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.

The Most Common Dog Health Issues

There comes a time when you start asking yourself if Fido is healthy and what to do in case your furry friend falls ill. Knowing a bit about the most common dog conditions is always helpful for catching the symptoms early and diagnosing these problems. Moreover, the earlier you take your dog to the vet, the less costly treatments will be, especially if you also get pet insurance.

What Are the Most Common Dog Conditions?

While there are certain conditions that prevail in specific dog breeds, there are also some health problems that usually top the list regardless of the dog’s pedigree. Here are some of the most frequent dog health problems.

Digestive Problems

Digestive problems are some of the most common reasons dog owners visit the vet’s office. These problems can be accompanied by different symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting and may have different causes. After examining the dog and carrying out certain tests, if necessary, the vet can establish the potential cause and recommend a treatment.

Ear Infections

Dogs, especially those with long ears can often develop ear infections due to improper hygiene or other problems such as allergies. While it’s important to keep the dog’s ears dry inside when you wash them, it’s equally essential to go to the vet if the dog scratches their ears or has a discharge. 

Eye Conditions

There are many conditions that can affect dogs’ eyes such as cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, corneal ulcer, cherry eye, and others. Some of these only require eye drops as treatment, which you should easily be able to find in any vet’s office.

Skin Conditions and Allergies

Many dogs experience skin rash due to different underlying conditions. Allergies are one of the most common causes of skin problems. Some dogs are intolerant to certain types of foods and need specific diets to mitigate their skin eruption. Based on the pet’s breed and symptoms, the vet will be able to indicate the best treatment.

Arthritis

This problem usually occurs in dogs as they get older. Arthritis affects the joints that are subject to inflammation and degeneration. Larger dogs are more prone to suffer from this disease due to their size and the weight their ligaments have to bear. There are different preventive measures to help postpone the onset of this disease, such as swimming, exercising, and giving your dog healthy and balanced food.

Cancer

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from cancer. This disease often affects older dogs and one of the most frequent types of cancer among these pets is skin cancer. Therefore, check out the dog’s skin regularly and schedule an appointment with the vet if you see any strange lumps or spots.

UTI

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in dogs, especially in older ones. Just like in humans, the signs of infection include blood in the urine or frequent urination. If your dog shows these symptoms or seems to experience pain while urinating, it’s time for a vet visit.

Other Common Health Problems Affecting Dogs

Flea and Ticks

There are many treatment types for these pesky parasites that make Fido scratch continuously. Left untreated, fleas and ticks can cause other health problems such as infections.

Kennel Cough

This common condition is very contagious. Dogs, even those living indoors, can catch it during their daily walk. As the name indicates, this disease leads to coughing. The good news is that there is a vaccine for it.   

Obesity

While obesity is not a condition itself, it can cause or aggravate multiple health problems such as arthritis or heart disease. If your dog is overweight or obese, a vet can recommend a specific diet that can help them lose weight and avoid more serious health problems further down the line.

Parasitic Worms

One of the common threats dog owners dread is heartworm. This is a parasite that can be transmitted by mosquitos if the dog gets bitten. The parasite can reach the heart and cause complications. This disease usually occurs when traveling in areas where it is present. There is a preventive treatment for this parasite.

 

Bone Fractures

Dogs can get bone fractures during accidents or even while at play. If your dog is limping or whining when you touch them, it could be suffering from a bone fracture.
 

Dog Treatment Costs

While some medical costs associated with dog health problems are lower than others, it’s always useful to have pet insurance to cover a part of these expenses. Here are some approximate medical costs related to dog health care.

·         X-rays: $250 -$500 (based on their number)

·         CT scans: $1,000 - $3,000

·         MRI: $3,000 - $4,500

·         Laser therapy: $300 - $400

·         Acupuncture therapy: $80-$100

·         Allergy tests: $300

·         Infection treatment: $200

·         Surgery:  $3,000 - $10,000 (depending on the condition)

How to Treat and Prevent Common Dog Health Issues

Each health problem dogs can suffer from requires different treatment and only a specialist can give you the precise medication or recommend a certain type of intervention.

For example, cancer in dogs has the same treatment types as in humans (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.). For allergies and infections, vets can prescribe medication. Obesity and some skin problems can be treated with specific diets.

No matter the disease, it’s important to go to the vet as soon as the first signs appear so that they can diagnose the condition fast and start administering the necessary treatment.

Since the cost of medical health care for dogs can be overwhelming, it’s important to get pet insurance. Dog insurance only costs around $50 per month and it can help you pay for a wide number of injury and disease-related veterinary costs.

Conclusion

There are many types of conditions that can affect dogs, from infections to skin problems and more serious diseases such as arthritis or cancer. These conditions can require thousands of dollars in treatment, which is why it’s worth getting pet insurance to be able to partially cover these costs. 
 Maximize Your Dog's Health with Pet Insurance Comparison

As a dogowner, it's essential to prioritize your furry friend's health. Unexpected veterinary expenses can quickly add up and put a strain on your finances. That's why dog insurance comparison is a smart choice. By comparing top dog insurance policies, you can find the best dog insurance coverage for your dog. With the right policy, you can ensure that you're always prepared to provide the best possible care for your furry friend.

The Benefits of Dog Insurance Comparison

Comparing dog insurance options is essential to finding the best coverage for your dog. Not all dog insurance policies are created equal, and some may not cover the services you need. dog insurance comparison allows you to compare policies side-by-side, so you can see which ones offer the best value for money. It's also a great way to learn about different policy features, such as annual deductibles, co-payments, and reimbursement limits.

Having dog insurance can provide numerous benefits for a dog

 owners. With dog insurance, you don't have to worry about how you'll pay for unexpected veterinary expenses. Whether your cats need emergency surgery or a routine check-up, you can get the care they need without worrying about the cost. With pet insurance comparison, you can find the best pet insurance coverage to suit your needs, so you can provide your pet with the best possible care.

Maximize Your Dog's Health with Pet Insurance Comparison

As a dogowner, it's essential to prioritize your furry friend's health. Unexpected veterinary expenses can quickly add up and put a strain on your finances. That's why dog insurance comparison is a smart choice. By comparing top dog insurance policies, you can find the best dog insurance coverage for your dog. With the right policy, you can ensure that you're always prepared to provide the best possible care for your furry friend.

The Benefits of Dog Insurance Comparison

Comparing dog insurance options is essential to finding the best coverage for your dog. Not all dog insurance policies are created equal, and some may not cover the services you need. dog insurance comparison allows you to compare policies side-by-side, so you can see which ones offer the best value for money. It's also a great way to learn about different policy features, such as annual deductibles, co-payments, and reimbursement limits.

Having dog insurance can provide numerous benefits for a dog owners. With dog insurance, you don't have to worry about how you'll pay for unexpected veterinary expenses. Whether your cats need emergency surgery or a routine check-up, you can get the care they need without worrying about the cost. With pet insurance comparison, you can find the best pet insurance coverage to suit your needs, so you can provide your pet with the best possible care.

Dog Insurance Wellness Plans

Dog insurance helps you pay the vet bills easier if your pet is injured or ill. However, this is all you get from basic insurance plans – accidents and disease coverage, whereas the most common vet services your furry friend probably needs are not related to these circumstances, but to routine care. Pampering your pet every now and then with a grooming session, having their teeth cleaned in the vet’s office, or providing them the regular parasite protection they need are services you can’t get reimbursed for with basic pet insurance. So, the best dog insurance companies decided to create special insurance add-ons called wellness plans. Learn what wellness dog insurance offers and how it works. 

What Is a Pet Wellness Plan?

Pet wellness insurance has become increasingly popular over the past years. However, many pet owners find it hard to understand what differentiates this insurance plan from the rest. If you have a canine companion and you want to take out dog wellness insurance, you will get coverage for preventive health care, which includes, among others, routine checkups, deworming, or vaccinations. Some wellness plans also cover additional services related to your dog’s well-being and looks, such as dental cleaning. A wellness policy can also grant you discounts for different other vet services your pet might regularly require. 

Regularity is also the reason why you should opt for a wellness plan. These insurance policies cover most of the vet expenses related to preventive care, such as regular checkups and vaccinations, which ensure your dog is and remains healthy in the long term.

The key difference between wellness coverage and regular pet insurance is that the first doesn’t include emergency care and medical treatments for diseases. Therefore, you should consider getting both types of insurance. One will help you avoid unpredictable and often large fees related to accidents or sudden illnesses and the other will help you provide your dog constant care so they live a long and healthy life.  Both insurance types enable you to pay a small monthly fee instead of an exorbitant amount, which often becomes the case if a dog is diagnosed with a severe condition or is badly injured in an accident. 

Routine Care and Wellness Plans Advantages 

Preventive care or routine care and wellness plans refer to the same type of insurance policy that has you covered for services other than those related to accidents or illness. Some companies refer to these as preventive care or routine care plans because this is precisely what they aim to do – cover treatments and services that can maintain your dog’s health and prevent them from falling ill. Preventive care is essential to helping your dog live healthily and happily. It enables the vet to catch diseases early through regular screenings, vaccinations, deworming, bloodwork, and exams and intervene in time before your dog becomes ill.  

These plans help you avoid spending more money in the future if your dog develops a disease. The early a condition is diagnosed, the less money it takes to treat it or alleviate the symptoms. Even with basic pet insurance, you normally won’t get covered for the entire amount you spend at the vet, but only for a certain percentage and up to a specific coverage limit, depending on how you customize the insurance plan. So, if your pet gets ill, you might end up with a hefty bill, which can be avoided if you practice preventive care and take your pet to the vet for regular checkups. 

Besides prevention, wellness plans also include a series of services that help your canine companion look and feel great, such as grooming, nail clipping, or flea and tick control. Certain therapies such as behavioral therapies can also be included in these plans. 

The bottom line is that wellness plans get you covered for almost every type of common vet expense besides those related to accidents and illness, which is why it’s worth paying extra to get one. These dog insurance plans are all the more useful if you have a breed with long hair that often needs grooming or a small breed that can easily develop eye or skin conditions, such as pugs or french bulldogs.  

What Does Wellness Insurance for Dogs Cover?

Wellness dog insurance can cover a wide range of vet expenses. Vaccines and booster shots are some of the most common ones you should find in any preventive care plan. These include the most important vaccines such as those for canine distemper, rabies virus, or hepatitis. Parasite protection, deworming, heartworm tests, and fecal exams are other essential preventive care costs this type of insurance covers. Spaying and neutering are also included, alongside microchipping, and dental cleaning. Routine checkups, regular blood tests, grooming, and nail trimming are also typically covered. Some behavioral therapies and training services can sometimes qualify as eligible expenses too. Some companies also offer discounts on additional vet services if you purchase their wellness policies. 

Who Should Use Wellness Dog Insurance?

Anyone who wants to offer their pet the right care, spot and treat health problems in time or prevent their onset should get this type of dog insurance.

Since some dog breeds require more care due to their appearance (e.g. long-haired dogs) or common heredity conditions and predispositions to certain diseases, some pet owners can benefit more from this type of insurance because they are more likely to visit the vet regularly. Pet owners who normally spend around $400 - $500 per year on routine care should consider taking out wellness plans to get access to more services while lowering their annual vet expenses. 

Also, if you have a puppy, a wellness plan can benefit your pet and pocket because there are several vet costs you must factor in from vaccinations to spraying or neutering, different tests your pet might require, deworming, and, regular checkups, which are highly recommended during the puppy's first year. 

Small dog breeds can cost their owners over $2,500 for first-year preventive care and the costs typically increase with the dog's size. You can easily end up paying over $3,000 for a medium or large dog only in its first year. A wellness plan can cover all the routine costs puppies need during their first months and afterward. The monthly premiums are only a fraction of the average annual cost you would pay otherwise.

How Does a Dog Insurance Wellness Plan Work? 

This type of pet insurance works like regular insurance, that is, you choose your desired plan and make monthly payments after you sign up. The monthly premiums are paid as an addition to your basic insurance plan. Before you choose a preventive or wellness care plan, you should compare different options and see what each policy covers, as well as the annual payout limits and reimbursement rates. 

To get reimbursed for eligible expenses, you typically have to provide the invoices or the paperwork your vet gives you after visiting their office and then submit your reimbursement claim attaching the proof of payment. Most insurers offer a streamlined reimbursement procedure you can handle entirely online from your policyholder account on the company’s website or mobile app. The waiting time to get reimbursed varies. It usually takes around a week to receive the money in your account. 

Routine care plans are usually added to regular plans, so you benefit from full coverage if you also opt for one of these as your dog will be insured for any expenses from accidents to illnesses, annual checkups, vaccinations, and so on. 

Only a few insurers allow pet owners to purchase wellness plans without signing up for a standard insurance policy first. 

To make sure you can benefit from wellness coverage, when you take out pet insurance, first check if the company also offers this type of dog insurance plan. You will have to sign up for accident and illness coverage first and you wouldn't want to start paying your premiums to find out only later that the company doesn't cover routine care. 

Unlike standard pet insurance which helps you manage unexpected vet expenses, wellness insurance is designed to help you cover predictable annual costs. Wellness-related expenses are usually easier to anticipate and these policies can be used at any time without co-payments and deductible. However, most insurance companies do have a maximum reimbursement limit for eligible expenses. These limits can range from $250 to $450 per item or treatment per year. Other companies also apply an annual limit on the total annual coverage, which is usually between $450 and $600.

Wellness Pet Insurance Prices

Wellness insurance costs vary depending on the plan you choose and how many services it covers. Some of the best dog insurance companies even offer several wellness plan options. 

You can expect to pay from $20 to $50 per month for the average wellness insurance. Some policies cost more because they offer more extensive coverage and could amount to approximately $650 per year, which is still less compared to the total yearly amount you would pay by adding all the individual vet services your pet needs throughout the year.

Many insurers also offer different discounts to pet parents who enroll more than one pet or those who fit into different professional categories.