If you're a pet owner, you're probably fully aware of how wonderful owning pets can be. You'll never feel lonely, and no matter how rough your day is, as soon as you walk in the door your pet will run up to you and help you feel that much happier. But while pets can truly be your best friends, unfortunately they aren't the easiest to take care of.
Not only do you have to keep your pets healthy and happy (which is actually the easy part), you have to find a way to pay for expensive veterinary care. That's why more and more pet owners are investing in pet insurance plans.
Infographic by Petfirst.com
Since it's nearly impossible to keep your pet 100% healthy and safe all of the time, you need to know what to do in the event of a medical emergency. Some of the most common medical needs for pets include:
- Emergency care for accidents and illnesses
- Routine flea and tick prevention
- Deworming
- Dental problems and periodontal disease
- Breed-specific congenital conditions
- Chronic conditions like arthritis or obesity
- X-Rays for broken bones and other injuries
- Medications for high blood pressure, depression, or chronic pain
- Hip Dysplasia
- Torn cartilage and ACL issues
Unfortunately, animals don't always communicate their pain too well, and that's why even minor problems can turn into full blown medical emergencies if you aren't careful. To provide the best possible health care for your pets, make sure you invest in routine veterinary checkups. And if you want to go a step further, make sure you're setting money aside for future veterinary bills, especially if you have a pet that's getting on in dog years.
Cats and dogs are the two most popular pets in the U.S., and severe medical problems can end up costing you a fortune if they aren't covered by pet insurance plans. Here are some of the most common (and expensive) veterinary bills faced by dog and cat owners:
Dogs
The top-five illnesses for dogs are quite expensive. Based on pet insurance claims submitted in 2016, the average cost of dealing with gastroenteritis was $430, periodontal disease was $438, removing a mass was $518, an inflammation of the pancreas was $633, and the most expensive was intervertebral disk disease treatment (IVDD) at $720.
Cats
The top-five illnesses for cats can also be quite pricey. The average cost of dealing with cats vomiting was $340, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) was $344, gastroenteritis was $345, constipation was $365, and the most expensive illness for cats was periodontal disease at $466.
No matter what kind of pet you have, it's important to always remember to get them quality care. In order to ensure that your pet is as healthy and happy as can be, make sure to regularly schedule appointments with a professional veterinarian. Simply visiting a vet for a quick check up once or twice a year can help identify serious medical issues that would otherwise cost you a tremendous amount of money in the long run. Identifying these issues quickly can help you tackle the situation head on.
Author bio:
Chelsea Mull is a digital marketing manager at PetFirst Pet Insurance, where her office mates often have four-legs and get paid with treats and belly rubs. At home, her 9-year-old Shih Tzu rules the roost while enjoying his favorite activity of napping on the back of the couch, and allowing Mull, her husband and two children to cohabitate alongside him.
