Dog Insurance: Why You Should Have Dog Health Insurance
Have you ever considered getting dog insurance to cover the medical expenses and veterinarian care that your dog or puppy may need in the near future? The truth is that most pet owners do not consider taking out dog health insurance until they experience an unplanned visit to the veterinarian to treat an injury or illness, which ends up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
How easy would it be your dog or puppy to break his leg? It happens every day, regardless if these pets stay indoors or are allowed to roam free in the yard. And can you guess how much it will cost you out-of-pocket? The average veterinarian costs for a broken bone is around $900. The monthly premium for dog insurance is pennies compared to such an expense for medical care.
Dog Insurance Options
Look into the different types of dog insurance plans available. The same as with other types of insurance, dog insurance policies do vary, so it’s wise to compare a couple before you buy. All good dog insurance policies should cover the following items:
Spaying or Neutering: Only professional breeders and other dog owners who show their dogs professionally are exempt from the obligation to spay or neuter their dogs. All other dog owners should take it as an absolute obligation, so as to avoid any more unwanted dogs in this world. There are many other good arguments for spaying and neutering beyond the scope of this article, but suffice to say, spaying or neutering your dog is important. And it is likely to be covered by any good dog insurance plan.
Prescription Flea Control: Many over-the-counter flea control products do not work on every dog. Fleas are not only a nuisance to your pet, they can also cause warms and serious skin conditions. Dog insurance plans may be able to cover the costs of more potent, prescription-only flea control products.
Annual Exam Costs: Even if your dog is 100% healthy, he should still be taken to the veterinarian annually for a complete checkup. Why spend this money out of your pocket when dog insurance can cover the fees each year?
Heartworm Treatment: If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm, immediate treatment is required. And it’s expensive. Although it’s certainly by far preferable to avoid the heartworm infestation in the first place by using heartworm prevention, your dog insurance should in fact cover the cost of heartworm treatment should the need ever arise.
Lab Costs: Blood tests and other lab work is covered by most dog health insurance plans. You never know when your vet may want to order blood work - especially if serious diseases are suspected, such as diabetes or heartworm.
Teeth Cleaning: Having your dog’s teeth cleaned probably never occurred to you, but this service is something you can take advantage of by enrolling in a dog insurance plan. It is refreshing to know that you can have your dog or puppy’s dental work maintained and keep his gums and teeth healthy for years to come.
Hospitalization Costs: As mentioned previously, accidents do happen and should your dog suffer a broken leg or get diagnosed with a serious illness, the high fees of hospitalization time can be enormous. Instead of paying thousands of dollars out of your pocket, you can be worry-free knowing that these fees are taken care of by your dog insurance coverage.
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