No, you may not have Benji or Lassie of big screen fame, but your canine is just as precious to you as these dogs were to their owners. This is evidenced by how much Americans spend on their beloved canines annually. Some variation in the numbers may be expected due to varying sizes of dogs.
Depending on the size and dietary needs of your dog, annual food costs range from $300-$500 per year. The average veterinary costs for a dog can be upwards of $200 for their first year vaccinations and $200 or more per year after that. An additional $1000-$2000 may be spent on pet grooming, accessories and training.
Veterinary costs, as with human health care costs, are rising dramatically. New procedures not previously available, such as MRIs, pace makers, tubes in ears and other extraordinary treatments are very expensive. New pharmaceutical treatments turn what could have been a deadly condition into a managed health situation. These too are not inexpensive.
This brought about the offering of dog health insurance. With pet health care increasing five times as rapidly as human health care in the last decade, dog owners really need to consider whether or not dog health insurance is a smart choice for themselves and their pet.
Who should consider dog health insurance? Consider this result in a recent survey of dog owners. Thirty-eight percent responded that, if their dog were faced with a life-threatening condition, they would spend whatever it cost to attempt to save them. Knowing that a sophisticated veterinary procedure by a vet specialist could exceed $10,000, depending on which procedure and the animal's condition, a great number, if not all dog owners should consider some level of health insurance.
Breeders should certainly have coverage over their dogs, not only as pets, but as an investment. Pregnant dogs can sometimes run into many complications, threatening their life and their unborn pups. There are also the first vaccination costs for the puppies. In addition, breeders typically boast a particular bloodline that they try to maintain. If an illness or injury were to threaten the sire or dam, it could be devastating.
Those with specially trained dogs are another group for which health care coverage is a must. Companion and Seeing-eye dogs, with one to two years of intensive training and an incredible bond with their very dependent human, could be a devastating loss on many levels. Even a prolonged illness would greatly reduce the quality of life for both dog and human.
Service dogs, such as police or rescue dogs, are also highly trained and cannot be replaced overnight.
If you travel with your pet or kennel them often, having healthcare coverage can be a comfort.
Then there are just us old everyday dog lovers. We cherish our pet as a member of the family and for some, like a child. To us, the emotional loss would be devastating, especially for children in the family.
Review the policies available, check online and with your local veterinarian. Pet insurance can be great coverage for your dog and reduce some of your annual costs.