Fall has arrived and so has the cooler air. Soon we will be shut inside for the long winter (those of us in the north). Before that happens make sure your pet's health needs have been taken care of. Fall is a good time to take your pet dog or cat to the veterinarian for a health checkup and get updated on all vaccines. This should be done annually for all pets and twice a year for elderly pets.
Veterinary care is not cheap. A physical and a vaccine or two can really hurt the pocketbook. The average owner of a cat or dog will spend over $1000 a year on a pet (includes food, supplies, vet care, etc.). Cat owners alone spent $8.8 billion on veterinary care last year. Mostly this was for two or three routine visits. About $179 was spent on preventive care and another $337 on surgical costs, totaling $516 per year. Veterinary care for dogs probably runs slightly more. The cost for pet health care has risen almost 5 times faster than that of human health care.
With pet health care costs on the rise and more and more people living on the borderline of financial trouble, pets' health care needs may be put on the back burner. Yet 2 out of 3 pets will be stricken with a serious illnes or injury during their lifetime and require costly veterinary care. Most pet owners do not know how they will pay for emergancy care or know about pet health insurance - they have no idea such a thing even exists, or if they do they are unaware of how it works. Of the 90.5 million cats living in 37.7 million American homes only 1% of cats have pet health insurance.
There are many types of pet insurances out there but most work in a similar fashion. The pet owner pays up front for veterinary care at the time care is rendered. They then fill out claim forms and send it into the insurance company for reimbursement. Costs for this insurance typically runs about $300-$400 a year. Coverage and policy types vary from company to company. You must read the policy thoroughly for the fine details of just what is covered.
There are some newer types of pet health care plans that offer discounts on vet care as well as on food and pet supplies. The pet owner pays an annual fee and receives discounts on products and services from participating veterinarians and vet hospitals. The coverage may include such things as lab fees, vaccinations, dental care, checkups, hospitalizations and boarding including medications and surgery, and spaying or neutering.
If none of these plans seem to fit your needs there is another option. You can set up a bank account with weekly or monthly deposits that is strictly to cover your pets' health care costs. Shop around to find a bank that offers free checking or savings accounts. Over the years, with regular deposits and with interest, the amount will grow to a sizable sum and should cover any medical problems that might occur to your pet.
To find a pet insurance company and policy that best fits your needs consult with your veterinarian who can recommend some that he or she is familar with. You can also surf the internet for information.
