10 Reasons All Animal Owners Should Get Pet Insurance

Pets are not mere animals, when you take them into your home, they become family members. Pet insurance is a must-have if you care for your pet as if it were a member of your family. Pet insurance works just like health insurance for people. It allows you to get reimbursed for eligible medical expenses when you visit the veterinary. Learn more about this type of insurance and why pet owners should get one.

1. Insurance Covers Your Pet in Case of Accidents and Illnesses
If you take out pet insurance, you are covered in case of accidents and illness. The insurer will reimburse you for the eligible costs you pay at the veterinary if your cat or dog falls ill or is injured. Pet insurance is useful at any age because unfortunate events such as car accidents can affect any pets, especially those that also spend time outdoors. If your pet gets hit by a car or suffers injuries due to other types of accidents, the consequences can be severe and they might require surgery and long-term treatment. CT scans and X-rays alone can cost hundreds of dollars, while surgery can easily reach thousands of dollars.

Treatment for chronic diseases such as heart or thyroid conditions can also prove expensive. These require continuous medication that can cost hundreds of dollars per year. Pet insurance can help you reduce the amount you need to pay based on your coverage limit.

2. It Helps Extend Your Pet's Lifespan
Regular veterinary visits are recommended for dogs, cats, and other common pets. The minimum frequency is a visit per year. During these regular checkups, the vet will examine your pet and let you know whether they need any special diet or treatment.

These checkups are essential to catch early signs of disease and start applying preventive care treatment. On these occasions, the vet can also administer the necessary annual vaccinations and deworming treatment. Essentially, these vet visits can extend your pet’s life and ensure they stay healthy and happy for as long as possible.

Pet insurance can help you cover some of the costs associated with routine health care, especially if you choose a wellness plan. This type of insurance covers grooming, annual checkups, and several other costs. Some of the services included in pet wellness plans are:

- Deworming treatment 
- Heartworm tests 
- Vaccines 
- Annual vet visits 
- Spaying and neutering 
- Blood work 
- Fecal exams 
- Behavioral therapy 
- Grooming 
- Acupuncture 
- Massage therapy 
- Dental care 
- Microchipping 

Pet wellness plans can be added to a basic insurance plan. One aspect to keep in mind is the reimbursement limits. Some plans have per-item limitations meaning that they cover specific expenses up to a certain limit. For example, you might get a cap on dental cleaning services or vaccination. Compare different plans and choose the one you think will benefit your pet and your finances the most. 

3. Pet Insurance Helps You Be Prepared for the Unexpected 
You never know when your beloved pet falls ill, even if you’re diligent about their care and always on the lookout for symptoms. Moreover, you cannot prevent or predict accidents that might cause your pet injuries that require immediate medical attention. The cost of treatment and rehabilitation can be overwhelming. Just like getting health insurance for yourself and your family, pet insurance helps you be prepared for unexpected medical bills that can take a great share of your savings if you don't have any coverage. 

4. Pet Health Care Costs Are Rising 
Prices are constantly increasing in all industries and pet health care is no exception. The average American pet owner spends around $500 on their pet per year. This is another reason to get pet insurance sooner rather than later so you avoid spending more money further down the line if your pet gets sick or suffers an accident.

Only routine vet visits cost more than $240 per year for dogs and almost $180 for cats according to the 2021-2022 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. If you want to add other services as part of your pet's routine care, you can pay thousands of dollars per year. For example, dental cleaning for dogs costs between $500-$1000. Dog grooming costs up to $75 depending on the dog's size. All these costs easily add up at the end of the year and pet insurance can ease this financial burden. 

5. Pet Insurance Is Flexible
Another advantage of pet insurance is that you can customize your plan depending on your pet's age, health, and of course, your finances. If you have a dog with long hair, for example, you might want to get a wellness plan that can cover the grooming costs. These pet insurance plans also include other routine care expenses and can even cover diet foods or supplements. So, if your cat has kidney problems or a skin allergy and needs a special type of food, you can get a wellness plan that covers this expense.

You can add different riders to a basic insurance policy to get coverage for different veterinary costs. Moreover, you can customize your coverage limit and take out insurance for several pets, which can also give you some discounts. 

6. Pet Insurance Is Easy to Use 
Pet insurance is not hard to use. After comparing different plans and choosing the one you find most suitable for your pet, you have to pay for the insurance coverage monthly. The insurance company will calculate the value of your monthly premiums based on your pet's age, breed, and your zip code. When you go to the vet, you'll pay for their services regularly and then submit a claim to the insurance company with the proof of payment and wait for the reimbursement. 

7. You Can Choose Any Veterinary
Pet insurance is also flexible in terms of vet choices. No matter what plan you opt for, you are not forced to choose a certain veterinarian. You can go to any vet’s office, pay for their service, and then submit your reimbursement claim to the insurance company.

Being able to choose any vet allows you to offer your pet the best care. You can take your dog for grooming to a certain vet and for regular checkups, deworming and vaccination to another one, it’s entirely up to you. 

Some insurers have a network of veterinarians. If you choose one of their vets, you can walk out of their office without paying a dime as the company will pay the vet directly for the eligible services up to your coverage amount. 

8. You Don’t Have to Tap Into Your Savings Account
If your pet suffers injuries in an accident or develops a severe condition, you might have to pay thousands of dollars to get them diagnosed and treated. Without an insurance plan, you have to pay these costly expenses all by yourself. This might mean tapping into your savings account, which is something you might not want to do if you are saving money for a house down payment, college, or another goal. Pet insurance eliminates the unpleasant situation when you have to choose between your pet and your wallet. 

9. Insurance Is Important for Older Pets
Pets have a different life expectancy depending on their overall health, genetic factors, and their breed. However, the older they get, the more likely they are to start developing different conditions.

For example, dogs, especially large breeds, are more at risk of ligament problems as they get older. 
Cats are not devoid of age-related health problems either. Many of these pets start having kidney issues and urinary tract infections as they age and the kidneys stop functioning properly. Heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer are just some of the serious conditions both dogs and cats can get diagnosed with as they get older.

Treating these conditions or at least keeping them under control can require thousands of dollars in medical bills. Pet insurance helps you be prepared for any pet health problems and related medical care costs. 

10. You Gain Peace of Mind
Having a cat or a dog is great, but it comes at a cost. When pets become family members, you have the responsibility to take care of them. This implies a lot of different aspects from training them to giving them healthy food and taking them to the vet for routine checkups. Pet insurance can help you with all these expenses by providing you coverage for a wide range of services from behavioral therapy to diet food and supplements and other vet expenses.

Besides helping you minimize the toll pet health care can take on your finances, an insurance plan also provides peace of mind. Knowing your pet is insured in case of any medical emergency can be a comforting thought, especially if it’s old or its breed makes it more prone to developing certain conditions.

Conclusion 

Pet insurance has got your furry friend covered in case of illness or accidents. Moreover, there are also wellness pet insurance plans that cover a wide range of vet expenses including behavioral therapy, grooming, vaccinations, blood work, and plenty more. Pet insurance is flexible and can offer you peace of mind. With this insurance, your pet is well taken care of in case of emergency while your finances remain intact.

Everything You Need to Know About Beagle Pet Insurance

Beagles are undoubtedly some of the most cheerful, funny, and loveable dogs. Smart and friendly, they can fill your heart with joy. However, these pets can also suffer from different health problems, and as a pet parent,  you should know a bit about them. To make sure you can afford any vet expenses that might arise from having a beagle, you should get pet insurance. Learn more about this fascinating breed, its qualities, health problems, and how pet insurance can help you prevent and handle them easier. 

Beagle Characteristics

The beagle’s trademark is its long and floppy ears. This dog has large dark eyes with furrowed brows. The beagle is a medium-sized dog that comes in two sizes. The small variety usually measures less than 13 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 20 pounds. The large variety is up to 15 inches and can weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. Beagles have short coat that doesn’t require too much grooming. Their coat is smooth and made of two layers. It typically has patterns, for example, patches of brown fur. The common color combination for a beagle’s coat is white, brown, and black. These dogs shed throughout the year. However, expect to find more hair on your carpets during spring. The average lifespan for this breed is between 10 and 15 years.

The Breed’s Origins

The beagle is a British breed that officially came into existence in the 1830s. This dog was used for hunting and had to be a crossing of several breeds that already served this purpose. Some of them were the Talbot Hound, the Southern Hound, the Harrier, and the North Country Beagle. However, historical evidence shows that the beagle has been around earlier, since the 16th century, when the aristocrats used to go hunting with packs of dogs that included this breed. In the late 19th century, these dogs became popular in America too.
 

Beagle’s Temperament and Personality

The first thing you should know about beagles is that they have high energy levels, so get ready to play and walk in the park on a daily basis. Even if you keep a beagle in an apartment, don’t expect them to become accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Beagles are active creatures and need plenty of opportunities to blow off steam.

Since these dogs were primarily used for hunting, beagles have a fine sense of scent and can easily be trained to track people or things. Their ease of training makes them ideal for those who love dogs that can perform tricks.

Beagles love to be around people, which is why you should make sure you have enough time to take care of this dog. They also love other dogs’ company, so you’re not making a mistake if you already have a dog and you bring a beagle into your home.

Beagles have outstanding physical abilities. Not only can they sniff and find objects, but they can also dig tunnels. This is why you should make sure they don’t escape outside your garden by building proper fencing or keeping them in a place where they can’t tunnel their way out.

Some Personality Flaws

Beagles have served humans as hound dogs for centuries. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that these dogs are some of the most vocal because this is how they alerted their masters whenever they spotted the game or saw anything suspicious. This habit has been passed down from generation to generation, so this dog remained one of the noisiest.

Beagles are attention-seekers and if they feel ignored, they can easily become frustrated. This is no good news because an annoyed or bored beagle can have destructive behavior, especially if kept indoors.  

When you go out with your beagle, you should keep them on a leash. If this dog detects an appealing or suspicious scent and they want to track it, it’s going to be difficult to stop them.

Tips for Keeping your Beagle Happy and Healthy

Because beagles are highly active dogs, they need an owner that can meet their exercise demands. These dogs are adorable, but if you have limited time on your hands, they might not be the ideal choice for you. Besides walking your beagle out each day, this dog also has to be engaged in playtime. To keep them happy, you can play with dog toys and frisbees, or teach them how to perform tricks to earn treats.

Beagles don’t only need to exercise, but also have high socialization requirements. This dog simply gets bored if you don’t offer them sufficient attention and care.

Beagles don’t have excessive grooming needs. Still, to keep their dense coat in excellent condition, it’s recommended you brush it once a week. Bathing is also necessary, but it doesn’t have to be very frequent given their short fur.

These dogs need training and you should start educating them when they’re puppies to make sure you’ll have a well-mannered adult beagle. They love and respond well to treats.

Beagles have particularly sensitive ears due to their long shape that completely covers the ear canal. To prevent problems such as ear infections, you have to regularly clean the dog’s ears. Your vet can recommend what type of ear cleanser is best. 

Beagles love food. They love it so much that they might even eat its packaging, especially if they find something they know they aren't allowed to eat, because they will do it in a rush, so you can't catch them. This is why it's important to be careful when you take your dog out for a walk and to keep human food out of their way. They should only eat the food your vet recommends in the quantities they recommend.
 

What Are Common Beagle Health Issues?

Beagles are prone to develop different health problems. Ear infections are some of the most common, which is not surprising given these dogs' long and floppy ears that require special care. Because of their anatomy, these ears allow bacteria to develop, which can lead to infections. The typical sign of an ear infection is ear scratching. If your dog does this frequently, it's time to visit the vet and if you have pet insurance, the cost of the visit, the related treatment, and regular checkups can be covered by the insurance company. Ear infections in beagles can also be caused by allergies, which can be triggered by environmental factors and food. 

Beagles are medium-sized dogs, but their appetite exceeds their size. These dogs often overindulge in food because they also have an acute sense of smell which helps them find it easily. If they find anything they like, they won't hesitate to eat it. To prevent them from becoming obese and suffering from subsequent health problems, you must pay attention to how you feed them. Generally, you should follow the instructions on the dog food packaging to portion their meals correctly. However, those are general guidelines. Especially if your beagle is old or suffers from a chronic disease such as thyroid conditions, ask your vet for dietary recommendations.

Hypothyroidism is another common health problem for beagles. This condition means that the thyroid works slowly and can cause skin and coat problems, as well well as weight problems due to the metabolism not working properly. Fortunately, this chronic disease can be held under control with daily medication. 

Cherry eye is a common eye problem for many dog breeds, including beagles. If your dog's eye corner looks inflamed, you should see the vet. This condition is not dangerous, but it can cause eye infections and in severe cases, it might need surgery. Epilepsy, on the other hand, is a serious condition that causes seizures and can require medication. During severe seizures, the dog can lose consciousness. 

Beagles can also suffer from skin problems such as those caused by mange, which can be detected if you see patches of missing hair on the dog's body. 

Some heart diseases such as pulmonic stenosis can also affect beagles. Those suffering from this disease are no longer able to engage in exercise and have difficulty breathing
 

Is Pet Insurance Worth it for a Beagle?

Taking out pet insurance for your beagle is highly recommended and you should do this as soon as you welcome a beagle into your home. Puppies as young as 8 weeks usually qualify for pet insurance. Pet insurance for your beagle will offer you peace of mind. Whatever health problem your dog gets diagnosed with, you are more likely to be able to afford the related medical expenses with insurance. 

With basic pet insurance, you are eligible for accident and illness expenses. There is a maximum annual limit that usually starts from $5,000 and can be unlimited. The reimbursement rates for your vet expenses can be as high as 90%. You have to pay monthly premiums for pet insurance. These can be as low as $20 per month or less. The insurance company will ask you to submit a claim online for your eligible expenses. Once the claim is processed, you will receive the reimbursement amount.
 

Beagle Pet Insurance Prices

Beagle pet insurance prices vary depending on your dog's age and zip code. You can expect to pay around $30 - $40 for a healthy adult. If you add a wellness plan to your standard pet insurance policy, you can benefit from more services such as dental cleaning, vaccinations, deworming, blood work, and annual visits. Obviously, your monthly premiums will increase, but it is worth paying extra to cover all your pet's annual preventive care needs. The average cost of wellness pet insurance is about $25. You can find packages starting as low as $10-$15 and going all the way up to $50 and above, depending on the services the plan includes.