There is no greater joy in the world than getting a new puppy or a sweet little kitten. They light up our lives, with their adorable, sweet faces. It goes without saying that our furry companions quickly become our full-fledged family members, who can tame our daily stress.
However, great responsibility comes with owning a pet and apart from all the comforts and essentials we buy to keep them happy, we must keep our pets healthy and safe too.
From regular vet visits, vaccinations, spaying, neutering to emergency medical treatments, providing the best healthcare for your pet is an essential part of their upkeep. During their lifetime, your pet may also show signs of a serious underlying condition you weren’t aware of, which is where pet insurance comes in handy.
In this article, we list the top reasons why new pet owners should get insurance coverage.
Accidents Happen
Puppies and kittens are famously known for their curiosity to explore the world around them and this can oftentimes cause them to do crazy things that may have serious consequences. This can be anything from eating random objects, playing roughly with other animals that can cause severe bite wounds, to succumbing to fracturing falls. These accidents might require the medical attention of a veterinarian and after the visit, you could be looking at a very high vet bill.
When such unexpected accidents do happen, comprehensive pet insurance can reassure you that you can provide the best help for your pet. Looking at leading pet insurance marketplaces like the Pawlicy Advisor pet insurance marketplace will allow you to compare, shop, and save on top-rated pet health insurance plans. In this way, you will be able to customize and buy your perfect pet insurance policy and access it immediately.
Pet insurance is crucial as an estimated 1 in 3 pets in the U.S. will require emergency veterinary treatment [mfn]https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/14/are-you-prepared-for-a-pet-emergency-most-americans-are-not.html[/mfn]. in any given year. Having this in mind, it’s more than likely that your new pet will face at least one significant accident or injury in its lifetime.
Unexpected Illnesses
Unfortunately, same as humans, animals can become susceptible to illness [mfn]https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-diseases[/mfn], especially as they age. Sickness and diseases don’t discriminate and may strike when you least expect them. Should your dog or cat fall ill suddenly and require urgent care from an experienced veterinarian, the vet costs may quickly add up and cause a serious headache.
This is especially true if immediate surgery from a specialist is required. It’s also important to stress that if an unforeseen dog disease and illness happens when your pet companion is young and the condition isn’t terminal, you may end up with considerable vet expenses.
A large number of pet insurance coverage plans cover a range of illnesses that strike pets at any age. Remember, however, that most pet insurance plans exclude coverage for pre-existing illnesses, so it’s essential to obtain your insurance plan before the pet falls ill.
Unpredictable Dog Attacks
We all know that our dogs love to play with other dogs when outside. However, sometimes things can get crazy in dog parks and other dogs might become aggressive causing a fight, which could leave your dog injured and in need of immediate medical attention.
Off-leash areas are popular among new pet owners but they come with the risk of random dog fight injuries that quickly result in expensive vet bills. Luckily, most pet insurance policies include such dog attacks and refer to them as accidental injuries, meaning that any physical injury or harm arising from an accident such as a fight or bite wound, can qualify for reimbursement when visiting the vet.
Hereditary & Breed-Specific Conditions
Once again, just like humans, certain health conditions can be passed down to animals by their parents. Some breeds are known to be more prone to developing certain conditions, diseases, and injuries than others.
Some hereditary or breed-specific conditions like hip dysplasia [mfn]https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_dg_hip_dysplasia.[/mfn] or epilepsy may show up early in their lives, while heart diseases, for instance, may not manifest until much later. Ongoing monitoring and treatment may be required for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether the pet is diagnosed with a hereditary or breed-specific condition, and this can be incredibly expensive.
Getting proper pet insurance will help you get ahead of these conditions and ensure your pet is covered for any vet-recommended treatments.
Final Thoughts
As a pet parent, you want your pet to have the very best life. This means helping them live a long healthy life and pet insurance is a tool that can help you achieve that. It will not only get you peace of mind but also serve as a safety net when unexpected and unfortunate accidents or illnesses happen.