Pet Insurance, Is it for You?

I have two dogs and a cat, and trips to the vet are an ongoing occurrence. Between pet meds, yearly physicals, shots and dental work, it can add up. They are expected expenses though, and I know they are part of being a pet owner. What about those unexpected expenses like if an animal gets sick or hit by a car? Traumatic injuries can be costly to fix, and treatments and medication for pets can be expensive as well.

My pets are like kids to me, and I will make sure they get the care that they need. The question comes in as to whether pet insurance is something that is beneficial or not. It’s something that you’re gambling on, just like your own life, that something will or will not go wrong. If nothing goes wrong and you don’t need the insurance, great. If something happens though, those extra expensive medical treatments could set you back a pretty penny.

In looking at different pet insurance companies, I found one that is the exclusive carrier for the United States Humane Society, which is a pretty big recommendation to carry! They are over at GoPetPlan.com, and are called PetPlan USA. Coverage is what it come down to. PetPlan USA gives their list of coverages here. They state a fact that every 6 seconds a pet owner is faced with a bill over $1,000 at the vet’s office.

Another company called Pet’s Best has a comparison chart so you can see what they offer versus one of their competitors VPI. Both plans run about $20 to $25 a month.

It comes down to knowing if pet insurance is for you…will that $20 extra dollars or so make the difference when your animal is ill or injured, yes. If it’s something that wasn’t needed, you’ve spent about $250 a year banking on it, but I’ll tell you what….I’ve easily spent $250 on a regular visit, so that extra added protection is something worth thinking about.

Flea Medication

So here’s the scoop, your dog and cat can’t take care of their fleas by themselves. They need your help, and they need you to do preventative care, so they don’t end up getting them! We currently use a popular flea medicine that you can buy at either the vet, online or pet store. You place the product on your pet monthly, and it keeps the fleas away. There are different brands and different pricing, but don’t just grab anything. Know what you are getting and how they work to control fleas.

Fleas prefer certain temperatures, and your dogs and cats make a great host for them. When they bite your pet, it causes them to feel itchy. Some animals are more sensitive to the bite and may have a stronger reaction. Fleas don’t fly, but can jump easily. Also, if a female flea lays eggs, there can be hundreds of fleas that will cause problems. The trick to dealing with fleas comes in the form of prevention!
Frontline, Advantage, Program and Advantix are all popular brands that you can get for your pet. You can get this flea medication over the counter at a pet store, online at pet suppliers, and at your local vet’s office. Many of these products are sold based on weight of the animal, so be sure to know what your animal weighs before buying the product. You do not need a prescription to purchase this product, as you may with heartworm medication.