Does my cat need pet insurance?
The recession has hit all of us pretty hard, and when money is tight you have to start thinking about cutting back on your spending. When buying a new kitten/cat, or even considering renewing for a cat you already own, cutting back on the insurance may not be the best idea.
Here at Animal Friends we bring you the reasons cats need insurance, and how badly it can hurt your savings when things go wrong without it.
‘My Cat stays indoors, there’s nothing dangerous at home’
Cats have the natural tendency to patrol their territory, and indoor cats consider your home to be theirs too. Cats that wander round your house can end up behind wardrobes and sofas, in tight spaces and tricky situations as well as on top of tall furniture. Cats which climb surfaces in your house risk knocking things over. With home insurance, this is fine, but the potential for a cat to knock over something heavy on top of itself is a very real risk.
Pet insurance doesn’t just cover accidents however. With the right cover, you are protected against illnesses and disease – something very difficult to protect against, as outside sources can be carried in on shoes, clothes and anything else brought from outdoors, and cats that are kept indoors a majority of the time will not have built up an immunity to any germs or bacteria . Anything from allergies to serious, life threatening disease can be transmitted, and these require treatments that may require on-going medication, which can cause high vet bills year after year. Pet insurance can help reduce how much you need to pay out each time, and may even cover the entire cost.
What about outdoor cats?
Outdoor cats are exposed to a variety of bacteria and germs more often – whilst this does provide them with a more versatile immune system, it does also risk them suffering from many different illnesses. Outdoor cats are also prone to finding small animals and hunting them, possibly risking exposure to fleas and ticks, which may cause minor infections.
Obviously cats which are allowed to roam free outside are at other risks. Attacks from other cats, dogs and foxes are very common and can cause anything from minor scratches up to full blown fractures, broken bones and even more serious damage. Vehicle accidents are also a risk, and can often be very fatal if not crippling – the average cost for an amputation is easily up to £2000, and without insurance this is a devastating amount to pay.
Inquisitive cats may find themselves in poor situations in other peoples’ gardens, where particularly toxic weed killers or vermin poisons may be used. In the rare case these are accidentally ingested, insurance will aid the emergency medical visit you may need.
Pet Insurance vs Bills
Insurance provides a safety net for you and your family during those periods where money is tight, giving you security when presented with large bills. A one off bill for an examination may be covered by your savings, but a recurring issue will need constant monetary input over the years, and this will severely cut into your savings. Cat Insurance, for a low monthly premium, protects you against this eventuality, allowing your savings to be better spent.
Animal Friends offers a wide range of comprehensive pet insurance, with policies suitably for any type of cover. Email us at info@animalfriends.co.uk or phone us on 0844 55 70 300 for any enquiries.
