As a pet parent, you want to make sure that your pet is always healthy and happy. But pet healthcare can be expensive, especially if an unexpected expense arises. One way to counteract the costs of healthcare for your animal is with pet insurance; however, insurance can be costly as well, depending on where you live and what type of pet you have. So, how can you save money at the vet?
Another way to save on some costs (but not all) is with a pet wellness plan. These are different from insurance plans, as they cover items insurance doesn’t, like routine care. They are typically more affordable if you take your pet for regular routine care visits. But are pet wellness plans really worth it for routine care? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is a Pet Wellness Plan?
A pet wellness plan is a plan that covers the things regular pet insurance does not, most often preventive care,1 such as vaccines and routine exams. These plans will either reimburse you for these sorts of costs or help you spread routine care costs out over the course of the year, so expenses are more manageable without being subject to deductibles, etc. And because they make preventive care more affordable, you’ll be less likely to skip the small stuff, which can help you catch anything significant right away (or before it starts).
Many pet insurance companies will allow you to add a pet wellness plan of some kind onto a regular insurance plan. But there are some companies where you may be able to purchase only a wellness plan if you don’t want to go the insurance route.
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What Do Pet Wellness Plans Cover?
Preventive care can cover a lot of stuff, and each pet wellness plan will cover different items, so you should always read the policy closely before purchasing. But some of the most common items pet wellness plans cover include:
A few of the items that might be covered by some wellness plans (but not all) include:
Dental cleanings
Microchipping
Spay/neuter
Grooming
Discounts on certain services and products not covered
Again, ensure that you read the policy for any pet wellness plan you’re considering very closely and ask questions if needed before purchasing. You may find that something you want to be covered isn’t, so you’ll need to continue shopping around to avoid unexpected expenses!
How Much are Pet Wellness Plans?
Like regular pet insurance plans, the cost of pet wellness plans varies depending upon the insurance company you go with, the sort of pet you have, your pet’s age, your geographical location, and more. Most plans are relatively affordable, though, costing anywhere from $10 to $60 a month.
For example, a wellness plan from Lemonade Pet Insurance for a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog in Alabama would cost $17.95 a month. But a basic wellness plan for the same dog from Spot Pet Insurance is only $9.95 a month. And Wagmo Pet Insurance offers three wellness plans ranging from $20 to $59.
According to SpendMeNot, the average pet owner will pay anywhere from $559 to $652 (for cats) and $893 to $921 (for dogs) each year on preventive care just in the first year of the pet’s life. After that, the cost is approximately $350 for cat owners and $469 to $514 for dog owners each year. Using a pet wellness plan, you could pay as little as $120 a year or as much as $300 a year for preventive services.
Image Credit: Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock
Are Pet Wellness Plans Worth It?
A pet wellness plan can be worth it, but it depends on your pet’s needs. A wellness plan for a kitten or puppy will help you save on expenses, as these animals require many vet visits within the first year of their lives. However, your pet will need fewer vet visits for routine care as it ages. Depending on your financial situation, though, having those few visits covered by a wellness plan can be beneficial. And adding a wellness plan onto a regular pet insurance plan can help you save a lot in the long run!
One important thing to note is that if you don’t take your pet in for routine care while having a wellness plan, then you’re essentially wasting money because you’re paying monthly for something you aren’t using.
Final Thoughts
Pet wellness plans cover preventive care that regular pet insurance plans do not, such as vaccines, lab tests, and yearly exams. Getting one for your pet can help you save money on these costs, as a wellness plan will either reimburse you for some costs or help you spread those costs out over the year rather than paying all at once. While purchasing a wellness plan as an add-on to a regular pet insurance plan may be your best bet so your pet has full coverage on everything, some companies will allow you to get just a wellness plan.
Whether a wellness plan for routine care will be worth it depends upon your budget and your pet’s needs. These plans are quite useful for puppies and kittens in their first year of life since they need to visit the vet often. But they will be used less as your pet gets older. You have to actually take your pet in for routine care for a wellness plan to be beneficial, though, so consider whether you have a tendency to skip out on some things or if you’ll take your animal to the vet for every appointment.
It can be hard to tell which foods are good for your dog and which are dangerous. Before feeding your dog any new food, it is best to consult your vet to ensure that you are making a good decision for your pet’s diet. Sometimes, however, your dog makes the decision for you by snapping dropped food from the floor before you can pick it up.
If your dog has eaten some water chestnuts, don’t worry; water chestnuts are not dangerous for canines to eat. If you are considering adding water chestnuts to your dog’s meals or offering them as treats, you will want to know more about the risks and rewards involved.
What Is a Water Chestnut?
The water chestnut, also referred to as the Chinese water chestnut,1 is an aquatic vegetable that grows underwater in marshy locations. Despite its name, the water chestnut is not a nut. Rather, it is more like a grassy plant. The part that most people consume is the corm or the bulb-like plant stem that grows underground.
It has a semi-sweet flavor and is often used in stir-fries or as a topping on other dishes. It can be served raw, boiled, grilled, pickled, or in other forms. Ground-up water chestnuts can be used as a thickening agent akin to flour. Overall, it’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in many interesting ways.
The water chestnut has plenty of health benefits for humans. It improves blood pressure, slows the spread of certain cancers, and promotes weight loss. It is also a good source of fiber, making it beneficial to your digestive health. But does it have any benefits for dogs?
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Health Benefits of Water Chestnuts for Your Dog
Yes, water chestnuts could have health benefits for your dog. Since the water chestnut is high in fiber, it could boost the health of your dog’s gastrointestinal system.
Likewise, water chestnuts have a high water content that provides additional hydration for your dog. This also means they are low in fat and calories, making them a good treat. However, water chestnuts are high in carbs, so feeding them to your dog in excess can lead to weight gain. Providing a water chestnut to your dog occasionally is better than feeding them every day.
Water chestnuts are loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals. They provide great nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and manganese. Vitamin B6, C, and omega-3 fatty acids are also in water chestnuts.
What to Know Before Feeding Water Chestnuts to Your Dog
Water chestnuts are a healthy treat for your dog—in moderation. You must be cautious when feeding water chestnuts to your dog and consider the following points.
Avoid Canned Water Chestnuts
Not all water chestnuts are healthy for your dog. Canned water chestnuts contain high amounts of sodium. Instead, only feed fresh water chestnuts to your dog.
Chop Up the Water Chestnuts
Water chestnuts, especially when uncooked, are firm and crunchy. Whole, raw water chestnuts can be a choking hazard to your dog. Instead, chop the water chestnuts into smaller chunks before offering them as treats.
As mentioned previously, it is vital to chop water chestnuts into smaller chunks before feeding them to your dog. In addition to chopping them, there are other steps you will need to take to make water chestnuts edible for your dog.
Firstly, cut off the top and bottom of the water chestnut, then strip away the outer skin. Water chestnuts can be served to your dog raw or gently steamed, but you shouldn’t add any seasonings or additional ingredients. Seasonings can be toxic to your dog. This may sound like a bland meal to you, but it is a delectable treat for your dog.
Conclusion
Water chestnuts can be a healthy option if you want to add some new flavors to your dog’s treats. Since they are best fed in moderation, water chestnuts can be excellent treats for training or other good behavior. Of course, you should speak to your vet beforehand and ensure that your dog has no allergies to water chestnuts, but once you get the all-clear, you’ll have a special new treat to offer your dog.
Parenting a Shih Tzu is a lot of fun, but if you like yours to wear their coat nice and long, you may find maintenance a bit of a challenge. Though Shih Tzus aren’t big shedders, their long coats are prone to knots and tangles if they aren’t brushed through on a regular basis.
If brushing your Shih Tzu’s coat is causing both you and your Shih Tzu strife, a good detangling spray might be just what you need. Detangling sprays are a great supplement to your regular brushing routine as they make it easier to work through any knots or tangles and add a touch of shine.
If you’re ready to give detangling sprays a go, check out the reviews below to find out more about bestselling products and what customers have to say about them.
Our choice for the best overall detangler for Shih Tzus is the Chi detangling finishing spray. This product is paraben and sulfate-free, cruelty-free, contains hydrolyzed silk, soy, and oat proteins, and is suitable for all dogs over 8 weeks old.
In addition to detangling, it also targets mats to make them easier to work out with the goal of making your dog’s coat smoother and more manageable. It has a light floral scent and there is no need to rinse after use.
A popular product, the Chi detangling spray has received several glowing reviews referencing how it’s light on the coat rather than oily, smells great, and simply gets the job done. On the other hand, the spray feature has been described as inconsistent, and some found the smell too strong.
Pros
Tackles mats, tangles, and knots
Floral scent
No need to rinse
Adds shine
Glowing reviews
Cons
The sprayer might be inconsistent
The smell might be too strong for some
2. Burt’s Bees Lemon & Linseed Detangling Dog Spray – Best Value
We consider Burt’s Bees lemon and linseed detangling spray to be the best detangler for Shih Tzus for the money thanks to its reasonable price tag and largely positive customer reviews. It’s cruelty-free, PH balanced to be gentle on the skin, and contains lemon and linseed oil and no harsh chemicals or fragrances. You can also use it in conjunction with flea and tick treatments, as it won’t wash these off.
According to user reviews, this spray is gentle on dogs’ skin and coats and does a great job helping you brush out tangles while helping you calm static in those fuzzy areas. In terms of cons, some have found the spray bottle frustrating to use. If you prefer more obvious scents, you might also want to go for another product.
Pros
Made with lemon oil and linseed
Affordable
Doesn’t affect flea or tick treatments
Suitable for both adults and puppies
No harsh chemicals
Cons
The scent may be too light for some
The sprayer is prone to getting stuck
3. Top Performance GloCoat Conditioner & Detangler – Premium Choice
The Top Performance GloCoat conditioner and detangler can be applied to a wet coat during bathing or used as a spray-on detangler for brushing. It’s formulated to repel dust, dirt, and urine and is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. It’s cruelty-free, has a fresh, light scent, and is suitable for all adult dog coats.
Positive reviews have praised how well this spray works for dogs with undercoats, how nice it smells, and how it adds shine to longer-haired dogs’ coats. On the other hand, some have mentioned that the bottle is leaky, which results in wasted product.
Pros
Non-toxic and hypoallergenic
Repels dust, dirt, and urine
Adds shine
Can be used during bathing or as a leave-in spray
Fresh scent
Cons
The bottle may be leaky
4. Skout’s Honor Honeysuckle Probiotic Detangler – Best for Puppies
The Skout’s Honor honeysuckle probiotic detangler is formulated with probiotics to maintain the skin’s natural bacterial balance, supporting the healthy bacteria that help protect the skin while keeping unhealthy bacteria at bay.
It leaves the coat softer, and more manageable, and is cruelty-free and completely free of any parabens, sulfates, added dyes, DEA, and other “nasties”, making it a gentle choice for all dogs over 8 weeks. Better yet, buying a bottle of this spray means one day’s worth of food is donated to a rescue animal.
According to user reviews, it’s great for sprucing up the coat between grooming sessions, has a pleasant scent, has a good consistency, and softens the coat. On the downside, it’s quite pricey for an 8 fl. oz. bottle, but the quality seems to be pretty high.
Pros
Pleasant honeysuckle scent
Food is donated to rescue animals with every purchase
TropiClean’s tangle remover spray is a cruelty-free, alcohol-free, no-rinse, sweet pea-scented formula for dogs and cats older than 12 weeks. This makes it an option worth considering if you’re also a cat parent and don’t want to have to splash out on extra products. In addition to detangling, it targets loose hairs in the topcoat and undercoat, so it might also be perfect for double-coated dogs.
Those who rated this spray “excellent” have commented on its mat and tangle-removing power and how well it works for both cats and dogs. Some customers, however, have mentioned that the scent was too overpowering.
Vet-formulated TrueBlue Easy Comb detangling spray is an all-natural, cruelty-free, and tear-free formula made with lavender, aloe, olive extracts, and Pro-Vitamin B. It does not contain parabens, alcohol, or phosphates, and is lavender and aloe-scented. It was developed with vets and botanical experts, which is always reassuring!
Positive reviews mention how effectively the product works on knots and tangles and makes them easier to comb out without pulling. On the other hand, some have said that it doesn’t effectively tackle mats, so you might want to consider another option if your dog tends to get matted often.
Pros
Vet-formulated
All-natural
Adds shine
Moisturizes the coat
Lavender-scented
Cons
Might not be the best for matting
7. John Paul Pet Lavender Mint Dog & Cat Detangling Spray
Another great cruelty-free choice for cat and dog parents, the John Paul Pet Lavender mint detangling spray is made with oat protein, sweet protein oil, aloe vera, and panthenol to strengthen the coat while hydrating and detangling. It also contains lavender, spearmint, and chamomile extracts. It’s a mild, gentle option, but it’s not made clear whether or not it would be suitable for puppies.
Happy customers consider this product to be effective at detangling and say that it works well on mats, too. It seems to be a good choice for long-haired cats and dogs. Users are divided on the fragrance, however. While some are satisfied with the scent and describe it as light and fresh, others say it’s too strong.
Pros
Mild and gentle
Lavender mint scent
Hydrates and detangles
Strengthens the coat
Cons
The scent may be off-putting for some
8. Best Shot Scentament Spa Exotic Island Deodorize & Detangle Spray
If your pooch is smelling a bit whiffy of late, now is a good time to think about acquiring a cruelty-free spray that both detangles and deodorizes, like the Scentament Spa Botanical Body Splash Exotic Island deodorizer. It’s a leave-in conditioner with a tropical papaya scent, and contains soothing ingredients like chamomile, rose hips, sage, and ginseng. It contains no alcohol.
Though there aren’t a great number of reviews for this product, those that we found were overwhelmingly positive and point to a product that’s effective, smells pleasant, and leaves the coat silky and shiny. On the downside, it has been mentioned that scent doesn’t last long, but this is a pretty minor gripe.
BarkLogic’s lavender-scented leave-in conditioning spray is vegan and cruelty-free and contains lavender essential oils for an aromatherapeutic effect. This may make it worth trying for nervous dogs that flee the room every time the brush comes out, though there’s no guarantee this product will be able to calm them down. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and is safe for puppies as well as adult dogs.
Features that have proven popular with customers are the lavender scent and how soft this product makes the coat. On the flip side, it has been mentioned that the scent doesn’t seem to last very long.
If you’re looking for the whole package or need a gift idea for a dog parent friend, this cute little detangling kit contains a Chi detangling spray, a slicker brush to tackle loose hairs and knots, and a double-sided brush for going over the topcoat. We also think this might be a good choice if you want to try out a Chi detangling spray but would like something extra that you can use again and again.
User reviews are mostly positive, with most of the praise being for the compact kit size, smooth and effective brushes, and the brushes’ suitability for small dogs. On the other hand, they’re not the best for larger dogs, and the bottle is very small.
Pros
Multiple grooming items in one pack
From a high-quality brand
Perfect for small dogs
Would make a nice gift
Cons
Not suitable for larger dogs
Small detangling spray bottle
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Detanglers for Shih Tzus
You’d think picking a detangling spray for your Shih Tzu would be easy, but there are always certain factors to consider before you buy.
Of course, the most important thing is to only choose detangling sprays that are pet-safe. It’s never a good idea to use human detanglers on dogs because the pH level of our skin is not the same as that of a dog, so using your own detangler could lead to skin irritation. It’s also best to go for products that are cruelty-free, like all of those featured in the above reviews.
Another thing to think about is whether or not you want something dual-purpose. For example, if your Shih Tzu is starting to smell worse than just the standard doggy smell, you might want to think about giving some detangling-deodorizing combos the once over.
Then, there’s the issue of scent. Not everyone is picky about this, but some scents can be quite strong, so if you’re sensitive to that, be sure to go for something that won’t gross you out while you’re pampering your pooch.
Conclusion
Our reviews have covered several bestselling detanglers, so here’s a quick review of our three favorites. For the best overall detangler, we chose the Chi detangling finishing spray, which received a haul of positive reviews for its detangling, de-knotting, and de-matting power.
