Dog Insurance Is A Sensible Precaution

Most dog owners never consider dog insurance until they're faced with a large veterinary bill. And the fact is that you can never foresee when you'll need to seek veterinary care, or how much it will cost. Not infrequently, a visit to the vet to treat an injury or an unexpected illness can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Ouch!

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/Neutering: Unless you are a serious breeder then it is only ethical that you have your dog spayed or neutered. Your dog health insurance plan may cover up to 100% of the cost. And remember, having your dog fixed helps keep animal population under control and reduces the chances of dogs roaming the streets looking for a mate, often resulting in injuries due to fighting or other accidents.

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 Examination: Whether or not your vet has conned you into thinking that annual vaccinations are essential for your dog, the annual examination is a necessity. It will identify minor health problems before they become major health problems, and treatment can start while there's still a good prospect of success. Your dog insurance policy should cover the annual exam.

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.