Five Justifications for Pet Insurance for Outdoor Dogs

It’s safe to assume that many pet parents will have to pay for emergency veterinary treatment at some time in their dog’s life, even if I can’t predict with certainty whether and when your pet will require it. Unfortunately, the average cost of an unexpected veterinarian bill is between $800 and $1,500, which would surprise a lot of Americans.One

Many medical procedures, including cancer treatments or emergency surgery, can cost thousands of dollars. Many pet owners would find it difficult to pay for their dog’s essential medical treatment since, according to a poll, just 19.44% of pet parents indicated they could afford a $5,000 vet bill out of pocket.

Is pet insurance necessary for dogs that live outside?
We are aware that many industrious puppies and energetic breeds like spending the majority of their time outside running about, but no dog should ever live and sleep outside every day or night. Having a pet insurance plan in place might be especially beneficial for outdoor dogs, though, as spending more time outside can raise your dog’s health risk factors.

Veterinarians concur that many pet owners find dog insurance to be worthwhile, but because outdoor dogs have additional risk factors, they can gain even more from pet insurance. Now let’s examine a few of these risk variables.

Bad weather and extremely high temperatures might be harmful.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outside are more likely to suffer from illnesses including hypothermia and heat stroke, among others.

Dogs are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration, two potentially fatal illnesses, when it’s too hot outside. Given that dogs die from heatstroke at a rate of about 50%, this is a very real and severe issue.2. Dogs are more likely to suffer from heatstroke because their internal temperatures are greater than those of people.

Hospitalization and emergency care are typically necessary for heatstroke, frostbite, and hypothermia. Just the diagnostic tests might easily cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more.3 One way I shield myself from high emergency veterinary expenditures like this is by getting pet insurance.

Possibility of parasite exposure
Dogs kept outside have a considerably higher chance of contracting parasites and worms, which can infect people as well as other agricultural animals and household pets. Sadly, a dog carrying worms can spread the worms’ eggs through their feces, exposing nearby animals and people to the worms’ eggs. Over 100,000 eggs may be produced daily by a single worm, posing a serious risk to everyone’s health.

Treatments and preventions for parasites and worms can be expensive. But the alternative—risking spreading the disease to other people and paying for your dog’s veterinarian care—can be even more costly. For instance, a round of worm treatment can cost up to $90 (many dogs, especially pups, require numerous rounds of therapy). This sum excludes the cost of the physical examination, which varies by location and usually ranges from $40 to $100 each visit. It may add up rapidly if you have more than one diseased dog.

By comparison, the average cost of a flea and worm preventive for your dog is about $65 for a three-month supply. You can get coverage for vaccinations and preventatives with a pet wellness plan.

usually more likely to sustain injuries
Being on a farm with my dogs has opened my eyes to the vast array of ailments that might occur. Between routine exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, and injuries, we have spent far over $100,000 over the past 20 years.

Sadly, outside dogs are much more likely to sustain injuries. My own dogs have had injuries from elk or cow kicks, porcupine assaults, and just being overly enthusiastic and rupturing their ACLs (anterior cruciate ligament condition). Even an injury examination is quite costly because our nearest 24-hour veterinarian is two hours distant and charges $500 to enter.