Most pet lovers consider their pets to be part of the family, and that means taking care of their health needs just as you would for yourself or someone you love. Whether you’re hiking the Ridgeline Trail with your dog or cuddling with your cat while watching the rain, knowing you’re prepared for pet health emergencies can make those moments even more enjoyable.
The Cost of Caring
Our furry friends bring immeasurable joy to our lives, but they can also bring significant expense. Does pet insurance make sense? While specific data for Lane County is not readily available, national statistics give us a general idea of pet care costs. According to the 2023-2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, Americans spent $147 billion on pets in 2023. Estimates vary, but each dog or cat can cost a few hundred dollars initially on one-time costs (litter box, vaccinations, collar, leash, carrier, crate, toys) plus additional ongoing expenses for training classes, food, treats, litter, etc.
Unexpected veterinary expenses can be significant, too, from a few hundred dollars for an emergency visit to several thousand dollars for care of an acute condition. Pet care has advanced to the point where pets can be treated for serious issues in similar ways that humans can — and specialized pet care has similar high costs. That means veterinarians often see pet owners facing difficult financial decisions during health emergencies. Just as with human care, having a plan in place for unexpected veterinary expenses, whether through savings or insurance, can reduce stress during these challenging times.
Pleasant Hill resident Kelly Taylor-Miner and her wife have had several dogs. They first got temporary pet insurance when they adopted their Australian shepherd–border collie mix, Scully, from Greenhill Humane Society years ago. They decided to keep the insurance active. They later got Bernese mountain dogs and cane corso mixes, and all had insurance. Taylor-Miner says for some dogs the insurance was a worthy expense and for other dogs it wasn’t. The insurance was a relief when they needed to investigate why their 18-month-old cane corso died unexpectedly. But their Bernese mountain dog’s hip dysplasia care was not covered because it was deemed a pre-existing condition. Today, insurance pays for a significant portion of their dog Henry’s monthly allergy medicine. Taylor-Miner says as dogs age and require more care, insurance can pay off, but she cautions to read the fine print and know what they will or will not cover.
Understanding Pet Insurance
Pet insurance operates similarly to human health insurance, with monthly premiums, deductibles, and coverage limits. Not all plans are created equal. Some cover only services related to accidents (bite wounds, cuts, broken bones) and illness and prescriptions. You might have to pay for accident and illness coverage separately. Some plans let you add on additional coverage for common hereditary issues such as eye disorders or hip dysplasia. Surprisingly, most standard pet insurance plans don’t cover preventive care visits for things like vaccinations or teeth cleanings.
Does It Make Sense For You?
For many pet owners, the monthly premium helps them to feel like they are prepared if something unexpected happens. It can be difficult to compare plans without providing a lot of information up front, so set aside time for research. Many veterinarians will be reluctant to endorse a specific insurance plan, but asking your vet what their feelings are about pet insurance is a good place to start. They will likely know what companies reimburse the fastest, which ones cover the most issues, and which ones have the least amount of paperwork.
If you aren’t ready to commit to pet insurance but still want to have some financial resources in case something unexpected does happen, try setting aside $25 or $50 a month. Even with pet insurance, you may still have to pay upfront for care and then seek reimbursement later, so having some money set aside in a pet-specific savings account can minimize the financial impact down the road.
