It’s a big responsibility to take care of another living being. Although it may not seem necessary to pay monthly fees for pet health insurance when your pet is young and healthy, doing so might end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run. Furthermore, it will guarantee that your pet has access to care when they most need it. Pet insurance is a wise purchase that may keep your canine family member healthy and save you money on veterinary expenses.
The typical annual cost of cat veterinary care
Over $1,000 is typically spent on cat maintenance every year. In the first year, you’ll spend money on wholesome food, toys, climbing trees, cat litter, a litter box, and training—but not on veterinary appointments.
Regular Veterinary Examinations
Like dogs, the majority of cats should have a wellness exam performed by a qualified veterinarian at least once per year. This enables your vet to look for issues that you might not be aware of based only on how your cat behaves at home.
Unplanned trips to the vet: Cats are also susceptible to ailments that, if untreated, might bankrupt you financially.
Cat Diseases That Are Common
• UTI
Cats are more prone than dogs to contact the doctor for urinary problems despite sharing the same symptoms, such as frequent, little amounts of pee and accidents outside the litter box. Idiopathic cystitis is a condition that affects young cats regularly, but older cats and those who have underlying medical conditions like diabetes are more susceptible to get infections.
• Eye Issues
Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and sores, uveitis, and retinal degeneration are among the eye conditions that cats may have. Any eye conditions should be examined by a veterinarian right soon to reduce the risk of long-term injury. Surgery and eyedrops are also kinds of therapy.
• Heart Issue
Cats may struggle with blood clot-related issues, heart valve issues, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although the majority of heart disorders may be temporarily treated with medication, cardiac failure cannot.
• Diabetes
Cats are usually identified with type II diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance, which lessens the body’s cells’ ability to respond to insulin, is a common complication of overweight diabetes in cats. Insulin resistance causes abnormally high blood sugar levels. If diabetes is not treated, it can result in loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death.
• Kidney Disease
Chronic renal disease is a common ailment in older cats. A dangerous condition with a quick onset is acute renal injury. Many kidney issues can be managed with the use of a specific diet, medications, and fluid therapy.
• Approximate Cost of the Illnesses in Cats
Depending on the severity of the sickness, the estimated cost for the aforementioned conditions might change. Digital X-ray prices may range from $150 to $400 (based on the quantity of views), endoscopies cost $800 to $1,000, biopsies can cost up to $1,500, ultrasounds cost $300 to $500, and CT scans cost $3,000 on average.
Is Cat insurance required for senior cats?
Senior cats—those over the age of 10—are more likely to develop a multitude of illnesses as they age, and their body systems gradually become less effective. Older cats typically suffer from arthritis and joint pain as a result of deteriorating cartilage and joints. Diabetes mellitus affects around one in every 200 cats, is highly correlated with obesity, and is more common in elderly cats and cats older than seven. Call your doctor as soon as you see your cat losing weight so they can determine the likely cause and recommend the best course of action. In senior cats, weight loss is a pretty typical but non-specific sign of sickness.
Pet insurance could be a suitable choice for you if you’re worried about how you’ll cover your pet’s medical costs in the case of an accident or sickness. If you decide to get pet insurance or cat insurance, do your homework and comparison shop to find the best deal.
Conclusion
The simplest way to think about pet insurance is as a financial aid to help with high and unforeseen medical costs. Cat insurance, dog insurance or pet insurance allows owners to avoid having to decide between putting a beloved animal through life-saving care, which is normally at least $3,000 in cost, and enduring a devastating financial burden. The determining element is often the opportunity to provide your pet with the best medical care possible without having to worry about the cost.
