Spot Team
We’re pet parents first—and writers, marketers, and product developers by trade—combining lived experience with industry expertise in everything we create.
Best Pet Insurance in Virginia 2026: Ticks, Heartworm, and What to Know
The best pet insurance in Virginia in 2026 accounts for what makes the state genuinely different: a year-round tick season that puts dogs and cats at elevated risk for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and several other tick-borne illnesses —...
Local Insurance Insights
Rabies Vaccine for Cats: Schedule, Types, and What Pet Parents Should Know
Rabies is one of the most serious viral diseases in the world — and unlike most illnesses, it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Vaccination is the only reliable method of prevention, which is why the rabies vaccine is a core vaccine for cats...
Health
Bordetella Vaccine for Cats: Schedule, Which Cats Need It, and What to Know
Bordetella is not a vaccine that every cat needs — and that is intentional. Unlike the FVRCP or rabies vaccine, which are core vaccines recommended for all cats, the Bordetella vaccine for cats is non-core: recommended based on specific lifestyle risks...
Health
IVDD in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and What Pet Insurance Helps Cover
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a spinal condition in which the cushioning discs between a dog's vertebrae break down or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord. It can cause anything from mild back pain to sudden paralysis. According to the...
Health
CT Scan for Dogs: What It Detects, What to Expect, and What It Costs
A CT scan for a dog — also called computed tomography or a CAT scan — uses X-rays taken from multiple angles to produce detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional images of the body. Unlike a standard X-ray, which creates a single flat image, a CT scan...
Health
Pawternity Leave: 6 Major Companies Offering Pet Benefits
The days of leaving your pet at home and hoping for the best when you bring a new dog or cat into your life are starting to shift — at least for employees at certain forward-thinking companies. "Pawternity leave," a form of paid time off for welcoming...
Lifestyle
Ultrasound for Cats: What It Checks, What to Expect, and When It’s Needed
An ultrasound for a cat uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of soft tissue — with no radiation and no surgical incision. Vets recommend it to examine internal organs, detect masses or fluid, monitor pregnancy, and — critically...
Health
Ultrasound for Dogs: What It Checks, What to Expect, and What It Costs
An ultrasound for a dog uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of soft tissue — with no radiation involved and no surgical incision required. It’s one of the most commonly recommended diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine because...
Health
DHPP Vaccine for Dogs: What It Covers, When to Give It, and What It Costs
The DHPP vaccine is one of the most important shots your dog will receive — and one of the first. It’s a combination vaccine that protects against four serious canine diseases in a single injection: distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus....
Health
Best Pet Insurance in Vermont 2026: What to Look for and Why It Matters
Vermont is one of the best states to have a dog — and one of the riskiest. The Green Mountain State’s outdoor culture means dogs hike, swim, trail-run, and roll through tall grass regularly. That same landscape is home to one of the highest...
Why Pet Insurance?
Echocardiogram for Dogs: What It Checks, What to Expect, and When It’s Needed
An echocardiogram for a dog is an ultrasound examination of the heart — a non-invasive, real-time imaging test that lets veterinary cardiologists see the heart’s structure, valve function, and blood flow without radiation or surgery. It’s the most...
Health
Pet Insurance vs. Pet Savings Account: Which Is Better?
When it comes to planning for your pet's veterinary costs, two approaches come up most often: pet insurance and a dedicated pet savings account. Both can help — but they work differently and protect against different scenarios. According to a 2025...
Why Pet Insurance?
