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 French Bulldog Pet Insurance

French bulldogs are growing in popularity - and one can see why! They’re small, cute, and full of joy. In fact, the American Kennel Club recognizes this breed as No.1 in LA, Miami, and Columbus.

But french bulldogs are at risk of numerous health problems that may appear early on and need to be followed closely to make sure they don’t worsen.

What is it important to know about pet insurance for french bulldogs?

Summary

Personality

Lively, attention-seeking, playful, gentle

Tips for keeping frenchies happy and healthy

●        Around 60 minutes of exercise per day

●        Short, low-intensity walks so you don’t overwork their narrow airways

●        Mix meat, grains, fruit and vegetables

Common French Bulldog health issues

●        Intervertebral Disc Disease (IDD)

●        Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

●        Allergies

●        Dermatitis

●        Ear infections

●        Conjunctivitis

●        Paralysis

 Is pet insurance worth it for French Bulldogs?

They have a large number of inherent health issues, making pet insurance a good investment and safety net for your french bulldog.

Pet insurance price for French Bulldogs

What level of coverage is good for French Bulldogs?

Your french bulldog requires broad coverage.

French Bulldog’s Temperament and Personality

French bulldogs are a singular addition to the family. They’re not considered intelligent in the traditional sense, but they know more than they let on through their goofy expressions.

Often described as couch potatoes, french bulldogs are happy to laze about in the shade (or on the couch) but also glad when dogs or humans invite them to play. When it comes to training, anything can be done when there are treats involved.

But the main characteristic of a french bulldog is its unrestrained love for you and its need to feel loved. 

What else, aside from loving them, should you do to keep them in top mental and physical shape?

Tips for keeping your French Bulldog happy and healthy

The first piece of good news is that french bulldogs are easy to groom, as their coats only need to be brushed occasionally. They also don’t need much exercise, but remember that all dogs need to stretch their legs (and go to the toilet!)

Your bulldog should get around 60 minutes of low-intensity exercise per day. That means relaxed walks that don’t overwork their narrow airways. If you see your frenchie panting too much, let it catch its breath in the shade.

As far as nutrition is concerned, dogs are omnivores and should eat meat, grains, fruit and vegetables. If your frenchie has digestive issues, then try to provide a lighter diet.

In short:

●        Light exercise for 1 hour a day

●        Low-intensity walks

●        Mix meat, grains, fruit and vegetables. Provide easy-to-digest food if they’re having digestive problems.

What are common French Bulldog health issues?

French bulldogs are brachycephalic (short nosed) dogs, which face several health issues. This is why you should give it some thought before buying a flat-faced dog (unless you’re saving it, and in that case, you’re doing the right thing.)

If you already have a french pupper with you, you should get to know some of the most common health issues.

This breed can live from around 10 to 14 years, but studies find that around 70% of french bulldogs suffer from at least one health issue. In particular, the Royal Veterinary College examined over 2000 french bulldogs to find that 72.4% of these were suffering from one of the below mentioned health issues.

●        Mobility problems

One of the main problems French bulldogs have to deal with is mobility issues. One of these is hip dysplasia, which occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint are misaligned, causing pain and decreased activity. The other common problem is a luxating patella, which is where the kneecap pops out of its usual place.

But Frenchies are also prone to back, spine, and neck issues that can lead to paralysis and weakness in the hind legs.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) for example, is where the spinal discs degenerate and cause pain and often paralysis in french bulldogs, who can’t stand up or walk using their back legs. Any sign of paralysis calls for an immediate trip to the vet.

●        Breathing Problems

Due to their short snouts and flat faces, which also cause short airways, French Bulldogs experience significant respiratory problems. One example is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which leads to shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and heat intolerance, and affects 50% of french bulldogs.

Their short snouts also put them at risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URT). These are common and will most likely happen at least once. You can identify URTs like you would in a human: coughing, fatigue, nasal congestion and so on. Being infectious, URTs will happen more often when hanging out with other dogs.

●        Heat Intolerance

French bulldogs are twice as likely to suffer from heatstroke. You can tell when they’re feeling some mild heat if the excessive panting persists even after the exercise is over or you’ve put them in a cooler area. In these cases, you can still cool them down yourself without worrying. But if the heat intolerance reaches moderate levels, where they start to salivate excessively and do not respond to your cooling efforts, you might need to take your dog to a professional.

●        Skin Conditions

The folded skin around a French bulldog’s muzzle and nose can lead to dermatitis. Other areas of their bodies, such as the armpits and necks, are also vulnerable to this issue.

But skin folds introduce another problem: bacterial infection. Your dog's skin rubbing against its own skin can cause trauma that paves the way for an infection called Pyoderma. There are antibiotic ointments and tablets to cure Pyoderma, which your vet will administer.

A French Bulldog with dermatitis is an itchy bulldog, so keep an eye out for biting, scratching, and redness. Try to keep the skin folds clean and dry to avoid a buildup of moisture.

●        Ear Infections

Narrow ear canals and very large and open ears are susceptible to ear infections. Bacteria and debris have open access to a French Bulldog’s ear. Add this to their vulnerability to food and environmental allergies and you have a perfect storm.

If left untreated, ear infections can cause inflammation of the canal and lead to more serious problems, such as rupturing the eardrum. Luckily, vets can treat ear infections rather easily, especially if caught early on.

●        Diarrhea

French bulldogs have digestive issues. They have a reputation for being flatulent (in what can be considered a cute way) and suffering from diarrhea, usually caused by chronic food allergies. No need to describe what diarrhea looks like, but keep an eye on their appetite and listen if you can hear their stomachs groaning.

●        Allergies

Allergens found in food and your surroundings have a significant effect on French bulldogs and usually manifest themselves in the skin or digestive tract. Dust, mold, cockroaches, as well as certain foods, have proven to trigger an allergic response in Frenchies.

Food allergies can also develop into more serious conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

●        Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Brachycephalic breeds are prone to conjunctivitis, which is usually caused by infections or allergic reactions to certain substances. If you spot irritated pink or red eyes with discharge, take your Frenchie to the vet. Depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis, the vet can prescribe the appropriate medication.

Does my French Bulldog need a wheelchair?

The breed’s mobility problems can cause some anxiety for dog owners. Not being able to move and play freely can lead to depression, which is why doggy wheelchairs are a lifesaver for so many french bulldogs.

A wheelchair can improve a paralyzed Frenchie's quality of life and help them stay active and most importantly, happy.

Is pet insurance worth it for a French Bulldog?

Their flat-faced appearance causes a variety of health issues and they tend to start having problems with their spinal discs as early as 3 years old.

Even if you live in an area where veterinarian fees are quite low, frequent preventative visits will start accumulating and your best friend won’t be covered in an unexpected situation.

Taking out pet insurance for a French Bulldog will make sure you’re safeguarding them as well as your wallet.

French Bulldog pet insurance prices

How much will pet insurance cost for a French Bulldog? That depends.

Here are a few things that will affect the price of pet insurance:

●        pet’s age and gender,

●        vet rates where you live,

●        coverage choice,

●        reimbursement option,

●        benefit limit.

Younger French Bulldogs will be easier to insure at reasonable prices, much like insurance for human beings. But it will also depend on your location and how much veterinarians are charging in that region.

You may also want to pay an extra fee for the packages the provider offers. For example, Lemonade Pet insurance mostly covers diagnostics, medical procedures, and medications, but also offers different coverage options such as vet visits for accidents, physical therapy, therapy for behavioral conditions, and so on.

Let’s assume that your Frenchie is 12 months old and hasn’t manifested any medical conditions yet.

The table shows that someone in New York is going to end up paying more, while dog owners in Jacksonville and Columbus will likely pay around the same. Overall, pet insurance for french bulldogs can end up costing more than other breeds due to the persistent health problems.

The best way to find out how much you would pay is to directly visit the pet insurance website and use their online calculator.

What’s the best level of coverage for French Bulldogs?

More than other breeds, french bulldogs need you to keep an eye on them as their health issues manifest early and persist throughout their lifetimes. Broad coverage will protect your pupper from many of the issues caused by their genetic makeup, and make sure you don’t find yourself paying out of pocket for an expensive treatment that could help your Frenchie live a better life.