Do Cats Need Pet Insurance?
When it comes to pet insurance for our beloved animals, many people seem to think that only pedigree dogs or maybe horses need insurance for medical purposes. Why is that? Because dogs are more active members of the family, and pretty much anything associated with horses is expensive? While this may be partly true, it may also be wise to take out pet insurance for your cat because medical procedures for felines may be just as expensive as they are for dogs.
Image by Joe Thomissen
How Insurance for Cats Can Help
Yes, cats are fairly independent creatures, but they have accidents too. Sometimes they don’t always land on their feet, and they may suffer injuries, or have internal problems such as urinary tract crystals or eating disorders. As a former veterinary technician’s assistant at an exclusively cat-serving clinic, I’ve seen cats come in with all sorts of problems.
Even things as basic as grooming or teeth cleaning (sometimes covered by select pet insurance plans) can cost a bundle, especially if a tooth needs to be extracted or there’s something wrong with your cat’s gums. Regardless of whether your cat is a free-roaming outsider or indoor-only home dweller, health problems need to be addressed before the cat’s condition worsens.
Emergency Medical Care Costs
One of the best things about pet insurance for cats is that it prevents you from having to shell out hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars in case of an emergency. Cat owners —any pet owners, for that matter— don’t ever want to be faced with the choice of either breaking the bank or having to put your pet to sleep because you can’t afford the treatment and procedures it’ll take to keep them alive. Pet insurance ensures that money is not the deciding factor in the question of your pet’s life or death.
Regular Veterinary Costs
Another thing to consider is that some pet insurance plans cover basic procedures such as spaying and neutering or teeth cleaning and yearly check-ups. Again, while cats may not be as dependent on their human companions as dogs, they still need to be taken to the veterinarian once per year (at minimum) to make sure everything is still in order and functioning properly.
Spotting a problem early on can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of your cat, especially if it’s something only an experienced professional would detect (for example, a tooth problem might appear to be minor, but dealing with it now could prevent eating problems due to mouth soreness, gum problems, and overall discomfort).
Pet Insurance Premiums
The younger your cat is, the cheaper the insurance premium will tend to be. The cost of pet insurance is usually low enough to make it seem worth the premium, in comparison to the amount you’d have to pay out if your pet suffers a medical emergency or needs an expensive treatment.
Pet insurance may not be the optimal choice for every pet owner, but don’t discount it as a possibility until you’ve looked into the idea. Cat owners can benefit from having pet insurance, and cats are prone to their own set of health problems just as any other animal.
Related posts:
- Cats or Dogs? A Pet Insurance Perspective
- Preventative Care: Keeping Veterinary Costs Low for Your Cat
- Do You Need Cat Insurance?
- Pet Insurance Coverage: Discover the Perfect Plan
- The Importance of Regular Dental Care for Your Pet
This article is opinion only and should not be taken as financial advice.
Filed Under: Insurance Tips
