it most.

Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage is designed for the life of the pet. Trupanion pets are never penalized for being “unlucky” and incurring claims. Nor do they raise rates just because a pet ages. Trupanion is the only provider that can pay the veterinary invoice at the time of check-out, often in seconds, eliminating the need for pet owner reimbursement. The option to enroll puppies and kittens from birth, with as few pre-existing conditions as possible, means even better coverage.

“Pet health issues can be unexpected and expensive,” says Ken Heidrich, Agency Vice President at State Farm. “Pet medical insurance helps reduce the stress of veterinary medical bills, allowing families to focus on their beloved pet. We’re excited to expand our alliance with Trupanion and offer this product as a way to help even more customers prepare for and recover from the unexpected.”

Customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can now enroll for Trupanion medical insurance online through statefarm.com®. While the short-term focus of this expansion is the online channel, work is underway to enable expansion of the agent channel in all other states.

“We are thrilled to help State Farm better serve all of their customers by making Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage available for their pets,” said Margi Tooth, Chief Revenue Officer for Trupanion. “Designed with input from veterinarians, our comprehensive product coverage, 24/7/365 customer service and ability to pay veterinarians directly at the time of checkout, provide what we believe is the best value proposition in the industry.”

Trupanion is the leading provider of medical insurance for pets, insuring more than 500,000 cats and dogs in North America.

Trupanion will provide all pet medical insurance policy servicing. Underwriting or claims decisions will be at the sole discretion of Trupanion. Policyholders can access their pet medical insurance account and make changes to deductibles through the Trupanion website.

Pet owners can sign up for medical insurance for their pet by visiting the State Farm website at www.statefarm.com/insurance/pet. In addition, pet owners in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Missouri, and Oregon can visit directly with a State Farm agent to sign-up for coverage.

In the News:

• New York Times: A Rare Economic Bright Spot in the U.S. Health System: The Vet’s Office (08/10/20)
• Forbes: Virtual Vets Are Raking In Funding—Is Pet Telehealth The Next Big Thing? (08/06/20)

Trupanion Contacts:

Media: Michael Nank,michael.nank@trupanion.com  206-436-9825

• Investors: Laura Bainbridge, Head of Corporate Communications, InvestorRelations@trupanion.com  206-607-1929

Budgeting for pet expenses such as food, grooming, or day care is straightforward. Planning for an accident, illness, or injury is not. The last thing any pet owner wants to decide is whether they can afford to treat their beloved dog or cat for illness or injury. Medical insurance for pets makes the decision easier, allowing for the care they need, when they need it most.

Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage is designed for the life of the pet. Trupanion pets are never penalized for being “unlucky” and incurring claims. Nor do they raise rates just because a pet ages. Trupanion is the only provider that can pay the veterinary invoice at the time of check-out, often in seconds, eliminating the need for pet owner reimbursement. The option to enroll puppies and kittens from birth, with as few pre-existing conditions as possible, means even better coverage.

“Pet health issues can be unexpected and expensive,” says Ken Heidrich, Agency Vice President at State Farm. “Pet medical insurance helps reduce the stress of veterinary medical bills, allowing families to focus on their beloved pet. We’re excited to expand our alliance with Trupanion and offer this product as a way to help even more customers prepare for and recover from the unexpected.”

Customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can now enroll for Trupanion medical insurance online through statefarm.com®. While the short-term focus of this expansion is the online channel, work is underway to enable expansion of the agent channel in all other states.

“We are thrilled to help State Farm better serve all of their customers by making Trupanion’s high-quality medical coverage available for their pets,” said Margi Tooth, Chief Revenue Officer for Trupanion. “Designed with input from veterinarians, our comprehensive product coverage, 24/7/365 customer service and ability to pay veterinarians directly at the time of checkout, provide what we believe is the best value proposition in the industry.”

Trupanion is the leading provider of medical insurance for pets, insuring more than 500,000 cats and dogs in North America.

Trupanion will provide all pet medical insurance policy servicing. Underwriting or claims decisions will be at the sole discretion of Trupanion. Policyholders can access their pet medical insurance account and make changes to deductibles through the Trupanion website.

Pet owners can sign up for medical insurance for their pet by visiting the State Farm website at www.statefarm.com/insurance/pet. In addition, pet owners in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Missouri, and Oregon can visit directly with a State Farm agent to sign-up for coverage.

In The News

• Forbes:  Virtual Vets Are Raking In Funding—Is Pet Telehealth The Next Big Thing? (08/06/20)

Trupanion Contacts:

• Media: Michael Nank,michael.nank@trupanion.com  206-436-9825

• Investors: Laura Bainbridge, Head of Corporate Communications, InvestorRelations@trupanion.com  206-607-1929

For a full list of what could be dangerous for your pet to consume, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).