Is My Pet Too Old for Pet Insurance?

Senior pet owners may find it hard to get suitable pet insurance for their pets due to age factor. While some pet insurance may have age limits, others may not make all packages available for senior pets. Let’s look into more details about insuring older pets, available insurance options, perks and best fits.

Content:

1. When Is a Pet Considered "Senior"
2. Is It Worth Insuring Older Pets
3. Is there Pet Insurance for Older Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions
4. Conclusion

When Is a Pet Considered "Senior"

A pet is considered senior when it reaches a certain adult age range, which usually falls under 7-10 years for cats and 6-11 years for dogs. Pets around 6 years old are generally considered senior or old pets.

“The most accurate way to determine when a dog becomes a senior is by their size; the larger a dog breed, the shorter their lifespan”, - Dr. Barri J. Morrison

These age ranges could be more diverse in dogs when breed size differences are considered, as in the table below:

Being a senior comes with lots of downsides. For pets, it’s not just a period of long sleep; sometimes, they have to put up with the pain that comes with arthritis or emergency conditions. For emergencies, the Petcube Emergency Fund is offering a vet fee coverage of up to $3000. Sign-up now through the exclusive link to get a 27% discount.

Here are some behavioral and physical changes that could indicate a pet is senior:

Behavioral Changes:

• Pets become less energetic when they grow older. They may not jump as high or run as far as they could when they were younger.
• There could be a noticeable loss of interest in their favorite tasks, like fetching a ball or taking a walk.
• Consistent vocalisation which makes it look like they are reacting to pain or discomfort.
• Senior pets have an unstable appetite. They could eat more at one point or go for a long time with little food.
• Senior pets tend to sleep more and become less active.

Physical Changes:

• Senior pets show signs of sensory loss such as reduced vision, smell, and hearing.
• Fat deposition and obesity could set in when pets get older due to loss of muscle mass.
• Arthritis and joint pain may be inevitable in senile pets, as they tend to move less and exercise less often.
• As pets get older, their furs are replaced by grey ones, mostly around the neck and face.

Is It Worth Insuring Older Pets

Yes, it’s worth insuring older pets. They need care just like middle-aged and younger pets. Pet parents want their pet to stay around as much as possible since they are considered family. Based on some studies and my experience, insuring a pet makes a pet owner more committed to their pet's health.

“Pet insurance is always worth it when the pet is young; most pet insurance plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions”, - Reddit User

Is there Pet Insurance for Older Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions

It is typical for most pet insurance not to cover pre-existing conditions but they would gladly cover future conditions or illnesses. That’s the key feature to look out for when picking out pet insurance for your older dog. Since older dogs tend to develop senile conditions like diabetes or arthritis, some pet insurance won’t cover these.

Research recommends that pet parents should opt in for pet insurance that has good offers for emergencies. For example, the Petcube Emergency Fund is a go-to plan to utilize when your senior dog experiences an emergency and would need immediate treatment care. This package can offset up to $3000 of vet fees and offers a 27% discount when you register through the exclusive link.

Aside from this, there are a few pet insurance policies that are suitable for senior dogs with pre-existing conditions. They include:

• Petgevity
• Spot
• Embrace (curable conditions only)
• Pets Best
• Pet Assure (offers discounts)

When choosing a pet insurance plan, always check each provider's age limit, waiting plan, and exclusions. These are also factors to consider when choosing a befitting insurance plan for your senior dog.

Conclusion

It is usually difficult to get a pet insurance plan for your senior dog that covers pre-existing conditions because most plans do not offer this feature. Whereas, some plans will only cover the curable pre-existing conditions and future conditions. It is best to get your pet insured early enough before it hits old age to get the best out of the pet insurance.