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.
Accident and Illness Pet Insurance for Dogs: Is It Worth It?
If you’re comparing pet insurance options, you’ve likely noticed that accident and illness plans cost more than accident-only plans. The question is whether that extra premium buys enough protection to justify it — and for most dog parents, the answer...
Why Pet Insurance?
How to Teach a Dog to Sit: Step-by-Step Training Guide
“Sit” is the first command most dogs learn — and for good reason. It’s simple to teach, universally useful, and lays the groundwork for every more complex behavior that follows. A dog that sits reliably on cue has learned to focus on its owner,...
Dog Tips
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Laryngeal paralysis is a progressive condition in which the muscles controlling the larynx (voice box) fail to open the airway properly during breathing. In affected dogs, the cartilage flaps that should open during inhalation instead remain collapsed,...
Health
Ehrlichiosis in Dogs: Symptoms, Stages, Treatment, and Prevention
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial disease that can affect dogs at any life stage. It is caused by bacteria in the Ehrlichia genus and is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected ticks. The disease progresses through three distinct phases...
Health
Best Pet Insurance in California 2026
California leads the nation in insured pets, with 18.3% of all U.S. pet insurance policies, and has some of the strongest consumer protection legislation in the country through Senate Bill 1217, which took effect January 1, 20251. According to the...
Why Pet Insurance?
Pet Insurance Terms Glossary: 15 Key Terms Explained
Pet insurance terms can be confusing when comparing plans, but understanding the core definitions leads to better coverage decisions. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)¹, 7.03 million pets were insured across...
How Pet Insurance Works
How to Choose the Right Accident and Illness Pet Insurance Plan
Choosing the right accident and illness pet insurance plan comes down to five decisions: what the plan helps cover, how large a deductible to choose, what reimbursement rate fits your budget, whether to cap the annual payout, and when to enroll. Each...
Why Pet Insurance?
Bite Inhibition in Dogs: What It Is and How to Teach It
Bite inhibition is a dog’s learned ability to control the pressure of its jaws so that if its teeth make contact with a person or another animal, the resulting force causes minimal or no injury. It is one of the most important skills a dog can develop,...
Puppy Tips
Pyometra in Cats: Signs, Types, and Treatment
Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection that affects intact (unspayed) female cats. The condition develops when the uterus fills with pus and bacteria, creating a medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary treatment.1 Understanding the...
Health
Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies?
If you’ve ever watched your dog suddenly sprint full speed around the living room, spin in tight circles, and then stop as abruptly as they started, you’ve witnessed the zoomies. It’s one of the most entertaining things dogs do, and also one of the...
Dog Tips
When Do Kittens Start Walking? A Week-by-Week Development Guide
Most kittens take their first wobbly steps at around two to three weeks of age. Early attempts are unsteady — a newborn kitten’s muscles and sense of balance are still developing — but coordination usually improves quickly. By four weeks, most kittens...
Kitten Tips
Tramadol for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and What Pet Insurance Can Help Cover
Tramadol is one of the most commonly prescribed pain medications in veterinary medicine, used to help dogs recover from surgery, manage arthritis, and find relief from cancer-related pain. It is a prescription medication — meaning your veterinarian...
Health
