Canine Care: Is Pet Insurance a Must-Have for Large Breed Dogs?

Image of a large-breed dog with blue collar on a summer’s day take from Woman’s Day.

The decision of whether to get pet insurance looms large when it comes to providing for our cherished but sometimes more expensive-to-care-for large breed pets. These magnificent friends may offer us great delight, but they could also come with a higher veterinary expenditure. There are things to think about that can help pet owners make the best decisions for their dogs in terms of true canine care. This includes health propensities, financial security, and the peace of mind that comes from protecting the welfare of your four-legged buddy. So, should you spend money on pet insurance or save it for something else if your huge-breed dog merits a safety net? Let’s find out.

Is getting pet insurance for your large-breed companions the true way to provide proper canine care?

In essence, the majority of pet owners would respond “yes” emphatically. Dog insurance policies often cost between $30 and $70 per month. According to the professionals at CareCredit, a basic checkup for a dog may cost as much as $250, and that doesn’t include the price of any major operations.

While there are many substantial advantages to pet insurance, policyholders should be aware of a few unexpected things to get the most out of their investment. That’s because pet insurance is different from human health or life insurance, especially when it comes to going to the vet.

According to experts, large-breed dogs may experience serious medical conditions that are less typical of their small-breed counterparts. And the cost of those problems may rise swiftly.

According to Dr. Jeff Strickland of Briar Creek Veterinary Clinic, certain bigger dogs have a disorder called gastric dilatation volvulus, which can cause their stomachs to twist.

Dr. Strickland also notes that “larger dogs sometimes have more trouble with arthritis than the smaller breeds.”

For large-breed dogs, medical care could come at a costlier price than their smaller-breed counterparts.

Dr. Strickland replies, “Usually it’s just the weight of the dog. A lot of the exams like heartworm testing and fecal exams are the same price no matter what size the dog. Say a dog has to have pain medication or antibiotics, it just takes more because the dog is bigger. Usually, that’s where the extra cost comes in, in our practice.”

Another thing to consider is that if a pet owner doesn’t have insurance, they should think about whether they would be able to pay for an emergency vet visit. For instance, you could have to pay thousands of dollars before your veterinarian agrees to perform surgery on your cat.

Other things to consider about getting pet insurance for canine care

The actual amount of your reimbursement (if any) will depend on your coverage plan. Policies might be comprehensive and give protection against a wide range of illnesses and problems, or they can be straightforward, less expensive, and only offer protection in dire circumstances. Find the best plan for you by doing your research.

The moment is now, so take action. In that it will only get more expensive as the insured person ages and health problems develop, pet insurance is similar to life and health insurance for people. Therefore, take action before bothersome health concerns develop and prices rise.

Asking your veterinarian for assistance is also not something to be frightened of. Although you are familiar with your pet, they are knowledgeable about all kinds, varieties, and medical concerns that might affect dogs and cats.

Reach out to a pet insurance specialist right away if you’re in the market for pet insurance or want to upgrade your current policy. They are able to respond to any inquiries you may have and provide you with a free quote to get things going.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance doesn’t necessarily work the same as human insurance does. To ensure maximum canine care, pet insurance has a different payment approach. This is how that appears:

You are in charge of paying for any treatments, procedures, and medications your pet gets at the time of the visit to the veterinarian. Thus, you’ll have to use money from your savings or put a charge on your card that day. However, in accordance with your policy and coverage, your pet insurance provider will repay you for any money you may have already spent. It will just be necessary for you to submit a claim. Your insurance company will handle it after that and reimburse you for your expenses.

Owners must provide two papers to Fetch by The DoDo in order to complete a claim:

“A finalized invoice from your vet showing what your pet was treated for and how much you were charged. An invoice has to show a zero balance or that it was paid in full in order for us to accept it.”

“Detailed medical records from your pet’s most recent checkup (a vet visits unrelated to your pet getting sick or hurt)”

According to Fetch by The Dodo, “Claims are typically processed within 15 days of the time we receive all of your documents.”

Just keep in mind that each provider may have a somewhat different specific reimbursement procedure.

You are not making a real estate purchase when you adopt a pet. You’re opening your house to a new member of your family. Your pet deserves top-notch canine care because they are a part of your family. Even though that treatment may prove to be costly, getting pet insurance might help you significantly cut the cost and safeguard your pet.