Is pet insurance worth it for a Somali?
If your pet does get sick or injured, you’ll be glad you have it because vet bills can get astronomical. They can sometimes run into thousands of dollars depending on the ailment. Pet insurance helps cover those high bills, so you don’t have to foot the entire bill yourself.
There are some things to keep in mind regarding Somali cats, specifically since they are a specific breed with health risks that apply only to them.
To start, Somali cats are susceptible to something known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is when your cat’s gums become inflamed due to an accumulation of plaque and tartar near their teeth. Typically this will require a trip to your veterinarian for a teeth cleaning and medication to treat the ailment.
Somali cats are also more susceptible than other breeds to heartworm disease and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. In such a situation, pet insurance will help cover these conditions, hence relieving pet owners from expensive vet bills.
Common health conditions for a Somali
The Somali cat breed is generally very healthy and robust, but they are susceptible to certain health conditions like all breeds. Below you will find a brief overview of health issues seen in the Somali cat breed:
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency: This inherited condition affects red blood cells. The enzyme pyruvate kinase is responsible for helping red blood cells recycle and produce energy. Red blood cells that lack pyruvate kinase die early, which causes anaemia and other problems. A DNA test is now available for PK deficiency in Somalis, so responsible breeders can avoid using affected cats in their breeding programs.
- Renal Amyloidosis: This condition can cause kidney failure in older Somalis and Abyssinians. It occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in the kidney tissue, causing it to become stiff and less able to function properly. Although laboratory tests are available to diagnose renal amyloidosis early in its development, most cats do not show symptoms until they are older than ten years old. By this time, it may be too late to help them much.
- Progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative disease that affects both eyes, causing vision loss and eventual blindness. The breed’s propensity for retinal atrophy is very low. Somalis have a lower incidence of this condition than most other breeds. To avoid inheriting retinal atrophy traits from the parents, it’s advisable to get your kitten from a reputable breeder who has had the parents tested by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
What does pet insurance cover for a Somali?
Considering the value of having one of these rare and beautiful breeds in your family, it is worth taking out pet insurance to protect against any potential issues. Pet insurance can cover:
- Accidents: If something happens to your Somali cat, expenses can pile up very quickly. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of emergency vet visits, x-rays, surgery and treatment for any injuries due to an accident such as a fracture or broken bone.
- Illness: Pet insurance will also cover conditions, so if your Somali gets sick, you can rest assured that your pet will get proper medical care. This coverage includes treatment for allergies, diabetes and cancer, which are all common illnesses that affect Somali cats but may be difficult to treat without proper medical care.
- Routine care: A good pet insurance plan can also help routine care such as annual check-ups and shots. The cost of these services can add up quickly, so it’s important to make sure that your Somali cat has proper medical coverage.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Somali?
There are a few factors that can affect the price of your Somali pet insurance policy:
- Location: In general, pet insurance is cheaper in rural areas compared to urban areas. This is because the claims in rural areas are lower than in urban areas.
- Age: The older your pet, the higher the premiums. This is based on statistics that show that older pets have more health problems than younger pets.
- Deductible: This determines how much you’ll pay before your insurance pays out and how much you’ll pay in premiums. High deductibles mean low premiums, and low deductibles result in increased premiums.
- Gender: An unneutered male or an unspayed female Somali could have a higher premium than if they were neutered or spayed. This is because unaltered pets are more likely to get into accidents or fights, increasing the risk of injury or illness you may want to claim on your pet insurance policy.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Somali
Picking the right pet insurance for a Somali can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of information to take in, and with so many companies offering services and plans, it isn’t easy to know what you are comparing. When you are looking at pet insurance, there are four things you should keep in mind to ensure that you get the right company that will enable your pet to get critical care at an appropriate or favourable cost:
- Check out the company’s reputation: Several companies offer pet insurance, and their plans vary widely in terms of cost and coverage. Before you consider signing up for a particular plan, check out the company’s reputation with its existing customers. You can do this by looking at review sites, asking friends who have pets or checking with your veterinarian.
- Consider your budget: Pet insurance plans can be costly, but some plans suit every budget, some as low as $15 per month. So before you start shopping around for coverage, decide how much money you’re willing to spend on it each month. That will make finding the right plan much easier since you’ll only be considering options within your price range.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: When shopping for insurance, consider your pet’s pre-existing conditions. Although most companies claim they will cover pre-existing conditions if they are not excluded from coverage, there may be limitations on how much they will reimburse or how often they will pay claims. If this is the case, it may be worth looking into a policy with lifetime coverage limits instead of per-incident or annual limits.
- Define your needs: Think about what type of coverage you need and how much money you can afford to spend on premiums. Most policies cover accidents, but if you’re looking for more comprehensive care, then look into plans that offer wellness visits and routine vaccinations and optional services like dental cleaning or spaying/neutering surgery at no additional cost to you.