Importance of Wellness Visits + a Financial Plan, A Guest Blog By Heather Kalinowski Of Trupanion Insurance

Heather Kalinowski is a pet lover and new mom who spends her days helping other pet owners protect their pets with dog and cat insurance. Trupanion offers 90% coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if a pet becomes sick or injured.

Today, cats are not just pets, they are family members. And, like we would for any family member, we will always try to protect our beloved cats from anything that may cause them harm. But these curious creatures have a way of surprising us, and it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected.

Most veterinarians encourage you to schedule once- or twice-yearly wellness visits, even if your cat is healthy. These visits serve many purposes – they confirm your cat is up-to-date on vaccinations and dental cleanings, they help strengthen the relationship you and your cat have with your veterinarian, and most importantly they help ensure that any illnesses or injuries your cat may be suffering from are caught as early as possible.

Cats are instinctually solitary animals and they tend to hide any health problems from their families. This could mean that once they start showing signs, the illness or injury could be quite advanced, requiring extensive treatment.

Pre-screening during wellness exams will catch any health concerns they may be hiding, allowing you to start treatment as early as possible, saving your cat from extended periods of pain and suffering. Ultimately, this leads to a better quality of life for your cat – and you! What follows, however, is an emotional burden that is often heightened by the financial stress of paying for treatment.

Cody and "Dr.Smiley"

For many of us, our love for our pets has no financial limit, and we develop a plan for these unexpected expenses. There are several ways to pay for unexpected veterinary bills, such as credit cards, savings accounts, pet insurance, and borrowing from friends and family members. Whatever the option, having a plan is vital so we can easily say “yes, do what you need to do to save my pet.”

Unprepared pet owners are forced to opt for less effective treatment, no treatment, or in the worst situations, euthanasia. Pairing a scheduled wellness plan with a financial plan for treatment costs will help ensure that the furry member of the family will have the best chance at living a long and healthy life filled with many more playful moments.

Does your cat see his or her veterinarian regularly? Are you prepared for those unexpected expenses that might present themselves?