To Insure Or Not To Insure…Pros and Cons of Pet Insurance

If you are like most of the “pet people” I am proud to associate with, chances are there is no cost too big or too small when it comes to your four-legged companions.  But is pet insurance a gimmick or a good investment against going into debt to cover your pet’s medical needs? It is my hope that this post will help guide you in the direction that is best for you and your pet.

The pet industry is a $45 billion (yes, billion) industry. This may or may not be a surprise, but what you may not know is that approximately 27% – or about $12 million – of that $45 billion was spent on pet medical needs in 2009 alone. That’s an increase of 10% from 2008. The costs continue to creep up from $8.7 billion in 2005 and $9.4 billion in 2006. In fact, since 2000,  pet healthcare costs have inflated 80.4%. Keep in mind, this inflation only covers vet visits and treatments, NOT medication.

Do I Need It?

Maybe. Maybe not. The average lifetime premium of a pet insurance policy can range from $2000 to $6000 over the average life span of your pet. Being a doting pet parent, chances are you’ll probably never need to fork over that amount for medical treatment for your pet. But what if…?

Veterinarians have many new, technologically-advanced equipment and treatment options that were once reserved only for humans. For example, radiation treatments and even kidney transplants are now readily available for our pets. The costs for the treatments of these once terminal illnesses: between $1000 to more than $5000. MRIs are also now readily available to diagnose illnesses or problems that previously would have gone unnoticed. While these are medical milestones for our pets, the fact remains that they have driven the costs of veterinary care through the roof.

Is My Pet Covered?

Here’s where things tend to get a bit hairy when it comes to pet insurance. There are plenty of pet insurers out there who will give you a rundown on what their policies will or won’t cover. Here are a few of what appear to be industry “norms”:

• Most policies have deductibles, co-payments and annual caps of what they will pay.
• With the exception of Embrace Pet Insurance, most will not cover pre-existing or hereditary and chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia.
• The older your pet, the higher your premiums and most companies won’t insure a pet is older than nine.

What Happens If I Can’t Cover The Costs?

If you aren’t able to cover an emergency situation for your pet’s medical care, it may be wise for you to look into pet insurance but be sure to look before you leap:

• Like mama said – Shop Around: Policies vary widely and so do their premiums. Be sure to ask about deductibles, co-pays, and annual pay outs. Do they offer multiple pet discounts?
• Check with the state: Like their human counterparts, pet insurance companies should be registered with your state.
• Understand exclusions completely: what pre-existing, hereditary or chronic conditions are covered? Which ones aren’t?

The Bottom Line

Most experts will agree that for most pet owners, pet insurance will cost more than it will save. Responsible pet owners take their animals to the vet regularly, provide maintenance medication for heart worm and flea and tick control, control their pet’s diet, etc. All of these steps help to stave off more serious problems down the line.

Buying pet insurance is no different than buying home or auto insurance: you’re expecting your vet costs to be higher than your premium, deductible and co-pay. If you have a breed of animal prone to hereditary and/or chronic health problems that will cost your more in the long run, pet insurance may be your answer. If you have a “healthy” or hardy breed with little expectations of health problems, you’ll probably be fine without it.

Pet insurance tends to be a discussion-friendly topic – we welcome your comments and questions!

My Dog Needs More Fiber – But How?

While adding fiber to your dog’s diet isn’t necessarily a requirement, doing so can introduce a host of health benefits which include a reduced chance your pet will become obese, improved colon health and the prevention of constipation and even diabetes.

You may be thinking “I’m not changing my dog’s food or diet, it’s hard on their system.” Relax – you won’t need to. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet isn’t as difficult as it sounds and can be done by adding foods you have right in your kitchen like brown rice, canned pumpkin and fresh fruit and vegetables, making the whole experience quite pleasant for your pooch.

Foods to Help Increase Fiber Intake

One of the easiest ways to increase your dog’s fiber content is with brown rice. It’s true, white rice can provide fiber, but brown rice has roughly three times more fiber content. Because of this increased content, however, you want to add this to your dog’s diet gradually. Brown rice is considered a “neutral” food and is easily digested by most dogs. It can be given alone or mixed with raw or cooked ground beef. A reminder, carbohydrates should only make up 10-30% of your dog’s diet.

Another good source of fiber for your dog’s diet is canned pumpkin. Take note – we said canned pumpkin – NOT pumpkin pie filling. Plain canned pumpkin can be added (1 Tablespoon’s worth) to your dog’s food each day; canned pumpkin pie filling contains sugars and spices, like nutmeg, which can be fatal to your dog.

Moving on, fresh vegetables are yet another great source of fiber. Adding these to your dog’s diet may take a little extra work as you determine which ones are your dog’s favorite and which he could do without. Fresh vegetables are the ideal choice here, but canned vegetables will also do the trick as long as the sodium content is low. A tip, most dogs like peas, carrots and green beans; for smaller breeds, simply puree 1/8 to 1/4 cup and add to his food at feeding time. Your larger dog probably can most likely tolerate the larger chunks so you won’t need the added step of pureeing.

One last good source of fiber for your dog is apples. Apples are a great snack for you and your canine companion – so if you’re feeling hungry, split an apple with him. Not all fruits add fiber and not all are good for your dog. Bananas and apples are good, for example, but just seven grapes can be fatal. A tip: apples are also a great way to help keep those canine chompers clean!

As you can see from this post, adding fiber to your dog’s diet isn’t a stretch. Keep in mind that adding fiber is a good thing, but adding TOO much can cause problems, such as diarrhea which can in turn lead to dehydration.  As you increase your dog’s fiber intake, keep an eye on his bowel movements – if they become too soft or runny, decrease the fiber-rich foods by half until things are back to normal.

Does This Leash Make Me Look Fat?

You may think that the few extra pounds Fido or Fluffy are carrying around isn’t a problem, but depending just how many extra pounds we’re talking about, your pet could be considered overweight. Affecting 25% to 40% of the pet population, obesity is the number one nutritionally-related health condition plaguing dogs today.

Most pet owners don’t realize their four-legged companions are packing on the pounds until they are at the vet’s office for another reason. A steady diet of overeating and under-exercising begin to take its toll over time and the next thing you know your pet is unable to breathe and walk properly and experience a lower tolerance for activity and heat.

How Will I Know?

If it looks like your pet may be gaining a few extra pounds, of course you can decrease his caloric intake and increase his exercise, but it should be the vet’s final word that determines whether or not your fur baby is considered “obese.”

Your vet can conduct a series of tests to determine your pet’s obesity. These tests can include measurements of body weight and body condition or blood work and urinalysis to determine if there are medical conditions contributing to the weight gain. If there are other conditions found, this may lead other tests to determine the problem before setting your pet on a weight loss program. Other tests include your pet’s daily diet: type of food, how much, snacks and treats and of course, exercise.

My Pet Is Overweight, Now What?

There are many pet foods out there that can help you begin your pet on a weight loss program, but changing their food isn’t the only step. As with humans, burning more calories than you take in each day will cause you to lose weight. You can also increase your pet’s fiber and water intake.

Who Cares If My Pet is Fat?

It may seem harmless for your dog or cat to be “not fat but fluffy,” but there are many reasons that obesity can be dangerous for your pet. In dogs, for example, carry around extra weight can lead to arthritis and back problems – particularly in breeds that are already prone to these problems. And just like in their human owners, extra weight can lead to an abnormal glucose tolerance level that can result in diabetes.For your feline friends, they are also likely to develop arthritis, back problems and glucose issues, they also are prone to fatty liver disease, skin disorders and feline lower urinary tract disease. In both animals, extra pounds can mean shorter life span.

It is my hope that by reading this brief post, you will begin to analyze your pet’s diet and weight and work with your veterinarian to determine if your pet is obese. If she is, take the necessary steps to begin a weight loss program. If she’s not, continue what you’re doing and your pet can expect your pet to live a long, healthy and happy life.