If you have a Tonkinese, chances are they’ve already become a loved member of your family. Keep them healthy and safe by considering quality pet insurance for expensive veterinarian bills. To help you with this process, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.
Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.
Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.
What we like
Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.
Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.
What we like
Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
Claims are reimbursed in minutes
Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.
With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.
What we like
Monthly premiums as low as $24
Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors
What we don't
Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
Does not offer wellness coverage
Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year
Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.
What we like
Older cats and dogs are covered
Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
Like most cat breeds, Tonkinese is a healthy cat overall, but they can still develop health problems from heart disease to hyperthroidism. If your cat gets sick or injured, care costs could add up fast.
Medical treatment for your Tonkinese can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more serious issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Tonkinese can quickly add up, costing up to a few thousand dollars. In these situations, you don’t want to be in the middle of a crisis and have to choose between your beloved cat and the affordability of their medical treatment.
To prepare for these unexpected circumstances, consider investing in pet insurance. It can help you afford your pet’s medical treatments and procedures, while you focus on your cat’s recovery.
Pet insurance can also provide peace of mind that your cat can be covered for the necessary treatments when it has an accident, injury, or illness. This includes (but is not limited to) broken bones, cancer treatment, harm caused by another animal, and prescriptions for chronic conditions. Therefore, pet insurance can be important and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for a Tonkinese
Typically, a Tonkinese has a long lifespan. You can expect your cat to live somewhere between 12 – 18 years. However, like all cat breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your cat could develop. Here are the most common health conditions that affect these cat breeds:
Hyperesthesia syndrome: This is a condition in which a cat becomes overly sensitive to touch, sights, and sounds. The result is excessive grooming and self-mutilation. It can be treated with anti-anxiety medications or natural remedies.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: HCM is a heart disease that causes the heart walls to thicken. It may not cause any symptoms until it’s very advanced, but you may notice your cat has lost interest in its favorite activities and has trouble breathing. The only treatment is medication, which will control the symptoms. Your vet should monitor your cat regularly to ensure they’re getting enough oxygen.
Eye problems: Tonkinese cats are prone to eye problems such as corneal sequestrum and iris melanomas. Corneal sequestrum occurs when dead tissue gets stuck on the cornea and causes irritation or ulcers. Iris melanomas are tumors that grow on the iris, usually on one eye only.
Patellar luxation: This occurs when the kneecap slides out of the groove in the thigh bone. This causes pain and lameness in one or both hind legs, worsening over time. Surgery is usually required to fix this condition.
Cystitis: This is caused by inflammation of the bladder and is more common in male than female Tonkinese cats. If your cat is displaying symptoms such as pain when urinating and blood in its urine, it is likely to be suffering from cystitis.
Feline asthma: Cats can also suffer from asthma, which causes them to experience difficulty breathing. Tonkinese cats are more prone to developing feline asthma than other breeds, and this condition will require lifelong treatment in the form of inhalers or tablets.
Lymphoma: As with other purebred cat breeds, lymphoma has been reported in Tonkinese cats. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes with no known cause but can be treated through chemotherapy.
What does pet insurance cover for a Tonkinese?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your cat. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
Accidents: Most pet insurance policies cover accidents. For a Tonkinese cat, this might mean broken bones, injuries from a car accident, or a bite from another pet.
Illness: Pet health insurance will also cover illness. This means you could take your Tonkinese cat to the vet for vomiting and diarrhea or even cancer and receive reimbursement for the cost of treatment.
Routine care: Pet insurance can also cover regular veterinary visits and procedures like vaccinations or teeth cleaning. These can get expensive, so it’s excellent if your policy covers them for your Tonkinese cat. This is usually an add-on to the standard policy.
In addition, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions that were established before you registered your pet for coverage. Be sure to review everything your potential pet insurance plan covers and what types of pre-existing conditions they exclude to ensure your pet will be eligible for coverage.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Tonkinese?
There are many factors that will determine the monthly premium rate for your Tonkinese (included but not limited to):
Location: If veterinarian costs are high in your area, it may be more expensive to insure your Tonkinese. The price of veterinary care and pet food can vary widely from one region to another. It may also be more costly if there are very few veterinarians in your area, as there will be less competition.
Age: Older pets are more prone to specific health problems and may require expensive treatments or surgeries down the road. Therefore, Older cats will have higher premiums.
Deductible: This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible means lower premiums and more out-of-pocket expenses if something happens to your pet. A lower deductible means higher monthly payments but less out of pocket if disaster strikes.
Gender: Female cats are generally cheaper to insure than male cats as they are not at risk of testicular cancer and they do not roam as far.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Tonkinese
There are many pet insurance options available for a Tonkinese, so how do you choose the best one? Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you are deciding on the right plan:
Check out the company’s reputation: You want an insurer that has been around for a while and has a good track record. If you know someone who has used pet insurance, ask them about their experience. Also, check with your veterinarian to learn if they recommend any specific policies.
Consider your budget: Make sure the policy you choose fits within your means. And be especially careful with policies that offer lower premiums but higher deductibles, as this may cost you more in the long run.
Consider pre-existing conditions: If you have a cat with pre-existing medical conditions, those will generally not be covered by pet insurance, so you need to check what will be covered or excluded with the provider.
Define your needs: Think about what type of coverage you want for your Tonkinese cat. Do you want only major medical coverage that covers accidents and illnesses? Or are you looking for coverage that includes routine care like annual exams and vaccinations? It’s best to see your cat’s lifestyle and decide what policy to choose.
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