If you have a furry, feathery, or scaled pet, chances are good that you purchase yummy snacks, plush beds, and a ton of toys to keep your best friend happy. But aside from all the enjoyable things, maintaining your pet’s health remains a key priority. This entails regular veterinary checkups and medical care if your pet is experiencing health issues.
However, the cost of caring for a pet can add up quickly. One option to reduce some of the cost of a pet’s medical treatment is through pet insurance. In this article, we’ll look at what a pet insurance policy can get you. Let’s dive right in!
Vision and Hearing Inspections
According to Forbes, 86.9 million (66%) American families have pets. Cats (46.5 million households) and freshwater fish (11.1 million households) are the next most common household pets in the United States, behind dogs (65.1 million households). Many people give their pets a lot of love and care and treat them like valued family members. And even if they spend a lot of time with their pet, it’s easy to overlook the first indications that their pet may not be hearing or seeing clearly.
Like humans, pets can develop hearing and vision problems. Therefore, examinations are essential for identifying conditions like cataracts and hearing loss that might not be obvious to the naked eye. Regular checkups can guarantee you discover any issues early on, making them simpler to cure and less expensive. Pets can lose hearing and vision at any point, although older pets are likelier to have specific eye diseases like macular degeneration treatment.
Since pets are skilled at memorizing their surroundings and can navigate the home if the layout stays the same, you may not notice your pet’s vision loss. This can occur even if your pet’s condition impairs its eyesight. You might notice that your cat has lost a substantial amount of sight due to the condition once they start acting erratically or strangely or frequently bumping into walls and other things.
According to Wag Walking, the average cost of treating macular degeneration in dogs is $500. But the good news is that you can get coverage for eye and hearing tests with true care pet insurance, which can help identify problems early on and avert more serious ones. You could also end up saving thousands of dollars.
Regular Vaccinations
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, vaccinations protect your pet against dangerous and highly contagious diseases and enhance its overall quality of life. Unvaccinated cats and dogs are susceptible to severe illnesses like distemper and rabies. Some diseases, like rabies, can be passed from pets to their owners. In addition to safeguarding your animal companions, pet vaccines also protect you from infectious diseases. Furthermore, some places demand that you vaccinate your pets before moving in.
But do true care pet insurance policies cover vaccinations? Yes, some pet insurance companies cover the cost of pet immunizations. It usually includes a regular maintenance schedule or a pet wellness program. Many pet owners choose holistic and alternative treatments for their four-legged companions.
True care pet insurance covers acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and herbal medicine. But, conventional insurance plans do not cover some of these procedures. This gives pet owners more treatment options and enables them to select the best action for their pet’s health. A great way to protect your pet is with a wellness plan that pays for vaccination expenses. And it’s okay if a wellness plan is outside your price range. You can arrange a payment schedule.
Protection Over Your Pet’s Health
Accidents and sickness are unforeseen occurrences. You have yet to determine when or how much such an event will cost. Medical treatment for such incidents is often expensive, sometimes costing pet owners thousands of dollars. Therefore, choosing a company offering the most significant accident and illness coverage for your pet is generally prudent. The main emphasis should be providing true care pet insurance for costly expenses that might overwhelm you. Some examples of sickness and accidents include:
- Broken bones, sprains, scratches, and foreign body ingestion
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Ailments and diseases
- Surgery
- Cancer
Additionally, veterinary malpractice can occur just like with human medical negligence. You can be entitled to compensation if poor care given to your pet causes illness or harm. Medical malpractice is covered by true care pet Insurance, giving you extra security in the case of an unanticipated outcome.
True care pet insurance further safeguards your pet’s health by providing coverage for a lost pet. The cost of looking for your beloved pet can quickly mount if it goes missing. The insurance coverage can reimburse you for advertising, flyers, and even reward money.
Reliable Grooming Services
Most people picture bows, brushes, and running after their pets when they think about grooming. Moreover, some people believe that pet grooming is not necessary. However, it is essential for a pet’s general health and well-being. Your pet shouldn’t be bouncing on your clean bed sheets or couch while it is filthy and stinky.
You can eliminate shedding, fleas, ticks, and other medical concerns by giving your pet suitable grooming. However, having a cute pet entails more than just grooming. You need to address possible unhealthy problems by grooming your pet. Additionally, you’ll be able to spot any diseases or underlying disorders early on.
True care pet insurance partially covers the cost of pet grooming, an incentive add-on to the basic coverage that sets them apart from the competition. Rewards aren’t a policy in and of itself; instead, it’s like a yearly savings account for your pet that you pay for on top of your regular monthly coverage. Examples are accident-only and accident and illness plans, eligible for a rewarding add-on in three tiers.
You might wonder if the wellness program is worthwhile if you pay an additional charge. Even if the typical dog haircut costs around $40 – $75, according to HomeGuide, this is still relatively affordable compared to your dog’s other expenses. A rewards program can provide a $250, $450, or $650 wellness allowance annually.
Additionally, true care pet insurance covers medical table upholstery and grooming services. When grooming a pet, this insurance is beneficial because it can prevent equipment damage for the veterinarian. So it is definitely worth it!
Parting Preparations
Losing a dog or cat is heartbreaking for most pet owners. Even though pet insurance can’t help with the emotional loss, it may lessen the financial burden by covering fees for euthanasia, pet cremation service, burial, or even a refund of the purchase price (depending on your pet’s age).
When applicable, the pet insurance policy’s ‘Death from Illness or Injury’ part will typically pay for your pet’s purchase price or donation cost if your pet passes away or needs to be put to sleep by a veterinarian as a result of an illness or injury. However, this coverage excludes pets above a particular age. You might have to provide the following:
- A vet’s certificate detailing the occasion and the reason for your pet’s demise
- A receipt for any fees associated with euthanasia, cremation, or burial
- A certificate of pedigree, if any
How Much Do Pet Euthanasia and Pet Cremation Services Cost?
When sickness, injury, or old age negatively impairs your pet’s quality of life and creates pain or suffering that can’t be treated or controlled, euthanasia is an injection that will put them to sleep gently and painlessly. Animals are typically put to sleep at a veterinarian’s office, though some make house calls so your pet can die comfortably. According to Daily Paws, individual cremations often cost between $50 and $150. And the price of euthanizing a dog or cat is about £60.
It is important to remember that some policies offer this coverage as a standard or an option, but most providers stop it once your pet becomes older. Check your policy wording to see if there is a restriction and when this age restriction will apply.
Protection From Wild Animals
Although you like your dogs, you can’t always keep them safe from outside threats. Coyotes and other wild animals can be a severe menace to your furry pals. Animal control services are covered by true care pet insurance, giving your pet extra security.
According to Bob Vila, homeowners nationwide spend $378 on average on wildlife removal from their homes, with costs typically ranging from $191 to $576. These services may be more affordable if you have insurance coverage to help with cost-sharing and offset expenses. Animal removal service may also help protect your pet from possible harm.
Insurance protection might provide peace of mind if your pet comes into contact with a wild animal and suffers injuries. Insurance coverage can guarantee that your pet receives the appropriate medical care, as the expense of veterinarian care for injuries caused by a wild animal assault can be enormous.
The ability to avert subsequent encounters is another advantage of having insurance coverage for animal control and removal services. Animal control might be able to set traps or take other precautions. This can help keep your pet safe and eliminate mishaps in the future.
Urgent Services
Occasionally, in addition to routine checkups and preventative treatment, your pet may need emergency medical intervention. Several urgent services, like emergency dentistry services, are covered by true care pet insurance, ensuring your pet can get the care they require immediately. Throughout their lifespan, your pet’s teeth require maintenance and care.
In fact, similar to human dental care, treating your pet’s oral diseases or injuries can be expensive. According to the Royal Veterinary College, 87% of dogs and 70% of cats contract a dental disease by age three, although many pet owners fail to notice it. Dental, periodontal, or gum disease is one of the most prevalent ailments affecting dogs and cats. Therefore, finding pet insurance covering dental ailments is a smart, proactive move because dental illnesses (and the vet fees accompanying them) are expensive to treat.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleanings?
Preventive care, often known as wellness care, includes dental cleanings. Although routine cleanings prevent dental health problems, general oral health and hygiene maintenance are not covered by pet accident & illness insurance plans. Your pet insurance coverage can cover dental cleanings, if necessary, as a part of the recommended care for a listed condition.
Some pet insurance companies include a wellness plan or wellness package for dental care to help with the cost of preventive care. Depending on the provider, you can buy this individually or as an addition to your insurance plan.
Does pet insurance cover dental extractions?
Your pet might need a tooth pulled for various reasons, such as periodontal disease or a dental injury from biting something dangerous. Pet insurance policies that offer dental illness coverage also cover tooth extractions due to accidents or illnesses. Other common diseases necessitating this operation include cracked teeth, tooth rot, and unerupted teeth (lodged below the gum line).
Vet fees for tooth extractions can be expensive without insurance. Coverage is essential for pet owners because the surgery necessitates cleaning, x-rays, general anesthesia, bloodwork, IV fluids, and post-surgical hospitalization, all of which total around $500 to $2500 per tooth, according to Betterpet. Therefore, you ought to get true care pet insurance to prevent unpleasant surprises when taking your pet to the veterinarian.
You don’t want to go broke trying to keep your dog or cat healthy if they get hurt or ill. Not to scare you, but vet bills and exam costs can quickly increase after an illness or emergency. Even when times are difficult, having pet medical insurance allows you and your furry buddy to breathe a little easier. True pet insurance is worth it!