Indeed, pet insurance does exist for your furry friends that you adore! Why should I subscribe my pet for insurance? For the same reasons that we use our own insurance (accidents, diseases and others).
Is my animal a good candidate for pet insurance?
Of course! Every animal at any age can benefit from insurances. Here are a few reasons why you should think about subscribing your pet:
1. You own an ''at risk'' breed :
Bracycephalic breeds that are predisposed to respiratory problems and heat strokes (Pugs, French and English bulldogs etc).
Deep-chested breeds that are predisposed to gastric dilatation and volvulus (Doberman, Great Danes etc).
Dogs with fine bones and slender legs that are predisposed to radius-ulnar fractures (Italian Greyhounds, Whippets etc.).
Chondrodysplastic breeds that are predisposed to herniated discs (dachshunds etc.).
Breeds that are predisposed to cardiac diseases (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sphynx, Bengal etc.).
Large dog breeds that are predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia (German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Bernese Mountain dog etc.).
Breeds predisposed to ruptured cruciate ligaments (Labrador, Pitbull etc.).
Breeds predisposed to patellar luxation (Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire etc.).
Large or giant breeds – medication is often calculated according to weight; the bigger the dog, the bigger the dose!
2. Bone fractures during a fall (your tiny dog fell off the bed, or from your arms; you live on the 7th floor and your cat fell from the balcony).
3. Animals that ingest thread socks, ear plugs or any other foreign bodies (even an accumulation of hairball can cause an obstruction!)é
4. Owning multiple animals… pets aren’t cheap; imagine having to care for three cats, two dogs and a ferret all in the same household!
5. Preventative dental cleanings, dental extractions and dental x-rays.
6. Urinary infections, blockages, crystals or bladder stones.
7. Bacterial dermatitis (allergies or dogs with a lot of skin folds).
8. Corneal ulcers (your cat and dog are playing together and suddenly a claw scratched an eye by accident, ouch!).
9. Rat poison ingestion (you didn’t think your cat would have access to it, but he ate it anyway because it tastes good!).
10. Overall, diseases and accidents can happen unexpectedly at anytime!
Having your pet covered by insurance can help ease the mind and makes difficult decisions much easier during stressful events. I often hear clients say ‘’I would do anything to save my animal’’, followed by ‘’but a $5000 bill simply does not fit into by budget, I have no idea what to do…’’. When your pet is insured, you don’t need to be torn between two impossible decisions: caring for your pet or the unthinkable.
There are many pet insurance companies that exist. The majority of them cover up to 80% of costs. Each company offers different plans, so there is one that fits perfectly for you and your pet’s needs! It is much easier to put aside an amount of money each month than to be faced with a heavy bill due to an emergency.
Here are some insurance companies to discover:
1) Trupanion
2) Desjardins
3) Petsecure
4) Pets + us
Ask your veterinarian if your animal is eligible for a 6 week free trial period. I recommend that you chose a plan appropriate for you, have fun doing your research!
Make sure that you bring the insurance form for your next veterinary visit.
Isabelle Ladouceur
Certified animal health technician supervisor
Assistant technician supervisor
Fear free certified