Is pet insurance worth it for Newfoundland?
The Newfoundland is a giant dog breed with a big heart and friendly, affectionate personality. They are known for their impressive strength and swimming abilities. They can weigh as much as 150 pounds and can be black, brown, or white.
While Newfoundlands are typically healthy dogs, they are prone to several medical conditions that can be expensive to treat. That’s why pet insurance can help you pay for your Newfoundland’s veterinary bills if they get sick or injured.
Pet insurance policies allow you to choose the coverage amount you need, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing you won’t have to pay for all of your dog’s veterinary bills out of pocket.
No matter what kind of dog you own, there are always unexpected costs during their lifetimes, such as torn ligaments or other health concerns. Having pet insurance is a great way to budget for these expenses while also getting the best care possible for your Newfoundland if they ever get sick or injured.
Common health conditions for a Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are prone to specific health problems. In many cases, these problems can be avoided through regular veterinary care and good nutrition:
- Hip Dysplasia: This occurs when the head of the femur bone does not fit properly into the hip socket. This causes pain, lameness, and arthritis-like symptoms in the affected joint. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred because they can pass this condition onto their offspring.
- Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS): This is an abnormal blood vessel narrowing just below one of the heart valves (the aortic valve). This causes the heart to work harder than usual, increasing pressure in the blood vessel. Puppies born with SAS don’t usually show symptoms until several months old.
- Elbow Dysplasia: This is a hereditary disease that affects many large breeds of dogs involving multiple issues with elbow development, including incongruity between the bones of the elbow joint and fragmentation of the ancone.
- Hypothyroidism: This is caused by a lack of thyroid hormone that can lead to lethargy, weight gain, muscle stiffness, and skin infections. A veterinarian can diagnose hypothyroidism through a blood test and prescribe thyroid hormone supplements.
- Obesity: As with many breeds, obesity is an issue for Newfoundlands. These dogs must be adequately fed and often exercised to remain healthy. Over-eating can cause joint problems and heart disease in these dogs and should be avoided at all costs.
- Entropion is when the eyelids roll inward toward the eye, causing irritation and pain. Vets correct this problem with surgery.
- Ectropion: This is when the lower eyelid droops downward, exposing the inner surface of the eyelid. This can cause irritation and infection. Vets usually correct this problem with surgery that tightens or replaces the lower eyelid.
- Cataracts: occur when the lens of an eye turns cloudy or opaque, resulting in vision loss if left untreated. Surgery can remove cataracts with a prosthetic lens inserted in the place of the natural one.
What does pet insurance cover for Newfoundland?
Newfoundlands can live between 10 and 12 years, but we’d want our furry family members to stay healthy even longer! Pet insurance can help you afford the care your Newfoundland needs, no matter their age. Depending on the policy you choose, your Newfoundland pet insurance plan may cover:
- Accidents: If your Newfoundland is injured in an accident, such as being hit by a car or eating something he shouldn’t have, pet insurance will help pay for vet bills to treat his injuries.
- Illness: If your Newfoundland becomes sick, such as from cancer or an infection, pet insurance will help pay vet bills to diagnose and treat his condition.
- Routine care: If your Newfoundland needs regular veterinary care, such as annual vaccinations or teeth cleaning, pet insurance will help pay for preventative vet visits.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Newfoundland?
Pet insurance coverage can offer peace of mind knowing your pet’s medical costs are protected. But what factors affect the price of a Newfoundland dog insurance plan, and how much should you expect to pay?
- Location: Different country areas will have different average costs for veterinary treatment due to variations in local wages, property prices, and other factors. Some places will also have higher incidences of certain diseases or illnesses.
- Age: The older your dog is when you start the policy, the more expensive it will be due to the increased probability of illness and injury. Insurers typically offer discounts for insuring multiple pets together. If you have other dogs to insure, the premium may be lower than if Newfoundland were the only pet in the family.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount you pay toward your annual vet bill before the insurance company begins to reimburse you. The deductible is paid per incident, so if your pet has two accidents in one year, you will pay the deductible twice. Usually, lower deductibles mean higher monthly premiums and vice versa.
- Gender: Generally speaking, female dogs are less expensive to get insured than male dogs due to there being fewer issues with prostate or testicular cancer or infections
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Newfoundland
Purchasing pet insurance is a relatively new concept, so finding the best policy for your needs is not always easy. Here’s some guidance on how to choose the best pet insurance plan for your Newfoundland:
- Check out the company’s reputation: Make sure you read reviews, ask people that have already used the company, and check out their social channels to see how they interact with customers. If you’re going to be spending money on a policy, you want to know what kind of customer service you’ll get if you need to make a claim or if there are any issues with your dog’s coverage.
- Consider your budget: Pet insurance can be a big help, but it’s not free. You pay monthly premiums — what you pay depends on the age and breed of your dog and how comprehensive you want the coverage to be. Look at different plans to compare premiums before deciding what works best for you and your Newfoundland’s needs.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: It can be challenging to know if these conditions existed before you had the policy in place, so it’s recommended that you get a health check from your vet before you make the purchase. Some policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions, but some will insure them as long as they’re not related to injuries or illnesses before taking out the approach.
- Define your needs: Do you want a plan covering all accidents and illnesses, or do you just wish for accident coverage? Will you need an annual check-up? How much would you be comfortable paying out of pocket if your pet got sick or injured? Base your coverage needs on these factors, and make sure they’re reflected in your plan.