We Love Our Pets
For many of us, our pets are not just pets; they are members of the family. As with any other family member, it is important to have medical insurance, not only for the everyday things like annual check ups or the occasional cold or flu, but for the accidents and unfortunate maladies that come with life. The same should be said for our four-legged, furry, feathered, scaly, or otherwise non-human family members. Our pets are VIP's (Very Important Pets), whether they are a cat, dog, bird, horse, sheep, pig, rabbit, snake, iguana, lizard, toad, frog, hamster, guinea pig or any other animal under the rainbow.

Veterinarians, the AKC (American Kennel Club), and pet owners agree that pets (especially dogs and cats) should be given a check up every year and that includes vaccines, heartworm checks, possible blood tests and medications if necessary to keep your pets healthy. On average, an annual check up for a dog in the United States costs over $200. If you include the common average medical conditions that arise, the annual veterinary costs raise substantially to an average of about $2,250.

Our Pets Trust Us with Their Health
In today's day and age, with medical technology progressing by leaps and bounds, many untreatable conditions in our pets have now become treatable. Veterinarians now have access to MRI's, CAT scans and ultrasound technologies to better diagnose our pet's condition. They can treat and in some cases cure cancer by means of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even holistic therapies. All of these treatments and several others can be very costly.

Often times, a pet owner whose pet has suffered from an accident and have had to shell out thousands of dollars in medical expenses have wished that they purchased pet insurance. When it comes to deciding whether or not to get pet insurance, the quirks of your pet may decide for you.

Rosie the Basset Hounds Story
As an example, Rosie the Basset Hound came in every year with a belly full of rocks that she had eaten. Yes, each spring when Rosie's mom planted flowers in her rock garden, Rosie thought it would be fun to help her mom move some rocks unfortunately she lacked the common sense to spit them out. Each trip to the vet for stone removal cost about $785. And that cost reoccurred at least once a year, and in some cases two or three times a year. After the first two surgical extractions of stones, Rosie's mom got low cost pet insurance and in the long run saved thousands of dollars (because each instance is considered an accident all surgeries were covered).

We Spoil Our Pets
There is no way to put a price tag on a pet. The emotional support that they provide, the love that they give, the humor that they bring us can never be valuated. But, you do know that a bag of food, cat litter, beds, toys, treats, housing, leashes, grooming, etc. add up to quite a substantial cost. Now, you probably won't be able to find an insurance policy that covers those sorts of things, but for the veterinary expenses associated with pet ownership, you will find many kinds of pet insurance companies out there.

There are pet insurers in every country and some insurance may come from surprising sources. Sainsbury and Asda are supermarkets in the UK and now offer comprehensive pet insurance. The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) based in the UK and Australia also offers pet insurance, plus 20% of premiums paid goes to help animals in need. VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance), Pet Care and Pet Plan offer pet insurance for those living in the United States and Canada. Plus, there are other pet insurers like Hartville, Embrace, Pet First Healthcare, Trupanion, Pets Best, Purina Care, Pet Care, etcetera, etcetera. Pet insurance companies have been coming out all over the place to help cover the need and demand for such an important service.

Be Realistic About Pet Insurance
As the writer of this article, a former veterinary assistant, a pet sitter, a pet owner and a lover of pets and animals of all kinds, I can attest to the need for a nice pet insurance policy. It is also important to note that you need to be realistic about the policy that you choose. There will be some things that just won't be covered and if you understand that, you will be more comfortable with your pets' insurance policy. Let's admit it, human health insurance is even more so a maze of fine print. You should know that pet insurance companies do have the underlying welfare of your pet in mind, no matter what contingencies are made. Often times exclusions are put in place to help keep premiums low.

Some of the things that pet insurance covers includes, but is not limited to, annual veterinary visits, dental cleanings, vaccinations, prescription dog food, prescriptions, x-rays, surgery, emergency care, cancer treatment, death benefits, cremation, broken bones, hospitalization, kennel costs, dog bite liability, rehabilitation, behavioral problems, lost pet retrieval and rewards. The possibilities are endless and you never know what life may bring. Which pet insurance plan you choose is entirely up to you. The options are endless.