Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > General Forum for cats and dogs

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old November 22nd, 2012, 12:12 PM
farseen's Avatar
farseen farseen is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2
Arrow Cat Insurance - Worth It?

Hello all!

Firstly, I'm new to these forums! So I'd like to say hello to everyone.

I acquired my first cat ever about a year ago and his name is Neffer! He is a Devon Rex / Sphynx mix.

Just a few days ago I saw he peed out some blood so I took him to the vet. He's got Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, which I believe is quite common with Male Cats. The bill was $210 but she also suggested that I should get his teeth cleaned for $400 due to the Stage 1 tartar buildup. She recommended I might look into pet insurance, but I'm a little hesitant based on my research.

Firstly, I assume all insurance companies are out to make money......and probably would find a million reasons to deny my claims.

Secodly, I'm also assuming there's no way they would cover his 'dental cleaning', so I'm starting to think I should avoid the insurance and just bite the bullet on vet bills.

Finally, my parents just had their 8 year old Matlese's teeth removed due to an infection. The operation cost them $800. Now to me, I think it's quite unnatural to have to get your pet's teeth professionally cleaned. They don't do it in nature...and although I understand that a handful of animals probably die due to infections in their gums, I feel like spending $400 every 1 1/2 years is far too expensive. I also feel like his teeth will be completely fine! I feed him really good food, and sure, I'll also take the step to cleaning his teeth when I can, but as long as he isn't in pain due to his dirty teeth... I see no reason to get them professionally done.


Alright this turned into somewhat of a rant but I'd appreciate anyone's feedback. I'm new to cats


Thanks in advance!
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old November 22nd, 2012, 12:23 PM
sugarcatmom's Avatar
sugarcatmom sugarcatmom is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 5,357
Oh my goodness, what a cutie Neffer is!!! He looks very kissable .

As for insurance, I think you do really have to read the fine print and do lots of research on the various plan options (some do cover dentals, but you have to pay higher premiums). Most won't cover pre-existing conditions, so anything related to bladder/urinary tract health for Neffer would be out. There's a decent site here that compares the various plans: http://www.petinsurancereview.com/index.asp

I personally prefer to set aside some money each month into a special account just for my kitties. I also feed them the highest quality food I can (raw and premium canned), which I think is the best health insurance out there. What do you feed Neffer? If kibble, you might want to consider going to only wet food due to his FLUTD, and since he has dental issues, a raw diet would likely help in that department. http://feline-nutrition.org/
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb

“We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old November 22nd, 2012, 12:29 PM
farseen's Avatar
farseen farseen is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2
Thanks a ton! That seems to be the general response I've received from most my friends too. Put some money aside, and it will probably cover any problems he has in the future

PS - I came home and he was in my bed in that position!! I didn't set up that photo at all
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old November 22nd, 2012, 01:08 PM
marko's Avatar
marko marko is offline
Administrator - Pet lover
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Montreal Quebec Canada
Posts: 12,651
As the daddy to 2 sphynxes, it's cool to see some hairless cousins
__________________
Please tactfully EDUCATE or IGNORE posters you don't agree with.
Please PM me & Include URLs and post #'s for any issues and it's my pleasure to help.
I'm firm - but fair. Mind the Rules and enjoy your stay.
Newcomers FAQ - How do I post on this BB?
Pet facebook group
Check out the Pet podcast
Follow me on Twitter
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old November 23rd, 2012, 02:47 AM
Koteburo's Avatar
Koteburo Koteburo is offline
Willing cat servant
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 916
I have insurance and the real problem I see with it and we were talking about that today is that in my case, at least the company we are with in case your cat (or dog) get sick they don't cover the vet bills at the spot but you have to submit a claim and imo what gives me peace of mind about insurance is to have someone to cover those bills in that moment because I probably won't have enough cash available to do it and the way I see it that defeats the purpose of having insurance.
I've been thinking about opening a saving account exclusive just for pets because what I need is the cash to pay on the spot or else how are you going to provide that attention you want for your beloved pets? (I ask myself)
You get your money back but the problem is the timing, not when I really need it the most.
That's the main issue I see with pet insurance.
__________________
" How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven."
- Robert A. Heinlein
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old November 23rd, 2012, 01:27 PM
pbpatti's Avatar
pbpatti pbpatti is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,874
I am really glad that I decided to get insurance for my Choc Lab Sasha. We have our policy with Truepanion and have never regreted the choice. We applied for insurance when Sasha was 8 weeks old, I figured that she would live to at least 13 so with that in mind and the premium at the time it worked out to about $5000. Sasha is very active and has gotten into her share of trouble, we have claimed over $15,000 and there is no way that I would have saved that amount.

Her recent claim of dental work, she broke 3 bottom teeth (my poor baby) the 2+ hour of surgery, teeth cleaning and meds came to $2400.00.

The choice is always yours, I highly reccommend Truepanion.
__________________
It Is What It Is
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old November 23rd, 2012, 02:21 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
Pets insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions , and I am not sure if they'll yearly check up . You should read the fine print very carefully and I would write down questions you want to ask if you do decide to check into this.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cat, insurance

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:34 AM.