Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for families to gather, joke, eat, and in some cases, throw a few scraps of the piled plates into the cat house. Although it may seem like an innocent act, the wrong food can cause health problems for your furry friend.
Add sauces, turkey bones, fruit, spices and garnishes to the mix, and it’s no wonder pet insurers see an uptick in claims this time of year, said Julia Taliesin, Insurify’s data journalist. Independent via email
“Pet insurance claims increase during the holidays,” Taliesin said. “The holidays present unique threats that are not present in the off-season. Pets may accidentally eat small bones, poisonous foods or decorations that can cause illness or intestinal obstruction.”
That’s why checking out a pet insurance policy this season can be a smart move if you’re concerned about how your cat or dog’s health will fare with so many variables in the coming months.
“Pet parents should purchase insurance coverage if they think they may have trouble paying an unexpected large medical bill out of pocket,” Taliesin said. “If your pet has an unexpected injury or accident, pet insurance is generally worth it.”
How to choose a good pet insurance policy this holiday season
November and December can be expensive months for some families, so your first instinct may be to find the cheapest policy you can. However, before shopping for a policy based on price, it’s important to know what pet insurance generally covers and doesn’t cover, and how to choose the right policy for your dog or cat.
Know what your policy covers
Generally, accident-only policies cover your pet for medical care related to accidents. According to ASPCA pet health insurance, an accident category can cover pet mishaps such as eating poisonous food at Thanksgiving or swallowing a Christmas ornament.
For this reason, if you want to cover common holiday incidents, accident only or accident and sickness policies are more suitable. According to pet insurance company Trupanion, accident and illness policies add an extra layer of coverage for new illnesses such as allergies, upper respiratory infections, kidney disease and urinary obstruction, but premiums are likely to be higher than accident policies.
Understand the waiting period of your insurance policy
Most pet insurers operate a waiting period, meaning your cover won’t kick in until you’ve had your policy for a certain number of days. So, if you buy a policy with a 15-day waiting period for accidents and your cat gets sick after eating a few grapes on Thanksgiving, any care you receive related to that accidental illness probably won’t be covered.
While waiting periods are common among pet insurers, companies like MetLife and Embrace Pet Insurance do not have waiting periods for accidents. These policies are best if you want to protect your pet (and your finances) if they eat or swallow something they shouldn’t.
Consider how much your premium is
Pet insurance is significantly more affordable than human health insurance. According to insurance marketplace Insurify, the national average monthly premium is $42 for dogs and $23 for cats. These figures can vary based on several factors, including:
- Age of pet: Premiums are higher for older pets
- Location: Some states have higher premiums than others
- Pet breed: Mixed-breed pets have lower insurance premiums than purebreds
- Coverage: Policies that offer more coverage cost more
- Deductible amount: Policies with higher deductibles have lower premiums and vice versa
- Refund rate: Pet insurance policies typically have a reimbursement rate similar to coinsurance rates—that’s a percentage of what your insurer will pay for a covered loss after all applicable deductibles have been met. Lower reimbursement rates usually lead to lower premiums and vice versa.
- Insurer: Some insurers offer more competitive rates than others
- Pet Type: Dogs are more expensive to insure than cats
Where you live can also affect your pet insurance premium. For example, the average pet insurance premium in Alaska is $44, while the average premium in Arkansas is $22. Either way, make sure you choose a premium that fits your budget.
Compare policy prices and coverage features
Most pet owners will have multiple insurances to choose from, so it’s important to compare quotes from multiple pet insurance providers. This can be a great way for pet owners to find affordable coverage, Taliesin said.
“Pet parents can get an online insurance quote in minutes by entering their pet’s information,” he said. “They can then compare these coverages and quotes to see which one is worth the most.”
How to manage pet risks on vacation with or without pet insurance
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that holiday foods common in many homes this time of year can pose potential health risks to your cat or dog, including:
- sauces
- dressing up
- Fat or rind
- Poultry fat or skin
- Poultry bone
- Fatty foods
- chocolate
- Some ingredients for pumpkin pie
- chocolate
- Yeast-based unbaked dough
Taliesin said fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in some pets, and holiday decorations like ribbons and snails can cause gastrointestinal obstruction if swallowed by your pet.
To reduce the risk of toxic food entering your pet’s stomach, make your food rules clear to those who attend dinners and parties at your house. In addition, dispose of meat and poultry carcasses as soon as possible, recommends the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Finally, the Arizona Humane Society suggests keeping your pets in a crate or secure enclosure during parties and dinners if they like to climb on kitchen counters or check what’s on the dining room table.
