Unexpected medical issues occur daily so our veterinarians recommend pet parents purchase insurance that is right for their four-legged family member’s breed, lifestyle, and personality.  Here are three reasons why you and Fluffy or Fido might benefit from purchasing a pet insurance policy:

  • Puppies and kittens are curious, fearless and know few boundaries.  They learn by exploring new and possibly unsafe spaces and by placing potentially hazardous items in their mouth.  The list of foods and plants that are toxic to pets is endless, holiday decorations – if ingested – can cause intestinal blockages, and electrical cords are a chewing hazard that can result in injury or electrocution.  Accident coverage is the most common type of pet insurance to help pay for veterinary care following a fall, toxin ingestion, or chewing or swallowing items that can damage the mouth, throat or stomach.
  • Some dog and cat breeds are prone to hereditary and/or congenital health issues, including cancer.  Popular brachycephalic (short-headed) breeds including English and French bulldogs, shih tzus, boxers, Pekingese, and Persian and Himalayan cats are at risk for upper airway abnormalities that can affect breathing.  Large breed dogs including retrievers, German shepherds, and mastiffs are susceptible to orthopedic conditions such as cruciate tears or hip and elbow dysplasia.   Retrievers, boxers, and Bernese mountain dogs are known to have higher incidents of cancer than many other dog breeds.  Although there are still exceptions, many pet insurance companies no longer deny coverage for breeds with known health issues.
  • A pet insurance plan can easily pay for itself if your pet develops a chronic illness like diabetes.  Chronic diseases can be very expensive to manage and treat and related medication expenses may become cost-prohibitive.  For example, a newly diagnosed diabetic will need a series of day-long, in-hospital stays to monitor glucose levels to determine the correct insulin dose.  As with a number of human insulin products, costs have skyrocketed for insulin products used by pets, and can range from $50-$200 for a month’s supply.

Not all pet insurance plans are alike so it’s important to ask about and receive written documentation of accident and/or wellness coverage, breed, hereditary, congenital disease or pre-existing condition limitations, deductibles and co-pays. 

We think pet insurance can be extremely useful in helping you afford needed medical care, especially accidental injuries and unexpected illnesses.  Doing your “homework” before selecting a pet insurance plan will go a long way towards ensuring your furry best friend has the coverage(s) needed to lead a happy and healthy life.  Please call us at (630)598-0600 if you have questions or need more information about pet insurance.