The deep emotional bond we share with our dogs and cats is one of life’s most simple pleasures. In return for unconditional love, many pet owners do everything they can to ensure their dogs and cats have long, productive, and healthy lives.

Just as health care technology has dramitically advanced, so has veterninary science. Illnesses previously untreatable even 10 years ago are now routinely resolved, thereby helping out pets live longer lives.

Costs of Veterinary Care Continue to Rise

Much like the human health care sector, medical care breakthroughs result in higher costs for vets and pet owners alike. Conservatively, veterinary costs have risen over 60% in the past five years, per the American Kennel Club. Conditions that normally went undiagnosed and untreated are now becoming routine.

The increased cost of veterinary care is an important issue for many pet owners.

One of our neighbors recently incurred a $2100 veterinary bill to treat his German Shepard’s hip dysplacia. Similarly, another friends cat developed a stubborn urinary tract infection, necessitating lengthy diagnostic and follow up treatment, to the tune of $1400.

What is Pet Insurance, and Does it Make Sense For You?

In Europe, pet insurance has been common for decades, but is relatively new to the United States and Canada. The main purpose of pet insurance is to reduce the financial risk of caring for your pet. Also, it eliminates the agonizing decision of having to choose between treating your pet’s illness or injury vs. your finances.

Just like health insurance companies, pet insurance companies differ in what they offer and cover. Some pet insurance policies will only pay for pets below a certain age. Others have numerous deductibles and restrictions, depending on multiple factors.

Anyone considering pet insurance should ask themselves this question: “Will I devote a reasonable amount of time and money to treat and heal my pet?”. If your answer is “yes”, you’re a good candidate for pet insurance. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to choose between finances and their pet’s health. Worse, other pet owners view their pets as disposable, and simply won’t treat the animal if it becomes too ill.

Typical Plans and Costs

Pet insurance plans cost basically the same for cats and dogs. Most start at $10 per month, with a nominal deductible, usually $50. Senior pets, if insurable, cost somewhat more, typically $25-$35 per month. At this time, we only know of one company that accepts senior pets, normally defined as age 8 and above.

Remember, pet insurance is designed to help you and your pet through significant illnesses and injuries. It’s easy to budget for routine expenses like annual check-ups, shots, flea preventative, etc. Some pet insurance plans offer discounts on routine care, but be prepared to use a contracted (network) veterinarian, similar to a PPO/HMO set up for humans.

Two Real Life Financial Examples

A business associate told us of his two beloved pets, 6 year old cat “Whiskers” and his 12 year old border collie mix “Diamond”. Whiskers was diagnosed with an ongoing respiratory ailment, and just a few months later, Diamond was found to have a malignant tumor and needed immediate treatment. Luckily, he had taken out pet insurance on both pets just months before Whiskers’ visit to the vet. With coverage through Instant Pet Insurance, he was paying $9.95/mo. for Whiskers and $29.95/mo. for Diamond, less a small multi-pet discount. All told, Whiskers veterinary bills totaled $1330, and Diamond racked up an $1100 tab.

The veterinarian who treated both Diamond and Whiskers submitted each bill directly to the pet insurance company. Although they were obviously seperate instancest, the total vet bills amounted to roughly $3100. The pet insurance plan covered $2850, the difference being a $50 deductible for Whiskers (adult cat) and a $200 deductible for Diamond (senior dog). Total out-of-pocket costs to treat both pets was a very manageable $250.

Researching Pet Insurance

When researching pet insurance companies, make sure the policy fits your needs and the needs of your pet. If you’re comfortable budgeting for the routine pet health expenses like check ups, flea preventative, etc. then there’s no need to pay a pet insurance company for those expenses. You may want to consider choosing a pet insurer that protects you from large, unplanned veterinary expenses.

If you determine pet insurance is right for you and your pet, here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right policy for you and your pet:

1. Look for Guaranteed Acceptance, no matter your pet’s age. 2. The ability to use the veterinarian of your choosing. 3. Fixed Premiums/Deductibles: Your premium shouldn’t increase as your pet ages. 4. Unlimited Accident Coverage: Accidents happen, particularly with pets.

Many people could not contemplate a life without their dog as they see them as more than a family member but as a regular companion that they may not have ever experience in another human being. Probably one of the most relaxing things a person can do is walking with their dog; perhaps throwing a stick for them to fetch but they are just as happy sitting at your feet after a long day. They are a loved and valued member of the family, one that doesn’t get annoyed because they have lost their favorite shoes or that they haven’t had that bath you promised.

Considering all these facets of a pet it is our duty to ensure that we try and show our pet some of the care and concern that they feel for us and dog insurance can be one of the best ways to show that we care. Pet insurance providers know how important pets are to people and can arrange a large number of health plans that can cover almost every type of situation. These dog insurance policies make it easy for the owner to look after their pet without any financial concerns bothering them.

Advancements in medical science even for pets has advanced so that many situations that only a few short years ago could not be treated, are now routine but they come at a high price. These medical advancements have lead to treatments hitherto reserved for humans like organ transplants and replacements for old or damaged hips. Some dog conditions are genetic like heart enlargement, epilepsy and even hip dysplasia.

Unfortunately many conditions that dogs suffer from, only happen after a set age and are not visible when they are young but by the time they do appear the dog is a much loved family member. This type of dog insurance plan does mean that providing health care for them does not become a matter of financial worry, frustration or even stress which is something some dog owners feel when it comes to paying out thousands of dollars for medical treatment. Dogs, no matter how well looked after do require regular checks for the many other problems they can be prone to: like mites, worms and vaccinations plus having their teeth cleaned for example.

All these processes form an integral part of the dog’s regular check up by the vet so dog health insurance often covers the necessary processes thereby enabling the owner to provide the best care for his beloved pet. Our dog may not fully understand the lengths you are going to for their good health but it does mean they should have a long carefree life with you. If you are not sure where to start in your search for a good plan then ask some of your neighbors who have dogs and see if they can advise you on a dog insurance plan that will cover everything discussed here.

Although the number of pet owners in the States is on the rise, most of those owners will not obtain pet insurance; strange when you consider how attached people become to their animals and treating them like family members. When it comes to looking after our own health needs, we do not forget how important it is; we should, therefore, not neglect our pets this way.

Contrary to the belief of many, this is an important monthly expense; this attitude quickly changes when these pet owners are presented with the bills for treatment. Vet costs have risen tremendously over the last decade; of course the knock-on effect has been a rise in pet insurance premiums.

Pet health cover costs, like many other types of insurance plans, are on the increase; this should really be enough to make you think twice about delaying but this isn’t the only reason. Unfortunately, domestic animals become sick from time to time or are involved in an accident; this invariably happens at the worst times, financially.

If you are in this unenviable position then a choice may have to be made; the last thing you want to think about is how you will pay for your animal to have urgent treatment.

I had doubts about treating our dog some time ago when he was involved in an accident; I have to admit to asking myself at the time if we could justify the expense. To make matters worse, there is always a chance you pet still won’t survive; however, you will still have to pay for the cost of treatment.

If you have a pet, then the cost of maintaining their health is a serious matter; when money problems occur, temporary or otherwise, this causes further worries. If you are experiencing money worries then raising additional finances can prove embarrassing.

Ensuring your pet receives the treatment it requires should be every owners aim; a pet insurance plan will mean this type of situation does not occur again. The choice is yours, large vet bills or a pet healthcare insurance policy; plans are still affordable, especially when you consider the alternative.

Various pet healthcare insurance options are available; this can even extend to offering multi-pet discounts. All pet owners should think carefully about what healthcare provision they have made for their pet; perhaps the information supplied here has made things are a little clearer now and you won’t delay further.