Pet insurance - to have or not to have?

If you do go for it, do check what it will cover.
I had a friend whose beloved dog had a long term condition that was only covered for a certain period by her insurance, and the medication was very expensive.

Also my daughter's cat had a problem with a tooth that wasn't covered - dental was excluded in the small print and she hadn't realised, having been recommended this particular insurance by an owner of several cats. There was a very big bill to pay.

well now as I have two dogs and tired and frustrated of the restrictions on insurance claims I decided to go without - then decided that I would basically insure them to cover public liability because lawyers fees can be astronmical - it takes care of that. For the vet fees. I will pay as I go. and since I decided this a few years ago have not been to the vets at all. I'm with petfriends who are very reaonable and get very good reviews. Certaibly don't go for the monthly vet care!!! that covers you for £50 worth of annual injections for about £125 per annum - so you can see a vet anytime for advice. NO. They play on pet owners insecurity. The last time I went because my dog had had a scare I was charged about £200 for an investogatory xray in case ....of course there was nothing to show. beware and wary of vets. trust your own common sense and instincts. perhaps just pay for accident and legal cover - well under £10 a month.that's my well meaning advice. Also when I had my first dog I didn't have any savings to fall back on so I had to insure him as I was so afraid that as a pup he might get run over and I wouldn't be able to afford treatment. so it gave peace of mind. If you do have some funds - don't insure.

above flew before I read it...so last line should have said ' If you do have some funds only insure for essential basics.'

We have always had our lab insured with M&S, she is nearly 11, and have never had to claim until now. She had an op for a torn cruciate ligament four weeks ago, cost has been over£3000 up to now. I thought we were covered for £4000 with a lifetime policy, but have been informed policy limits any one injury to £1000, less excess,so it has been a very expensive lesson - always check the small print.

We've never had pet insurance. Much better and much better value, to put the money into a separate account that you do not touch- about £50 per month per animal.

Weve been lucky that we never had to pay 1000s of £s for any of our pets. And all our pets have lived to great old age- one of our cats is now 24/5 (all our animals are rescue so age has to be estimated at the time of adoption, by vet).

Even little Minou's amputation was only about 180 Euros.

I absolutely love animals, which is why if one of our pets had a terrible disease or injury- never mind the 1000s of £ or E, I would prefer to put it to sleep- not for the money but because of the pain. The vet told us that Minou's amputation would be a matter of days of pain, well controlled by anti-imflammatories and painkillers, and he was right. I find it abhorrent when animals are 'forced' by the owners to live months of pain and un-natural life - I find it quite selfish (and one of the reasons why our DD1 decided not to become a vet, after working with one during holidays and weekends for 4 years during her sec. school and 6th Form).

As you say though, jura, you've been lucky. And that's what you gamble on if you decide not to take out insurance of any description, be it for pets, your house contents, travel, critical illness or whatever. Young animals can have all sorts of injuries that require very expensive treatment, but will not ultimately affect their quality of life. Though I agree with you that the situation for elderly pets is very different.

Maggiemaybe, you put that more Kindly than I may have if I'd not breathed before responding. Jura, you have indeed been fortunate in not needing expensive operations for your pets.
As for criticising people who 'force' their animals to live moths of pain and un natural life. I don't know anyone who has done that. Our animals tell us with a look when they're ready to leave us and we make appropriate and timely plans. I only wish we could make similar plans for ourselves and our loved ones when we know enough is enough.

I am so sorry my post upset you Iam64- sadly, with all my years of working with vets, this is the sad truth in many cases. Owners just won't or can't et go- and this is often not the best for the animal. We've always had adult rescues- so never had experience of young animals with genetic problems (sadly so often the consequence of irresponsible breeding). Many just do not know when enough is enough - sadly.

Where I live, we can also make decisions of our fate as humans too- I wish this will soon be the case for our family and friends in the UK.

Your post irritated, rather than upset me jura2, I found it somewhat patronising and rather smug. I apologise for responding to what I saw as a judgemental approach to others by being judgemental myself.

You aren't alone in having many years of working with vets. Many of us are in the same position. My experience is that vets, like doctors and other professionals are a varied bunch. Some I like and trust, others I'd avoid. Same with doctors, surgeons, consultants, teachers, builders, painter and decorators - that's life isn't it.

if anything there is a fashion for ending a pets life as soon as we find their old age uncomfortable for us. My dog died naturally next to me on the sofa. He was 15 - he had been to the vets that day, he was bright as a button though pretty lame. He had a canine wheelchair, he wasn't in pain, he was continent and could stand to do his business. When we went to the woods everyday he would look up at the trees and then look back at me. He could still enjoy the sights and smells. On that last visit to the vets he glanced from me to the vets gaze constantly. He didn't want to be killed. His natural death was very peaceful. I asked the vet why I didn't know anyone whose dog had died naturally - he said it was the fashion.
I have many friends who were urged to have their dogs euthanased when their dog was ailing and they thought they would just feel relief, only to suffer immense grief for their decision. Don't forget the drug they use after the sedative is very strong - usually the owners only see them after the sedative - it is not allowed to be used on humans on death row as too inhumane. I was trained as an animal technician by the Medical Research Council and sadly had to despatch many animals - for 'the greater good' of human medicine. (I now campaign for animal free research)
It is not selfish to give a dog palliative care and a natural peaceful death. Nature provides its own sedatives to the dying. My cats died naturally at home too. They stopped eating lay on cushions but reached out for strokes. They both hated going to the vets. It terrified them.
Bert my dog just raised his head took a deep breath and expired as I stroked his head and gently told him it was all well. I was able to stay with him quietly. Nature gives and takes away. We should be in awe of that and not be so arrogant t think that we humans always know best.

Well again Iam64- I apologise if mypost irritated you and seemed smug. The problem is not with the vets, but with some owners- who just can't and won't let go- which is not always in the pet's interest imho.

Rocknroll5me- I can assure you we've never let a pet of ours go 'too early' - our first dog wasput to sleep aged around 18 (he had cancer to testicle and at his age, we chose NOT to operate, not because of the money for sure)- one day he told us the time had come- the vet came home. All our pets are put to sleep at home- I don't suppose insurance covers that.

Our daughter's dachshund lived to 17- the last 2 years blind and needing injections for diabetes- he was so happy- so we continued. He was put to sleep in my arms at home too.

Gatsby also lived to 18 or so (as they are all rescues, we never know for sure) - and same, put to sleep on the day she told us enough was enough - in my arms, here at home.

Our Pudding (cat) is 25 - stays at home, sleeps a lot, but eats well and is so happy - the same will happen to her, but only when.

So yes, 'the fashion' is really offensive to me. It is all about love and common sense. When the vet saw Pudding the last time- he said very few pets die of old age in their sleep - because most people choose to not let them suffer once the time has come.

No pet of ours will ever be taken to the vet to die- we always call the vet here - the best money we have ever spent on them - and they take time to sedate first- and then it takes 1 second- very peaceful.

As for little Minou- many of you know the story- so I can hardly be accused of having animals suffer- or hesitate to take a lot of time and drastic action (and money) - when required.

I would always get pet insurance.

We have a cat that we found in the garden almost starved to death. I don't know how he survived. We took him in and the vet found him to be generally healthy. But a few years on he developed a serious bladder problem while we were on holiday. the lovely cattery lady dashed him to the animal hospital (at 90mph) and they were able to treat him. However we came home from holiday to find that we would have had a bill of £2,500 if her had not been insured.

Jura2, I've found a problem with vets that they don't advise positively to euthanise. Vets should support the animal in preference to its owner. I would much prefer for my vet to positively advise euthanasia when appropriate.