For many families, their pets are like their family. You want to make sure they’re protected, in case the worst happens. Vet bills can be expensive and getting pet insurance (or more specifically, cat health insurance or dog health insurance) now isn’t a bad idea, while your pets are younger and in good health — on average, we spend about $13.5 billion on vet care a year as a nation. Caring for senior dogs or older cats can get pricey, especially if they develop diabetes or tumors, and having pet health insurance or cat health insurance ensures that their needs can be met without breaking the bank. You don’t want them to be in pain or suffer — but you also don’t necessarily want to say goodbye to your beloved pet the minute a lengthy health concern comes up. Insurance for pets can alleviate that worry — and in some cases, can even help offset the costs of regular check-ups and shots.
Why Look Into Pet Wellness Plans?
Pet wellness plans are a little different than pet insurance, but both are important options to look into. You can usually get a pet wellness care plan through your veterinarian, instead of going through an insurance company. A pet wellness plans is meant to cover the smaller, more routine costs of caring for your pet, such as annual check-ups and vaccinations. They’re generally not intended to cover major incidents — just the year in, year out expenses of vet care.
This plan can also change as your pet ages, reflecting perhaps, increased need for your pet, and may cover dental visits as well (and yes, your pet’s dental health is just as important as yours!).
Next time you’re at the vet, check in with them and see if they offer such a wellness plan. Ask them to estimate prices for you and go over your options to get a clear view of what items the plan would cover.
What Should I Look For With Cat Health Insurance?
Many major insurance companies can offer cat health insurance (or pet insurance, more generally). Each company’s package is a little different, but many will offer the option to do accident-only coverage or to add on preventive care coverage, along with your cat’s more general coverage. The preventive care coverage would operate much the same as the pet wellness plan, covering costs such as screenings, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.
Keep in mind that not all insurance companies will cover hereditary conditions or pre-existing conditions, so if your cat has one, look for a company that does work to cover those conditions.
Pet health insurance is here to protect your animal from the unexpected — and to protect your wallet when it happens. Even if your pets are indoor pets only, risks like eating an object they weren’t supposed to or darting around your legs and running out into traffic, are still possibilities. You want to be sure that their safety and health is looked after at an affordable rate to you.
What Are Other Measures I can Take to Protect My Pets’ Health?
Making sure that your pet is being taken in for regular visits can help keep your pet in great condition. During a routine screening, your vet may be able to find signs or symptoms of a larger issue brewing and take care of it before it becomes a real problem. Dental cleanings will keep your pet’s mouth free of gum disease or other nasty oral issues, which can affect their overall health.
Even if your pet is an indoor pet, having flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm preventive medicine is still important. These creatures can all easily have an adverse effect on your pet, with consequences that can last for the rest of their lives.
Pet wellness plans or pet insurance are two great ways to give you peace of mind about your pet’s health. No matter what might come down the pipeline, you know your pet is covered. Talk to your vet or your insurance company today to see what your options are.