[Lara's mom]

I thought this might be another interesting discussion. Do you have health insurance for your dog(s)? If so, what made you decide to do it? If you don't, what made you decide against it?

Since I created this thread, I'll start. As some of you know, I have a 12 year old Border Collie X and a 1 1/2 year old Jack Russell terrier. Both were insure as soon as they were spayed and licenced at six months of age. I have never regretted it. Especially now that my Border Collie X is getting older and requires expensive meds, it has been a Godsend. I've also claimed twice for minor things for my JRT. Apart from a $100 deductible per year, I get 80% of my costs back. To me this means that I will never be in the position of having to euthanize either one of my dogs because I cannot afford to give them the best treatment possible. To me, it is well worth the $40 per month each to ensure them.

I'd like to hear what others in the forum have to say on the subject.

First I will say that alot better poilcies are out there from when I HAD it........that being said I dont have it anymore. My "puppy" just blew out her knee and I spent $1000 to get it fixed. I was talking to a gentleman in the waiting room who had a Malinois (sp?) and he was telling me that he spent I think it was 10-15,000 on saving her life she had a heart issue. I know for a fact I could never spend that and that led me to think at what cost do I say "enough?"
I was throwing my money away when I just had 2 dogs.........(probably the policy) I decided to have a Fur Fund of my own. I put money in there for the dogs and I hope that if I have to use it-it will be a saving factor. I dont use it for anything regular did not even use it for the above mentioned surgery----just for more extreme times.

The one policy that seemed ok only took 3 dogs so that means I would need 2. Not really sure what to do...PRE exsisting is usually an issue so now that all of mine are past puppy (except 1) not sure how picky they would be.

Home Again give my one dog FREE ins with the "finding" of her should she be injured when lost that was a nice bonus.

[chevy & karen]

I don't have it but wish I did now that chevy has Glaucoma. I do think I will get it for my next family member though....

[Lara's mom]

When I got insurance for my 12 year old Border Collie, it was quite limited although now that she needs medication on a continuous basis, the insurance really comes in handy.

I got my 1 1/2 year old JRT insured when she was six months old and I couldn't believe the difference in the coverage! Things like herbal and holistic treatment, acupuncture, aqua therapy and assistive devices are all covered. Those things were unheard of 12 years ago! My JRT also has dental coverage. I wouldn't be without insurance for either of them.

[CorkyMax]

I pretty much agree with 4 Paws Up, although I have not set aside money for this purpose--thought about doing it but I am a single person and my checkbook is used only by me--keeping my money in one lump allows me more interest on my checking account to accumulate. I wish I could afford the insurance and my dogs are too old now--It would cost an arm and a leg for a policy now. And even if they were young--It is too much money going out--add up all the monthly payments for say 10 yrs for 2 dogs---Now if I had put all that money in my own savings for such a need--I think I'd be further ahead. One reason being I don't think the insurance covered much anyhow--Not the ones I have looked into. Lara, you being from Canada--It sounds like you have better deals on this kind of insurance and I've never seen mention of anything holistic in ones I've seen either. And most of the costs are going to be needed when the dog gets older--I don't like paying all that money for years when it is not being used or needed. I know, I have been lucky so far in not needing it---I try to keep my dogs healthy by feeding them good nutrition--keep their immune system in top shape as well as I can by avoiding unnecessary vaccinations and avoiding the many poisonous meds the vets prescribe. I have read articles before on this insurance not being a good idea because they do not give very good 'deals' and that you are better off just saving money yourself for this purpose in case of an emergency. I know freak things can happen-getting hit by a car,etc. where it could get costly so don't point out that fact to me.
I am doing the best I can on a very limited budget!

[sandyh]

Being that I have 2 dogs, insurance would cost me an arm and a leg. Although it would have been nice when i had to cough up 1500.00 for a hip replacement for my 2 year old pit that my daughter has. I could not see putting an animal to sleep because of her hip. i have hip problems and i hope my kids dont put me to sleep Anyway, I cant even afford insurance for myself.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by sandyh

Being that I have 2 dogs, insurance would cost me an arm and a leg. Although it would have been nice when i had to cough up 1500.00 for a hip replacement for my 2 year old pit that my daughter has. I could not see putting an animal to sleep because of her hip. i have hip problems and i hope my kids dont put me to sleep Anyway, I cant even afford insurance for myself.

I know exactly where you are at--I have no health or life insurance. I do have medicare. It is very hard to live on just Social Security ($813.00 a month) 401K got shot in the ass. My dogs eat better than I do but I would not resort to crappy dog food for them no matter what! They wouldn't eat it anyhow--I once out of curiosity picked up a couple of 'nuggets of (prob. Science Diet)dog kibble' while at the vet's. This was a sample for free. They would not touch it!!

You can get health insurance for your dog?

[Lara's mom]

Absolutely! Ask your vet about it. He/she will be able to recommend a good company to sign up with.

[sandyh]

The vet i used for years when i had my potbelly pig did not except animal insurance. I did ask about it once though.

[Lara's mom]

Really? Wow! That surprises me. In Canada, at least in the major cities, most vets offices just assume you have insurance. I guess it's a lot more common here that it is in the States. Most people I know here in Canada who have either dogs or cats have their pets insured.

What amazes me is that so many of the companies that offer pet insurance here are American in origin!

[Lunareclipse]

I have insurance for my dogs though AKC.

[Lara's mom]

I would imagine that the AKC offers a good policy!

Dr.Harry W. Diehl was the discoverer of Cetyl Myristoleate