Table Of Contents
- Most standard pet insurance does not cover wellness care
- Wellness plans are typically offered as an add-on, mainly to accident and illness plans
- Pet wellness plans average from $10 to $25 a month
- Wellness plans may help cover everything from annual exams and vaccines to dental cleanings and parasite preventatives
What Is A Pet Wellness Plan?
Pet wellness plans help cover your pet’s routine medical care like annual veterinary check-ups and health screenings. This differs from standard pet insurance plans which typically cover accidents, illnesses, and injuries.
These types of plans are usually offered as an add-on to standard pet insurance plans. They are sometimes referred to as preventative care plans as the items they cover are considered preventative care.
What Is Preventative Care?
Preventative care encompasses routine veterinary checks intended to help prevent disease in pets. Preventative care is key to a healthy life for your pet!
Preventative care includes routine veterinary visits for:
- Physical exams to check your pet for any signs of pain or disease, skin problems, and other potential medical issues
- Checking your pet’s heart and lungs with a stethoscope for any signs of abnormalities, arrhythmias, or breathing problems
- Lab work to check your pet’s blood and urine for any abnormalities or signs of disease or deficiencies including screening for liver and kidney disease
- Checking your pet’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat for any signs of infection or injury
- Dental check-ups and cleanings to screen for and prevent gum disease and tooth decay
- Vaccines to prevent communicable diseases
- Parasite screening and prevention
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How Much Do Pet Wellness Plans Cost?
Pet wellness plans range from $10 to $25 a month. Individual costs can vary based on the type of plan, details about your pet, and location.
These plans are typically offered as an add-on to standard pet insurance plans however, some plans may offer a comprehensive package of everything for one price. Some plans also offer customizable coverage, rewards, and discounts for bundled coverage so there are many factors in determining the costs vs savings.
What Does A Pet Wellness Plan Cover?
Pet wellness plan coverage varies by provider but here are some of the most commonly covered items:
- Annual exams
- Vaccinations
- Dental cleanings
- Routine lab work (blood work and urinalysis)
- Parasite screening
- Parasite prevention (such as heartworm, flea, and tick medication)
- Some select plans include spaying, neutering, and microchipping
What Isn’t Covered In A Pet Wellness Plan?
Wellness plans do not cover anything outside of routine or preventative care. This means illnesses, injuries, and accidents. This is why it’s usually offered as an add-on to plans that do cover those items.
These plans also only cover routine medical care so things that are considered non-medical like grooming, nail trims, or cosmetic procedures like tail docking or declawing are not covered.
Wellness Plans For Dogs And Cats
Most wellness plans offer coverage for both dogs and cats. While dogs and cats may receive different types of vaccines and parasite preventatives, the level of coverage is often the same or similar.
Annual exams, routine lab work, vaccines, dental cleanings, and parasite prevention are all usually included in a wellness plan regardless of whether it’s for a dog or cat.
The only difference between wellness plans for dogs and cats may be cost. Some plans may offer lower premiums for cats. This is because cats typically have lower veterinary costs than dogs.
Are There Breed-specific Considerations?
While breed is a major factor in standard pet insurance premiums, it doesn’t play as large of a role in wellness plans. This is because wellness plans only cover routine care, not illnesses or chronic conditions which some breeds can be predisposed to.
Since wellness plans are typically an add-on to other plans, you’ll likely already be paying the higher premium as part of your standard plan if you have a “high-to-insure” breed.
The exception to this may be if you have a brachycephalic breed (short-nose, flat-face) such as a French bulldog and or Persian cat. These breeds are prone to respiratory issues and may require special handling when undergoing anesthesia for dental cleanings.
At What Age Should You Get Your Pet On A Wellness Plan?
Like most pet insurance, the earlier you get them on a plan, the better premiums and coverage options you’ll have to choose from. Ideally, the best time to insure your pet is while they are still a puppy or kitten.
Do You Need A Pet Wellness Plan? Are They Better Than A Standard Plan?
Pet wellness plans can be a great way to help cover your pet’s preventative care expenses but they are not considered as essential as standard pet insurance. If you are deciding between a pet wellness plan and an accident and illness policy the best option is the accident and illness policy.
Overall, wellness veterinary care for pets is usually less than $1,000 a year and can be planned for. Emergencies, on the other hand, can lead to unexpected veterinary costs in the thousands and require immediate funding for lifesaving care.
Is A Pet Wellness Plan A Smart Financial Decision? Are They Worth It?
Just like standard pet insurance plans, pet wellness plans can help make veterinary care more affordable. Depending on the type of plan and coverage, pet wellness plans can absolutely be a smart financial decision.
Even the most expensive pet wellness plans still typically cost less than $300 a year. Most pet owners will spend between $500 to $1000 a year on their pet’s wellness care. With a pet wellness plan, you could save a few hundred dollars on your pet’s preventative care every year.
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