Budgeting for a Pet and What it Can do for the Unexpected

Pets are family and the financial commitment of cats and dogs can extend far beyond the cost of a leash. In reality, your furry friend’s average expenses may be a bit more than what you imagine. In fact, the Trupanion policy paid out 13.5 million dollars in claims in September 2018 alone! Naturally, the cost of medical care can add up quickly when your dog or cat has an unexpected illness or injury. While financial security is an ultimate goal of all families, it can be a challenge if you are left paying for unexpected veterinary bills. Read on to learn more about budgeting for a pet and how medical insurance for pets can help be there for your pet’s lifetime.

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Budgeting for a pet: support for your furry friend when you need it most

The average monthly cost for a Trupanion policy is $52 for dogs. When your pet is sick or injured, the last thing you want to stress about is finances. As a pet owner, you want to be able to give your pet the highest quality of medical care possible and not worry about your bank account.

Pet owner Jason whose giant breed dog needed expensive surgery and rehab, said “I can focus on helping my Great Pyrenees, Nemo, recover from really miserable surgery rather than worrying about the thousands of dollars it is costing.”

1. Consider your financial options

When you are looking into medical insurance for your pet, consider what you can afford financially and plan for that cost when budgeting for your pet. For example, with a Trupanion policy, deductibles range from $0 to $1,000. For instance, you can pick what works best financially for your family and still be able to provide for your furry friend.

2. Take the time to look again at your spending habits

When you are creating a new family budget it can be beneficial to take another look at your spending habits and adjust accordingly. Whether you are shopping for pet care items or grabbing a cup of coffee, little items can quickly add up. Take into account your extra spending habits and if those additional funds could be re-purposed to help protect your pet for their lifetime.

3. Your pet’s medical bills might be unexpected

Although you can budget for your pet’s annual wellness exam or yearly vaccines, you can’t always financially plan for an unexpected injury or illness.

Consider the following from Trupanion’s database of claims:

• The average claimed condition for dogs is a cruciate ligament rupture which ranges from $3,200-$4,300.

• A common claim for cats is a urinary obstruction which costs about $1,800-$2,500.

Imagine having to upfront emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgeries, and medication for your furry friends. And that is just for one condition.

The difference between a pet savings account and medical insurance for pets

While a pet savings account is a great way to prepare for expected expenses for pet ownership, a Trupanion policy’s medical insurance has no max limits on claims payout for eligible conditions. So, if your pet needs ten, 20, or 30,000 dollars’ worth of treatment they can get the medical care they need without breaking your bank account.

Budgeting for your pet: provides overall wellness for the entire family

Most importantly, you want to be able to take care of your pets when they are unwell. Naturally, you want to be able to give your furry friends everything they need to have a happy and healthy life. In essence, the financial wellness of the members of your family starts by preparing for the unexpected.

Learn more about how medical insurance can help you budget for your pet’s lifetime. Call today to speak to one of our pet-loving experts:

888.626.0932