According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, most pets are considered seniors at around age 7 years old and many pet owners are not prepared to deal with the financial hardship an unwell older pet can cause.
Veterinary medical advances have made it possible to care for ailing, older pets much longer than was once possible. And although this may be viewed as a great accomplishment for veterinary medicine, for millions of pet owners, it has become a financial burden and hardship that many pet owners cannot endure.
For example, as pets age they can develop life threatening illnesses, like diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, kidney disease, heart disease, and even cancer. These older pet illnesses were once considered a death sentence for older pets, but today, thanks to modern vet medicine, pets can not only be treated successfully for these illnesses, but they can also live much longer than what was once expected from such devastating illnesses.
But vet medical care to pay for the medicines and treatments associated with these illnesses can be expensive. For example, one month of medication and supplies to care for a diabetic pet can cost around $100.
Then there are tests like BG curve, regular blood glucose monitoring, eye exams and other regular care a diabetic pet would require to ensure they continue to stay as healthy and well as possible.
The Elderly Pet Organization is committed to helping educate pet parents not only about pet care and treatment options available for elderly pets, but also to help inform pet parents about how to pay for elderly pet care.
As your pet ages, their medical needs will likely become greater and greater. Pet insurance is a wonderful option that has come a long way in protecting pet owners from financial hardship, and protecting pets from premature death due to parents inability to pay for vet medical treatments.
If you are a pet parent and your pet is nearing age 7, and if you have not done so already, it is time to consider pet insurance for your older pet. The premiums generally start around $15 per month for cats and $25 per month for dogs, and are a small price to pay as compared with some of the very expensive treatment options available for vet medical care.
We love our pets, and we want what is best for them. Don’t be forced to choose between paying for vet pet care and other necessities. There really is no greater comfort than having the means to pay for vet pet care when you need it and not making life changing decisions about your pet based on your ability to pay for their care.
While most pet insurance will not cover pre existing conditions, many will cover older pets before they become ill.
Read our article, Pet Insurance Facts, to learn more about pet insurance for senior pets.
