Trashy Behavior - One person's trash is another dog's treasure. Believe it or not, there's been more than one Thanksgiving turkey carcass that has gone missing, only to reappear on a pet's X-ray later! Since the kitchen can be a hectic place during the holidays, make plans now on how you'll keep trash safely out of paw's reach (hint: bungee cords work wonders).

Off the Table - Table scraps, turkey bones and raisins are typically at the top of the no-no list when it comes to Thanksgiving, but what about holiday décor? Loose cords and lights from yard decorations, fake fruit and table toppers can all pose problems to curious pets. Seasonal flora can spoil dinner, too. Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) can cause irritation, shock and organ damage if ingested in high amounts; likewise, Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), although less toxic, can cause mild vomiting, diarrhea and possibly depression.

Chipping In - Holiday parties and crowded couches can send pets scurrying for the door. To keep your pet safe and sound, set aside a secure, quiet area for your best friend to enjoy. You can also get your pet microchipped (and save 10% on a Petplan pet insurance policy). For added peace of mind, upgrade your pet's nametag to the digital age by getting a scannable ID tag. Should your pet go missing, anyone with a smartphone can scan the QR code on the tag and bring up your pet's information. Plus, the information can be updated at any time via the Web!

Vets for Pets
(October blogs to boost your pet prowess!)

A Bitter Pill to Swallow - Giving ill or injured pets prescribed medication can be a stressful (and often unsuccessful) event. Learn how to better pill your pets in this blog post from Petplan expert vet Dr. Kim Smyth.

Howling at the Moon - Got a chatty cat? It could just be her purr-sonality, or it could be a sign of something more serious, such as illness. Listen in on what you can learn from kitty's chatter at the Petplan blog.

Heart to Heart - Congenital heart disease is an all-too common condition in our four-legged friends, especially as they age. Learn which breeds are predisposed to problems of the heart in this blog post.

Grey Matters - That bark in your mailbox? That's the new issue of fetch! magazine! The Brainiac issue of fetch! magazine will be hitting homes and select Barnes and Noble stores around Thanksgiving. Featuring a wealth of smart pet health advice for clever canines and keen kitties, the Brainiac issue examines the cognitive problems our best friends face, as well as the intelligent ways veterinary medicine is making those problems easier to see, understand and treat.

Future Gains - Petplan is proud to announce we've been named to SmartCEO Magazine's Future 50! The Future 50 honors the region's 50 fastest-growing companies over the past three years, based on employee and revenue growth. Over the past three years, Petplan has tripled its workforce and grown its gross written premiums by more than 2,200%. To read all of Petplan’s latest news, check out Petplan in the News!

Thank Your Vet - Does your vet deserve to be recognized for their service, commitment and dedication to their job? Then nominate them for a 2012 Petplan "Vet of the Year" Award! Anyone can nominate their favorite vet, from pet parents and veterinary staff to friends and family. Plus, everyone who submits a nomination will be entered to win a $500 PetSmart gift card — rewards all around! The winning vet and a guest will be sent, all-expenses-paid, to the UK to receive their award at Petplan UK's Veterinary Awards in April 2012, held in conjunction with the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA World Congress, the largest annual small animal conference in the world!  To nominate your outstanding vet, go to www.GoPetplan.com/VetAwards or call 1.866.467.3875 by Jan. 1, 2012.

Fowl Play - Help kitty (and yourself!) burn off those extra holiday calories with the catnip-scented Turkey Trot Wand Cat Toy.

From New York, With Love - Give Fido a taste of the holidays with these Brooklyn-based organic, wheat-, corn- and soy-free Turkey Sausage and Romano Cheese treats.

Couch Potatoes - Give your pet a leg up to his favorite snoozing spot with the help of Puppy Stairs, the perfect solution for sofa-surfing pets with joint or mobility issues. And as a special treat, friends of Petplan get an exclusive 10% discount on puppy stairs!

A Moveable Feast - Traveling for the holidays? Select your pet's treats wisely. According to Petplan expert vet Dr. Ernie Ward, a small dog bone treat given to a 10-pound dog is equivalent to a two-legger eating a dozen doughnuts. Similarly, offering a premium pig ear treat to a 40-pound dog is roughly the same as drinking six 12-oz. sodas! With pet obesity a growing problem (literally) in the U.S., help your pets avoid packing on the holiday pounds by feeding them healthy, low-calorie snacks such as carrots, stringless sugar snap peas and broccoli during long car rides. And don't forget to pack the pigskin for some potty break playtime!

Picturing a Cancer-Free Future - November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. This year, The National Canine Cancer Foundation is partnering with photographers across the country for the Smile for the Cure Campaign. Pet parents can book a pet photography session with one of the sponsoring photographers and part of the session cost will be donated to help fight canine cancer. Learn more and find a participating photographer near you at smileforacure.org.

Furever a Hero - Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. That's certainly true for guide dog Roselle, who was posthumously awarded the 2011 American Humane Association Hero Dog Award for her efforts in saving her blind pet parent during the World Trade Center Attack on September 11, 2001. Roselle guided her dad, Michael, 1,463 steps out of the building and to safety during the attack. Although Roselle crossed the Rainbow Bridge earlier this year, her heroism will always live on.

A fatty Thanksgiving meal of table scraps can cause problems for pets, but there's no need to go cold turkey from the treats this holiday season. Instead, cook up this healthy dish to show your fur-kids your thanks.

Turkey Pie

You'll need:
3½ cups cooked (unseasoned) chopped white turkey meat
1 cup chopped raw broccoli
½ cup chopped apples
1½ cups cooked millet
1 Tbsp kelp powder

To make the bites:
1. Rinse the turkey breast with cold water and pat dry.
2. Wrap the breast with aluminum foil, folding the edges to seal in moisture. Place in a baking pan. Roast at 350 degrees for 20 minutes per pound.
3. Open the aluminum foil, being careful not to burn yourself on the escaping steam. Chop once cooled.
4. Combine broccoli and apples in blender or food processor and blend until minced.
5. In bowl, combine vegetable mix with turkey, millet and kelp powder and mix thoroughly.
6. Divide into portions appropriate for your pet's caloric intake.

Makes 6 1/2 cups (163.5 calories per cup).

For more healthy recipes and nutrition advice for furry friends, check out Dr. Ward's Chow Down feature in every issue of fetch! magazine.

Recipe from Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter - a Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives (2010 HCI).

Shows of Appreciation - Do you have a favorite film, TV show, song or article that touches upon animal protection issues? Then show your thanks by nominating it for a Genesis Award! The Humane Society of the United States is now accepting nominations for the 26th annual Genesis Awards, which honors outstanding works in news and media who have increased the public's understanding of animal protection issues. The submission deadline is December 30, 2011. Visit The HSUS website to submit your nomination.

Petplan is seeking America's favorite vet, and it could be yours! The nominations for our Vet Awards are already coming in — here's a taste of what we've seen so far:

"My recent experience with Dr. Berg was incredible. His compassion and concern for my dog and my family was evident through every stage of treatment, up to and including euthanasia. Although we lost a beloved friend and furry member of our family, I felt comfort in knowing that Dr. Berg provided the best care available and did everything possible to provide support and compassion to us, as well as our dog. I know my future pets will benefit from his care."
- Gail Nehamen, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

"As members of the Ohio Search and Recovery Canines my dogs are asked to search areas that contain both seen and unseen hazards, including collapsed buildings or bodies of water that contain parasites. As a result I frequently have both d ogs checked after a search and rescue mission. Both Drs. Chad and Stephanie Bailey have gone out of their way to examine my dogs at a moment's notice to ensure they are healthy and ready for the next search!"
- Deana Hudgins, Woster, OH

Don't miss the chance to tell us how amazing your own vet is! For more information or to nominate your vet, visit www.GoPetplan.com/VetAwards.

The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state's approval and coverage may vary by state. Pet insurance policies are issued by AGCS Marine Insurance Company and administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (Fetch Insurance Agency, LLC in Michigan), d/b/a Petplan (Petplan Insurance Agency, LLC in California). AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of the Allianz Group, is rated A+ by A.M. Best (2010).