Pet wellness plans are an increasingly popular healthcare option for pet owners, but what exactly are they? In this post, our San Diego vets discuss some benefits that wellness plans offer your pet and why you should consider one.
Benefits of Wellness Plans
No owner wants to even imagine their pet getting hurt or sick, but just like with our health, it's best to be as prepared for the unexpected. A veterinary wellness plan can help ensure that your pet has easy access to medical care whenever they may need it.
Wellness Plans allow your vet team to monitor your pet's health and well-being with a variety of veterinary services at a discounted price. The preventive services offered can help your cat or dog live a longer and happier life.
Preventive Care
When it comes to health, prevention is almost always the best 'treatment.' It can be less expensive to prevent our animal friends from developing preventable illnesses or conditions in the first place, and by taking your cat or dog in for regular veterinary checkups, any potential problems can be identified early. Early detection leads to better treatment or management outcomes.
Support Good Pet Care
You're more likely to use something if you have easy access to it – and this includes your pet's health care services. More veterinary visits mean a healthier dog or cat at home, making your job of providing daily ongoing care easier!
Budgeting
Wellness plans can help you budget the cost of veterinary care, making it less stressful to head to the vet for your pet's routine or urgent care. Wellness plans can also be a source of security. Most of the services that your loving cat or dog could need will be covered by them, rather than having to pay for treatment unexpectedly out of pocket.
Discounts
Signing up for Wellness Plans can help you to save money! Many plans offer discounts on routine services, although each veterinary office will include or exclude different services. Contact your veterinarian to find out about their wellness plans and what they do or don't cover.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Pet owners dread the thought of their pets being injured or becoming ill, but it's important to be ready. A lot of wellness plans include a set number of veterinary examinations as part of the package, which can be very helpful when it comes to getting urgent care for your dog or cat.
Unique Plans for Unique Pets
Every pet is special and has different needs. While there are obvious differences in plans for cats compared to dogs, there are also differences between different sizes of dogs. A giant breed dog has different health and wellness needs from a small dog breed. Talk to your veterinarian for help selecting the best plan for you and your pet!
Dog Wellness Plans
For small to medium-sized dogs and large to giant-sized dogs, wellness plans frequently include:
- Routine wellness exams
- Core vaccinations
- Bloodwork
- Annual heartworm & tick disease testing
- 6-month intestinal parasite screenings
- 6-month wellness exam with Bordetella
- 12-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Cat Wellness Plans
Your feline friend's wellness plan will usually include:
- Routine wellness exams
- Annual core vaccination
- Bi-annual intestinal parasite screenings
- 12-month supply of flea & tick prevention
It's important to remember that pet insurance and wellness plans are different things! Wellness plans focus mostly on routine preventive care services, while emergency care and ongoing health conditions are covered by many pet insurance plans.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.