the healthcare of all of your pets

Posted on: 25 August 2015

Taking care of your cat's teeth is a necessity: cats are susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of teeth without proper dental care. However, having a cat's teeth professionally cleaned also generally involves a lot of extra steps that can wrack up a significant bill quickly. This guide will explain how you can use cat insurance to protect your cat's oral hygiene, as well as your wallet.

Not All Insurance Plans Cover All Teeth-Related Procedures

The first thing you should know about having your cat insured is that not all pet insurance plans cover dental work. When you're looking for a new plan, make sure that it specifically states that the following procedures are covered:

• Dental Cleaning and Exams - Cleanings should be performed regularly, and often require anesthesia and x-rays. If these aspects aren't covered, you may end up footing that part of the bill.
• Dental Extractions - Make sure your insurance company of choice will cover pulling your cat's teeth if it's necessary.
• After Care - Your cat may need antibiotics, hospitalization, and fluids via IV after their surgery.

If you can't find these specific procedures covered, don't be afraid to call the insurance company and ask before signing up. 

Preventative Maintenance May Be Necessary 

In some cases, pet insurance companies are happy to cover things like dental extractions and gum infections, under one condition: your cat's teeth were regularly cleaned by a professional.

While you should be regularly brushing your cat's teeth, they also need to have their teeth cleaned by a veterinarian. If your cat hasn't received regular dental care from their vet and develops a dental problem, your insurance company may refuse to pay for the treatment. While this may seem unfair, if a cat's medical problem could have been avoided with regular preventative care, the insurance company may feel it's your fault and thus don't have to pick up the bill.

Wellness Care Plans

Some pet insurance plans offer add-on wellness care plans on top of whatever your chosen insurance policy is. These wellness care plans charge you a set, extra amount per month, and then give you access to a budget that you can use for things like vaccinations, regular check-ups, and teeth cleanings. These plans are generally intended to encourage pet owners to be proactive and take their pet to the vet for regular, preventative care. The yearly budget you can use is higher than the amount you pay out over the course of the year, so it may be useful to you to purchase a wellness care add-on plan.

It's important to care for your kitty's teeth, and purchasing an insurance policy can help you to make it more affordable. Follow these tips to avoid some of the common insurance pitfalls, and you'll be able to get pet insurance that covers your cat's chompers.

For professional veterinary care, contact an office such as Gwynedd Veterinary Hospital.