As a pet owner, it goes without saying that you want the very best for your four-legged family members. You would do anything within your means to give them the highest quality care available, in sickness and in health. Opting for pet insurance or the benefits of pet insurance is one sure way to ensure you’re always able to deliver on that promise, no matter what your financial situation may be. Here are a few reasons pet insurance is a must.
Contents
1. Accidents and illnesses happen.
When Fifi and Fido are young, spry, and appear to be in optimum health, it’s difficult to imagine they might ever require urgent medical care. But if tomorrow Fido were to gobble up a house slipper or Fifi happened to take a long fall from her favorite perch, things could really escalate quickly. Cue an emergency trip to the vet’s office.
Aside from any actual surgical procedure, treatment for an unexpected illness or injury would also likely involve charges for X-rays, anesthesia, labwork, hospital stays, rehab therapy, prescription meds, and any number of other services. Are you one of the 61 percent of Americans who doesn’t have enough savings on hand to cover such an expense?
2. Chronic illness can lead to difficult decisions.
While most pets will experience the occasional scrapes and sicknesses, many will also develop more serious diseases or ailments, particularly later in life when pet insurance will be much more expensive to acquire.
In addition to the expenses already mentioned, a serious chronic condition could require diagnostics, specialized care, expensive medications or treatments, and other procedures that could easily soar on up into the thousands of dollars. As a result, parenting a pet who’s facing a life-threatening condition has the potential to cause you to have to ask yourself some hard questions.
Do you dip into an emergency fund earmarked to protect your family in times of crisis? Or would you be forced to make the difficult decision of saying goodbye to your beloved companion, simply because the cost of treatment would be devastating to your finances?
3. Preventative care can prolong pets’ lives.
At the very least, vets suggest that all pets (even those who live indoors) receive an annual wellness exam and vaccines, as well as lab tests to check for diseases caused by heartworms, ticks, and a variety of intestinal worms. Yet 25 percent of families aren’t able to comply with these recommendations due to financial limitations.
Not only do routine check-ups and vaccinations keep your pet protected, they can result in early detection that could reduce both the severity of a disease and the cost of treatment. Pets deserve to be healthy and safe year-round, and pet insurance helps remove the financial excuse from the equation.
4. Comprehensive care is available.
The three reasons listed above are likely ones you’ve already considered when deciding whether or not pet insurance is an essential coverage to carry. But there are a number of other services that the right pet insurance can offer to you and your furry friend.
In addition to preventative and emergency care, some pet insurance companies also cover things like dental and gum disease, as well as treatment for behavioral issues. The best advice is to carefully research your options to find affordable coverage that best allows you to give your pet the pumpkin care it deserves.
The Bottom Line
Purchasing pet insurance is the perfect way to ensure that your pet receives everything he or she needs to live a long, healthy, and happy life. There’s no better feeling than the peace of mind that comes with protecting your pet (and your budget) from the unexpected.
