In general, cats are considered to be more low-maintenance pets than dogs. They maintain their own hygiene by grooming themselves, they can spend more time alone, and you don’t need to take them out on a walk every day as soon as you get home.
So, many owners ask themselves – do cats need pet insurance? Be it indoor or outdoor. Statistics from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association Report show that there were less than 300,000 cats protected with pet health insurance, as opposed to 1,5 million dogs.
While pet cats demand less energy, free time, and money than dogs – this doesn’t mean they’re immune to illnesses and injuries.
Let’s see why indoor cat insurance is an idea every responsible owner should consider.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Indoor cats can get sick too. | Indoor cats are susceptible to the same illnesses as outdoor cats, including cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease. In fact, some studies have shown that indoor cats may actually be at an increased risk for certain diseases, such as idiopathic cystitis and inflammatory bowel disease. |
| Indoor cats can have accidents too. | Even though indoor cats are less likely to be hit by a car or attacked by another animal, they can still have accidents in the home. For example, they can fall from furniture, swallow poisonous plants or objects, or get electrocuted by cords. |
| Veterinary care can be expensive. | The cost of veterinary care has been rising steadily in recent years. Even routine care, such as annual checkups and vaccinations, can be expensive. If your cat gets sick or injured, you could face a significant financial burden. |
Indoor Cats Do Get Sick and Hurt:
Many associate the risks to a pet’s wellbeing with their time spent outdoors. Unfortunately, indoor-only cats can not only suffer from illnesses like any other pet, but they aren’t completely protected from accidents or injuries, either.
Forget about the “nine lives” myth – the insatiable desire for indoor mischief has cost many kitties some tricky injury, such as a sprained paw or a broken leg.
Pet insurance for cats is also a necessity for many medical conditions that felines can suffer from during their lives, such as digestive issues, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer.
Getting indoor cat insurance would provide a sense of financial security and cover the pricey vet care in case of such unfortunate times for your kitty.
Cat Vet Care is Expensive, Too
Felines may not require vet checkups as often as pet dogs, but when they do – the vet service expenses are more or less the same, sometimes even higher.
For example, a common accident with potentially grave consequences that can happen to a cat at home is ingesting a toxic chemical or a foreign object, like a tiny toy.
The required surgery, in this case, can cost between $850 – $1,300, plus additional expenses for painkillers and veterinary hospital stay.
Pet insurance for cats is even more helpful when it comes to long-lasting health conditions. Take diabetes for example – the long-term treatment can cost you up to $11,000.
Cats Tend to Hide Symptoms of Illness:
You may ask yourself – do my cats need pet insurance when they always look healthy and don’t show signs of any ailment? Well, have in mind that our feline friends can be awfully good at hiding their discomfort from their humans. This is a unique remaining trait from their adaptive evolution in the wild.
Cats also have a reputation for being naturally grumpy, reclusive, or lazy. Therefore, even the most careful cat owners may overlook some early symptoms of a medical condition. For example, if a cat is unwilling to interact with you or sleeps unusually long, we would easily conclude this happens due to its character.
When you do notice that something is wrong with your feline friend, pet insurance for cats will help you cover the expenses from any unexpected or urgent vet visits.
Pet Insurance for Cats is Worth Every Penny:
Last but not least, pet insurance for cats comes with even more cost-effective options than the ones offered for canines. There is no doubt that cats need vet care as well, but they generally suffer from injuries and diseases less often, which makes coverage plans more affordable.
Indoor cat insurance providers typically offer 2 kinds of plans: insurance that serves exclusively for accidents, and coverage for both accidents and medical conditions – priced at around $29 per month.
The pet insurance costs for felines depend on your cat’s age, breed, and location – similar to the policies for dogs. The premiums are lower for younger pets, so we recommend that you don’t hesitate and obtain a coverage plan for your feline when it’s still a kitten.
In addition to that, pet insurance plans don’t include pre-existing diagnoses.
So, by choosing pet insurance in your kitten’s earliest, healthy days – you invest in its future welfare.
Final Verdict – Do Indoor Cats Need Pet Insurance?
Our answer to all wondering cat moms and dads is – yes!
No matter how much of a homebody your kitty is, no pet is completely safe from accidents and injuries, not to even mention diseases.
From indoor shenanigans gone wrong to grave medical conditions, having a pet insurance plan to rely on makes things easier for you and your purring buddy.
